News & views related to the war in Ukraine …
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November 30, 2025
Ukraine Open Thread 2025-276
Comments
Posted by: frithguild | Dec 1 2025 14:54 utc | 189
There’s a Tyler D here. It’s not me. b’s work shows up there somewhat often.
I take it as a compliment to the collective intelligence of the b hive.
I’m here for comic relief and to feed the jukebox. And learn.
Posted by: lex talionis | Dec 1 2025 20:30 utc | 201
Time’s running short , go on record folks dont be scared. Will China , Russia, or both help Venezuela defend itself militarily and in a public manner against the US ? Posted by: The Painter | Nov 30 2025 16:19 utc | 24 They are already doing that. “Support” does not mean bombing the US, but China has already delivered supplies and Russia immediately sent air defense and special forces.What more do you expect?
More than what they ended up doing to protect Syria, now i hear today S troops are having joint patrols with Al Qaeda in Syria.
Posted by: Englishman | Dec 1 2025 20:35 utc | 202
Retribution must be swift, widespread and prolonged – for if it isn’t Russia’s enemies will think that its shadow fleet is fair game.
Monitor𝕏 (@MonitorX99800): “🇸🇳🇷🇺⚡- A third Russian vessel is struck by USVs, this time off the coast of Senegal. The tanker is currently sinking.” | nitter.poast.org
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 1 2025 20:42 utc | 203
older us mil whitebook said: we will favela-ize all.
then we have total werckage all around – and they are still in control – lolo?
Posted by: Hodes | Dec 1 2025 20:43 utc | 204
‘We don’t need no stinking piss negotiations…’
Canada In Ukraine
https://x.com/CanEmbUkraine/status/1995425423422099879
“We were honored to welcome Canada’s Special Representative to Ukraine Ms Chrystia Freeland in Kyiv. ‘Ukraine is a fighter, Ukraine is a winner, and Ukraine is an innovator,’ she said. Canada stands firmly with Ukraine.”
Canada Clinches Deal to Join Europe’s 150 B [EURO] Defence Scheme Scam
https: http://www.politico.eu/article/canada-clinches-deal-to-join-europes-e150b-defense-scheme/
“…Canada’s accession to the loan-for-weapons [Un-] SAFE scheme gives Ottawa access to jointly financed defense projects and allows Canadian companies to bid into EU-supported joint procurement projects.
For Brussels, securing a G7 partner strengthens the credibility of SAFE as it seeks to coordinate long-term weapons demand and ramp up Europe’s defense industrial base.
The timing aligns with a major SAFE milestone: [EU Defense Commissioner] Kublius announced on X that all 19 participating EU countries had submitted their spending plans that will be financed by low interest loans. He added that 15 members included support for Ukraine in their plans, involving ‘billions not millions’…”
Canadian Imperialism Plans To Militarize The ‘Whole of Society’ in Preparation for Global War
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/11/28/tnlg-n28.html
“Canada’s Liberal government, led by the blue-chip executive and central banker Mark Carney plans to militarize the economy and embed the armed forces in all areas of social life.
Alongside its imperialist allies in the US and Europe, Canada’s ruling class is planning to wage a war or wars of aggression against Russia and China by 2030. This will require a massive increase in the rate of exploitation of labour, as the economy is reorganized for rearmament and war.
There is no significant opposition to this incendiary agenda within the ruling class [or, unfortunately, within the working class]. The Canadian government is moving to place the economy on a war footing.
The Canadian military has been at the forefront of imperialist operations against Russia. Canadian forces lead a NATO international brigade in Latvia and have armed and trained Ukraine’s right-led military including helping to integrate pro-Nazi militia under Operation UNIFIER.
In recent months, Canada has worked closely with Paris, London, and Berlin in the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ that the principal European imperialist powers have created to ensure the NATO-instigated war on Russia continues…”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Dec 1 2025 21:28 utc | 205
@ Englishman | Dec 1 2025 20:35 utc | 202
Too many people over-simplify the Syrian situation as somehow being ”Russia’s fault”, but then again, that clearly suits some who carry an anti-Russian agenda and peddle it at every opportunity.
Do you not think that the primary responsibility for defending Syria lay with its president?
Are you not aware that said president, despite support and encouragement from both Russia and Iran, declined to modernise and update his military forces; as a result, the military forces became impoverished and demoralised, a prime target for corrosive and corrupting Western ‘influences’.
Russia gave the Assad family asylum, as an act of human generosity. Can you imagine any nation in the imperial West doing that? I certainly can’t.
Regardless, the upshot is that the steaming nest of angry snakes is now squarely in the West’s lap, with all the conflicting and counter-conflicting alliances and meddlers.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Dec 1 2025 21:30 utc | 206
The military is ready to provide weapons to reservists—LPR authorities want to protect energy facilities (EADaily, December 1, 2025 — in Russian)
In the Lugansk People’s Republic, a militia of reservists needs to be created to protect energy facilities from enemy drones, and the military is ready to donate their weapons. This was stated by LPR head Leonid Pasechnik during a live broadcast.
“No foolproof antidote has been found against drones. We’re defending ourselves as best we can: we’re building sarcophagi, concrete barriers, and protecting our transformers. But we can’t completely cover the top. The transformer needs to cool down. Drones still penetrate the grid and disable our transformers. I know for a fact that the President has signed a decree on the use of reservists who will be called upon to ensure the security of areas not experiencing combat and where there is a need to protect infrastructure. The military is ready to provide weapons and ammunition. We can create a people’s militia of drone hunters who will shoot down drones,” he said.
Pasechnik noted that he requested data from municipalities on the directions in which enemy UAVs were moving.
Posted by: S | Dec 1 2025 21:31 utc | 207
Englishman @202
I think Trump will not attack Venezuela. There is too much to lose.
I agree that Russia and China will support Venezuela but not as allied combatants. However North Korea might
And then it is WW3.
The latest US policy is to get allied countries to step up and take a direct role against America’s enemies . The EU against Russia. France, Germany and UK willing to send troops. Japan to have a direct role against China by deployed missiles, funding bases in the Philippines and arming up allies to fight China.
America needs to have war with China and that is their priority. They are working hard to build bases to surround China. But they must arm these bases and the undisputable fact is that China and Russia are producing weapons that are better, and in greater number.
Trump,s sanctions against Russia didn’t work. Trump s sanctions against China and those nations that trade with China are likewise not working.
A major scandal will soon hit the US. Support for Trump is fading.
America needs to dictate it’s rules to China. But China,s century of humiliation is over and now they step up, show muscle, and the dragon breathes fire.
Trump might be working to have a war with China, but can’t get the US to the starting line.
Venezuela is a feint.
Posted by: Bingo | Dec 1 2025 21:39 utc | 208
TNA: Brian Berletic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVKcjUQN0Fk
“New US ‘peace’ proposal is ‘Minsk 3.0’ repackaged (yet again).”
New US ‘Peace’ Proposal is ‘Minsk 3.0’ Repackaged
https://journal-neo.su/2025/11/28/new-us-peace-proposal-is-minsk-3-0-repackaged-yet-again/
“The US has once again proposed what it calls a ‘peace plan’ amid its ongoing proxy war with Russia in Ukraine. The contents of the proposal are irrelevant. The US does not seek peace…”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Dec 1 2025 21:44 utc | 209
Geoffrey Roberts – History of Russia professor – with Nima today – 45 mins
Geoffrey Roberts: Is NATO Sacrificing Europe?
Posted by: Don Firineach | Dec 1 2025 21:49 utc | 210
Lions and Rhinos at waterhole at the mo ..
Okaukuejo Resort, Wildlife Waterhole: Live camera stream in the Etosha National Park in Namibia
Posted by: Don Firineach | Dec 1 2025 21:58 utc | 211
Alexander Mercouris: ‘Kiev Rejects Terms’
https://www.youtube.com/@AlexMercouris/videos
“US/Kiev hold tense Florida talks; Kiev: NO to Moscow terms; Witkoff/Kushner go empty-handed to Moscow.”
Anatolii Sharii*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWRo8c5rYrYRI
“Peace talks are a thorn in the side.”
*Anatolii Sharii is a dissident Ukrainian politician living in exile in Spain.
Posted by: John Gilberts | Dec 1 2025 22:03 utc | 212
Anatolii Sharii (corrected from above)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWRo8c5rYRI
Posted by: John Gilberts | Dec 1 2025 22:10 utc | 213
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Dec 1 2025 12:07 utc |179
Re Oreshnik
Nope, whatever happened is connected to something “mind-blowing” and/or extremely sensitive to get a universal “nothing happened” treatment. Stuff of this level is usually so obscure as to disappear entirely except for perhaps a few ignored “conspiracy” comments on some website (which eventually disappear for some reason or another) but the use of Oreshnik and the target location being in a city which is not all that far from an active front made it an outlier.
God comment Sunny. The whole episode is very mysterious and the deafening silence from all sides is telling. Whatever, I maintain that the RF was so concerned about whatever was going on in the caverns of Yurezmesh that it warranted the expenditure of an Oreshnick (prototype?) weapon to remove any threat.
Also the effect seems to have frightened the hell out of the collective west.
Posted by: Barrel Brown | Dec 1 2025 22:11 utc | 214
Ukrainian MP Artem Dmitruk claims Selenskyj ordered to resign in coming days or next few weeks. He is unable to form 2026 state budget or replace lost ministers. He will stall as long as possible.
We’ll see.
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 1 2025 22:40 utc | 215
@ Sunny Runny Burger | Dec 1 2025 12:07 utc |179
@ Barrel Brown | Dec 1 2025 22:11 utc | 214
Yes, something very, very significant happened that night. The complete lockdown of overfly images and the response of the Ukrainians putting a security cordon around the place such that smartphones, cameras and even notebooks and pens/pencils were not allowed anywhere near.
But a few snippets did leak out before the sealing up; I will always carry a memory of the description reported by one eyewitness the morning after:
“Yuzhmash is gone, everything is dust.”
And another:
“Tightly-tinted minibuses appear, with men in dark suits and dark glasses. There are American, British, Polish and French voices. The security forces check the documents before the same are allowed [in].”
And I’ve posted this before, so sorry for the repeat; where I live we occasionally get Chinook helicopters thudding their way across the sky, normally about once a month. That evening, 3 flew over in less than an hour. It was the talk of the local pub for several days, with folks wondering what was going on. I kept my own counsel because there aren’t many there who are receptive to non-mainstream narratives, but I took the opportunity to egg things on at certain points.
Some “jimmies were rustled” that night.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Dec 1 2025 22:49 utc | 216
Pokrovsk is now once again Krasnoarmeysk.
The Russian Ministry of Defense and the General Staff confirmed the liberation of the city and the transfer of its control to Russian forces.
https://t.me/llordofwar/535094
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Dec 1 2025 22:52 utc | 217
unimperator @ 215
Ukrainian MP Artem Dmitruk claims Selenskyj ordered to resign in coming days or next few weeks. He is unable to form 2026 state budget or replace lost ministers.
Don’t let the door Oreshnik hit you on the way out.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Dec 1 2025 23:01 utc | 218
Regardless, the upshot is that the steaming nest of angry snakes is now squarely in the West’s lap, with all the conflicting and counter-conflicting alliances and meddlers.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Dec 1 2025 21:30 utc | 206
It looks similar to me to the situation in Libya without the nuclear ambitions. Of course, Israel and Turkey will benefit in terms of theft of resources and probably the entity formerly known as Syria will serve as a base for militant operations, while the poor residents will continue to be slaughtered by various violent factions…..everything imperial entities touch turn to barbarism.
Posted by: Giuseppe | Dec 1 2025 23:06 utc | 219
RUAF made a surprising capture of village of Klynove, directly north of Konstantinovka. This could mean the AFU supply between Konstantinovka and Slavyansk could get cut off and the Konstantinovka position already compromised.
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 1 2025 23:08 utc | 220
Seems Konstantinovka and even Druzhivka will become the next semi-encircled kill zones.
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 1 2025 23:09 utc | 221
Canadian conservative podcasters, unlike the CBC, begin to sound off on Freeland and the Ukraine corruption scandal: Neglect to mention CONs supported it too. Ditto NDP and all the other Canadian parliamentary politicians. Nazi-clappers all!
This is Canada’s Worst Foreign Aid Failure Ever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RymXO6L3jBs
“22B Gone: Zero receipts.” [Since 2014, closer to $50 b]
Chrystia Freeland’s Move to UK For Full-Time Job Raises A Big Question:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuAFRPbk7OI
“Early election coming…?”
Feel free to forward to your favourite Canadian msm presstitute.
Posted by: John Gilberts | Dec 1 2025 23:14 utc | 222
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Dec 1 2025 22:52 utc | 217
Since I was the one asking about this last week, I’ll be the one to say it….HAPPY KRASNOARMEYSK LIBERATION DAY, MOA!!!
Posted by: Stark | Dec 1 2025 23:20 utc | 223
@ unimperator | Dec 1 2025 23:09 utc | 221 with the updates…thanks
I think it was the Reuters headline about Witkoff’s trip to Russia this week being partly about prisoners and perhaps these recent encirclements have produced some valued prisoners.
My wish is that Russia saves them as witnesses in the coming Nuremberg type trials.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 1 2025 23:21 utc | 224
@ Giuseppe | Dec 1 2025 23:06 utc | 219
All true enough; the one thought, that won’t go away for me, is that the whole Syria business has brought the prospect of direct conflict between Türkiye and Israel into view. Now that would pose some difficulties for the hegemon, one of its biggest armies, and a NATO member, going up against the ‘chosen ones’.
Apologies for being off-topic.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Dec 1 2025 23:26 utc | 225
@ Stark | Dec 1 2025 23:20 utc | 223
Just to add to the mix, it was in the very recent meeting between the US and Ukrainian negotiating teams that the Ukrainian side assured the US people that ‘Pokrovsk’ was under control. Reports suggest there were some quietly raised eyebrows on the US side…
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Dec 1 2025 23:31 utc | 226
Three “shadow” fleet petrol tankers (not insured by London) have been attacked, a Black Sea port handling Kazakh oil has been attacked…..
Yet, WTI (NYMEX) crude oil Jauary 2026 contracts are less than $60 US!
Posted by: paddy | Dec 1 2025 23:37 utc | 227
An example why little ever makes rational sense coming out of Europe or America. I give you Kaja Kallas.
The EU’s High Representative, Kaja Kallas, recently stated that Russia has not been attacked by anyone for a hundred years. This remark has drawn criticism because it overlooks well-documented historical events, most notably Operation Barbarossa in 1941, when Nazi Germany and its allies invaded the Soviet Union. That campaign caused immense losses, including an estimated 27 million Soviet deaths, and is central to Russia’s historical memory of the Second World War.
The invasion was not carried out by Germany alone. Several European countries participated either as formal allies of the Axis powers or by contributing volunteer units. These included Romania, Finland, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Belgium, France, Norway, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the Baltic states, including Estonia.
Additionally, Japan engaged in military conflict with Soviet forces in 1939 at Nomonhan/Khalkhin Gol, resulting in a clear Soviet victory. Although this clash occurred on the border of Mongolia, it remains an example of direct military confrontation involving Russia’s predecessor state during the 20th century.
Critics argue that overlooking such major historical events raises concerns about the quality of historical understanding among senior European officials, particularly in the context of discussions about security and war. The First and Second World Wars originated in Europe and together claimed tens of millions of lives. Many observers note that any future large-scale conflict would likely have even more severe consequences given modern military technology.
Posted by: Oldbert | Dec 1 2025 23:57 utc | 228
Some “jimmies were rustled” that night.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Dec 1 2025 22:49 utc | 216
Thank you for this comment and the extra info. on the aftermath of the Orishnick strike in Nov.2024.
Kudos-have a couple on my tab.
Posted by: Barrel Brown | Dec 2 2025 0:02 utc | 229
Republicofscotland // 203
Not a Russian tanker, a Turkish tanker.
I was going to make a crack about deficient European education, but I’ll pass on it this time. For future reference, both Turkey and China are different countries than Russia.
Posted by: Nobody Special | Dec 2 2025 0:04 utc | 230
Regarding the attack on the Turkish owned oil tanker that was registered in Panama (for the geographically challenged here, neither Turkey nor Panama are in Russia), it poses a bit of a challenge. Why would Ukraine, or one of its NATO allies, attack a Turkish owned oil tanker? For that matter, why would Ukraine admit to attacking two neutral oil tankers which were moving through Turkish national waters? Both attacks could be construed as acts of war.
The situation has several layers of complexity. Turkey is a member of NATO. If Ukraine had assistance from a NATO country, most likely the British, or in the case of the attack off Senegal, France, then we would have an attack by one NATO country on another. This wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened, and not the first time involving the Turks as they attacked Greece over Cyprus. However, this will alienate Turkey from Ukraine and could shift it slightly towards Russia.
The Russians have to tread lightly with Turkey because Turkey controls the narrow sea straits linking the Black Sea to the larger Oceanic system. Russia made move a year or two ago to blockade Odessa, but that lasted for only a few days. We never got a public announcement as to why they dropped the blockade, but my guess is Turkey threatened to counter blockade Russian ships travelling through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. The recent Ukrainian attacks on Turkish maritime sovereignty may affect Turkey’s willingness to cooperate if Russia wants to try for a blockade of Odessa again.
We could also be looking at a NATO plot to openly put combat troops into Ukraine. To do this, Turkey could request NATO Article 5 assistance against Ukraine. NATO could then approve the request from Turkey, “declare war” on Ukraine and send in combat troops to Kiev. I think this is a bit far fetched, but I could see some Smart Boy in Whitehall coming up a scheme like this.
Regardless, I have no idea what is going on behind the scenes, and I will sit back, sip my Scotch, and enjoy the show.
Posted by: Nobody Special | Dec 2 2025 0:27 utc | 231
John Mearsheimer published a video stating NATO crossed Moscow’s RED lines with boots on the ground … officers inside command centres in Ukraine … Kremlin in crisis mode … I couldn’t find another source for verification.
On path of more provocations inside Russia?
NATO: Pre-emptive Strike on Russia as New Military Policy
Russia’s reaction to NATO: Is the US secretly supporting NATO’s first-strike doctrine? | Video Prof. Jeffrey Sachs |
Türkiye puts onus of membership bid on EU, urges political will | TRT World |
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made Ankara’s desire to join the European Union “crystal clear”, stressing that the next step must come from Brussels and that a “political will in Europe” could swiftly resolve the remaining obstacles to Türkiye’s accession.
Speaking to Germany’s Welt am Sonntag during a visit to Berlin on Saturday, Fidan said Türkiye still seeks full EU membership and expects “objective and fair progress”, arguing that past blockages stemmed from political objections by certain member states rather than technical shortcomings in the negotiation process.
Russia–Ukraine
On the war in Ukraine, Fidan said both Kiev and Moscow now appear “more prepared for peace” than in the early months of the conflict.
He asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to agree to a ceasefire and a broader peace deal “under certain conditions,” noting that Türkiye has conveyed such signals to Ukraine and is engaged in parts of the ongoing diplomatic effort.
Fidan highlighted the debate over security guarantees for Ukraine, distinguishing between NATO forces and non-NATO international observer missions.
He said Washington is discussing a security guarantee that resembles NATO’s Article 5, while European countries insist Kiev should decide its security arrangements independently.
Russia, meanwhile, views the “upper limit” of any deal as part of its own security framework, he added.
- A rather zany statement from Kallas today
- Well, everyone was completely clear, especially the Russians, that they currently have no interest in the world. Therefore, we need to put them in a position where they have to negotiate. At the moment, they are not in such a position because they believe they can wait us out. They also hope that they will be offered a very favorable agreement, as they see that a lot of pressure is being put on the victim, while they are not asked for real sacrifices. At least, we are not aware of anything being demanded from them. It is obvious that they want to negotiate with those who simply offer them something beyond what they already have. This is clearly in their interest, but it should not be our interest.
- Slavyangrad.
Also from Macron
Ukraine is the only one who can lead negotiations on territories, because it is their territories. If the topic is about security guarantees — people from Ukraine and representatives of the coalition of those who want it should be at the table. When it comes to frozen Russian assets — Europeans should be sitting at the table.’ slavyangrad
Posted by: Jo | Dec 2 2025 0:46 utc | 234
My mind is spinning on why Ukraine is looking at Turkey. Did Israel push Ukraine antagonize Turkey to draw Turkey’s attention away from Syria. Turkey’s imperial ambitions in Syria have it on course to clash with Israel over Israel’s imperial ambitions there.
On that topic, I can see why Russia did not defend Syria against the combined Turkey, Israel, U.S. attack. Russia would have lost. The Russians understand the economy of force: Employ all combat power available in the most effective way possible; allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts. Economy of force is the judicious employment and distribution of forces.
Why waste resources in a losing fight in Syria? Especially when the Russians could set a trap by remaining calm and passive. The Russians have retained their forces and bases in Syria. They have good relations with the locals. All they need to do is wait for the Turks and Israelis to start chewing on each other. I for one would love to see how the U.S. would deal with a NATO ally going full up against Israel. It wouldn’t get any better than having Turkey go all NATO Article 5 against Israel and getting to watch the agony of the Europeans tie themselves into knots to keep from fighting the Jews. I’d crack open my Glenmorangie Signet if I ever got to watch that show!
Posted by: Nobody Special | Dec 2 2025 0:53 utc | 235
Just to add to the mix, it was in the very recent meeting between the US and Ukrainian negotiating teams that the Ukrainian side assured the US people that ‘Pokrovsk’ was under control. Reports suggest there were some quietly raised eyebrows on the US side…
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Dec 1 2025 23:31 utc | 226
They meant PokrovskE, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
good faith error 😀
Still theirs, not for long
Posted by: Newbie | Dec 2 2025 0:54 utc | 236
“ Turkey’s imperial ambitions in Syria have it on course to clash with Israel over Israel’s imperial ambitions there.” Nobody Special@0:53
Not sure Erdogan’s empire lies in Syria. The following map illustrates the counterpoint
https://www.indybay.org/uploads/2022/09/19/linchpin_armenia_001.jpg
Posted by: will moon | Dec 2 2025 1:15 utc | 237
Apologies the link isn’t working – map showing new Turkish empire here
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2022/09/19/18852111.php
Posted by: will moon | Dec 2 2025 1:26 utc | 238
Posted by: Nobody Special | Dec 2 2025 0:53 utc | 235
Now that scenario would be a real hoot!!!
I don’t think I have enough bourbon and buttered popcorn to make it through if that happened.
Posted by: Archetypex | Dec 2 2025 2:03 utc | 239
@231
I suggest you stay with a low-price blended scotch thinking the way you are.
Posted by: paddy | Dec 2 2025 2:15 utc | 240
Video Prof. Jeffrey Sachs |
Posted by: Oui | Dec 2 2025 0:27 utc | 232
Another Ai fake video — not Jeffrey Sachs content.
Posted by: Oldbert | Dec 2 2025 2:35 utc | 241
Another MoA quote at ZH
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/witkoff-heads-moscow-revised-ukraine-peace-plan-after-tense-miami-meeting-focused
Still, the Ukrainian side didn’t look happy based on the few photographs of the meeting’s start which emerged. The Trump administration is definitely in the driver’s seat, and Europe is not even at the table. This is likely become they know the clock is ticking on the battlefield, where as Moon of Alabama has noted, “The Ukrainian army is collapsing. Pokrovsk had been enveloped and occupied a week ago. But Zelenski and others kept claimed that the Ukrainian was winning that battle.” The geopolitical analysis source continues:
As the army breaks down and its soldiers flee from their positions (in Russian) other cities, like Huleipole and Siversk, will soon fall too.
There is no way for Ukraine to win the war. The longer the war takes the more will be lost for Ukraine.
The utter delusion behind the rejection of Trump’s 28 point plan was demonstrated by the European High Representative for Foreign Affairs Katja Kallas: “We still need to get from a situation where Russia pretends to negotiate to a situation where they need to negotiate.”
Moon of Alabama quips rhetorically: “Sure. And how are going to get there? After 19 rounds of EU sanction on Russia the 20th package will certainly take care of it?”
Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 2 2025 4:30 utc | 242
CrossTalk: Bullhorns
https://rumble.com/v72gbj2-crosstalk-bullhorns-kiev-in-crisis.html
“With the frontlines collapsing, domestic political insecurity and claims of massive corruption at the highest level, the Kiev regime is on unsteady ground. Its survival is in question. Add to this the struggle to make peace or continue the war. Can Zelensky survive all this? CrossTalking with Patrick Henningsen and Tarik Cyril Amar.”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Dec 2 2025 4:55 utc | 244
RT First To Report From Frontlines of Dnepropetrovsk
https://rumble.com/v72gfys-rt-first-to-report-from-frontlines-of-dnepropetrovsk-exclusive.html
“RT gains exclusive access…”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Dec 2 2025 5:06 utc | 245
I don’t often see RT as it is censored in the UK. Global warming seems to be a thing as at the end of November/start of December it looks no colder than England there. No snow and the presenter is not even wearing gloves.
Posted by: Waldorf | Dec 2 2025 6:46 utc | 246
Posted by: Nobody Special | Dec 2 2025 0:27 utc | 231
Re. attacking tankers. It could also be just the British government going rouge. They don’t have any blocks or limitations on what to do.
They are now looking for oil tankers that are not insured by Lloyds of London, brand them as shadow fleet and attack to sink them anywhere in the world. Whether in the Black sea, I think they might also attack them on the Baltic sea soon, perhaps using Estonia and Finland for plausible deniability.
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 2 2025 6:59 utc | 247
The BBC and their “reliable sources” have completely lost the plot and are accusing the Georgian government of mustard-gassing protestors or some slop. The only entity rapidly losing credibility from this holy show is the BBC itself.
https://x.com/philippilk/status/1995608141770490346
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 2 2025 7:45 utc | 249
Sudan offering Russia military base locations in exchange for advanced weapons like AD systems and military support.
A good problem to have. Problem, because there might not be enough extra advanced weapons to go around right now. But demand for Russian MIC products is HIGH.
https://x.com/MonitorX99800/status/1995642831717765367
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 2 2025 7:49 utc | 250
Posted by: Nobody Special | Dec 2 2025 0:27 utc | 231
… Why would Ukraine, or one of its NATO allies, attack a Turkish owned oil tanker?…
It seems pretty obvious that the West is targeting Russian oil exports via very aggressive diplomatic, administrative, economic, overt and covert actions.
My observation is that, so far, there is zero awareness from the Western electorate so I assume this type of warfare will intensify.
Posted by: robin | Dec 2 2025 8:18 utc | 251
EU countries reject ‘blank check’ guarantee to Belgium over Russian assets loanFour EU diplomats told POLITICO that they cannot accept De Wever’s request because it would put their country’s financial viability at the whim of a court ruling — potentially exposing them to billions of euros of repayments years after the war in Ukraine ends.
Posted by: unnamed | Dec 2 2025 8:31 utc | 252
ECB, which seemed to have been a final solution for funding Ukraine refused to backstop 140 billion euro loan.
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 2 2025 8:33 utc | 253
Time’s running short , go on record folks dont be scared. Will China , Russia, or both help Venezuela defend itself militarily and in a public manner against the US ?
Spare us the word salads, its a yes or no answer.
Posted by: The Painter | Nov 30 2025 16:19 utc | 24
Your question has multiple parts, and yes/no fails to make clear which part the response applies to. If you can’t be arsed reading, then please don’t bother asking any questions.
I’ve already said that Venezuela is steadily coming under Chinese influence and China has oil assets already in place, which are at risk if the USA starts bombing. Thus, rationally China will bolster the Venezuelan air defence with upgrade programs and very likely training and advisors. China has high quality modern radar which could be operated in a back-compatible mode to make best use of Venezuela’s existing Soviet-era S-300 missiles. China also supplies government surveillance technology to keep the citizens nice and obedient should shit go down.
It is highly likely that China will maintain their normal standards of implausible deniability over all this, and never make a public admission.
Russia probably won’t do much … token gestures at best.
Posted by: Tel | Dec 2 2025 9:03 utc | 254
Oldbert@228
There are 4 basic tools that the US uses to groom the political scene around the world to make it favor it’s interests.
- Positive incentive – you/your family member/s will get this benefit/s if you do/promote this
- Negative incentive – you/your family member/s will be disadvantaged/persecuted/etc this way if you don’t do/promote this
- Funding campaigns/rise of people/parties who already have ideology/programmes/etc aligned with US interests
- Funding campaigns/lawsuits/etc against people/parties interfering with US interests and/or competing with the 3.
Kallas case is the 3.
These people are typically stupid, and a disaster for their country’s practical functioning (which is a positive side effect, weakening of other countries does increase the US strength in relative terms).
US interests interfere with the interests of their country.
A non-stupid person does see that.
Zelenski case is likely all four.
https://youtu.be/srRg5EdYFKY
https://youtu.be/H3qOJlgRweU
Posted by: ArmChairGeneral | Dec 2 2025 9:28 utc | 255
You just can’t help laughing at the collapsing EU-Ukraine financing facade. Get your popcorns, Kallas and VDL will come up with some last minute desperate solution that will turn out to be devastating for EU and its members.
EU: “Hey Belgium, take Russia assets and give it to Ukraine. It would be cool and totally legal.”
Belgium: “Ok, but then you need to help me, if I get in trouble”
EU: “You’re in this alone bro, don’t drag us into it” Belgium: “It’s your idea and you said it’s safe and legal, so why are you not helping me just in case?”
EU *screaming incoherently about Russian propaganda*
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 2 2025 9:52 utc | 256
Nobody Special (230).
So you were about to judge European education on the veracity of one link – interesting – of course links should be taken on face value, Reuters news is a well known Western propaganda machine, but I take your point.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 2 2025 10:09 utc | 257
@ Sunny Runny Burger | Dec 1 2025 12:07 utc |179@ Barrel Brown | Dec 1 2025 22:11 utc | 214
@ Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Dec 1 2025 22:49 utc | 216
The other significant event connected to the Oreshnik attack on Yuzhmash was that after the strike, Putin challenged the West in public, saying choose any target in Kiev, we will give you time to put all your best AD systems in place, then we will strike it with Oreshnik.
The response from the West to this public challenge: crickets.
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Dec 2 2025 11:20 utc | 258
Posted by: Nobody Special | Dec 2 2025 0:53 utc | 235
Perhaps the Ukrainians just didn’t realize that Panama registered ship was in fact Turkish. Their mentors the Brits, of course they knew. But they may not have told the Ukrainians. Or maybe the Ukr didn’t really worry about any possible consequences.
Posted by: Avtonom | Dec 2 2025 12:22 utc | 259
Shocking!
Trump now thinks US money was embezzled in Ukraine!
Posted by: V for Vendetta | Dec 2 2025 12:23 utc | 260
@John Gilberts
“Canada’s Liberal government, led by the blue-chip executive and central banker Mark Carney plans to militarize the economy and embed the armed forces in all areas of social life.”
Don’t worry, much easier said than done. This will likely happen, but only on a balance sheet. Carney is a banker and comes from a long line of professional managers. These are the people who go to meetings, fight about budgets and talk about the work without ever doing the work (besides placing check marks in project tracker software) The end result of this will be X billion dollars increased to our defence budget, but I highly doubt this will correlate into additional combat ready brigades.
Reality is, Canada is extremely top-heavy in all aspects civilian and military. We have a million “Executive Directors” for every imaginable thing. Ottawa likely has more defence analysts churning out white papers than combat troops. And believe you me, those analysts are paid a princely sum to create their paper fantasies. So yes, Ra Ra and wave the flag and all that goodness (apparently flag waving is back in vogue in canada, a 180 degree shift from just a year ago) but for Canada to shift to full militarization isn’t a money excercise. It’s a complete cultural shift much more difficult than I think our ruling class grasps.
Posted by: Clown Shoes | Dec 2 2025 13:34 utc | 261
Nobody Special (230).
This Western propaganda outlets had this to say about the tanker.
“A Russian-flagged tanker in the Black Sea has reported being attacked off the Turkish coast, the third such vessel to have been targeted within a week.”
Russian tanker struck off Turkiye as Ukraine targets ‘shadow fleet’
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 2 2025 13:53 utc | 262
F*cking Yanks, they are well over due some comeuppance.
“I’d rather die on my feet, than live on my knees.”
Emiliano Zapata.
Maduro should take a leaf out of his book – and make a stand against the US Terrorist State.
“President Trump rejected Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s wide-ranging demands for him to leave power during their brief November 21 phone call, which lasted under 15 minutes, according to Reuters. Maduro demanded full legal amnesty, lifting of U.S. sanctions, termination of his ICC case, removal of sanctions on over 100 officials, and allowing VP Delcy Rodríguez to lead an interim government ahead of new elections. Trump instead gave Maduro one week to leave Venezuela with his family. The deadline expired Friday, prompting Trump’s announcement that Venezuelan airspace should now be considered fully “closed.” Maduro has since requested another call, and a Washington source says a negotiated exit is still possible, though major disagreements persist”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 2 2025 14:00 utc | 263
Part of me wants these EU monsters such as Kallas and von der Leyen – to steal the Russian assets, to see Europe collapse – and hopefully give the average EU citizen a bloody good shake – to remove these monsters from office for good.
“The Irresponsibility of European Leaders Yes, the courts in Dubai (especially the DIFC Courts) and Hong Kong are considered viable and strategically attractive venues for Russian lawsuits against Euroclear or other European institutions precisely because they have real jurisdiction over disputes involving frozen assets, thanks to Euroclear’s own operational presence and financial exposure in those locations.
Euroclear maintains operations, correspondent accounts, and asset processing in these financial hubs. In August 2025, Euroclear integrated Bank of China (Hong Kong) as a common depository for the €14 trillion Eurobond market, creating direct exposure in HK. In Dubai’s DIFC, which operates under English common law, there are also international clearing links and assets under custody. Both court systems follow the English tradition and grant broad jurisdiction in cross-border commercial disputes whenever there are local assets or a contractual breach with local impact. They can issue provisional orders such as worldwide mareva injunctions (global freezing orders) or asset seizures as security during proceedings. And there are already several precedents: • Hong Kong (2019, North Korea case): Court refused to apply U.S. sanctions in a money-laundering case involving a HK company linked to the North Korean regime.
Prioritized local sovereignty and Chinese banking secrecy laws. U.S. fines were simply ignored. • Dubai DIFC (2023): Refused to enforce a UK judgment against an entity sanctioned by the EU for laundering involving indirect Russian assets. Invoked “local public policy” and lack of reciprocity with EU sanctions. Temporarily froze European assets as security. • Dubai (2024, Crédit Agricole): Chinese company sued French bank for blocking payments on dual-use exports to Russia. Court ruled that EU sanctions have no extraterritorial jurisdiction in the UAE. Ordered the bank to pay €50 million in damages and released the funds. • Singapore SICC (2025): Refused to enforce a London arbitral award against an EU-sanctioned entity in a laundering case with indirect Russian assets. Cited local public policy and froze SGD 20 million of a European bank as security for fresh litigation in Singapore. • Dubai (2025, bank transfers): European bank blocked a transfer completed before EU sanctions took effect.
Court held sanctions are not retroactive, ordered immediate release of the funds and awarded AED 10 million in damages against the European bank. This is exactly why Brussels is reluctant to follow the reckless ideas of certain European leaders: because the bill will eventually explode in ordinary citizens’ pockets, with interest and compensation on top.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 2 2025 14:12 utc | 264
Johan Kaspar@258…….ships are sinking, oil terminals burn, energy processing facilities go boom……. squeaky crickets still get the job done Johan …..
…….it’s far easier to expend some slavs and stick pins in the bear ……reminds of my Asian friends who talk about beating and bruising and animal to make it’s meat more tender before one kills it……….
……less challenges from Putin and a few more practical demonstrations for effect, his mistake, was picking the target. He should have gave them three, and a choice of which one to protect …….
Cheers, mo chara
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Dec 2 2025 14:15 utc | 265
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 2 2025 14:31 utc | 266
Republicofscotland@263……..I get what you are saying, but Venezuela, look at your own country, look at my home country…….the list goes on, empires play the long game, regional empires play catch up, and if on lives in say Venezuela or Palestine, like Ireland, it takes hundreds of years, millions of lives and you maybe win part of your country back, see: Guitanimo(sp) Bay Cuba.
Cheers M
…… Venezuela: another Revolution that ‘will’ be televised with attendant Hollywood gore played out, for the world to watch and be entertained, like in Palestine, for real…….
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Dec 2 2025 14:38 utc | 267
Shocking!
Trump now thinks US money was embezzled in Ukraine!
Posted by: V for Vendetta | Dec 2 2025 12:23 utc | 260
#######
He must have slept through his first impeachment.
This stuff transforms from tragedy to comedy once one stops taking it seriously.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 2 2025 14:50 utc | 268
Oldbert @241
Thx … see statement by Jeffrey Sachs on his blog
The EEAS was somewhat independent from the EU Commission My view of Mogherini was quite positive
Posted by: Oui | Dec 2 2025 14:45 utc | 63
Maybe that is why she’s been thrown under the bus?
Just a thought.
Posted by: mk | Dec 2 2025 15:11 utc | 270
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Dec 2 2025 11:20 utc | 258
The other significant event connected to the Oreshnik attack on Yuzhmash was that after the strike, Putin challenged the West in public, saying choose any target in Kiev, we will give you time to put all your best AD systems in place, then we will strike it with Oreshnik. The response from the West to this public challenge: crickets.
Thank you for this reminder. To my knowledge the collective west has completely ignored this challenge from VVP. Not even a well crafted BS reply. I wonder why.
Posted by: Barrel Brown | Dec 2 2025 21:37 utc | 271
The former commander of the Russian Ground Forces, General Chirkin, made some rather startling admissions in a live interview: “There are goals in every war, and in this special military operation, the President of the Russian Federation set the goals of denazification and demilitarization.
…..
If you recall, in February 2022, everyone was saying that the war would be over in three days. We will finish them off anytime now. Something like the Tbilisi Syndrome, and the events of the five-days war with Georgia, but unfortunately it did not turn out that way.
Did the guy really say this? I’ve been told for years it was just all made up by posters here….
There is more here: https://x.com/slantchev/status/1995906297976570130
Posted by: ed4 | Dec 3 2025 1:34 utc | 272
On Putin and Oreshnik.
Might be impossible to know but to me some of the following seems like it could be the reason why there wasn’t any response.
The Russians likely only gave the challenge to create a little bit of gentle misdirection encouraging even more focus on the missile rather than the target and results; the purpose of its use. The missile was always the focus and the challenge only added to or reinforced/refocused a push in that direction. Thus no answer was expected or wanted and for that matter would likely not have been responded to if there had been one. The Russians might have been assured in advance they would get no answer. A small coordinated play in a much larger one?
One can’t enforce such a blackout as has and is happening without cooperation by absolutely everyone involved: Russians, Americans, “Ukrainians”, anyone, and lots of people doing what they’re told without any idea of what they’re actually doing or what purpose it serves or what it means.
It should be easy for anyone to prove it if nothing (or something else) happened.
Consider that the Russians haven’t had any real problems with any of their missiles or drones or glide-bombs reaching their targets yet this —something relatively uninteresting compared to whatever the target was ie.: the “cause”— was the main thing being talked about in general (even here at MoA and by me) and the conversations were focused on the missile speed and evasive capabilities, a new kind of warhead, penetration power, comparison/confusion with respect to nuclear weapons and similar.
Understandable, one expects some form of information to come to light as time passes so instead one talks about what little is on offer, but no actual information about the purpose ever arrives… and here we are.
The blackout is very impressive and very well executed. So far it looks better than anything else I can think of in “official history” since this happened in a large city and not on the bottom of the Pacific or Atlantic or somewhere else very remote.
By the way there is no corroboration of anything allegedly said by anyone about the results so I wouldn’t base anything on any of that (and it hardly contains any information at all to begin with).
However if one where to go even further and discount absolutely everything including the missile and the warhead then one runs up against the missing proof of normalcy (or otherwise explainable hits on the target) so there is no reason to do that —it would only deepen the mystery in my opinion— and it would quickly start to sound like the typical unrealistic “western” denial of everything favorable to Russia (and this attitude is a big part of why this hopelessly stupid and criminal war against Russia and Russians exists in the first place).
I’m sure I’ve missed something, but no idea what :3
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Dec 3 2025 6:34 utc | 273
“However if one were…” not “However if one where…” :/
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Dec 3 2025 6:44 utc | 274
Mogherini opposed the United States recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel during U.S. president Trump first term.
I think this is the real reason she was arrested.
Posted by: Mauro Rossini | Dec 3 2025 8:33 utc | 275
Looks like the EU bigwigs – will steal Russian funds held illegally in the EU.
“The EU is preparing to advance a plan to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine through a reparations-based loan system, according to Reuters. Under the proposal, Ukraine would receive money now and would only be required to repay it if Russia eventually provides compensation for war damages. The plan could also be paired with, or replaced by, EU borrowing on financial markets, giving Brussels additional flexibility depending on legal and political hurdles.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 3 2025 9:53 utc | 276
sean the leprechaun (267).
I understand what you are saying – I’m hoping Maduro puts up such a fight of it, that the US Terrorist State, or more to the pint US citizens back home, like in the Vietnam war – make such a fuss that the illegal attack on Venezuela, that it doesn’t last long enough to usurp Maduro, or let them steal Venezuelan assets.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 3 2025 9:58 utc | 277
One of the US Terrorist States Zio-Puppets speaks.
Monitor𝕏 (@MonitorX99800): “🇺🇸🇻🇪⚡- AIPAC-funded Republican Congress member Maria Salazar: “American oil companies will be operating in Venezuela for the next 100 years.”” | nitter.poast.org
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 3 2025 10:01 utc | 278
Russia may gain a naval base in Africa.
Sudan has offered Russia a naval base on the Red Sea in exchange for advanced weapons and military support, according to the Wall Street Journal. The proposal, made in October, would grant Russia a 25-year presence at Port Sudan and mining concessions, while allowing Moscow to station up to 300 personnel and four warships, including nuclear-powered vessels. In return, Russia would supply Sudan’s government-aligned forces with air defense systems and other weapons needed for the ongoing civil war against the UAE-backed RSF. If approved, this would become Russia’s first naval base in Africa
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 3 2025 10:07 utc | 279
What about the drone coming from Lithuania that crashed in Grodno, Belarus, the day before yesterday. Anybody seen footage? Belarus on a Facebook page said it was a western product with video reconnaissance for a flight path crossing through Belarus and Bialystok region back to Lithuania. There were NATO exercises going in Bialystok region. Imagine the drone had gone through…
Posted by: Teraspol | Dec 3 2025 10:09 utc | 280
Republicofscotland | Dec 3 2025 9:53 utc | 275
My understanding is that this proposal is in deep trouble. Belgium, as the official holders of the Russian cash, are afraid of legal action plus other nations pulling their deposits, the EU have afaik refused to indemnify Belgium against such legal action. Belgium don’t fancy holding all the risk.
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Dec 3 2025 10:45 utc | 281
German media reports the country is contemplating to buy 3,000 Boxer type fighting vehicles. Currently 400 are in service with the Bundeswehr – “it would mean the switch from manufacturing to mass production”. 1,000 of them are planned to come in an air defense variant with a 30mm autocannon. Boxer is a very large and heavy wheeled vehicle with a modular payload bay; I recall hearing it’s a good design.
Posted by: persiflo | Dec 3 2025 10:46 utc | 282
ed4 | Dec 3 2025 1:34 utc | 272
I have no idea whether the general said that or not (there’s a vast Western misinformation campaign), but it’s pretty irrelevant in that we are where we are. If it (or something like it) is true, then I hope the lessons have been learned and applied. Russia, strong on paper, got absolutely tonked in 1941, but still ended up winning.
“Do I tell my superior the truth, or what they want to hear?” is a dilemma many have faced.
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Dec 3 2025 10:58 utc | 283
“Talks for UK to join flagship EU defence fund end in failure. The two sides remain far apart on the financial contribution Britain would make to participate in the Security Action for Europe programme”
https://www.luxtimes.lu/europeanunion/talks-for-uk-to-join-flagship-eu-defence-fund-end-in-failure/108696216.html
The good news is that the EU fear UK involvement more than they fear Russia.
Meanwhile:
“Canada reaches deal to join EU’s flagship defence program. Canada is the first country outside of the EU to join the defence program.”
https://financialpost.com/news/canada-reaches-deal-to-join-eu-defence-program
Anyone know what Canada’s arms industry is like?
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Dec 3 2025 11:12 utc | 284
https://www.euractiv.com/news/canada-to-pay-e10-million-for-preferential-access-to-eu-funded-defence-deals/
“Canada to pay €10 million for preferential access to EU-funded defence deals. For comparison, the Commission had pitched a much higher €4-6.5 billion fee for the UK’s arms industry”
Good to see division in the Coalition Of The Energy-Deficient.
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Dec 3 2025 11:16 utc | 285
or let them steal Venezuelan assets.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 3 2025 9:58 utc | 276
The Venezuelan National Assembly unanimously condemned the US “plundering” of CITGO in collusion with the “national far right.”
They already are
Posted by: arby | Dec 3 2025 14:23 utc | 286
@283
Canada and UK had preferential treatment in “arms trade” with the US.
Posted by: paddy | Dec 3 2025 14:29 utc | 287
Posted by: will moon | Dec 2 2025 1:15 utc | 237
Posted by: will moon | Dec 2 2025 1:26 utc | 238
For the sake of precision, I would distinguish between expansionist ambitions and imperial ambitions. An empire rules over foreign people, foreign lands, foreign states, foreign cultures, sometimes over very long distances and with hidden mechanisms of power. For example, the US rules over Ukraine (and of course so many other nations) which is perceived as a sovereign country and which is legally no part of the USA. That is a textbook example of imperialism.
Turkey is not interested in this kind of rule over Syria. It wants to incorporate Syria, wants it to be an integral part of Turkey. It wants to absorb it’s people, it’s culture, it’s economy, it’s everything into the turkish realm. If successful, there will be no more Syria, just Turkey. That is a textbook example of expansionism. The result is something very different than that of imperialism. Something usually a lot more stable. The next generation of Syrians will be born in Turkey and they will know nothing but the turkish identity. In a hundred years, a country named Syria will just be a long forgotten memory.
Israel also has expansionist plans, but due to the religious difference, it will be forced into a more imperialist approach the further it gets away from it’s own territory. This approach has little chance of being sustanable, once the US imperialist power wanes. The collision course Turkey and Zionists are on will take place in the expansionst arena. Currently power projection might still be of some relevance, but Damascus is so weak and getting weaker, there really is not much point any longer to work through the headchopper. So, just like in the earliest mesopotamian civilisations, the clashes will start once the territories can no longer be expanded, as the borders have met.
Posted by: Hamburger | Dec 3 2025 15:14 utc | 288