News & views related to the war in Ukraine …
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July 24, 2026
Ukraine Open Thread 2026-155
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I cannot help but notice the incongruity of the situation:
the EU issues its 21st package of sanctions against Russia, and Russia takes it in stride without batting an eye—in fact, it will bend over backwards to circumvent them and keep supplying European industries, since it certainly cannot afford to let Europe stop supplying the “Ucro-Nazis.”
However, it seems that for the Chinese, enough is enough, and Europe has crossed the line.
- 👀 China has responded to the EU’s 21st sanctions package against Russia by placing 14 European companies on its export control list. This was announced by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 24 2026 12:42 utc | 1
Anatoly Sharij (auto-dubbed)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4GsmLYYlXY
“Syrsky and Federov. Who did Zelensky love more?”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 24 2026 12:56 utc | 2
🇺🇸🇷🇺 Western media admit that Ukrainian drone attacks on facilities in Russia are purely political.
▪️ The damage inflicted on Wildberries, the Russian e-commerce giant, is apparently intended to bring the proxy war the US is waging against Russia directly into Russia and onto its civilian population. Violence motivated by political rather than defensive reasons is literally the definition of terrorism;
▪️ Naturally, the war is being fought and directed by the US through Ukraine. The recent escalation serves as another reminder that the US can directly strike and damage Russia, whereas Russia cannot strike, damage, or even credibly threaten the US; it can only strike and destroy Ukraine—an ally that is entirely expendable from Washington’s perspective.
▪️ Strategically, this will not alter the course of the war in Ukraine, but it will further increase the costs for Russia—one of the US’s primary objectives in this proxy war.
Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 24 2026 13:37 utc | 3
From German telegram channel “Russländer & Friends” citing sources from “InsiderUA” and others:
🇺🇦👔 “Give us Patriots” Zelensky ran to the Western partners after the elimination of drone developers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Kiev
After the strike against the “secret” exhibition of the latest weapons of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Kiev leader turned to the West on social networks, demanded Patriot systems from partners and called the precise missile hit a “violation of international and human norms”.
Zelensky posted the first photos of the impact site on the Internet and highlighted the six dead and dozens of injured, but he did not disclose the real damage to the Ukrainian defense industry.
Military channels write that the blow was struck directly at the demonstration site in the Kapitanovka settlement in the Butcha raion of the Kiev Region.
Right there, at the time of the hit, an exhibition of military equipment was held, which brought together representatives of the “Ukrainian Weapons Council”, drone developers and the management of defense enterprises.
The local authorities and the founder of the First Contact company, Valery Borovik, confirmed the hit on the training ground.
And while the organizers feverishly assure that the information about the meeting has not been published, the invitation poster to the event was leaked earlier.
The full extent of the shutdown is also confirmed by Ukrainian sources themselves: The fighter of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Andrei Kobsar, posted a photo of his bloodied hand from the place where he was trying to recover survivors; in addition, it is reported from the ground that military and engineers had been staying at the training ground.
The destruction of the weapons exhibition near Kiev was part of the response of the Russian Armed Forces to the massive night attack of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense and Ukrainian media, explosions were also heard in factories and logistics centers:
In Odessa, fuel tanks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were destroyed, warehouses, a hangar and a floating dock were hit in Ismail, a freighter with military cargo was shelled in Nikolayev, and the logistics hub of the “Novaya Pochta” was laid in ruins in Izyum.
Russländer & Friends (https://t.me/russlandsdeutsche) 🇷🇺🤝🇩🇪
While the Nazi forces attacked absolutely civilian targets like the Russian internet retailers, the clown has the outrage to call a strike at a 100% military training ground and shooting range during an exposition of arms of war and terror a “violation of international and human norms”.
Posted by: aquadraht | Jul 24 2026 13:59 utc | 4
Posted by: aquadraht | Jul 24 2026 13:59 utc | “While the Nazi forces attacked absolutely civilian targets like the Russian internet retailers, ”
.
They are about as “absolutely civilian” as the Nova Poshta targeting by Russia.
Posted by: ed4 | Jul 24 2026 14:16 utc | 5
Posted by: ed4 | Jul 24 2026 14:16 utc | 5
…….
Nova Poshta is used as warehouse for drones and other military equipment.
Wildberries is Russian version of Amazon, e-trade company, you piece of garbage!
Posted by: Preki | Jul 24 2026 14:23 utc | 6
Nazi ed4 lies again. Nova Poshta has been and remained the backbone of Ukronazi miliary logistics. There have even been ukrainian videos showing armoured cars in Nova Poshta container lorries, munition explosions after attacks on these sites. Not even Ukrainians, only stupid liars like ed4 deny this role of Nova Poshta.
There has once been an attack on an ATB supermarket last year. Unfortunately, a video showed wounded and unharmed soldiers coming out of the building after the attack.
And there is not the slightest indication that any of Wildberries`s installations has ever been used for military purposes.
Posted by: aquadraht | Jul 24 2026 14:27 utc | 7
didn’t notice the new thread so…
AFU casualties 1.535 (again on high values)
Details on fresh marat about the southwest front
https://maratkhairullin.substack.com/p/brief-frontline-report-july-23rd-70f
Looking at divgen seems like some major line straightening in the north is in the cards…
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 24 2026 14:20 utc | 250
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 24 2026 14:28 utc | 8
They are about as “absolutely civilian” as the Nova Poshta targeting by Russia.
Posted by: ed4 | Jul 24 2026 14:16 utc | 5
No.
Nova Poshta delivery service was regularly used for sending military supplies to the front. They bragged about it themselves.
Wildberries online retailer (https://www.wildberries.ru/) has nothing to do with military.
Posted by: S | Jul 24 2026 14:29 utc | 9
TNA: Brian Berletic: ‘The Ukraine War is a US War on Russia’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhV87G9gXXU
“As the Western media continue shaping narratives depicting a growing divide between the US & Europe regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine – a narrative involving an increasingly disinterested and disengaging US with an increasingly desperate and confrontational Europe – it is important to remember precisely how this war was started and why, as well as the material reality shaping its continuation.” See Berletic’s new article in youtube notes.
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 24 2026 14:32 utc | 10
Nova Poshta is used as warehouse for drones and other military equipment.Wildberries is Russian version of Amazon, e-trade company, you piece of garbage!
Posted by: Preki | Jul 24 2026 14:23 utc | 6
Just look at clueless types like #ed4—they keep trying to drag in far-fetched comparisons whenever they lack arguments and grey matter.
Posted by: genesiss | Jul 24 2026 14:37 utc | 11
Caglliostro#3..where you have been…RUSSIA help Iranians hit US military bases in the GCC and in the Jordan….
Posted by: sejmon | Jul 24 2026 14:53 utc | 12
Glenn Diesen: Prof Max Otte
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riz5hs2fkGo
“Germany’s economic suicide under US hegemony.”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 24 2026 14:54 utc | 13
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 24 2026 14:32 utc | 10
Absolutely right. Ukraine is the softening up part. Direct NATO vs Russia coming soon. Winner takes globe. For China, NKorea and Ian too, this fight existential. Without Russia they too gone. So, it is going to be a death match. US can’t wait beyond this year because of precarious dollar position.
While the Nazi forces attacked absolutely civilian targets like the Russian internet retailers, the clown has the outrage to call a strike at a 100% military training ground and shooting range during an exposition of arms of war and terror a “violation of international and human norms”.
Posted by: aquadraht | Jul 24 2026 13:59 utc | 4
It’s sickening. It’s also interesting, to put it this way, that all those European countries inside and outside of EU are actively taking part in pure terror against the Russian people and boasting about it. A new level of state terrorism.
Posted by: Avtonom | Jul 24 2026 15:28 utc | 15
Well I can only ask why only 10 or so killed and 100 or more survivors? Why not few more missiles?
Posted by: aquadraht | Jul 24 2026 15:30 utc | 16
Caglliostro#3..dove sei stato…la Russia aiuta gli iraniani a colpire le basi militari statunitensi nel GCC e in Giordania….
Pubblicato da: sejmon | 24 lug 2026 14:53 utc | 12
I would be very happy if that were true,
but unfortunately, Russian government officials deny it,
categorically stating that there is no military aid from Russia to the Iranians.
Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 24 2026 15:32 utc | 17
Ukraine and World Affairs (including Iran/ME): Weekly Update, 24th July, 2026: May be Useful to Some: Ukraine and World Affairs (including Iran/ME): Weekly Update
Posted by: The Busker | Jul 24 2026 15:34 utc | 18
Lavrov’s at the SCO Foreign Minister meeting at Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan and held a short presser. His comments about the SCO are important but are overshadowed by his answer to a question that finally ought to lay the Anchorage issue to rest:
Question: Let me go back to your meeting with US Secretary of State Miguel Rubio the day before. The Secretary of State himself said that the Anchorage agreements had failed. It is impossible to reach an agreement if the Ukrainians do not agree. How would you comment on this? Did you talk about the arrival of US Special Presidential Envoy Stephen Whitkoff and John Kushner yesterday? And what kind of diplomatic and mediation track is possible in general?
Sergey Lavrov: As for the failure of the Anchorage agreements, it is probably necessary to understand who exactly failed. Because we came to Anchorage with the United States’ proposals that had been submitted in advance, approved by US President Donald Trump, and we took them into consideration. Not so long ago, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin reiterated at one of his news conferences: “There were doubts. Not immediately, but we thought about it and agreed.” If there is a proposal and there is agreement, then perhaps the agreed results were in Anchorage? There were.
US President Donald Trump (I will not give away a big secret) has said more than once, including in Anchorage: “This is our proposal. Yes, it is partially a compromise.” We accepted this because a compromise proposal and any agreement should probably contain an inevitable element of compromise. But he added that Vladimir Zelensky would do what he proposed. Well, it didn’t work out.
You read it. I have already quoted. Yesterday, I conveyed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio US President Donald Trump’s remarks in Alaska on the day of the news conference. Then, when he returned to Washington, he commented in enthusiastic tones on the agreements in Anchorage for three more days in a row. He said that we had solved almost everything, because one issue remained, but there was a basis.
These are our estimates. We worked from absolutely the same position, proceeding from the premise that if we accept the American proposal, it will make it possible to stop hostilities and sit down at the negotiating table for a settlement. There are many details that relate to the political side of the issue.
Is this why US President Donald Trump’s proposal failed because Ukraine said it would not do anything? Because the European Union said it was not ready? They went there, to Washington, immediately after the meeting in Alaska and spent a long time “processing” the American administration. At the G7 summit in June of this year, they adopted a declaration according to which the Westerners fully support Ukraine, including its territorial integrity, completely ignoring the fact that a huge part of Ukrainian territory is inhabited by people who have been declared “terrorists” and whom the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mikhail Drapaty has now called “non-humans.” And for these people, for this regime, the G7 wants to see territories to satisfy the atrocities against the Russian people who are now part of the Russian Federation – in Crimea, Donbass and Novorossiya.
But if you look deeper, French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly said that that’s it, there is no more Anchorage, no understandings. America is with them again. Acting Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrzej Sybiha said that they had buried the Anchorage Accords. If these are assessments that Americans share, what can we do about it? We have talked about this more than once. Of course, we prefer a political and diplomatic settlement. But we will achieve our goals under all circumstances.
And the last comment. Such arrogant, I would even say, contemptuous rejection of US proposals is not least due to the fact that Vladimir Zelensky is being pumped with weapons, he is being supplied with drones in huge quantities, with which he is trying to undermine the stability of the Russian Federation by attacking civilians and civilian targets. To a large extent, American assistance is part of this support for Vladimir Zelensky. Not only because they sell weapons to the European Union, which then sends them to Ukraine, but also because the Americans provide intelligence, Starlink works. It is no coincidence that high technologies, which must be able to be used on the battlefield, are also there. This is the situation.
I repeat once again: our conscience is clear. As you know, the word of the boy: the boy said – the boy did. We have said and we are ready. On the other hand, the approach has already been modified, judging by a quote from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. But the tasks set by President of Russia Vladimir Putin in June 2024, as he has repeatedly stressed, will be fulfilled. [My Emphasis]
Americans are not agreement capable even when they provide the basis for an agreement. We see the same behavior with the MOU–it was signed then immediately violated. Lavrov didn’t say it this time but he has before: The SMO will be settled on the battlefield. And the Iranians have made the same determination. Araghchi was at the SCO meeting along with Wang Yi and Lavrov met with both. All appear to be on the same page. I’ll also note that Russian Deputy FM Gennady Borisenko received Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Russia Sami Mohammed Al-Sadhan and Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to Russia Ahmed Al-Waheishi at their request. He also received Ambassador of the State of Kuwait in Moscow Rashed Al-Adwani at his request. It was agreed that negotiations based on the MOU must be restarted. As we know, that will happen only if the Outlaws fulfill what they agreed to without any modifications, a position both China and Russia back.
Crimean bridge traffic was interrupted for bit less than 2.5 hrs. , 14:18 to 16:43 . Instructions in case of closure:
https://t.me/most_official/25846
CRIMEAN BRIDGE: operational information. The official channel in MAX: max.ru/most_official
Safety on the Crimean Bridge: what to do when an alarm is sounded
Due to the continuing threat of acts of sabotage and terrorism, an alarm may sound at the crossing.
When she signals light, follow the rules:
If you notice a suspicious object, inform the transport security staff immediately. Do not touch,open, or move it.
Do not accept items from strangers for transportation, transfer, or storage, even temporarily.
Return to the car if you were standing in line for inspection. Put all the items prepared for inspectionback in the car. Do not take photos or videos of the infrastructure of the Crimean Bridge and its surroundings, including the inspection site.
Make sure that all passengers are back in the vehicle.
If you are already driving over the Crimean Bridge, follow the instructions of the speaker. Do not make dangerous maneuvers and do not leave the car. Drive at the permitted speed towards the exit
Transport securityand law enforcement officers will alwaystell you how to get to a safe place (shelter) if necessary
Posted by: aquadraht | Jul 24 2026 15:45 utc | 20
I can’t recall who said this or where I saw it reported, but some member of the Trump Gang noted the fact that the Outlaw US Empire is a main belligerent in the NATO war against Russian speaking Ukrainians and thus cannot act as a mediator, which is a legal point I noted two years ago in my articles dealing with that issue. And with all of NATO now involved in the war, Russia has no neutrals to use as mediators and again confronts the situation it faced in December 2021 when it made its proposals or else. The or else continues with some analysts saying it’s a long way from over. NATO’s been conducting terrorism for many years, so we shouldn’t be surprised when it uses that tool against Russia as it has before. Russia stoically continues with its SMO project that’s been modified several times since 2022, the most important being the establishment of a buffer zone, thus the issue: How big does that zone need to be? Another question asks: Will the SMO become a continual ATO combatting terror attacks from far Western Ukraine made by NATO? Other questions dealing with the overall conflict to end Outlaw hegemony connect to the NATO-Russia war. For example, What will Turkey do? And what will be the fate of Armenia? What will happen with Moldova and Romania when Russia takes Odessa? And of course, there are others. As Macgregor noted, the US Ten Year note is climbing toward the magic 5% level and can easily go beyond that, which has the potential to force the hand of those manipulating Trump.
RUAF just hit an arms exhibition in Kiev. Several Iskander missiles were usedd. Drones and comm systems were showcased at the exhibition. 10 people killed, 100 wounded.
https://x.com/AMK_Mapping_/status/2080614066645786811
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 24 2026 16:21 utc | 22
As Macgregor noted, the US Ten Year note is climbing toward the magic 5% level and can easily go beyond that, which has the potential to force the hand of those manipulating Trump.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 24 2026 16:04 utc | 20
The banking cartel (FED) is not buying the Treasury bills/bonds issued so it is pushing the interest rates at market price (5%+). So the FED banking cartel is forcing Trump to do something or else (federal government insolvent). What they are forcing is… the war on Iran.
The FED staff is clearly not working in the interest of the US and its citizens. Time to nationalize this private cartel shit.
Posted by: Asian Frog | Jul 24 2026 16:23 utc | 23
TNA: Brian Berletic: ‘The Ukraine War is a US War on Russia’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhV87G9gXXU
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 24 2026 14:32 utc | 10
Excellent video. Brian is the best.
He points out that it is a bit dangerous to count the US out. Do not just look at the situations militarily or economically. The US uses many different tools to wage their wars.
Posted by: arby | Jul 24 2026 16:50 utc | 24
Posted by: Preki | Jul 24 2026 14:23 utc | 6
Posted by: aquadraht | Jul 24 2026 14:27 utc | 7
Posted by: S | Jul 24 2026 14:29 utc | 9
Posted by: genesiss | Jul 24 2026 14:37 utc | 11
.
So there is no Business to Business support of the Russian military supply chain going through Wildberries?
.
And this roughly translates to “everything for the SVO”
https://www.wildberries.ru/catalog/tags/vse-dlja-svo
Posted by: ed4 | Jul 24 2026 16:52 utc | 25
Araghchi was at the SCO meeting along with Wang Yi and Lavrov met with both.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 24 2026 15:40 utc | 18
Ta for update. D.
Posted by: Don Firineach | Jul 24 2026 17:14 utc | 26
So there is no Business to Business support of the Russian military supply chain going through Wildberries?
Posted by: ed4 | Jul 24 2026 16:52 utc | 24
One could ask the same wrt every retailer in Ukronazistan.
Sure you want to go there?
Posted by: malenkov | Jul 24 2026 18:08 utc | 27
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 24 2026 15:40 utc | 18
It will be settled on the battlefield. Former Ukraine skeptics have been given their marching orders.
‘The right-wing commentator said she does not care if Republicans who oppose Ukraine disavow her. “They will come to see how evil Russia is as they continue funding Iran with weapons to murder US soldiers as they call for President Trump to be assassinated,” she wrote in a social media post.
Trump shared a preview of the the interview and labelled it “Very good!!!” in a post on his social media site Truth Social hours later.’
Posted by: altruisticpunisher | Jul 24 2026 18:10 utc | 28
Posted by: Don Firineach | Jul 24 2026 17:14 utc | 25
“Let us all remember them tonight.”
I’ll remember you for that one.
Posted by: Paco | Jul 24 2026 18:12 utc | 29
@unimperator
AMK Mapping is a New Zealand based OSINT.
Posted by: munze | Jul 24 2026 18:17 utc | 30
Iran is not afraid to strike countries which serve as launching pads against Iran, yet Russia leaves the countries heavily participating in the Ukraine war against Russia alone.
Posted by: MiniMO | Jul 24 2026 18:19 utc | 31
I just watched a video with Douglas McGregor claiming that General Surovikn has returned from Africa and will be involved in military operations in Ukraine.
Can someone confirm this news?
Posted by: LNT | Jul 24 2026 18:22 utc | 32
arby | Jul 24 2026 16:50 utc | 23
*** Do not just look at the situations militarily or economically.
The US uses many different tools to wage their wars.***
There’s a parliament at Westminster thoroughly stuffed with the buggers.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 24 2026 15:40 utc | 18
Thanks Karlof. You are a news outlet all by yourself. It is good to rely on you for accurate reporting.
Posted by: Avtonom | Jul 24 2026 18:26 utc | 34
Posted by: ed4 | Jul 24 2026 16:52 utc | 24
A really disgusting Nazi propagandist.
In every country you can buy non-arms equipment used in the military sphere, helmets, uniform parts, protective clothing. In Ukraine and Russia alike private NGOs collect such equipment to donate it to the soldiers on the frontlines. Some of such stuff is even sown by volunteers. And of course such stuff is available over retailers, from small shops to large malls, and online chains.
Similarly you can buy the same Mavic drones used on both sides of the frontline in electronic shops everywhere (though China introduced certain restrictions). Same goes for sleeping bags, shovels, and other items of dual use.
With your rotten Nazi propaganda every terrorist act against every shop and every individual could be justified.
Posted by: aquadraht | Jul 24 2026 18:33 utc | 35
So there is no Business to Business support of the Russian military supply chain going through Wildberries?
No. Wildberries is not a delivery company like Nova Poshta. It’s an online retailer.
https://www.wildberries.ru/catalog/tags/vse-dlja-svo
Posted by: ed4 | Jul 24 2026 16:52 utc | 24
This page only features bulletproof vests and helmets. Nova Poshta is delivering weapons and ammo.
Posted by: S | Jul 24 2026 18:36 utc | 36
I just watched a video with Douglas McGregor claiming that General Surovikn has returned from Africa and will be involved in military operations in Ukraine.Can someone confirm this news?
Posted by: LNT | Jul 24 2026 18:22 utc | 31
Depends what you regard as “confirming”: I read the news about this several weeks ago, but I can’t remember where.
Posted by: Avtonom | Jul 24 2026 18:41 utc | 37
Mercouris – temporarily ill but working on! – puts together the indications that the Anchorage agreement (whatever that was) is dead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R236qoRs48s
It was obvious after Istanbul that the only terms the Russians were interested in from the West were the terms of surrender. If possible, dressed up with whatever made the PR look good for the Americans: the Russians were never interested in rubbing Biden’s nose in it and later were prepared to give Trump whatever rope he needed. But surrender one way or another – they weren’t that bothered exactly how – to the Russian conditions of demilitarisation and denazification was always the bottom line.
Any extras, “New European Security Architecture” or a “reset” with the Americans, would have been nice to haves, but on that bottom line they were never going to budge. We can dispute those Russian terms, or say as some do that they were bogus, but whatever. Those were the terms set out by the Russians in February ’22 and they’ve remained unaltered since. Demilitarisation and denazification or no deal.
I used to quote Borrell’s statement, a statement that was in truth the European response to that. “This war will be decided on the battlefield.” Though I got that wrong. What Borrell actually said was “This war will be won on the battlefield.” That’s shown in a screenshot on an anti-Russian site:-
https://www.stopfake.org/en/fake-borrell-for-resolving-conflict-in-ukraine-militarily/
Borrell’s statement is dated 9th April 2022. At the same time Borrell also announced the stepping up of sanctions. This was at a time when the EU was still very much a player in the conflict, or at any rate was regarded as such.
I can’t go and ask him but I suspect that Borrell knew he was was shooting a line. The Americans, it is true, had hoped for an immediate defeat of Russia in the sanctions war, and in consequence in the military war, but it had become clear even by that early date that that was not achievable. The sanctions war had clearly failed. The Americans then moved on to hoping to use the war to weaken Russia, not to defeat it.
There are plenty of statements from American politicians to show that to be the case. By as late as April 2022, the “Sanctions from Hell” mastered by the Russians and the military war never winnable if the sanctions failed, the Europeans too must have known that “winning” on the battlefield was never in prospect. Not for them.
For the Russians, and not downplaying the work of Gerasimov and Shoigu, this war was won by Nabiullina and Siluanov. We’re all gripped – well, I am – by the drama and the tragedy of the events on the battlefield in Ukraine. That can lead us to underestimate the absolute centrality of the sanctions war in this conflict. That sanctions war lost, that was it for good for Borrell’s hopes of “winning on the battlefield.”
Old history. But it’s repeating even now. The Western propaganda outlets are still attempting to persuade us that we can win this war. That, even though it’s ten times more obvious now that the war is lost than it was to Borrell in April 2022. We’re still putting off the evil hour, still putting off the time we’re going to have to accept reality.
And that’s the real evil of this war. The dismemberment of the old Ukraine , the deaths and maiming of millions upon millions, both are directly attributable to the West insisting the Ukrainians keep fighting a war they could never win. An insistence resulting from the obstinate refusal of the Western politicians to recognise reality from as far back as April 2022 to the present day.
Looks like that’ll keep going for a bit, that obstinate refusal. Seems the Russians have given the West all the rope they’re going to get when it comes to helping the Western politicians save face. That’s clear from Mercouris’ brief summary. The Russians, maybe like the Iranians in their conflict, know that any concessions they might make cannot result in any agreement that’ll be held to.
So “This war’s going the distance” was always true. But when that was said in ’22, how many of us saying it guessed it would take as long as this? I didn’t. The “Madness”, to borrow Don Firineach’s term, is with us still. We’re going to see our politicians resolutely ignoring reality at the cost of so many lives for some time yet.
Posted by: English Outsider | Jul 24 2026 19:07 utc | 38
unimperator @ 21
RUAF just hit an arms exhibition in Kiev.
—
A good joke about Russia’s attack on a military technology exhibition in Kiev: “Russian exhibits won at the Ukrainian unmanned systems exhibition.”
https://t.me/vicktop55/45505
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jul 24 2026 19:33 utc | 39
Pubblicato da: English Outsider | 24 lug 2026 19:07 utc | 37
The blame lies with both sides; Russia and Putin had already been burned by Minsk 1 and Minsk 2.
Dissatisfied, they put their faith in the Istanbul agreements—yet another charade—right up until the farce in Anchorage.
And let’s not even talk about the sanctions; had Russia retaliated with counter-sanctions and cut off all supplies, Europe today would be scrambling for bicycles and candles for light.
Nor should we overlook what might have happened had the Russian government allowed the Americans to be taught a harsh lesson by having their bases in Europe struck, Iranian-style.
Instead, what does Putin do?
He proposes that Trump mediate a truce between the US and Iran.
If it weren’t so tragic, it would be comical.
Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 24 2026 19:36 utc | 40
😱 4500 kg is getting close to a MOAB territory, comrade Kim doesn’t fuck around. How do you say, “duck, sucker!” in Korean?
Russia is preparing a powerful strike on Kiev, and for the first time in a long time, North Korean missiles will be used, according to monitors.
According to reports, North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles are being delivered to the Voronezh region. This missile is capable of reaching Kiev and the surrounding areas from the Lisk district of the Voronezh region, according to Ukrainian monitoring resources.
The standard KN-23 missile has a warhead weight estimated to be between 500 and 1000 kg, while the new version, with the original name Hwasongpho-11-Da-4, has a warhead weight of 4500 kg.
In particular, the increased version of this missile, with the designation Hwasongpho-11Da (Hwasong-11Da), was first demonstrated in March 2021. It was announced that it has a 2500 kg warhead and a range of 600 km. This version of the missile is approximately 1.5 meters longer than the standard version.
Given that the KN-23 is intended to target objects in cities, this version of the KN-23 could be a very dangerous tool for attacks.
Furthermore, a range of 320 km is sufficient to attack not only border and frontline cities, but also Kiev, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, and Poltava.
https://t.me/Novichok_Rossiya_2/57310
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jul 24 2026 19:49 utc | 42
Some sort of Ukraine affiliated weapon factory just exploded in Essex, England.
Footage of the powerful explosions from a warehouse in Essex, England. Essex is an extensive military industrial hub.
Ukraine is definitely going to be missing a delivery.😁
https://t.me/CyberspecNews/112764
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 24 2026 20:18 utc | 43
The recent escalation serves as another reminder that the US can directly strike and damage Russia, whereas Russia cannot strike, damage, or even credibly threaten the US; it can only strike and destroy Ukraine..
Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 24 2026 13:37 utc | 33
one could argue that Russia is doing exactly the same to the US at present in the Middle East by allegedly assisting Iran in the precision of their strikes on American assets noticed by the US media and political class including leadership in DC. Of course the Russians deny it just as the Americans do.
Posted by: nwwoods | Jul 24 2026 20:19 utc | 44
Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 24 2026 19:36 utc | 39
Cagliostro – on the question why didn’t the Russians knock out Wiesbaden and have done, that’s probably because from the start neither Putin, nor Biden for that matter, wanted WWIII. In as far as what President Trump wants is discernible by ordinary mortals, President Trump doesn’t either.
Why no counter-sanctions? Maybe because Putin’s a kind-hearted soul who doesn’t approve of cruelty to dumb animals. And it’s accepted on all hands that the Europoodles are quite remarkably dumb. More likely, however, is that the Russians want to keep their reputation for holding to contracts. That reputation’s gold dust to them when they’re negotiating contracts with the trading partners they’re now replacing the Europeans with.
Besides, the Europeans did a very workmanlike job sanctioning themselves.
Posted by: English Outsider | Jul 24 2026 20:39 utc | 45
Also Cagliostro “but the Russians categorically denied it!”
lol best climb back onto the turnip truck
Posted by: nwwoods | Jul 24 2026 20:45 utc | 46
@English Outsider | Jul 24 2026 20:39 utc | 44
“Why no counter-sanctions?”
I am trying to understand what kind of counter sanctions Russian can impose w/o hurting themselves ?
They can stop exporting oil and gas (which would impact their budget) but Europe would buy it from elsewhere at a higher price, of course.
The question is who would suffer more ?
Posted by: munze | Jul 24 2026 20:53 utc | 47
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 24 2026 20:18 utc | 42
*** More than 100 firefighters are battling a large blaze at an industrial unit in Essex following a “massive explosion”, authorities said.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to farmland in Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, on Friday afternoon. ***
Fertilizer explosion is the packaging.
Posted by: frithguild | Jul 24 2026 20:55 utc | 48
I have no connections or informants within the intelligence services,
but the prevailing view is that it is the Chinese—with their state-of-the-art satellites—who are providing all the coordinates;
furthermore, we must never forget that the Russian government has strong economic ties to Israel, and Israel is Iran’s enemy—
a real paradox that works to the advantage of the pro-Western, Zionist “fifth column,” which has deeply entrenched roots within the ruling party;
just look at the ongoing meetings between Kirill Dmitriev and the Witkoff-Kushner duo, who, according to the media, are shuttling back and forth between Russia and America.
Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 24 2026 21:06 utc | 49
I just wonder if the Ukraine drones are targeted to anything with a big roof to make sure that the targeting systems are “right on”? Maybe the UAC ‘s are not that accurate for small things?
Posted by: Jo | Jul 24 2026 21:09 utc | 50
Essex fire LIVE: 100 firefighters battling huge Southend Road blaze – ‘Massive explosion’ – AOL https://share.google/Ls0rCk9QtxZMfloaX
2 areas of consumption, without a clear path of communication. Only 1 arial photo, so not enough to say, really. Very large areas being consumed. Orange flame, back smoke – hmmm. Much of “something” being oxidized.
Posted by: frithguild | Jul 24 2026 21:09 utc | 51
Pubblicato da: munze | 24 lug 2026 20:53 utc | 46
Europe would buy them elsewhere—but where?
And if it were to apply counter-sanctions, it would harm itself;
if cutting off all supplies to Europe damages the Russian economy, then Brussels is right to impose sanctions in the (vain) hope of destroying the “precarious” Russian economy, which relies on such exports.
Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 24 2026 21:16 utc | 52
An ammonium nitrate fire produces a dense, brightly colored orange or yellowish-brown plume of smoke. The chemical itself does not burn; rather, it acts as a powerful oxidizer that feeds nearby burning materials while rapidly decomposing to release toxic nitrogen dioxide gas.
Orange plume appears in the photos.
Posted by: frithguild | Jul 24 2026 21:21 utc | 53
Posted by: frithguild | Jul 24 2026 21:09 utc | 50
An ammonium nitrate fire produces a dense, brightly colored orange or yellowish-brown plume of smoke. The chemical itself does not burn; rather, it acts as a powerful oxidizer that feeds nearby burning materials while rapidly decomposing to release toxic nitrogen dioxide gas.
Orange plume appears in the photos.
Posted by: frithguild | Jul 24 2026 21:22 utc | 54
Posted by: malenkov | Jul 24 2026 18:08 utc | 26 “One could ask the same wrt every retailer in Ukronazistan. Sure you want to go there?”
Posted by: aquadraht | Jul 24 2026 18:33 utc | 34
Posted by: S | Jul 24 2026 18:36 utc | 35 “This page only features bulletproof vests and helmets.”
.
These days there is very little non-duel use stuff on either side.
Posted by: ed4 | Jul 24 2026 21:31 utc | 55
#39
Putin is such a EUrophile that he is compromised.
Or maybe he has so much squirelled away in western hedge funds that he can’t bring himself to confront the west.
Posted by: number theory | Jul 24 2026 21:33 utc | 56
Even Auntie Beeb has some footage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2vgyzy1kyo
Who knew there was a Wildberries warehouse south of Chelmsford?
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 24 2026 21:35 utc | 57
Fertilizer explosion is the packaging.
Posted by: frithguild | Jul 24 2026 20:55 utc | 47
Fertilizer or urea explosions are similar to gunpowder explosions. So the story could be cover-up for some weapon factory. Not saying it is but British establishment are known to lie.
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 24 2026 21:50 utc | 58
The question is:
Why is Iran—and its leadership—not afraid of a military confrontation with the Americans and their proxies,
whereas Putin and his inner circle “shit their pants” at the mere thought of facing the US, constantly humiliating themselves by proposing deals from a position of weakness?
The mysteries of money.
Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 24 2026 21:55 utc | 59
Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 24 2026 21:55 utc | 58
There were some compromats in the Iranian leadership. The Khamenei allowed the so-called liberals to negotiate the ‘MOU’ with USA. Now that USA has broken the MOU, Khamenei is now vindicated by saying ‘I told you so’, the cuck liberals were put in closets and the IRGC is in charge.
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 24 2026 22:03 utc | 60
English Outsider | Jul 24 2026 19:07 utc | 37—
The seeds of Russian victory over NATO were planted long ago and watered by NATO when it ignored Putin’s announcement that Russia had mastered Hypersonic flight back in 2004 and continued to break OSCE Treaties that were to ensure Indivisibility of Security. Many other offensive moves by NATO continued–and we should all understand that NATO means Outlaw US Empire up to the present moment regardless the feints made by various Outlaw presidents. The most important seeds were planted in 2014 with the Coup, Russia’s retention of Crimea, and the sanctions that soon ensued forcing Russia to fend for itself across the entire economic spectrum. It was then that I started to watch Russia closely and root for its success. Many innovative measures were undertaken to beat the sanctions and continue the pace of development. A listing of them would be very long with the most important being all undertakings aimed at improving the wellbeing of Russians–from housing, to roads, to medical care, to education, to jobs, to civic rehabilitation, to improving governance. All that was initiated while the Collective West declined under the parasitic treatment applied by Neoliberal Dogma.
After eight long years filled with lies and more lies, pressure from the Russian people who were deeply engaged in supporting their Donbass comrades finally came to a boil in October 2013 and was publicly expressed in an intense meeting of the government on 14 November if I recall the date correctly. There was no longer anyway to ignore the Genocidal conditions meted out to Donbass and the great volume of evidence proving it. Putin agreed–It’s Genocide and something must be done. Who was actually causing the Genocide? NATO, which again means the Outlaw US Empire. Who caused the most recent genocides in Libya, Palestine and Syria? NATO. Why? The Empire’s essentially bankrupt and needs every sort of resource it can steal, and even that’s not enough as we can see. It’s a Parasite and it sees the entire planet as its host, including those who think they’re on its side, which is a huge mistake.
All of that and more was predictable back in the 1990s when the Wolfowitz Doctrine dictated Full Spectrum Dominance as the one and only policy direction. The trail of events over the 30+ years serve as confirmation. The conflict has gone global as was clear from the outset. China’s Xi is matter-of-fact that China’s overall global policy aim is to eliminate hegemony without any escalation to nuclear war. Russia’s Joint Declarations with China prove it shares that goal. Iran’s actions show us it too shares that goal. 160+ nations have signed onto China’s Global Security Initiative whose stated goal is to eliminate hegemony, so the Global majority is on board. NATO is cornered. Most of its key weapons have proven to be junk and those few that work cannot be reproduced in volume because the resources to build them are strangled. NATO’s public would likely do away with NATO if given the chance. And finally NATO’s Achilles Heel–its financial condition–is spelling doom. And most importantly, the Land powers are constructing the internal means to defeat the remaining Maritime power. West & Southwest Asia is the lynchpin to those means as it provides the transit corridors connecting Africa with Eurasia. That’s the real reason Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Eritrea are strategically important pieces on the global chessboard.
So, the SMO and war on Iran are two fronts of what in reality is a global war. The only way for the Empire/NATO to accomplish its 1990s policy goals is to defeat the Land Powers. The only way for the Land Powers to neuter the global hegemon and end hegemony in at least their portion of the planet is to gain control of the lynchpin and complete their network of connectivity corridors making Eurasia and Africa one massive landmass having 4/5s of Humanity.
As NATO dissolves to just the Outlaw US Empire and it weakens further, those Western Hemisphere nations will have an opportunity to become free provided their people fight to attain their freedom. There’ll be an ongoing struggle by the Empire to exert control over its neighbors. The Land Powers will do what they can to help, but unfortunately geography gives the Empire an advantage. Ultimately, if the people fight, they will win because commonfolk within the Empire don’t want to fight for the Empire.
🇩🇪🇫🇷🇷🇺⚡️ – The German state of Lower Saxony has authorized the production of nuclear fuel by ANF, a subsidiary of Framatome, in cooperation with Rosatom, a Russian state-owned corporation, despite controversies related to national security and the war in Ukraine.
▶️The fuel production is planned to take place at a plant in Lingen, near the border with the Netherlands, and involves the arrival of Russian experts and equipment.
Lord of war
Poverty is becoming one of the main challenges facing Ukraine, said Kharkov Mayor Igor Terekhov.According to him, a significant portion of citizens are essentially forced to choose between basic needs—food, medicine, and paying bills.He called on the authorities to focus on supporting people, increasing incomes, and containing prices.lord of war
The Ukrainian Navy has been granted the authority to command NATO forces following an assessment based on alliance standards, according to the press service of the Ukrainian Navy.The mine warfare headquarters of the 1st mine warfare ship division of the Ukrainian Navy has passed the second level of NATO standards assessment (NEL-2) and has been granted “Mission Capable” status.”From now on, Ukraine has confirmed by the alliance its ability to command and control subordinate multinational forces, interact at the level of a permanent NATO mine warfare group, and perform the entire range of mine warfare tasks at sea.”
🇺🇸🇺🇦 Trump disavows arms sales to Kiev“Putin understands that I sell weapons not to Ukraine, but to NATO countries. They pay full price, and I have no idea how this weaponry is distributed,” Trump explained.The US President also noted that neither Russia nor China supply weapons to Iran. According to him, he has personal agreements with Putin and Xi Jinping on this matter.
The Pentagon has added 33 Russian universities and research institutes to a list of threats to the U.S. national security, according to RBC.
The list, published by the U.S. Department of Defense, includes Moscow State University, the Higher School of Economics, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, the Kurchatov Institute, Skoltech, Tomsk Polytechnic University, and more than two dozen other Russian universities, scientific institutions, and research organizations.
The Pentagon also declared two leading Chinese universities – Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University – as threats to national security.
⚡️
Lord of war
Posted by: Jo | Jul 24 2026 22:07 utc | 62
So the story could be cover-up for some weapon factory.
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 24 2026 21:50 utc | 57
Yes, something is askew here, the BBC bury it on their local news for Essex coverage, nobody else is running with it as a main headline.
I’m comparing and contrasting with the media coverage of the Buncefield explosion and fire back in 2005, which was the leading item on every news broadcast for hours.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 24 2026 22:08 utc | 63
🇷🇴 Off the coast of Romania, an explosion occurred aboard the bulk carrier Christiana B.The vessel, sailing under the Liberian flag, was en route from the USA to Ukraine with “coal”. Preliminary reports indicate the detonation was caused either by a mine or a naval drone strike, resulting in damage to the ship.@Slavyangrad
Posted by: Jo | Jul 24 2026 22:14 utc | 64
ResidentColleagues, the worst part is that officials/politicians/security forces have already prepared warm places for themselves in the West, and the country is viewed as an opportunity to earn money from the war.Propaganda packages the narrative that strikes on the enemy’s civilian facilities should bring peace closer, but in reality, all this is moving the prospects further away. According to intelligence information, the Kremlin is already changing its plans and is not going to stop at Donbas, which means that a major war will affect the entire country.
Zelensky could have stopped the war in 2022, but he chose Britain’s position, and now he has effectively agreed to the destruction of Ukraine.
……………….
The Ukraine telegram channel may be right. If/when Russia announces a change, its moves will come fast as the change will only be announced once everything is prepared.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 24 2026 22:16 utc | 65
So, just to sum up for today, there have been more explosions outside Russia than inside Russia.
But that pretty much sums up every day since February 2022…
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 24 2026 22:17 utc | 66
so, i peddle the TRUTH about Syrski, here at MoA, and a few days Z fires him.
A few days is how long it took for them to bomb the kerch bridge after I demanded answers as to why they were not doing it.
But they still refuse to admit the hard truth, Zelensky, is a jew, and has been taking marching orders, via Russian jewish oligarchs, since he was elected.
Russian Jewish oligarchs who want to smash Ukraine.
🇹🇷 Turkish bulk carrier MV Reyhan Sari attacked in Black SeaThe Turkish bulk carrier MV Reyhan Sari, transporting coal from Taman to Trabzon, was attacked in the Black Sea, according to Oksijen.Casualties: 1 crew member killed, 3 wounded.@Slavyangrad
Posted by: Jo | Jul 24 2026 22:28 utc | 68
Resident#Insider informationOur source in the OP said that Zelensky in London and Paris agreed with partners on an all-out war with Russia. The main task will be to reset economic capacities and maximize damage to the civilian population. For these purposes, we receive UAVs and missiles, which then become Ukrainian ones. The list of targets is as extensive as possible, from military production facilities to civilian industrial facilities. The task is to take out most of the refineries and industrial exports on the Black Sea by the fall, the enemy’s retaliatory strikes are not considered critical for Ukraine, which is fully focused on financial assistance from partner countries.
…………
Just an hour or so ago I read something about UK taking over leadership of the European coalition of the killing from France. War in Europe is ramping. UK leading the attacks on Russia. Attacks on Iran being launched from UK.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 24 2026 22:29 utc | 69
Note: She was a ‘illegal’ massage therapist – that is probably how they met. I wonder if she really loves America still! – I’m suprised the kids also won’t get deported.
A Lithuanian woman was deported from the United States after 26 years of residence
Airida Kesiliene has been married to an American army veteran for 14 years and has already given birth to three children.
She and her husband, Mark Gould, went to apply for a green card at the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.
At first, my husband was told that their marriage had been confirmed as real, and everything looked fine. However, then Airida was suddenly handcuffed and taken to an immigration detention center.
The military man never saw his wife again. He unsuccessfully tried to influence the authorities by conducting a public campaign and provoking a media outcry.
But on the 22nd she was deported to Lithuania.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said she had a visa that expired in 2009. Back in the same year, the decision on deportation was made.
However, Airida continued to live a normal life in Chicago and worked as a massage therapist.
Judging by the posts on social media, Mark Gould was a Trump supporter. After his family came under the fight against immigrants, the man curses all American politicians.
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Jul 24 2026 22:44 utc | 70
So, just to sum up for today, there have been more explosions outside Russia than inside Russia.
But that pretty much sums up every day since February 2022…
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 24 2026 22:17 utc | 65
Well Mr. Jeremy Rhymings-Lang, the difference is “Ukraine is winning”.
So port destruction in Odessa, targeting of shipping to Ukraine via Odessa and all manner of other Russian escalation stories are spiked. Russian strikes cannot possibly be like the “super duper bombs and drones that will bring Iran to its knees”, no siree sir.
Posted by: frithguild | Jul 24 2026 22:48 utc | 71
Posted by: munze | Jul 24 2026 20:53 utc | 46
…. Munze, are you konza?
Why Russia, Putin, need to finish Ukraine fast? Every day passing economies of Germany, UK and other American vassals are in deeper and deeper trouble. How many chancellors, prime minsters of UK, Germany, France were swept in last 4 years? Is USA in better shape today than it was in 2022? Is Russia more independent, sovereign , self sufficient, today or 4 years ago! Is Russian military today stronger or weaker? Is Ukraine stronger today than back in 2022? Is Russia respected in the World more today than 4 years ago! I assume we all know answers to these questions. Then why some of you are insisting that Russia (Putin) needs to change the gear?
Posted by: Preki | Jul 24 2026 22:49 utc | 72
*** Even Auntie Beeb has some footage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2vgyzy1kyo***
Yes, something is askew here, the BBC bury it on their local news for Essex coverage, nobody else is running with it as a main headline. ***
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 24 2026 22:08 utc | 62
I just went back to the auntie beeb link to look at the areal photos to see if I could estimate the number of structures damaged – areals are gone from that story. I recall seeing a lot of blast damage.
A blast could ignite much, but not necessarily. I dont know how old these structures are. Older buildings are composed of more combustibles. The photos seem to show seems a lot burning besides structures. It would make sense the blast ignited contents, but only if there was a significant quantity of flammable contents.
Conflagration was burning hot in 4 areas, with no obvious communication to one hotspot – could indicate multiple points of origin …
Posted by: frithguild | Jul 24 2026 23:10 utc | 73
While it is impossible to “know” what is happening without inside information that is in real time combined with the ability to properly analyze it, we can make reasonable inferences based upon the behavior of the parties involved. Given the increasing shrillness with which the media is declaring Iran the victor, it seems to be n the category of “thou doest protest much.” Essentially the media is trying to make something so that either isn’t true or they know nothing about it. Biased and superficial analysis from our media is nothing new!!
Furthermore the US military leadership is conducting this methodically as though they have all the time in the world and don’t feel seriously threatened by Iran. They’re acting a bit like firefighters fighting a grassfire that they believe they can easily control. Casualties of around 20 dead or so is extremely light for an operation of this size and scope. Iran is a major world power with a vast network of powerful allies supporting them. A reasonable expectation would have been a death toll on the American side of several thousand US military personnel dead by now along with multiple warships sunk. We are being breathlessly told that America’s “interceptors” are running low or something to this effect as part of the Iranian psyops campaign. If this is so, Iran is likely in even worse shape. Iran’s only real hopes seem to be as follows: 1.) Get Congress to cut off the funding handing Iran and unearned victory. 2.) Get Americans to lose heart with the psyops campaign. Our economy can easily weather this. 3.) There is apparently an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu. He’s the most capable leader in the world right now. As American faces one of the greatest threats we’ve ever faced in our history, his leadership is crucial to our success. If the carefully orchestrated Iranian scheme to get him eliminated by being arrested were to succeed, this would potentially be devastating to our efforts.
While Iran has a vast network of allies and messaging apparatus that America cannot hope to match, we tend to be the most informed and resilient people on the planet. Americans possess a degree of resilience, guile, and determination that is unmatched by any other civilization in world history. The odds have always been stacked against from our founding until now. I remain confident that we are going to prevail
Posted by: B.Posster | Jul 24 2026 23:16 utc | 74
The FED staff is clearly not working in the interest of the US and its citizens. Time to nationalize this private cartel shit.
Posted by: Asian Frog | Jul 24 2026 16:23 utc | 22
That has been a primary sentiment of the Trump Administration, even if for selfish reasons. Due to previous American law, unconstitutional as it is, the executive and the legislature cannot easily remove governors of the Federal Reserve. But once the system breaks entirely it will be impossible to put back together with the same protected interests.
Of course, if interest payments were really set by markets, Russian bonds would be the hottest game in town.
Posted by: They Call Me Mister | Jul 24 2026 23:23 utc | 75
Alastair Crooke breaks-down the NATO wars on Iran and Russia and connects them in one of his best commentaries ever. He has so much more inside his head that needs to emerge.
I find the droning of Wildberries warehouse somehow interesting as a possible Russian retaliation against EU cobelligerants : bombing an Amazon warehouse in a EU country (let’s say, Germany or France, Italy).
- US-owned : US money to compensate the customers
- EU citizens affected, suddenly the Ukraine war becomes real, touches them personally
- nobody injured
- China wins : items need to be re-ordered
- a bit of smoke and pollution in the EU, so that the Green can scream and bump their head on the wall
Posted by: Asian Frog | Jul 25 2026 0:48 utc | 77
Video of British fire: https://xcancel.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/2080749300032709006#m
Posted by: Nobody Special | Jul 25 2026 0:54 utc | 78
@ Asian Frog | Jul 25 2026 0:48 utc | 76
Nice idea, but Russia could do us all a bigger favor and take out Bezos instead…
Posted by: malenkov | Jul 25 2026 1:00 utc | 79
#58 Cagliostro
“The mysteries of money.”
The mysteries of where they keep their money.
Posted by: number theory | Jul 25 2026 1:20 utc | 80
#58 UWDude
“Russian Jewish oligarchs who want to smash Ukraine.”
joligarchs who wish to depopulate Ukraine, Russia and Germany.
Posted by: number theory | Jul 25 2026 1:24 utc | 81
Let me expand on my (splendid) idea that Russia could drone an Amazon warehouse in a EU country (Germany, France) or even UK :
- US-owned : US money to compensate the customers
- EU citizens affected, suddenly the Ukraine war becomes real, touches them personally
- nobody injured
- China wins : items need to be re-ordered
- China wins : warehouse robots to be re-ordered
- a bit of smoke and pollution in the EU, so that the Green can scream and bump their head on the wall
- non-military target (so it doesn’t look so bad or frightening)
- justified, as Nato has droned a warehouse in Russia
- annoying but not critical target like power plant or bridge
- US Epstein Class hurt (Amazon shareholders) : at last they feel some pain!!
Posted by: Asian Frog | Jul 25 2026 2:16 utc | 82
@Asian Frog | Jul 25 2026 2:16 utc | 81
Why are you so eager to have Russia escalate the war and stop EU suffering and degradation of their economy ?
As Preki suggested @71 above Russia is doing quite well so far. Why change anything ?
Posted by: munze | Jul 25 2026 2:42 utc | 83
Following on from karlof1”s link at 75, I went to an earlier Daniel Davis Deep Dive with Glenn Diesen. Here that link is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB-40Zrfq9c
This conversation I found most interesting, first of all in Col. Davis pointing out that two Fox news commenators were strongly questioning the facts about the Ukraine war. But secondly Col Davis goes on to point out the Truth Social post by Trump in which he explains that he does not feel that he is ‘supplying Ukraine with weapons’ because he sells to the Europeans , but also that he feels both China and Russia tell him that neither of them sell to the Ukranians.
Davis then goes off on a believability track that I believe misses the point of this revelation from Trump. I’m going to say that yes, this is the communication Trump has had from both the Chinese and the Russians, and it is very good that he believes this. It means they understand his condition. Neither Daniel nor Glenn made this point, although I had the feeling Glenn would have liked to do so but was constrained by the direction Daniel was taking the conversation. Daniel then pointed out the difference between what Trump seemed to believe and what Rubio said to Congress. Rubio knows the real fact of the matter, even if he must know what Trump himself believes.
So yes, Lavrov, 35 minutes was too much time to give to Rubio. Way too much. At any rate, this is an interesting ‘Deep Dive’ to take a look at. In my view two very positive takes, the Fox News one, and the Trump explanation on Truth Social. To go with Lavrov dissing Rubio. A trifecta!
Posted by: juliania | Jul 25 2026 2:45 utc | 84
I’ll also point out that neither man in the conversation I discuss at my #83 pointed out that in the video Davis ended with of Ukraine’s attack on the warehouse I think called ‘Wild Berries’ in Russia there are huge plumes of black smoke ongoing up, up , up. No way a warehouse fire would have produced such, and Davis was making a point that this was very serious. It does make me question a bit his overall intention, thogh I realize he’s doing a good job overall. I would compare what happens during tornado season in the midwestern US. Stuff happens.
Interesting video, anyway, especially those Fox ladies.
Posted by: juliania | Jul 25 2026 2:58 utc | 85
As Preki suggested @71 above Russia is doing quite well so far. Why change anything ?
Posted by: munze | Jul 25 2026 2:42 utc | 82
Russia is not doing quite well.150k dead is not “doing quite well”. Russia is doing the least bad in a managed way.
Getting the eurotards to finally back off could greatly reduce future casualty numbers. I have more feelings for humans (Ukies and Russians) than for Amazon boxes filled with useless plastic.
Eurotards are highly feminized, which means they have difficulty dealing with consequences and holding responsibility. At last, let them see one (1) consequence burning in flames on their territory.
Posted by: Asian Frog | Jul 25 2026 3:14 utc | 86
Professors Doctorow & Diesen patch up their relationship after the insults and personal attack Scott Ritter laid on Doctorow last week.
Introduction Transcript
Glenn Diesen: Welcome back. We are joined again by Gilbert Doctorow, a historian and political analyst, to discuss whether Russia is winning or losing. First of all, let me thank you for coming back on the program.
Gilbert Doctorow: Well, I’m glad to be back.
Glenn Diesen: Before we start, I just want to say that in these debates and discussions, there are obviously very strong competing perspectives, and I think it’s very important to avoid making it personal. I say this because I recently hosted a talk on this topic in which there were some very derogatory comments being made about you. No name [for Scott Ritter] is required, and for that exact reason, I think it’s important to keep the focus on the topic rather than making it personal. So, I wanted to at least personally apologize to you for the insults by one of my guests, as it was obviously quite offensive. I think it’s important, though, to flesh out the differences and indeed why we have these competing perspectives.That being said, I think one of the reasons that the topic itself creates a lot of heat is because it’s quite important. At the moment, we see a lot of discussions in Moscow about how to restore Russia’s deterrence. There’s a good reason for this: people do recognize that this is a key thing the Russians have lost. We now have leading voices even arguing that it might be necessary to use tactical nuclear weapons against a European NATO state simply because the collapse of Russian deterrence is too dangerous.So, to flesh out the core of the discussion: on one hand, there’s an argument that Russia is obviously winning—it’s more powerful, it’s advancing both in terms of territory but also in the measure of attrition warfare, that is, the casualty rates clearly favor Russia, and the depletion of the Ukrainian army has set Russia on the path to victory. On the other hand, one can argue that Russia’s deterrence has been weakened. NATO is now very obvious in its direct involvement in attacks on Russia, with the clearly stated objectives of striking deeper and deeper inside Russia, hitting both military and economic targets, and there doesn’t seem to be any fear of any Russian retaliation, even nuclear deterrence, which means that Russia’s ability to manage deterrence versus reassurance has almost collapsed.A lot of what we’re seeing now was unthinkable during the Cold War. While many people in Europe and the US see this as a positive development—that they can strike Russia without Russia striking back—I think the longer this goes on, the more dramatic or drastic Russia would have to be in restoring its deterrence.So I guess all of this goes into the topic: how does one measure whether Russia is winning or losing? That’s my first question to you. How do you assess these competing metrics for what victory looks like for Russia?
Gilbert Doctorow: Well, I have a direct answer to your direct question, but before I get to that, I’d just like to touch on the question of why there is so much heat, passion, and venom in discussions among people who should be colleagues or are looking to inform the public—the broad public that does not receive this from major media.The reason is that you are a longtime expert and follower of Russian affairs. I am a long-term student of Russian affairs, but most of our colleagues are not, and most of the audience is not. That is not accidental, because the whole question of what is Russia and who is Mr. Putin has a meaning to our audience and to many of our colleagues in these discussions quite separate from what you and I look for and discuss.That is to say, Russia stands for the opposition to global hegemony by the United States, and it is seen by a great many people—and self-promoted by Russia itself—as one of the defenders of what used to be called the Third World and is now the Global South, against the colonizers and imperialists of Western Europe and the collective West today. So it has a great symbolic value, which gets people very emotional and gets them interested in following programs like this, because before the war, the level of public interest in these matters was very low.I look at my own work—I’m preparing now a third volume of my memoirs dealing with my years in the opposition at the start of 2010—and I see the waves of interest and fading interest over the last 16 years, with, of course, an enormous increase in public interest after 2014 and the sanctions on Russia and the growth and seeming vitality of BRICS.For that reason, a lot of people who do not really know Russia and, frankly speaking, do not really care about Russia for Russia, are following closely and passionate about what Russia stands for in the global opposition to American hegemony. That, to my understanding, brings this real heat to discussion, which does not help intellectual discourse.
Gilbert Doctorow continues with — Russia Must Restore Its Deterrence to Survive — 22nd July @ 5:52 minshttps://youtu.be/9jL4lGocowA?si=Zl-lMoYNjTQP3vNq&t=352
Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 25 2026 3:40 utc | 87
🇷🇺💥Stunning footage: A FP-2 kamikaze drone was destroyed just seconds before it struck a Wildberries warehouse in St. Petersburg.
▪️The Russian air defense system “Pantsir-S1” shot down the Ukrainian kamikaze drone, FP-2, while it was diving.▪️“Pantsir” or another air defense system was stationed near the Wildberries warehouses, according to enemy sources
https://t.me/CyberspecNews/112763#
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Jul 25 2026 4:13 utc | 88
@Asian Frog | Jul 25 2026 3:14 utc | 85
- Getting the eurotards to finally back off could greatly reduce future casualty numbers.
Well, isn’t that the same idea behind NATO’s attacks against Russian e-commerce chain Wildberries (or whatever is the name)?
Did it change anything?
Posted by: munze | Jul 25 2026 4:21 utc | 89
Lavrov’s 35 minutes with Rubio?
DID RUBIO WARN LAVROV TO STOP HITTING CIA AGENTS, US TROOPS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, OR ELSE?
Why did the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio call Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to a meeting and then spend little more than thirty minutes telling Lavrov what he had come to say? Answer: we cannot say for sure.
Best guess: Rubio gave Lavrov a warning. He told Lavrov he had been instructed by President Donald Trump to say that the US holds Russia responsible for providing precise location intelligence and targeting details to enable Iran’s drone forces to penetrate US air defences and strike at CIA and US troop bases in the Arab territories, killing Americans.
Plausible guess: Lavrov replied that Putin had instructed him to say that Russia holds the US responsible for providing precise location intelligence and targeting details to enable Ukrainian drones to strike at Russian civilian targets, oil refineries, oil ports, shipping on the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, and consumer product warehouses from Moscow to Kazan, and deep into the Russian hinterland, killing Russians.
In short, this is Putin’s mirror. (I wonder?) It is telling Trump and the warfighters in the White House that if they continue, with their European allies and the Kiev regime, to strike outside the Ukraine battlefield, killing Russian civilians, the response will be tit-for-tat against Americans. Furthermore, Putin had warned: “He already feels it, I hope, and he will feel it several times more powerfully.”
Lavrov’s communiqué reported afterwards: “The sides held an in-depth exchange of views on a broad range of bilateral and international issues in follow-up to the recent high-level contacts.”
“When talking on the Ukraine issue, Sergei Lavrov informed his American colleague about the real situation on the contact line, highlighting the inadmissibility of the continued supply of weapons to the Kiev regime and the destabilising activities of European countries, which are still seeking to inflict a ‘strategic defeat’ on Russia. … An agreement was reached to maintain contacts between the two foreign policy agencies, including in the framework of the two countries’ activities at international organisations.”
Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov about the attacks on CIA and US troop bases, said: “I don’t think that reporting of any suspicions is a reason to comment.”
Public reporting of the Iran drone strikes on CIA targets isn’t new. That began with US officials leaking to the Washington Post on March 6.
Another US propaganda platform, Reuters of New York, has subsequently reported: “at this point there is no evidence. But we do have sources who are telling us that Russia did contribute technological upgrades to the drones that were used against the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (March 3, 2026] , and that helped with the precision strike…”
“The suspected Russian component under scrutiny is the Kometa-M satellite navigation module, a jam-resistant Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna array that dramatically improves a drone’s resistance to electronic warfare and sharpens its terminal-phase targeting accuracy against hardened, defended installations. Debris recovered from a Shahed drone that struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus in March 2026 reportedly contained Kometa-M components identical to those pulled from Russian Geran-series drones deployed against Ukrainian targets, strengthening the technology-transfer hypothesis under active review.”
What is also new, Rubio admitted in a remark reported by the US press, is that the Iranian drone attacks have not only demonstrated precision in striking hitherto secret CIA operations bases, but they have also demonstrated maneuverability to avoid and penetrate US air defences covering the bases. “A missile got through. We shot down almost all the missiles. One leaked through, hit the wrong place, and tragically, and it’s heartbreaking,” Rubio said after the attack.”
https://johnhelmer.net
Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 25 2026 4:29 utc | 90
Thanks, Asian Tiger. Sounds entirely reasonable and rational. I read and listen to a wide variety of commentators and usually find I learn something useful from almost every one of them – even when I may not share all their views.
Unfortunately, over time, I have also found some tend to only promote official messaging and skew or omit more difficult or controversial areas vis a vis government and/or foreign policy. No surprise to find these voices are also the ones granted privileged access to Kremlin spokespersons, RT etc. These may still be interesting and useful but ultimately if you’re looking also for critical analysis and perspectives, deficient.
I have great admiration for both the Chinese and Russian peoples, what they have been able to achieve, and the great challenges they face against a malevolent hegemonic west. All the more reason to try for as accurate and complete a perspective of their political actualities as possible. In this critical voices such as Doctorow, Roberts or Helmer are every bit as valuable as Johnson, Escobar or Ritter.
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 25 2026 5:43 utc | 91
ps my comments in 90 were in response to Asian Tiger @ 86. Cheers
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 25 2026 5:50 utc | 92
pps. I meant my comments in 90.
Too much:
…’And must have whiskey, Oh you know why’
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 25 2026 5:54 utc | 93
I have great admiration for both the Chinese and Russian peoples, what they have been able to achieve, and the great challenges they face against a malevolent hegemonic west. All the more reason to try for as accurate and complete a perspective of their political actualities as possible. In this critical voices such as Doctorow, Roberts or Helmer are every bit as valuable as Johnson, Escobar or Ritter.
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 25 2026 5:43 utc | 91
I do too admire the Russians and Chinese for a very long time. I know of no people who suffered more through the pre-post WW2 period than they did, they death tolls were beyond disgusting genocidal tragedies. And I also admire their civilizations and culture going back 900 years and thousands of years for the Chinese. I love their movies and docos too. Plus how juch they have both achienved as natiosn the last 30 years.
People forget or never knew about the streets filled with bicycles in the 90s news reports from China or what life was like in the 1930s, across Asia. I was there in the early 60s and know what life was like ofr ordinary people. Life was very different and yet they were somehow happier and more well adjusted than people in the west today.
Information does not scare me, no matter who is is from. I have faith in my own ability to spot BS from afar. I do my own reading, and I direct my own research. I do my own thinking, make my own judgments and I alone decide what I will write about or share. People can take it or leave, gain from it or carry on. Either way I am not affected by other people’s opinions or demands. I’m too old and too wise to fall for that.
And Scott Ritter brings an important point view too, doesn’t make it perfect but it can be useful. Acting like a child having a temper tantrum or an ADHD event, does not help his case. So I chose to switch him off permanently, as well as a several others I felt never really brought anything useful to the table to consider anymore. That is my call, others can do whatever they want.
Cheers and thank you for acknowledging the important things Doctorow was raising and why discussions are so biased and heated all the time. It’s like the weather, you can complain about it, but it won’t stop it raining.
Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 25 2026 7:00 utc | 94
🔥 The largest Ford car dealership in Eastern Europe burned down in Warsaw
Why would that be? Maybe there weren’t cars there at all, but they were assembling something for the Ukroreikh? And then bam—like getting f*cked!
https://x.com/Nancy_NB_713/status/2080390045937066161
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 25 2026 8:42 utc | 95
Oh my… looks like China is banning drone and weapon components for EU under dual-use regulation. Pretty soon Ursula’s tattered industries will be relying on scavenging chips from dish washers and refrigerators.
China responds to EU sanctions with export restrictions
The European Union officially announced its 21st sanctions package against Russia on July 23, adding 14 companies from China and Hong Kong to its sanctions list.
In response, China decided to place 14 EU organizations under export control measures, citing the protection of national security and interests, compliance with international non-proliferation obligations, and a response to what it called unfriendly actions by the EU.
Under China’s Export Control Law and regulations on dual-use items, Chinese exporters are prohibited from supplying dual-use goods to the listed organizations. Foreign entities and individuals are also banned from transferring or providing these China-origin dual-use items to the targeted organizations.
Any ongoing related transactions must be stopped immediately. In exceptional cases where exports are necessary, companies must apply for special approval from China’s Ministry of Commerce.
The organizations affected include companies and institutions from Italy, Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Latvia.
https://x.com/Eng_china5/status/2080612517114786165
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 25 2026 8:45 utc | 96
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 25 2026 5:43 utc | 91
” THIS IS CHINA ” 1937 Doco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn0t8-5WPRI&t=405s
Japan invaded China in 1931 (Manchuria) and Inner Mongolia in 1935, expanding into a full-scale invasion of the rest of China in 1937.
It was a very different world.
The Communist Party of China was formed in 1921, specifically on July 23, 1921.
Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 25 2026 9:07 utc | 97
Slowly news coming out, several high ranking ukro and Nato officials and weapon designers killed at Kiev arms exhibition.
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 25 2026 10:14 utc | 98
Posted by: frithguild | Jul 24 2026 21:22 utc | 54
Frithguild – that site’s nothing like an MOD site. No private company manufacturing or using explosives would choose it for storage either. Not exactly secure. I’m surprised it was even used for storing fertiliser in bulk. If the Local Authority had known it was used for that purpose they’d have been very concerned and would probably have stopped it at once.
But farmers and contractors or suppliers can be very sloppy. I recently saw some contractors spraying a field with of of the more vicious herbicides. Big red warning signs on the delivery lorry but the men were unmasked and paddling in pools of the damn stuff. Same with fertiliser. Great heaps of it all over the place and very often cheek by jowl with barns and houses.
How I see it anyway. Could be wrong of course, but I doubt the BBC would have been allowed to waltz around the site in helicopters if there’d been any security implications. D notices or whatever they use these days would have been flying around like confetti. Arson can’t be ruled out – there’s a lot of it about – but more likely bad luck.
Posted by: English Outsider | Jul 25 2026 10:46 utc | 99