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Yep a fellow western liberal democracy too..or as it used to be.
hmm, seems they can't use US provided targeting data for the flamingo thing tho
That's always been the case, which has limited Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG (SSEG) use by Ukraine to what the US specifies
For guidance, the Flamingo appears to rely solely on GPS-assisted inertial navigation. It does not feature more advanced midcourse guidance systems such as TERCOM, or terminal guidance systems like an electro-optical or imaging infrared seeker, likely to keep costs low and production relatively simple. (from the Fabian Hoffman article ^^)
Ukraine hasn't bothered with US systems such as Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation (DSMAC) thereby reducing both production costs and production time.
The Flamingo is bigly-ugly but carries twice the warhead of SSEG so doesn't need to be as accurate and is available in volume (in theory) unlike SSEG
Interesting Guardian article about Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK and former commander in chief of the army. He's seen by many as a likely replacement for Zelensky in any future elections, but despite tensions between them, is tight lipped about any political ambition whilst the war continues and has remained publically loyal to Zelensky.
Of particular interest was the fact he refused to take calls from JD Vance in the aftermath of Trump, Hegseth and Vance's ambush of Zelensky in the Oval Office. He did so out of solidarity with the president after his and Ukraine's outrageous humiliation at US hands. He could have made political capital out of this, but took a principled position. It seems Vance and the US administration were attempting to court him as a possible replacement for Zelensky. Interfering in the politics and internal affairs of a sovereign country to gain influence, something Russia gets flak for (rightly), but something the US has never been shy about.
In any case, he seems a decent person. Elections can't and shouldn't take place whilst Ukraine is at war, but when they do, if he is in the mix it is probably no bad thing.
In any case, he seems a decent person. Elections can't and shouldn't take place whilst Ukraine is at war, but when they do, if he is in the mix it is probably no bad thing.
Does there never come a time when the political leader or electorate say, **** it, Zalensky's been in charge long enough and has lost some..... (could be respect, drive, leadership or a mix) so time for a change. Maybe he even decides it's time to step away, it's an incredible burden he carries. Or maybe not, he doesn't seem the type.
I'm not suggesting that the time has come, I think he's an absolutely incredible man, but this could go on for years yet sadly. I don't even have a strong opinion on it myself, just interested in the absolutist statement that you can't change a president during war.
I don't even have a strong opinion on it myself, just interested in the absolutist statement that you can't change a president during war.
I'm the same. I think Zelensky has done an incredible job in exceptionally trying circumstances. 3+ years of war do seem to have taken their toll though, understandably. It would have destroyed a lesser man. Maybe there is an argument for a fresh perspective but equally that brings disruption and the risk that "external actors" could attempt to subvert or disrupt the process.
I don't think there necessarily is a absolutist ban on presidential change, if Zelensky voluntarily stood down for example (not suggesting he should). I do think there is a constitutional ban on elections during war time though which makes very good sense to me.
I don't think there necessarily is a absolutist ban on presidential change, if Zelensky voluntarily stood down for example (not suggesting he should). I do think there is a constitutional ban on elections during war time though which makes very good sense to me.
It isn't just about the president, but their government.
There was a reshuffle in Ukraine in July, including Ukraine's ambassador to the US who annoyed US Republican's with President Zelensky's visit to a weapons factory in the swing state of Pennsylvania in the lead up to the US elections last year. Her replacement is Olga Stefanishyna, who was part of successful negotiations in the Ukraine-U.S. Reconstruction Investment Fund (the rare earth minerals process)
The reshuffle is pretty much within the existing tried and tested team, e.g. the former PM (covid, invasion, etc.) is now Minister for Defence, an area of huge concern for obvious reasons.
President Zelensky has already said that he'd resign if it guaranteed NATO membership, for example. He's about getting the job done and keeping Ukraine's allies close as shown by the difference from the Feb debacle at the White House to his reception earlier this month.
IMHO there's a lot of political rumour-mongering caused by politicians who aren't getting either their way or their crack at office. Russia is fuelling this, of course.
When you're fighting for Ukraine's survival nobody cares about budget deficits, growth, etc. The challenge won't be holding the post as wartime president, it'll be in rebuilding Ukraine later. I think that President Zelensky can justifiably put his feet up then and let someone else worry about post-war problems 🙂
Following on from presidential change in Ukraine,
"I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict," Vance said in comments aired on Sunday.
"They've recognized that they're not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv. That was, of course, a major demand at the beginning. And importantly, they've acknowledged that there is going to be some security guarantee to the territorial integrity of Ukraine." https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-vp-vance-says-russia-has-made-significant-concessions-toward-ukraine-peace-2025-08-24/
Concessions in the form of no regime change (because Russia hasn't been able to engineer it) and a security guarantee that's provided by United Nations Security Council members, where Russia spookily holds a power of veto,
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that a group of nations including United Nations Security Council members should be the guarantors of Ukraine's security. (same article)
Significant concessions? Hmmm
Some news reporting that's come out of the Alaska summit and other meetings. It pretty much echoes what was discussed here at the time
LONDON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - U.S. and Russian government officials discussed several energy deals on the sidelines of negotiations this month that sought to achieve peace in Ukraine, according to five sources familiar with the talks.
The officials discussed the possibility of Exxon Mobil re-entering Russia’s Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project, three of the sources said.
Government officials also raised the prospect of Russia purchasing U.S. equipment for its LNG projects, such as Arctic LNG 2, which is under western sanctions, four sources said.
Another idea was for the U.S. to purchase nuclear-powered icebreaker vessels from Russia, Reuters reported on August 15.
These deals were also briefly discussed at the Alaska summit on August 15, one source said.
“The White House really wanted to put out a headline after the Alaska summit, announcing a big investment deal,” said one of the sources. “This is how Trump feels like he’s achieved something.” https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-russian-officials-discussed-energy-deals-alongside-latest-ukraine-peace-talks-2025-08-26/
We know that President Biden discouraged Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil infrastructure because he felt that it would impact on his election chances, but he seems to have had an ulterior motive too (same article)
Exxon, the top U.S. oil producer, has held numerous discussions with Russian state-controlled oil firm Rosneft about re-entering the project after receiving approval from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control under the administrations of both former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, said a separate source familiar with the matter.
President Trump's not quite correct use of "denuclearization" appears in connection with the Alaska summit too. He means nuclear arms control ("bigly" is a real word too)
MOSCOW, Aug 26 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had discussed nuclear arms control with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit in Alaska - and that China should be involved too - with the ultimate aim of "denuclearization". https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/putins-nuclear-offer-trump-arms-control-perhaps-china-too-2025-08-26/
Huh, we use ExxonMobil as our oil and lubes supplier. I really suspect if they go back into Russia we'd have to cancel that contract* as it would contravene EU sanctions, (German owned company). Now our individual volumes would be small beer, but across the whole of Europe that could be a significant impact.
*And I would absolutely be pointing this out to our Procurement team.
Reuters article, "Inside Trump's frantic dash for Ukraine peace"
TLDR: Confusion because of President Trump's choice of inexperienced confidantes as key figures and the lack of a coherent strategy for ending the war.
Volker, the former Trump envoy, expressed optimism that Trump will ultimately put heavy pressure on Putin to change his stance via tougher economic sanctions and military support for Ukraine.
"I think that Trump is the embodiment of that Churchill quote where 'You can always count on the Americans to do the right thing after they've exhausted all the other possible alternatives,'" said Volker.
"Trump is really going to be left no choice."
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/land-swap-that-wasnt-inside-trumps-frantic-dash-ukraine-peace-2025-08-28/
Only a week to go of Trump's two-weak Russia sanctions window
Only a week to go of Trump's two-weak Russia sanctions window
Can't work out whether "two" should say "too" or whether "weak" should say "week". Either change would make the sentence correct 🙂
Trump famously has a habit of dithering when it's not simple fix and then offers a solution in two-weeks. He has a strong track record of not meeting that expectation.
Ukraine is looking at offering its battlefield data to partners, possibly in return for support. Ukraine has the most comprehensive battlefield dataset in the world and the only one that encompasses modern drone warfare and which with AI analysis of targeting, damage assessment etc. would be invaluable to western militaries. No one else in the west has access to anything like this. Some details here. Here is a summary of the significance from Paul Warburg:
"Ukraine will use its vast and valuable battlefield data as leverage for continued support from their partners.
People consistently underestimate just how many cards Ukraine has.
One of those cards is their battlefield data. Ukraine now has the most complete modern battlefield datasets *in the world*. Particularly when it comes to developing new AI weapons that rely on accurate and large datasets, that gives Ukraine a *very* valuable asset that literally *nobody* else in the west has.
This data, which comes from the daily missions Ukraine runs, has rapidly accelerated the rate at which AI weapons have been developed. Progress that otherwise might have taken years in simulated environments can sometimes now come in mere weeks. And that is making Ukraine a superpower when it comes to controlling the weapons of the future.
In the modern world and future age of warfare, Ukraine's control over this data means that Ukraine can dictate which countries will win or lose the wars of tomorrow. The United States literally NEEDS this data if we want the best shot at remaining a global military power without fading into obscurity as $1,000 AI-powered drones overwhelm our multi-billion dollar lumbering weapons systems.
It's a scary world.
But that aside, Ukraine is indeed recognizing their negotiating power. They are not obligated to share this data with anyone. Least of all with countries that continue to insult them and gaslight them by calling them "aggressors" for merely defending themselves against a foreign invader.
But for countries that continue to support Ukraine, Ukraine is more than willing to support their future relevance on the global stage by sharing this data.
It's a win-win.
We aren't giving anything to Ukraine for free. Ukraine has some of the most valuable tools of all to give in return.
Our aid to Ukraine only looks like a "handout" to those who are geopolitically shortsighted".
21% of oil refinery capacity now offline!
Going to be a cold winter in RussiaÀx
21% of oil refinery capacity now offline!
Going to be a cold winter in RussiaÀx
They are really ramping up their attacks on Russian oil production all across the country. There are reported 1km + queues at petrol stations in many places and in parts of the far east of Russia the limited fuel available is taken by the military with none at all for civilian users. Elsewhere it is rationed to 10L per family in some places.
The Krasnodar refinery has been hit yet again. I saw a reference elsewhere that this is the only refinery in Russia capable of producing high grade aviation fuel. Also last night a massive storage facility for aviation fuel in Crimea at Sevastopol was destroyed.
This strategy is effective on so many levels. It directly affects Russia's front line offensive capability in Ukraine, saving Ukrainian lives. It damages their war economy by hitting the only significant thing Russia is capable of producing to earn foreign revenue. It shows ordinary Russians that the war is not some distant thing on the TV that needn't trouble them and that their government can not adequately protect Mother Russia.
https://bsky.app/profile/wartranslated.bsky.social/post/3lxm2tfkmbs23
Russian General Valery Gerasimov has been wheeled out again. He disappears for months at a time:
•Russia has 'strategic initiative', top general says
•He says Moscow controls 99.7% of Luhansk region
•Russia has captured 3,500 sq km since March, he says
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/russia-notes-non-stop-offensive-front-line-ukraine-military-points-own-successes-2025-08-30/
The day before Russian Defence Minister, Andrei Belousov, said
that the Russian army had sped up its rate of advance in Ukraine and was taking control of 600-700 square km (502 square miles) a month compared to 300-400 square km at the start of the year.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-defence-minister-says-his-forces-have-sped-up-rate-their-advance-ukraine-2025-08-29/
A map displayed in some media shows undisputed Russian-held areas with the map shading extending into heavily-contested and Ukraine-held territory as part of a false narrative.
This narrative is contrary to reports in Ukraine's media and takes no account of the huge levels of losses that Russian forces are taking https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/08/30/7528521/
It's apparent that the Russian narrative and its visual spectacle is intended to play to President Trump and his belief that Russia has superior forces when he again considers his actions in a week.
Trump is making a lot of references to letting children fight it out in the playground because I think that he believes that Ukraine will be forced to capitulate because of Russia's show of force and agree to a quick peace deal.
Russia, meanwhile, cannot afford to stop fighting so sanctions and US action are needed to stop the aggressor.
Ukrainian forces have stopped Russian advancement near the town of Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast, and separate groups of Russians are cut off from supplies.
The map shows Ukraine's forces in blue cutting the advance off
https://img.pravda.com/images/doc/0/f/0fe1379-dobropillia-deep_690x387.avif
Ukraine’s defence forces have liberated the village of Myrne near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast.
Ukraine's forces in blue
https://img.pravda.com/images/doc/9/6/96470a1-myrne_690x387.avif
In an apparent contrast to recent policy changes by Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth ^^, limiting use of longer-range materiel to targets inside Ukraine's internationally-recognised borders, the US has agreed to supply Ukraine with extended-range cruise missiles. Maybe there's a change back to Biden-era agreements
(US ambassador to NATO) Matt Whitaker stated, “We’re giving some deeper strike capabilities, and most likely the Ukrainians are going to use them, and that obviously is much different than what [former US President] Joe Biden did.”
Retired US Army Colonel Richard Williams, with experience in NATO and the US Armaments Section said,
“The fact is that the current administration could end this war at any time by providing Ukraine with the full spectrum of available weapons capabilities in sufficient quantity,” he said, claiming this would spare Europe from an “inevitable Second Iron Curtain.”
He contended that Trump is “unwilling to make a decisive decision for others,” unless it answers the question, “what does this do for the USA?”The expert accused Trump of being motivated by personal gain, citing a desire not to “de-friend” Vladimir Putin, a potential Nobel Peace Prize and the financial benefits from continued defense sales to Europe. https://www.kyivpost.com/post/59198
This strategy is effective on so many levels. It directly affects Russia's front line offensive capability in Ukraine, saving Ukrainian lives.
Current Russian tactics involving stripped-out civilian 4WDs and motorcycle charges will be hit. Much of Russia's larger fleet runs on diesel, which they have in plentiful supply.
Russia has several refineries producing aviation jet fuel. While Ukraine is striking them and sometimes in multiples, e.g.
(attacked the) Syzran Oil Refinery in Samara Oblast and the Krasnodar Oil Refinery in Krasnodar Krai overnight. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that the Syzran Refinery can produce 8.5 million tons of gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, fuel oil, and bitumen per year and that the Krasnodar Refinery can produce three million tons of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel per year. The General Staff reported that there was a fire at the Syzran Refinery and numerous explosions at the Krasnodar Refinery. https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-30-2025
there's a way to go. The Ryazan refinery, which produces 9% of Russia's aviation jet fuel and is next-door to the Dyagilevo strategic bomber airbase, has also been struck.
It's more about lengthening Russia's logistics lines. A heavy bomber (B52, Bear, etc) will take around 80 tonnes of fuel. Pumped direct next door it's easy enough, but that's four or five road tankers per aircraft
In a similar attack, Ukrainian drones struck the Ryazan refinery, number 3 in Russia’s largest oil refineries, processing 340,000 barrels daily. This refinery produces 840,000 tons of aviation kerosene annually, nearly 9% of Russia’s total output, a vital resource for Russian air operations. It is situated next to—and directly supplies—the Dyagilevo strategic bomber airbase, from where Russian bombers target Ukrainian cities and military bases deep behind combat lines. https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/08/10/russia-refinery-bomber-fuel-ukraine-strike/
Just wanted to thank the regular contributors to this thread. It's been my "go-to" for updates on the situation in Ukraine for a couple of years.
Thanks
Two weeks are up. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has made a statement, but there isn't any action yet.
US Congress Representative (lower house), Don Bacon (Republican), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said in an exclusive interview with Kyiv Post that the time for diplomatic ultimatums has passed.
“President Trump needs to have moral clarity and be the leader of the free world and take action now,” he emphasized.
“We need to send high-end weapons to Ukraine and impose secondary sanctions against Russia. Being tough on Putin is the only way to end this war honorable,” the lawmaker said.The lack of public comment from the White House on the latest deadline has further fueled speculation about the administration’s next move.
Steven Pifer, former US Ambassador to Ukraine, wrote on social media Monday afternoon: “After Trump let 5 deadlines pass without taking action, hard to imagine that Putin is worried about the consequences this time.”Speaking to Fox News on Monday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that “all options are on the table” for new sanctions, accusing Putin of having “in a despicable, despicable manner, increased the bombing campaign” since the Alaska summit.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/59294
Ukraine's drone forces have struck a small missile ship capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles that was in Russian waters in the Sea of Azov, near to Crimea. It was forced out of the area with damage
The fighters of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) on Thursday, Aug. 28, damaged a Russian small missile ship of Project 21631 “Buyan-M” — a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles, according to an official statement from the agency.
“As a result of the attacks, the Russian missile ship, which was in the potential launch zone for Kalibrs in the Temryuk Bay, sustained damage and was forced to leave its combat duty area,” the intelligence service said.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/59063
Two weeks are up. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has made a statement, but there isn't any action yet.
It's apparent that President Trump has no intention of sanctioning Russia further. Media reporting suggests that Trump has turned on Europe for buying Russian oil and for not being tough enough on China.
A White House official, speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon, said that Trump called the leaders to emphasize “that Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war,” adding that “Russia received €1.1 billion ($1.28 billion) in fuel sales from the EU in one year.”
The official also noted that Trump urged the European leaders to “place economic pressure on China for funding Russia’s war efforts,” reflecting a growing concern in Washington about Beijing’s support for the Kremlin.
“I settled seven wars, the one that I thought would be maybe one of the easiest, you know, that feeling you think one thing is going to be, turns out to be a little bit tougher,” Trump concluded. https://www.kyivpost.com/post/59486
The only EU countries buying Russian crude oil are Hungary and Slovakia and that trade was disrupted by Ukraine striking the Druzhba oil pipeline last month, which is surely a good thing by forcing "Europe (to) stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war,"
The EU had already put non-Russian oil infrastructure in place, guaranteeing energy security for Hungary and Slovakia, who famously wrote to Trump to complain about Ukraine's actions. Trump replied, "Viktor - I do not like hearing this - I am very angry about it."
The €1.1bn. referred to is mainly gas supplied either as LNG or by pipeline, which the EU plans to stop by the end of 2027.
Lots of "ifs" and "buts", but a useful third-party assessment of the Flamingo strike on Crimea.
Not much data from three missiles, however,
This being said, if the missile was intended primarily as a proof of concept, it likely met minimum expectations, and the collected data should hopefully help the manufacturer advance the program and implement improvements. https://missilematters.substack.com/p/flamingo-cruise-missile-sees-first
Sept 6 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that nearly 60% of weapons used by Ukraine's military were domestically produced, already exceeding a target he set two months ago.
"During this war, Ukraine has reached the point where nearly 60% of the weapons we have, the weapons in the hands of our soldiers, are Ukrainian-made," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/zelenskiy-says-nearly-60-ukrainian-arms-home-produced-2025-09-06/
This figure is a big increase on the 1/3 of late last year. Some of these weapons are produced under either licence or with the direct assistance of "western" countries, such as Turkiye's Bayraktar drones, not helped by Russia striking the factory in Kyiv last month https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/08/28/7528226/
The Bayraktar TB-2 was first used in Ukraine in 2021 to good effect, but as a big, slow medium altitude drone it was removed from service by early 2023 as Russia moved more air defences into occupied Ukraine, which destroyed over 20 of the drones.
The drones are widely reported to be making a comeback in the Crimea/Black Sea area, which is believed to be the first sign of big cracks appearing in Russia's air defence (AD) capability.
Ukraine's constant tactical changes of attacking airfields, oil refineries, railway engines, etc and counter-tactics deployed by Russia are thinning Russia's AD coverage. As soon as Russia started to build hardened aircraft shelters, Ukraine replied by striking the "soft" fuel depots that pump fuel directly to the aircraft, and so on.
The smaller, more nimble drones have been successfully attacking AD missile batteries and the even more scarce radar units so that the TB-2 drones have a zone where they're comparatively free to operate in an attack mode. This is a development from their earlier more stand-off surveillance mode
More here for those interested https://www.twz.com/air/ukraines-tb-2-bayraktar-drones-are-striking-russian-forces-again-after-a-long-hiatus
PUZHNYKY, Ukraine, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Remains of Poles killed by Ukrainian nationalist insurgents during World War Two were buried in western Ukraine on Saturday as officials from both countries looked on, a move to ease a rare strain in relations between the two close allies.
The so-called Volhynia massacres have complicated relations even as Poland has backed Ukraine against Russia's 2022 invasion by supplying weapons and taking in almost a million refugees.
https://www.reuters.com/world/poland-buries-wartime-remains-western-ukraine-part-reconciliation-2025-09-06/
I'm neither Polish nor Ukrainian, so maybe someone here can help out.
The Volhynia massacres of WW2 have been a problem between the two countries for decades, although polling amongst the electorate in Poland suggests that this lessens with time. Poland, for example, demonstrated tremendous solidarity with Ukraine in 2022
The massacres seem to be something that Russian propaganda is exploiting and the burials yesterday were a welcome easing of tension.
Relations between the two governments have hit rocky patches during this war, e.g. the export of Ukraine's grain by road through Poland and access to Poland's road haulage industry by Ukraine's hauliers, again exploited by Russian media.
https://kyivindependent.com/majority-of-poles-oppose-ukraines-nato-accession-poll-shows/
One thing is clear, actions speak louder than words and the majority of Poland's electorate dislike Russia, even if they don't necessarily agree to EU and NATO membership for Ukraine
Russia escalating the war incrementally, probing to see if Trump will respond (cynically id say Putin already knows Trump wont, and is giving Trump cover to ignore gradual increase)
Putin also emboldened by his recent support from xi, kim jong Un & Modi, - the latter being a huge own goal with Trumps india tariffs pushing Modi towards them
India's been supporting Putin for some time now by buying cheap oil from Russia. Modi is probably envious of his BRICS colleagues autocracy.
...the latter being a huge own goal with Trumps india tariffs pushing Modi towards them
Absolutely this and it isn't about sound US economic or diplomatic reasoning.
President Trump had his nose put out of joint by PM Modi refusing to recognise that Trump had intervened to secure peace in the most recent India v. ****stan conflict, unlike President Zardari of ****stan who nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize
India, under Modi, will not accept mediation with ****stan and he's in political trouble if he acknowledges mediation because it messes with his strongman image. The next logical step for a strongman is to refuse to bow to US tariffs, which is exactly what he did
The problem for Modi is that it will cost India economically, but not disastrously, and it will push him back towards China, another country that India has on-off conflict with. It's for this reason that I think Modi didn't stay for the whole commemoration in China, again part of his image.
Modi has always used Russia as a counterweight within BRICS and SCO to influence from China, therefore, it doesn't cause him a problem to buy Russian oil. Economically he gets it at a greatly discounted rate which he pays to Russia in the currency of his choosing. Win-win for the upcoming third economy in the world
I think that Modi will want to be back in the US camp to buy weapons because he can't rely on Russian supplies and he'll also want to replace China (under even heavier tariffs) in some of the US market.
Trump lashed out at India, which is plain when you look at his lack of action on China, which imports way more Russian energy than India, and Turkiye, the third biggest importer at around half of India's level of imports.
India is currently proving a point domestically, but they'll be back with the US in time. The question in that case is what was the point of Trump's actions when he could have kept India close and trusting him and not strengthening the optics on support for Russia?
After Russia's weekend attack on the main government building in Kyiv, part of me would like to see a few Flamingo 1 ton warheads rearranging the Kremlin decor. It would certainly be justified. That's a gut reaction though and my head tells me it wouldn't be a good idea. Let Russia waste finite long range weapons on symbolic targets with no strategic impact. Whilst Ukraine systematically works its way through a list of military and industrial targets which will really hurt Putin's war machine.
https://bsky.app/profile/antongerashchenko.bsky.social/post/3lycqe52nfs2w
I'm absolutely hanging for news of a successful Flamingo Migration
Meanwhile, in Trumpton, lets go around again.
https://bbc.com/news/articles/cwyrx205dj2o
That's a gut reaction though and my head tells me it wouldn't be a good idea. Let Russia waste finite long range weapons on symbolic targets with no strategic impact. Whilst Ukraine systematically works its way through a list of military and industrial targets which will really hurt Putin's war machine.
👍 a vote for your head
Meanwhile, in Trumpton, lets go around again.
TACO.
I'd vote for a symbolic Flamingo missile parked in the Kremlin car park, with no explosives. Just symbolism.
Ukraine targets the barracks of a Russian unit implicated in atrocities in Bucha and other locations in the early days of the war. The barracks was in Russia's far East, 6000km from Ukraine!
Ukrainian press reporting from an unnamed military intelligence source, so not unbiased. It will be interesting to see if any satellite imagery or other corroboration comes to light over the next few days. If true, this will cause massive concern in the military but also amongst the public. That pretty much all of the largest country on earth is within striking distance of the "weak" neighbour they thought they would roll over in three days.
The article suggests there have been attempts to hide this by state officials.
Hungary at last making some positive steps towards reducing dependence on Russian oil. Not I suspect due to any anti-Russian sentiment, but more from a fear of supply disruption by Ukraine and pressure from within the EU.
https://bsky.app/profile/antongerashchenko.bsky.social/post/3lyfybs4gk22t
Drones shot down in Poland seems a very worrying escalation. Cripes.
The Russian military are conducting their annual exercises Zapad 2025 It's designed to see if NATO is paying attention. Russia's accused both Finland and Poland of aggressively building up their forces along the border, this is part response to that.
Hopefully it is 'Testing' rather than out and out attacking, but still very concerning and only makes a tense situation worse.
Drones shot down in Poland seems a very worrying escalation. Cripes.
Not as bad as you might think. Russia has been over-flying Poland with drones during their invasion of Ukraine for years.
It was an escalation in that the drones were heading for Polish airports that also handle Ukraine aid flights and by definition have a military presence and the numbers of drones were higher; ten in one night against the odd one or two per week
Poland has largely ignored the obvious provocations over the years by scrambling fighters but not wasting their weapons, however it's all a bit sensitive with Zapad about to start (as nickc says ^^) which provided cover for a build-up of Russian forces prior to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022
Poland dealt with it in-house, albeit with support from allies, and didn't come close to a full NATO response. They only shot down those drones perceived as a specific threat. Belarus regularly reports shooting down Russian drones over their territory
Russia is looking to see what Europe will do now. President Trump has uncharacteristically ignored questions from reporters on the drone incursions last night. US Congress members on both sides have been far more vocal than Trump
The concern is that Putin appears emboldened since his jolly in China with Xi, Modi and the little fat Rocket man.
Things look depressing though. Trump has continually blamed Zelensky and sided blindly with Putin/Russia. He has blatantly hindered Ukraine since he took over and insulted Europeans .. yet now because his demented tariff agenda isn't working out too good against China & India he is trying to blackmail Europe to adopt similar suicidal tariffs against them with a (worthless) promise of them fully supporting Ukraine.
Putin appears to have a free hand at the moment.
At least 14 drones have entered Polish airspace. This is a massive deliberate provocation. Sure the odd drone here or there can be ignored, but this requires some kind of response from NATO.
They’re doing their usual thing too, saying there’s no proof that they were Russian drones and suggesting that it was a Ukrainian false flag operation.
Yeah, right….
Philips OBrien has it right, worth a read !
Starmer should be calling in the Russian ambassador for an ear bashing, debates in parliament, emergency NATO conference, refusing passage of Russian oil tankers - is any of this happening???
The concern is that Putin appears emboldened since his jolly in China with Xi, Modi and the little fat Rocket man.
Things look depressing though. Trump has continually blamed Zelensky and sided blindly with Putin/Russia. He has blatantly hindered Ukraine since he took over and insulted Europeans .. yet now because his demented tariff agenda isn't working out too good against China & India he is trying to blackmail Europe to adopt similar suicidal tariffs against them with a (worthless) promise of them fully supporting Ukraine.
Putin appears to have a free hand at the moment.
100% this, Trumps mealy mothed lip service to wanting peace is exposed as nonsense by Putins (and Netenyahu) actions, like it or not the USA is acting in putins interest, not the wests
I thought from the initial reports the drones were intercepted near the border, but if the maps circulating are accurate, at least one of the drones went quite far into Poland (and crash landed further west than Warsaw).