Ukraine 2

[mountaineer]

Michael Tracey
@mtracey
Ukraine military intelligence says their new US missile systems will be used to strike Crimea. Was this part of the deal?

4:05 PM · Jul 16, 2022

[Smokin Joe]

Actually, it is rather simple.  Ukraine has land and resources, and Putin wanted them.

As far as timing goes, after the Afghanistan debacle, it's pretty clear that the CinC and others are bloody incompetent, so I can't think of a better time to invade Ukraine than with a fustercluck at the helm in the US.

Trump would have handled the situation differently, but with Biden in office? No better time.

[Hoodat]

•   Two days after 24 were killed in Vinnytsya, Shoigu called for more shock and awe

•   Kremlin defence minister claimed attacks will defend Russia against Kyiv rockets

"Shock and awe" = "Targeting civilians".  Not sure how this will defend Russia against Kyiv rockets, but they have been employing this "shock and awe" tactic since Day One of their unprovoked invasion, long before Kyiv acquired any rockets.

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu today gave the order to dramatically increase so-called shock and awe attacks on Ukraine.

Looks like those Kyiv rockets are having an effect.

[Hoodat]

Michael Tracey
@mtracey
Ukraine military intelligence says their new US missile systems will be used to strike Crimea. Was this part of the deal?

Was it part of the deal?  No.  Should it have been part of the deal?  Absolutely.  Ukraine needs offensive capability to drive Russians out of Ukraine.  And this is the one thing that the Biden regime continues to deny them.

[sneakypete]

None of this makes sense. You are assuming that Brandon can think and calculate. He try's to shake hands with people who aren't even there not exactly the action of someone who is really sharp.

Russia invaded Ukraine without provocation because Putin saw how incompetent Brandon and his admn. were in withdrawing from Afghanistan.

Putin with popular support of the Russian people has invaded several sovereign nations and butchered numerous people. Putin is a blood thirsty tyrant with no conscience. If he isn't stopped now he, or who ever comes after him, will continue invading neighboring countries. We have an incredible opportunity. The Ukrainians are more than willing to fight to preserve their freedom. All we have to do is supply them with the weapons.

The upside to supporting Ukraine and triggering the collapse of Russia that nobody talks about and which you isolationists should embrace is when Russia collapses the need for NATO ends. The threat is gone and we can pull out of Europe. I'm all for this. I believe deglobalization will be good for America. I just don't want to see us pull out and have to go back.

@bilo

Seems so obvious that  Stevie Wonder has to put on his shades to look at it.

I am thinking that Russia must have screwed the Biden family on some kickbacks,or Slow Joe would have never agreed to help Ukraine.

Wasn't Hunter on the board of a few Russian Corporations a couple of years ago,with a "No Show"  seat?

[Elderberry]

Moscow Journalist Requests Political Asylum In United States

Radio Free Europe 7/14/2022

https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-journalist-seeks-us-asylum/31943308.html

Russian journalist Pyotr Koronayev, who used to work for the Moscow-based Baza news website, and his wife, Tatyana Kulikova, have crossed the border from Mexico and requested political asylum in the United States.

Baza reported on July 14 that the couple was initially placed in an immigration detention center, but Koronayev was later released, while his wife remained in custody. It was not clear when the couple crossed the border.

According to Baza's report, Koronayev and Kulikova feared for their safety in Russia because of their public statements opposing Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and their support of imprisoned opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.

More at link.

I was torn on this one whether to post here or in Immigration.

[bilo]

@bilo

Seems so obvious that  Stevie Wonder has to put on his shades to look at it.

I am thinking that Russia must have screwed the Biden family on some kickbacks,or Slow Joe would have never agreed to help Ukraine.

Wasn't Hunter on the board of a few Russian Corporations a couple of years ago,with a "No Show"  seat?

I think everything went upside down for Brandon when Zelenskyy refused to flee at the start of the invasion. The Ukrainians didn't just surrender as all the "experts" expected and not only put up a good fight, but pushed the Russians back. Brandon's hands were tied at that point he had to start really supporting the Ukrainians or face al kinds of problems from his base. Now that everyone is losing interest we will see if Brandon gives offensive weapon systems to Ukraine, or just keeps them on the defensive. 

[bilo]

Moscow Journalist Requests Political Asylum In United States

Radio Free Europe 7/14/2022

https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-journalist-seeks-us-asylum/31943308.html

Russian journalist Pyotr Koronayev, who used to work for the Moscow-based Baza news website, and his wife, Tatyana Kulikova, have crossed the border from Mexico and requested political asylum in the United States.

Baza reported on July 14 that the couple was initially placed in an immigration detention center, but Koronayev was later released, while his wife remained in custody. It was not clear when the couple crossed the border.

According to Baza's report, Koronayev and Kulikova feared for their safety in Russia because of their public statements opposing Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and their support of imprisoned opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.

More at link.

This is an actual case that our asylum system was set up for. 

[240B]

[Hoodat]

How Russia's current war in Ukraine echoes its Crimean War of the 1850s

Greg Myre  |  July 13, 2022  |  5:00 AM ET

KYIV, Ukraine — Here's a widely held view of Russia's war: Russia had a more powerful army and expected a quick victory. It didn't think Western powers would intervene. Yet a poorly planned military campaign led to a fight much tougher than expected.

To be clear, we're not talking about Russia's current war in Ukraine. We're talking about Russia's war in Crimea in the 1850s.

Even if you're not familiar with the Crimean War, you know some of the monumental figures who emerged from it, like Florence Nightingale and Leo Tolstoy.

But this isn't just history. That long-ago conflict is still relevant today. For starters, when Russia fought the Ottoman Empire in 1853, the focal point was Crimea — the very same territory Russian President Vladimir Putin seized in 2014 when he first invaded Ukraine.

During the first Crimean War, The Economist magazine — the same one that's still going strong — wrote a scathing piece in 1854 on Russia and its leader, Czar Nicholas I.

"That vast state is in great measure composed of spoils which she has torn from surrounding nations," The Economist wrote. "Her frontier provinces are filled with injured, discontented hostile populations ... many of whom wait, with patience and desire, the blessed day of emancipation and revenge."

Sounds a lot like Ukraine today.  .  .

https://www.npr.org/2022/07/13/1106123496/russia-ukraine-invasion-crimean-war-history

[Elderberry]

HIMARS vs. Russian Logistics

https://www.battleswarmblog.com/?p=52012

Following the Russian capture of Severodonetsk, the Russo-Ukranian War seems to have gone into an operational pause. Ukraine has now received and fielded its first HIMARS multiple rocket launch systems from the U.S. This video makes the case that that’s very bad news for Russian logistics.

Some takeaways:

•  HIMARS can hit targets at 80kms with high accuracy, far superior to Russia’s Uragan system (40km and less accurate) and Smersh systems.

•  The high accuracy makes 6 HIMARS missiles equal to 70 rounds of Russian artillery.

•  Systems move at 90kph.

•  Five minute reload time.

•  Crew of three.

•  “Just a few highmars can cut off a 100 kilometer long front line from supply and control.”

•  “Ukraine has already been able to destroy more than 20 large ammunition depots and several command posts.”

All well and good, but I have some caveats with the contention that HIMARS can drive the enemy before it and hear the lamentations of their women.

•  So far, Ukraine has fielded precisely four HIMARS. Four may be able to change the course of a battle, but certainly not a war.

•  There’s no reason to believe that Russia can’t adapt by dispersing ordinance to smaller and less dense ammo depots, or by restarting air sorties (which they seem to have largely abandoned) to hit HIMARS. Knowing the Russian military, the rate of adaptation will be very slow, but it’s not beyond their abilities.

While HIMARS help? Yes. Will they completely destroy Russian command and logistics? Color me very skeptical.

More: https://www.battleswarmblog.com/?p=52012


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXjxXUQVO10

[Kamaji]

Russia has lost 30% of its forces with 50,000 soldiers dead or injured and nearly 1,700 of Putin's tanks destroyed, defence chief reveals

By JESSICA WARREN and LIZZIE MAY FOR MAILONLINE
17 July 2022

Russia has lost 30 per cent of its forces with 50,000 soldiers dead or injured and almost 1,700 of Putin's tanks have been destroyed, the UK's Chief of the Defence Staff has revealed.

Head of the Armed Forces Admiral Sir Tony Radakin has said Vladimir Putin has 'already lost the Ukraine war', with nearly 4,000 armoured fighting vehicles belonging to Russia having also been ruined.

He told BBC One's Sunday Morning programme that Ukraine plans on restoring 'the whole of their territory', adding that speculation Putin could be assassinated is 'wishful thinking'.

'What you're seeing is a Russia, if we focus on the Donbas, that is less than 10 per cent of the territory of Ukraine and we are approaching 150 days,' he said.

'Russia is struggling to take that territory, and it is struggling because of the courage and determination of the Ukrainian armed forces.'

The UK Chief of the Defence Staff added that Ukraine's army 'absolutely' believes it will win the war in the face of a 'struggling' Russia that has 'lost more than 30 per cent of its land combat effectiveness'.

Sir Tony also warned that despite the huge losses in soldiers, tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, Russia was still 'the biggest threat' the UK faces.

*  *  *

Source:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11021889/Head-Armed-forces-Sir-Tony-Radakin-says-Putin-lost-Ukraine-war-Video.html

[Right_in_Virginia]

EU to soften sanctions on Russian banks to allow food trade
Financial Post, Jul 19, 2022, Reuters

BRUSSELS — The European Union will amend its sanctions on Moscow on Wednesday by allowing the unfreezing of some funds of top Russian banks that may be required to ease bottlenecks in the global trade of food and fertilizers, a draft document showed.

Under the changed regulation, which is expected to be adopted by EU envoys on Wednesday, EU nations will be able to unfreeze previously blocked economic resources owned by top Russian lenders VTB, Sovcombank, Novikombank, Otkritie FC Bank, VEB, Promsvyazbank and Bank Rossiya, the document said.


https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/eu-to-soften-sanctions-on-russian-banks-to-allow-food-trade

[Right_in_Virginia]

Ukraine war: First lady in US for high-level meetings
BBC, Jul 19, 2022

Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska, is in the US for a series of high-level meetings and an address to Congress.

Her visit comes four months after her husband, President Volodymyr Zelensky, made a virtual speech to Congress, pressing for more military equipment.

Ms Zelenska met Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday and is due to hold talks with her counterpart Jill Biden on Tuesday, the White House said.

She is due to deliver remarks to lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Ms Zelenska has no official portfolio in the Ukrainian government. But after nearly five months of Russia's war in Ukraine, Kyiv is keen to seek more military aid and political backing from the US.


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62221353

[catfish1957]

Ukraine war: First lady in US for high-level meetings
BBC, Jul 19, 2022

Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska, is in the US for a series of high-level meetings and an address to Congress.

Is that what they call grifting now days?

[Elderberry]

Putin humiliated as rebelling Chechen soldiers join fight against Russia

Express by Aliss Higham, Francesca Edwards 7/19/2022

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1642547/ukraine-live-vladimir-putin-tayyip-erdogan-crisis-russia-nuclear-weapon-baltic-sea-updates

CHECHEN soldiers have joined Ukraine in the fight against Russia, humiliating despot Vladimir Putin.

Chechen forces have joined the valiant Ukrainian defenders to help see off the Russians. Some Chechens are fighting for Russia: Kadyrovite forces have fought alongside Moscow’s soldiers, while the Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion and the Sheikh Mansur Battalion have fought alongside the Ukrainian defenders.

Some have long been involved in the conflict in Ukraine’s contested eastern areas, but Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov deployed more men to Ukraine at the start of the invasion.

One unnamed soldier told NPR that he was fighting in Ukraine because he believes the “evil” of Russia should be destroyed.

More at link.

[Elderberry]

Hungary suddenly announced that it’s not against transit of weapons to Ukraine

https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/07/19/hungary-suddenly-announced-that-its-not-against-transit-of-weapons-to-ukraine/

On 19 July, during a meeting with Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi, Hungary’s Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar stated that his country is ready to allow the transit to Ukraine through their territory of all the assistance provided by other countries to Ukraine, including the military one, according to the Lviv City Council.

According to earlier reports, Hungary had denied the supplies of Western weapons to Ukraine through the Hungarian territory not to provoke Russia’s attacks on ethnic Hungarians of Ukraine’s Zakarpattia Oblast.

    “Hungary itself won’t supply its weapons, this is our strategic position. However, 3rd countries can use our territory,” the Hungarian Deputy FM said today, the Lviv City Council reports.

[Elderberry]

Strategic Repercussions Of Russia-Ukraine Conflict – OpEd

Eurasia Review by Dr. Rahat Iqbal

https://www.eurasiareview.com/19072022-strategic-repercussions-of-russia-ukraine-conflict-oped/

The history of Russia-Ukraine strained relations dates back to the seizure of Ukraine by the Russian empire during the 17th century. Due to its geographic significance, Ukraine has always remained an attraction for many conquerors including Mongols, Polish and Lithuanian forces for several centuries. It formally became part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) in 1922 after the communist revolution of 1917 until the disintegration of USSR in 1991.

Russia and Ukraine, two independent states are currently at war. Historically, the support of Russia existed more in the eastern side of the country as compared to the western coast primarily due to ethnic linkages. The eastern coast of Ukraine remained under Russian rule earlier than the western coast of the state. These ethnic and external linkages always posed challenge towards maintaining cohesion in Ukraine. Furthermore, the Russo-Ukraine crisis resurfaced after the annexation of Crimea by the Russian forces in 2014. The republic of Crimea wished to seek more support from the European Union. In order to follow suit, the Crimean nation protested to overthrow the leadership of pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych.

Ukraine became the third-largest nuclear weapon country with the disintegration of USSR. Budapest Memorandum of security assurance signed on December 5, 1994, by the US, United Kingdom (UK) and Russia vowed to be the key players in providing and ensuring security to Ukraine in the future both internally and externally, if required. As a newly emerged independent state, it also aspired to seek the international recognition and doing so, Ukraine was asked to become a non-nuclear-weapon state. Additionally, in order to pursue the membership of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it was also mandatory for Ukraine to give up all its nuclear arsenal. Hence, abiding by the Memorandum, it joined NPT as a non-nuclear weapons state in 1994.

While agreeing to the Budapest Memorandum and giving up all its nuclear stockpile, Ukraine expected US intervention as a legal compulsion or a guarantee, when it comes to states survival and sovereignty. Ukraine pledged to surrender all its nuclear weapons stockpile in the exchange for economic assistance, political and security assurance.

More at link.

[catfish1957]

Turkey meeting with Russia and Iran today.

Has announced they will stop buying oil with $USD....   

[Kamaji]

Russian lawmakers blame losses on experimental Ukrainian super-soldiers

By Evan Simko-Bednarski
July 19, 2022

Russia on Monday outrageously claimed that its massive army has failed to deliver Ukraine to President Vladimir Putin because it is fighting against experimental super-soldiers, turned into “cruel killing machines” by US studies.

Two Russian lawmakers told reporters this week that the Kremlin is investigating the blood of Ukrainian prisoners of war, and has found “evidence” of experimentation, Russian outlet Kommersant reported.

Russian Senator Konstantin Kosachev told the outlet that the blood of Ukrainian prisoners contained traces of pathogens he claimed were “atypical” for Ukraine.

*  *  *

Source:  https://nypost.com/2022/07/19/russia-blames-losses-on-experimental-ukrainian-super-soldiers/

[sneakypete]

EU to soften sanctions on Russian banks to allow food trade
Financial Post, Jul 19, 2022, Reuters

BRUSSELS — The European Union will amend its sanctions on Moscow on Wednesday by allowing the unfreezing of some funds of top Russian banks that may be required to ease bottlenecks in the global trade of food and fertilizers, a draft document showed.

Under the changed regulation, which is expected to be adopted by EU envoys on Wednesday, EU nations will be able to unfreeze previously blocked economic resources owned by top Russian lenders VTB, Sovcombank, Novikombank, Otkritie FC Bank, VEB, Promsvyazbank and Bank Rossiya, the document said.


https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/eu-to-soften-sanctions-on-russian-banks-to-allow-food-trade

@Right_in_Virginia

Ok,they CAN,but WHY would they want to?

Is it because they hate the idea of winning and want to cheer to Neo-Soviets up?

[Smokin Joe]

Turkey meeting with Russia and Iran today.

Has announced they will stop buying oil with $USD....   

That threatens reserve currency status for the dollar.  Not good.

[libertybele]

Turkey meeting with Russia and Iran today.

Has announced they will stop buying oil with $USD....   

 

[mountaineer]

Ukraine graft concerns resurface as Russia war goes on
By Associated Press   
July 20, 2022 3:44pm

WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s dismissal of senior officials is casting an inconvenient light on an issue that the Biden administration has largely ignored since the outbreak of war with Russia: Ukraine’s history of rampant corruption and shaky governance.

As it presses ahead with providing tens of billions of dollars in military, economic and direct financial support aid to Ukraine and encourages its allies to do the same, the Biden administration is now once again grappling with longstanding worries about Ukraine’s suitability as a recipient of massive infusions of American aid.

Those issues, which date back decades and were not an insignificant part of former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment, had been largely pushed to the back burner in the immediate run-up to Russia’s invasion and during the first months of the conflict as the U.S. and its partners rallied to Ukraine’s defense.

But Zelensky’s weekend firings of his top prosecutor, intelligence chief and other senior officials have resurfaced those concerns and may have inadvertently given fresh attention to allegations of high-level corruption in Kyiv made by one outspoken U.S. lawmaker. ...

Associated Press via NY Post

[Hoodat]

Ukraine graft concerns resurface as Russia war goes on
By Associated Press   
July 20, 2022 3:44pmAssociated Press via NY Post

the Biden administration has largely ignored since the outbreak of war with Russia: Ukraine’s history of rampant corruption and shaky governance.

Ignored it?  Heck, they're counting on it.

As it presses ahead with providing tens of billions of dollars in military, economic and direct financial support aid to Ukraine and encourages its allies to do the same, the Biden administration is now once again grappling with longstanding worries about Ukraine’s suitability as a recipient of massive infusions of American aid.

Aid that Ukraine never asked for.  Since Day One, they have asked for one thing and one thing only - weapons.