In case you have not heard there is a conference taking place today (26 Feb) in Paris where NATO countries are discussing further help to Ukraine. Our Slovakian PM reported that the word "peace" is not appearing once in the documents discussed, everything is about escalation. By far the most important news is the suggestion (decision?) of some countries to send OWN troops on top of their military equipment. This would be on bilateral basis with Ukraine, outside NATO framework.
In the words of legendary Scott Ritter - this would be a game changer.
Once again, USA, safely behind ocean, is nudging its geopolitical opponents Europe and Russia to weaken themselves via devastating war. European leaders, some stupid, but mostly paid off, are walking right into it.
What a shameful waste of life and resources. Every person and nation involved in this war should be ashamed of themselves and their actions. Soon there will be victory parades and cheering but the dead will remain dead and the broken will remain broken.
"My hope is that this blog post will demonstrate that discussions about the SMO in Russia are far more nuanced and diverse than we are told in English-language mainstream and alternative media."
It seems that at this point *everything* we are told in English language mainstream news is as wrong as pole-fishing for catfish in your ass.
Stalemate? People keep using this word and I don't think it means what they think it does.
From a area occupied perspective not much has changed. From every other angle things have changed a lot and in Russia's direction.
Russia is now using hundreds of "glide bombs" a day. I think Russia just found a weapon they like more than artillery. In Avdiivka even a nuclear bunker was busted up when one of the 1500's hit it. They are fired from beyond the range of the Ukrainian air defence so Ukraine has no answer to it other than to move their long range anti-aircraft closer to the combat lines.
Ukraine has now lost 3 major fortifications (Mariupol, Bakhmut, Avdiivka). Russia has tried 3 times to take Vuhledar with no success. Russia is now surrounding it to cut off supplies and will probably starve them out or pummel it with 1500's. Seems to be their "modus operandi" now and it is very effective.
Ukraine has lost half a million to a million troops, dead, POW and maimed. Russia has lost 1/5 to 1/10 that. Ukraine can't get any more to go fight and have resorted to kidnapping and lowering standards. They just put the biggest IDIOT they have in charge. Munitions and funding shortages are very bad.
I stand by my prediction from March of 2022. Russia will take east of Dnepier and Odessa. Maybe more. I don't know when this will end. Russia is taking a very slow "ground and pound" approach to minimize their casualties and maximize Ukraine's losses. But end it will at some point and I'm willing to bet that Ukraine will be a land locked rump state.
Thanks for providing another excellent Russian overview.
Things are looking bleak indeed; Some European nations are suggesting sending their own troops in under a non-NATO banner to bolster the Ukrainian defenses. The Kremlin has already warned that Russia could be forced to use tactical nuclear weapons to counter such a threat.
Will it come to this? Worryingly I had a dream years ago where this came to pass - a big war in eastern Europe that ended in a stalmate after a limited nuclear exchange.
Hi Riley, I am wondering about the effect of censorship in Russia on the commentators. They are facing jail if they say anything that can be construed as "subversive" or "defamatory". These people need to be very careful not to bring wrath of the authorities on their heads. Please comment on this subject, and include yourself as a blogger working in Russia, and what that effectively means for your work. Thanks!
The fact that Putin declared his actions toward Ukraine a "Special Military Operation" did and does not preclude the fact that a war is happening, with Putin making a decisive opening gambit. This war is centered on the self-defeating and narcissistically suicidal disintegration of an 80-years old global hegemony (USA) that defined itself in that era via a Cold War against USSR and, that not prevailing, a War on Terror and, that not prevailing, now a war on Russia.
There is a global war afoot, most of it still gestational but as plain to see as that big bulge in your pregnant step-sister's belly. No one has control of this thing anymore (as if they ever did), especially the nimrod banksters who make so much military money simply by feeding their insane financial addictions (sort of a junky's paradise, banksterism, the crime that truly pays). We have only begun to see the fun. Wurl Wor Fwee!!! (holds up fwee fingers, grins through free missing front teef*1)
The oceans surrounding USA no longer protect it as before. Not just because of ICBMs etc., but because we're addicted to overseas slavers and serfs -- slaves and serfs whom we can no longer command either militarily or financially.
Speaking as a selfish citizen of a dying globalist nightmare, I say better Ukrainios and Russkyites eat war than me, but that said, everyone's ass is up for kicks*2. It will be a miracle if I enjoy ten years from now the (dubious) benefits of a functioning power grid and municipal water system, a viable currency, and a means of local production sufficient to sustain me and mine in less than dire circumstances. As for the bullets and the missiles: death is easy. It's living that's hard.
Like many I hoped for and expected an end to the Ukraine war sooner. But the Gaza genocidal war needs to be included in any analysis bc it’s part of the same WW3 global conflict. And soon a regional ME war and third China front is likely.
Putin & Co have gone slow wisely, realizing the SNO would expand from limited conflict to a war against the US-NATO hegemon. If Russia still isn’t on total war footing this is to allow some semblance of normal life for citizens so that a longer war can be endured. Also, given Rus low birth rates Putin is preserving young males who will father the next needed generations.
We are all still facing nuclear annihilation. But Putin & Co and Russia generally is on the right path, walking a tightrope over an abyss. Still, I wish it could go faster and am concerned the go slow might be a huge mistake.
Always interesting to get your translations, thanks !
When combined with your witty contributions, it is getting easier to debunk fallacies. As Mark Twain said: “It usually takes me two or three days to prepare an impromptu speech.” The space lizards had years to prepare theirs, and how they will spread disinformation.
By the way, do you think the purpose of the recent disclosure by the CIA of their ties with the HUR and of secret operations allegedly performed in common is to discredit people who have uncovered their fallacies, showing a different story and in particular their connections with Moscow?
In case you have not heard there is a conference taking place today (26 Feb) in Paris where NATO countries are discussing further help to Ukraine. Our Slovakian PM reported that the word "peace" is not appearing once in the documents discussed, everything is about escalation. By far the most important news is the suggestion (decision?) of some countries to send OWN troops on top of their military equipment. This would be on bilateral basis with Ukraine, outside NATO framework.
In the words of legendary Scott Ritter - this would be a game changer.
Once again, USA, safely behind ocean, is nudging its geopolitical opponents Europe and Russia to weaken themselves via devastating war. European leaders, some stupid, but mostly paid off, are walking right into it.
The fake covid pandemic didn't kill enough people, so the globalists need a few major wars to speed up the process.
What a shameful waste of life and resources. Every person and nation involved in this war should be ashamed of themselves and their actions. Soon there will be victory parades and cheering but the dead will remain dead and the broken will remain broken.
"My hope is that this blog post will demonstrate that discussions about the SMO in Russia are far more nuanced and diverse than we are told in English-language mainstream and alternative media."
It seems that at this point *everything* we are told in English language mainstream news is as wrong as pole-fishing for catfish in your ass.
Stalemate? People keep using this word and I don't think it means what they think it does.
From a area occupied perspective not much has changed. From every other angle things have changed a lot and in Russia's direction.
Russia is now using hundreds of "glide bombs" a day. I think Russia just found a weapon they like more than artillery. In Avdiivka even a nuclear bunker was busted up when one of the 1500's hit it. They are fired from beyond the range of the Ukrainian air defence so Ukraine has no answer to it other than to move their long range anti-aircraft closer to the combat lines.
Ukraine has now lost 3 major fortifications (Mariupol, Bakhmut, Avdiivka). Russia has tried 3 times to take Vuhledar with no success. Russia is now surrounding it to cut off supplies and will probably starve them out or pummel it with 1500's. Seems to be their "modus operandi" now and it is very effective.
Ukraine has lost half a million to a million troops, dead, POW and maimed. Russia has lost 1/5 to 1/10 that. Ukraine can't get any more to go fight and have resorted to kidnapping and lowering standards. They just put the biggest IDIOT they have in charge. Munitions and funding shortages are very bad.
I stand by my prediction from March of 2022. Russia will take east of Dnepier and Odessa. Maybe more. I don't know when this will end. Russia is taking a very slow "ground and pound" approach to minimize their casualties and maximize Ukraine's losses. But end it will at some point and I'm willing to bet that Ukraine will be a land locked rump state.
I wonder if there's any media outlet anywhere in the world calling for a ceasefire, for a stop to the bloodshed? Too naive of me to expect that, huh?
Thanks for providing another excellent Russian overview.
Things are looking bleak indeed; Some European nations are suggesting sending their own troops in under a non-NATO banner to bolster the Ukrainian defenses. The Kremlin has already warned that Russia could be forced to use tactical nuclear weapons to counter such a threat.
Will it come to this? Worryingly I had a dream years ago where this came to pass - a big war in eastern Europe that ended in a stalmate after a limited nuclear exchange.
According to The New York Times Motorola and Givi were killed by the Ukrainians not by FSB
Are they lying only to discredit you @rurikskywalker ?
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/25/world/europe/cia-ukraine-intelligence-russia-war.html
What does Zimovsky mean Ukriane has become 'more nazi' in the past two years?
Are there like Nazi camps teaching the glories of Nazism in Children
Are they importing foreign Nazis to replenish the Nazi defecit from all the denazification?
Who is counter acting all the denazification with renazification ?
War is he'll.
Jingoism is required.
Does seem that NATO people are more dissatisfied.
WW ll built the US economy, seems like the same with Russia. New fronts are opening around the world too.
A curious chess game.
Hi Riley, I am wondering about the effect of censorship in Russia on the commentators. They are facing jail if they say anything that can be construed as "subversive" or "defamatory". These people need to be very careful not to bring wrath of the authorities on their heads. Please comment on this subject, and include yourself as a blogger working in Russia, and what that effectively means for your work. Thanks!
The fact that Putin declared his actions toward Ukraine a "Special Military Operation" did and does not preclude the fact that a war is happening, with Putin making a decisive opening gambit. This war is centered on the self-defeating and narcissistically suicidal disintegration of an 80-years old global hegemony (USA) that defined itself in that era via a Cold War against USSR and, that not prevailing, a War on Terror and, that not prevailing, now a war on Russia.
There is a global war afoot, most of it still gestational but as plain to see as that big bulge in your pregnant step-sister's belly. No one has control of this thing anymore (as if they ever did), especially the nimrod banksters who make so much military money simply by feeding their insane financial addictions (sort of a junky's paradise, banksterism, the crime that truly pays). We have only begun to see the fun. Wurl Wor Fwee!!! (holds up fwee fingers, grins through free missing front teef*1)
*1 rhymes with Keef, which spells 'happy': https://youtu.be/b0pCKd5l9Fs
The oceans surrounding USA no longer protect it as before. Not just because of ICBMs etc., but because we're addicted to overseas slavers and serfs -- slaves and serfs whom we can no longer command either militarily or financially.
Speaking as a selfish citizen of a dying globalist nightmare, I say better Ukrainios and Russkyites eat war than me, but that said, everyone's ass is up for kicks*2. It will be a miracle if I enjoy ten years from now the (dubious) benefits of a functioning power grid and municipal water system, a viable currency, and a means of local production sufficient to sustain me and mine in less than dire circumstances. As for the bullets and the missiles: death is easy. It's living that's hard.
*2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4ARLDmsuZQ&list=PLFAB3DE8E4AC48B8E&index=6
*sigh* Cold War nostalgia infects me. Forgive me, Father, for what I am now about to do:
https://media1.tenor.com/m/afLtZ0UsA2IAAAAd/red-dawn-wolverines.gif
(Behold how the specter of war makes even cornball 80s Hollyshouldn't've schlock look good.)
Bury my bones under an abandoned drive-in movie screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHB___J7EPE
Like many I hoped for and expected an end to the Ukraine war sooner. But the Gaza genocidal war needs to be included in any analysis bc it’s part of the same WW3 global conflict. And soon a regional ME war and third China front is likely.
Putin & Co have gone slow wisely, realizing the SNO would expand from limited conflict to a war against the US-NATO hegemon. If Russia still isn’t on total war footing this is to allow some semblance of normal life for citizens so that a longer war can be endured. Also, given Rus low birth rates Putin is preserving young males who will father the next needed generations.
We are all still facing nuclear annihilation. But Putin & Co and Russia generally is on the right path, walking a tightrope over an abyss. Still, I wish it could go faster and am concerned the go slow might be a huge mistake.
"The blitzkrieg failed, the conflict entered a protracted phase, which transformed into hopeless dead-end “attrition."
A perfect description of the current Ukraine mess.
What? Everyone in Russia is not celebrating? I'm shocked! :-) Thanks for collecting these, Riley!!
Always interesting to get your translations, thanks !
When combined with your witty contributions, it is getting easier to debunk fallacies. As Mark Twain said: “It usually takes me two or three days to prepare an impromptu speech.” The space lizards had years to prepare theirs, and how they will spread disinformation.
I have found free resources to be better prepared ourselves here: https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/.
By the way, do you think the purpose of the recent disclosure by the CIA of their ties with the HUR and of secret operations allegedly performed in common is to discredit people who have uncovered their fallacies, showing a different story and in particular their connections with Moscow?