Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Damn right I heard that as a threat.

He really is that stupid.

This isn’t Democrats spending madly. This is government catching up.

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

A sufficient plurality of insane, greedy people can tank any democratic system ever devised, apparently.

There are consequences to being an arrogant, sullen prick.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

Republicans do not trust women.

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

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

It is not hopeless, and we are not helpless.

I’m more christian than these people and i’m an atheist.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

I am pretty sure these ‘journalists’ were not always such a bootlicking sycophants.

America is going up in flames. The NYTimes fawns over MAGA celebrities. No longer a real newspaper.

They don’t have outfits that big. nor codpieces that small.

We need to vote them all out and restore sane Democratic government.

“Alexa, change the president.”

In after Baud. Damn.

Roe is not about choice. It is about freedom.

Tide comes in. Tide goes out. You can’t explain that.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

You are here: Home / Foreign Affairs / War for Ukraine Day 653: We Need To Clarify a Few Things

War for Ukraine Day 653: We Need To Clarify a Few Things

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Screen shot of a mural of an eye shedding a tear/crying. The upper eyelid is painted in the blue of Ukraine's flag. The lower eyelid is painted in the yellow of Ukraine's flag. The mural was painted by the artist MyDogSighs.

(Image by My Dog Sighs)

I want to clarify a few things that arose in comments last night.

First, I don’t worry about how many or how few people are commenting in any specific one of these updates. It is a lot of content to take in every night and a lot of it is not pleasant. I do them because I promised I would and because sitting these nightly vigils is something I can do to support Ukraine and Ukrainians. You all read as many or as few as you care to and comment as much or little as you like.

Second, the reason I started with the GOP caucuses in the House and Senate last night is precisely because they have agency. And they’ve used that agency in regard to ensuring Ukraine is properly supplied and funded in its defense against Putin’s genocidal re-invasion the way they’ve used their agency for everything else going back to Gingrich: to take legislative, budgetary, executive branch programs, and nominations hostage.

Third, pointing out that the legislative strategy that President Biden and his team developed and pursued to get a supplemental aid package passed has not worked and has been failing is not A) denying the GOP’s agency and B) not dumping on Biden to dump on Biden. It is precisely because he spent over 40 years in the Senate and watched how McConnell beginning in 2009 and then Boehner and his House GOP Majority leadership team did this to Obama beginning in 2011 that I expected a better and more effective strategy. I expect better from Biden because of this. Especially because the GOP made it very clear beginning in mid 2022 that this is what they were going to do. Which is why it would have made sense to try to lock in a longer term aid package through supplemental legislation prior to the 2022 midterms to avoid this problem.

Fourth, yes, it is wonderful that we found a way to quietly facilitate the ROK providing 155mm shells to Ukraine. This is not new news, it was reported on at the beginning of 2023 and I included some of that reporting in the updates at the time. And, perhaps more importantly, that ammunition was provided to Ukraine at the beginning of this year. It was fired off and used up by spring. It was a great thing. It is not, however, reporting that shells are on their way right now from South Korea. They’re not.

Finally, let’s all try to ease up a bit in the comments and cut each other a little slack. And stop feeding the troll.

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

We are working as hard as possible with partners to enhance Ukrainian air defense – address by the President of Ukraine

8 December 2023 – 21:22

Dear Ukrainians, I wish good health to all of you!

First of all, I want to commend our defenders in the sky – during the missile strike this morning, a significant portion of Russian missiles were successfully intercepted. However, not all. Missiles hit Kharkiv and also Dnipropetrovsk region. Necessary assistance has been provided to all those affected. One person was killed. My condolences to the family and friends. We are working as hard as possible with partners to enhance Ukrainian air defense. We keep working now – almost every week brings new arrangements and opportunities for Ukraine. This Russian regime repeats the evil it has already done but tries to make each strike more painful. We are aware of this. And I thank everyone who defends Ukraine from Shahed drones, who repels Russian missile strikes, our intelligence, and every partner who has made a decision to support the Ukrainian air defense and impose sanctions against the state-terrorist that can truly limit it. Let those in Russia not doubt: everyone – from terrorists to terror propagandists – they will all be held accountable. For every strike.

I held a Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff meeting. As always, the Commander-in-Chief and each sector commanders reported on the operational situation. Kupiansk, Lyman, and all Donetsk directions, south. I thank all the soldiers and commanders for their resilience and valor. The task of our state – even now, in winter, no matter how difficult it may be – is to show strength and not let the enemy seize the initiative, not let them fortify. I thank everyone whose actions ensure this for Ukraine – our ability to make our moves. Today, I want to particularly commend the soldiers who have shown themselves the most – now, and in battles in winter and this autumn.

The 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade – Soldier Andriy Minasov. Thank you, soldier, for your effectiveness! The 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade – Soldier Ivan Kovalchuk and Senior Soldier Vitaliy Liubchyk. Thank you, guys, for your precision! The 68th Separate Hunting Brigade – Junior Sergeant Roman Petliar. Thank you! The 92nd Separate Storm Brigade – Soldier Pavlo Kissa. Thank you for your bravery, soldier! The 42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade – Junior Sergeant Maxim Ombysh. Thank you for your valor and for preserving the lives of your comrades! The 26th Separate Artillery Brigade – Chief Sergeant Oleksandr Fedorchuk. Thank you for destroying the occupant! The 25th Separate Airborne Brigade – Sergeant Andriy Zhuravliov, aerial reconnaissance specialist. Thank you! The 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade – Junior Sergeants Yuriy Sviatenko and Dmytro Semennyk. Together, they eliminated the enemy sabotage group near Avdiivka Plant. Well done! The 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade – Junior Sergeant Roman Lutsenko. Thank you for powerful combat results! The 704th Separate Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Regiment – Senior Soldier Marian Portsina. Thank you for your bravery, soldier, for the kind of bravery that has become a symbol of Ukrainian defense.

Today, I spoke with the Prime Minister of Estonia – both about preserving the support for Ukraine from partners in general and about very specific things that our state and our soldiers need to achieve necessary results. I am grateful for the understanding and assistance.

Of course, we also discussed the issue of European Union unity – especially in the context of opening negotiations with Ukraine regarding EU accession. Ukraine is fulfilling all its commitments, as we have proven on multiple occasions. Today, by the way, Ukrainian parliament passed the necessary laws in line with the recommendations of the European Commission in fighting graft and regarding the rights of national minorities. We have taken into account the conclusions of the Venice Commission – specifically regarding national communities. We expect that Ukraine’s efforts will be properly assessed by EU leaders, and the corresponding European promises to Ukraine will be fulfilled. We had seven recommendations – we did everything expected of us by December.

We continue our active foreign policy work to bring gains for Ukraine in defense, macrofinance, and political and motivational strength. Anyone defending freedom needs to feel that they are not alone. The free world must be united. And to truly succeed, Ukraine must be a donor of unity. Every step in our foreign policy is aimed at this. In particular, today in Kyiv, the first meeting of participants of our new international coalition for the return of children deported to Russia from temporarily occupied territory took place. We unite states, international organizations, civic leaders from different countries, and legal experts for the liberation of children. I thank everyone who has already joined this effort, those who are already ensuring concrete legal results, including warrants from the International Criminal Court regarding Russian officials, and of course, everyone whose mediation and influence help bring children home to Ukraine.

And one more thing.

Our intelligence and diplomats continue the evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from the Gaza Strip. The entire day today is dedicated to bringing our people to a safe territory. Almost 40 Ukrainian citizens are now safe. Thank you to Defense Intelligence, thank you to our diplomats, and thank you to our friends in the region.

Glory to all who fight and work for Ukraine and Ukrainians! Glory to our powerful nation!

Glory to Ukraine!

Was glad to welcome the advisers of French President Emmanuel Macron to Kyiv.

I thanked the head of the French delegation, Xavier Chatel, for the comprehensive support from the French people.

We exchanged opinions regarding future bilateral cooperation, in particular regarding the development of Ukraine’s defence industry.

 

Germany continues to provide support to Ukraine. The new package of military aid includes:
◾️1 LUNA NG reconnaissance system
◾️10 VECTOR reconnaissance drones with spare parts
◾️6 border protection vehicles
◾️8 Zetros trucks
◾️30 GMG grenade launchers
◾️100,000 first aid kits and medical material
◾️155mm ammunition

Thank you for your support!
Vielen Dank!
🇺🇦🤝🇩🇪
#StandWithUkraine
@BMVg_Bundeswehr

Bulgaria:

Despite the German announcement and the news from Bulgaria, aid to Ukraine has dropped way off:

Much more analysis and data visualizations at the Ukraine Support Tracker:

For those of you marking Advent on your calendars this year:

Ukrainian Advent Calendar: Day 8

Today, we thank our partners from @DeptofDefense for their leadership in supporting Ukraine. We are especially grateful for M2 Bradley IFVs.

M2 Bradley serve as both an armored personnel carrier and a tank-killer. Its 25 mm autocannon effectively destroy the enemy and helps our soldiers liberate Ukrainian land.

New Weapons of Victory coming soon!
#StandWithUkraine #UAMoDAdvent

The spirit of Hanukhah with the 17th Tank Brigade:

The Russians opened up on a number of Ukrainian cities overnight:

After a pause, Russia resumed missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. About 10 missile-carrying bombers launched Kh-101/555 missiles from Engels, Saratov Region. In Kyiv, with strong air defenses, all missiles were intercepted.

Kharkiv was hit with six S300 missiles.

Pavlohrad was struck by a missile attack, one person killed

Preliminary 14 out of 19 missiles intercepted

Kyiv:

Vuhledar:

Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast:

The outskirts of Bakhmut, Donetsk region
Consolidation of assault groups in their positions
Fragment of a heavy battle fought by fighters of the 4th company of the 2nd assault battalion of the 3rd OShbr

Avdiivka:

Surroundings of Avdiyivka, Donetsk region
A Bradley of the 47th OMBr fires at enemy positions with a 25 mm gun

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

Magyar’s Birds strike again!

Magyar has been quite busy recently. Again, he and his team released another long video showing several Russian BMD-4, BMD-4M, BTR-82A and BMD-2 destroyed near Krynky. The Russian paratroopers are absolutely getting wrecked in this for Magyar’s birds target-rich environment.

Source: https://t.me/robert_magyar/723

#Ukraine #Kherson #Krynky

Kharkiv:

Kerch, Russian occupied Crimea:

The Arabat Spit, Russian occupied Crimea:

First tweet from Tatarigami’s thread with the rest from the Thread Reader App:

2/ In November, as Ukrainian forces advanced towards Kherson, the Russian military opted to move their helicopters from the Chaplynka Airdrome to more secure inland locations, including a fenced beach resort in Arabat Split near Crimea.Image
3/ In this image, 20 helicopter pads are visible, some occupied by Russian helicopters like Mi-24, Mi-8, Ka-52, and possibly Mi-28. Notably, the site is within the beach resort “Volna,” enclosed by a fence.Image
4/ Further analysis of 2021 imagery shows no helicopter pads at this location, hinting at rapid efforts to establish an ad-hoc helicopter base conveniently placed among beach resorts and hotels, potentially serving as accommodations for their pilots.Image
5/ Russians didn’t use this location during the early stages of the war. Historical imagery analysis indicates that construction commenced around October 2022, coinciding with the Kherson offensive. This effort was probably aimed at relocating from Chaplynka, Kherson oblast. 
6/ The evacuation and relocation of the Chaplynka airbase, as previously mentioned, exemplify the Russian necessity to establish new concealed locations due to concerns about potential targeting. Given the growing range of Ukrainian weaponry, this pattern will continue.Image
7/ Simultaneously, it must be acknowledged that the quality and frequency of concealment measures have notably improved compared to 2022. The Russians have been notably successful in concealing some of their new helicopter sites and command centers for a while 
8/ Please like and share the first message of the thread, and follow to stay updated on future developments.This analysis as well as some of these images is possible thanks to contributions via BuyMeACoffee and support from paid subscribers.

Russian occupied Crimea:

An update on the damaged Russian corvette Askold:

Somewhere in Ukraine:

Touch not the cat, but a glove!

Russian occupied Luhansk Oblast (the Luhansk People’s Republic):

Finland:

This guy gets it. Actually he got it back in 2004.

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron:

There are no new Patron tweets today, but here’s an adjacent one from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

Vladyslav, call sign “Ha-Ha”, anti-aircraft gunner of the fire support company of the 100th @TDF_UA Brigade.
He joined the AFU in February 2022, together with his four friends, when he was 23 years old.

“My confidence in Victory is strengthened by like-minded brothers as well as the unity of the Ukrainian people, who are ready to give their last penny to support the fight against the enemy,” emphasizes Vladyslav.

Beside Vladyslav is his four-legged combat friend named Chipmunk.

And here’s a new video from Patron’s official TikTok:

@patron__dsns

я +🧀=❤️

♬ original sound – Speed songs <3

Open thread!

Reader Interactions

58Comments

  2. 2.

    Martin

    As someone with training in physics, I would describe that as substantially more than a ‘puff’.

  3. 3.

    grumbles

    For whatever it is worth, I read every one of these. If I can’t do anything else useful, I can at least not look away.

  4. 4.

    Alison Rose

    Appreciate your additional commentary. I promise I will try not to feed trolls, but sometimes they are just so dumb.

    ISTG I saw “Kharkiv was hit with six S300 missiles” and my brain read it as Kharkiv being hit with 300 missiles and I was like WHAT THE FUCKETY SHIT. I need to stop reading so quickly.

    Nice photos from The Kyiv Independent:

    President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec. 7 met with Jewish clergy in Kyiv and took part in the Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony with Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky.

    “This holiday is about the victory of the human spirit. And that’s the most important. I wish all of you, us, and everyone who is always on the side of light, on the side of Ukraine and its people, on the side of life – Happy Hanukkah and victory,” Zelensky said.

    Kaminetsky, a Dnipro native, lit the large central candle of the Hanukkiah and recited a Hebrew blessing.

    The Hanukkah holiday symbolizes the possibility of a miracle.

    Rabbi Meir Stambler, Chairman of the Council of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, said the president “can tell the world about the miracle of Ukraine.”

    Zelensky is Ukraine’s first Jewish president and has actively embraced community leaders.

    As my bubbe would’ve said, what a nice Jewish boy.

    Thank you as always, Adam.

  9. 9.

    Suzanne

    I want to note that I read these posts most days, probably 5 out of 7, but often the following morning. (I saw last night’s freakout this morning.) I usually don’t have anything to add to the discussion anyway. They are still appreciated.

  10. 10.

    Martin

    Do you think if we started loading up some of those empty intermodals that pile up in LA/LB with stuff just laying around at Sierra Army Depot and sending them west that Congress would even notice? How many do you think even know it exists? I bet we could clear that place out.

    Ok, it costs about $3K to send a container to Poland from LA. I think we could fundraise that.

  11. 11.

    sab

    OT but not really. I just finished reading Irish novelist Paul Lynch’s novel ” The Prophecy” that just won the Booker Prize. It is set in an alternative modern Ireland that is coming apart at the seams politicallyq. The point of view character is a middle class wife, mother and professional woman trying to cope and make the right choices for her family as her world comes apart and her country falls into something like a civil war. It bears no relation to current modern Ireland, but resonates with anyone thinking about families in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Sudan, Congo and everywhere just trying to decide what to do and where to go to keep their children safe and a chance at reuniting.

  15. 15.

    SpaceUnit

    I read these posts and appreciate all the work Adam puts into them.  Much of it is way over my pay grade though.

    And I don’t participate in the commentary very much because posts with tons of twitter embeds screw with my browser.  Every time I refresh my computer spazzes out.  It’s a bit maddening.

  16. 16.

    Adam L Silverman

    @SpaceUnit: Sorry about that. I know there’s a way to make the site work properly with Twitter embeds, because I’ve visited them. Apparently that is not possible here. Why I do not know.

  17. 17.

    Wombat Probability Cloud

    I want to thank Omnes and others for their comments last night. I read Adam’s posts every night but often quite late in the thread when others have expressed what I would say, and more articulately. Without a military background or deep knowledge of relevant history, I come here to learn and understand but it’s hard to offer more than my gut reactions, outrage, and feelings of solidarity. Bearing witness to the atrocity. So, this is just to say thank you and don’t interpret my silence as indifference.

  22. 22.

    hg

    I read these posts. Sometimes I don’t, when the content gets too unpleasant.

    But thanks for doing this, Adam.

  23. 23.

    Brachiator

    @SpaceUnit:

    And I don’t participate in the commentary very much because posts with tons of twitter embeds screw with my browser.  Every time I refresh my computer spazzes out.  It’s a bit maddening.

    I may have a similar problem reading posts on my Pixel phone using the Brave browser. Every now and then I have to close the Browser and start again.

    And generally I just read the posts because they offer a wealth of information and perspective.

  24. 24.

    Edmund dantes

    Yes. There are times where people get overly defensive about when Obama, Biden, Pelosi, others get pointed out for making on their face dumb strategic errors.

    Yes they were very good at their jobs but they also are human and it does no good to ignore really dumb self owns. Especially when they should have seen it coming. Biden having served with Obama should never have started the offer with tying the aid. Cause you’ve already conceded a want of the other side before you have even started negotiating. You will not get credit for it. So it’s a dumb play with no upside.

  25. 25.

    Gin & Tonic

    @Adam L Silverman:

    Bearing witness is the point.

    That’s also basically a summary of Christopher Miller’s book, The War Came to Us. He’s lived (with some breaks) in Ukraine for nearly 15 years, IIRC, beginning in the city now known as Bakhmut. He witnessed the 2013-14 Revolution of Dignity and then the russian reaction, and (of course) the events beginning in February of 2022. Much of it is 2-3 page vignettes, some considerably shorter than a Silverman B-J post, but giving a real sense of atmosphere.

    For anyone who might want a refresher on how we got to where we are, it’s a worthwhile read.

  26. 26.

    Wombat Probability Cloud

    @Adam L Silverman: Thank you, and I know that because you have graciously made it clear. I do comment occasionally when I can add something.

    I’ve thought about the “tip jar” system at Dkos (I’m alver), which I like because it gives authors some feedback. Frequently they are not staff and have no idea of how well or widely their ideas are received. But there’s the risk of treating these as popularity ratings. Maybe a good system would be a private tip jar for the authors, not with the intent that they would modify what they posted but simply as a metric to understand the environment. We’d have to screen out the Kardashians, though…

  27. 27.

    Yutsano

    I’m a bit late, but Chag Hanukkah Samayach Adam!

    I thought I had more to say here, but other than thanking you I just have to stay optimistic. Because no matter what happens you’re correct: Ukraine will never give up.

  28. 28.

    Seeker

    It’s not wrong to point out that the Obama and Biden administrations abjectly failed both the United States and the world.

    It is not fair that their situation was difficult, beset by domestic perfidy. But the universe doesn’t care about fair. There are only results.

    I know Adam does not partake of hopium, but if there is anything that he would like say about a reason to not despair, it would be great to hear.

    I wish the world were different.

  29. 29.

    Spanish Moss

    Thanks for putting these reports together Adam. They are the best source of information I have, though I sometimes find the subject matter too difficult to read right before I go to sleep so I wait until the morning. Someone above called it “bearing witness” and that is a good way to describe my consumption. I don’t know how you manage to do it every day, I really appreciate it.

  30. 30.

    Another Scott

    Meanwhile, … GovExec.com:

    While parts of the Biden administration have faced criticism for restricting how employees can talk about the current war between Israel and Hamas, at least one agency is winning plaudits from employees for its willingness to cultivate dissent.

    The origins of the State Department’s “dissent channel” date back to 1971, but agency leaders have met the formal pushback from employees with varying degrees of encouragement. Union officials and current employees praised the Biden administration for its willingness to engage with the feedback, saying the department has backed up its rhetoric with actionable follow-through.

    […]

    Last month, Matthew Miller, a State spokesman, said department Secretary Antony Blinker [sic!] wants to hear from employees.

    “He wants to hear what their opinions are,” Miller said. “He has spoken in the past about how he welcomes the dissent channel, and thinks it’s a very valuable channel, and that he likes to get feedback through it. And he hopes that people will use it. And he hopes that it continues to be protected.”

    John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, said President Biden similarly would solicit viewpoints on the Israel-Hamas war from throughout the government.

    “The president understands that there’s strong emotions and feelings here, all around, all across the board,” Kirby said last month. “And here inside the administration and in the federal government, that’s certainly the case as well. And he appreciates the fact that people feel strongly and that there are multiple perspectives. And we’re going to continue to listen to them.”

    Sara Berndt, a historian within the State Department, said the historical record makes clear that some secretaries have valued dissent and others “have not as much.” Those that have welcomed it have benefited from it, she added.

    “I think that one of the most important things about the dissent channel is that it doesn’t let high-level policymakers live in a bubble,” Berndt said.

    […]

    There need to be ways for more agencies beyond State and USAID to get “dissent” opinions through an official channel (beyond anonymous “viewpoint” survey answers). It’s good that Biden and Blinken are listening.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  31. 31.

    RevRick

    I have a question: are supplementary appropriations subject to the filibuster? We’ve seen how one Senator can knuckle drag several hundred military promotions for about a year. And I’ve read that McConnell was extremely pissed about the way President Biden and Sen. Manchin hornswaggled him over the IRA, saying it was dead, thus allowing for the passage of the Infrastructure and Chips Acts, and then suddenly resurrecting it into law.
    Not knowing what McConnell had to say behind the scenes, I don’t know how to judge President Biden’s acumen in this situation.

  33. 33.

    Bupalos

    My incoherent anger last night is because people are losing interest in Ukraine. I don’t apologize for that anger I apologize to anyone here who IS engaged who took it as directed at them. The loss of interest is why Republicans are emboldened to take this hostage.

    But also yes, this administration has made a potentially fatal mistake by not being able to decide what outcome it actually supports in Russia and Ukraine. It’s policy has been “help Ukraine not lose, and then wait and see what happens.” It has paid way too much attention to Putin’s nuclear sabre rattling blackmail.

  34. 34.

    YY_Sima Qian

    Unlike in Winter 2022, there is no talk right now (that I am aware) of putting Ukraine in position for a winter or summer offensive in 2024. That, I think, is sadly telling.

  35. 35.

    Jay

    gutless IOC,

    Logo
    Anton Gerashchenko
    @Gerashchenko_en
    11h
    The IOC has admitted Russian and Belarusian athletes to the Olympic Games in Paris.

    The International Olympic Committee says that strict selection conditions will be applied based on the recommendations issued by the IOC Executive Board on March 28, 2023, for international federations and organizers of international sporting events.

    Among other things, the conditions include:

    ◾️ Qualified athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport will be registered as Individual Neutral Athletes (“INA”) and will compete as individual neutral athletes;

    ◾️ Teams of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport will not be considered;

    ◾️ Athletes who actively support the war will not be eligible to be entered or compete;

    ◾️ Athletes who are contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies will not be eligible to enter or compete;

    ◾️No flag, anthem, colors, or any other identifications of Russia or Belarus will be displayed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at any official venue or any official event;

    ◾️No Russian or Belarusian government or state officials will be invited or accredited to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

    https://nitter.net/Gerashchenko_en/status/1733158877020017116#m

  36. 36.

    Lyrebird

    @Gin & Tonic: Given the age of the clip, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to Google to see if he’s still around and eligible for such a policy.

    Not sure if your fam is on the Dec 25 or the other calendar for celebrating big holidays coming up, but if it’s your Advent, have a good one!  I will be looking up some of those veg recipes you mentioned last year.

  37. 37.

    Cheez Whiz

    While I’m not totally on board with your “we are in a state of war with Russia” only because that’s a heavily loaded phrase that requires a commitment that the vast majority of Americans are nowhere near signing up for, which is the whole point of “war”, I share your alarm and thank you for your efforts. I think the Biden administration is still about finding what is possible rather than going full fuck it, let’s go for it. Maybe the times demand more, but Biden is not your guy if you want more.

  40. 40.

    Tehanu

    Adam, I don’t comment often because I usually can’t make it past the first few paragraphs — I find it so painful. But that’s on me.  I do share some posts with others and I hope it does some good.  The work you’re doing here is invaluable.  Thank you.

  41. 41.

    Librarian

    I also want to thank you, Adam, for these updates. You have been going above and beyond the call of duty with them, and I appreciate it. I am wondering that maybe you or somebody else should start doing something similar on the Middle East war. Or maybe you can add the MiddIe East to these updates. I realize that you already have your hands full with Ukraine, but I feel that the Mideast situation really needs more of the kind of attention here that Ukraine gets. Frankly, speaking for myself, I have lost some interest in Ukraine since the Mideast war started. I know that sounds cold, and I support Ukraine as much as anybody else around here, but I bet that is true of a lot of people.

  44. 44.

    Seeker

    @Comrade Bukharin: I’m not suggesting anyone not vote for Biden. I’m lamenting that the current and previous Democratic administrations failed to act in way that would have changed where we are now.

  45. 45.

    Bobby Thomson

    Blah blah blah you were blatantly Monday morning quarterbacking,offering post hoc advice with the benefit of hindsight that you didn’t offer at the time, and people rightly called you out for it.  For a bombs and rockets guy, you have awfully thin skin.

  48. 48.

    way2blue

    Adam.  Your nightly updates are essential for keeping us grounded.  Thank you again for putting in the time and sharing your insights.  When I look back to March 2022, I can’t believe how naive I was to be shocked at blatant Russian depravity—as visual evidence of their atrocities in Bucha trickled into the news.  Took a long while for me to grasp that such war crimes were part of the Russian tool kit, and had always been so.

    Now, I naively hope Congressional Republicans will remember that they’re Americans, thus vigorously support Ukraine’s battle.  But it seems they’ve concluded that snubbing Ukraine will damage Biden and please Trump.  So I’m feeling a bit discouraged.  Albeit I did donate to United24 this week; Timothy Snyder’s initiative to provide early warning devices against aerial attacks across Ukraine.  Would rather demolish the source of the attacks, but till the F16s are in the air, this seems an essential stopgap.

  50. 50.

    Madeleine

    Joining others, I read (or at least skim) your posts, Adam almost every night before going to sleep. I do it because I care about what is happening, because it’s important to me to be informed, and to bear witness, however painful. And so I thank you and all the well-informed commenters for what you give us every day.

    Light and hope for peace.

  51. 51.

    Roberto el oso

    Adam, I have read every one of these posts and will continue to do so. Thank you.

    My own comments have been limited to fairly personal observations, usually regarding something or other to do with my mom, who was born in a small village in Galicia when it was part of newly-independent Poland, and which is now part of Ukraine.

    I would also like to add that I have recommended these nightly posts to some half-dozen acquaintances, all of whom are now faithful readers but none, so far as I know, who have commented.

  52. 52.

    Geminid

    @Librarian: I am also very intested in the Israel-Gaza and have appreciated the posts Dr. Silverman has made on it. But that is a lot of work when done to the high standards he meets on his Ukraine and other posts. And as strongly as people feel about these events, I expect monitoring the comments is especially demanding.

    So I can see why there are not more posts from him on that war. There are journalists and news sites out there who are good sources of reporting; maybe Dr. Silverman will point you to some of the more reliable ones.

  53. 53.

    Jay

    @Geminid:

    It’s tough.

    I have a Rojova scarf that I wear as I wear as a reminder. It was woven for me.

    Some a-hole took it as a Palestinian kaffeeh, grabbed it and started shouting spittle in my face.

    Did not go well for him.

    Late 30’s white dude, not in the least Jewish.

    Just some fucked up white dude.

  54. 54.

    Kyle Rayner

    Thanks for the update! That Vladimir Ryzhkov clip was unsettling in how clearly he saw and communicated everything in 2004.

    (Wow, I hadn’t commented in so long, the page no longer had my pseud autofilled and told me to go back and fill out all the boxes.)

  55. 55.

    Bill Arnold

    @Seeker:
    The 2024 election is in play. Do not try to will a Trump 2025 presidency into existence.
    (There was a 2017-2021 Trump presidency. That was left out of your timeline. Why? Trump, an incumbent, lost his re-election, lost (barely) the Senate.)

  56. 56.

    Chacal Charles Calthrop

    @Suzanne: as do I.  Thanks, as always, Adam

    All I can do is bear witness, and, in my case, keep my gut reactions in check!

  57. 57.

    grubert

    Another read-every-post-but-seldom-comment commenter. Not much to say.

    Criticize outcomes, sure.. but as always there must be factors that none of us, even Adam,  can possibly know. I def believe Biden’s got the right stuff and cares about this.

    The main troll def has the Concern thing down.. cares more then anyone, and loudly.

  58. 58.

    NotoriousJRT

    @Edmund dantes: Dead thread comment. It’s not wrong to point it out, but I can draw a line at how often and in what attitude I listen to  the banging of that drum. I get that Biden spilled milk. Now what?

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