I’m absolutely fried. We had a 15 second or so power outage at 1:00 AM, which was enough to wake me up when suddenly everything started beeping and bonging as it turned back on and the backlighting on my TV came on. Then, at 4:05 AM, Ruby woke me up very upset. I’m guessing there was thunder and/or lightning. So I got her settled back down. And then my alarm went off at 5:30 AM. That’s my fault, that’s what I set it for. So my plan is just to do a daily Patron update. But, first, I wanted to include these two items:
President @ZelenskyyUa is in the war zone. This is what courage and dedication looks like.
No «deep concern» from the West will stop the Ukrainians on their way to Victory. No bunker, however deep it is, will protect the russian war criminals from punishment. pic.twitter.com/pxlgpu9PgY— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) September 14, 2022
And, of course, on the way home he was in a car accident. He’s fine. Reuter‘s has the details:
Sept 15 (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s car was involved in a traffic accident in Kyiv, but he is not seriously hurt, his spokesman Serhii Nykyforov said in a Facebook post early on Thursday.
Nykyforov – who did not say when the accident occurred – said Zelenskiy’s car had collided with a private vehicle.
“The president was examined by a doctor, no serious injuries were found,” he said, adding the accident would be investigated.
Medics accompanying Zelenskiy gave the driver of the private car emergency aid and put him in an ambulance, he said.
Minutes after Nykyforov made his statement, Zelenskiy’s office released the video of the night time address that the president gives every day.
So here’s his nightly address, as proof of life. Video below, English transcript after the jump:
Ukrainians!
I’ve returned from the Kharkiv region – from our Kharkiv region, from the districts that were liberated.
As of today, almost the entire region is de-occupied. It was an unprecedented movement of our warriors – Ukrainians once again managed to do what many considered impossible. On the first day of active operations alone, our troops advanced 19 kilometers. 110 kilometers were covered in five days of fighting. In total, almost 400 settlements were de-occupied. The 150,000 Ukrainians who remained in this territory feel again now what an ordinary, safe, normal life is like.
The Russian army has been in the Kharkiv region for more than five months. And during this time, the occupiers did not even try to do anything for the people. They only destroyed, only deprived, only took away. They left behind devastated villages, and in some of them there is not a single undamaged house. The occupiers left schools turned into garbage dumps, and churches – broken, literally turned into toilets.
Journalists – both Ukrainian and foreign journalists – gained access to the liberated areas. The world must see this destruction, must feel the pain that Russia has brought to Ukrainians. Our law enforcement officers already receive reports of murders, tortures and abductions by the occupiers. What the world saw in Bucha, what we saw in the de-occupied territory of the Chernihiv region, Sumy region, and what we are seeing now in the Kharkiv region are evidence of genocide against Ukrainians. Evidence that Russia cannot bring anything else except for genocide.
And I will speak in Russian to “comrades”.
Your missile attacks today, Russian missiles targeting Kryvyi Rih, the dam of the Karachunivske Reservoir, the objects that have no military value at all, in fact hitting hundreds of thousands of ordinary civilians, is another reason why Russia will lose. And not just this war, but history itself.
History is written by people, never by savages. Who will you remain in history? All those who launch these missiles. Those who came to our land. Weaklings. You are weaklings waging a war against civilians. Scoundrels who, having fled the battlefield, are trying to do harm from somewhere far away. You will remain terrorists whom their own grandchildren will be ashamed of.
Events show that the only way out for Russian soldiers is to surrender to Ukrainian forces. This is the only option that guarantees them life and attitude in accordance with all conventions. Every Russian soldier should have already understood that only in Ukrainian captivity will no one use him as cannon fodder in a war that is obviously losing for Russia.
At the site of the missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, everything is being done to eliminate the consequences of this yet another Russian vile act. A vile act, which may please insane Russian propagandists, but will certainly not save the moral and psychological state of Russian soldiers. They understood that the Russian command is incompetent, and that a rout awaits them in Ukraine on all fronts. Russia will not fix this with any terror, as terror only confirms the weakness of the one who resorts to it.
Today in Izyum, I awarded our heroes. It was an honor for me to present state awards on this very land to those who liberated this land. I am grateful to the warriors of the 14th and 92nd separate mechanized brigades, the 25th separate airborne brigade, the 80th separate airborne assault brigade – everyone who in just five days forced the enemy to retreat in panic, abandoning equipment, ammunition, numerous Russian flags. I am grateful to the 107th MLRS brigade, the 40th, 43rd, 44th separate artillery brigades, the 26th artillery brigade. I want to thank the 15th separate artillery reconnaissance brigade – all the warriors who ensured the timely destruction of enemy targets and the advance of our ground units. And, of course, I am grateful to the fighters of the Main Intelligence Directorate, all who skillfully turned the enemy’s panic into real hysteria.
I am grateful to Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky and the officers of his staff – everyone who planned and successfully conducted the military operation to liberate the Kharkiv region.
The Ukrainian flag will return to all parts of our country. Just like in the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian warriors will be met in Donbas, in the south, and in Crimea. It will happen, it will definitely happen.
I also held a meeting today in Kharkiv regarding the energy situation in the city and the region. We take into account the fact that the terrorist state can resort to any new vile acts. All levels of Ukrainian authorities – both central and local, rescue services, energy companies, transporters – are tasked with preparing for any scenarios. Reserves for energy, heat and water supply are needed – for all possible cases.
We are preparing for tomorrow’s active day. We are waiting for the news from the frontline. There will be diplomatic news from Kyiv – President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is paying a visit. Today was almost a Ukrainian day in Brussels. For the first time in the history of the European Union, a state from outside the EU was actually represented at a special session of the European Parliament during the annual State of the EU Report – this is our state. So far – from outside the EU. We are working for full membership – politically, legally, symbolically.
The First Lady of Ukraine was present during this annual report of the President of the European Commission. We have an important result of this visit – one hundred million euros for the reconstruction of 74 schools in Ukraine in the framework of the Fast Recovery Plan. We will do everything to implement a large-scale social initiative – cancellation of roaming charges for our people in the EU and for Europeans in Ukraine. This will be a strong signal of our rapprochement. And I thank Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, I thank all our friends in the European Union for their unwavering support.
I am thankful to all our warriors! I am thankful to everyone who participates in the rescue operations after the Russian strikes. We will respond to the terrorists for each of their vile acts, for each missile, for each projectile. We are capable of that.
Glory to Ukraine!
Your daily Patron!
He has an operation today because of multiple shrapnel wounds. If you would like to join the fundraiser for treatment, here is the link: https://t.co/D2ed7N80lB
You can also use my PayPal
[email protected]— Patron (@PatronDsns) September 14, 2022
There is not currently a new video posted on Patron’s official TikTok. So keep good thoughts for Gres Victor!
Open thread!
Acts of Kindness: Kids Bring The Smiles
Argiope
Here’s hoping you and all the critters sleep well tonight, Adam, and thanks as always.
Jay
Jay
Anoniminous
That’s all great but did you ever liberate your own mama’s village
Translation
Alison Rose 💙🌻💛
It’s always so amazing to see Zelenskyy out there among the troops, and to see the obvious and mutual respect and support and admiration between them. They know he knows what he’s doing, and he knows they know what they’re doing. Putting himself so close to danger always makes me a little scared, but also a bit in awe.
Of course when I read the headline about the car accident I was like OH HOLY HELL, but then I calmed down when I read the article.
I sympathize with the lack of sleep. After the earthquakes we had here yesterday evening, I was kind of on edge because a bunch of people were saying there could be an aftershock at any moment. As a lifelong Californian, I’m on the one hand sort of blasé about quakes, but on the other hand………..these were a little scary. Epicenter 2 miles from my apartment. I was, literally, shooketh.
Anyway. Thank you as always, Adam. Hope you get better rest tonight!
Anoniminous
Jackasses in Russia are calling for a general mobilization. The fact the Russian Army is in no shape to process millions of draftees, there’s nobody to train them, and there’s no equipment to train on doesn’t register with the cretins.
C Stars
@Anoniminous: Wouldn’t this be tantamount to an admission that Putin was wrong and they’re losing? (I mean, among all the other obvious signs)
@Alison Rose 💙🌻💛: I felt it too last night, though about 50 miles from epicenter so not the same way you did. Have lived in CA (off and on) from the age of 5, and it still spooks me every time.
Adam L Silverman
I’m going to go get cleaned up and then rack out. But first, a question for you all: Do any of you by any chance know/recall the charity that is selling the black long sleeve t-shirts with the Ukrainian flags on the upper sleeve and the tryzub on the left breast? They gave one to Zelenskyy as a gift. I’d love to buy one, but I can’t remember who they are.
Thanks!
jonas
@Anoniminous:
Medvedev was not-so-subtly threatening nuclear war yesterday on Russian tv if NATO and the EU continued supporting Ukraine. So yeah, they’re getting pretty desperate. (How launching a nuke strike against NATO, thereby inviting a utterly annihilating nuclear retaliation from the West would somehow rebound to Russia’s advantage was left as an exercise for the audience to ponder, I suppose.)
Frankensteinbeck
@jonas:
So it’s a day ending in y. They’ve been threatening that since before the invasion started.
Anoniminous
@C Stars:
Yes. Which is why Putin won’t do it.
zhena gogolia
@Anoniminous: “Jackasses” meaning those TV mountebanks?
zhena gogolia
@Adam L Silverman: I hope you get a good sleep.
Jinchi
Hey! Maybe he’ll run into VVP visiting his troops in the war zone and the two of them can hash this whole thing out.
What’s that?…. VVP isn’t visiting the frontline troops?
Bummer.
Alison Rose 💙🌻💛
@Adam L Silverman: Hmmm….the only thing I can think of is the one Balenciaga designed for the United24 platform, but that’s probably not what you meant.
Jinchi
@jonas:
He’s been doing this since at least March. I’m beginning to think it’s not a credible threat.
oldster
Zelensky is impressive. Very impressive. His “without you” speech was one of the best speeches I have ever read. It’s going to be turned into a song, or many songs.
Also, note that in Izyum he was surrounded by hundreds of men and women in helmets and body armor. He wore neither. He just wore his normal light jacket. That sent a message to all of those soldiers: that he trusts his own people, and that he is unafraid of the enemy. What better messages can a leader send?
I have not seen a more admirable wartime leader in…decades, if not centuries. Probably Ike talking to the paratroopers on D-Day minus one.
Anoniminous
@jonas:
I don’t think Russia would initiate nuclear war. But I was pretty snarky around here pre-invasion about intelligence reports they were going to invade because I could not believe they would be that stupid.
So my prognosticator is in the shop for a lube job and oil change.
Anoniminous
@zhena gogolia:
And Duma members.
wu ming
@Adam L Silverman:
i think that shirt was from saint javelin:
https://www.saintjavelin.com/
zhena gogolia
@oldster: I am totally astounded by him.
I’ve said this before, but during the first impeachment I saw a picture of him with TFG and I just thought, what a position to be in, between Trumpov and Putler, how horrible. Little did I know.
Tony G
@Anoniminous: The word “fragging” entered American slang when hundreds of thousands of American draftees were unwillingly sent to Vietnam. Dragging thousands of additional poorly trained Russian draftees into combat in Ukraine might not have the effect that Russian hawks are hoping for.
Another Scott
@jonas: That’s at least the 4th time Medvedev has threatened world catastrophe that I recall. Three previous ones:
It’s his job to try to scare the west.
Cheers,
Scott.
MobiusKlein
@Another Scott: Threatening a war crime as response to being accused of a war crime sounds like an admission of guilt too me
Adam L Silverman
@Alison Rose 💙🌻💛: That’s it! I hope they come in XXL!
Dan B
@wu ming: Didn’t find the T Shirt but the Saint Patron mug is being ordered. It looks like they’re selling like hotcakes (to use some Joe malarkey).
Tony G
@Jinchi: I’m pretty sure that Putin has not been outside of his security bubble in about 20 years. The question that he must be pondering is how long his bodyguards will remain “loyal” to him. Power based on fear is fragile. It can break quickly.
Dan B
@Adam L Silverman: Sad it says one size: Medium fit. I Googled black long sleeve T shirts with Ukraine flag on sleeves and got none with flags or Trident but there were lots of great looking ones with flags, sunflowers – would match a quilt, and more.
Carlo Graziani
Possibly a custom T-Shirt design place might be able to knock one off? I started googling and tripped my “life too short” alarm on the second page of results — being an old, I’m not even certain what I’m looking at. There might be a hit in there that could do it, though.
Alison Rose 💙🌻💛
@oldster: 100% agreed. It’ll be interesting to see how the history books talk about him in a few decades. Except for those in russian schools.
Alison Rose 💙🌻💛
@Adam L Silverman: Oh, sweet! Glad I could help :)
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Adam L Silverman:
Thanks for your reporting on this Adam and get some good rest
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Another Scott:
It’s funny, we did just that, and Russia never declared war on us. It seems they were only bluffing
Bill Arnold
Interesting that Russia has been regularly violating its own rules of war:
https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v2_cou_ru
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Bill Arnold:
IOKIYAR- It’s OK If You’re A Russian
Roger Moore
@Anoniminous:
A general mobilization without putting the economy on something like a wartime footing for long enough to build up stocks of equipment and supplies would be a terrible idea. It would make it clear Russia is doing badly in the war without doing much to improve the situation. And the idea Russia is doing badly is starting to spread among places where that is very bad news.
Azerbaijan has started its attacks on Armenia again, and Armenia has invoked the equivalent of NATO Article V to demand Russian help. There were border clashes today between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, both of which are nominally supposed to be under the Russian umbrella. These are signs the countries near Russia are starting to lose their fear of Russian power. If Russia can’t do something to quiet these things down, they could snowball.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Roger Moore:
What do you think they could snowball into?
Chetan Murthy
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): IIRC, Dagestan and Chechnya have had armed conflicts over disputed land, and they’re both inside Russia. All over Russia and its former empire, all over Eastern Europe, there are groups of people of nationality X, living in country Y. Hungarians living in Romania (Transylvania, IIRC), former Yugo-land, etc. Russia made a not-very-fine art of moving nationalities around from place-to-place in its empire. That’s why there are so many ethnic Russians in the Stans and Baltics (and UA).
Without either the oppressive force of Mother Russia, or the carrot of the EU’s “let’s all get along and we can be happy together”, that can lead to a shit-ton of little wars as states try to take over (or, erm “take back”) land with “their people” on it, in some other state.
At least, that’s what I take Roger Moore to mean
ETA: and of course, that’s what’s been happening in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Chetan Murthy:
Sounds almost like what happened to different ethnic groups after the collapse after the old multiethnic empires of Europe, like the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires, collapsed in the aftermath of WW1. So, in other words, much of the Stans and and Russia could turn into a wartorn hellscape? Yikes. And thanks for the explanation
Chetan Murthy
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Two further thoughts:
If Russia falls apart, it’s gonna be *uggggly*, and that’s even without taking into account the loose nukes.
Roger Moore
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
The most obvious thing is all-out war between the countries mentioned. Along with that, the countries currently in Russia’s sphere of influence would do their best to get out of that sphere. There are already feelers in that direction, and indications of Russian weakness are only going to make movement in that direction stronger.
More generally, it’s hard to know exactly what that snowball will amount to. Look at what happened in 1989-90, the last time the countries in the Russian sphere of influence decided the Russians were too weak to keep them there. We could see something similar, only with the Caucuses and Central Asia being the countries leaving Russia’s sphere of influence rather than Eastern Europe.
Chetan Murthy
@Roger Moore: If Russia starts to fall apart, I gotta wonder what Kadyrov’s gonna do. He’s got a serious Emperor of the Caucasus vibe going. He’s clearly not spending his armies on Ukraine, what with using them as “blocking forces” to prevent RU soldiers from surrendering, and not much more. Gotta believe he’s setting himself up for bigger things.
Torrey
Interesting to see the point where Zelenskyy shifts into Russian. I don’t speak either Russian or Ukrainian, and I’m not an expert on facial expressions (although I have some limited knowledge of the subject), but it seemed to me that at the point where he says he’s going to address the “comrades” in Russian, he begins displaying a slight and probably involuntary raising of the upper lip and concomitant slight wrinkling along the sides of the nose. These normally mark distaste or disgust. I am pretty sure I can spot where he shifts back to Ukrainian, since at that point those expressive elements disappear.
bjacques
@Chetan Murthy: from yesterday’s description of the Kadyrovites’ activities on the front and in the occupied areas, I’d say they’re basically the NKVD.
Adam and others know better, but I expect Kadyrov has made a lot of enemies and relies at least partially on Russian muscle and military/police intelligence to stay in power. If he were to make a play outside Chechnya, might the FSB regain their morale and effectiveness, at least in this case? Many Russians still remember Beslan, the theater, and the Black Widows. And even if nobody believes Chechens bombed that apartment block, it may remain a useful fiction. Also, too, plain old racism.
sab
Hope Patron’s handler is okay.
My American born in the Midwest German shepherd dog hated jack russells with a passion. She was a very dog-friendly dog, but she hated those intense little terriers. She also didn’t like greyhounds. Different reason, they were tall, and big, with bug eyes. She wasn’t sure she could take one down if need be, and those eyes were always a challenge. Terrierds were just obnoxious.
NotoriousJRT
@sab: Not sure I get your point.
Alison Rose 💙🌻💛
@Torrey: I definitely noticed a similar change in tone and expression when he switched to russian. Interesting too since he grew up speaking the language. But I suppose by now, it’s nothing more than the language of the enemy.