News & views related to the war in Ukraine …
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January 11, 2026
Ukraine Open Thread 2026-011
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Apparently Klitschko was on a ski holiday in the Carpathians when he said evacuate Kyev
Posted by: Jo | Jan 11 2026 14:55 utc | 1
Apparently Klitschko was on a ski holiday in the Carpathians when he said evacuate Kyev
Posted by: Jo | Jan 11 2026 14:55 utc | 2
To be fair, he did evacuate.
Posted by: Poslan1 | Jan 11 2026 14:58 utc | 2
Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update, 9th January 2026: May be Useful to Some: Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update
Posted by: The Busker | Jan 11 2026 15:02 utc | 3
as of tomorrow, the SMO will have been going on longer than the Great Patriotic War: 1418 days
Are there still people here who think it was worth it in human, economic, material and moral costs?
Posted by: Noam A Larkey | Jan 11 2026 15:17 utc | 4
Are there still people here who think it was worth it in human, economic, material and moral costs?
Posted by: Noam A Larkey | Jan 11 2026 15:17 utc | 5
Hmm, lets see.
Economy doing well, not up to tits in lend-lease debt.
Haven’t lost 26 million souls.
Haven’t lost vast tracts of territory and seen it lain waste by the retreating invader.
Day count is the same though…but yeah, at what cost?
Posted by: ChatNPC | Jan 11 2026 15:29 utc | 5
It became known when the situation with light in Kiev will improve
The situation with electricity in the capital will improve approximately on January 15. Restoration work is currently underway
This is reported by RegioNews with reference to the Telegram of the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Sviridenko .
According to her, the other day the Russians made one of the most large-scale attacks on the energy infrastructure of Kiev for all the time of a full-scale war.
“The enemy purposefully hit with ballistics, in particular at heat-generating objects. The situation was further complicated by difficult weather conditions and a significant drop in temperature, ” Sviridenko said.
She noted that Ukrainian power engineers work in extremely difficult conditions and do the maximum possible. This week alone, electricity was restored to almost 700,000 consumers across the country.
“For a significant improvement of the situation in Kiev, time is needed – we are focusing on Thursday,” Sviridenko summed up.
As reported, on January 11 , emergency blackouts were introduced in the power system of Ukraine . In particular, emergency blackouts operate on the left bank of Kiev, in the Pechersk and Goloseevsky districts of the capital.
https://regionews.ua/ukr/news/kiev/1768143419-stalo-vidomo-koli-pokrashchitsya-situatsiya-zi-svitlom-u-kievi (via translation add-on.)
There are also several reports of voltage fluctuations and surges when the power is available, between 50 and 270 volts on domestic consumer circuits. These can be very damaging in their own right.
Also not helping matters is the TCC busily press-ganging electrical engineers, despite official exemptions.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 15:33 utc | 6
Day count is the same though…but yeah, at what cost?
Posted by: ChatNPC | Jan 11 2026 15:29 utc | 6
Nah, considering that Russia fight Nazies who are coming from all over the world, one should count the days of the WWII.
Posted by: Poslan1 | Jan 11 2026 15:37 utc | 7
Sorry to repeat, but probably lost at the end of the kiev thread
My point being Marat is close to RF MoD (some would go as far as affiliated with)
And this is a clear fracture to previous “institutional message”
Call it a warning (the west might call it a threat). Clear sphere of influence reminded, nuclear warning about kalingrad (let alone russia proper)
My 2 cents
https://maratkhairullin.substack.com/p/the-new-baltic-war-or-scandinavians
Posted by: Newbie | Jan 11 2026 15:51 utc | 8
Are there still people here who think it was worth it in human, economic, material and moral costs?Posted by: Noam A Larkey | Jan 11 2026 15:17 utc | 5
Historically the USA’s incredibly stupid plan to destroy Russia by proxy will be seen as critical to the empire’s accelerated demise. Russian defeat of NATO drained the empire of weapons and money that now constrains the empire from taking all actions it wants and now has to rely on state terrorism (bombings, murder, piracy, kidnapping, etc.) to force compliance.
Posted by: AmericanIconoclast | Jan 11 2026 16:01 utc | 9
as of tomorrow, the SMO will have been going on longer than the Great Patriotic War: 1418 days Are there still people here who think it was worth it in human, economic, material and moral costs?
Posted by: Noam A Larkey | Jan 11 2026 15:17 utc | 5
An interesting question.
You infer the benefits from the duration of a process. And you mention the costs without comparing them to the benefits. What price do you put on your safety?
Posted by: BlindSpot | Jan 11 2026 16:03 utc | 10
Posted by: Newbie | Jan 11 2026 15:51 utc | 9[…]
Agree, good essay by Marat, worth pulling it from the prev. thread. So I will pull my comment too, with some edits.
Thanks. I recommend reading Marat’s essay.
I don’t want to sound presumptuous but I have to say I’ve been predicting that after the Ukraines are fully annexed into Russia, Russia will “attack” [Note 1] the Baltic statelets, especially Latvia and Lithuania, with the latter very unfortunately having its capital in the way of a connection from Pskov to Kaliningrad.
It’s like the Vogon army destroying the Earth to make way for the interstellar galactic highway in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. So sad.
Note 1. Russia will find a good, reasonable way to make the Baltic annexation looks like a defensive move. It won’t be necessary to annex all of them just a wide corridor from Pskov to Kaliningrad which, very unfortunately, will include Vilnius. Marat has mentioned Klaipėda so perhaps poor Lithuania will lose its capital and access to the sea.
Many such things will happen this century ’cause a new stable geopolitical equilibrium is forming from the decline of America and Europe and the capitalist transformation of Russia and China.
It may also be some major campaign including not only the three Baltic statelets but also Sweden and Findland, Marat is hinting in that direction.
Why not just be friends and make money out of Russia’s development? Why are we so envious, petty and spiteful? Asking for a friend.
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Jan 11 2026 16:04 utc | 11
Nato/Nafo is once again peddling ‘3 day SMO’. Most likely a needless reminder, three days was coined by US general Mark Milley, and somehow it was morphed into something that Putin allegedly had said. Furthermore, US general Ben Hodges Russia would be forced to stop the war after 10 days after running out of missiles, shells and troops.
I guess what they mean is Nato would be forced to stop after 10 days after running out of missiles, shells and troops.
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 11 2026 16:06 utc | 12
❗️🏁🏴☠️🇺🇦💥🇷🇺 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announces the defeat of three Lukoil drilling rigs in the Caspian Sea.It is clear to everyone that NATO is doing this, not Ukraine.
Zelensky announced the preparation of new terrorist acts against Russia. He announced this after a meeting with the acting head of the SBU, Yevhen Khmara.“New operations have also been agreed upon,” Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel.
z and v
We are waiting for confirmation or denial.
??
🇺🇦🏴☠️👉🇷🇺 Russia has for the first time deployed the latest jet-powered kamikaze UAV, the “Geran-5”, according to Ukrainian sources.The drone with a jet engine is about 6 meters long and has a wingspan of about 5.5 meters.The warhead weighs about 90 kg and has a flight range of up to 1000 km.It uses satellite navigation and a more powerful jet engine than the “Geran-3”.It is also reported that the UAV may have the capability of airborne launch and even the integration of air-to-air missiles.
z and v
Posted by: Jo | Jan 11 2026 16:18 utc | 13
When it rains it pours…
Also a small comment on general situation (by yours truly), we’re back above 1.300 AFU casualties and maybe we’ll see a clarification on all AFU “recent” counter-attacks.
Yes, many things felt a bit groudhog day in the north, and even center, but south is saying zaporizhia by 2026.
What I see, but I’m more of a geometric than terrain guy, let others do the remaining analysis. is (contingent on AFU holding) a kharkiv, Izium(?) pokrosvke (not that one) , zaporizhia , arc. My 2 cents
For the center and north, The work on the rest of donetsk is a given, but for the rest, as I already mentioned much earlier, there are positional moves that might turn to serious threats to sumy and even kharviv.
RF now, unlike 4 years ago has the means to take and hold significant portions of former ukraine (8X the assets?).
This leads us to a final comment about what I wanted to discuss but haven’t so far. AFU has roughly 3/4 of a million men in hospitals, but recoverable for front-line service… but it would take a year (hence the pressure on an unconditional truce and an 800k limit for AFU).
RF does not have that number (thank god), so any 1 year pause gives AFU a 2 to 3 times advantage over RF.
Let’s go to Instambul, it was being discussed 80k to 250k AFU (and some even floated a 600k number, enough IMHO to man and rotate the full LOC but lacking numbers for significant incursions).
I would say that even if returned home they could be considered reserves but I would bet many would give a big pass to any attempts to throw them back into the fray. So… I would say RF must point to a low limit, maybe forcing AFU to send home all recovering wounded as soon as possible (or even transfer to non military sphere right away, civilian hospitals near home with visits and decommissioned on request)
As for nato aligned forces in ukraine, the answer was loud and clear and should stand…
Thoughts?
Posted by: Newbie | Jan 11 2026 16:19 utc | 14
Posted by: Poslan1 | Jan 11 2026 15:37 utc | 8
They are also killing significant numbers of Colombian cartel soldiers.
Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Jan 11 2026 16:29 utc | 15
Why not just be friends and make money out of Russia’s development? Why are we so envious, petty and spiteful? Asking for a friend.
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Jan 11 2026 16:04 utc | 12
Thank you for your comments and endorsement on that being a particular relevant post from Marat (MoD?)
Yes, many warnings within and NE europe should hear them.
As for your final question , I’ll repeat something I said before, this is a mix of very distinct objectives by the west, mixed into a pseudo unified front:
- UK probably wanted a chance of destroying as much as possible RF
- US wanted a weakening strategic RF defeat that might give exploitable advantages (but not an outright collapse)
- Germany wanted to shake RF down and show who was junior partner in moscow-berlin axis
(I just ignore wishful thinking and/or rabid santa requests from others)
Now all have a slice of shit pie to swallow (except maybe the us as there was a price for RF and no biggie for the us, with added bonus of ripping the eu a new one).
Might the greenland issue throw the pendulum back? Or has the us achieved the mission of splitting western europe from RF for decades/centuries? I would say that is the big question. I’d say a lot might depend on germany recovering a degree of sovereignty and/or poland waking up and see they might be western and catholic but still slavs.
Thoughts?
Posted by: Newbie | Jan 11 2026 16:33 utc | 16
I am sorry to say that I find some agreement with the idea that “Russia hasn’t won and Ukraine hasn’t lost”. Ukraine can and is being directed into national suicide – which the EU will support politically. Economically, they can always come up with a few million for small arms, at least. Zelensky will continue to dodge elections and real negotiations indefinitely and no one will remove him in a coup. Ukraine has too much wishful thinking but Russia does also, about any rational end to this war
This situation highlights Ukraine’s one great strength: a national suicide mission, with their apologists (see YouTube) undaunted. I don’t see how Russia can continue for several more years to eliminate 3 – 4 million men under 25 – to put a permanent stop to this war. I just do not see any series of steps leading to compromise, much less capitulation. Nor do I see anyone explaining how this would ever happen. I hope Putin is not naive about this, as to fighting this centralized suicidal power. They will never say, “Enough” or “No Mas”.
However, suppose Russia wiped out Zelensky and crew – and maybe the Rada also. Decapitate the regime – and as headless, negotiate with individual mayors or governors? This would further tend to break up Ukraine especially as to internal national groups. And this would well comport with Russia’s caution about its casualties.
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 16:36 utc | 17
Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 16:36 utc | 19 Ukraine lost a long time ago, when the west turned it into a colony and their so called leaders have been selling of the assets of the colony to western business interests. The parasitic elites in the colony are not suicidal, their families already live outside the colony and they I am sure have plans to flee, when the time comes.. the colony will collapse , their European and American backers are broke.. and the “regular people in the colony , my guess have no idea how bad the situation is with inthe colony or how dire the situations are in the EU and in the capital of the Empire.
Posted by: dp | Jan 11 2026 16:52 utc | 18
as of tomorrow, the SMO will have been going on longer than the Great Patriotic war: 1418 days Are there still people here who think it was worth it in human, economic, material and moral costs?
Posted by: Noam A Larkey | Jan 11 2026 15:17 utc | 5
Don’t know about “here” in the above question, but there certainly are very many here in Russia who think it is and don’t give a monkey’s about what commenters here think.
VTsIOM [ВЦИОМ] — Russian Public Opinion Research Centre
November 21, 2025 Below are the ratings of trust in politicians, assessments of the activities of state institutions, and attitudes towards parties.
The approval rating of the President from 10 to 16 November 2025 was 75.4% (+0.1 pp per week). The levels of positive assessment of the work of the Prime Minister and the Russian Government over the last week were 49.5% (+0.4 pp per week) and 48.1% (+1.1 pp per week), respectively.
78.7% of respondents answered positively to a direct question about their confidence in Vladimir Putin (+0.9 percentage points for the week), 59.1% — in Mikhail Mishustin (+0.8 percentage points for the week), 33.1% — in Gennady Zyuganov (+0.7 percentage points for the week), 28.1% — in Sergey Mironov (-2.0 percentage points for the week). week), Leonid Slutsky — 19.8% (-2.4 percentage points for the week), Alexey Nechaev-9.2% (-0.2 percentage points for the week).
Posted by: Moscow Exile | Jan 11 2026 16:57 utc | 19
Prime minister Orban says Ukraine is asking EU for 800 billion Euros over the next 10 years, not including military costs.
https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/2010390280768274875
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 11 2026 17:11 utc | 20
Putin issues a challenge to the US Terrorist/Pirate Regime, of course they are far too gutless to pick up the gauntlet.
“Putin challenged US for missile duels: “Bring in all your air defense system to Kiev and we’ll launch Oreshnik hypersonic missiles then you’ll see how useless your air defense system is””
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jan 11 2026 17:16 utc | 21
GD: Prof Andrei Tsygankov: ‘Cancelling Russia’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjTcSfpKQIE
“Rise of the Western hawks.”
Recommended.
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jan 11 2026 17:16 utc | 22
Prime minister Orban says Ukraine is asking EU for 800 billion Euros over the next 10 years, not including military costs. https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/2010390280768274875
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 11 2026 17:11 utc | 23
There are two ways of seeing this, one is what could be done with it, the other as a “cheap” way to keep RF entertained.
800 divided by 10, over a 18 trillion GDP it’s what? 0.4% Let’s say another 0.6% for military aid.
And eu has proved it doesn’t shy from ending their own currency so, what”s another 1% if they already have to pay another 5% (mainly to us) on millitary budget?
Now, on the other hand these extra 4 or 5 % are way beyond what was refused to deal with major crisis so yes, enough to dismantle whatever still worked in the social and infrastructures eu…
Posted by: Newbie | Jan 11 2026 17:20 utc | 23
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jan 11 2026 17:16 utc | 24
Russia could name the exact location, date, and minute of an attack and the US could not stop it. China and Iran might also have similar missiles/weapons.
Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Jan 11 2026 17:27 utc | 24
reply to 20
Saying ‘Ukraine has lost’ is just exaggeration, hyperbole. They keep fighting. More than that, they keep fighting even after their leaders are exposed as crooks. They keep fighting even though Zelensky was elected on a now false promise of peace. They keep fighting although Russia relentlessly advances. They keep fighting even though their soldiers are poorly paid and their families are impoverished. The elite can push them indefinitely. The EU can push suicide without limit or end. Orban just announced that Ukraine wants $800 billion. It doesn’t stop or end in part because EU elite have no skin in the game. Ukrainian men are just garbage to be disposed of while hurting Russia.
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 17:41 utc | 25
R2R: John Helmer: ‘What Will It Take To Deter NATO Aggression?’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzl2iYoX6Uk
“Dimitri Lascaris speaks with John Helmer about the US military’s seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker and the Ukrainian drone attack on a residence of Vladimir Putin.”
‘The West’s war on the Russian Federation is escalating to unprecedented levels. How close are we now to a full-blown war between the Russian Federation and the United States?’
Recommended.
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jan 11 2026 17:42 utc | 26
If ex-“Ukraine” supposedly has 750000 lightly (recoverable for use) wounded “soldiers” then one has to explain:
- What kind of wounds are they suffering from?
- How did so many get such wounds which one has to assume are generally unlikely to be from from “artillery” (artillery, missiles/rocketry, drones, bombs, glide-bombs, thermobaric attacks, or exploding drones)?
- Where and when and how did they escape the front and get to a hospital?
- Where are the hospitals they are or were staying at?
- Where is the news reports concerning their existence and treatment?
Not just for a handful of people but for 750000 people. Personally I doubt they exist.
And why would they all become healed in around the same time? :3
For reference this link from Eurostat claims that the EU had 2 million and 3 hundred thousands hospital beds in 2022 in total.
The visibility of 7500000 wounded ex-“Ukrainians” in or passing through hospitals would be extremely high.
Nah, they all “won” and are now mulch XP
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Jan 11 2026 17:47 utc | 27
It’s astonishing how Europe’s plan still remains unchanged. That “Ukraine can outlast Russia’s economy and army” if they’re given more money… Staggering how they erroneously believe that doubling on the same failed strategy could yield different outcomes with more hopes and dreams.
Posted by: rowida | Jan 11 2026 17:53 utc | 28
“Are there still people here who think it was worth it in human, economic, material and moral costs?” Posted by: Noam A Larkey | Jan 11 2026 15:17 utc | 5
Well, that depends on who you are. If you are a Ukrainian or Western Bloodlust War Profiteer, things are going wonderfully. If you are an ordinary Ukrainian, not the Nazi/self-chosen, then you probably fondly remember the days when promised “Peace with Russia.”
For Russians the Locusts from the West must have their fields burned, including the roots, or you will be doing this all over again. And again.
And Trump has followed the lead of his Masters in Israel, stated plainly the US leadership has no principles, only lust and envy. Collateralizing unchecked DEBT requires tricks, threats, and outright theft. The US Pirates will throw anything into their boiling pot, friend or foe.
And the US is secretly printing money to backstop the “Foreign” bids to keep the US Debt Ponzi/facade appearing to be “market driven bidders”. Trump announced a $200 billion Mortgage-Backed-Security play that requires the Fed to print even more.
So. Is it worth it? Ask me that same question when Trump transports IDF baby-killers to Greenland to take-possession of the $ Trillions of resources.
Posted by: kupkee | Jan 11 2026 17:53 utc | 29
No, they keep dying. Dying is not fighting. Suicide is terminal, not never-ending.
The pretense of winning is to attract more idiots to die for ex-“Ukraine” but since they are losing ground one has to assume they are having recruitment issues.
More importantly there are less resources, less military non-human capital, less belief, less support.
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Jan 11 2026 18:01 utc | 30
reply to 31
How is their strategy wrong? They can keep Ukraine going for years to come because EU can continue the Ukraine Suicide effort. Can Russia deal with Ukraine fighting as a suicidal effort? For years to come? The Military Show site has intense hatred for Russia – and they ‘get it’ ! They say that Ukraine can win if they outlast Russia. Exactly so. Ukraine has great power against Russia by reason of their willingness to sacrifice every bit of their nation – and go into demographic extinction. How did the US finally defeat Japan? They burned the cities down and the Japanese still fought, training with bamboo staves. Only the shock of 2 atom bombs finally stopped the war. I don’t think a few Oreshniks are gonna make a difference.
Russia needs a new bold strategy to end the war. The danger is that they get caught in a Slavic Vietnam. Decapitate the regime and make deals with local authorities.
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 18:08 utc | 31
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 17:41 utc | 28, I am not saying that “Ukrainians” wont’ keep fighting ( or be forced to fight) I am saying a sovereign Ukraine was gone after it became a western colony in 2014.. so Ukraine as a country as a nation is gone, and the Empire and its money hungry, amoral vassals inside the colony will keep sending men to die, but Ukraine is gone and has been, the people inside the colony don’t understand that as of yet.
Posted by: dp | Jan 11 2026 18:08 utc | 32
Posted by: Newbie | Jan 11 2026 16:33 utc | 18
[…]
Just one thought.
Maybe the ‘far right’ will come to power and make a turn around. They seem more pragmatical and concerned with their potential subjects.
Shit two thoughts!
I think Europe is capable of swallowing the loss of Greenland for the greater good.
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Jan 11 2026 18:20 utc | 33
Is there a link source for this, or is it just a desire?
“Putin challenged US for missile duels: “Bring in all your air defense system to Kiev and we’ll launch Oreshnik hypersonic missiles then you’ll see how useless your air defense system is””
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jan 11 2026 17:16 utc | 24
Posted by: Merv Ritchie | Jan 11 2026 18:20 utc | 34
Eighthman @ 34
You say that the Atomic Bombs forced Japan’s surrender, but that neglects the fact that the Soviet’s planning on invading was as much a factor in their willingness to surrender
Posted by: R.T.G. | Jan 11 2026 18:22 utc | 35
They say that Ukraine can win if they outlast Russia.
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 18:08 utc | 34
The word ‘if’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. Your theory also requires every single Ukrainian to be united, fully behind the military effort; there is a lot, and I mean a lot of circumstantial evidence suggesting that is far from the reality.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 18:23 utc | 36
Johan Kaspar | Jan 11 2026 18:20 utc | 36
*** I think Europe is capable of swallowing the loss of Greenland for the greater good.***
That “greater good” being transformation of the entire world into one vast prison-camp, wherein literally everything gets weaponised to serve the monopoly-capitalist system and its Oligarchy.
Heil the WEF ……
Posted by: Cynic | Jan 11 2026 18:43 utc | 37
Saying ‘Ukraine has lost’ is just exaggeration, hyperbole. They keep fighting.
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 17:41 utc | 28
#######
Speaking only for myself, it’s not hyperbole.
If someone with cancer gets downgraded to stage 4, we can say that they are dead. Technically, they are still alive, but for all intents and purposes, their condition is terminal and most likely irreversible. Any exception would prove the rule.
If we have to wait for things to be 100% complete, then we have to be reactive and cannot forward-think.
If people want to operate as emotional and reactive, that is their prerogative. I find more profit (benefit) in preparing for what may come next.
If the Russian General Staff doesn’t position, build, and train for the next phase, whatever it may be, they will be caught flat-footed and lacking initiative. When the Nazis reach stage 4, the Russians must recognize that moment and act accordingly.
The Ukrainians can fight, and they can die. I do not think Ukraine, as a country, will exist in 5 years. I used to think Russia would neuter it, but now I am leaning towards annihilation. NATO will not allow Ukraine to survive.
All gas, no brakes.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 11 2026 18:43 utc | 38
Merv Ritchie (37)
Click the link.
Monitor𝕏 (@MonitorX99800): “🇷🇺🇺🇸⚡- Putin challenged US for missile duels: “Bring in all your air defense system to Kiev and we’ll launch Oreshnik hypersonic missiles then you’ll see how useless your air defense system is”” | nitter.poast.org
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jan 11 2026 19:04 utc | 39
LoveDonbass
“The Ukrainians can fight, and they can die. I do not think Ukraine, as a country, will exist in 5 years.”
I have long believed that the end goal is to force Russia to nuke Ukraine. This would make Russia a pariah state for perpetuity (unlike the US, they don’t control international media narratives), and it would remove the taboo on the use of nuclear weapons (i.e., clear Israel to nuke Iran if it gets the urge).
Posted by: schmoe | Jan 11 2026 19:14 utc | 40
If ex-“Ukraine” supposedly has 750000 lightly (recoverable for use) wounded “soldiers”
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Jan 11 2026 17:47 utc | 30
Hardly lightly, almost a year for full recovery and getting them fit enough for front line
(plenty of new “hospitals” and closed barracks for them)
———————————————————–
Maybe the ‘far right’ will come to power and make a turn around. They seem more pragmatical and concerned with their potential subjects.Shit two thoughts!I think Europe is capable of swallowing the loss of Greenland for the greater good.
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Jan 11 2026 18:20 utc | 36
Biggest shit sandwich will be ukraine and impacts in the new sphere. Greenland is just dessert
Posted by: Newbie | Jan 11 2026 19:14 utc | 41
All gas, no brakes.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 11, 2026 18:43 utc | 41
I’ve heard that somewhere….
Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Jan 11 2026 19:18 utc | 42
It’s astonishing how Europe’s plan still remains unchanged. That “Ukraine can outlast Russia’s economy and army” if they’re given more money…
Posted by: rowida | Jan 11 2026 17:53 utc | 31
That seems to be a very strong belief here in the west. All you need for anything is more money. Nobody works anymore. Everybody is day-trading for more money. Trump is a yuge believer in that. Just said he is upping the military spending to one and a half trillion and ordering the arms manufacturers to stop giving money to share holders.
Posted by: arby | Jan 11 2026 19:20 utc | 43
No 5 noam a larkey: sure the US and the EU felt the cost for a quick war was worth it. Naziprincess (EU) practically jumped on the opportunity to give Russia a lesson and vicky nudelman (USA) who orchestrated the outing of ukraines legally elected president, did the same and being married to a kagan, could use the institute for the study of war and spread as much falsehood as was possible from the outset, particularly since the institute became the main provider of news on the smo to the western media.
Posted by: nisse sams | Jan 11 2026 19:21 utc | 44
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jan 11 2026 19:04 utc | 42
Thank You!
Posted by: Merv Ritchie | Jan 11 2026 19:30 utc | 45
The strategic consequences of the Oreshnik strike on Bilche-Volytsko-Uherske gas storage facility in Stryi (Lvov, Ukraine): https://geopolitiq.substack.com/i/183995855/the-consequences-of-the-oreshnik-strike-on-bilche-volytsko-uherske-gas-storage-facility-in-stryi-lvov-ukraine-and-the-end-of-nato
Posted by: Brigitte Mohnhaupt | Jan 11 2026 15:11 utc | 4
Vielen Dank!
Das Zitat bezüglich der verpassten Truppenstationierung in Jugoslawien habe ich jahrelang gesucht!
Ich hatte das irgendwann mal gelesen, aber dann vergessen wo.
Posted by: Helmuth von Moltke | Jan 11 2026 19:30 utc | 47
I have long believed that the end goal is to force Russia to nuke Ukraine.
Posted by: schmoe | Jan 11 2026 19:14 utc | 43
OK, the bar is open to a wide range of beliefs and viewpoints, but that one is odd, to say the least. Could you help me out here, and explain the basis for your belief? Because I am really struggling to see any circumstances whatsoever where Russia is forced “to nuke Ukraine”.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 19:32 utc | 48
Johan Kaspar | Jan 11 2026 16:04 utc | 12—
You wrote: “Why not just be friends and make money out of Russia’s development? Why are we so envious, petty and spiteful? Asking for a friend.”
There’s a one-word and combined concept answer: Pleonexia married to Megalomania.
@ Jeremy Rhymings-Lang
Note that I said “goal” and did not express an opinion regarding whether that is probable, although “force” does contradict my focus on “goal”.
I have a more bearish view of Russia’s ability to sustain armaments production amid repeated, and what will be intensifying, drone attacks, while Ukraine shifts all armaments production to areas “off limits”, such as Poland. I hope I am wrong, but am unsure if Russia can sustain that fact pattern absent escalating into nuclear territory.
Posted by: schmoe | Jan 11 2026 19:41 utc | 50
Sorry but an alleged 750000 wounded requires a lot of resources and one needs to back it up with proof of their existence as well as proof of the existence of the capability to tend to so many wounded, thus my questions still stand.
Until they have convincing answers one has to conclude that there are very few surviving wounded.
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Jan 11 2026 19:47 utc | 51
Do you think the USA’s recent declassification and release of the transcripts of Bush’s meetings with Putin in April 2008 was an accident? Putin agreed that Iran’s leadership were “nutty” and they should not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. The whole thing is worth a read, but the “nuts” reference is on page 8. The game is to prevent them from getting too close.
https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/document/33711-document-3-memorandum-conversation-subject-meeting-president-russia
Then Obama/Biden showed up and screwed up 8 years of progress. Though it is also possible Bush & Co. were just playing Putin.
Posted by: Fool Me Twice | Jan 10 2026 23:30 utc | 131
No they weren’t playing Putin.
Bush and Putin are both Jews.
Here is Putin from around July last year:
Of course, I am referring to peaceful nuclear energy and peaceful nuclear activities in other areas – and Israel’s interests in terms of the unconditional security of the Jewish state. This is a delicate issue, and of course, we need to be very careful here. However, in my opinion, such a solution can be found.
https://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/77208
Here is the paragraph that the quote is from:
I would post this in Russian but this site (being Jew run) only allows 7 Russian characters.
Posted by: Putin | Jan 11 2026 20:01 utc | 52
@ schmoe | Jan 11 2026 19:41 utc | 53
Fair enough, but we do have to keep in mind which side really has escalation dominance in the Ukraine theatre: NATO-backed Ukraine, with all the “game-changers” that have been absorbed and adapted to by the Russian side? Or Russia, who continues to act well within the limits of its capacity?
Your point about Ukraine moving its arms production “off-limits” brings into play the financial/economic aspect. Economically speaking, Ukraine is a “nil by mouth” intensive care casualty, relying on direct intravenous infusions of Western taxpayer-funded largesse, much of which is leaking out through the suppurating boils and pustules of corruption within the body itself. This cannot continue indefinitely, the arithmetic says so.
Ukraine has lost, the deeply-divided West has lost, evidenced by the shilly-shallying, dilly-dallying spectacle of the West desperately still trying to negotiate with itself over what to do next.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 20:03 utc | 53
@ Putin | Jan 11 2026 20:01 utc | 55
Noteworthy that you, along with @ Brigitte, didn’t post yesterday; well done on your diligent Sabbath observance…
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 20:08 utc | 54
reply to 39, 41
“United”? Not needed, really. Kidnap them off the streets and force them into trenchs at gunpoint. Rinse, repeat – through 3 -4 million men under 25. And the EU will eventually force young men who escaped to go back and die for Ukraine. In the midst of their mindless defense of immigrants and refusal to expel them, they might make an exception because of Russia-hate.
And someone with terminal cancer doesn’t die immediately. They – or a terminal nation – can still aim and pull a trigger. They’ve got 3 – 4 million men left to discard, so this can go on for years. Ukraine will no more overthrow Zelensky than the French overthrow Macron or the whole EU get rid of Van der Leyen. Maybe it’s a ‘Hitler in the bunker’ Euro tradition – in which you never harm the murderous, corrupt lunatic in charge – to save your nation.
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 20:09 utc | 55
Thanks Karlof1, nailed it again.
Megalomania. Trump’s announcement that he is not constraint by any laws only his own morality.
Guess that means open season on pussy grabbing?
Posted by: Suresh | Jan 11 2026 20:12 utc | 56
Jeremy Rhymings-Lang
I think schlmoe is right but it is really a communication issue. It is obvious (from this site) that many US operatives (eg Shadow banned as the smartest of them) have been working hard to encourage Russia to use a nuke. Not necessarily on Ukraine, but anywhere.
This provides the excuse for the USA to reply with nukes.
Now despite Russia’s efforts at defence, Russia is more vulnerable to nukes that USA or Europe, simply because it has just a few big cities as opposed to the 50 plus in NATO. NATO launches 20 nukes on Moscow and St Petersburg 9/10 get taken out but one gets through on both cities.
Russia replies with 20 nukes but where. Even assuming 4/5 hit their targets 16 cities get a nuke, sadly there are still many NATO cities left.
Posted by: schmoe | Jan 11 2026 19:14 utc | 43
#####
I have no special insight into the Russian mind, but I do not believe they want to be the first to use nukes.
They have deliberately built missiles like Oreshnik that could use nukes but are devastating without.
As always, why would they nuke? What would they gain? What would it cost them?
Humans, for the most part, are rational actors. They act with purpose. So, what would be the purpose of a particular action?
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 11 2026 20:19 utc | 58
Think of the greater game.
This has been the plan all along. It’s not changing cause it’s working. Blue wants Red to lash out. If it doesn’t, all Blue has to do is keep funneling Russia into the pre-planned quagmire until it collapses or is sufficiently strangled to impose its will on.
Whilst Red grinds away in the Donets coal basin, long range OWA drones/missiles are whittling their way through Blue’s preliminary target list inside Russia – Fuel delivery and storage, AD systems, radars, production facilities, munition depots, airfields, bombers – it’s a pattern. Can you see this?
Both Red and Blue are building up, but Blue EU countries (who are next on the ’til the last’ list if we get there) aren’t having to deal with any of this shit. They just hand over magic money so Ukraine can continue to lose slowly – allowing this proxy-attritional phase to go on as long as mathematically possible. So long as it is contained inside Ukraine, Blue is winning.
I can tell they are confident with how things are going, cause all the events around the periphery suggest that. Syria, Iran, Venezuela – they’re hitting shipping now – How long can Russia maintain the current trajectory as its adversaries continue theirs? It’s like a set of scales – which direction does the balance of power appear to be tipping atm? Who’s side is time really on?
The only way I can think of that gets Red off this trajectory is a decisive move that knocks Ukraine out of the equation – in a way that doesn’t expand the conflict regionally, as soon as fucking possible. “End it on the battlefield” and consolidate.
It’s either that, or lash out. There’s no other option now – which is why I’m sure that’s what they’ve been preparing for and are going to try this year.
Posted by: Jimieus | Jan 11 2026 20:22 utc | 59
Ukraine has great power against Russia by reason of their willingness to sacrifice every bit of their nation
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 18:08 utc | 34
Ukraine is run by Jew nutters (Zelensky & co) who couldn’t care less about Ukrainians.
Zelensky & co probably hate Ukrainians.
Zelensky is the new Hitler.
Posted by: Putin | Jan 11 2026 20:26 utc | 60
@ watcher | Jan 11 2026 20:13 utc | 60
I dunno, I just don’t see any conceivable situation where either side starts flinging nukes around over the Ukraine situation. A cold-hearted view is that Ukraine is just not important enough; Russia certainly won’t be going “first use” over it, it already has escalation dominance.
Granted, some nutters in the Western elites might agitate for a “hail Mary” first use, but the outcome is uncertain, even for those elites with well-equipped bunkers.
With that said, please can we park the discussion of nukes in the Ukrainian theatre now?
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 20:30 utc | 61
Watcher @ 60
There’s nukes and then there’s nukes.
Free fall nukes stationed at NATO bases are only as effective as the delivery vehicle.
All other NATO nukes are ballistic with predictable trajectories when launched. China, Russia and the US can detect any launches by ballistic missiles.
UK has the Tridents (on lease) and last 3 test launches have failed.
I don’t know much about France’s ballistic missiles but hazard that it maybe from the 70s at the latest.
And then there’s maneuvering ballistic missiles. These can be detected at launch but both the path and target cannot be calculated ie Oreshnik.
Only China, Russia, North Korea and Iran have these maneuveringat hypersonic speeds. (Conventional warheads for Iranian)
I agree with the comments regarding gloating Russia into using nukes.
The US and Israel need that Rubicon cross if they are to take down Iran.
Posted by: Suresh | Jan 11 2026 20:32 utc | 62
Only the shock of 2 atom bombs finally stopped the war. I don’t think a few Oreshniks are gonna make a difference.Russia needs a new bold strategy to end the war. The danger is that they get caught in a Slavic Vietnam. Decapitate the regime and make deals with local authorities. Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 18:08 utc | 34
On August 9/1945 the Soviet Union declared war on Japan and invaded Manchuria. On August 19 the Japanese Army surrendered all of Manchuria.
In the period August 14 -when Japan indicated it would surrender to the Americans – and September 2, when the final agreement was signed, Japan was trying to ensure the Soviet Army wouldn’t enter the Mainland Japanese Islands.
Your memory of Vietnam isn’t quite the same as mine. As I recall the Soviets/Russia were on the winning side and the Americans were slowly, methodically squeezed down to a patch on top of a roof barely big enough to land a helicopter.
Russia ain’t no jigged-up, ginned up, “use one-time only” cowboy army.
Posted by: kupkee | Jan 11 2026 20:34 utc | 63
Posted by: kupkee | Jan 11 2026 20:34 utc | 66
######
Russia doesn’t need to “end the war”. The war will end because it cannot continue indefinitely. Russia needs to emerge from this intact and in good shape.
The West has its back against the wall and won’t stop until it can no longer continue. That is coming.
Economically, socially, and militarily, the walls are closing in.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 11 2026 20:38 utc | 64
I’m not going to address this to any particular poster, just posting it as a reference point; there was a report right at the beginning of the year in Ukrainian media outlets, detailing over 270 attacks on TCC press-gang personnel, including 4 fatalities. That was just the official law enforcement investigation count.
I though about linking it here at the time, but went against the idea because not too many barflies seem to be interested in what is happening on the ground, within Ukrainian society.
Wish I had linked it now, it would highlight the tip of the iceberg that is internal turbulence within Ukraine.
So a quick check-in with barflies, am I wasting my time digging through Ukrainian stuff and bringing the more significant morsels here?
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 20:43 utc | 65
Eighthman, multiple posts
There are nothing like 3 or 4 million men 18 to 25 years old in Ukraine. There were not when this began four years ago. There were not in 1991, when Ukraine had more normal demographics and a much larger population. Those who were there have mostly left the country.
Posted by: odhippie | Jan 11 2026 20:48 utc | 66
Posted by: watcher | Jan 11, 2026 20:13 utc | 60
Taking out a few big cities and major bases in the US, UK, and EU would be enough. That can be easily done.
Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Jan 11 2026 20:50 utc | 67
Posted by: Brigitte Mohnhaupt | Jan 11 2026 20:52 utc | 71
EU/NATO talk of “illegalities” displays an unbelievable lack of self-awareness. Do you know how stupid you look?
Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Jan 11 2026 20:56 utc | 68
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 20:43 utc | 68
I for one am VERY interested in stuff within Ukraine, especially about protests
Anyone wanting to sign a petition on behalf of Jaques baud can do so here:
https://www.openpetition.eu/petition/online/sofortige-aufhebung-der-sanktionen-gegen-jacques-baud
Posted by: Jams O’Donnell | Jan 11 2026 20:57 utc | 70
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 20:09 utc | 58
It’s more than just grabbing conscripts … there’s training to consider, and then equipment, and they will need to regular resupply. Ukraine has no airforce beyond drones and info from US satellites, they are mostly using pickup trucks as their logistics. Ukraine has no real armour anymore, and their artillery was running out of shells a year ago. Then there’s morale which is at an all-time low. The troops never level up to elite because they are dying too fast or surrendering. Teamwork is poor, trust is low, mistakes become normal.
Russia has opened up more fronts … putting pressure in more places and simultaneously smashing all the key infrastructure like gas, rail and electricity. Each part of the system depends on other parts and all parts are crumbling.
Meanwhile the Russians are actually training properly, equipping and resupplying their guys … they rotate them so they can recover and fight again, survivability and morale are good, their weapons and tactics are improving. This isn’t a linear grind anymore … it has shifted to full scale Ukrainian defeat. Ceasefire is pretty much off the table and sure NATO can harass some oil tankers but that’s hardly going to change anything.
My expectation is that by the mid-terms, it will become impossible to hide the problems … the US media will be openly talking about Ukraine losing and they will shift to framing it as a Trump failure instead of pretending things are just about to turn around.
Posted by: Tel | Jan 11 2026 21:00 utc | 71
Alexander Mercouris: ‘Restart Wars’
https://www.youtube.com/@AlexMercouris/videos
“Russia prepares biggest Ukraine strike – Duma wants reserve armies committed; Trump restarts Iran War.”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jan 11 2026 21:05 utc | 72
@ Tel | Jan 11 2026 21:00 utc | 75
That is a very good description of where we really are, thanks.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 21:08 utc | 73
Posted by: Brigitte Mohnhaupt | Jan 11 2026 20:52 utc | 71
You needed AI to get a list of Ukrainian Oblasts. REALLY!!!!!!!!!
It would take 5 seconds googling and you would have 5 reliable sources. Ditto the TV program. I think everyone at THIS site knows of Zelensky’s rise from actor to president. The fact that you needed AI to tell you, says you do not belong at a site where people still read.
Posted by: Brigitte Mohnhaupt | Jan 11 2026 20:52 utc | 71
Please try to post something truthful, relevant and interesting, if you can, and leave out the ten-line blanc lines too.
Posted by: Jams O’Donnell | Jan 11 2026 21:15 utc | 75
The Russians are stepping up the pace along the whole of the front lines, changing the facts on the ground. Together with the increasing hits on Ukrainian infrastructure, looks like Putin has decided to focus on the achieving military victory. Weeb union:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpnV-vdHpeI
By Spring it is quite possible that Kupyansk, Lozove (cutting off the southern logistics to the Ukie forces east of the Oskol and less than 8km from Izyum), Borova (taking the remaining bridge over the Oskol) Lyman, Kostyantynivka, Dobropillya (north of Pokrovsk), Mezhova (west of Pokrovsk), Omel’nyk (major logistics hub on souther front), and Komyshuvakha (cutting the only other supply route to the southern front) could be taken. With Russian troops in the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia. An excellent position with which to start the Spring/Summer offensive.
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Jan 11 2026 21:16 utc | 76
Posted by: Putin | Jan 11 2026 20:01 utc | 55
Ansd on different thread from today by you, the identical comment!
Posted by: Putin | Jan 11 2026 19:47 utc | 11
Are you are a bot, a whore to power, or a living zombie?
Posted by: JustSomeOldGuy | Jan 11 2026 21:19 utc | 77
You needed AI to get a list of Ukrainian Oblasts. REALLY!!!!!!!!!
It would take 5 seconds googling and you would have 5 reliable sources. Ditto the TV program. I think everyone at THIS site knows of Zelensky’s rise from actor to president. The fact that you needed AI to tell you, says you do not belong at a site where people still read.
Posted by: watcher | Jan 11 2026 21:09 utc | 78
What do you think Google does? Everyone knows something, that’s true.
Reading is good, understanding crowns the experience. You’re certainly a good observer, a synonym for voyeur, peeping Tom…
Posted by: BlindSpot | Jan 11 2026 21:20 utc | 78
There are nothing like 3 or 4 million men 18 to 25 years old in Ukraine.
Posted by: odhippie | Jan 11 2026 20:48 utc | 69
Yes, @ b has covered this in past topics, including posting the demographic chart that shows a steep decline in the 18 to 24 year old generation, to numbers something like 3 or 400,000, stemming from a dramatic fall-off in the birth rate during the early 2000’s.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 21:37 utc | 79
Posted by: Brigitte Mohnhaupt | Jan 11 2026 21:29 utc | 83
Why. What relevance is Sevastapol NOW. Perhaps in 2015 but not now.
Would you watch reruns of West Wing? I am sure the series was relevant in its day and if suitably dubbed I might have enjoyed it, but its relevance today is silly. The REAL fact that you ignore is that Zelensky was elected on a PEACE platform. He abandoned that to become the war president.
Reply to 66, 69, 75 …… and 80 !!!
Sorry, I thought the Vietnam analogy would be obvious – as a global example in which the powerful USA was defeated by underfed guerillas. And this , similarly could happen to Russia as facing a fanatical foe that will not stop.
69: OK, you don’t like 3 – 4 million young men in Ukraine that Russia needs to eliminate. So, How Many Do You Think Are Left? Can you provide some evidence?
75: My GOD, LISTEN TO YOURSELF ! “By the mid-terms” ????????!!!! So, THAT FAR AWAY ? Russia slogs along until , maybe they impeach Trump in 2027 ?????? Yikes !
80: YOU ALSO ! “the Spring/Summer Offensive”? Really? I think even Russians can tire of Eternal War ( as caused by Ukraine National Suicide).
Let me remind you that Ukraine has an unofficial slogan of ‘to the last Ukrainian” (or drop of blood). That is explicitly national suicide as policy. It seems to envision a giant pile of bodies of dead Russuans and Ukrainians – with one lone Ukrainian at the top shouting, “I WON !”.
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 21:58 utc | 81
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 20:43 utc | 68
Remnant Ukraine is something of an information black hole. Plenty of people who know it well from the inside and can give brilliant general summaries; but they seldom give much detail. They’re either afraid of getting into trouble themselves or are afraid of getting relatives and friends into trouble. The Russians have the place plastered with Intel but they’re not going to tell us much. And POW or refugee interviews are also not that informative, again because most interviewees are afraid of getting those still inside into trouble.
So I’ve been following your reports on the state of remnant Ukraine with interest. It matters when considering when this war is going to end and also because it gives an indication of how difficult it’ll be to pacify and neutralise remnant Ukraine afterwards – there are a number of reasons why the Russians don’t want to occupy unless they really have to. It also gives some indication what remnant Ukraine will consist of.
Hope, therefore, that you don’t get fed up with making them.
,
–
With great interest.
Posted by: English Outsider | Jan 11 2026 22:00 utc | 82
@ Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 21:58 utc | 86
Please could you reference the time-stamps for each post you are responding to; should @ b step in and decide to delete any post, the post numbers shift correspondingly, breaking the reply chain if only using post numbers.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 22:05 utc | 83
Jeremy R-L: “So a quick check-in with barflies, am I wasting my time digging through Ukrainian stuff and bringing the more significant morsels here?”
Most definitely you are NOT wasting your time. Information from the ground is really valuable — and much appreciated.
Posted by: Gavin Longmuir | Jan 11 2026 22:12 utc | 84
RUAF is already pounding AFU positions in Komushuvakha and reinforcements coming south through it, a town almost directly east of Zaporozhye. They are just avoiding head-on attacks on AFU defense south of Zaporozhye and flanking them from the east. Primorske is completely controlled by RUAF.
Orekhov is now being enveloped from three directions, could be next. RUAF seems to be taking the AFU defense line, oriented south, from the east in Gulyapole direction and from behind, from the north through breakthrough from entire Gulyapole line. So they are breaking the entire line running north of Gulyapole and moving west toward Zaporozhye, Orekhov will just be rolled over in the process.
RUAF made significant progress SW of Druzhkovka. Konstantinovka, like Pokrovsk and Avdeevka before it, is becoming methodically enveloped from as far as NW direction. Also from NE direction, with RUAF taking control of Virolubivka.
The key to controlling the road NW of Konstantinovka are controlling the four villages W of Konstantinovka, which is the main AFU defense protecting the road.
RUAF investing Lyman from many directions.
Also, probably the most significant event now is moving toward Izyum through the vast forest, also potentially taking over Lozove-Rubtsi-Korovii Yar triangle, on the southern end of Oskol river. But the move toward Izyum seems to be very significant. Kharkov-Slavyansk road runs through Izyum, so AFU must defend Izyum at all costs to prevent Kramatorsk-Slavyansk-Druzhivka-Konstantinovka agglameration from becoming completely cut off. At that point turning into a large open-air POW camp for AFU.
Kupyansk: RUAF evidently controls Podoly. Large AFU pocket remains around Petropavlivka. RUAF cutting off another large pocket between Kurilovka, Kisharivka and Kolsnykivka.
Small progresses in Sumy direction.
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 11 2026 22:14 utc | 85
Interesting discussion regarding Ukrainians giving up or not. I agree with the “not” camp. Ukraine is the perfect storm of a leftover Soviet culture, a corruption culture, and mass brainwashing.
It’s the type of place where your neighbor gets thrown into a van by a bunch of goons and you don’t care because is it’s not you, or you don’t care because you paid your bribe already, or you care but don’t dare say a peep because your job depends on it or you just want to stay out of trouble.
I do get the impression that the Russians miscalculated a little and were expecting Ukraine to collapse from within already. The thing that has prevented this is one word: money. All that sweet western money flowing in. The entire country now functions off it. Nobody is willing to give up their slice of the action. Zelensky’s begging tours are not just for show, it’s the actual lifeblood of this war. As long as the money flows, Ukrainians will send their neighbors to die. A country without a soul that’s been bought and paid for. An entire country turned into a suicidal anti-Russian weapon.
I think Russia knows all this now and knows that the war will continue as long as the money flows. They just want to make the war expensive. Break lots of things, let the west fund repairs, then break them again. Hold out a faint hope that Ukrainians will tire of exterminating themselves at some point. I can’t think of a better strategy.
Posted by: Moonraker | Jan 11 2026 22:22 utc | 86
Posted by: Suresh | Jan 11 2026 20:32 utc | 65
Russia shall never lift a finger first – the red button is always ready but rational people behave and do rational things.
The Outlaw US of A shall make a mistake, remember my words.
Posted by: pepe | Jan 11 2026 22:24 utc | 87
Posted by: Suresh | Jan 11 2026 20:32 utc | 65
> Russia shall never lift a finger first – the red button is always ready but rational people behave and do rational things.
>The Outlaw US of A shall make a mistake, remember my words.
Posted by: pepe | Jan 11 2026 22:24 utc | 88
Sorry, I thought the Vietnam analogy would be obvious
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 21:58 utc | 86
Well, the Vietnam analogy is obvious in its irrelevance; I can’t recall much in the way of pro-US partisanship in the jungles of Vietnam, whereas in Ukraine, a measurable minority of the population are, shall we say, not fully-committed Ukrainian patriots…
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 22:32 utc | 89
“I think everyone at THIS site knows of Zelensky’s rise from actor to president. / Posted by: watcher | Jan 11 2026 21:09 utc | 78”
… and that he has a peculiar piano-playing technique. And why some call him Elensky without Z. And why Ukraine is nicknamed “404” (not only the “page not found” explanation).
Posted by: Asian Frog | Jan 11 2026 22:43 utc | 90
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 11 2026 22:32 utc | 93
I only half agree Jeremy, also I think what Russia plans has significantly shifted over the last few weeks.
In terms of Russian occupation i think it is safe to say that it is/would be welcomed by the majority in all of Novorussiya (the five already annexed oblasts plus Kharkov, Odessa, Dnipropetrovsk and Nikolayev). There will be a mixed reaction in central Ukraine, where possibly Russia could integrate well over time but it will require careful handling.
Then there are the three NAZI oblasts. Lvov, Ternopil and Ivano Frankish. I put them with the three Baltic, yapsters. Establish Galicia, a landlocked dependent nation. A dangerous neighbour for sure ,but probably less dangerous as a neighbour than as a restless undermining part of Russia.
“Apparently Klitschko was on a ski holiday in the Carpathians when he said evacuate Kyev”
Posted by: Jo | Jan 11 2026 14:55 utc | 1
Well the main thing, whatever hotel he was staying at on his ski holiday, is that he had a beautiful golden toilet.
Who cares about the ordinary suckers in Ukraine? Aren’t they are just cannon fodder for the rapidly collapsing frontline?
Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Jan 11 2026 23:32 utc | 92
JRL @ 68
Yeah mate. Easier to just direct/visit Simplicius site at bitchute and watch the clips. I believe it’s still under his old handle Simplicius 76?
Posted by: Suresh | Jan 11 2026 23:35 utc | 93
“The REAL fact that you ignore is that Zelensky was elected on a PEACE platform. He abandoned that to become the war president.”
Posted by: watcher | Jan 11 2026 21:39 utc | 85
Sounds like Trump as well. Funny that…
Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Jan 11 2026 23:35 utc | 94
reply to 93 / 21:58
Thank you for bringing up the word irrelevance. No analogy is ever perfect which is why it’s only an analogy.
Whether patriots or slackers, they have no choice. Round ’em up, train them for a few days and send them to almost certain death. Beat them to death or shoot them in the back if they refuse. Correct me here: My recollection of Vietnam – coupled with more recent analysis – was that fragging and refusals broke the US military. They had to go to a volunteer army because they had no choice. Correct me, please, I just don’t observe that in Ukraine to any degree that matters. It’s nice that women fend off conscription men with pitchforks – protecting their men. Is that a contrast?
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 12 2026 0:14 utc | 95
From my Moscow correspondent:
“The UGS in Ukraine is part of the North-South route interconnecting LNG terminals in Poland and Greece. After the Oreshnik strike, not only 10% of European gas reserves is inaccessible. In addition, the interconnection system North-South will not be workable because the Bilche-Volytsko-Uherske UGS accumulated excess gas supply delivered by LNG tankers, which is uneven in time (unlike the pipeline gas supply, which can be perfectly controlled).
Posted by: Jane | Jan 12 2026 0:15 utc | 96
https://maratkhairullin.substack.com/p/the-new-baltic-war-or-scandinavians
Posted by: Newbie | Jan 11 2026 15:51 utc | 9
=====
Very interesting essay. Perhaps the author can be encouraged to do the fact checking needed to avoid a few errors (at least as pointed out in comments), so that this essay could be more widely circulated at other platforms such as the Unz Review, and others.
Posted by: Jane | Jan 12 2026 0:49 utc | 97
“Establish Galicia, a landlocked dependent nation. A dangerous neighbour for sure ,but probably less dangerous as a neighbour than as a restless undermining part of Russia./Posted by: watcher | Jan 11 2026 23:30 utc | 97′
I think there should not be anything left called “Ukraine” (that would later claim Crimea and other parts). Watching the Ukraine trajectory since 1991 (from richest SSR to now), I believe any sane person (pursuing security and prosperity) would be ok to have its future handled by Moscow rather than by ultra-corrupt Kievians/Galicians selling the country, its people, its organs to foreigners.
As for Galicia, I would use the method used by USans over Germany and Japan : occupy with military bases, and write the country’s Constitution.
Posted by: Asian Frog | Jan 12 2026 0:58 utc | 98
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 11 2026 21:58 utc | 86
There is actually another similarity with Vietnam which will mean the undoing of Ukraine and why the US has more or less pulled out except for still trying to make money and hope to weaken Russia.
In Vietnam the conveniently termed ‘Vietcong’ where not a separate and obvious group behind a single border line, they were indetectable throughout the entire country and quite impossible to tell from the other Vietnamese unless clumped in small groups or fighting cells. This is the fatal flaw in Ukraine too since the country is full of pro-Russian sympathisers who are clearly informing the Russians of the locations of strategic targets that they can destroy. Zelensky and others have previously tried to shut down all things Russian including the Russian orthodox version of Christian church which simply just gets pro-Russians throughout Ukraine even more motivated to see Ukraine lose.
Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Jan 12 2026 1:07 utc | 99
as of tomorrow, the SMO will have been going on longer than the Great Patriotic War: 1418 days Are there still people here who think it was worth it in human, economic, material and moral costs?
Posted by: Noam A Larkey | Jan 11 2026 15:17 utc | 5
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Pretty amazing somebody is still spewing such malarkey. I don’t think for a minute Russia started the SMO because they had nothing better to do. Maybe there was a reason, something they thought would be worth the sacrifice. Mmmmm, now could that be? Unbelievably dumb question.
Posted by: Princess Bodica | Jan 12 2026 1:09 utc | 100