• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • About Us
  • Lexicon
  • Contact Us
  • Our Store
  • ↑
  • ↓

Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

To the privileged, equality seems like oppression.

This really is a full service blog.

Of course you can have champagne before noon. That’s why orange juice was invented.

They were going to turn on one another at some point. It was inevitable.

Innocent people do not delay justice.

the 10% who apparently lack object permanence

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

All hail the time of the bunny!

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

“In the future, this lab will be a museum. do not touch it.”

My years-long effort to drive family and friends away has really paid off this year.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

Oppose, oppose, oppose. do not congratulate. this is not business as usual.

Trump should be leading, not lying.

Since we are repeating ourselves, let me just say fuck that.

“woke” is the new caravan.

Every one of the “Roberts Six” lied to get on the court.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

So fucking stupid, and still doing a tremendous amount of damage.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it is not glory.

Dumb motherfuckers cannot understand a consequence that most 4 year olds have fully sorted out.

A norm that restrains only one side really is not a norm – it is a trap.

Republicans in disarray!

Mobile Menu

  • 4 Directions VA 2025 Raffle
  • 2025 Activism
  • Donate with Venmo, Zelle & PayPal
  • Site Feedback
  • War in Ukraine
  • Submit Photos to On the Road
  • Politics
  • On The Road
  • Open Threads
  • Topics
  • Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Lexicon
  • Our Store
  • Politics
  • Open Threads
  • 2025 Activism
  • Garden Chats
  • On The Road
  • Targeted Fundraising!

Score One for the Good Guys

by WaterGirl|  February 11, 20262:05 pm| 82 Comments

This post is in: Justice, Open Threads, Politics, Proud to Be A Democrat

So happy to see that a grand jury laughed in the face of the prosecutors – flipped off the prosecutors – refused to criminally indict the 6 patriot lawmakers who made the video reminding everyone that you are not supposed to obey illegal orders.

Robert Reich calls that a citizens revolt.  That description works for me, too.

My question is this… is this corrupt administration paying attention?  Are they starting to realize that they are losing support?

Open thread.

Score One for the Good GuysPost + Comments (82)

Taking a Break from the News

by WaterGirl|  February 11, 20269:35 am| 82 Comments

This post is in: Respite, Serenity Pics

Let’s use this as a mostly open thread (even politics is fine, as long as it’s good news).

Taking a Break from the News 19

These are the sidebar pics from January.
Belated, of course, because I forgot to put this together at the beginning of February!

Don’t forget to click on the individual pics below to see them in their full glory at the highest resolution.  The same is true for the daily pics in the sidebar.

On The Road - 🐾BillinGlendaleCA - Returning to Blue Lake 8
Photo by BillinGlendaleCA (1/31/26)

 

On The Road - 🐾BillinGlendaleCA - Returning to Blue Lake 9
Photo by BillinGlendaleCA (1/30/26)

 

On The Road - TKH - Patagonia-los lagunas y glaciares 4
Photo by TKH (1/24/26)

 

Photo by Martita en Espana (1/16/26)

show full post on front page

 

On The Road - ema - Midtown Manhattan Fall Foliage 1
Photo by ema (1/18/26)

 

On The Road - ema - Midtown Manhattan Fall Foliage 3
Photo by ema (1/29/26)

 

On The Road - ema - Midtown Manhattan Fall Foliage 9
Photo by ema (1/17/26)

 

On The Road - dmkingto - Pine Lake Park and Stern Grove Pt. 2 8
Photo by dmkingto (1/8/26)

 

On The Road - Albatrossity - Landscapes, Global 1
Photo by Albatrossity (1/20/26)

 

On The Road - dmkingto - SF Bay Area Benches, round 2 1
Photo by dmkingto (1/9/26)

 

On The Road - frosty - 2024 National Park Road Trip - Washington (1 of 10) San Juan Island and Seattle Part 1 5
Photo by frosty (2/28/26)

 

On The Road - frosty - 2024 National Park Road Trip - Canada (1/3) Banff
Photo by frosty (1/19/26)

 

On The Road - Elma - Greenland Part 1 1
Photo by Elma (1/13/26)

 

On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [4 of 4] 8
Photo by lashonharangue (1/4/26)
On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [3 of 4] 6
Photo by lashonharangue (1/22/26)
On The Road - JanieM - 2023 4
Photo by JanieM (1/26/26)

 

On The Road - frosty - 3rd Annual National Park/COVID Challenge Part 2 - Lassen Volcanic National Park
Photo by frosty (1/5/26)

 

On The Road - BretH - Holiday Lights! Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA.
Photo by BretH (1/21/26)

 

On The Road - BretH - Holiday Lights! Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA. 3
Photo by BretH (1/23/26)

 

On The Road - BretH - Holiday Lights! Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA. 6
Photo by BretH (1/3/26)

 

On The Road - David_C - In My Neighborhood - Frederick, MD 5
Photo by David_C (1/27/26)

 

On The Road - David_C - In My Neighborhood - Frederick, MD 8
Photo by David_C (1/10/26)

 

On The Road - ema - NYC Christmas Lights 7
Photo by ema (1/1/26)

 

On The Road - lashonharangue - Tanzania - Nyerere National Park: Part 1 1
Photo by lashonharangue (1/2/26)

 

On The Road - OzarkHillbilly - Las Pozas
Photo by OzarkHillbilly (1/14/26)

 

On The Road - Steve from Mendocino - Rorschach
Photo by Steve from Mendocino (1/7/26)

 

On The Road - lashonharangue - Southern Chile Road Trip Part 4 5
Photo by lashonharangue (1/25/26)

 

On The Road - lashonharangue - Emigrant Wilderness, CA 3
Photo by lashonharangue (1/28/26)

 

Photo of a riverboat by (1/12/26)

 

Photo by OzarkHillbilly (1/15/26)

 

Photo by Jayboat (1/11/26)

Respite Open Thread

Taking a Break from the NewsPost + Comments (82)

Wednesday Morning Open Thread

by Anne Laurie|  February 11, 20267:21 am| 217 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat

Breaking News: Prosecutors failed to secure an indictment against six Democrats who posted a video reminding members of the military to refuse illegal orders.

[image or embed]

— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) February 10, 2026 at 8:40 PM

The FAA is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport, for “special security reasons."
The FAA's notice did not provide additional details.

[image or embed]

— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) February 11, 2026 at 5:57 AM


As a devout Cynic, I’m assuming “special security reasons” means “the latest President Miller sideshow / distraction”:

… A notice posted on the FAA’s website said the temporary flight restrictions were for “special security reasons,” but did not provide additional details. The closure does not include Mexican airspace.

The airport said in an Instagram post that all flights to and from the airport would be grounded from late Tuesday through late on Feb. 20, including commercial, cargo and general aviation flights. It suggested travelers contact their airlines to get up-to-date flight information.

The shutdown is likely to create significant disruptions given the duration and the size of the metropolitan area. El Paso, a border city with a population of nearly 700,000 and larger when you include the surrounding metro area, is hub of cross-border commerce alongside neighboring Ciudad Juarez in Mexico.

The airport describes itself as the gateway to west Texas, southern New Mexico and northern Mexico. Southwest, United, American and Delta all operate flights there, among others.

A record snow drought with unprecedented heat is hitting most of the American West, depleting future water supplies, making it more vulnerable to wildfires and hurting winter tourism and recreation.

[image or embed]

— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) February 10, 2026 at 2:30 PM

52 percent of U.S. adults say Trump has made the economy worse, vs 28% who say we are better off because of him www.gelliottmorris.com/p/americans-…

[image or embed]

— G Elliott Morris (@gelliottmorris.com) February 8, 2026 at 10:03 AM

The prevailing attitude among Republicans pretty clear is "Democrats shouldnt be allowed to fight back against us," which makes sense for a political party led by a rapist and full of sexpests, pedophiles, & pedophile protectors at every echelon

[image or embed]

— Daniel Gilmore (@gilmored85.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 11:13 AM

The cartoon that appeared this week on the front page of France’s most influential national newspaper, Le Monde
Brilliant work by the cartoonist, Guffo.

[image or embed]

— News Eye (@newseye.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 5:43 PM

Wednesday Morning Open ThreadPost + Comments (217)

Plagues & Pandemics Update – February 11, 2026

by Anne Laurie|  February 11, 20266:02 am| 17 Comments

This post is in: COVID-19, H5N1 Bird Flu, Healthcare

[image or embed]

— Doug Aoki (@nantanreikan.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 10:58 AM

The CDC says it's fine to resume normal activities 24 hrs after Covid symptoms are improving. A new, large prospective study with digital tracking shows recovery takes much longer than that www.thelancet.com/journals/lan…

[image or embed]

— Eric Topol (@erictopol.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 10:43 AM

USA: Epidemic trend summary: Feb 6, 2026
COVID-19
As of February 3, 2026:
🔹13 states have COVID-19 infections growing or likely growing
🔹9 state has infections declining or likely declining
🔹25 states show no change
Source: cdc.gov/cfa-modeling…

[image or embed]

— Denis – The COVID Info Guy (@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 5:09 PM

Influenza
As of February 3, 2026:
🔹9 states have Influenza infections growing or likely growing
🔹15 states has infections declining or likely declining
🔹23 states show no change
Source: cdc.gov/cfa-modeling…

[image or embed]

— Denis – The COVID Info Guy (@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 5:09 PM

RSV
As of February 3, 2026:
🔹24 states have RSV infections growing or likely growing
🔹11 states has infections declining or likely declining
🔹12 states shows no change
Source: cdc.gov/cfa-modeling…

[image or embed]

— Denis – The COVID Info Guy (@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 5:09 PM

show full post on front page

New analysis links flu vaccination to 18% lower odds of heart attack
The findings of the meta-analysis draw on data from more than 23 million people.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i…

[image or embed]

— CIDRAP (@cidrap.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 5:18 PM

Why COVID-19 is “a vascular disease masquerading as a respiratory one”
“The virus enters through the airways but exerts its systemic effects through the vasculature, the common denominator in the lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain,” Benest tells The BMJ.
Source: www.bmj.com/content/392/…

[image or embed]

— Denis – The COVID Info Guy (@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 1:00 AM

"Although covid is transmitted through the respiratory system, much of the pathology unfolds in the vascular system, with microvascular damage, thromboinflammation, and dysregulated perfusion underpinning the cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological manifestations of severe disease."

— Denis – The COVID Info Guy (@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 1:00 AM

#medsky

[image or embed]

— Physicians for a Healthy Democracy (@physiciandemocracy.medsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 6:55 AM

COVID Toes, COVID Rashes and Other Skin Complications: A Quick Guide health.clevelandclinic.org/covid-rashes

[image or embed]

— Data Report (@datareport.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 9:09 AM

"Study shows impaired energy metabolism in the brains of people with post-COVID"
Brain fog, poor concentration and slowed thinking in Long COVID patients are linked to altered brain energy metabolism, with MRI studies showing changes that correlate with worse cognitive test performance.

[image or embed]

— Denis – The COVID Info Guy (@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:01 PM

Source: archive.md/KlvPZ

— Denis – The COVID Info Guy (@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:01 PM

===
===

“Unless we act to prevent the dismantling of our vaccine system, people who could be spared the long-term consequences of viral disease will lose out on that possibility.”
The latest from @scottgottliebmd.bsky.social: https://wapo.st/3Zmu7pE
[image or embed]

— Washington Post Opinions (@postopinions.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:17 AM


[Gift link]

mRNA vaccine technology remains one of the greatest innovations in science that has happened in our live times. Nothing can change this fact and certainly not the FDA refusing to review a mRNA flu vaccine.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/10/h…

[image or embed]

— BK. Titanji (@boghuma.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 6:58 PM

“This refusal to start a review is confusing…It is surprising & we’re trying to understand what has changed.”-Moderna pres
I understand. Vinay Prasad was going to complain about controls & justify denying review no matter what. It’s his job. Gold Standard Vinay Prasad.

[image or embed]

— Angie Rasmussen (@angierasmussen.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 2:30 AM


Gift link:

… Moderna spent years on the studies for a vaccine that was meant to improve on egg-based and other methods to combat the flu, allowing nations to specifically select the strain they hoped to target.

Dr. Hoge said the company met with the F.D.A. about the study and understood that the decision of which vaccine to use in comparison would be acceptable, albeit a “review issue,” he recounted. He said the company had requested an additional meeting with the agency about its decision to reject the application.

Blackstone, the private equity company, had invested $750 million in the development of Moderna’s flu shot, in addition to the vaccine maker’s own support for the large clinical trial, he said…

Dr. Prasad’s letter to Moderna said the reason for the refusal was that the company had not run an “adequate and well-controlled” study but had compared its product with a flu vaccine that “does not reflect the best-available standard of care.”

In recent months, Dr. Prasad has held drug companies to standards that were different from what they were expecting based on previous agency guidance, generating backlash from the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. In November, a long list of biotech investors and chief executives wrote a letter of concern about “decisional volatility” and turmoil at the F.D.A….

Perhaps no vaccine developer has been harder hit than Moderna, as federal health officials have turned against mRNA technology and some vaccines. Demand for the company’s Covid vaccine has declined considerably, after generating huge sales at the height of the pandemic. The F.D.A. also narrowed approval of Covid shots for the season that began last fall. Moderna’s stock has plummeted by more than 90 percent since its peak in August 2021.

Moderna has said it is halting plans for late-stage studies of some experimental vaccines aimed at preventing infectious diseases and infections that lurk in the body. Late-stage studies of Moderna’s experimental cancer vaccines are expected to continue unimpeded.

Trust in CDC near pandemic-era low after vaccine schedule changes
The new poll also finds most Americans disapprove of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s performance as Health and Human Services Secretary.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/p…

[image or embed]

— CIDRAP (@cidrap.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 4:57 PM

“I am shocked and appalled,” one NCI scientist said. “We are moving funds away from so much promising research in order to do a preclinical study based on nonscientific ideas. It’s absurd.”

[image or embed]

— Prof Gavin Yamey (@gavinyamey.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 9:16 AM

Three members of Congress and the governor of Hawai'i, a medical doctor who responded to the measles outbreak in Samoa, are calling for RFK Jr's resignation. Emails now reveal he lied under oath about his antivax role in those 83 deaths.

[image or embed]

— Fiona "Fi" Webster 🌎🌍🌏 (@fiona-webster22.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 7:25 PM

Amicus brief filed against RFK Jr attacks ‘shared clinical decision-making’
Groups are warning that recent federal actions weakening routine childhood vaccination recommendations pose an urgent threat both for children and the public’s health.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c…

[image or embed]

— CIDRAP (@cidrap.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM

Topol: The same thing occurs with all these wellness influencers—the latest being Peter Attia. There are hundreds and hundreds of these so-called longevity hackers. One cardinal rule I have is this: if somebody is selling something, they have no credibility. Zero.
[image or embed]

— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 10:34 PM

Gosh, I cant believe that a Trump branded product is actually a ripoff. Thats so unlike him!
[image or embed]

— Daniel Gilmore (@gilmored85.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 1:01 PM

"Though many people fell for Dr. Bhattacharya’s COVID-superhero fantasy in 2020, everyone sees through him today. No one can make the affirmative case that the NIH is thriving under his competent leadership & it’s no surprise he prefers to spend his time on X, celebrating the arrest of a journalist"

[image or embed]

— Prof Gavin Yamey (@gavinyamey.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 10:17 AM

The Trump regime has destabilized the U.S. healthcare system, slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act while hospitals, clinics & other essential services were closing their doors, according to a U.S. Senate Finance Committee report www.finance.senate.gov/ranking-memb…

[image or embed]

— Delthia Ricks (@dricks.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 2:27 PM

“These grants are being terminated because they do not reflect agency priorities,” a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services said.
About two dozen of the grants were aimed at curbing H.I.V. and other sexually transmitted infections."

[image or embed]

— Oni Blackstock, MD MHS (@oniblackstock.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 2:05 PM

Once again, RFK Jr has appointed a panel stacked with kooks & anti-vaxxers (see also: his ACIP appointees & ACIP chairs)
I spoke with @davidgilbert.bsky.social for this superb news feature, and, um, I did not hold back
It‘s a horror show; RFK Jr is such a dangerous menace

[image or embed]

— Prof Gavin Yamey (@gavinyamey.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 6:06 PM

RFK Jr says, falsely, that Covid vaccines are “the most deadly vaccines in history,” & he says, falsely, that "Gardasil HPV vaccine appears to be increasing the risk of cervical cancer in vaccinated age groups," so it's no surprise the next targets of his anti-vaxx activism are Covid & HPV vaccines😔

[image or embed]

— Prof Gavin Yamey (@gavinyamey.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 11:38 AM

MAHA / MAGA public health formula:
Step 1: Create distrust with lies & spin
Step 2: Use anti-science lies to (sigh) "restore trust"
Step 3: End up with LESS trust and a destroyed public health system
See Trust in the CDC www.kff.org/health-infor… via @kff.org @kffhealthnews.org

[image or embed]

— Timothy Caulfield (@caulfieldtim.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 10:46 AM

The entire MAHA and MAGA health movement is about grift

[image or embed]

— Prof Gavin Yamey (@gavinyamey.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 1:36 PM

Our 1st project w/ Unbiased Science !
The State of US Vaccine Policy
A new recurring feature in collaboration with Unbiased Science lays out in an easy-to-skim format the latest vaccine developments. It's what you need to know
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a…

[image or embed]

— CIDRAP (@cidrap.bsky.social) February 5, 2026 at 11:51 AM

===
===

13 new measles cases in South Carolina as Florida university outbreak grows
More than two-thirds of all cases (594) in South Carolina have occurred in children ages 5 to 17.
wwwcidrap.umn.edu/m…
Photo: Steve Knight / Wikimedia Commons

[image or embed]

— CIDRAP (@cidrap.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 5:09 PM

6. Switching to #measles: As of 2/5, there've been 733 confirmed measles cases in the US in 2026 — more than most years since the early 1990s. 20 jurisdictions have reported cases. 92% of cases are part of an outbreak. www.cdc.gov/measles/data…

[image or embed]

— Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 (@helenbranswell.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 4:06 PM

7. #CDC reports that about 95% of the confirmed cases so far this year are in people who aren't fully vaccinated (2 shots).
This map shows most parts of the country don't have measles vaccination rates high enough to stop spread if measles is introduced. Measles isn't going away anytime soon.

[image or embed]

— Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 (@helenbranswell.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 4:06 PM

Measles exposures reported in DC, Disneyland, as virus activity drops in Europe
Preliminary data from 2025 show a drop in the number of #measles cases reported across the European Union compared with 2024
www.cidrap.umn.edu/m…

[image or embed]

— CIDRAP (@cidrap.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 5:32 PM

Besides the measles outbreak in a vulnerable setting, the saddest thing here is that there exists "An ICE facility for Children"
Let that sink in.
No child belongs in a detention facility. None.
There is no justification for this cruelty on children.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026…

[image or embed]

— BK. Titanji (@boghuma.bsky.social) February 5, 2026 at 9:11 AM

A six-day campaign immunized more than 174,000 children against measles in Sudan. ❤️
w.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/you-c…

[image or embed]

— BK. Titanji (@boghuma.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 2:26 PM

"Australia is battling its biggest rise in whooping cough cases in 35 years."
"During 2024 and 2025 Australia recorded 82,513 whooping cough cases – the highest number since monitoring began in 1991."
Source: archive.md/20eq5

[image or embed]

— Denis – The COVID Info Guy (@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 2:51 AM

===
===

More avian flu outbreaks in Pennsylvania, Colorado
Within the last 30 days, avian flu has been detected in 59 flocks.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a…

[image or embed]

— CIDRAP (@cidrap.bsky.social) February 5, 2026 at 4:47 PM

Federal testing improves detection of H5N1 avian flu in US dairy herds
Early in the outbreak, the virus was more widespread than reported.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a…

[image or embed]

— CIDRAP (@cidrap.bsky.social) February 5, 2026 at 2:19 PM

===
===

China criticized the US for withdrawing from #WHO on Friday, during a meeting of the WHO executive board. A Chinese representative said the US was putting domestic politics ahead of international law. A North Korea rep said the US should pay its unpaid bills. www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/c…

[image or embed]

— Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 (@helenbranswell.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 1:49 PM

A success story for a physician with Alzheimer's which, in spite of the obstacles outlined, is a precursor for our enhanced ability to prevent the disease in the future
gift link
www.wsj.com/opinion/i-ca…

[image or embed]

— Eric Topol (@erictopol.bsky.social) February 4, 2026 at 9:06 AM

Report finds US biodefense lagging as biological risks intensify
A bipartisan working group proposes affordable, common-sense actions to bolster biopreparedness.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/b…

[image or embed]

— CIDRAP (@cidrap.bsky.social) February 5, 2026 at 4:45 PM

The US has been in a epidemic of syphilis for the past decade. Congenital syphilis cases are among the highest for high income countries w over 1000 cases per year.
Great review on syphilis in CID by Rockstar ID colleagues subject matter experts.
#IDSky
academic.oup.com/cid/article/…

[image or embed]

— BK. Titanji (@boghuma.bsky.social) February 4, 2026 at 7:58 PM

CDC study highlights growing threat of invasive E coli
A US surveillance study found a higher estimated incidence rate of invasive E coli than expected, and worrisome levels of antibiotic resistance.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a…

[image or embed]

— CIDRAP (@cidrap.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 5:23 PM

Updated PASTEUR Act reintroduced in Congress to boost antibiotic development
The updated legislation includes a scoring system to determine which new antibiotics and antifungals would be eligible for government contracts.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a…

[image or embed]

— CIDRAP (@cidrap.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 5:18 PM

all together now: productivity improvements in a sector are ambiguous as to employment in that sector
[image or embed]

— post malone ergo propter malone (@proptermalone.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 9:54 AM

This is the world RFK Jr dreamed of; his dreams are coming true
This makes me unbelievably sad and unbelievably angry

[image or embed]

— Prof Gavin Yamey (@gavinyamey.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 10:30 AM

Plagues & Pandemics Update – February 11, 2026Post + Comments (17)

On The Road – pat – 2026 Calendar, part 2, plus eagles

by WaterGirl|  February 11, 20265:00 am| 13 Comments

This post is in: On The Road, Photo Blogging

I schedule Albatrossity’s post when it comes in. Three guesses as to who forgot to schedule OTR for the rest of the week!

On The Road - lashonharangue - Monigotes of Mazatlán 8

pat

My first OTR post was photos from my 2026 calendar.  I accidentally hit submit after July.  So I’m trying to finish it with August-December, and then hopefully with a few Bald Eagles.

On The Road - pat - 2026 Calendar, part 2, plus eagles 9
Wisconsin

August

Monarch Butterfly on Zinnia

On The Road – pat – 2026 Calendar, part 2, plus eaglesPost + Comments (13)

Late Night Open Thread: EEEEElon — Jenkins!

by Anne Laurie|  February 11, 20262:35 am| 93 Comments

This post is in: C.R.E.A.M., Open Threads, Technology, Elon Musk

'Space is the Place' (Sun Ra)
‘The race is on’: will Elon Musk be the first to put a data centre in space? – giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/… via @FT

[image or embed]

— Monika Dommann (@modomodo.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 7:11 AM

Media: “But he has so much money, we have to believe him!… “

(Elon Musk: “At least I have chicken!“)

… The tech billionaire, who aims to launch an initial public offering for the newly combined company this year, argues that vast fleets of satellites powered by solar energy and cooled by the vacuum of space will become the cheapest way to generate AI computing power. Musk believes this will happen within the next three years.

Satellite executives, investors and researchers said that Musk’s timeline for putting data centres in space is highly ambitious. But many agree that the underlying idea is increasingly plausible, as long as launch costs continue to fall and demand for AI compute keeps surging…

The idea of generating computing power in space dates back to a 1941 Isaac Asimov story, Reason, which depicts a network of orbital space stations generating solar energy that is beamed back to Earth.

The 21st-century twist is to use that solar power to fuel AI chips, shuttling the data back to Earth using satellite networks such as SpaceX’s Starlink.

Huge fleets of thousands of satellites, networked together and held in a “sun synchronous” low Earth orbit, could respond to users’ AI queries at a speed not too different to today’s terrestrial chatbots, advocates say.

“Mark my words: in 36 months, probably closer to 30 months, the most economically compelling place to put AI will be space,” Musk told Stripe’s Cheeky Pint podcast last week…

But the economics hinge on several unproven assumptions. First, that the price of launching large constellations of satellites will fall dramatically. Second, that chips such as Nvidia’s graphics processing units, the workhorses of terrestrial AI data centres today, can be shielded from radiation and cooled in the vacuum of space. Crucially, the concept assumes that advances in AI will continue to demand ever-greater computing power…

This would have been a good point for someone to have asked, is that really how things work? Or is vacuum in fact an excellent insulator? www.ft.com/content/a5cf…

[image or embed]

— JW Mason (@jwmason.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:24 AM

I mean, if Musk announced his plan to begin ranching frogs since the average frog weighs 50% more than a cow, you'd think that someone at the FT might pause before putting "frogs, which on average weigh 50% more than cows" in a news story.

— JW Mason (@jwmason.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:25 AM

Tesla isn't going to build EVs, it's going to build humanoid robots.
SpaceX isn't going to Mars, it's going to the Moon.
X was going to be where you did all your banking. Forget we ever said that.
This is what bullshit looks like when it starts to unravel.

— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 10:55 AM

show full post on front page

* don't get me wrong, the engineers at SpaceX, in particular, have pulled off some astonishing feats. I'm talking here about the gap between reality and leveraged-fortune-fueling hype.

— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 10:58 AM

Behind every bubble, there is a reality. That's what makes it so enticing. It's just a reality that *understandably* falls short of the hype.

— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Let's not ever talk about DOGE saving $1 trillion in "waste and abuse".

— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:03 AM

Dude is great at selling vaporware 🤷

— Brian Honolulu Bluesky (@brianslionsblog.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 10:57 AM

Tesla’s profits fell last year by almost half. It’s priced like a growth stock, due entirely to Musk’s vaporous promises about great things to come which are years behind schedule.
Careful, investors.

— Centrist Sisyphus (@centristsisyphus.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:07 AM

In case you're not convinced that Tesla is no longer trying to sell cars: Tesla's EU market share dropped almost 40% last year and they're putting the guy responsible for that performance in charge of global sales

[image or embed]

— e.w. niedermeyer (@niedermeyer.online) February 10, 2026 at 12:35 PM

elon musk really looked at tesla's worst performing market and was like "I want that guy running sales"

— e.w. niedermeyer (@niedermeyer.online) February 10, 2026 at 12:36 PM

this Mars> Moon pivot actually is a big deal for Elon because he usually avoids anything resembling a climb-down, as they tend to be bad for confidence games
this suggests he is struggling to pull it off

[image or embed]

— e.w. niedermeyer (@niedermeyer.online) February 9, 2026 at 9:35 PM

if you watch video of Elon from ten years ago you can kinda see how he pulled this off, even as a hater, but it also makes it super clear that he no longer has the qualities needed to spin up a new narrative that's really capable of replacing the old Mars City dream

— e.w. niedermeyer (@niedermeyer.online) February 9, 2026 at 9:37 PM

The funny thing is that he already got his big sci-fi win by having a biohacking daughter and he hates it.

[image or embed]

— Starfire’s Deranged Neocon Foreign Policy Podcast (@irhottakes.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 12:34 PM

It really is a James Tiptree story come to life, huh. World's richest man uses technology to guarantee male heir, heir uses technology to become daughter anyway, man goes insane and tries to destroy civilization. 70s reviewers say "cool scifi but isn't the feminist message a little heavy-handed?"

— unfamiliarlurker.bsky.social (@unfamiliarlurker.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 12:41 PM

i am not sure that i could name someone in business who has burned more name capital than musk has. like, you usually have to look at entertainment or sports, and it’s usually people like phil spector or OJ. maybe bernie madoff applies here.

[image or embed]

— GOLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) February 9, 2026 at 11:36 PM

how does it not bother investors that Elon Musk never actually delivers the thing
if he didn't deliver affordable EVs, the 100% solar-powered Superchargers, the "alien dreadnought" factory, the game-changing solar roof, or L5 self-driving why believe he'll deliver data centers in space or whatever?

— e.w. niedermeyer (@niedermeyer.online) February 9, 2026 at 1:03 PM

The guy has been making promises he can't keep for decades, yet to his followers, and those investing in his company, it just doesn't matter.
He's like the end times guy who, when his latest date for Armaggen passes without incident says, "forgot to carry the three", and gives out a new date.

— dfh1.bsky.social (@dfh1.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 3:24 AM

10 years ago "we will be on Mars in 10 years" today "we will be on the moon in 10 years" 10 years from now "we will be allowed out without an ankle monitor in 10 years"

— Brosemite Sam (@brosemitesam.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 1:07 PM

Late Night Open Thread: <em>EEEEElon — Jenkins!</em>Post + Comments (93)

War for Ukraine Day 1,447: The Cost

by Adam L Silverman|  February 10, 202610:54 pm| 8 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

A black and white cartoon with Popeye the Sailor Man facing forward and to the left. His word bubble says "I Yam Disgustipated"

Two people were killed in today’s russian airstrike on Sloviansk — an 11-year-old girl and her mother.

Seven others were injured, including a 7-year-old child.

The video shows footage from the first few minutes after the strike.

[image or embed]

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:36 AM

The bodies of a mother and her 11‑year‑old daughter lay in black bags on the ground‼️

Russia killed them by bombing their home in Sloviansk – a place where they should have been safe.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 10:06 AM

Russians killed 2 one‑year‑old boys and a two‑year‑old girl in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv region‼️

A 34‑year‑old man who was with the children also died from his injuries‼️

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 6:36 PM

russia is committing genocide of Ukrainians.

Genocides are not stopped by “talks”.

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 5:56 AM

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

show full post on front page

Many Changes Are Underway in Our Air Defense Operations – Address by the President

10 February 2026 – 20:03

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today I had a long discussion with military officials – the Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of the General Staff, and the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Many changes are underway in our air defense operations: in some regions, the way teams work is being almost completely reorganized – interceptors, mobile fire groups, and the entire short-range air defense component. But this is only one of the elements of defense that need changes, and the changes are coming. This also concerns oversight of the frontline supplies with drones, weapons, and, most importantly, personnel. People are indeed the key issue: their training and the actual replenishment of brigades. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine, together with the military command, is preparing the necessary decisions – measures that will strengthen Ukraine and solve existing problems. It’s too early to share the details publicly. Once the decisions are fully developed, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and our army will present them to the public.

We are preparing for two systemic security events that will take place this week. The first is a defense ministers’ format involving countries standing with Ukraine. New support packages for our defense will be announced. The second is the Munich Security Conference, in which Ukraine will take part. It is important that Ukraine’s signals are heard by Europe, heard by America, and by all our partners. I am confident they will be. More joint activity in the interest of security is needed. More joint production, more advanced capabilities, and, of course, more coordination. If Europeans act separately, many around the world play against Europe. Unity is needed for all of us in Europe. This is exactly what we are working on.

I want to thank all countries, I want to thank every leader, and every people helping Ukraine’s energy system right now – our cities, our communities, and the ongoing recovery efforts after Russian attacks. In some of our regions, restoration work is practically constant – Russian strikes continue, and our people keep bringing back the power and getting the energy systems running again. I want to thank everyone who works for Ukrainians, for bringing light to our people.

Today, three regions faced the most difficult electricity supply situation. These are Kharkiv region, Poltava region, Sumy and the region. There is a specific problem in part of Odesa region – mostly in the south, where many houses rely on electric heating, and winters as cold as these weeks are really rare. Local and regional authorities, along with government officials, have the resources to help people. This must be felt in every community. The capital remains one of the most problematic areas – a significant number of buildings are without heat. And I thank the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, our energy workers, and everyone carrying out the commitments we agreed upon in our coordination calls – making sure that every building left without heat has sufficient access to electricity. This is a matter of principle – I ask local authorities and all services to really monitor this constantly. The same approach must apply in other cities and communities. Unfortunately, in some cases, full reports on problems are missing, and valuable time is lost. Today, we reviewed such situations in Kyiv, Okhtyrka, and Kryvyi Rih. Every community head and all responsible services must pay real attention to what is happening with buildings in communities, grids, and the implementation of mandatory decisions that help people. We are monitoring this at all levels. Responsibility will be personal.

I thank everyone who fights for our state as if for themselves. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

“Georgia under the Georgian Dream went from being the only country in the South Caucasus with a Strategic Partnership with the US to the only country in the South Caucasus without a Strategic Partnership with the US.”

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 1:40 PM

This great formulation belongs to Giorgi Tumasyan

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 1:40 PM

Today in Russia’s puppet reality in Georgia is the joint trial of virtually the entire democratic leadership over the trumped-up “sabotage case.”

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 9:57 AM

[image or embed]

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:26 AM

From Interpress News:

“In a 40-volume case, there are only two sentences where I am mentioned, and it says they don’t even know whether I was there or not. In my previous case, at least I knew what the prosecution considered a crime; there were verbs there. Here, there aren’t even verbs. What did I do? Tell me what I am being accused of… The only thing I understood from the actions is that Misha [Saakashvili] wrote about a shark,” Nika Gvaramia, a defendant in the so-called “sabotage case,” stated in court.

In response, former President Mikheil Saakashvili remarked, “Or the shark wrote about Misha.”

According to Gvaramia, the 40-volume case does not specify what he allegedly did. He said the same applies to other defendants.

“This isn’t my first case, and it isn’t the first case I know of. Misha had his marvels, and my cases were no less marvelous. But this case, I swear, it’s 40 volumes. I searched through them for where Nika Gvaramia, the subordinate, committed the crime with an accomplice, but I couldn’t find it. The indictment contains only dispositive verbs. What evidence are we supposed to consider? Honestly, in the 40 volumes, there are only two sentences where I am mentioned, and I asked my lawyer to read them.

“In the previous case, at least I knew what the prosecution considered a crime; there were verbs. Here, there are no verbs. What did I do? There are two sentences, and both say they don’t know whether I was there, but my name and surname are mentioned.

“Why are you questioning the 40 volumes, including the testimonies of Eka Gigauri and Nanuka Jorjoliani? Tell me what I am being accused of, where you think I was, and I will tell you if I was standing there, what I said, and what I did. You could have brought Lenin’s 40 volumes just as easily. How am I supposed to reason when nothing in this case is related? The only thing I understood from the actions is that Misha wrote about a shark,” said Gvaramia.

Saakashvili again replied: “Or the shark wrote about Misha.”

For context, in the so-called sabotage case, the Prosecutor General’s Office charged Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Zurab “GIRCH” Japaridze, Elene Khoshtaria, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze.

Specifically:

  • Giorgi Vashadze and Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze are charged under Article 318, Part 1, and Article 319 of the Criminal Code, covering sabotage and assistance to foreign hostile activities, punishable by 7 to 15 years imprisonment.
  • Elene Khoshtaria is charged under Articles 318(1), 319, and 321prima(1), covering sabotage, providing material resources for the crime, and assistance to foreign hostile activities.
  • Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze are charged under Article 318(1), covering sabotage.
  • Mikheil Saakashvili is charged under Article 317, covering calls to violently change Georgia’s constitutional order or overthrow state power.

Regarding preventive measures, Giorgi Vashadze and Zurab “Girchii” Japaridze have bail set at 30,000 GEL, while Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze have bail set at 1 million GEL.

The Vatican:

Pope Leo XIV sent three trucks carrying 80 electric generators to Ukraine.
Thank you Pope!

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:11 AM

Bulgaria:

Bulgarian activists report that they saw people in uniforms with PMC insignia and an RF flag on a building in the mountains. According to BOEC chairman Georgi Georgiev, a group of activists discovered a site they believe serves as a center of “terrorist activity.”
www.novinite.com/articles/236…

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 9:04 AM

NATO:

OTD in 2007 Prez gave His famous Munich speech in which said “relations between NATO and Russia must be developed before Ukraine can NATO”.

So Ukraine can join. Not “we got a promise that they can’t”. An important detail to get wrong.

— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Notice how the story has shifted.
Up t 2007: It’s Ukraine’s decision to join
2007-2014: Ukraine join but we have to allow it
2014 -to now: We got a promise they would never join.

— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Great powers do not ask for security guarantees, they give them. The fact we are asking for them proves we are not one.

This might be evidence to treat us accordingly.

[image or embed]

— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 2:07 AM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said a potential settlement to the war in Ukraine must include security guarantees for Moscow, arguing that any peace agreement would be impossible without them.

“We recognize that a peaceful settlement in Ukraine must take into account Ukraine’s security interests, but the key importance, of course, is Russia’s security interests,” Grushko told Russian media on Feb. 10.

He said leaders of the European Union have failed to address Moscow’s concerns.

“If you look carefully at all the statements made by the leaders of the European Union, no one talks about guarantees for Russia’s security,” Grushko said.

“This is a key element of reaching an agreement. Without it, no peace treaty is possible,” he added.

Grushko said potential security guarantees for Russia would include some of the demands Moscow has made since launching its invasion of Ukraine, including a prohibition on Ukraine joining NATO.

He also rejected the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine, which Kyiv has proposed as a possible security guarantee.

His comments come as Ukraine, Russia, and the United States continue trilateral talks aimed at ending the nearly four-year war. The most recent round of negotiations was held in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 4-5, and discussions are expected to continue this week, most likely in the United States.

You know, Russia’s security need to invade and take over its neighbors.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has increasingly become a war of drones, but artillery still plays a key role on the battlefield. Newly obtained documents from 2014 to 2025 show that Russia continues to modernize its artillery production using industrial machinery from Europe. 🧵Thread:

[image or embed]

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

2/ In a joint analysis, Frontelligence Insight and the “Dallas analytical” company reviewed hundreds of internal documents from Russian defense contractor Zenit-Investprom and found that Plant No. 9, a maker of artillery barrels and tank guns, went through major upgrades in 2025

[image or embed]

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

3/ Six facilities within the Uralmash industrial zone were found to be undergoing modernization, including planned delivery of industrial machinery from several European countries. Several workshops were dedicated to work on the Armata project and the Koalitsiya SPG.

[image or embed]

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

4/ According to floor plans and procurement documents, Russia planned to deliver at least 22 large industrial machines to the modernized facilities of Plant No. 9, including gear-shaping, milling, and other modern multifunctional equipment.

[image or embed]

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

5/ For clarity, this is an example of one of the ordered machines, the LC-500 gear hobbing machine by the German company Liebherr. As seen in the photo from Liebherr’s official website, this is not small electronics, like a router, that could be easily bought and repurposed

[image or embed]

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

6/ Liebherr is not the only German company on the list. HERMLE AG and DMG MORI also appear, alongside the Italian companies TACCHI and PARPAS, the British firm JONES & SHIPMAN, and the Taiwanese manufacturers KAFO and Glory.

[image or embed]

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

7/ This is not a one-off upgrade, but part of a decade-long effort to expand production, with the current phase accelerated by the war. In letters sent in 2014 to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Plant No. 9’s CEO requested confirmation that such equipment had to be imported

[image or embed]

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

8/ It appears that 11 years later, Russia has been unable to make a proper import-substitution, meaning that even in 2025 it planed its modernization around large industrial machinery made in Europe. Yet Russia remains confident in its ability to procure this equipment.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

9/ Thank you for reading. Our full report, with far more detail, is available at the link below:

frontelligence.substack.com/p/behind-the…

[image or embed]

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych appeared for training on the Olympic track wearing his ‘helmet of memory,’ with photographs of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia’s war, despite a ban from the IOC.
❤️‍🩹

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:50 AM

IOC has reviewed request by UA Olympian Heraskevych to wear helmet with photos of UA athletes killed by Russia. IOC has permitted to wear it during training; citing rules that prioritize focusing on games, Committee will make an exception and allow him to wear a black armband during competition.

[image or embed]

— Olga Nesterova (@onestpress.onestnetwork.com) February 10, 2026 at 8:41 AM

Here is the letter sent by the IOC to Heraskevych

[image or embed]

— Olga Nesterova (@onestpress.onestnetwork.com) February 10, 2026 at 9:06 AM

Roland Fischnaller competed at the 2026 Olympics wearing a helmet with the Russian flag, despite a ban. Though it also showed flags of other countries he’d competed in, Russian and Belarusian flags are taboo. The IOC couldn’t explain the exception to Tribuna.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:41 AM

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also banned Ukrainian freestyle skier Kateryna Kotsar from wearing her favorite helmet during the 2026 Olympics:

“I have my signature helmet that I compete in — ‘Be brave like Ukrainians’. About a week before the Olympic Games,

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:25 PM

I received an email saying that the International Olympic Committee considers this helmet to be propaganda, and therefore I cannot compete in it at the Games.”

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:25 PM

It is important to remember that the International Olympic Committee is it’s own organized criminal organization. Doing the Olympics every four years is just cover/a front. It is also tied to a lot of other major organized criminal organizations and networks, like the bratva. Which is why it does politically tone deaf things like this.

Xataka reports that Ukraine has received a unique Lanza radar, which serves as the “eyes” for Patriot and NASAMS systems. It is noted that while the U.S. had long refused to provide this technology to Ukraine, Spain has now delivered it.
www.xataka.com/magnet/ucran…

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM

From Xataka: (machine translated from the Spanish)

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has had to fight a parallel battle far from the front: that of convincing his allies of what weapons he needed, when and how far that aid could go without cross sensitive political lines. Between delays, partial vetoes and fears of escalation, air defense became one of the most critical bottlenecks for months, leaving kyiv exposed to campaigns of missiles and drones while the international response advanced slower than the war.

A radar that changes the calculation. Therefore, the arrival of the Spanish radar in Ukraine Ltr-25 lance it represents a qualitative leap in its air defense, by incorporating a long-range detection capacity capable of identifying threats more than 450 kilometers. From drones and cruise missiles to ballistic systems and stealth aircraft, radar will help in a conflict where Russia has made massive and combined airstrike one of its main instruments of attrition.

The system, developed by Indra, is not a prototype or a future promise, but a technology already validated by NATO on its eastern flank, designed to operate in environments saturated with interference and electronic warfare and to integrate frictionlessly with Western batteries that protect the Ukrainian sky.

The unexpected ally. Another reading that the movement has is clear. Ukraine has just received from Spain what it had been doing for months claiming the United States: a real one long range defense that allows us to see the Russian attacks coming well in advance to organize an effective response.

While Washington he has been reticent by giving up certain sensors and strategic capabilities, Madrid has taken a step that changes the Ukrainian defensive depth, offering not only interceptors, but also the necessary “eyes” to anticipate and coordinate defense against waves of missiles and drones that seek to saturate the system. In that sense, the LTR-25 is not just another radar, but a critical piece that extends reaction time and it reduces Ukraine’s structural vulnerability to Moscow.

Technology tested in the most demanding environment. The LTR-25 radar operates in L-band with phased array architecture and digital beamforming. In other words, it has characteristics that allow it track hundreds of targets simultaneously with great precision even under electronic attack, a key capability to detect low radar signature targets such as Shahed drones or cruise missiles.

Your mobility tactics and philosophy of “turn on, detect and move” reinforce their survival on a front where Russia tries to hunt down radars and command systems, and their integration with command networks and NATO control it makes it a force multiplier for systems such as Patriot, SAMP/T, IRIS-T or NASAMS already deployed in Ukraine.

More at the link.

HUR released fresh footage showing the destruction of Russian air defense systems.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 12:31 PM

Oskhil, Kharkiv Oblast:

A russian drone struck the car of the village head in Oskil, Kharkiv Oblast, as he was delivering bread to residents.

The car burned down completely. The man survived with minor injuries.

[image or embed]

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 7:43 AM

Zolochiv, Kharkiv Oblast:

As a result of a russian drone strike on a gas station in Zolochiv, Kharkiv region, fuel pumps caught fire.
Thankfully, firefighters arrived in time. They control the situation.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 7:27 AM

Zaporizhzhia:

Zaporizhzhia is under russian drone attack ‼️ there is a huge fire in the city.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:21 PM

Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

Russian Tornado-S 300mm MLRS was destroyed today in Zaporizhzhia region.

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russia:

A Ukrainian heavy drone drops munitions on a group of Russian assault troops who have just dismounted from armored vehicles near the village of Novopavlivka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Night footage from the 42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:48 AM

Sumy Oblast:

In the Sumy region, Russian occupiers tried to crawl through a pipe again. But operators from the 71st Jaeger Brigade of the Air Assault Forces were waiting, thanks to intel.
The result: 21 Russians were eliminated; only one managed to crawl back into the pipe.
t.me/c/2546065755…

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 9:39 AM

Russia:

🚨Russian oil production dropping further as export demand collapses📉🫟

They’ve tried desperately to avoid production cuts because closed wells will likely never reopen, but with few buyers and record oil volumes trapped unsold in shadow fleet tankers, they are out of options.

[image or embed]

— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 2:03 AM

🤥 Russian lies about economic health are becoming obvious to all.

🔹Rosstat claims Russians have seen a huge increase in living standards
🔹BUT, Russians are spending less on food and healthcare
🔹AND, grocery prices are now higher than many EU countries, but wages are..not

🤔

[image or embed]

— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 3:28 AM

Just an important reminder that Rosstat cooks its data. It’s official data, it’s better than nothing, they do describe their methodologies, but they’re still having Dr. Finagle go through it.

Russia started throttling Telegram today, and the whining from their war propaganda bloggers is so rich. 😂

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 10:31 AM

“The Telegram slowdown is a fight against NATO, and Russians may suffer inconveniences,” — State Duma deputy Gurulev. 🤡

Im sure NATO is devastated 😁

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 10:35 AM

Pavel Durov commented on the slowdown of the messenger in Russia.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 12:51 PM

Volgograd Oblast, Russia:

🔥🛢️Russian Volgograd oil refinery, with the annual capacity of 14,5mln tons of oil is under drone attack right now

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 5:33 PM

Yekaterinburg Russia:

The Dallas group obtained unique blueprints showing the scale of modernization at Plant No. 9 in Yekaterinburg, suggesting that sanctions are not preventing Russia from scaling up artillery production.
dallas-park.com/uk/za-lashtu…

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 6:36 AM

The plant is a key manufacturer of artillery barrels for the Koalitsiya and Msta self-propelled howitzers, as well as guns for the T-90, T-14, T-62, and T-72. Despite sanctions, the plant plans to install 22 units of foreign-made equipment.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 6:36 AM

Vladivostok, Primorski Krai, Russia:

In Vladivostok, Russia, a thermal power plant caught fire. Ukraine didn’t even shell them – it was just a short circuit, and 50,000 Russians were left without electricity, and in some areas without heating and hot water.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:11 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

A new Patron video:

@patron__dsns

життя-буття… #песпатрон

♬ What Was I Made For – Andrea Vanzo

Here’s the machine translation of the caption:

life-being…#песпатрон

And a machine translation of the text in the video:

You can’t gnaw on slippers, you can’t eat 10 servings of cheese, you can’t bark at hedgehogs, you can’t do anything…

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,447: The CostPost + Comments (8)

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 11827
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

On The Road - TKH - Patagonia-los animales y plantas 7
Photo by TKH (2/10/26)

Want to Do Something?

5 Calls

Recent Comments

  • sab on Score One for the Good Guys (Feb 11, 2026 @ 4:10pm)
  • Snarki, child of Loki on Score One for the Good Guys (Feb 11, 2026 @ 4:09pm)
  • rikyrah on Score One for the Good Guys (Feb 11, 2026 @ 4:04pm)
  • gene108 on Score One for the Good Guys (Feb 11, 2026 @ 4:04pm)
  • sab on Score One for the Good Guys (Feb 11, 2026 @ 4:04pm)

Mary Peltola Alaska Senate

Donate

Balloon Juice Posts

View by Topic
View by Author
View by Month & Year
View by Past Author

Featuring

Medium Cool
Artists in Our Midst
Authors in Our Midst
On Artificial Intelligence (7-part series)

🎈Keep Balloon Juice Ad Free

Become a Balloon Juice Patreon
Donate with Venmo, Zelle or PayPal

Calling All Jackals

Site Feedback
Nominate a Rotating Tag
Submit Photos to On the Road
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Links)
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Posts)

Fix Nyms with Apostrophes

Outsmarting Apple iOS 26

Balloon Juice Mailing List Signup

Order Calendar A
Order Calendar B

Social Media

Balloon Juice
WaterGirl
TaMara
John Cole
DougJ (aka NYT Pitchbot)
Betty Cracker
Tom Levenson
David Anderson
Major Major Major Major
DougJ NYT Pitchbot
mistermix
Rose Judson (podcast)

Mary Peltola Alaska Senate

Donate

Site Footer

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Comment Policy
  • Our Authors
  • Blogroll
  • Our Artists
  • Privacy Policy

Privacy Manager

Copyright © 2026 Dev Balloon Juice · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc