Two quick housekeeping notes. First, Rosie is doing great. She had her one month post chemo appointment with her oncologist this morning and the vet was thrilled with how she looked, the bloodwork, the information about the walks.
Second, my sinus infection seems to be improving, though I’m still going to just run the basics tonight.
During his trip to Paris, President Zelenskyy told President Macron and the President-elect that Putin does not want the war to end.
💢 Zelenskyy: I told Macron and Trump that Putin doesn’t want war to end, so he must be forced
— Ukrainska Pravda 🇺🇦 (@pravda.ua) December 9, 2024 at 11:03 AM
Zelenskyy comments on his conversation with Trump about freezing the war.
t.me/c/1377735387…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 12:40 PM
From Ukrainska Pravda:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that in a conversation with his counterparts, French President Emmanuel Macron and US President-elect Donald Trump, in Paris, he emphasised that Russian leader Vladimir Putin does not want the war against Ukraine to end and must be forced to do so.
Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram
Quote: “I told both President Macron and President Trump: first and foremost, you will see – Putin does not want this war to end. Therefore, he must be forced. He can only be forced if Ukraine is strong. A strong Ukraine, in the context of any diplomacy, means a strong military on the battlefield. It means a strong army, weapons packages, long-range systems, including, of course, ATACMS, Taurus, Storm Shadow, and SCALP missiles.
All of this is critically important for us. And yes, it is exclusively for strikes on military targets, and we emphasise this.”
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
Personnel Changes Have Been Made Specifically to Reboot the System of Training for Our Warriors – Address by the President
9 December 2024 – 19:36
I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
Today, I held a meeting of the Staff. One of the key issues was the quality of training of our warriors. This is an area that requires significant changes. Personnel changes have been made specifically to reboot the system of training for our warriors. Oleh Apostol and Mykhailo Drapatyi will be responsible for this. Today marked the beginning of the relevant discussions at our Staff meeting. I gave instructions to prepare a detailed report for the next meeting of the Staff. Right now, a review must be conducted to identify what needs immediate change, what must be corrected, what should be added, and who else needs to be replaced. Everything necessary can be provided – both at the organizational level and in terms of funding. It is the quality of training that largely determines the effectiveness of our warriors in battles, and of course, the preservation of the lives of our men.
Today, there was a report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi about the frontlines, the defense of our positions, all key directions, and the Kursk operation. My gratitude goes to all our warriors who are destroying the occupiers. There was also a separate report from Pavlo Palisa regarding the amount of direct funds allocated to brigades specifically for the additional procurement of drones.
A decision was recently made on the sum of these direct funds, but it’s now clear that the amount is still insufficient. I have instructed the Prime Minister to increase funding for the brigades significantly in the coming days.
Important international meetings took place today. Estonia’s new Prime Minister, Kristen Michal, paid his very first visit specifically to Ukraine. We are grateful for all forms of support – defensive, political, and humanitarian. Thank you to Estonia and to all the Baltic states. We discussed how to achieve greater results in defending our land and people from Russia – in defending our Europe. One of the key topics was equipping the brigades. Ukraine is grateful to France and President Macron for training one brigade, and we will now hold discussions with the French side about training a second brigade. Additionally, in Europe – specifically in Germany – the U.S. is now training a Ukrainian brigade. This is important. And we also talked to our partners, the Nordics, the countries of Northern Europe, that they, together with the Baltic states, could also prepare one more brigade. This will be a very tangible contribution to the defense of Europe. Of course, we also discussed upcoming events with the Estonian Prime Minister.
Today, Friedrich Merz, the leader of the German opposition, also visited Ukraine. We are thankful to Germany for leadership in Europe in the scale of the support and, in particular, its contributions to developing our air defense. Thousands of lives have already been saved thanks to the air defense systems and other weapons Germany has provided. We can do much more, and we are raising this issue at all levels. Today, several important topics were discussed. The first was an invitation to NATO. The second point is that I appreciate Merz’s position – it is both truthful and fair – that it is unjust and ineffective for Ukraine to fight with one hand tied behind its back. We need Taurus missiles, as well as other long-range missiles, to strike the necessary military – strictly military – targets in Russia. This is how we can end the war as quickly as possible. The weaker Russia’s military potential becomes, the sooner peace will be achieved.
Ukraine has presented the points of the Victory Plan to its partners, and all partners are well aware of them. Everyone knows the points, both geopolitical and military ones. And we believe that the countries whose decisions determine the issues of NATO and long-range weapons for our defense, as well as all those countries that finance the production of weapons in Ukraine must have a common stance and full coordination. Europe, America, and other parts of the world must stand united for security because there is no such thing as partial security. If there is Russia, which destroys the lives of others, it will always affect everyone. We must stand together. And we have been discussing exactly this kind of coordination, such a group for Europe, and we have been preparing it, and in the near future we will organize such a meeting of a coordination group for Europe. It is important that everything happens in unity. Our approach to this group includes, at a minimum, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Poland. We also hope Denmark and other partners will join. Political coordination that matters. Unity, which gives success. We all need real peace. I am grateful to everyone who helps!
Glory to Ukraine!
The US:
“We have made clear is that if (Ukraine) produces additional forces to join the fight, we and our allies will be ready to acquit those forces and train those forces to enter battle,” U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Dec. 9.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 9, 2024 at 4:55 PM
From The Kyiv Independent:
The United States is ready to take over the training of new Ukrainian soldiers and provide them with the necessary weapons if Ukraine changes its mobilization policy, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a meeting with journalists on Dec. 9.
“We have had conversations with the government of Ukraine about the security situation it faces in the East,” Miller said.
“Ultimately, the decisions about the composition of its military force are those are decisions that the Ukrainians have to make for themselves. What we have made clear is that if they produce additional forces to join the fight, we and our allies will be ready to acquit those forces and train those forces to enter battle.”
His comments come as part of a broader wave of statements from senior U.S. officials, amid reports that Western allies are urging Ukraine to reduce its minimum mobilization age from 25 to 18 in order to replenish its military forces.
Earlier on Dec. 4, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Ukraine faces “hard decisions” regarding further mobilization in its fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“These are necessary decisions,” Blinken noted during a press conference in Brussels. He emphasized that mobilization is critical for Ukraine, adding that while the country has the necessary funds and ammunition, it also requires more people to effectively repel Russian aggression.
Blinken also reiterated that every soldier that Ukraine mobilizes would have “the training and the equipment they need to effectively defend the country.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky has so far refuted Washington’s appeals. According to the president, partners have only provided enough aid to fully equip 2.5 out of the 10 Ukrainian brigades that Ukraine had requested support for.
The Baltic Sea:
⚡️NATO jets intercept Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
The F-35s, deployed under NATO’s eastern airspace monitoring mission, intercepted a Russian An-72 transport aircraft and an SU-24 reconnaissance aircraft.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 9, 2024 at 12:13 PM
The Kyiv Independent has the details:
Two Dutch F-35 fighter jets intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Dec. 6, the Netherlands Defense Ministry announced on Dec. 9.
The F-35s, deployed under NATO’s eastern airspace monitoring mission, intercepted a Russian An-72 transport aircraft and an SU-24 reconnaissance aircraft.
Later, they were scrambled again to intercept a Russian IL-20 reconnaissance aircraft.
The Dutch F-35s escorted the Russian planes over international waters to the boundary of NATO’s airspace. “That is why our people are there: to protect our common airspace from Russian threats,” Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans wrote on X.
Russian aircraft frequently operate over the Baltic Sea without transponders or flight plans, actions often seen as testing NATO’s response capabilities.
In September, the Latvian Air Force reported that NATO jets intercepted six such Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
That same month, Latvia confirmed that a Russian Shahed-type drone equipped with explosives had crashed on its territory.
The drone, reportedly heading to Ukraine, entered Latvia from Belarus before crashing near Gaigalava parish in the Rezekne district, approximately 85 kilometers (52 miles) from the Belarusian border.
Germany:
German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, during a visit to Kyiv, confirmed his readiness to provide Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles if he heads the German government after the elections in February 2025.
www.holosameryky.com/a/merz-pidtv…— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 1:02 PM
Belarus:
Belarusians are already drawing a range and flight time map for the “Oreshnik” that Lukashenko requested from Putin.
t.me/c/1650479418…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 8:34 AM
Lukashenko may want to stretch and warm up a bit. Maybe do some deep knee bends.
Georgia:
According to the sources of Mtavari Arkhi TV, after installing Kavalashvili as the illegitimate President on December 29, the regime plans on imposing state of emergency and curfew, which essentially means subjecting the population to martial law. We need to break this regime now. #terrorinGeorgia
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 12:27 PM
The regime propaganda and the Maidan. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 11:08 AM
EU Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński stated:
1/ “What has been happening in Georgia over the last 12 days clearly calls for sanctions. I know that work is already ongoing to prepare sanctions. Whether we reach unanimity depends on all 27 capitals […]
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 8:23 AM
2/ […] I think and hope it will be very difficult for any EU capital to disregard the level of violence and brutality. Let’s see on Monday if the sanctions will be introduced. For sure, the preparatory work is already ongoing […]
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 8:23 AM
3/ […] On the coming Monday, December 16th, the foreign ministers of the European Union will meet to discuss Georgia. Georgia will also be discussed at the end of next week at the level of EU heads of state and government. Let’s see what will happen next week”.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 8:23 AM
“Dear West, you are late again. Sanction the oligarch and his puppets. NOW!” – a banner at the anti-Russian protest, Day 12.
#GeorgiaProtests
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 1:01 PM
I’m 🤏🏻 close to losing it about sanctions.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 1:26 PM
How the protests are going on in Georgia today.
www.instagram.com/p/DDXLjMhoI8…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 3:41 PM
#Batumi, December 9 – On the 12th day of protests, demonstrators marched through the city, bringing a handmade Christmas tree to special forces near the Adjara Govt building. It was decorated with photos of those beaten during protests and a satirical “Militsiya oath.”
#GeorgiaProtests #Georgia— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 9, 2024 at 5:02 PM
Day 12
In #Tbilisi today, protesters staged another performance with an effigy. They ceremonially brought a coffin, revealed an effigy of oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili inside, and burned it in front of the city’s Christmas tree – installed in the epicentre of nightly #GeorgiaProtests.
— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 9, 2024 at 4:44 PM
Again, for the 12th day, endless crowds despite near-freezing temperature in Tbilisi. Too bad some of our partners still shake hands with the illegitimate, violent regime or shy away from getting tougher on them. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
📷 Publika— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 3:26 PM
Posters from the December 9-10 rally in #Tbilisi
#GeorgiaProtests – Why people in #Georgia are taking to the streets
— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 9, 2024 at 4:42 PM
Performance at the protest rally – citizens brought a coffin with Bidzina Ivanishvili’s effigy and set it on fire. „F**k Russia, F**k Bidzina, F**k Bidzina, F**k Khareba, F**k Kobakhidze”, they chanted.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 2:10 PM
The Bidzina being burnt in a coffin is reaching new heights of sophistication.
#terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
📷 Keti Nadibaidze/Formula TV— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Innova Medical Center and Bokhua Memorial Cardiovascular Medical Center offer free services to those affected by the recent violence.
Businesses start demanding new elections. But they need to go on strike. Statements won’t change a thing.
#terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 12:37 PM
It’s surreal to be fearing any knock on the door, any car passing behind you, or walking the distance from your building entrance to your door. Or to see your sitcom heroes battling a dictatorship in real life. That’s a new everyday reality for Georgians. #terrorinGeorgia
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 5:06 PM
The Biden administration needs to bestir itself and get sanctions in place on Georgian Dream, its leaders, and the oligarch underwriting the party, the politicians, and the apparatchiks as soon as possible. Yesterday would have been a good day to do this.
Here’s a breakdown of the Russian butcher’s bill for September through November 2024:
Russia has quadrupled its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine this fall, according to WSJ
Between September and November 2024, Russia launched over 6,000 missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, a threefold increase from the previous quarter and a fourfold increase compared to the same period in 2022
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 8:14 AM
Russian glide bomb use down: Most probably due to the threat of ATACMS and Storm Shadow, Russian fighter/bombers have had to relocate to bases further away, resulting in longer flight times and fewer bombing sorties. Many lives could have been saved had US permitted ATACMS use in Russia earlier.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 5:33 AM
Note how the peak of the use by fascist Russia of glide bombs on targets in Ukraine coincides with the US giving permission to Ukraine to use Western weapons on targets in Russia. It drops off, peaks again, then drops off sharply. There is no such correlation with the imposition of sanctions, AFAIK.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 12:40 PM
The Black Sea:
On the night of December 5-6, a group of SBU sea drones “Sea Baby” entered into battle with Russian helicopters, aircraft and patrol boats “Raptor”.
The latest “Sea Baby” were equipped with large-caliber machine guns with ballistic programs for automatic targeting.
(Part 1)
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 3:29 AM
Intercepted Russian radio communication indicates that there are killed and wounded on board the helicopters. The helicopters themselves received significant damage and now require major repairs.
(Part 2)
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 3:30 AM
Donetsk Oblast:
First, you massacre Ukrainian POWs in Olenivka. Two years later, your car explodes in the center of Donetsk. What a pathetic end
— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 6:19 AM
Former director of the Olenivka prison, Serhiy Yevsyukov, has been killed by a car bomb in occupied Donetsk city, say Russian state propganda and military bloggers. Yevsyukov oversaw the prison when Russia blew up its barracks, killing at least 53 Ukrainian POWs on July 29, 2022.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 4:13 AM
Olenivka prison, near occupied eastern Donetsk, was a place of nightmares. Russian officials and their Ukrainian collaborators like Yevsyukov starved, tortured and murdered Ukrainian POWs in the facility, according to testimony from those who survived it.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 4:13 AM
That’ll buff right out.
From The Kyiv Independent:
A car exploded in Russian-occupied Donetsk on Dec. 9, seriously injuring two people inside, Russian state media reported.
The Russian Telegram channel Mash claimed that Serhii Yevsiukov, the former head of Russia‘s notorious Olenivka prisoner of war (POW) camp in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast, was killed in the blast.
The claims could not be independently verified as there has been no official confirmation that Yevsiukov was killed in the bombing. Ukraine did not comment on the incident.
Yevsiukov was wanted by Ukraine on murder, torture, and war crime charges. The Olenivka camp, notorious for the torture and abuse of Ukrainian captives, was hit by an explosion in June 2022, killing over 50 Ukrainian POWs and injuring more than 150. Kyiv called this a deliberate Russian war crime.
Russian state news agencies reported that a Toyota SUV exploded in central Donetsk, seriously injuring two people inside the vehicle who were also family members. The man’s leg was torn off by the blast, RIA Novosti reported, without revealing his identity.
The explosion occurred on the side of the driver, the state news agency TASS reported.
The Mash Telegram channel later claimed that the man in question was Yevsiukov and that he was killed as a result. The second victim was said to be his wife, who is in a hospital in serious condition, Mash claimed.
Russia’s Investigative Committee launched a criminal investigation into the explosion.
Yevsiukov was one of the key figures in the Kyiv Independent’s investigation into the torture of captives in the Olenivka prison. He and his deputy, Dmytro Neiolov, were charged by Ukrainian prosecutors in July for violating laws of war.
Ukrainian authorities said that days before the explosion in the Olevnika prison, Russian occupation authorities singled out Ukrainian members of the Azov Regiment, who were captured in Mariupol and were awaiting a prisoner exchange, to a separate part of the prison building—the one that was destroyed.
The Prosecutor General’s Office said that Russia likely used a thermobaric munition to strike the prison. Russia rejected the accusations and instead blamed the explosion on a Ukrainian HIMARS strike, an assertion rejected by the U.N.
/2. Photo of a a Russian war criminal, Sergei Yevsyukov, who was blown up by partisans in Donetsk today.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 3:47 AM
Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk Oblast:
Russian soldiers reached proper Ukrainian fortifications in the area of Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk Oblast and were shocked by the conditions.
“They’re really living it up here! Look at this bunker! Unbelievable! Trenches three meters deep. All kinds of food here, damn it!”
t.me/c/1377735387…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 4:21 PM
Simferopol, Russian occupied Crimea:
🚀 UK MOD: “On 29 November 2024, Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed elements of a S-400 air defence system in Simferopol, Crimea. Two impact craters measuring 13.5m, dispersed debris and five emergency response vehicles were identified from imagery.”
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 6:19 AM
/2. The destroyed S-400 in Crimea described by the UK MOD 👇
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 6:20 AM
Pokrovsk:
The 425th Brigade destroyed two assault groups of Russians who were trying to attack Pokrovsk.
About 15 occupants were killed and 1 more was taken prisoner. The sappers also destroyed a bridge that served as a logistical route for the Russians.
t.me/c/1377735387…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 2:29 PM
The Kursk cross border offensive:
A group of Russian infantry captured on the Kursk front. As said:
«The UAV operators discovered a concentration of personnel in one of the basements of the settlement. After detailed planning, personnel advanced to the area, where more than twenty Russians were taken prisoner»
t.me/c/1943331359…
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 5:17 AM
Footage of a direct battle involving Ukrainian paratroopers in the Kursk region, where last week soldiers of the 80th Air Assault Brigade repelled an enemy assault and captured 11 Russians.
t.me/c/1377735387…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 9:23 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron twees or videos tonight. Here is some adjacent material:
Because we could all use some more Ukrainian puppies in our timelines.
— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) December 7, 2024 at 2:55 PM
#NAFO has deployed an ELITE FELLA CORPS…
…to reinforce protests in Georgia!!!—
(Stray dogs have joined the massive protests in Georgia. Protesters feed and care for them, while the dogs seem to have picked up on the tension, barking at police vehicles and officers.)— Aleksandr X (@alexanderphoenix.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 10:49 AM
Open thread!
@mistermix.bsky.social
Is there any reason for Zelenskyy to trust a commitment from the US to train Ukrainian soldiers ~6 weeks before Trump takes over?
WTFGhost
I remember reading you’re not a regular here, reading and posting about a lot of stuff, just, *this* is your gig.
One thing I wish people understood about Trump, and about smart people, is, when Trump tells you, people tell *him*, that he’s smart, he’s either lying, or they’re asskissers.
Smart people don’t sit around congratulating each other for being smart. If you’re smart, you get the *ultimate* accolade from the brilliant: you get listened to. People bring you a brilliant idea, hoping you won’t kill it, but relieved if you do, so they can fix the problem.
Smart people hear disinfectants kill the Covid-19 virus in an instant, wonders why we can’t *cure* Covid-19 that way, and realize, “there are smart people in this room – if this was a miracle cure, they’d have already said it was. Ergo, I must learn more.”
Stupid people couldn’t understood “ergo” if you smacked them in the face with it, and ask if you’ve considered using dangerously corrosive agents on precious lung tissue.
This is a very long way of saying, I listen when I can, and I recognize competence when I say it, and I appreciate what you do here. Thank you.
Adam L Silverman
@@mistermix.bsky.social: No.
Adam L Silverman
@WTFGhost: Thanks. I think.
Just to clarify, I am a regular here. I’ve been a full time front pager here since 2015. But for the better part of the past three years, these are the only posts I do.
sab
@@mistermix.bsky.social: He has to go through the motions of trusting us in case we do intend to deliver.
Politics and diplomacy aren’t for the weak or faint of heart. Give it your all and hope that works to some extent.
hrprogressive
Biden appears to have completely checked out from even “being” POTUS, so, yeah.
That warm smile and jolly handshake with the same man he called an existential threat to democracy really told everyone who was paying attention where exactly the American, and by extension, the rest of the “small l, small d” liberal democracies stand.
We ain’t in that club.
Quick Question – I thought the S-400 was the Russian’s brand spanking new super expensive SAM? Or am I misremembering which piece of hardware that is? Would seem like a big deal if “it” (I thought there was only 1 but I can’t remember) was already promoted to scrap heap, but maybe I am misremembering all of this.
Lums Better Half
Is the first blusky post under Simferopol supposed to be something else? I am seeing one about Friedrich Merz.
WTFGhost
@Adam L Silverman: It was sincere. My brain is broken so I no talk so good sometimes – lots of words, dance around the meaning, sometimes, the polka. Still: I am Groot, and I am Groot, with all my heart.
(Er: that translates to “I watch MCU and wish to offer wordless compliments so I don’t step on my metaphorical tongue.”)
BellaPea
I don’t usually comment on these posts because the whole disaster that is Ukraine is just extra heartbreak on top of what is happening in this country. Adam, you are doing a good job and you are a braver soul than me. And I f**cking hate that photo of the Orange Garbage with Macron and Zelensky. It literally makes me sick to think that he is taking over as president AGAIN.
Gin & Tonic
@@mistermix.bsky.social: No.
Adam L Silverman
@Lums Better Half: Should be fixed now. Thanks for catching that.
Adam L Silverman
@WTFGhost: Tracking. I appreciate the sentiment and the kind words.
Adam L Silverman
@BellaPea: Thank you for the kind words.
funlady75
Thanks Adam….Glad about Rosie…
Adam L Silverman
@WTFGhost: And I apologize for the initially sarcastic response. Please don’t let it stop you from commenting here as much or as little as you’re comfortable in doing.
Gin & Tonic
Real shame about that Yevsyukov guy.
Jay
@hrprogressive:
Yes the S-400 is the latest and greatest of ruZZian operational* air defense complexes, tasked with taking out aircraft, drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles at long range,
that has in Ukraine, (checks notes), been destroyed by a missile many times.
*there is an S-500 stuck in development, (sanctions) but it’s just an “improved missile” for the complex.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
Jay
https://xcancel.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1866145081146712266#m
Adam L Silverman
@Jay: Hachi, Grayfriar’s Bobby, and Lioshka.
Jay
@@mistermix.bsky.social:
@sab:
@Gin & Tonic:
It’s just empty words and the Biden Admin attempt to push once again the narrative that Ukraine needs to mobilize their future to make up for the US’s failure to arm Ukraine.
Ukraine still has 8 trained, lightly armed Battalions still waiting for long promised heavy weapons from the US that still have not shown up.
At least when the Canadians, Dutch, Germans, Baltics etc promise weapons, they deliver them.
Doug R
@WTFGhost: WE are Groot.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
YY_Sima Qian
This is tit-for-tat in response to the US escalating the trade war, specifically further tightening the semiconductor export controls & blacklisting DJI. Unfortunately, the sanctioned US entities are also some of the same mil tech start ups working on drones for Ukraine.
Certainly, there will remain a massive grey market for Chinese made drone components, especially since most of these are commodity products that are impossible to regulate. The PRC had ostensibly banned the sale of non-civilian drones & drone components to Russia & Ukraine, but neither has much trouble obtaining such components.
However, getting products on the grey market & via 3rd parties still increases cost & time to delivery, w/ uncertain quality. The US mil tech start up will have less tolerance for risk & less experience dealing w/ varied supply compared to the Ukrainians & the Russians. SK & TWese companies will try to fill in whatever void that may emerge, but neither has the depth & breadth of supply chain ecosystem, nor the talent pool, of the PRC.
Gin & Tonic
@YY_Sima Qian:
Yeah, based on some sites I visited in June, and people I spoke to, no real trouble at all.
YY_Sima Qian
OT: Perhaps Israel is looking to expand permanent control over sovereign Syrian territory, to enhance its military domination of its neighbors, which is its solution for “permanent” security. Useful maps & photos through the link.
Still one man’s take, but we’ll see.
It seems to me that the importance of seizing the high ground here is inflated, given Israel’s dominance in the air, in space & in drones, versus the cost of further friction w/ the new order in Syria (not expected to be friendly to Israel to begin w/). However, it does not appear Israel is able to conceptualize security, or relate to its neighbors, in anyway other than domination.
YY_Sima Qian
Russia is not leaving Tartus just yet.
YY_Sima Qian
@Gin & Tonic: As I said above, US companies are going to be willing to rely upon the grey market, w/ uncertain product provenance, so they will have to take the time & expense of setting up a PRC-free supply chain. Which, given the current PRC dominance in every face of the drone supply chain, will take time & be expensive.
The PRC has also not, to my knowledge, put any Russian or Ukrainian entities on export control lists, which would increase the risk for suppliers providing commodity components even via 3rd parties.
TBone
@Adam L Silverman:
You have given me new life attitude to greet this day. Thank you.