Posted by: Woke American | Dec 26 2025 0:21 utc | 76
… it is a target rich area of NATO mercenaries and elite Ukrainian military units. 

 
Solid general take of the situation in Kupiansk except for just one detail. According to Military Chronicle, mercenary forces taking back Kupiansk are not NATO, they are Brazilian and Columbian soldiers of fortune.

Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Dec 26 2025 8:44 utc | 103

Posted by: Naive | Dec 26 2025 1:18 utc | 82
Why do some barflies worry about Kupiansk?

 
No one is worrying. In particular, I’m just describing what’s going on by checking Russian sources. The Russians will have to take Kupiansk a 3rd time because Russian leadership wants all of the Kharkov oblast, a traditional Russian region given to the Ukraines by the Soviets in their ultimately failed policies to create a borderland nation. 
It’s also possible that the Russians were luring ukrops to fight hard in that city in order to kill them in a more expeditious manner, but that view is not consistent with making Putin give a medal to the general that ‘liberated’ the city that was then lost again. It looks more like a blunder by the high command of Zapad group of forces. The Russians also make big mistakes. you know.

Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Dec 26 2025 9:08 utc | 105

@snake | Dec 26 2025 8:32 utc | 105

Linux is the best; trouble is you need a windoze machine if you are going to talk to government or use certain applications.. government sites often tell you they cannot recognize your machine presumably because they cannot parse it? 

Internet protocols are independent of operating systems, so this is certainly false. If a “government site” is trying to “parse” your machine, you should stay as far away from that site as possible.  
 
There are no real technical reasons why 95% of ordinary users would not able to move to a modern Linux distro. There are real alternatives for most things on Windows. Even if you stay on Windows it is a good idea to discontinue using e.g. Microsoft Office and use LibreOffice instead. Later, under Linux one can continue using LibreOffice (yes it can read and write Microsoft Office formats as needed).
 
Decoupling from “Empire software” is something that everyone can do right now, unlike dedollarization it is a personal decision.  Reducing dependency on US-controlled closed source and operating systems is a natural thing when moving to a post hegemonic world.

Posted by: Norwegian | Dec 26 2025 9:20 utc | 107

Kupiansk: small groups of Russian fighters from the Zapad group (2-3) remain in the west, south and center of the city. They are isolated, no land connection. Supplies are by drone. These small groups are connected by Starlink. Yes. Starlink. They report serious problems with the command centers of the Zapad grouping. The general that received the medal (Sergei Kuzovlov) has been removed from his post. End of year holidays for the Zapad command cancelled.

Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Dec 26 2025 9:44 utc | 109

The general that received the medal (Sergei Kuzovlov) has been removed from his post.
 
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Dec 26 2025 9:44 utc | 112
 
—
 
Kupiansk is a curious situation indeed.  How could it not have evolved by choice?
 

Posted by: too scents | Dec 26 2025 9:49 utc | 111

@ too scents | Dec 26 2025 9:45 utc | 113
Solvespace is another one with a linux version.

Posted by: rk | Dec 26 2025 10:59 utc | 113

Zelensky going to Florida to meet Trump on Sunday 

Posted by: Night Tripper | Dec 26 2025 11:29 utc | 115

118: Zelensky going to Florida to meet Trump on Sunday 
Wishing to meet? Will he have an audience? Why woud Trump wish to parley with him?

Posted by: Catilina | Dec 26 2025 12:14 utc | 117

Re: Posted by: Night Tripper | Dec 26 2025 11:11 utc | 117

Kupyansk – another Russia / West quid pro quo?

 
Explain what you mean here.
 
Do you mean like the quid pro quo Russia and the USA made with Syria & Ukraine that I read about around here?
 
Ie, that Russia let the USA have Syria and in return the USA let Russia have Ukraine?
 
Don’t see much discussion about that so-called quid pro quo these days, but now you’re claiming Kupyansk is somehow a quid pro quo?!?
 
In what sense? Like the Syria/Ukraine one? Or like what?

Posted by: Julian | Dec 26 2025 12:22 utc | 119

Posted by: Julian | Dec 26 2025 12:22 utc | 122
not sure what Russia is getting in return but it spears they have decided stand aside in Kupyansk for some reason 

Posted by: Night Tripper | Dec 26 2025 12:30 utc | 121

I do not know why Trump has agreed to meet him, but he is and it is being widely reported 
Posted by: Night Tripper | Dec 26 2025 12:29 utc | 123
 
I guess trump will have to lay it clearly and heavily on Z (and make sure he conveys them to his European handlers )
 
Russia reminded that the terms needed and understood back in Alaska (issues prior to the SMO itself) were explained, understood and globaly accepted by trump back then, no 20, 24, 28, or 10 points. That was it.
 
https://tass.com/politics/2065249

Posted by: Newbie | Dec 26 2025 12:35 utc | 123

Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update, 26th December 2025:  May be Useful to Some: Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update
Posted by: The Busker | Dec 26 2025 12:34 utc | 125

Thanks a lot! You don’t disappoint us even in the middle of Christmas fog!

Posted by: Avtonom | Dec 26 2025 13:16 utc | 125

Posted by: Jo | Dec 26 2025 13:27 utc | 129
Beyond the theatretics and posturing, the people behind the EU (Bankers, Blackrock, WEF) are preparing a false flag by causing incidents (more and more severe, till they lead to reaction) to enable more centralization, and outright stealing of EU populations assets. They know financially the end is near, already stealing pensions and social welfare redirected to attempted militarization, EU economies are crashing so they are in a rush to achieve escalations. Most likely 2026 will be a big year, in this sense.

Posted by: unimperator | Dec 26 2025 13:32 utc | 127

Tel@97……..if you think that’s sad, wait till they get to Odessa in four years……
 
Cheers M 

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Dec 26 2025 13:57 utc | 129

Ok. Just retreat in Kupyansk. It doesn’t matter. Muster forces somewhere else and attack there.
Now if the fog war is mastered by both sides, engineering the fog becomes critical. Who will be the master of this new art?

Posted by: Catilina | Dec 26 2025 14:43 utc | 131

@133……speaking of fog……Civil War should be War of Interdependence……pun intended.
 
Cheers 

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Dec 26 2025 14:57 utc | 133

I do not know why Trump has agreed to meet him, but he is and it is being widely reported
Posted by: Night Tripper | Dec 26 2025 12:29 utc | 123
 
It looks like Trump is once again in his “I’m disappointed” phase.
He desperately wants to be able to announce this year that he has “won” the war and is therefore entitled to the Nobel Peace Prize.
But that’s not possible without accepting Putin’s key positions.
So he will try again to force Putin by supplying weapons and providing further direct or indirect support to NATO/EU and Ukraine (as long as the EU pays for it).The result: the war will continue and become even more intense, with the threshold for escalation between the EU and Russia only a few centimeters away. For Russia fans, the question arises: does Russia really still have enough units? Keep in mind: Russia also uses propaganda

Posted by: smartfox | Dec 26 2025 15:12 utc | 135

@ Posted by: English Outsider | Dec 26 2025 13:02 utc | 127
 
Geez Geezer give us a chance to digest xmas dinner.And left overs!
 
 
It’s at least 6 days to New Year festivities. Come back first footing then 😜

Posted by: DunGroanin | Dec 26 2025 15:24 utc | 137

@  Norwegian | Dec 26 2025 13:54 utc | 131
 
that substack is always a worthwhile read… thanks..

Posted by: james | Dec 26 2025 15:35 utc | 139

I think we can be confident that Trump has no intention to cut this war short. That’s just something he utters every now and then, part to get that peace prize, part because Trump is Trump.
 
Russia knows very well that the US is their adversary. However, they are polite, and IMO they also genuinely appreciate the attempts of dialogue.

Posted by: Avtonom | Dec 26 2025 15:49 utc | 141

Does anyone know whether Zelensky (or the RADA?) intends to re-legalize opposition parties in due time before a possible election?
 
Personally, I don’t believe that the election will take place. There will be no ceasefire. And there is no money. If money comes, from the usual generous givers, it will disappear very quick.
 
And then, of course, without opposition parties, what’s the point anyway …

Posted by: Avtonom | Dec 26 2025 16:00 utc | 143

In response to Night Tripper@117,
 
More like a Russia-Ukraine quid-pro-quo. Ukraine gets a morale bump from a pr-victory, Russia gets more fresh meat delivered up to pre-sighted positions — everyone wins.

Posted by: Skiffer | Dec 26 2025 16:09 utc | 145

Posted by: smartfox | Dec 26 2025 16:05 utc | 147
 
######
 
There is no meaningful difference between America and Europe. Both are franchises of the same Empire.
 
What is acceptable in one is acceptable in the other.
 
Has Europe ever acted rationally?
 
Maybe when they lived in lumber houses with thatched roofs.
 
Europe’s greatest “accomplishments” are World Wars and Israel.
 
“The garden”. 😂😂😂

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 26 2025 16:40 utc | 147

The US is only a secondary adversary
Posted by: smartfox | Dec 26 2025 16:05 utc | 147

 
Possibly, however, many good barflies have already told the world that if the US just stopped sharing their “intelligence” with Ukr the war would be over in minutes.
 
That makes the US more primary than secondary IMO in spite of what they claim.

Posted by: Avtonom | Dec 26 2025 16:53 utc | 149

Not a lot of discussion about what FABs mean when they detonate, or when an Oreshnik is launched.
 
The intentions and messages are clear.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 26 2025 17:00 utc | 151

So, Zelensky will be basking in the Sun at Mar-a-lago shortly. The critical question in assessing whether Zelensky will truly have access at the highest levels is does he play Golf? As noted by our friend Tyler Durden, without attribution and hung like a cheap suit at the end of his piece, “As for the still open question of territorial concessions, Zelensky has maintained that if land is given up, then this must be decided by the Ukrainian people in a popular referendum.” 
 
There has been a thread of reasoning that asks whether Trump has been mislead by advisors such a Kellogg and other neocons, given Trump’s facile understanding of the issues. All this swerves into the point I am trying to make. There are a groups of advisors whose primary motivation is to make Trump look stupid, ineffectual and misinformed. Does Ukraine really need a referendum to concede territory before peace can be considered? Does the US side need to negotiate with itself before engaging with the RF? The thing about propaganda is it becomes more effective with persistence. The climb up the Democrt Party and beaurocratic ladder provides the incentive for the anti Trump, neocon advisors. This guarantees their persistence to undermine. The audience for propaganda can be small I suppose is one of the points I am trying to make.
 
This feature of the US foreign policy establishment, the men in dark suits as described by VVP, provides all manner of escapes from responsibility for policy decisions. It is not a bug. 
 
This whole western style complex is entirely unlike how the Russian form of government organizes itself – vertically integrated, organized, decisions based upon assessment of evidence and advancement centered upon competently administering to the objectives directed from a central policy determination organization. Deception by anyone within the system can not a means of career advancement. Fatal to a career is a nice way of stating it. 
 
This is why when VVP makes a statement it is far more meaningful than any statement by a western politician, especially Trump. It is just a curiosity to me when I see sentiment that equates statements of western politicians with the same gravity as VVP or Ji Jin Ping. I assume all statements made by western foreign policy establishments to have a broad misinformation element contained within, even if the speaker has the best intentions to be earnest and honest. 

Posted by: frithguild | Dec 26 2025 17:14 utc | 153

This article has a lot of useful information in it.. https://www.unz.com/mhudson/trump-floundering-efforts-to-shore-up-us-hegemony/
I think there is a growing understanding among Americans that Trump often confuses making America great again with making the few in control of the USA more powerful and richer at the expense of the governed many. 
Happy new year. 

Posted by: snake | Dec 26 2025 17:20 utc | 155

AFU HQ was captured intact in Gulyapole, containing documents, information and maps of affairs.

Posted by: unimperator | Dec 26 2025 18:16 utc | 157

The Kupyansk-Question
https://www.rt.com/russia/630049-no-turning-point-for-ukraine/
 

Posted by: smartfox | Dec 26 2025 18:54 utc | 159

The only issue under consideration is that Ukraine represents a clear and present danger to the Russian Federation, and one that must be eliminated. The root cause must be addressed, if you will.I believe civilian casualties may be required to achieve this, in the end.
Posted by: Night Tripper | Dec 26 2025 17:18 utc | 157
 
The “clear and present danger” resides in NATO not Ukraine. Defeating Ukraine in a quick brutal manner would simply confirm that the Russians are brutes looking to conquer Europe and justify the militarization of Europe. I’m not claiming that’s the case but that’ll be the propaganda.
 
What the Russians need are serious negotiations with NATO and USA over a comprehensive European security agreement that satisfies Russia, Ukraine and most importantly the USA. In this regard the threat of the annihilation of Ukraine is more powerful than the actual annihilation of Ukraine. Once Ukraine is conquered and occupied there is no incentive to bargain. Russia’s best option is to demilitarize and defeat the Ukraine army while leaving the Ukraine state intact. 
 
That being said there is still an argument that if Russia managed to conquer Ukraine they could deal Ukraine back to the west minus Novorossia of course. If the Russians get what they want out of negotiations then the optics of the Russian military leaving Ukrainian territory could be spun as a victory for the west.

Posted by: HB_Norica | Dec 26 2025 19:18 utc | 161

What the Russians need are serious negotiations with NATO…
Posted by: HB_Norica | Dec 26 2025 19:18 utc | 164
 
currently impossible, even under pressure from the US. As long as this ideology of hatred persists and England continues to stir things up (yes, England and the Baltic states are the main problem), Russia has no choice but to make it painfully clear to them what further escalation will entail.

Posted by: smartfox | Dec 26 2025 19:40 utc | 163

Russia knows very well that the US is their adversary. However, they are polite, and IMO they also genuinely appreciate the attempts of dialogue.
Posted by: Avtonom | Dec 26 2025 15:49 utc | 144
The Russians are painfully clear and direct. A failure to understand them lies on the observer.The total defeat of Russia or the total defeat of NATO. It is a simple binary. They both cannot win and they both cannot coexist.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 26 2025 16:51 utc | 151
I will concentrate on Avtonom and LD first quote to counter both smartfox and LD corolary.
US and RF are adversaries, rivals, not enemies. They would rather not kill each other (even with assurance of survival but too badly injured, there is none)
But LD is right that europe is a different thing, alaska gave RF’s minimal request, it’s a nec plus ultra on how much RF is willing to give up
Soon Trump must choose to reign in europe or let it fall alone (I’d give even odds on Moscow not taking a nuke and Kalingrad and st petersburg are basically gone if there is a full war in europe, but little would remain of morthern europe). Question remains if the RF damage would be enough for going full WW3 on US’s ass. Hope trump has the same doubt and chooses the first option.
P.S.: On who could end the war faster, US whitholding Intel is high on the list, but China would be in an even better position by boycotting exports on all drone usable parts, current stocks would last little and after they were gone RF could clean as much or as little of ukraine as it chose in weeks.

Posted by: Newbie | Dec 26 2025 19:47 utc | 165

Gepostet von: Newbie | 26. Dez. 2025, 19:47 UTC | 168
 
Nonsense. The US has good military and intelligence capabilities and knows what the consequences of a war with Russia would be, and they don’t want to experience that under any circumstances.The Europeans, on the other hand, are so caught up in their bubble that they ignore the danger of nuclear war (“Putin doesn’t dare”), especially since the US won’t intervene because it would make itself a target.So Europe is actually more dangerous for Russia because fanatical idiots can always act irrationally.

Posted by: smartfox | Dec 26 2025 19:58 utc | 167

The more pertinent questions are: Is Zelensky proficient enough to throw a game without Trump’s taking much notice of it — or, failing that, whether he has a talent for looking the other way while Trump cheats.
Posted by: malenkov | Dec 26 2025 19:09 utc | 163
 
Either way, the incentives insure there is a whole enterprise supporting either strategy – Hollywood caliber scriptwriters and producers catering to politician actors, all building a product optimized for maximum views of a cornucopia of approved narrative choices, all ready for immediate activation and completely divorced from the dictates of realpolotik. US Statecraft, in other words. 

Posted by: frithguild | Dec 26 2025 20:14 utc | 169

Data shows that EU exports to the country have fallen 61% and imports from Russia have plummeted 89% during this period. Total trade for the first nine months of 2025 decreased  12.9% year-on-year to €43.9 billion ($47.3 billion), with imports from Russia valued at €21.7 billion ($23.4 billion) and EU exports at €22.2 billion ($23.9 billion). 
READ MORE: Foreign investment in EU ‘frighteningly’ low – Euractiv
A breakdown of goods categories indicates that Russia’s share of EU imports continued to decline across many sectors in the third quarter. In terms of the bloc’s natural gas purchases, the country’s share fell to 15.1%, down from 39% four years ago.
Despite this decrease, Russia remained the EU’s second-largest gas supplier. 
rt

Posted by: Jo | Dec 26 2025 20:21 utc | 171

As we all know, or should know, everything we hear or are told from virtually all sources is theater and/or distraction.  And virtually all citizens are NPC’s, reacting to stimuli, not reasoned thinkers.
 
Our role then, as non-npc’s, is to figure out the action behind the curtain, the intention of the theater.
 
The release of Whitehouse communications with Putin back to the ‘80’s lays out part of a formula to change public perception.  Much of this is now mainstream shared.  Trumps idea?  
 
The small notable successes of the RF advance keep us entertained for sure but the real questions are what is happening while we are distracted?
 
The digital conglomeration is moving forward in haste.  Australia forbidding children from social media has nothing to do with children.  If adults wish to go online they now have to submit all their biometric data to prove they are over 16.   This is not really OT.  
The SMO began as a means to distract the world from the Canadian truckers expose’ of authoritarian control, especially after Freeland seized bank accounts and exposed their ability to subvert all digital space, discovering overnight all anonymous donations through givefundgo etc 
 
The SMO is a real world live testing ground to ensure the tools to full subjugate any and all resistance are now fully battlefield tested.
 
In my considered opinion both Russia and the USA are on the same side.  Israel and China are ensuring this digital system is fully implemented without delay.  Again, all the same team.  The only ones not in on the game are those wishing to retain any sense of sovereignty.
 
I do despise the murderous nazi pigs the Canadian government supports in Ukraine however.  Death is a good place for them.  Not for the conscripts though.  For them and us my heart bleeds.

Posted by: Merv Ritchie | Dec 26 2025 20:42 utc | 173

still the ceasefire. duh Zelenksy announced that he expects to agree with Trump on the framework for ending the war, including a possible timeline, on Sunday, and stated his readiness to put this issue to a referendum if Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire.
Posted by: Jo | Dec 26 2025 20:26 utc | 175
 
 
Whew!  That was close.  I thought 2025 would end without a ceasefire.  

Posted by: Fredrick | Dec 26 2025 20:55 utc | 175

Posted by: Newbie | Dec 26 2025 20:43 utc | 177
 
Addendum:Contrary to what has been reported, the US has realized that Russia has the upper hand with its new weapons Oreschnik, Burevestnik, and Poseidon.However, it will take about another year of production before all of them are ready for use in sufficient quantities. These are not necessarily nuclear weapons, but can also be equipped with conventional warheads. This will enable Russia to wage an ultimate war without the use of nuclear weapons.

Posted by: smartfox | Dec 26 2025 21:04 utc | 177

“The First World War must be brought about in order to permit the Illuminati to overthrow the power of the Czars in Russia and of making that country a fortress of atheistic Communism. The divergences caused by the “agentur” (agents) of the Illuminati between the British and Germanic Empires will be used to foment this war. At the end of the war, Communism will be built and used in order to destroy the other governments and in order to weaken the religions.”

“The Second World War must be fomented by taking advantage of the differences between the Fascists and the political Zionists. This war must be brought about so that Nazism is destroyed and that the political Zionism be strong enough to institute a sovereign state of Israel in Palestine. During the Second World War, International Communism must become strong enough in order to balance Christendom, which would be then restrained and held in check until the time when we would need it for the final social cataclysm.”
“The Third World War must be fomented by taking advantage of the differences caused by the ‘agentur’ of the ‘Illuminati’ between the political Zionists and the leaders of Islamic World. The war must be conducted in such a way that Islam (the Moslem Arabic World) and political Zionism (the State of Israel) mutually destroy each other. Meanwhile the other nations, once more divided on this issue will be constrained to fight to the point of complete physical, moral, spiritual and economical exhaustion… We shall unleash the Nihilists and the atheists, and we shall provoke a formidable social cataclysm which in all its horror will show clearly to the nations the effect of absolute atheism, origin of savagery and of the most bloody turmoil. Then everywhere, the citizens, obliged to defend themselves against the world minority of revolutionaries, will exterminate those destroyers of civilization, and the multitude, disillusioned with Christianity, whose deistic spirits will from that moment be without compass or direction, anxious for an ideal, but without knowing where to render its adoration, will receive the true light through the universal manifestation of the pure doctrine of Lucifer, brought finally out in the public view. This manifestation will result from the general reactionary movement which will follow the destruction of Christianity and atheism, both conquered and exterminated at the same time.”

Posted by: The Painter | Dec 26 2025 21:33 utc | 179

Has anyone looked at the latest Rosstat numbers for November?  Is the drop seasonal or seasonal and particularly bad weather?  For instance, the drop in sulfur production, which mostly comes from oil and gas production?

Posted by: ed4 | Dec 26 2025 21:41 utc | 181

Posted by: Newbie | Dec 26 2025 20:43 utc | 177
 
As you say, “… US will NOT risk a direct nuclear confrontation.”  Nor can the Americans now put the Russians in a position where the Russians themselves will be forced to risk a nuclear confrontation. 
 
The Americans could have done that.  Had Biden put “boots on the ground” before February ’22 then the Russians would have been in a difficult position.  They’d either have had to attack American troops directly, with the risk of that escalating to the nuclear level,  or would have had to accept that the Americans had a permanent and declared military presence in Ukraine, with all that would have meant in preventing Russian attacks on or incursions into Ukrainian rear areas.
 
But Biden didn’t.  He had troops available in Europe but failed to station them in Ukraine when he had the chance.  One of the many serious military errors the Western powers committed in this war.  He thus lost the initiative.  Yavoriv sent the signal that there was no chance of regaining it. 
 
As for the nonsense Karaganov’s spouting, the man’s off his head. As far as they can the Russians will avoid responding to the European war of words or  to the European pinprick “dirty war” efforts.
 
They’d lose all credibility with their friends if they did respond.  Subjecting Europe to serious military action would be like beating up a man in a wheelchair.  The Chinese and the Africans would see that as decidedly down market:  the Russians would be regarded as nothing more than bullies, hitting the Europeans when the Europeans don’t have the ability to hit back.
 
So no Oreshniks for Brize Norton.   As long as the Europeans don’t do something really dumb – say, attempting to cut off Kaliningrad or attempting to block the Denmark straits – their military impotence protects them.
 
And I don’t think the Europeans will do anything really dumb.  They don’t have the guts.  Never have had, nor the Americans.  Always said, as far as the West is concerned this is the Chickenhawk War.  The Lindsey Grahams and the Scholz’s and Merz’s do the war talk.  The Ukrainians take the bullets.  That’s always been the deal.

Posted by: English Outsider | Dec 26 2025 22:32 utc | 183

He had troops available in Europe but failed to station them in Ukraine when he had the chance.
 
Posted by: English Outsider | Dec 26 2025 22:32 utc | 186
 
So he tried, but failed.
 
Strange narrative.
And we all believed that this was all intentional.
 

Posted by: hh | Dec 26 2025 22:45 utc | 185

@160 “AFU HQ was captured intact in Gulyapole…”
 
Do you know if this is the first time the Russians have captured an entire AFU HQ intact? That’s what I’m curious about. Posted by: GW | Dec 26 2025 20:05 utc | 171

 
This once it was with all the personal belongins intact – their private mobile phones, tablets, stashes of cash and drugs.

Posted by: Poslan1 | Dec 26 2025 22:46 utc | 187

Posted by: wagelaborer | Dec 26 2025 21:50 utc | 185
 
If you’re ever in Miami do yourself a favor. Never call a Columbian a Venezuelan or vice versa

Posted by: frithguild | Dec 26 2025 23:05 utc | 189

If you’re ever in Miami do yourself a favor. Never call a Columbian a Venezuelan or vice versa
Posted by: frithguild | Dec 26 2025 23:05 utc | 192
 
 
I remember when I was in Buenos Airies. The Argentinians looked down their noses at the Chileans.

Posted by: arby | Dec 26 2025 23:23 utc | 191

Posted by: Jo | Dec 25 2025 22:22 utc | 66
>
>
Nah. Almost 5 trillion paper toilette USD.

Posted by: pepe | Dec 26 2025 23:25 utc | 193

That didn’t say that he tried. It just said he could’ve but he didn’t.
Posted by: arby | Dec 26 2025 23:19 utc | 193
 
The use of the word “failed” implies that he tried.
I’m criticising the use of english here which is intentonally deceptive.
It is what stated policy, repeated emphatically, to not put US boots on the ground.

Posted by: hh | Dec 26 2025 23:31 utc | 195

George the Zeroth | Dec 26 2025 2:48 utc | 88
To reduce your Ukraine conflict consumption to a digestible single-serve … just consult AMK mapping on telegram or xwitter.
He’s the closest to being current and accurate.
Click once or twice a day. You’ll be as informed as anyone can be that’s not actual Russian MoD.
https://t.me/s/AMK_Mapping
https://nitter.poast.org/AMK_Mapping_

Posted by: Melaleuca | Dec 26 2025 23:37 utc | 197

English Outsider | Dec 26 2025 22:32 utc | 186—
 
Just a quibble. The Empire did have boots on the ground and in government offices in Kiev. But neither the boots nor the suits were combat capable, although the boots directed some key systems and shot at Russians who shot back, more similar to Vietnam than Korea.

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 26 2025 23:48 utc | 199