Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update, 16th January 2026: May be Useful to Some: Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update

Posted by: The Busker | Jan 18 2026 14:14 utc | 4

Might be on this plane, left Nuuk 50 minutes late for Reykjavik.
 
https://www.flightradar24.com/GRL710/3df52e50

Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Jan 18 2026 14:32 utc | 6

Kyiv. “To say that a nightmare has come is to say nothing”

In Kiev, the housing and utilities sector continues-a disaster that occurred after the decommunization of power plants. Previous schedules do not apply, electricity is provided for several hours, more often at night . And then not everywhere. Residents catch these periods to recharge their batteries and have time to wash up if they have boilers . And water, of course. In some homes, it has been missing since January 9 – the first day after the unprecedented bombing. Trouble with heating, if not to say a disaster, with a frost of -10. Systems froze, pipes burst.
 
Worst of all were those who live in high-rises on new buildings managed by private management companies and associations of co-owners. Draining requires approval, and this is wasted time. As a result , thousands of residents have no electricity, water and heat. And if you add the shutdown of elevators, you can imagine their position.
 
Here’s what our old friend, Oleg, a Russian from Kiev, who lives on the 23rd (!) floor of the residential complex on the Kharkiv massif, says about this::
 

” To say that it was a nightmare is an understatement . The pipes rattled from top to bottom. The apartment is freezing cold. However, our dog is also freezing, so we cover it with blankets. And we walk like Neanderthals in skins-9 degrees Celsius. The lights are turned on for 2 hours, and this is still a blessing. Residents are in a hurry to wash, warm up using oil radiators or “duek”. And those who live on the upper floors – run to the shops and take a walk with the animals while the elevators work. They’re full of people. They have already started queuing up in the house public.”
 

The elderly and the sick are the worst affected. Old people do not go out at all, it is good if they are helped by young relatives or neighbors.
 
The real shock was the rupture of pipes. Water rushed in, flooding stairwells and apartments . The repair team worked selflessly for a day, but could not do anything – there are many breakthroughs. A representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations who arrived said that the minimum repair period is at least a month, even if it is stabilized.
 
The gravity of the situation can no longer be hidden in the energy monopoly company DTEK of the oligarch Akhmetov. They said that it is not worth hoping for an early improvement. Neither in the next few days, nor in the monthly perspective.
 
 
They say that the country ” simultaneously faced two critical problems: generation restrictions (they consume more than they can produce) and network restrictions (damaged facilities do not allow transmitting the required amount of electricity) .” Therefore, they say, there was a “mix of both factors”.
 
However, reasonable consumers understand that the problem is mostly not only in the “mix”, but also in the fact that Akhmetov and the authorities shamelessly continue to drive the energy paid for by Ukrainians abroad. And, of course, the fact that funds for the protection of energy facilities have been stolen and practically nothing has been done.
 
A new term has already appeared on Ukrainian TV – ” shunting housing “. Experts who speak on TV offer to look for it on serious cabbage soup-they say that the pipes are unlikely to be repaired until spring, most buildings will be without heat, and citizens need to take care of where to sit out the cold.
 
The authorities reported on the commissioning of 5 mini-thermal power plants (of which only 2 are working), “unbroken points” with mobile kitchens, switching off outdoor advertising and building lighting. And they took care of preparing for the evacuation of administrative structures, as received information from the Ze-office.
 

“For a thriving Ze Camarilla, there is always a ‘maneuvering shelter’. And for thousands of Kiev residents? ” – says Oleg bitterly.

https://politnavigator.news/kiev-skazat-chto-nastupil-koshmar-ne-skazat-nichego.html (via translation add-on.)

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 18 2026 15:01 utc | 8

English Outsider | Jan 18 2026 14:32 utc
Well, now, that’s were we are. As far as I understand the strategy employed by the US in Iraq …, by the Israelis in Gaza is to destroy public infrastructure (electricity, water, hospitals etc) always in the very early stages.
Took the Russians 4 years to arrive at that stage. How many options the other side has been given to avoid this.
Now we will be told by western MSM, how inhumane this is

Posted by: steiniplatte | Jan 18 2026 15:15 utc | 10

“on serious cabbage soup” from Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 18 2026 15:01 utc | 10

The translation is “with a straight face”.

Posted by: Rutte | Jan 18 2026 15:19 utc | 12

https://en.topwar.ru/273242-takticheskie-pikapy-rabochie-loshadki-specoperacii.html
Its about pickup trucks adapted for military operations under heavy drone attack and surveillance.   Its a goos article and the notion that the Toyota Hilux in the Libya/Chad war was vitally important to the largest armies in the world should make you think.

Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | Jan 18 2026 15:38 utc | 14

I so hope the Nato warmongering bullyboys clubs collapses after this – no doubt some European nations will fold under the US Terrorist/Pirate Regimes pressure – the Germans have already pulled their measly 13 troops out of Greenland.
 
“Maybe it is time for these countries to partner with China and shove the bully aside. Trump has announced that from 1 February 2026, the US will impose a 10% tariff on all exports to the United States from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland. Until the US “fully and completely purchases Greenland.” From 1 June, that jumps to 25%.”

Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jan 18 2026 15:50 utc | 16

I think Ukrainians are absolutely “neo” nazi in their ideology. Their entire reason for being hinges upon ethnic and cultural hatred for all things “Russian.” They don’t fight to create a nationalist Ukraine, they fight to exterminate and purge Russians from their geographical borders which they have taken to be their ancestral homeland despite Russian speaking people having lived there basically forever. This ideology is directly derivative from German Nazi ideology of viewing other races as subhuman, and in particular viewing Russians as an “asiatic horde” to be “pushed over the Arals” (direct quotes there). 
The hilarious irony here is that 99% of the people actually fighting and dying on the Ukrainian side are dark haired, dark skinned, dark eyed folks that Hitler certainly would have thrown into a camp with no second thoughts. This just shows the power of brainwashing, which brings me to my other main point which is that the old German Nazi sentiment which was first formed in the far west of Ukraine (as those folks were deemed acceptable as sub nazis to exterminate and drive out the more Russian inhabitants) never died away and was in fact nurtured by the west ever since as an anti-Soviet wedge (and then retained as an anti-Russian wedge). It’s not a coincidence that many Nazi Ukrainians escaped to places like Canada after the war, where they retained their ideology. Canada infamously celebrated one a couple years ago in their parliament as a “WWII hero” because he “fought Russians” (hilariously forgetting which side Canada was on in that war).
 
 

Posted by: Moonraker | Jan 18 2026 15:52 utc | 18

‼️🇺🇦🏴‍☠️ Kharkov without light and heat: energy on the verge of collapse, seriously damaged energy facilities▪️The Gauleiter of the city of Terikhov announced extremely serious damage to a critical infrastructure facility after today’s strike. Objects in the Industrial District, which provided the city with heat and electricity, were hit.▪️Terikhov stressed that this is not a local accident that can be quickly fixed. The damage affected the city’s life-support system itself, and with each new strike, the restoration of centralized heat and electricity supply becomes an increasingly difficult task.▪️According to the mayor, Kharkov’s energy sector is in an extremely critical state: reserves are limited, the load in freezing conditions is at a peak, and any new destruction immediately reduces the chances of stabilizing the situation.@Slavyangrad

Posted by: Jo | Jan 18 2026 15:55 utc | 20

In response to English Outsider@6,
 
I did notice, in the previous thread, you mentioning that most Ukrainian patriots are simply doing what any of us would do, in defending their country from invaders. You should add to that, how these patriots come from all over the country, to defend regions where they’ve probably never been before, and complain on social media how civilians openly hate them, assist the enemy or turn in their positions. They call these civvies “ждуны” meaning those who wait — those who wait for the Ukrops in their region to be defeated, for the Russians to arrive. As strange as it may sound, Ukrainians are occupying territory formally recognized as Ukrainian — they are not defending it from invaders, because there they are the invaders, and there’s nothing patriotic about it.
 
As for calling Ukrainians Nazis, it really depends who you’re talking about. If the term is meant for any individual that is a product of an intentional policy by the SBU in the 90’s to create a counterweight to the ethnic gang problem in the country at that time, recruiting and using neo-Nazis to take control of guns, drugs and gambling, which backfired as these organizations grew powerful enough to move into mainstream politics, eventually playing a decisive role as the “muscle” during the Maidan coup, then given carte blanche to reform the Ukrainian military and internal security, and are now almost like a caste — then yes, these are Nazis. The countless children who went through the hundreds of ideological and paramilitary training camps set up by these organizations, and who are now young adults, are Nazis. The inordinate amount of privileged veterans of the so-called ATO, and anyone who supported their efforts to ethnically cleanse Eastern Ukraine of Colorado-bugs, meaning Russian-speaking Ukrainians, are Nazis. Andrei “Ukraine’s mission is to lead the white races of the world in a final crusade for their survival, against the Semite-led Untermenschen” Biletsky, Brigadier General of the 3rd army corps, is a Nazi.
 
Ultras is a term for football hooligans.

Posted by: Skiffer | Jan 18 2026 16:02 utc | 22

The Duran: ‘EU-Ukraine Loan Trouble’
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCYI5O8RQE0
 
“Europe struggles to keep Ukraine afloat.”
Putin to meet US assassins delegation.

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jan 18 2026 16:07 utc | 24

Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jan 18 2026 15:10 utc | 13
“Washington Post: The Pentagon is preparing to deploy 1,500 soldiers in Minnesota following mass anti-government protest”
 
 
Civil War 2.0? I hope.
The best thing that could happen for the ROW? That the USA burns itself to the ground. 
 
I hope I live long enough to see it happen.
 

Posted by: ftp | Jan 18 2026 16:08 utc | 26

Too little too late. Kings of the East going in for the kill : Michael J | Jan 18 2026 14:59 utc | 9
 
Too much emotional investment. The USA has secured W hemisphere energy (including Canada). Past tense.
 
What is happening, has in effect already happened, is the world has separated into the long awaited, frequently predicted, three kingdoms ie multipolar order.
 
Think back to only three years ago that the entire idea of the USA losing control of its global hegemony was hotly debated, was still an issue of contention. Now? Crickets, the very act of acceptance.
 
But what does it really mean beyond the cheerleading, the long desired revenge arc, the many different expressions of envy and jealousy?
 
It means what we’re already seeing as reality settles into the “real” new world order: the US dollar still king in the west, necessary for energy trade. Russia firmly in control of the land island, including resources and transit. And China in the east, the foundation of the dollar alternate.
 
OK, what now? What exciting developments to whet the appetites of those determined to continue living vicariously through daily dopamine hits of intrigue and outrage?
 
Don’t know; moa provides an interesting insight into this type of thinking.

Posted by: Markw | Jan 18 2026 16:18 utc | 28

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 18 2026 15:01 utc | 10
 
I can only laugh. “ukrainians” WANTED this stupid, extreme, Nazi genocide for Russia and Russian culture bullshit. They were STUPID enough to act as a huge NATO army designed to destroy Russia for insane US, UK, and EU oligarchs and their soulless political puppets. I have no sympathy for them. A “country” full of spoiled morons. You reap what you sew. 

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Jan 18 2026 16:20 utc | 30

One of the official Russian objectives is denazification..Hence, nazi is the correct term. 

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Jan 18 2026 16:25 utc | 32

Posted by: Markw | Jan 18 2026 16:18 utc | 33
 
######
 
Whatever you’re smoking is likely not good for you.
 
Do you really think America is a hegemony today?
 
Do you pay any attention to international trade markets or the flow of transactions outside of SWIFT and the dollar?
 
If you knew anything about Empire, we’re in the “die back” phase where ambition and over extension forces harsh corrections.
 
America was on top. Now it is in retreat.
 
As to global bifurcation, I see several superpowers aligning. Russia, Iran, China building their own support network in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
 
America is going to be found without a chair in the geopolitical game of musical chairs soon.  Maybe after the midterms.
 
This is analysis based on fundamentals. What fundamentals suggest America is still “Great”?
 
Is it the tent cities, the fentanyl deaths?
 
The pace of recruitment, the trade surpluses? The flying cars? Rising wages?
 
Literacy rate? Demographic trajectory?
 
Do tell me what I am missing.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 18 2026 16:33 utc | 34

@32 ftp
 
Just stirring the pot to introduce some new laws.

Posted by: M | Jan 18 2026 16:36 utc | 36

🇺🇦🇪🇺 «Membership without rules»: a plan for Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the EU causes concern in Europe, — FT– A number of countries fear that such an approach will undermine the long-term stability of the EU, devalue the very idea of membership and provoke discontent among other candidate states, which have been fulfilling Brussels’ strict requirements for years.- Reforms of the enlargement procedure are already being discussed in the EU, which could effectively overturn the accession rules in place since the Cold War. However, critics believe that such a precedent could change the very architecture of the union and intensify internal contradictions.@Slavyangrad
Slavyangrad:🇺🇦🌑 Critical situation in Kiev and Odessa: There’s not a single fully functioning power station left in Ukraine, — Energy Minister– At the moment, there’s not a single fully operational power station left in the country. Many regions have failed to prepare for winter, and the most severe situation is in Kiev and the Odessa region.- Businesses have been ordered to turn off outdoor garlands and light advertising to reduce the load on the power grid.- In Kiev, 127 multi-story buildings are without heating, with only minimal electricity supply remaining. Emergency power outages continue.@Slavyangrad
‼️🇺🇦🇷🇺 “You won’t win a victory in defense”: The Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing offensives in 2026, – the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
▪️ Syrsky stated that Ukraine will not limit itself to defensive actions in 2026 and plans to conduct offensive operations, despite the general situation on the front.➖ “We will conduct a strategic defensive operation, but you won’t win a victory in defense. Therefore, we will go on the offensive,” noted Syrsky.▪️ The key goal is to maintain operational initiative, that is, the ability to impose one’s actions on the enemy. We’re not talking about large-scale breakthroughs, but about local offensives, which should force the Russian army to redeploy forces from priority directions.
❗️The Russians plan to launch up to 1,000 drones per day over Ukraine in 2026, – Sirsky.
👉 Hopefully he’s right this time
 
Source: UNITED24 Mediahttps://search.app/iL1H2
Czechia is preparing to transfer a number of combat aircraft to Ukraine specifically for countering Russian drones, according to President Petr Pavel. The announcement was made during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on January 16.
President Pavel stated that Prague could deliver “several medium combat aircraft” in a relatively short time frame. These jets, he noted, are “very effective against drones,” though he did not specify the exact model. However, Reuters recalls that in previous years Pavel had suggested the Czech-made L-159 ALCA light attack aircraft could be supplied to Ukraine.
 
🇪🇺🇷🇺 “NATO has already prepared a plan for a complete blockade of Russia’s Kaliningrad region”— ex-Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister, Darius Jurgelevicius 🇱🇹*The blockade will sooner or later require a breakthrough, does Lithuania need this?🔗Join us | @MyLordBebo

Posted by: Jo | Jan 18 2026 16:47 utc | 38

Hello English Outsider on Jan. 8 @ 14:32: What a surprising reference [“Croppies lie down!”]! Driven to despair, and sympathetic to the aims of the ongoing French Revolution, these peasants cut their hair short [“Croppies”] and armed with only clubs and shovels, are butchered on Vinegar Hill by an armed militia.                                                                                        It’s been suggested that Croppies haunt it still.

Posted by: Ben Trovata | Jan 18 2026 16:51 utc | 40

Posted by: Markw | Jan 18 2026 16:18 utc | 33
.
Previously — about a year ago — I stated that the Outlaw US of A wants to dominate the America continent in full and re-organize the Mid East according to the Zionists’ protocol.
.
In the process, they are seeking to obliterate the EU before making further advances into the Russian Federation and ultimately the People’s Republic of China.
.
However, this shall bring the anticipated 12-minutes war — WW3 — and once and for all the end to the rotten empire.

Posted by: pepe | Jan 18 2026 16:55 utc | 42

*** Why cater to an audience that is either naturally brainless or intentionally obstinate? *** 
Posted by: Skiffer | Jan 18 2026 16:27 utc | 39
 
I don’t see it as a question of catering – it is more having maximum effect for the language used. 
 
My thesis is that the Blob acts femininely because of the predominance of its employees. Behavior within a governmental structure becomes similar to feminine behavior regarding social media – it is a consensus engine. The reality is that women act differently than men because they evolved in environments where social exclusion carried enormous survival costs. The feedback loop is something like women are more sensitive to negative social cues that signal a risk of denied access to resources. They appear to be suffering more. Institutions respond because visible distress creates liability, PR risk and other pressures. The institutional response is to make environments “safer”, which means removing conflict. Which means censoring disagreement. Which means the consensus strengthens. Consensus based upon egalitarian impulses (everything is like a baby to be protected) becomes more important than the reality. The result is that, unlike male networks where the most competent advance (Michael Jordan in basketball), everybody on the team plays a part (Kaitlin Clark in basketball). 
 
The safest consensus, at least hypothetically and rhetorically for the purpose of my point here, is that “Putin is a dangerous dictator who attacked Ukraine for no reason other than acquire territory and that Russian descriptions of Ukrainians are Nazis is propaganda plain and simple”. You are dismissed and we all can go to brunch.  
 
The effort should be to pierce the “consensus” with uncomfortable narrative – “Kiev Ultras” are standing in the way of peace – women and children hardest hit (Or some such other formulation). 

Posted by: frithguild | Jan 18 2026 17:05 utc | 44

@LoveDonbass Jan 18 2026 16:33 utc | 40
“America was on top. Now it is in retreat.”
 
Agreed. Partially. One could also argue they are simply advancing in a different direction  🙂
 
“America is going to be found without a chair in the geopolitical game of musical chairs soon.  Maybe after the midterms.”
 
Disagreed. They may not have as big or comfy of a chair, but rest assured they’ll still have a chair. 
 
“Do tell me what I am missing.”
 
Despite all of the bad stuff happening- and you are right, it is bad, and yes, America is losing influence- they still have quite a lot that others don’t;
 
1) No threats from enemies directly on their borders. U.S is quite unique in that they are bordered by two very big oceans. Neighbors to the north and south are not strategic threats or near peers. If anything, U.S may absorb/annex or…. convince…. Canada to give them more of their stuff. Mexico, on paper could become a real threat if they were part of a wider bloc of south/central american countries pooling resources and troops but today that’s not the case.
 
2) Ability to provide the bare necessities for their population sourced either from within their borders or… “enthusiastic diplomacy” with their direct neighbors. This is food, water, energy, security. The first 3 the U.S -could- become fully self sufficient if they made various developments (they won’t) however again, methinks at some point they’d just take what they needed from Canada, which they can accomplish through a variety of means that are non-military/invasion. The last one, security, really depends on whether the U.S can stay together as a coherent polity without a civil war or complete internal collapse. In either case, the likely outcome is a fully authoritarian state providing the security. Not saying I agree with that, just that it could happen and is feasible.
 
3) They still have things of value for trade internationally. Google, Amazon, Netflix, AI, various technology not to mention food and energy. Yes, the RIC block you mention has all of this too and it may even be better in some regards. Fact is the U.S will still have it in some form that -someone- will still buy in some fashion. Will U.S lose market share to the bloc above? likely yes. But again, I could see them turning from a global super power into a very strong regional power that has some unique advantages.
 
4) Space. I can already feel the tomatoes and other rotten vegetables that are being readied to be lobbed at me for saying this. But space. U.S is at this time the undisputed champion of Space as they are the only entity in the world that has reliable CAS- cheap access to space. This is not lost on them and they are HEAVILY doubling down on this. They just aren’t publicly talking about it, nobody in their right mind would. They are well aware of the other areas in the military sphere that they are found wanting and so they’re doing what they’ve always done- moving to the higher ground. This worked for them in WW2 when they built bombers that were capable of flying above the operating range of most AA systems, so they hope it’ll work for them this time too.
 
Hot take, SpaceX is the single most valuable strategic asset the United States has right now. Even more funny is the fact that to this day this is not widely understood in common discussions and that continues to work in their favor.
 
Since their founding 23 years ago, they have been continuously and consistently looked down upon, mocked and seen as a flash in the pan. And still are. Meanwhile, if you look at what’s been going on in the background- the industrial scale mega-factories they have built, the quiet co-operation with several branches of the U.S Military all very much without significant fanfare, and getting the right people into the right positions (Jared Isaacman as Nasa Administrator) it tells a very different story.
 
At the end of the day though, I am quite happy to be wrong about all of this. I am, after all, just a clown.
 
HONK HONK
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Posted by: Clown Shoes | Jan 18 2026 17:14 utc | 46

Might I again point out here that it is no crime to fight to defend one’s country, as most Ukrainians are doing.
 
Posted by: English Outsider | Jan 18 2026 14:32 utc | 6
 
—
 
Utter nonsense.    Ukraine is the aggressor.
 

Posted by: too scents | Jan 18 2026 17:17 utc | 48

*** Anyone looking in from outside would have thought the whole lot of us were unregenerate Nazis.  But we’re not.
Posted by: English Outsider | Jan 18 2026 17:26 utc | 55
 
Thus my agreement with the proposition the “Nazi” narrative is not effective outside of the Russian orbit. 

Posted by: frithguild | Jan 18 2026 17:33 utc | 50

One of the official Russian objectives is denazification..Hence, nazi is the correct term. 
Posted by: Princess Bodica | Jan 18 2026 16:25 utc | 38

 
I agree. Also, as I’ve already said, if the Nazi features are glaringly visible it can’t be deemed a sin to call it Nazi. However I woudn’t use the term on the average Ukrainian Joe Sixpack. (Although, some times it would probably apply.)

Posted by: Avtonom | Jan 18 2026 17:40 utc | 52

Posted by: frithguild | Jan 18 2026 17:33 utc | 57
 
######
 
Thanks to decades of American and Hollywood propaganda, the ROW reviles the Nazis.
 
Right and wrong are simple and instinctive. Children can grasp that the Nazis did bad things, like the British did in Rhodesia and India.
 
And English Outsider might be wise to step outside of his Anglophone bubble.
 
Much of the ROW, certainly that has faced European colonization, may think that the English are Nazis.
 
Right or wrong, that’s the Anglo legacy as seen by the inheritors of the future.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 18 2026 17:42 utc | 54

Leningrad was liberated this day after years of siege. Much starvation. No heat. Millions died. VVP’s family from there. I’m guess it’s worth reminding euronazis that what is being inflicted finally upon their proxy natzios is a long way from how bad it is going to be tonight and this week. 
 
It will be bad. I almost feel sorry. 

Masno@NovichokRossiya
51m

Tonight, temperatures will drop to -27c in Sumy. Many areas are without electricity, some without water and others without heating. The situation is beyond disaster.
Jan 18, 2026 · 5:03 PM UTC

Masno@NovichokRossiya

51m

Across the country, the situation is the same everywhere pretty much, certainly the Eastern part of the country from Kiev towards the Russian border is unlivable

Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 18 2026 17:59 utc | 56

Banderist is the most illumimating descriptot

Posted by: Exile | Jan 18 2026 18:04 utc | 58

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 18 2026 16:33 utc | 40
 
He can’t be American and believe that crap, unless he lives in a cloistered gated community for multi-millionaires and rarely mixes with what the Clintons call the “little people”. 

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Jan 18 2026 18:06 utc | 60

@52
 
Your #1  Borders, no country is lost by outisders!  US Caligula oligarch regime is in more trouble than Khameini.  US protesters are not imported thugs!
 
Your #2:  Regime provides as long as China takes US$.  3/19 of the crude it inputs to refineries each day is imported.  That would be much worse if US did not pollute its earth with fracking.
 
Your #3:  value!  You list neoliberal financializations…..
 
Your #4:  Space!  You miss all the launches by countries like Iran, orbiting since several decades.  SpaceX, now officially subsidized by USG/NASA, is modestly more “successful” than Boeing/Lockheed in space launches and enjoys the same cost plus profit with USG “insurance”!  Between China, Russia and DPRK US MIC welfare is behind in space.
 
Introduce #5:  US prints neoliberal finance degrees while the BRICS educate engineers and scientists!

Posted by: paddy | Jan 18 2026 18:13 utc | 62

Posted by: Skiffer | Jan 18 2026 16:02 utc | 27
 
In 2019 the Right Sector adherents had had five years to indoctrinate the children in the schools, run the Biletsky summer camps and the like, permeate the military and the security services, and become the power behind the throne of the Kiev administration.
 
In spite of that the Ukrainians voted by a landslide for the peace candidate, Zelensky.  This was on a high turnout, no vote from the Donbass, and the election warranted as fair by outside observers.
 
During those five years the Western powers had not been idle.  We’d pumped arms and training in,  were building massive fortifications along the LoC, and the American press has recently revealed details of the Intelligence bases we set up on the border and details of our takeover of much of the Ukrainian Intelligence service.  I recollect seeing a copy of one of the ridiculous textbooks used to indoctrinate the children.  Financed by USAID.   
 
We can only guess how much money was poured into similar activities in Syria.  I suspect Dabiq was outside financed and we now know that we provided or facilitated the provision of materiel needed by the proxies.  But whereas those activities were kept concealed Western activities in Ukraine were not.  There’s open source chapter and verse for most of it.  Looking at the 2019 election we can safely affirm that it wasn’t our proxies in Ukraine who were hell-bent on war.  NATO was.

Posted by: English Outsider | Jan 18 2026 18:28 utc | 64

@ Paddy 
 
“SpaceX, now officially subsidized by USG/NASA, is modestly more “successful” than Boeing/Lockheed in space launches and enjoys the same cost plus profit with USG “insurance”!  Between China, Russia and DPRK US MIC welfare is behind in space.”
 
I would recommend you look at current numbers, not 20 years ago numbers. In 2025, Spacex alone did more orbital launches and put more tonnage into orbit than all of Russia and China combined. In specific, Spacex did 165 orbital launches, Russia did 17 and China did 93. Boeing and Lockheed (let’s call them ULA) are indeed dinosaurs, but Blue Origin (think Amazon) now has New Glenn operational further cementing the U.S position as number one in space (today) Then there’s a whole host of “others” like Rocket Lab in the mix too giving the U.S a very healthy space sector. Best part is the legacy MIC like Boeing and Lockheed are actually completely sidelined, at least insofar as launch capability.

Posted by: Clown Shoes | Jan 18 2026 18:46 utc | 66

Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jan 18 2026 18:39 utc | 76
The US has been stationed in Greenland since WWII, for the purposes of defending the US, nothing else.
They already know where everything is.

Posted by: ChatNPC | Jan 18 2026 18:46 utc | 68

At the time it was alright for Nato to bomb energy/water infrastructure, but its a war crime for Russia to bomb energy infrastructure.
 
Kevin Rothrock (@MrKevinRothrock): “Russian state media is reporting that NATO’s website purged an infamous May 1999 press conference where NATO spox Jamie Shea defended attacks on Serbian water/energy. That’s wrong (the URL was moved), but it’s still worth remembering NATO’s *established policy on dual-use infrastructure* https://www.nato.int/en/news-and-events/events/transcripts/1999/05/25/press-conference” | nitter.poast.org

Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jan 18 2026 18:53 utc | 70

Ask any of tribes on  reservations. 
Actually there is a 1951 U.S.-Denmark Greenland Defense Agreement. Denmark must have realized ny now what Russians meant by the US being agreement-incapable. 
Posted by: Princess Bodica | Jan 18 2026 18:53 utc | 82

Posted by: jpc | Jan 18 2026 19:19 utc | 72

… holy shit. Witness the unfolding consequences of US aggression vs Greenland and Denmark.
Merz. Merz of all people. “Russia is a European country.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs81dGF3moI

Posted by: Tichy | Jan 18 2026 19:29 utc | 74

As a side note I inserted twenty blank spaces and twenty row breaks between “work.” and the link. I think I will have to write comments in code mode from now. I mean, I do understand html. Let me try. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs81dGF3moI
Posted by: Tichy | Jan 18 2026 19:31 utc | 89

Posted by: Tichy | Jan 18 2026 19:36 utc | 76

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 18 2026 18:55 utc | 84
 
Yeah. Clown Shoes is just a NASA-humper, kind of like others here who are Trump-humpers, but with added science.
 
We have to consider, for example, this info, which although not about space, makes the US capabilities v China’s, very clear:
“Comparing the two carrier programs, the Fujian’s development has been relatively smooth despite being China’s first ship of its kind, where the Gerald Ford has been hindered by many of the major cost overruns and performance shortcomings that have been typical of major American programs in the post-Cold War era. The program faced long delays in making the ship operational due to wide ranging performance issues with its subsystems, which have affected its weapons elevators, electromagnetic catapults, human waste management and sensors. A Project on Government Oversight report accordingly referred to the program as an example of “how not to build a ship,” with radars proving to be sufficient flawed that it was decided an entirely new sensor suite would need to be developed for future Gerald Ford class ships. As a result of these issues, the Ford was able to begin its first deployment only in March 2022, five years after it had been commissioned into service. The Fujian, by contrast, is expected to be able to begin its first deployment in 2026 just a year after being commissioned.
The Fujian’s most significant combat advantages are provided by its air wing, which deploys J-15T fighters, J-15DT electronic attack attack jets, and J-35 stealth fighters supported by KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft. The Gerald Ford has yet to integrate its own stealth fighter type, the F-35C, with its catapult launch system due to major delays with the program. The J-15 and J-35 both benefit form significantly longer ranges and higher weapons carrying capacities than the F-18E/F and F-35C, carry much larger radars, and have superior flight performances with much higher thrust-weight ratios. Looking to the futures of both aircraft carriers, the Fujian is expected to gain a distinct advantage as a result of the deep cuts being made to the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX carrier based sixth generation fighter program, which is expected to leave fighters in American carrier air wings a generation behind. China appears poised to lead the United States by several years in fielding the world’s first sixth generation fighter aircraft, and appears set to lead by over a decade in fielding such aircraft from its aircraft carriers.
Comparing costs, major cost overruns have resulted in a cost of over $17.5 billion for the USS Gerald Ford, compared to an estimated $6 billion cost for the Fujian, which reflects both the greater efficiency of China’s much larger shipbuilding industry, and the tremendous cost of nuclear propulsion systems. In terms of capabilities, however, the Fujian and Gerald Ford are currently well matched, with the Gerald Ford’s fourth catapult launch system and nuclear propulsion system being primary advantages, while the Fujian’s much lower maintenance needs, lack of comparable design flaws, and the potency of the aircraft in its air wing, provide it with its own advantages. This may change in the mid-2030s, however, as sixth generation fighters are poised the Fujian’s air wing with a particularly significantly more overwhelming advantage.”
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/chinese-fujian-vs-ussford-potential
 

Posted by: Jams O’Donnell | Jan 18 2026 19:45 utc | 78

Posted by: Princess Bodica | Jan 18 2026 19:30 utc | 88
 
####
 
If one wants to know truths, they have to dig for them. The West exists in an information bubble.
 
The corporate media was never going to tell people about the rare earths situation 8 months ago.
 
The corporate media was never going to tell people that China has been operating its own space station for scientific research for some time.
 
The corporate media (including many “independent” outlets) exist to keep the cattle dumb and content in their stalls.
 
I pursue information relentlessly. I don’t have sacred cows or indulge many biases.
 
It doesn’t matter to me if China or America “wins”, but I do want to know who is winning along the way.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 18 2026 19:52 utc | 80

China will build its lunar base by 2035, and Americans will still insist that SpaceX is ahead.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 18 2026 19:20 utc | 86
 
Spoiler alert: Heinlen, Moon is a Harsh Mistress: 
Catapult weapon ejects moon rocks to orbit directed to sparsely populated locations on Earth – warnings are released to the press detailing the times and locations of the bombings, which deliver kinetic energy equivalent to atomic blasts. 
 
Investment in Moon bases is inhibited by The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, which treats the Moon basically the same as the deep sea. But that is pretty off topic here…

Posted by: frithguild | Jan 18 2026 20:12 utc | 82

Investment in Moon bases is inhibited by The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, which treats the Moon basically the same as the deep sea. But that is pretty off topic here…
 
Posted by: frithguild | Jan 18 2026 20:12 utc | 99
 
####
 
Tell me about the treaties prohibiting kidnapping and genocide first, please.
 
It might as well be mentioned that NATO countries govern their Arctic territories through the Arctic Council.  😂😂😂
 
Westerners are very selective about when the law applies and to whom.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 18 2026 20:27 utc | 84

Republicofscotland @ 73:  “The Economist: ‘Europe may expel US bases if Trump seizes Greenland.”
 
Whaur’s yer heid, mon?  Don’t you think that is exactly what President Trump is hoping for?  NATO has to go for the US to be able to make peace with Russia and open mutually-beneficial commercial relations.  Ending NATO would remove the primary cause of the proxy war in the Ukraine, and would leave the US free to pursue relations with Russia.
 
Problem is — the worthless unrepresentative bought & paid for US Congress will never vote to get out of NATO.  That is not what their warmongering paymasters want.  The only way President Trump can get the US out of NATO is to trick the EuroScum into dissolving it.  The plan is obvious once you see it — and the EuroScum are falling into the trap.  Let’s hope the Euros do kick the US out.  This could be great for mankind and world peace and the USA!

Posted by: Gavin Longmuir | Jan 18 2026 20:29 utc | 86

The Kiev “authorities” were not ready for public transport after the shelling and electricity shortages, it was chaos, — Alexander Grechko, co-founder of the public organization “Passengers of Kiev”.
 
According to him, this chaos persists to this day.
 
Previously, 330 buses, 170 trams and 240 trolleybuses used to take routes in the city on weekdays. In total – 410 units of electric transport. After the start of light problems in Kiev, this electric transport simply stopped running. But the number of buses remained the same.
 
Grechko says that the city does not understand how to redistribute transport to stabilize the situation.
 
Passengers were also not informed, and they did not know which routes were operating and which were not. Because of this, Kiev residents had to wait for non-existent buses in the cold.
 
The “decommunization” desired by Bandera in its pure and refined form. All that remains is to make a fire with sticks.
 

Source: Telegram “ukr_2025_ru”

https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/01/18/2012277.html
 

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jan 18 2026 20:38 utc | 88

Posted by: Suresh | Jan 18 2026 20:01 utc | 98
 
Correct. It is more than obvious to all but morons, paid trolls, and Nazis who are ashamed of the stupidity of “ukraine” and want to hide the fact that Nazis are in control. It’s stupid, comic, and horribly tragic. 

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Jan 18 2026 20:51 utc | 90

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Jan 18 2026 21:01 utc | 114
 
#####
 
Ukrainians are already demographically done. Before they brought in the homo trans stuff to suck up to the West.
 
Losing the Russian regions only compounds the problem; traditional Orthodox Christians tend to marry and reproduce.
 
Even if theoretically NATO has some alien tech weapons to “win” with, the Ukrainian people are finito, and with them, the “Ukrainian idea”.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 18 2026 21:08 utc | 92

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 18 2026 21:08 utc | 115
 
They’ll lose more than the Russian regions before it’s over. Zelensky and the Nazis don’t care about “ukrainians”. That is obvious. They’re rich for life, courtesy of the US/UK/EU, and most of them will be offered soft landings somewhere other than ukraine. Most of them probably don’t want to live in a broken down rump ukraine propped up by the failing EU.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Jan 18 2026 21:16 utc | 94

Stark | Jan 18 2026 18:50 utc | 80
In autumn 2017 there was a leak in our underground oil pipe from the tank to our house – it was a wet winter and the ground was waterlogged so the pipe was underwater. It was turned off for 9 months because it was July before the ground dried out and we could fix it. No central heating. 
In Feb 2018 The Beast From The East came and it was damn cold.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_British_Isles_cold_wave
The bats in our loft died because it was so cold for so long, we just had one wood burner to heat a big house. But we had electricity, cold water and could shower at friends houses. And that was -14c min, not -20 or -30. Pipes didn’t freeze, though the waste water pipes outside did.
“I really do wonder how you even survive like this.”
 I do too.

Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Jan 18 2026 21:20 utc | 96

Massive Strike on NATO “Shadow Fleet” Near Odesa — Russia Begins Destroying Ukraine’s Ports
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNVD0YC0t3I

Posted by: ld | Jan 18 2026 21:22 utc | 98

Borzzikman: another batch of UK, French, German military advisors blown up in Cherkassy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WFWd61UnE0

Posted by: unimperator | Jan 18 2026 21:27 utc | 100