Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Wake up. Grow up. Get in the fight.

Republicans in disarray!

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

They’re not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

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

Washington Post’s Catch and Kill, not noticeably better than the Enquirer’s.

Never forget that he train is barreling down on Trump, even as he dances on the tracks.

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

It’s a doggy dog world.

“What are Republicans afraid of?” Everything.

At some point, the ability to learn is a factor of character, not IQ.

Jack Smith: “Why did you start campaigning in the middle of my investigation?!”

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Putin dreamed of ending NATO, and now it’s Finnish-ed.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Found liable for massive fraud, is required to post a massive bond, gets a break, then files a *fraudulent* bond!

Motown is Joe-Town!

“Joe Biden deserved better than he got from some folks in his own party.”

Republicans don’t trust women.

Shut up, hissy kitty!

Let me file that under fuck it.

How any woman could possibly vote for this smug smarmy piece of misogynistic crap is beyond understanding.

We won’t go back.

If you are still in the gop, you are either an extremist yourself, or in bed with those who are.

You are here: Home / Foreign Affairs / War for Ukraine Day 647: Hold the Line

War for Ukraine Day 647: Hold the Line

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Verbove!

Russian drone footage shows two Ukrainian heroes holding off a Russian assault group in Verbove, killing almost all attackers.

In the most cold-blooded fashion, two Ukrainians, while observed by a Russian drone, take up a position in a trench. Russian drone operator navigates an assault group that fails to locate the Ukrainians who open fire, killing almost 5 people instantly, and throwing grenades at them. The drone operators are in shock.

A Russian vehicle also apparently explodes nearby at the start of the engagement, but it is unclear what took it out.

In the end, the drone has to leave, while Russians try to evacuate the dead and wounded.

https://t.me/supernova_plus/26159

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

It is important that every week one can say, “I have contributed something of my own to the common defense” – address by the President of Ukraine

2 December 2023 – 21:01

Dear Ukrainians, I wish you good health!

First of all, I want to thank each and every one of our soldiers for this week, everyone who is in battle, on combat posts, who performs combat tasks.

To all those who help, train, and treat, those who provide the Ukrainian force with everything necessary. Also, of course, to our rescuers – the entire team of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. To the employees of the National Police and the National Guard who have consistently helped our people after Russian shelling and weather-related incidents.

To everyone working in our Ukrainian defense industries. To everyone whose work is to assist Ukraine, take care of the interests of our state. To everyone defending Ukraine on the international stage. I thank you all for making this week bring results for our country, for achieving our goals.

It is significant that Russia has recently lost its influence in two international institutions. These are the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the International Maritime Organization – one of the key organizations globally responsible for security. Indeed, there is no place for terrorists there, and there will no longer be Russian representatives in the executive bodies. This is entirely fair.

I want to specifically acknowledge Germany – German assistance to our defense, to our actions. I am especially grateful for the precise implementation of agreements regarding air defense for Ukraine – strengthening our air shield. This is a lifesaver for thousands of Ukrainian lives – a truly strong outcome of our bilateral cooperation with Chancellor Scholz, with everyone in Germany who supports the protection of life and the rule of international law. There is also another defense package, including much-needed artillery rounds, 155mm. Thank you, Olaf!

It is also important that this week sanctions were imposed by the United States against Russian entities supporting the economy of aggression. This includes those who help violate the price cap for Russian oil and those working in Iranian structures for destabilization. This is extremely useful for advancing a just peace – for each week to bring sanction-related updates, adding effectiveness to sanctions.

And, of course, our personal gratitude goes to those who have shown exceptional bravery in the battles for Ukraine, for independence. Soldier Taras Davydiuk, a reconnaissance officer in the 130th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion. Thank you, Taras, for your courage and true leadership in combat! Soldier Oleksandr Koturbas, from our renowned 55th Separate Artillery Brigade. Thank you for your resilience, precision, and the destruction of occupiers! Soldier Andriy Hryhoriev and Senior Soldier Vitaliy Krasovsky, both from the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade. They have repeatedly repelled enemy assaults, conducted evacuation of the wounded from the battlefield, and eliminated enemy infantry. These guys are fighting in Bradley vehicles. Thank you for your strength! Sergeant Mykola Shuhailo, from the 704th Radiological, Chemical, Biological Defense Regiment. Thank you for your bravery during storm repulsions, thank you for your will to fight!

And two more soldiers from the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade: Soldier Andriy Yatskovets and Junior Sergeant Oleksandr Hakov. Thank you, guys, for your determination in our Ukrainian assault actions!

Glory to all who contributes results to Ukraine, everyone who has found their place in the nationwide cause, everyone who helps and cares for Ukraine! Gratitude to all. Respect to all.

It is important that everyone remains committed to the common cause. It is important that every week one can say, “I have contributed something of my own to the common defense.” It is important that the actions, the concrete actions of millions of Ukrainians every day, every week, further strengthen the Ukrainian force. Together, we can overcome everything.

And please, do not forget to pay attention to air raid alerts, especially these days. Do not neglect it.

Glory to Ukraine!

With friends like these:

For those of you keeping a calendar this Advent season:

Ukrainian Advent Calendar: Day 2

Today, we want to express our gratitude to Polish partners at @MON_GOV_PL for their constant support and, in particular, for providing us with AHS Krab self-propelled howitzer.

Krab became one of the first 155mm artilleries in service with #UArmy. This howitzer also became a nightmare for occupiers in the skillful hands of the 🇺🇦 artillerymen.

Tomorrow we’ll present one more Weapon of Victory in our Advent Calendar. Stay tuned!

#StandWithUkraine #UAMoDAdvent

 

 

Was pleased to congratulate Martin Harris on his appointment as the UK Ambassador to Ukraine and to thank him for all the assistance provided by his country.

The UK was the first European country to send weapons to the Ukrainian army to repel russian aggression.

Briefed the Ambassador about the priorities during my time as a minister.

All the reforms we are carrying out, particularly in the lethal and non-lethal procurement and defence production, are significant for our accession to NATO.

I proposed to have regular telephone conversations with UK Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps.
This would be an excellent opportunity to consult on all issues related to our cooperation with Great Britain and the North Atlantic Alliance.

We are grateful to our German friends for their unwavering support.

New package of military aid includes:
◾️2 border protection vehicles
◾️1 mobile antenna mast system
◾️25 laser range finders
◾️5 drone detection systems
◾️4 8×8 HX81 truck tractor trains
◾️4 semi-trailers
◾️8 Zetros trucks
◾️3 vehicles (trucks, minibuses, all-terrain vehicles)
◾️3,840 rounds 155mm ammunition
◾️250 tool kits with blasting material
◾️15 HLR 338 precision rifles
◾️60,000 rounds ammunition for rifles

🇺🇦🤝🇩🇪
Danke schön!
@BMVg_Bundeswehr

Odesa:

Mobile fire groups of the border guards as part of the air defense forces successfully worked to repel the enemy attack in Odesa: out of 10 drones hit by the Defense Forces, 5 were accounted for by the border guards

Avdiivka:

Many have already seen the drone video showing Russian militants murdering Ukrainian POWs near Avdiivka. We can only estimate the number of unreported and unseen cases, but it is certainly higher.

This kind of barbarism known as “Russkiy Mir” is a cancerous scourge just like radical Islamism. Both movements are entirely incompatible with the civilized world and will land on the same trash heap of humanity like the other fascist variants.

#Ukraine #Avdiivka

From the reporting I’ve seen the Ukrainians had to surrender as they’d run out of ammunition after a prolonged firefight. I’ve seen the video, I won’t post it or link to it. I will state that both Ukrainian Soldiers came out of their fortification with their hands up. Both were lying face down on the ground with their hands behind their heads when the Russians murdered them. This is about as clear a war crime as there is.

Krynky, the left bank of the Dnipro, Russian occupied Kherson:

Here’s the screen shoot of Dmitri’s translation:

Screen shot of an English translation by Dmitri describing the situation in Krynky.

Left bank of the Dnipro, Russian occupied Kherson:

An update on that BUK that the Ukrainians blowed up real good the other day.

Bakhmut:

Maryinka:

Maryinka 💔
The Russian occupiers are destroying everything they can reach

Screen shot of an English translation by Dmitri regarding the situation in Marinka.

Screen shot of an English translation by Dmitri regarding the situation in Marinka.

Kamchatka, Russia:

In Putin’s Russia, military officials demobilize you!

More from Russia:

Putin does not care how much blood he spills or treasure he spends. It is the one advantage he has over the Ukrainians.

Remember videos of mobilised Russian men from last year boarding buses, getting hammered together, and freezing in cold empty fields? Remember how it was all starting?

Well, BBC and MediaZona estimate that at least 38,000 of them have already died in the past year. Thousands die every week.

He seems nice…

A final thought for the night that it would do well for those in the White House and Congress to heed:

The war will not end soon; it has long been a fact. The question now is whether our unity will crumble under enormous pressure from Russia and its agents of influence in the West, or whether every effort will be made to help Ukraine win. Putin isn’t just at war with Ukraine; he is also at war with NATO. And he won’t stop in Ukraine

 

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron tweets or videos tonight. so here’s some adjacent material from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

Open thread!

Reader Interactions

33Comments

  1. 1.

    Ben Vernia

    In Dmitri’s first post, he refers to Ukrainian soldiers acting in “the most cold-blooded fashion”. I think he intends this more in the French sense of “sang-froid” — i.e., coolness under pressure.

  3. 3.

    noncarborundum

    Re: Turanov, it’s heartening to see that Russa’s commitment to the denazification of Ukraine is as firm as ever.

  4. 4.

    YY_Sima Qian

    I am not surprised at Hungary, I am not surprised at Slovakia w/ its new right wing governments, I would not have been surprised at Poland under PiS, but Poland just threw out its right wing government in the last election.

  6. 6.

    Jay

    @YY_Sima Qian:

    It’s not the Governments. Farmers and truckers Orgs and Unions are blocking the borders as a protest against what they claim is unfair competition from Ukraine.

  7. 7.

    Subsole

    @YY_Sima Qian:

    I too am very, very curious about this.

    Even under a hard right government, Poland…does not look fondly on Russia.

    Hungary I can absolutely see. Being a junior partner to Axis powers is kinda what they do.

  8. 8.

    Adam L Silverman

    @YY_Sima Qian: If I understand the reporting I read on the Polish situation, a pro-Putin/pro-Russian party/group is blocking the transports and the authorities seem to be unsure how to proceed without making things worse. But, again, this is if I understand the reporting correctly, which was machine translated.

  12. 12.

    Subsole

    Also, if anyone needed any evidence of the sheer moral vacuity that is modern Russia, that inked up Nazi is it. I mean, there’s just something extra obscene about a Slav sporting Nazi ink. The fact Putin’s Russia tolerates, let alone honors, such a man while claiming to be the Great Protector of All the Slavs…it just says all that needs saying.

  13. 13.

    Alison Rose

    This is about as clear a war crime as there is.

    Unfortunately, a lot of people in the US and some other Western nations have decided they do not find war crimes offensive or anything with which we should concern ourselves. Go ahead, putin, commit all the war crimes you want. We have super scary migrant women and children at the border to defend ourselves against and can’t spare a moment or a dime for anything else!!!

    Western countries refuse to give Ukraine what they need to win, and then when they struggle to do so, those same countries shake their heads and complain about how badly they’re doing. It enrages me, so I can’t begin to imagine the disgust and fury felt by the Ukrainians.

    Thank you as always, Adam.

  14. 14.

    Jay

    @Subsole:

    More like a “Freedom Convoy” situation.

    Slovakia has also elected a ruZZian proxy party.

    The valid Polish farmers and trucker’s issues with Ukrainian grain transport overland to the Baltic for export were “fixed” in August with rules, regulation, documentation and financial bonds.

    ruZZia is using it’s 5th Column in Poland and it’s social media vipers to suck the rubes and gullibillies into believing the problem still exists.

  15. 15.

    Yutsano

    @Jay: Their courts will most likely tamp that down, as it has with other anti-Russian laws. But they did uphold disallowing education in Russian in public schools, which was interesting. I can’t remember where I found this, probably when I was researching the Estonian digital passport.

  18. 18.

    Jay

    @Yutsano:

    Technically, the proposed law isn’t an anti-ruZZian law.

    It does not target existing ruZZian passport holders in Estonia, or actual ruZZians,  just Estonian’s who after the passing of the law, take ruZZian passports, betraying Estonia.

    Estonia fully understands that the only reason for an Estonian to take a ruZZian passport is because ruZZian passports provide easier access, travel and business in ruZZia and are mostly used for sanctions busting and 5th Columnist activities.

  19. 19.

    Martin

    @YY_Sima Qian: Power won’t shift to the liberals for another 2 weeks. And even then it’ll take anywhere from days to weeks for them to do get the most urgent actions to take effect.

  25. 25.

    Martin

    @YY_Sima Qian: It was supposed to on 11/27, but they did a stunt where they created a 14 day interim government to keep conservatives in power slightly longer.

    Conservatives are assholes everywhere.

  26. 26.

    Yutsano

    @Martin: ​Not to mention President Duda is a member of the PiS party so has vowed to block any legislation the more liberal coalition will come up with.

  27. 27.

    Anoniminous

    I am in absolute awe at the rock-bottom stupidity and incompetence displayed by the Russians in the video @wartranslated posted and the rock-bottom stupidity and incompetence by their command to send those stumble-bums on a combat mission.

  28. 28.

    Jay

    @Anoniminous:

    PMC Redut, which is actually a GRU Operation, (there is no Redut Company registered in ruZZia), give their “volenteers” a total of 12 days training at a GRU base before shipping them off to combat in Ukraine.

  29. 29.

    YY_Sima Qian

    OT, but the rot in Israel goes deep (Dimi Reader is a cofounder of the 972Mag media site, whose investigative report of Israeli disregard for collateral damage & reliance upon AI generated targeting I shared a couple of days ago):

    Dimi Reider | dimireider.substack.com
    @reider

    So here’s a story of our time. 1. In 2016, an Israeli soldier called Elor Azaria executes a wounded Palestinian militant. Point blank. On camera. 2. He becomes a hero to the far-right and the execution of wounded suspects briefly became a wedge issue in Israeli society.

    3. Briefly, bc it’s long been accepted – at least since 2nd intifada – than even if someone used a butter knife to attack soldiers they might ALSO have a suicide vest and therefore need to be finished off, in case. 4. Which makes no sense to me and idk if ever happened, but ok.

    5. Fast forward to 2023. A major cheerleader of Elor Azaria (and a convicted terror supporter himself), Itamar Ben Gvir is police minister. 6. After October 7th, Ben Gvir begins randomly handing out weapons to civilians, ostensibly because you need a Good Guy With a Gun etc.

    7. This past Friday, two Hamas paramilitaries shoot up a bus stop in Jerusalem, killing three people, including a pregnant teacher. 8. The first guy to engage them is a local lawyer, Doron Castleman. A civilian who happens to be armed. A Good Guy with a Gun. He kills both…

    gunmen and stops the attack before more people could be killed. 9. Then, IDF soldiers arrive. Castleman realises he might be mistaken for one of the attackers. So he drops his handgun. He kneels on the road. He lifts his t-shirt to show he’s got no vest. He asks them

    in Hebrew not to shoot, explaining who he is. 10. One of the soldiers, a settler with a self-confessed extremist background, shoots him anyway. In the abdomen. On camera. And walks off. 11. When more security arrive they assume Castleman was a gunman so they let him bleed out.

    12. Castleman bleeds to death. 13. The settler-soldier who executed him gives smug interviews and gets much kudos from other far-right figures (they later erase the tweets.) 14. The army and police spend say they won’t be investigating, before u-turning under pressure.

    15. Netanyahu chips in days later, and says: I support the policy of handing out weapons; sometimes there’s a price to pay, but c’est la vie. 17. C’EST LA VIE. That’s what he said, albeit in Hebrew: אלו החיים).

    18. RIP, Doron Yuval Castleman. A hero. Right guy, right place, right time. Wrong government. Wrong kind of state.

    19. Maddeningly, much of Israeli media describe him as killed “accidentally” or as victim to “friendly fire.” He was deliberately executed by uniformed neonazi douchebag who was too hyped up to stop, and, in his own words, all so hyped to mark an “x” on his rifle.

    20. There will be many, many more Castlemans.

    & there will be many Palestinian victims for each Castleman.

  30. 30.

    wjca

    @Anoniminous: I am in absolute awe at the rock-bottom stupidity and incompetence displayed by the Russians in the video @wartranslated posted and the rock-bottom stupidity and incompetence by their command to send those stumble-bums on a combat mission.

    The Russian command seems determined to go from strength to strength on the stupidity and incompetence front.  Which leaves me repeatedly asking “How will they top this one?”  I find that my imagination is simply not up to the task.

Comments are closed.