THE WIT & WISDOM OF MARK SLEBODA – IRAN PUMMELS ENEMIES – ODESSA CLOSED FOR BUSINESS
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U414ZKnd1DY

Posted by: unimperator | Jul 30 2026 17:20 utc | 4

 Again submitted to dead section.  On the future for remnant Ukraine.  Plus an attempted rebuttal, admittedly off the subject, of the Irish merely nurturing old grudges. 
 
Not that off the subject.  The closest we have in Europe to the conflict in Ukraine  is the recent and very brutal conflict in Northern Ireland.   Comparable population mix and comparable conflict of loyalties.  Some of the lessons to be learned there are directly transferable to a considerations of the problems to be faced in remnant Ukraine after the war.  Hope Tel doesn’t mind that I took a brief remark of his to lead into the subject.
 
…………………………..
 
“Last time I checked, people in the Middle East were known for keeping long, long grudges. Almost as bad as the Irish and the Slavic peoples. Did Saudi think it would all be forgotten?!?”
 
Posted by: Tel | Jul 30 2026 0:39 utc | 114
 
Tel – doesn’t really apply to the Irish.  That ought to be made clear.  And every effort should be made to ensure that in the future it doesn’t apply to the people of remnant Ukraine.
 
Historical resentments last for a while in the popular memory but they do fade away, given the chance.  As an extreme example, the far end of the scale, the popular resentment felt after the Norman conquest of England can be traced as genuine folk memory for a couple of centuries and more – it was an exceedingly brutal and disruptive conquest –  diminishing thereafter until it became no more than a useful meme in Elizabethan times, used more for ideological or political reasons than because it still reflected true popular resentment.
 
If one were now to launch a political movement for “liberation from the Norman yoke” it’d be a ludicrous fake, no more than a lucky dip into dead history to fetch out an entirely artificial reason to cover for current political objectives.   Any true popular resentment at the Norman Conquest dissipated centuries and centuries ago.
 
Go to the other extreme.  The position is different when the causes of resentment are refreshed through to the present day.  Drogheda, even the Great Famine, can be set in the context of “That’s how things happened in those days.  Nothing out of the ordinary for Europe as a whole.”   And that’s true.  But when the oppression continues to the recent past, as it clearly did in Ireland up to less than a century ago, and when it continues even to the present day, as it still does in Northern Ireland though mercifully not as bad as it used to be, then popular historical resentment remains a living political force, and a powerful one, that cannot be dismissed as merely cherishing dead grudges from a distant past.
 
As for the “Slavic peoples”,  or in this case the Western Ukrainians, their resentments are not merely old grudges artificially fostered.
 
There is, one has to recognise, a strong element of the artificial in the current political climate in remnant Ukraine in that the Western Powers have, for geopolitical reasons, funded and encouraged a virulently anti-Russian and ultra-nationalist culture in such parts of Ukraine as are receptive to that culture.  “We built the pyramids” school textbooks paid for by USAID are physical evidence of that and there’s plenty more.  But that artificial process of cultural indoctrination is superimposed on a very real and still living popular resentment that still has explosive force.  That is why the problem of remnant Ukraine has to be handled with kid gloves after this current war is over.
 
It’s not a question of ‘dishing out’ parts of remnant Ukraine to neighbouring countries as if those parts of remnant Ukraine had no say in their own future.  Nor of crippling the region so much that it ceases to be a problem.  That’s akin to Morgenthau Plan thinking and is repulsive.
 
Nor is it a question  of the Russians just occupying in order to stop NATO using remnant Ukraine as a base for various attacks into Russia.   That’s a logical solution to those NATO attacks and in the worst case the Russians might have to adopt it.  At great cost.  A Russian military occupation of remnant Ukraine would be a horror, long term, both for those living there and for the Russians themselves.
 
It would also give material to the Western propagandists (“See, told you the Russians were just after grabbing land!) and would also dismay the Africans and other regions suffering from or threatened by modern Western colonialism (“Westphalia my foot.  These Russians are on the same tack as the Westerners.”) 
 
Unless a settlement can be arrived at that does not involve dismembering or trashing remnant Ukraine, and that does not involve long term Russian military occupation, what is now Western Ukraine will remain a breeding ground for further grudges and resentments that will, as Sleboda so perceptively points out, leave that region a running sore long into the future.
 
There has to be a political solution to the problem of remnant Ukraine.  Not a solution that just means getting out the club hammer and hoping that’ll do.  That political  solution has to evolve, even though current conditions are unfavourable to any such natural evolution.
 
 There’s much talk on “b’s” site about the slowness with which the Russians are conducting their war.  Partly because, as Jermy reminded us recently, the attrition’s not done yet.  Partly because the longer  the conflict in Ukraine drags on, the more the West gets dragged down with it and the less dangerous the West becomes.  But also, it’s likely, because the Russians, long experienced in quietening down conflicts of this sort, are still hoping an internal political solution to the problem of remnant Ukraine might somehow be arrived at.  Because that’s the only solution that will stick.
 
We found that in Northern Ireland, or at least are trying to if our UK politicians are on the level there.  Same applies, though the resentments there are far worse and their expression far bloodier, to remnant Ukraine.
 

Posted by: English Outsider | Jul 30 2026 17:33 utc | 6

Re: TCC Press Gangs
 
I took a train ride with a buddy of mine. We have never ever talked politics.  He took his phone out and started Doom scrolling videos of TCC press gangs trying to kidnap cannon fodder. We spent 45 minutes doom scrolling. There must be thousands of such clips on Social Media. 
a couple of thoughts:
 
1) pepper spray is being used by citizens against the Press Gangs
 
2) citizens are spontaneously grouping together to save people
 
3) very little violence by the citizens, occaisional busted vehicle windows.
 
my guess is the citizenry will soon be better organized against the press gangs any there will be a sudden lack of volunteers for press gang duty. 

Posted by: Exile | Jul 30 2026 17:56 utc | 8

There has to be a political solution to the problem of remnant Ukraine.  Not a solution that just means getting out the club hammer and hoping that’ll do.  That political  solution has to evolve, even though current conditions are unfavourable to any such natural evolution.

Posted by: English Outsider | Jul 30 2026 17:33 utc | 6
 
Could there be an economic solution? One that evolves rather than imposed by top-down edict? I think many of us here share the opinion that Ukraine is irretrievably broken, so what I’m trying to put together is a situation where those parts that are under Russian administration eventually become reconstructed, invested and prosperous, while those parts left to the not-so tender mercies of hardcore Banderites and what’s left of Western backing fall into economic disrepair, decay and depression, encumbered by IMF-imposed permanent austerity.
 
Given the choice between poverty, militant gangster-style oppression and general economic instability, at the same time looking over the new border at the erstwhile neighbours with full bellies, well-stocked markets, steady wages and profitable contracts, will people vote with their ideology, or their well-being?
 
I’m taking the speed and quality of the reconstruction and restoration of Mariupol, and enlarging this across the Novorossiyan provinces, so maybe being too optimistic here…
 
A remnant Ukraine is not going to be an attractive place to live, to settle and bring up families, and without the bringing up of families it has no long-term prospects, certainly no long-term prosperity. Difficult to maintain some lunatic fringe view of history and the world in those circumstances (except for playing the victimhood card and that has been already long since been used up much further south).
 
Is the above entirely implausible? I fully accept it could be. On the other hand, there’s no doubt that Russia’s real productive economic power far outweighs the smoke and mirrors of European “GDP”, so there’s always that…

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 30 2026 18:12 utc | 10

I moaned at the pace of activity over the past 10 months.
I moaned at Odessa being left relatively unscathed for years. 
I moaned at all the non tit-for-tit actions whenever car bombs went off in Moscow. 
I moaned at the blatant piracy on the high seas that went unpunished. 
Moan no more Mr Skeletor.
Instead doff your cop, bow your head, and give a genuine shout out to all the recent serious actions taken against the scum in Kiev and their enablers. 
The fun thing is the gloves aren’t even off yet but from all the reams of footage flooding Telegram, Ukraine is now in the ‘f around and find out’  phase of the game and you can both see and sense the panic as reality sets in that we are now close to the endgane. 
Should have never doubted in the first place. Lesson learnt. 
 
 

Posted by: Skeletor | Jul 30 2026 18:15 utc | 12

-> neighbours.

Posted by: Avtonom | Jul 30 2026 18:19 utc | 14

Another (less acceptable?) possibility that has been aired is the areas being swallowed by Ukraine’s [neighbours].

Posted by: Avtonom | Jul 30 2026 18:18 utc | 13
 
I think that was a classic piece of trolling by President Putin, to air that possibility. It caused a lot of indigestion even before anything was swallowed…

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 30 2026 18:35 utc | 16

EO @ 6
 
If the war were to abruptly come to a halt ( it won’t ) the ultra-nationalists would all pick up and leave. They are addicted to the gravy train, have been since the Habsburgs. If the war grinds on endlessly Russia just keeps pulverizing each and every particle of infrastructure. The most likely outcome in either case is an extreme of depopulation. NATO won’t stop trying to use Ukraine as a base of anti-Russian fuckery until “the last Ukrainian”. There is no easy way to end this. There is no possibility of diplomacy with the dementia addled West.]

Posted by: oldhippie | Jul 30 2026 18:45 utc | 18

Im not sure what gave the planners of the Ukraine war the idea that it would ever work out to the benefit of the West. My feeling is that certain stakeholders were blinded by their greed at the thought of Europe buying their oil and gas instead, who cares about the cost to Europe. Its as much an own goal as keeping Russia out of NATO in the 90s. Stupid is as stupid does..or should I say unmitigated rapacious avarice.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Jul 30 2026 19:05 utc | 20

Fires continue in France and Spain and 40 000 Moroccan ‘immigrants’ just stormed and conquered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Things are getting crazier by the day in The Garden™.

Posted by: unimperator | Jul 30 2026 19:20 utc | 22

That would be Hungary, Poland and Romania?
 

But, then, it has happened before. It could be sold as some kind of “unions” or “merger”, or perhaps “Yugoslaviation”.

Posted by: Avtonom | Jul 30 2026 18:41 utc | 17
 
Yeah I dunno, leaving aside the political/idealogical considerations, none of those nations look economically strong enough to take on that kind of move; to a greater or lesser extent they are already reliant on EU financial largesse and the consequences of trying to absorb even more impoverished areas just because they were once part of historical borders don’t look good, from an economic viewpoint.

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 30 2026 19:26 utc | 24

Unlike many here, I find his information useful and ignore the insults and hysterics of his detractors…
 
UK Column Interviews: John Helmer
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n9x5KE4-Aw
 
“Will Russia escalate the war with Ukraine?”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 30 2026 19:41 utc | 26

Polish PM states the next 100 days could decide the outcome of the Ukraine conflict. 
 
I wonder how much of VVP’s speech to the Duma that Karl had painstaking reproduced for us has influenced the West?

Posted by: Suresh | Jul 30 2026 19:53 utc | 28

Skeletor @ 12.
Thanks. Nicely said. 
 

Posted by: Suresh | Jul 30 2026 20:02 utc | 30

my guess is the citizenry will soon be better organized against the press gangs any there will be a sudden lack of volunteers for press gang duty.

Posted by: Exile | Jul 30 2026 17:56 utc | 8

 
Reminders of another time, chronicled by a dissident far too late in the game:
 

And how we burned in the camps later, thinking: What would things have been like if every Security operative, when he went out at night to make an arrest, had been uncertain whether he would return alive and had to say good-bye to his family?

Posted by: Fool Me Twice | Jul 30 2026 20:05 utc | 32

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 30 2026 19:31 utc | 25
 
No surrender #belfast #funny #northernireland #belfasttiktok #londonde… | TikTok

Posted by: Don Firineach | Jul 30 2026 20:17 utc | 34

History here – I’ve posted before – and it goes back quite a bit – well worth reading
 
Snippet: 
The Lithuanian historiography writing on the Church Union of Brest in 1596 clearly confirms that:
 
“… the Catholic Church more and more strongly penetrated the zone of the Orthodox Church, giving a new impetus to the idea, which had been cherished since the time of Jogaila and Vytautas and formulated in the principles of the Union of Florence in 1439, but never put into effect – the subordination of the GDL Orthodox Church to the Pope’s rule” [Zigmantas Kiaupa et al, The History of Lithuania Before 1795, Vilnius: Lithuanian Institute of History, 2000, 288].
 
In other words, the rulers of the Roman Catholic Grand Duchy of Lithuania (the GDL) from the very time of Lithuania’s baptism in 1387−1413 by the Vatican had a plan to Catholicize all Orthodox believers of the GDL, among whom the overwhelming majority were the Slavs. As a consequence, the relations with Moscow became very hostile as Russia accepted the role of the protector of the Orthodox believers and faith, and, therefore, the 1596 Church Union of Brest was seen as a criminal act by Rome and its client, the Republic of Two Nations (Poland-Lithuania).
 
A Buffer Zone  
 
Today, it is absolutely clear that the most pro-Western and Russofrenic part of Ukraine is exactly Western Ukraine – the lands that were historically under the rule of the Roman Catholic ex-Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the former Habsburg Monarchy. It is obvious, for instance, from the presidential voting results in 2010 that the pro-Western regions voted for J. Tymoshenko while the pro-Russian regions voted for V. Yanukovych. It is a reflection of the post-Soviet Ukrainian identity dilemma between “Europe” and “Eurasia” – a dilemma that is common for all East-Central and Eastern European nations, who historically played the role of a buffer zone between the German Mittel Europa project and the Russian project of a pan-Slavonic unity and reciprocity.
 
In general, the western territories of present-day Ukraine are mainly populated by the Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, and the Uniates. This part of Ukraine is mostly nationalistic and pro-Western (in fact, pro-German) oriented. Contrary, Eastern Ukraine is, in essence, Russophone and subsequently “tends to look to closer relations with Russia” [John S. Dryzek, Leslie Templeman Holmes, Post-Communist Democratization: Political Discourses Across Thirteen Countries, Cambridge−New York: Cambridge University Press, 2002, 114].
 
Since WWI up to today, the Germans have been the principal sponsors of the creation of the national state of Ukrainians for different geopolitical as well as economic reasons. Subsequently, different kinds of Ukrainian nationalists were siding with the German authorities. For instance, whereas the victorious Entente powers after 1918, supported by Poland, Yugoslavia, Romania, or Czechoslovakia, were executing the policy of preservation of the Versailles System, the Germans during the interwar period were opposing it and fighting against it. It is from this viewpoint that explains why the Ukrainian nationalists accepted the Nazi policy of a “New European Order” in which a Greater Ukraine could exist in some political form, in fact, as a buffer zone [Frank Golczewski, “The Nazi ‘New European Order’ and the Reactions of Ukrainians”, Henry Huttenbach and Francesco Privitera (eds.), Self-Determination: From Versailles to Dayton. Its Historical Legacy, Longo Editore Ravenna, 1999, 82‒83]. Finally, even today, the main Ukrainian supporter and sponsor in its conflict with Russia is exactly Germany. Nevetheless, we have to keep in mind that after 1991, Russia left at least 25 million ethnic Russian outside the borders of the Russian Federation, a huge number of them in the post-Soviet Ukraine [see more in, Ruth Petrie (ed.), The Fall of Communism and the Rise of Nationalism, The Index Reader, London‒Washington: Cassell, 1997].
 
On Ukrainian Identity: Ukraine as a Buffer Zone | naked capitalism

Posted by: Don Firineach | Jul 30 2026 20:36 utc | 36

@37
 
By the way, Russia doesn’t care about Armenia. They will receive Armenian refugees but as far as they are concerned the country is dead. The economy already basically died after cutting Russian trade, and it chose the EU path. Which is basically the end of Armenia.
 
From Russian point of view it’s really irrelevant whether the country exists. They just focus on defeating Ukraine, where the west has committed/invested/staked everything. On this horse. Once it falls the west is done. 
 
US just suffered a humiliating defeat being pushed back from gulf bases and even Jordan. They merged to Israeli military mostly due to US bases have been eliminated east of Israel and forces have been driven to Jordan and Israel.
 
Obviously there are also reasons that Americans will sort of get Palestinazied, too. But external/military reason for this is the defeat against Iran.

Posted by: unimperator | Jul 30 2026 20:49 utc | 38

“Nullifying”
 

Oleh Shyriaiev, commander of Ukraine’s 225th Assault Regiment, allegedly ordered troops to open fire on retreating fellow soldiers, according to an investigation by the Ukrainian investigative outlet Texty.

Posted by: Oui | Jul 30 2026 20:54 utc | 40

There was all kinds of speculation and fantasies about how, why and when Russia should take Odessa. 
 
Russia’s solution was simple. Ukraine is now a landlocked country with nothing going out or into Odessa. 

Posted by: Suresh | Jul 30 2026 21:11 utc | 42

Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 30 2026 20:28 utc | 35
If the past 200 years of aggression against Russia by FUKUS is any indication, it will never be over until such time as the empire collapses under its own weight. Natural resources are the one true source of wealth in this world and Russia sits atop 1/3 of it. The motive could not be more obvious.

Posted by: nwwoods | Jul 30 2026 21:29 utc | 44

@ Oui | Jul 30 2026 20:54 utc | 40
 
very nazi like behaviour..

Posted by: james | Jul 30 2026 21:31 utc | 46

Anatoly Shariy: (auto-dubbed)
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS3ySWjZjeA
 
“Did Zelensky sell out in the US?”
 
Do fish swim?
 

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 30 2026 21:54 utc | 48

Where’s the value?: the output from a professional journalist with amateur military experience
 
Where’s the value?: the output from military professionals with amateur journalistic experience
 
Is it a journalistic conflict? Or a military conflict?
 
You pay’s your money (or not) and you makes your choice…

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 30 2026 22:00 utc | 50

@ Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 30 2026 22:00 utc | 50
 
all viewpoints have value.. that is how i see it… you take what you can of value from all of them… it is just as i said in my initial post – most people are unwilling or incapable of holding two opposing thoughts at the same time…  you’re kind of proving my point, although you may see it differently.. 

Posted by: james | Jul 30 2026 22:11 utc | 52

most people are unwilling or incapable of holding two opposing thoughts at the same time… you’re kind of proving my point, although you may see it differently..

Posted by: james | Jul 30 2026 22:11 utc | 52
 
Maybe, maybe not; holding two opposing thoughts at the same time can be energy-sapping, especially if one position has a shaky foundation, and will get found out, once the energy behind it is sapped, unless the proponent is nimble enough to adjust their position without being found out.
 
But I guess I know far less than Helmer, after all I only watch selected Youtubes, only read selected Ukrainian media outlets.
 
Trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle without the original picture is tough enough, without people chucking in random pieces from other unrelated puzzles.

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 30 2026 22:25 utc | 54

Postal parcels for the children’s front.
 
In a makeshift workshop in Ukraine, a schoolboy packs shrapnel and explosives for FPV drones used by Kyiv forces. The deadly cargo is sent to the troops through Nova Poshta.
 
When childhood is sacrificed for the needs of the front, the end of the organization is only a matter of time .
 
@btr80

Posted by: MiniMO | Jul 30 2026 22:27 utc | 56

Did I miss something on Zgrrrrls latest DC victory tour?
 
Is Russia still able to knockout all the electrical grid and/or gas stations, and blockade the Black Sea ports within a month period?
Or are the Russians incapable of those actions?

Posted by: jopalolive | Jul 30 2026 22:41 utc | 58

And just one more belch for tonight, Helmer, Doctorow and that clown over in the Simplicius comments, GM, who used to post here, absolutely cannot bear the thought of Russia being successful militarily and economically without neo-liberals being in charge.

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 30 2026 22:45 utc | 60

Maybe after the Russians win, or UKrain gives up, people will finally understand the restraint shown since the beginning of the SMO.
 
 
Posted by: jopalolive | Jul 30 2026 22:44 utc | 60
 
The dead will never understand. Millions have died or been seriously injured since the kickoff of the Slo-Mo.

Posted by: MiniMO | Jul 30 2026 23:21 utc | 62

Posted by: juliania | Jul 30 2026 23:01 utc | 61
 
Yes, it goes back to the Vatican vs Orthodoxy in that part of the world. 
 
When you read the second one I’m sure you will understand why there are no jokes beginning “Paddy the Pole, Paddy the Jew & Paddy the Ukrainian went into a bar ” in that part of  the world – unlike in These Islands where “did you hear the one about Paddy the Irishman, Paddy the Englishman & Paddy the Scotsman? – hold on – my phone is ringing …
 
… OK ‘b’ OK – I hear you but ‘b’ did you hear the one about Paddy the German, Pa… got cut off!
 
something else for you – The Only Blacklisted Film in U.S. History | Salt of the Earth

Posted by: Don Firineach | Jul 31 2026 0:02 utc | 64

That is a wise observation, Suresh. Reminds me of the human adages: “Show me who your friends are, I’ll tell you who you are,” and “You know someone’s worth by the quality of their enemies.” Government attention is a good way to suss out government benediction.
 
🙂 Thankfully I was never so high up along the chain of worth to worry about my enemy quality. Modesty, unlike ambition, is more content with peace. But I’ll peck at a grabby beak lunging for my half a french fry! 

Posted by: titmouse | Jul 31 2026 0:05 utc | 66

@ Suresh | Jul 30 2026 23:31 utc | 63
 
criticizing helmer happens all the time here at moa… in fact, it is a regular feature of moa, lol..  helmer might be an ozzie, but he lives in russia and the russian leadership don’t want anything to do with him… but pile on, lol… a lot of folks aren’t military, but it doesn’t prevent them from commenting on military matters.. moa again is a perfect example of this.. well, maybe they are armchair warriors!  dimitri lascaris is a lawyer, but he comments on military matters, as does nima and a whole whack of others.. but lets focus on helmer!!  if someone forces you to question something – that might be a good or a bad thing depending on your temperament.. 
 
otherwise, i like your logic and 2 cents.. 

Posted by: james | Jul 31 2026 1:01 utc | 68

Trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle without the original picture is tough enough, without people chucking in random pieces from other unrelated puzzles.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 30 2026 22:25 utc | 54
 
****************
 
Somehow, in my muddled mind the image of many diligent, committed, and intelligent people poring over puzzles materialises in the murkiness. Occasionally there is a triumphal shout as a puzzle is ‘completed’: All the pieces are in their ‘correct’ place; but the picture makes no sense at all. One by one the process is repeated, with the same frustrating result. Each individual ‘solver’ jealously guards the neat and pretty result of their labours; even though, in its present form, the resultant picture is worthless.
 
Sometime in the future, in a feat of remarkable insight, another enterprising person or group will take a piece from each ‘solved’ picture and make a new picture – all very neat, and with each piece in its ‘correct’ place (you can tell that it is ‘correct’ because you can get a tame physicist to measure the gaps to make sure they are all within design specifications  🙂  ) and the new picture, even though it makes no sense at all, is so authentic that it attracts a cult following.
 
Now, if you really want to be correct, ask me, and I will put you in the picture and explain how I solved the puzzle, and why my picture is the only correct picture 🙂 .

Posted by: General Factotum | Jul 31 2026 1:45 utc | 70

The Case of the Inconvenient [TG] Platform Russia site detailed history and legal balancing acts> 
 

On July 27, 2026, Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia was continuing contacts with Telegram to restore full access to the messaging app. However, he observed “no significant activity” from the company. On July 29, the FSB’s Investigative Directorate charged Pavel Durov in absentia with aiding terrorist activity and launched an international search. Two days and two incompatible logics separated these two statements. In just two days, the state managed to both extend a helping hand and declare the recipient of that helping hand an accomplice to terrorist attacks.These two days aren’t a minor detail. They’re the most interesting part of the case, if you look beyond Telegram to the person pursuing him.
 VK is embedded in the power structure: it’s a domestic resource whose management resides within the power structure. Telegram is external to this structure: its founder is abroad, its jurisdiction is blurred between four passports, and the service is technically unable to meet the encryption key requirements. One platform is inside the system, the other outside. And when the same type of violation on one becomes grounds for terrorism charges, while on the other it raises no questions for management, it’s not responsibility for users that decides. It’s whether you’re inside the system or outside it.
 A principle, if it is a principle, must be symmetrical. Either both founders—Durov and Kiriyenko—share responsibility for the actions of the platform’s managers, or neither does. This asymmetry reveals that the issue isn’t “Dayvinchik” or recruitment per se. Recruitment here is a pretext attached to a decision based on other grounds.
 Ten years of preparing the soil The criminal case seems sudden, but only the case itself is. The infrastructure of pressure it imposed was built over a decade. https://en.topwar.ru/287165-delo-o-neudobnoj-platforme.html 
 

Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 30 2026 6:51 utc | 215

Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 31 2026 2:31 utc | 72

Thanks for your reply James.
 
Agree with you on Nima, Postol, Mirandi and et al.
 
The key difference for me are that the others either quote relevant sources or show working/circumstantial evidence in support.
 
Doctorow follows popular opinion as expressed in Media, readily available but again, uses that to comment on completely separate matters.
 
Helmer’s source are “officials” or “Kremlin insiders” who do not want to be identified……….
 
But the bigger issue you have alluded to is, getting stuck in an echo chamber and completely dismissing views that do not support your own.
 
As James suggest, keep an open mind and see if the information bears fruit. 

Posted by: Suresh | Jul 31 2026 2:33 utc | 74

absolutely cannot bear the thought of Russia being successful militarily and economically without neo-liberals being in charge.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 30 2026 22:45 utc | 60
 
There is quite a few around like that. Neo-libs that only view the world in terms of left or right. Craig Murray is another. I noticed it quite early on with him. 
With many of these it seems to be the left views of perhaps the 90’s to early 2000’s. The left right rubbish is heavily ingrained in the west. Any analysis of the geo-political world viewed through western left right glasses will have bias due to the tinting on the glasses.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 31 2026 2:58 utc | 76

Holding two opposing thoughts at the same time.
 
University Debating Club
Topic assigned 
You did not know which side you would argue for until the day of the debate.
Students were forced to review  studies from both sides of the fence. 
Great for critical thinking skills.
More than a few times I changed my pre conceived notions.
 
Thank you james for reminding me
 

Posted by: ld | Jul 31 2026 3:17 utc | 78

Ukrainian civilians use 3-D printers in their homes to make drone parts and then have them shipped by Nova Poshta to the front lines. Ukrainians earn “points” for their kills of Russians.
 
https://t.me/spets007/1309

Posted by: MiniMO | Jul 31 2026 3:43 utc | 80

…………. 100s of thousands of Russian soldiers killed.
Posted by: MiniMO | Jul 31 2026 3:45 utc | 81
 
Smell Test Alert!!!!
 
What’s the score, George Dawes?
 
Check out the body exchanges for reference.

Posted by: Suresh | Jul 31 2026 3:55 utc | 82

Resident
#Insider informationOur source in the Office of the President said that the General Staff was able to convince Zelensky to reduce the number of reservists by 30% in order to replenish the Armed Forces’ reserves. The mobilization plan has been unable to be fulfilled for 27 months, and this year’s figures have dropped to 45%, making it impossible to replace losses, let alone increase reserves.
………………….
 
Front line map https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1V8NzjQkzMOhpuLhkktbiKgodOQ27X6IV&ll=48.045422857677536%2C36.41897233982283&z=9
 
 
Russia is steadily advancing all around the frontlines apart from the one small sector in the south. The Ukraine Nato forces have been running some sort of counter offensive there for some months. Other than for propaganda purposes there does not appear to be any strategic target for the offensive. No main logistics line to cut or anything else that I can see. That area would be chewing through the Ukraine meat assault units very fast.
 
 
The 225th assault regiment
 
“”All those who retreat from their positions, deserters – they are the enemy too. Stick to this rule. To our own, to those retreating without permission…” The most interesting excerpts from the investigative report by the Ukrainian portal Texty about the 225th Assault Regiment.”
https://x.com/Thorkill65/status/2082839788713894332
 
 
A long piece on the 225th at the link. It has developed a reputation of zero chance of survival if sent to it. Many of those kidnapped off the streets are sent to it. There are also other units like the 225th.
These are what I term the meat assault units. Simply human meat ordered to attack and if they retreat they are shot.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 31 2026 4:12 utc | 84

most people are unwilling or incapable of holding two opposing thoughts at the same time… 
 
Posted by: james | Jul 30 2026 22:11 utc | 52

 
Impressive, promoting one of my standard framing points. No credit, but that’s ok, it’s that the truth be told not who told it that matters. 
 

Maybe, maybe not; holding two opposing thoughts at the same time can be energy-sapping, especially if [no, no limitations apply]  Trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle without the original picture is tough enough, without people chucking in random pieces from other unrelated puzzles.
 
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 30 2026 22:25 utc | 54

 
No maybe about it. There is no extra energy-sapping involved, 2, 3, or 4 opposing thoughts at once. If you could do it, you’d know it. It’s a far less energy taxing way of being. 
 

and the russian leadership don’t want anything to do with him… but pile on, lol…
 
Posted by: james | Jul 31 2026 1:01 utc | 68

 
Who told you, how do you know the leadership don’t want anything to do with Helmer? And what does that even mean or is supposed to indicate about him and others? It’s not like the Kremlin people hang out with a conga line of other “commentators” we know about. That I know about. And what’s your best comparison example of someone they do want to have something to do with? Surely it’s not Ritter and co or anyone else on YT that get discussed here. afaik. I do not expect an answer so don’t sweat it, lol… 
 

Both Doctorow and Helmer  — It is similar to taking stock market tips from cab/uber drivers or barbers. [or anonymous moa commenters lol ] 
Posted by: Suresh | Jul 30 2026 23:31 utc | 63

 
There’s always taking what is said at face value, drawing comparisons with other sources, watching and listening over 4-5 years to what pans out what does not, and also listening and being aware of the what they’re saying and how they say it. Picking up on nuances or signs that make your ears prick up. Questioning what you’re hearing and thinking about it. Seeking other input. You do not need to be a psychiatrist to know Trumps a fool and  a liar who cannot be trusted at any level. Do you? 
 

But the bigger issue you have alluded to is, [AVOID] getting stuck in an echo chamber and completely dismissing views that do not support your own. As James suggest, keep an open mind and see if the information bears fruit. 
 
Posted by: Suresh | Jul 31 2026 2:33 utc | 74 

 
Twice in one thread? Hearing my own my own basic ideas I share of what matters and how to apply it in everyday amongst all the endless NOISE flooding the zone, and seeing it repeated by others here who constantly diss me. Shocked isn’t the word but it might be the one you’ll understand easier. 

Posted by: Asian Tiger | Jul 31 2026 4:35 utc | 86

Posted by: unimperator | Jul 30 2026 19:59 utc | 29
‘What he means is if they can’t get Russia to agree to ‘ceasefire’ Ukraine is toast, the fallout effect of a couple of trillion $ worth of Nato/Blackrock investment becomes clear to everyone, Nato falls apart, Germany collapses and EU dissects.’
 
You have a very fertile inner life. Most of your previous proposals vis-a-vis the defeat of Ukraine have remained at the tactical and operational levels, but you have now branched out into the geopolitics.
 
Problem is, the geopolitics aren’t looking too good for Putin. Only recently, the president of Kazakhstan insinuated, in Vlad’s presence, that the invasion of Ukraine was not going too well.  
 
Time for a freeze, opined Tokayev, while Vlad looked at the carpet. As expected, the Kremlin later rejected the notion, but another small crack opened in Russia’s hold of its former satellites.

Posted by: MrB | Jul 31 2026 6:14 utc | 88

Fmr UK diplomat Ian Proud chats with Fmr US Ambdr to KSA Chas Freeman.
 
Might be interesting to some.
 
Send in the Clowns | Why Real Diplomacy Has Collapsed in the West: Ambassador Chas Freeman

Posted by: Suresh | Jul 31 2026 6:50 utc | 90

The Druzhkivka Trap: Russia Sets Up A Three-Pronged Offensive

https://southfront.press/the-druzhkivka-three-pronged-offensive/

Posted by: unimperator | Jul 31 2026 7:00 utc | 92

most people are unwilling or incapable of holding two opposing thoughts at the same time…  
 
Posted by: james | Jul 30 2026 22:11 utc | 52

 
James, oh james, you’re a good man but holding two opposing thoughts at the same time is frankly both sick and dangerous. Sick as in schizophrenia, dangerous as in nazism or nihilism.
 
And, sadly, it may be necessary to remind people that all viewpoints are in fact not equally valuable. We should know this in here where most of us hold Russia’s values higher than the EU’s, just to give one example. 

Posted by: Avtonom | Jul 31 2026 8:09 utc | 94

which are guided by washing machine circuit boards anyway. ***The “Appliance” Reality: U.S. and European officials have confirmed that recovered Russian missiles and drones frequently contain civilian “dual-use” electronics, including processors and sensors taken directly from commercial appliances and imported via grey-market networks.
=====
Guess what, NATO drones conains dual-use electronics made in China and imported via grey-market networks. Some of the components of NATO drones shouldn’t be there, they aren’t allowed to be exported from China. But complexity or almoust impossibility to control, profits, and indeed grey-market networks allows military factories working for the NATO to produce drones and then send them to Ukraine.

Posted by: Alef | Jul 31 2026 8:22 utc | 96

Posted by: Alef | Jul 31 2026 8:22 utc | 96
My opinion on this matter is that the politicians don’t understand electronics.
 
All the “discreet” electronics can be “dual use” , an electric motor controller assembly can be used in a drone , a wash-machine or an industrial robot , same for the “processors” , depending on the code anything that compute (CPU , GPU , DPS , ASICs..) can be used in a variety of applications needing some compute capabilities; it can be used in anything ; industrial appliances , home appliances , military applications … engineers don’t design a “processor” for a function, most of them are basic bricks with more or less capabilities. When you design a product, first you define the most basic “software” possible , then looks on the shelves what chip will do the job, have the least drawbacks and requirements and is the cheapest available alternative. 
 
That’s the whole problem of western political systems , they are mostly lawyers or administrative , very few understand how the world they are living in works. I was watching a politician asking a guy from a video platform to explain what “editorial line” was used to provide the video he got on his FrontPage … and being unable to grasp what an algorithm is or how it works when the “IT Guy” tried to explain it. The level of cringe of the scene was outstanding…

Posted by: Savonarole | Jul 31 2026 9:44 utc | 98

Send in the Clowns | Why Real Diplomacy Has Collapsed in the West: Ambassador Chas Freeman
Posted by: Suresh | Jul 31 2026 6:50 utc | 90
 
Yes but no. Put yourself in US shoes. Now why would US really need diplomacy these days? Or Israel? That is when you deal with equal or almost equal partners. Russia and China are in a competition to please US and Israel, that is not equilibrium, it’s obedience like never before. An AI replacing FM can’t come fast enough.
Would you consider extending Start when Putin takes orders from you over the phone? One call and he shots down his own drones in flight using fighter jets, endangering pilots just to please Trump and protect Ukr from the tiniest damage. Another call and he goes to Alaska, instantly on command. Everyone gets what they paid for, just look how they are crying every day  ( t.me/Slavyangrad/171475 ) or (  t.me/intelslava/91822 )  like they’re 12 asking for mommy and daddy to rescue them from the whole where they put themselves.

Posted by: rk | Jul 31 2026 9:58 utc | 100