Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

GOP baffled that ‘we don’t care if you die’ is not a winning slogan.

Fight them, without becoming them!

“That’s what the insurrection act is for!”

Insiders who complain to politico: please report to the white house office of shut the fuck up.

In my day, never was longer.

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

FFS people, this was a good thing. take the win.

Republicans can’t even be trusted with their own money.

“I never thought they’d lock HIM up,” sobbed a distraught member of the Lock Her Up Party.

“When somebody takes the time to draw up a playbook, they’re gonna use it.”

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

Everyone is in a bubble, but some bubbles model reality far better than others!

There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

If you are in line to indict donald trump, stay in line.

Battle won, war still ongoing.

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

SCOTUS: It’s not “bribery” unless it comes from the Bribery region of France. Otherwise, it’s merely “sparkling malfeasance”.

We won’t go back.

I was promised a recession.

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

Republican speaker of the house Mike Johnson is the bland and smiling face of evil.

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

Bad news for Ron DeSantis is great news for America.

You are here: Home / Foreign Affairs / War for Ukraine Day 726: Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsbergis Has Something Else You Need to Hear

War for Ukraine Day 726: Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsbergis Has Something Else You Need to Hear

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Screen shot of new artwork by NEIVANMADE. The background is black. In the bottom foreground are grey Ukrainian homes and apartment buildings being bombarded by red Russian missiles with the Special Military Operation "Z" symbol on them. Above the missiles, written in red is the word "Ruzzians". Below the buildings being attacked is the statement "Turns Homes Into Graves".

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsbergis has something else he wants you to hear.

The Ukrainians splashed two more bandits today.

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

Unity should be manifested not only in thoughts and words, but also in actions for the sake of common goals and our state – address by the President of Ukraine

19 February 2024 – 21:10

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

We have returned from Kharkiv region, from the positions of our warriors in the Kupyansk sector. I have visited the 14th separate mechanized brigade, one of the command posts. As always, I listened to a report on the key needs. The situation is extremely difficult in several parts of the frontline, where Russian troops have amassed maximum reserves. They are taking advantage of the delays in aid to Ukraine. And these are very tangible issues. There is a deficit of artillery. There is a need for frontline air defense and for a longer range of our weapons. We are working with our partners as hard as possible to resume and extend support. I would like to thank all Ukrainians, all our companies and partners who have already set up production of weapons, shells, drones and electronic warfare – new production that is ramping up. Of course, we still cannot meet all the needs on our own, but every month adds to Ukraine’s strength and capabilities. I thank everyone who works for this.

It was an honor for me to recognize our warriors – very brave guys – with state awards. “I presented the Golden Star to the Hero of Ukraine, Colonel Oleh Apostol, commander of our glorious 95th separate air assault brigade. Today, I also awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky to Captain Andriy Zaika of the 14th separate mechanized brigade, and the Orders “For Courage” to Sergeant Roman Prokopchuk of the 95th brigade and Soldier Viktor Klymiuk of the 14th brigade. Colonel Oleksandr Lutsenko was also awarded the Cross of Military Merit, and I will present it to him in the near future. These are truly exemplary warriors. I visited the hospital where our servicemen undergo treatment after being wounded. I thanked the entire team – doctors, nurses, and everyone who helps. It is extremely important that everyone helps as much as they can to specific units, specific sectors, specific warriors and the entire country. Unity should be manifested not only in thoughts and words, but also in actions, and necessarily in activity for the sake of common goals, for the sake of our entire country.

And a few more things.

Today, the Conference on Ukraine’s Economic Growth and Recovery has started in Japan. This is our intergovernmental work at the level of governments. The Ukrainian delegation headed by Denys Shmyhal is currently in Japan. The talks are very substantive. There are already dozens of agreements that will strengthen us and our cooperation. We have been preparing for this conference for quite a while, and I am grateful to Mr. Prime Minister Kishida for the fact that our work is very effective, as planned. The stronger our economic capabilities are, the greater the solidarity with Ukraine is, the sooner Putin’s evil will be defeated by our joint efforts.

And, unfortunately, a few words about a situation that is not usual, a situation that demonstrates the erosion of solidarity on a daily basis. Things that are happening on our western border, the border with Poland, cannot be considered normal or ordinary. A simple and clear justice is needed. Only 5% of our agricultural exports pass through the Polish border. So in reality, the situation is not about grain, but rather about politics. And near Kupyansk, close to the Russian border, where enemy artillery does not cease, news from the border with Poland seems outright mocking. We need common decisions, rational decisions, to resolve this situation. The decisions made by us and the Poles, first of all, and by everyone in Europe who cares about the fate of Europe.

I thank everyone who fights and works for our country and people! I thank everyone who helps!

Glory to Ukraine!

The cost and the reason:

Canada:

Here’s the details from the Canadian government:

News release

February 19, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced that Canada will donate more than 800 SkyRanger R70 multi-mission Unmanned Aerial Systems to Ukraine.

These drones, valued at over $95 million, will help Ukraine as it fights bravely to defend itself amongst Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable full-scale invasion. Minister Blair was joined for this announcement by James Maloney, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore; Yvan Baker, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre; representatives of Teledyne; and Ukrainian-Canadian community leaders.

The more than 800 drones, sourced from Teledyne FLIR in Waterloo, Ontario, have automated and autonomous navigation systems, enabling them to carry various camera systems and payloads to detect and identify targets. These capabilities will help Ukrainian operators to recognize individuals, vehicles and any heat source from a long distance, especially in dark conditions and poor weather. This multi-rotor drone is one of the best of its kind in the world, and can handle a variety of payloads up to 3.5 kilograms, including munitions.

These drones are critical for surveillance and intelligence gathering, and can also be used to transport and deliver supplies. Canada is working with Ukraine on a training plan and delivery schedule, with delivery expected to begin this spring.

As the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, these drones will address some of Ukraine’s most urgent defensive needs. Drones have emerged as a critical capability in Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. With these drones, Ukrainian troops will be able to gather more situational awareness and information, so that they can assess targets more quickly, and more accurately.

This donation is funded by the $500 million in military assistance for Ukraine announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his visit to Kyiv in June 2023. This donation will complement the over 100 high-resolution drone cameras sourced from L3 Wescam that Canada previously donated to Ukraine.

Today’s donation is part of Canada’s comprehensive military assistance to Ukraine. Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $2.4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. This includes Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, winter clothing, and more.

The donation also follows last week’s 19th Meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, where Minister Blair announced that Canada will make a new contribution of $60 million to the UDCG Air Force Capability Coalition. This donation will support the setup of a sustainable F-16 fighter aircraft capability in Ukraine. Specifically, the funds will help source vitally needed F-16 supplies and equipment such as spare parts, weapons stations, avionics, and ammunition. Canada is also contributing to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian pilots.

At last week’s meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, NATO Defence Ministerial, and Munich Security Conference, Minister Blair pledged that Canada will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes – and reaffirmed this commitment today.

Quotes

“As we approach the second anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion, Canada stands firmly with Ukraine in defence of freedom and democracy. In coordination with our allies and partners, we will continue to provide Ukraine with the military aid that it needs to fight and win this war. Today’s announcement ensures that Ukraine has the drones it needs to detect and identify targets which are critical to Ukraine’s ongoing fight. Canada will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

“As the Member of Parliament for Waterloo, I’m pleased to see Teledyne, a Waterloo founded company, developing, engineering, and manufacturing technologies that will provide much needed aid to Ukraine. Canadians, in a strong majority, refuse the premise of Putin’s illegal war on Ukraine and agree that Canada must do all that we can to stand with Ukrainians. This is yet another example of how Canada is supporting vital efforts.”

The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo

“For many Canadians, and especially those of Ukrainian heritage, it’s important now more than ever that Ukraine has the support it needs to fight the war. I’m proud to host Minister Blair in my community of Etobicoke-Lakeshore, to announce that we will be providing Ukraine with the drones they need to protect their troops and their country.”

James Maloney, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore 

“Ukraine’s victory is vital to Canada’s security, so a Ukrainian victory is the only option for Canada. Ukrainians needs our help to fight against Russia’s brutal invasion and to achieve that victory. The military aid we are announcing today is going to help them do exactly that. We must stand with the Ukrainian people until they win – until we all win.”

Yvan Baker, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre

“We are proud to support Canada’s Department of National Defence with our combat-proven, multi-mission SkyRanger R70 drone platform. This donation by Canada extends the array of military solutions Teledyne FLIR Defense is providing to Ukraine through governments worldwide.”

Anne Bulik, Vice-President of Unmanned Systems North America for Teledyne FLIR

Quick facts

  • Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $9.7 billion in total assistance to Ukraine, including $2.4 billion in donations of military aid. Canada continues to actively look at what more can be done to support Ukraine. Minister Blair remains in close contact with Ukrainian officials through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, and on a bilateral basis.
  • Since the launch of Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) mission for military training and capacity building in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Canada has trained more than 40,000 members of the AFU. Canada has extended this mission until March 2026, providing significant capacity for the CAF to respond to Ukraine’s urgent training needs.
  • More than 300 CAF members are deployed on Operation UNIFIER in various roles, such as the provision and coordination of training, national command support, and the facilitation and delivery of military donations in coordination with Allies and partners.
  • Since 2022, Canada has three CC-130J Hercules tactical airlift aircraft, alongside a detachment of approximately 60 CAF personnel, conducting operations from a hub based out of Prestwick, Scotland. The detachment has delivered over 15 million pounds of aid to Ukraine, from Canada and from our Allies and partners.

Germany:

We might have a breakthrough regarding the TAURUS missile.

The government parties agreed to send the motion for a parliament voting on a new military aid package containing “long range weapons”. The word “TAURUS” is not mentioned but it is obviously the core of that new military aid package. Voting should take place this week.

Reason for this change of heart is Navalny’s murder. Even members of the SPD are appalled and now ready to support the bill, in order to send a message to Putin.

The motion is also a concession to TAURUS supporters in the government parties who threatened to bring in their own notion, further straining the government coalition.

Source (German): stern.de/politik/deutsc

#Germany #Ukraine #Taurus #Navalny

NBC has details about what the Biden administration might do if the House GOP majority keeps holding up additional Ukraine aid:

MUNICH — After months of requests from Ukrainian officials, the Biden administration is working toward providing Ukraine with powerful new long-range ballistic missiles, according to two U.S. officials.

Late last year, the U.S. began to supply Ukraine with Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, but so far it has provided only the older medium-range ATACMS. Now, the U.S. is leaning toward sending the longer-range version of the missile, the officials said, which would allow Ukraine to strike farther inside the Russian-held Crimean Peninsula.

But U.S. funding for arms shipments to Ukraine remains uncertain because of opposition from former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress. Last week the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. But it’s not clear whether or when the GOP-controlled House will vote on the measure or whether it would survive the vote.

Defense officials told NBC News that the U.S. has a limited inventory of ATACMS and that it is not likely to send them to Ukraine without money to replenish U.S. stockpiles.

If Congress approves more funding for Ukraine, the U.S. could include the long-range ATACMS in one of the first packages of military aid paid for with that money, according to the two U.S. officials. The U.S. also has ammunition and artillery ready to send to Ukraine immediately if the funding is approved, the officials added.

The officials did not rule out asking allies to provide the missiles to Ukraine, as well, and replenishing their ATACM stockpiles.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a statement, a Defense Department spokesperson said: “Without a supplemental [funding bill], we do not currently have a security assistance package to give to Ukraine. At the same time, I won’t speculate on the contents of any future packages if a supplemental were to be passed. We will let you know if this changes and if we have a new package to announce.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he spent much of his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Munich on Saturday discussing Ukraine’s need for longer-range weapons.

“I just came here from a meeting with Secretary Blinken,” Kuleba told a small group of reporters in Munich on Saturday. “I spent a very good part of the time arguing in favor of ATACMS,” he said, explaining that Ukraine needs the version of the missile that can fly 300 kilometers, or more than 180 miles.

“There is only one way to destroy Russian capabilities in Ukraine. It’s to hit deep into the occupied territories, bypassing Russian radio electronic warfare and interceptors,” he said, referring to long-range ATACMS.

Kuleba called the systems “an important symbol” to Ukrainians. “If you want to hit behind the lines, disrupt their logistics and supplies, destroy their depots of ammunition, you can do it only with long-range missiles,” he said.

The Biden administration has resisted sending the long-range missiles over the past two years because officials worried Ukraine would use them to strike inside Crimea or Russia and cause Russian President Vladimir Putin to escalate the conflict. White House and Pentagon officials have expressed similar concerns about other weapons systems but have now decided to provide them to Ukraine.

On Saturday, Kuleba also described an urgent need for more European weapons and assistance for Ukraine, saying many people in Europe are “still reluctant to understand the threat.”

“When a citizen of Europe reads in the news that Ukraine retreated from Avdiivka, he should realize one simple fact: Russia has got a few kilometers closer to his own home,” Kuleba said. “Every advance Russia makes in Ukraine brings Russian weapons closer to the home of a middle-class European.”

Kuleba praised support from European allies but said they need to speed up production of weapons and ammunition for Ukraine.

“It took Europeans too much time to start ramping up or waking up or dusting off their defense industries,” he said. “We will pay with our lives throughout 2024 to give your defense industries time to ramp up production or new lines.”

More at the link.

Would, might, could… Get back to me when we get to will and are.

Russia’s wetwork program appears to still be running:

Ukrainska Pravda has the details:

Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who in the summer of 2023 overtook the helicopter Mi-8 of the Russian army to the territory of Ukraine, was found dead in Spain.

Source: UE co-speaker in intelligence, GUR press service in UE comments

Direct source language: “He decided to move to Spain instead of being here. From what we know: he invited his ex to himself and found him shot”.

Details: According to the interlocutor of the UE, a burned car was found nearby, on which liquidators were likely to run away.

Literally the GUR press service: “Confirm the fact of death”.

  • On August 23, 2023, it became known that the helicopter Mi-8 of the Russian Armed Forces found himself in Ukraine due to prolonged special operation. 
  • The Mi-8 pilot was 28-year-old Maxim Kuzminov. He received a reward of $ 500,000 in the hryvnia equivalent.
  • The Russian side has repeatedly threatened Kuzminov with murder as a “traitor”.

The Russians have decided to try to up the operational tempo on the ground:

Avdiivka:

And Marinka:

Robotyne:

Kupyansk:

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

@patron__dsns

Який лук сподобався найбільше? :)) #песпатрон

♬ original sound – Anthony Immediato

Here’s the machine translation of the caption:

Which bow did you like the most? :)) #песпатрон

Open thread!

Reader Interactions

24Comments

  1. 1.

    hrprogressive

    Be nice if people would call out lying fascists like Mike Johnson for speaking out of both sides of their mouths re Navalny’s death.

    It would be nice if his murder would be met by, you know, swift bipartisan, hell, unanimous funding for Ukrainian aid to show Putin people aren’t going to take it.

    But, since I already know what the Fascist Republican Party really wants, I know not only will they not do it, it’s unlikely to be addressed directly by our own media / other politicians.

  2. 2.

    trollhattan

    Is it generally believed Ukraine is bringing in a Patriot battery near the border to take out planes that distant? They seem a little complex for shoot and scoot, but will give them credit for being able to figure out how.

    Have a quip here somewhere about how Taurus missile can be labeled Sable so as to circumvent export restrictions. LFG! There are Black Sea warships needing their decks rearranged.

  5. 5.

    Gin & Tonic

    Shitload of russians in Spain. Would be nice if their visas were revoked, but no western European government has the stones to turn away all that cash.

  7. 7.

    Another Scott

    @trollhattan: I’d be very surprised, myself, if they were Patriots.  Those seem far too valuable to have close to the front, and are kinda like squishing a fly with a sledgehammer (they’re designed to intercept missiles).

    The DeepStateMap used to show pockets of “partisan” activity in a couple of places. I don’t see that now though. :-( Perhaps, just spitballing here, Ukraine has rigged up Stingers on some of their drone boats, or something similarly creative.

    Whatever they’re doing, they seem to be working well.

    Slava Ukraini!!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  11. 11.

    Jay

    @Another Scott:

    The modular aspect of the battery and the digital interface, coupled with the range of the radars and sensors exceeding the range of the missiles, tactically, allows the missile launcher to scoot forward into range, fire and retreat, as the missile once fired, requires no communication or guidance from the launcher. It also allows all elements of the battery to be dispersed over a large area.

  12. 12.

    YY_Sima Qian

    I think the Ukrainian Armed Forces used Patriots to ambush the Russian AWAC & EW aircraft over the Black Sea, so I think it is likely that Patriots were used again here & recently to bring down the Su-34s (& Su-35 here). They may be doing it at the expense of coverage over fixed targets, as seen in the reducing in interception rate.

    The RuAF has taken to dropping glide bombs against Ukrainian fortifications, apparently to substantial effect (based on testimonials of Ukrainian troops at the front). To do so, the bombers have to fly high & fast to extent the range of the glide bombs. These ambushes might force the RuAF to change tactics by flying low & below the horizon of the Patriot battery’s radars, which will limit the range & effectiveness of the glide bombs.

    Again, the fact that the RuAF cannot suppress these Patriot (or S300) batteries so close to the frontlines, even though the Ukrainian AF’s ability to contest in the air remains very limited, speak to their weaknesses in SEAD & EW.

  13. 13.

    Jay

    @YY_Sima Qian:

    They may be doing it at the expense of coverage over fixed targets, as seen in the reducing in interception rate.

    The Orc’s have also been using a large number of glide bombs against towns and cities. Every downed fighters is one less missile platform to kill Ukrainians.

  17. 17.

    Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom

    Go Canada! If only more  Canadians understood how important it is to our country that Russia be defeated.

    Thank you Adam. Haven’t been commenting because, really what is there to say that others haven’t already said? But I’m  still here.

  18. 18.

    Geminid

    @YY_Sima Qian: Sanctions evasion has been a bone of contention between Turkiye and the US since this war began. It’s good that Turkiye is now being more diligent in this area, but not surprising. There has been a lot of friction between the two countries over the past 10 years,* but ever since the Vilnius Nato Summit there have been palpable signs of improvement in our counties’ relations.

    * This friction has been more acute the past 10 years, but I think it started in 2003 with the US invasion of Iraq. That happened to be the year Erdpgan’s AKP first won control of the National Assembly, and Erdogan’s first foreign policy experience as PM was watching Turkiye’s biggest Nato ally turn an important neighbor into a war zone. The war and its follow-on effects eventually destabilized Syria and that is when the real friction began.

    In somewhat related news, Ragip Soylu this morning relayed an Agence France-Presse report that Hungary’s parliament will vote to ratify Sweden’s Nato accession this coming Monday.

  19. 19.

    wjca

    @Geminid: Erdogan’s first foreign policy experience as PM was watching Turkiye’s biggest Nato ally turn an important neighbor into a war zone.

    Not so much that we turned Iraq into a war zone, although that can’t have delighted him. But what really got his knickers in a twist was that we supported the Kurds.  Who he and his party have demonized for decades.  When you think about it, Russia had to really work at it to get him past that — even though our support for the Kurds has waned somewhat of late.

  20. 20.

    YY_Sima Qian

    From Rob Lee, definitely worth clicking the link for the incredible footage. The new age of warfare.

    Video from Ukraine’s Bulava strike unit showing FPV strikes on Russian armor in a warehouse. Notably, cheap nets over the entrances likely could have prevented these losses. t.me/censor_net/45708

    An indication of complacency leaving this much equipment this exposed so close to the front line.

  22. 22.

    wjca

    @YY_Sima Qian: Video from Ukraine’s Bulava strike unit showing FPV strikes on Russian armor in a warehouse. Notably, cheap nets over the entrances likely could have prevented these losses.

    Just one more example showing why Russia, with all its advantages, has failed to win in Ukraine.

  24. 24.

    Geminid

     

     

    @wjca: The U.S. has supported the Iraqi Kurds since the First Gulf War. We still do, and maintain a military mission at Erbil, capital of the Kurdish Regional Government. The Turks have no problems with this and themselves maintain good relations with the KRG. Their beef is with the PKK, which they have been at war with since the 1980s. The KRG also considers the PKK to be their enemy.

    When the U.S. intervened in Syria to combat ISIS 10 years ago we built our anti-ISIS forces around the YPG, which is essentially an arm of the PKK. This has since been a constant source of tension between the U.S. and Turkiye, and that is what I meant when I said that friction increased because eastern Syria was destabilized.

Comments are closed.