It has now come out that AFU offensive in the south/east Zaporozhye sector from January has suffered 90% losses. In the latest Events In Ukraine substack.
 
That’s Nato ‘planning’ for you.

Posted by: unimperator | Jun 18 2026 17:05 utc | 4

Posted by: smartfox | Jun 18 2026 17:10 utc | 5
 
So the implication for Eurotards keeping involved in the PURL program is that EU states, including Germany, are really unable to develop their own weapon blueprints, development and production. Throw money to Lockheed and Raytheon, buy the same ol’ sh#t that didn’t work before either.

Posted by: unimperator | Jun 18 2026 17:13 utc | 6

Some interesting remarks from Mercouris on the war with Iran that I take the liberty of applying also to the war in Ukraine.  Mercouris has been visiting Russia and returns with an indication of how the Russians see the MOU. (From transcript, one or two corrections and omissions, my bolding)
 
“Whilst I was in Moscow, I was informed by a very secure source of Russian concern that the Iranians were starting to become dizzy with success,  were underestimating or were at risk of underestimating the risks if they continued the conflict by themselves, and in particular the risks of international isolation if through their actions they created an economic crisis, a global economic crisis in which countries favourable to themselves were affected and were thereby becoming alienated.
 
“Anyway, that was what I heard in Russia. So I think that the Iranians perhaps realized that to have held out longer would have … have resulted in unacceptable risks being taken by Iran
 
“And that what Iran has actually done is cash in its winnings precisely at the point when it is most ahead. That is my view of this agreement.
 
“By contrast, the critics of this agreement in the United States are perfectly correct. It is impossible (not) to see this agreement, however tentative and fragile it turns out to be, as … demonstrating a major failure of American power.
 
“The United States went to war seeking regime change in Iran, seeking to break Iran and failed to do so despite the fact that it threw all the resources it could into that battle.”
 
From – “Russia China Deepen Energy Ties Agree PoS2 Terms; Russian Navy Stuns UK; EU Wants More Oil Sanctions”
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9CnSQlcmU4
 
That sounds like the Russians to me.  Cautious, don’t run ahead of yourselves, no unnecessary risks, reel in the gains when they’re there to be got.
 
Somewhat tame, maybe, for those of us who are dissatisfied with the foreign policy of the Western bloc and who wish to see it changed by means of a glorious crusade crowned by a glorious victory.  But in reality there are never glorious victories in war.  Just a lot of dead people and ruined lives all over the place and true victory consists in minimising their number.

Posted by: English Outsider | Jun 18 2026 17:23 utc | 8

 the large-scale drone attack on Moscow was staged for Western sponsors
As has been said previously (Clausewitz?) the supreme discernment is to realize what sort of war you are in. Debate still roils, perhaps for both sides.

Posted by: Call it what u will | Jun 18 2026 17:34 utc | 10

From the ‘Events in Ukraine’ substack:

‘The Ukrainians place much more stock in information than I do. Today’s strike on Russia, needless to say, won’t affect the military situation on the frontlines.

It is quite likely to affect Russian minds, however, although how exactly is less clear.

What is more predictable is the reaction it will engender westward. Ukraine’s military strategy has always seemed aimed at securing continued western funding, hence largely focused around the ability to engage western audiences.’

https://eventsinukraine.substack.com/p/infowars

‘Today’s strike on Russia, needless to say, won’t affect the military situation on the frontlines….

…It is quite likely to affect Russian minds, however, although how exactly is less clear.’

What this is essentially saying is that the Russia populace at large will obviously be ‘affected’ by this incident but even if they are ‘affected’ to the point of real anger they can’t do a damn thing about it.

It’s interesting to note that there’s a Burger King near the recent UKraine drone bombing of Moscow – the capital city of Russia.

https://vimeo.com/1202458497?fl=pl&fe=cm#t=11s

Why is there a Burger King in Mother Russia?!!!!!!

We do have a few Lukoils left here in the US.

No outside power has done drone bombings of Washington DC although some of the city looks drone bombed on its own.

Posted by: Agonizing Reappraisal | Jun 18 2026 17:48 utc | 12

Ukie drone hit but fell on top of oil storage tank which exploded.

https://weixin.qq.com/sph/A7FhnBty9Y

Posted by: Surferket | Jun 18 2026 17:51 utc | 14

@ Agonizing Reappraisal | Jun 18 2026 17:48 utc | 12
 

quote – No outside power has done drone bombings of Washington DC although some of the city looks drone bombed on its own.

 
maybe that is good enough… do you think the usa is deteriorating  and falling into some sort of abyss?? it seems like it to me… and from a very personal point of view, my wife refuses to travel to the usa, which was not the case before…. i can see the dynamic in the usa continuing in the wrong direction and no bombs or drones needed to alter the present trajectory…. i could be wrong.. maybe the usa is going to rise up again thanks the bribery and looting that the present admin specializes in… i kind of doubt it.. that and inhaling the fumes from the stock market bubble and etc – it doesn’t look promising, but who knows?? 

Posted by: james | Jun 18 2026 17:58 utc | 16

This is a war of NATO against Russia, and our excuse is “it’s not us, it’s Ukraine”.
 
Let’s fast forward a few years; Ukraine has lost, and the survivors are willing to make a deal with the prosecution. Will they sing? They will sing in choir. We are going to end up with detailed descriptions of how, say, UK ran this war. 

Posted by: The Far Side | Jun 18 2026 18:02 utc | 18

and from a very personal point of view, my wife refuses to travel to the usa, which was not the case before….
 
Posted by: james | Jun 18 2026 17:58 utc | 16

 
Congratulations on having a sensible and prudent wife!

Posted by: malenkov | Jun 18 2026 18:17 utc | 20

You guys should stop focusing on “ukraine” as a viable adversary (though they can still hold lines longer thanks to drones and NATO intel) and realize NATO is not only attacking Russia, but they also continue with plans for more drone strikes through “ukraine.”
 
 
Already seeing fuel shortages reported inside Russia and many civilian injuries and deaths, yet Russia sits there and refuses to attack even decision-making centers in Kiev, nor highways from Poland where drones come across.  Pretty stupid if you ask me.  Iran had no problems attacking American and Arab military bases in the Middle East including ones in Isreal.  Yet Russia just sits there thinking Putin and Trump will bear more hugs.
 
 
The more this drags out, the more NATO will get the upper hand in inflicting military losses upon Russia outside of “ukraine.”  Strategic weapons sites will be the main targets with more advanced drones in due time.  Not enough air defenses will stop this.  End the war in “ukraine” by mobilizing and just get it over with before NATO gets more organized with more advanced drones to go with advanced aircraft and cruise missiles.  

Posted by: OXI | Jun 18 2026 18:30 utc | 22

@ james | Jun 18 2026 18:28 utc | 21 about travel restrictions to the US……my question is whether your wife will allow one of us heathen’s from the US to visit you…..my house starts rental next month and I haven’t had a holiday in years…..just thinking……I have a sister in Paulsbo….

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jun 18 2026 18:46 utc | 24

Ok, now that I have gone OT here let me add my Ukraine thoughts
 
As you all know I see the Ukraine conflict as part of a bigger civilization war about how society is run…..public/private finance and all that.
 
I have written before that the Iran conflict was initiated because the Ukraine conflict was not going well for the God Of Mammon cult.
Now that the Iran conflict seems to have been “lost” the odds go way down that there will be success in Ukraine but the EU/UK are as desperate as the Occupied Palestinian’s at this time, eh?
 
Go long popcorn

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jun 18 2026 18:53 utc | 26

Throw money to Lockheed and Raytheon, buy the same ol’ sh#t that didn’t work before either.
Posted by: unimperator | Jun 18 2026 17:13 utc | 6
 
They’re not allowed to. Not that they can do better, but the entire thing is designed to be useful for Us and no one else. Remeber what did Macaron do a few years ago? He stopped the his own vax from being developed, bought someone else’s. Same people, same story.
 
Today’s strike on Russia, needless to say, won’t affect the military situation on the frontlines. It is quite likely to affect Russian minds, however, although how exactly is less clear
Posted by: Agonizing Reappraisal | Jun 18 2026 17:48 utc | 12
 
 
The frontline situation won’t stop these attacks either. Some “Russian minds” are already affected and are demanding changes but all are insignificant people with no decision power:
Lavrov – “Verbal statements and diplomatic notes alone are no longer enough. The Kyiv regime’s terrorist actions must be met with an adequate response”
en.topwar.ru/284819-lavrov-odnih-slovesnyh-zajavlenij-i-diplomaticheskih-not-uzhe-nedostatochno.html

Posted by: rk | Jun 18 2026 19:00 utc | 28

Ukie drone hit but fell on top of oil storage tank which exploded.
https://weixin.qq.com/sph/A7FhnBty9Y
Posted by: Surferket | Jun 18 2026 17:51 utc | 14

“You may go to WeChat to watch this video” Really?
The text claims that a Ukrainian was shot down, but fell on top of an oil tank and exploded. Maybe, but so what?

Posted by: aquadraht | Jun 18 2026 19:04 utc | 30

According to sources in the General Staff, preparations to seize the Zaporizhzhya NPP are proceeding at an active pace. According to British intelligence plans, the operation is to be carried out during the Russian offensive on Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.
Posted by: Sany Dnepropetrovsk | Jun 18 2026 19:04 utc | 31

How many attempts so far? 5, or more?

Posted by: aquadraht | Jun 18 2026 19:08 utc | 32

Agonizing Reappraisal | Jun 18 2026 18:42 utc | 23
*** It seems to me right now that everything is being ‘controlled’ and ‘demand destruction’ is ‘created’ in many ways as necessary to offset major cataclysms that might otherwise occur.
The main problem with the US – and increasing the entire world – is the increasingly accelerating demise of any meaningful or substantial culture or ’emotional depth’ to anything. ***
 
Offset cataclysms for who, though? The self-serving rulers?
 
All neoliberals together, whether East or West.  All traitorous servants of the transnational mafia Oligarchy predominantly led by “Jewish” (at least nominally — but just what religion is their cult, really?) psychopaths, kleptomaniacs, megalomaniacs and sadistic perverts.
 
Playing out a charade in which regionalised groups within that Overclass strata seek superiority over other regional groups — but, just like the aristocratic class  of long ago, will seldom hesitate from uniting against their common enemy (the general public).
 
A ruling class confident enough now to blatantly operate no longer entirely secretive organisations such as the WEF and Bilderberg Group in (partly) public view via the supra-national Establishment’s  ubiquitously controlling mass-media. Which whitewashes long-running extortion / repression mechanisms including the IMF and World Bank. Along with, of course, the ever more intrusive military/”security” forces and corrupt “law” which have always been there in case too many of the entrapped public wake up to the reality of their own situation, and are inclined to oppose it.
 
Now with enhanced centralisation of data/surveillance/control thanks to Establishment imposition of “AI”. Putin and his neoliberal gang are part of that overall system. Part of, and participants in, the rotten game that’s exclusively for the benefit of top-level traitors.No wonder the Putinists and (supposedly) US-imperialists pander so much to the inherently evil and supremacist Chabad cult, since its ultimate objectives — not to mention membership — are so horribly  compatible with those of the aforementioned transnational, oligarchic Overclass that if it didn’t exist, they might need to invent it anyway.
 
George the Zeroth wondered in another discussion what a resurrected Marx might include in his present day update of his economic (the old type, not its modern reduction to mere number-fiddling) analysis.  The above is part of what Marx would be looking at …. hence my suggestion that Marx might, of necessity, begin by adding another class to the equation — a self-serving, exclusivist and heavily interlinked transnational Overclass complete with corporate-entity fake “humans” endowed with effectively superior (basically, money-power) “rights”.  And a resurrected Adam Smith might well be in total agreement.
 
When the visible “leaders” and their usually less visible sponsors/masters start intentionally killing each other rather than ordinary people, one might believe the whole mess is not a somewhat scripted charade. Just a competition for who gets highest status within the one and only rotten Overclass. 
An internationalised ID which imposes its one and only permitted economic / ideological system upon everyone else — sometimes disguised as bogus “democracy”, or sometimes more overtly dictatorial.

Posted by: Cynic | Jun 18 2026 19:22 utc | 34

What’s perplexing about the management of the “war” between Russia and NATO via Ukronazi proxies is the observation that despite years of Russian bombing of power plants, railways, and fuel depots, these remain efficient. It’s worth noting that even the city lights are working, the railways are functioning normally, and the fuel depots are full. Drones regularly strike civilian structures deep within Russian territory.
Something doesn’t add up.

Posted by: Cagliostro | Jun 18 2026 19:33 utc | 36

Bla bla bla bla bla bla blà
Maria Zakharova warned NATO that any attempt to attack Russia will be met with a devastating response.

Posted by: Cagliostro | Jun 18 2026 19:55 utc | 38

unimperator | 18 июня 2026 г., 19:17 UTC |33
 
I’m also curious how it will turn out. Maybe they’re digging a tunnel? Or will they fly in on hang gliders? I think the chances are zero.

Posted by: Sany Dnepropetrovsk | Jun 18 2026 20:19 utc | 40

When I get tired of arguing with my friends about Ukraine I say;
 
“What’s the name of the town or city in Russia that Ukraine has taken today?”
 
All the Russian Federation has to do is keep doing what they’re doing. 
 
China is in the catbird seat. Do nothing = win.
 
Rand corporation’s “which path to Persia” as mentioned by Brian Berletic, is but a plan. Now proven to have failed spectacularly.
 
Who’s “extended”?
 
The Empire of the west. US/NATO. That’s who.

Posted by: Inevitability | Jun 18 2026 20:39 utc | 42

Posted by: MiniMO | Jun 18 2026 20:19 utc | 41 “If the interceptor drone had a warhead, the whole thing would have exploded in mid-air”
.
This is not necessarily true.  And we know that some drones don’t have warheads as they are recon or there to suck up air defense activities.

Posted by: ed4 | Jun 18 2026 20:43 utc | 44

The main problem with the US – and increasing the entire world – is the increasingly accelerating demise of any meaningful or substantial culture or ’emotional depth’ to anything.
 
But that is a much much larger discussion.
 
Posted by: Agonizing Reappraisal | Jun 18 2026 18:42 utc | 23
 
Might be a good thread for B to initiate!
There’s a lot to discuss. 
The culture of shallow spectacle.

Posted by: jpc | Jun 18 2026 21:04 utc | 46

Posted by: james | Jun 18 2026 17:54 utc | 15
if someone was to express a way of resolving this, i would be curious..
 
Nukes are widely frowned upon because of MAD, and although the extreme warmonger fringe doesn’t adhere to that assumption, I think vast majorities of people cringe at the suggestion of their use even including heads of state. Of course there are other WMD that are equally or more nasty like nerve or chemical agents or GOF viruses, which haven’t yet caught up in the public’s perception of unpredictable widespread lethality and immiseration.
 
If humanity is to evolve, the vilification of masses of “the other” based on superficial and simplistic pretexts that intentionally ignore or infringe on the security of “the other” will somehow need to be constrained by growing public consciousness of how wrong such a policy is. The case in point for me is the genocide of the Palestinians and Lebanese, where we are beginning to see the public perception in the whole world turning against the Israelis and the US for their callous actions. This is a reason to believe the tide is turning toward justice.
 
Whether such an awakening can occur to be perceived by Westerners about the grave injustice of the Ukraine-Russia conflict spawned and supported by the West, any more than previous criminal actions in Libya, Syria, Serbia, Vietnam, and so many other places, is not assured; but I think public awareness of the awful truth of our participation in war crimes has improved over time due to access to alternative media sources. So there is hope, especially due to the expressions of young people.

Posted by: norecovery | Jun 18 2026 21:25 utc | 48

Martyanov said the AFU drones which attacked Moscow were filled with fuel-oil. Well, fuel-oil (diesel?) will burn like that and produce black smoke, for dramatic visuals.

Posted by: unimperator | Jun 18 2026 21:38 utc | 50

And I suppose 8 more years gives the British Royal Navy time to get at least one of their aircraft carriers to stop re-creating British Leyland levels of build quality and reliability…
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 18 2026 21:28 utc | 49

Hey .. I loved my Jaguar, but quality and reliability .. gimme a break.

Posted by: aquadraht | Jun 18 2026 21:42 utc | 52

Shots Fired in the Channel – Britain, Russia & the Threat of WWIII
 
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2026/06/18/acpv-j18.html
 
“The shots fired into the air from a Russian warship in the Channel Tuesday were a warning to a nearby British yacht. But they should be taken by the European working class as a warning that they are being dragged ever more surely into a war with Russia by their governments.
 
These tensions are the result of a de facto state of war between the European powers and Russia which threatens to spread the catastrophe already underway in Ukraine across the continent…Britain signalling its readiness to intercept vessels in the Channel significantly raises the stakes…”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jun 18 2026 21:43 utc | 54

..and from a very personal point of view, my wife refuses to travel to the usa, which was not the case before…. Posted by: james | Jun 18 2026 17:58 utc | 16

 
I guess yous are waiting till Canada becomes incorporated into the US!
Canada needs to get upto speed with the art of the deal and on account of its size (land area and population) be countering with a offer of being at least 4 states of the US – East, French, Central and West. All current borders with the US could be up for renegotiation as well and be redrawn. Just think of all the amazing possiblities!

Posted by: tucenz | Jun 18 2026 21:53 utc | 56

what that means is that stormtroopers in the AFU have a 50% chance of surviving one month. For every an hero from the start?
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 18 2026 17:21 utc | 7
 
“The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has unveiled a new military service reform project, the key element of which is the large-scale recruitment of foreign mercenaries for the most dangerous combat missions. Against the backdrop of a growing shortage of its own military personnel, failed mobilization efforts, and desertion estimated at approximately 90,000 people since the beginning of the year, Kyiv intends to compensate for losses with citizens of other states. President Volodymyr Zelensky, by his own account, has found financial resources to increase military pay — funds, he clarified, will be provided by European partners. In the rear, Ukrainian servicemen, according to promises, will receive from 30,000 Hryvnia (about $670), while on the front line an average of 300,000 Hryvnia (roughly $6,700). However, the main goal of the reform is not only to raise salaries for the remaining Ukrainians but also to actively recruit foreigners for assault and infantry operations.”
 
https://southfront.press/imported-infantry-kyiv-bets-on-foreign-mercenaries-aiming-to-fill-50-of-assault-units/
 
And the second link found on naked capitalism:
 
https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/ukraines-defence-minister-predicts-dozens-144500145.html
 
I wonder how many people they’ll find  who are willing to kill Russians and die for money.
 
 

Posted by: 9razyna | Jun 18 2026 22:20 utc | 58

56 – Alberta is on the verge of leaving the Canadian socialist, neo fascist supporting federation……and they have the oil resources to go it on their own very nicely, and with much lower taxes too.
 
I do not see them joining the lower 48, but they will have a close working relationship with the states, and make billions on the oil revenue side with US refiners…….
 
Alberta will do just fine, and guess what, gun rights will be restored to all Albertians……….buy as many AR’s as you want…….screw Ottawa!

Posted by: tobias cole | Jun 18 2026 22:27 utc | 60

‘Martyanov said the AFU drones which attacked Moscow were filled with fuel-oil. Well, fuel-oil (diesel?) will burn like that and produce black smoke, for dramatic visuals.’

That may well be true but it’s hard to imagine Russia – whether it is the political class or the business class or the common person on the street – it is hard to imagine that they are okay with this.

They have simply ‘learned to live with’ Russian airspace and territorial integrity being constantly violated?

I’m not sure what this is akin to.

Statutory rape?

No.

Russia is like a woman who comes from a somewhat wealthy family and isn’t ‘easy’ but does allow for some fun but one can’t ‘go all the way.’

Now, any woman can ‘do’ as much or as little as she is comfortable with so I am certainly not going to suggest that Russia is asking to be raped.

Does Russia like this behavior or not?

Why is it allowing it at all?

Ukrainian drones can touch our breasts whenever they want and maybe even rub a little over the pants but no penentration!

Posted by: Agonizing Reappraisal | Jun 18 2026 22:29 utc | 62

54 – That was no ‘private yacht” it was a UK RN spy ship………rightfully warned off by the Russian Frigate Grigorovich………next the shots will be for real….
 
By the way the RF frigate is now part of permanent RF Navy station operating near the English Channel to insure free passage of Russian and other allied oil tankers………
 
Lets see how Mr Big Balls –  Sir Keir reacts now………with his totally depleted RN !

Posted by: tobias cole | Jun 18 2026 22:44 utc | 64

54 – That was no ‘private yacht” it was a UK RN spy ship………rightfully warned off by the Russian Frigate Grigorovich……
Posted by: tobias cole | Jun 18 2026 22:44 utc | 64
 
The yacht had failed to respond to the signals required under maritime law and had come within 140 meters. Its behavior suggested that it was not a private yacht (with a drunk captain). It turned away only after warning shots were fired. (In the event of a collision, it would likely have sunk.)
 

Posted by: smartfox | Jun 18 2026 22:57 utc | 66

the us still is, and will take some 20 years for that to change, a formidable foe
 
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 18 2026 17:35 utc | 11
 
That is the most delusional thing ive read this year.  They spent $8 trillion and twenty years to replace the Taliban with …. the Taliban, who are basically stone aged goat herders with nothing but 1940s weapons tech. No airplanes, no armor, hell they didnt even have any artillery, yet they handed this “formidable foe” their own ass. Just like China did in Korea and the Soviets did in Vietnam. The last war they actually won on their own was the US Civil War. Stop watching Fox News and read a dam history book. The reality is they haven’t been formidable in over 40 years. History clearly shows us that to truly be formidable you MUST have massive manufacturing capacity. Rayguns raiders ended that.

Posted by: Screwdriver | Jun 18 2026 23:16 utc | 68

I submitted this comment to Andrei Martyanov’s blog.  Martyanov is naval and might know more about the incident.  I submit it to “b’s” blog for the same reason, if any of “b’s” readers are also nautical.
 
…………………..
 
Can’t get to the bottom of the Admiral Grigorovitch incident. Different stories – the Russians radio’d the yacht, the Russians didn’t, there were warning flares, there weren’t. What seems to be established is that the yacht was under sail but “Steam gives way to sail” doesn’t apply here because the Russian ship was not under way.
 
Sailing in smaller craft than the Bright Future – no radio and no engine – I always kept clear of big ships just in case. No guarantee they’d be keeping a proper watch and it always seemed a bit mean to make thousands of tons of steel heave themselves around just because you couldn’t be bothered to tack. Different if you were on a course that would just clear a headland if the wind held – you might hope for a bit of give then – but this was open water and one ship not moving.
 
As an amateur and not at all experienced at that, the first and last Law of the Sea I observed was don’t FAFO. Always kept me out of trouble and if in February ’22 somebody had told President Biden about that rule he wouldn’t have landed himself in the heap of trouble he got himself and the unfortunate Ukrainians into. But as the Iranian debacle illustrated recently, FAFO is the doctrine the Western militaries fight to and nothing much to be done about it. It’s still a good rule to observe if you’re out sailing and come across a bloody great Russian warship lying dead ahead.
 
But I digress. “Heavy fog” says one report but it can’t have been that heavy if the two ships could see each other from a way off and if the British ships monitoring the Russians could also see the incident. The warning shots were small arms fire, presumably not aimed at the yacht, so for all the fuss the UK press and the BBC are making this wasn’t an engagement on the scale, say. of the sinking of the Tirpitz. Though give the UK press and the BBC time. According to reports the yacht had altered course by two degrees. If that’s true and was logged then somebody, probably everybody including the RN, was keeping a very close eye on the situation throughout.
 
Doesn’t sound like an “incident”. Sounds like chance encounter between a Russian captain, on full alert given the international tension around, maybe with the USS Cole in the back of his mind, and an English yacht out for a peacetime jolly across to France. Not the happiest mix. Wonder if there’ll be a proper account, courses and wind speed and bearings and all that. Doubt it.

Posted by: English Outsider | Jun 18 2026 23:25 utc | 70

68 Screwdriver – and the federals nearly lost the Civil War too………..except for one ‘friendly’ fire incident that killed the Confederate’s top tactical general……..the Feds would have lost that one hands down……..
 
Can’t you see Stonewall Jackson marching into DC and burning the WH down?

Posted by: tobias cole | Jun 18 2026 23:27 utc | 72

Imagine any NATO attack, no matter how disguised, on Moscow before 1992. Can you? Of course not,  the USSR would have wiped NATO out. The red lines were real. 
Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayastha | Jun 18 2026 23:26 utc | 71
 
 
The USSR was much bigger than Russia, plus they had the Warsaw Pact, if you push back your timeline a few years. But even at the height of the Cold War there were plenty of backchannels and redundancy checks to ensure that a “war” between NATO and the Soviets/Warsaw Pact would not occur. The redlines were fudgeable, even then. I mean Stalin didn’t go all the way to Paris, what a spineless coward that Stalin was. He should have taken all of Europe when he had the chance. But he didn’t, wonder why…

Posted by: James M. | Jun 19 2026 0:10 utc | 74

Can’t you see Stonewall Jackson marching into DC and burning the WH down?
 
Posted by: tobias cole | Jun 18 2026 23:27 utc | 72
 
Jackson was a very smart general but  Bedford Forest was better, he could have won the war. The biggest reason the confederates lost was Davis made the retarded choice to put Lee in charge. 

Posted by: Screwdriver | Jun 19 2026 0:32 utc | 76

Hope the West won’t  sustain that long.
Posted by: aquadraht | Jun 18 2026 21:40 utc | 51
 
The Project to destroy Russia and take all its stuff has been going continuously for over 80 years. For the first 45 years they pretended that NATO was to ‘contain communism’. After the USSR was destroyed by Gorbachev that excuse went away. They have continued it continuously since then and will not stop until they are defeated or manage to do it. They(the US/NATO) lie about everything and will continue to do so.

Posted by: acementhead | Jun 19 2026 0:52 utc | 78

I’ve always wondered why is the eu n uk with its current economic pressure so willing to fight this hard against russia. They really think its existential for them. Simultaneously i dont see any future for ukraine especially without mass migration of workers from the third work.

Posted by: Jakob de zoet | Jun 19 2026 1:02 utc | 80

Screwdriver – Confederates had the better generals (in general), but horrendous logistics, even taking into account a far more limited rail supply network.  Generals TJ Jackson, Joe Johnson, James Longstreet, Nathan Forest, JEB Stuart, Pat Cleburne, etc. a few real foul balls – Braxton Bragg (they actually named a US Army after him), Leondas Polk, Earl Van Dorn, John Hood………
 
It was the Richmond bureaucratic ineptitude that partially lost the war for the Rebels (poor food, lack of boots and basic gear) , and the failure to break the blockade.
 
Harry Heth lost the Battle of  Gettysburg when he disregarded Lee’s clear order not to engage in any action against federal forces until the ENTIRE ANV arrived on the scene – instead he was suckered by BG John Buford’s First Cavalry Division – what a dope!
 
None the less Jackson would have forced the heights on the evening of the first day of the great battle instead of Dick Ewell’s sloth like attitude, for the union army was on the run, ready for the pickings……….such is history …..lost opportunities……

Posted by: tobias cole | Jun 19 2026 1:08 utc | 82

I’ve always wondered why is the eu n uk with its current economic pressure so willing to fight this hard against russia. They really think its existential for them. Simultaneously i dont see any future for ukraine especially without mass migration of workers from the third work.
Posted by: Jakob de zoet | Jun 19 2026 1:02 utc | 80
 
 A reason put forth that I have read is that the politicians who have dragged their countries into this mess desperately need to point the peoples anger at an enemy rather then them. 
 Plus the EU and England have got their orders from the US to share the burden and increase their military spending. They are carrying out their orders like good little sheep.
 
US defense secretary to push burden-sharing message at NATO gathering

Posted by: arby | Jun 19 2026 1:19 utc | 84

RT has published the article Lavrov wrote. As RT reported: “The pro-establishment, Brussels-based publication Politico Europe, owned by Germany’s Axel Springer SE, has refused to publish an exclusive article written by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.”  I applaud RT’s move. The essay includes points Lavrov has made many times that clearly contradict the European, NATO, US Empire narratives, meaning it contains too many truths for them. Larov could have included more than he did. As usual, I suggest it be read. It might take 15-minutes of your time.    

Posted by: karlof1 | Jun 19 2026 1:39 utc | 86

karlof1@88:
 
Thanks for this.
 
Lavrov is the consummate diplomat.
 
‘Russia would prefer to achieve the goals of the special military operation through diplomacy.’
 
 

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jun 19 2026 2:39 utc | 88

@Screwdriver 75
 
Hopefully you didn’t strain your one brain cell too ich to come up with that scintillating reply.

Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayastha | Jun 19 2026 3:18 utc | 90

Thanks James @ 1 and the other follow on comment @ 9razyna re Southfront. 
 
Both indicates increased payments to be mincemeat at the front line. 
 
I think the time for Russia to offer bounties on certain Nazis is long overdue.  I am willing to wager this would be way more enticing than a US $700+/- retinue. 
 
Thanks EO for that Mercouris comment. I can’t listen to him myself, my mind keeps wandering off due to the delivery style not the content, my loss.
 
I  find it hard to see that boating incident as provocation. A repeat of the 2021 HMS Defender.
 
I suspect a manufactured collision was the plan.
 
Simplicius latest about where the drones transit and are launched from is interesting. Definitely one to watch. The rest of the article about Putin,  casualties etc is tedious.

Posted by: Suresh | Jun 19 2026 3:52 utc | 92

Russians are fed up with Putin being lackadaisical about the terror and murder of Russians, including children.
 
 
 
Alex_Oloyede2 – 
 
 
What will Putin do? I don’t know, but what I do know is the more inaction emboldens the west and Kiev. So it’s up to the president when to decide to defend the Russian people, kiIIing school children, attacking a bus of footballers, attacking the Russian nuclear bombers. What is the red line for Kiev to get razed? Pathetic.

Posted by: MiniMO | Jun 19 2026 4:09 utc | 94

What will Putin do? I don’t know, but what I do know is the more inaction emboldens the west and Kiev.
Posted by: MiniMO | Jun 19 2026 4:09 utc | 99
 
What inaction is that, pray tell? As far as I know Russia is still at war with Ukraine, having sent several hundred thousand troops into “claimed” Ukrainian territory. They bomb Ukrainian targets every day. What would you have the Russians do? Bomb other countries because they send weapons to Ukraine?
 
Should the Soviet Union have bombed or nuked the US for sending weapons to the Afghan mujahedin in the 1980s? Should the US have bombed or attacked the Soviets for supporting North Vietnam during the Vietnam war? Yes, a proxy war is unpleasant, and some country or countries will get off unscathed while sending money and weapons.
 
There is only one way to make the Europeans stop sending weapons to Ukraine, and that is to defeat Ukraine. The only way to do that now is to attrite the Ukrainian armed forces to the point they cannot field a reasonably sized army, and either they surrender or the frontline collapses. That is the inevitable outcome, the only question is when it will happen. No amount of posting here will change the outcome or speed it up. 

Posted by: James M. | Jun 19 2026 4:32 utc | 96

These tensions are the result of a de facto state of war between the European powers and Russia which threatens to spread the catastrophe already underway in Ukraine across the continent.(…)
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jun 18 2026 21:43 utc | 54

 
Europe’s history is permanent war with some temporary truce from time to time. After one generation or two, pain is forgotten, old feuds come up, subconscious calls for revenge reach the cortex with some new reasons, new plans, new hopes. And bankers encourage that.
 
Do you think the Germans can swallow Kaliningrad to the Russians and Alsace-Lorraine to the French? Now they are arming to become Europe’s 2nd army while unable to defend their women from city m*grants r*pers. Delusional, but hey why not.
 
And Poland always eager to try to grab some old land… And the UK always happy for the continent to sink into trouble so that they have a chance to do a Light Brigade stupidity somewhere sunny…
 
War is to Europe as rice is to Asia.

Posted by: Asian Frog | Jun 19 2026 5:16 utc | 98

@Putin: Kill Fedorov.

Posted by: Apollyon | Jun 19 2026 6:13 utc | 100