(Image by NEIVANMADE)
The sinus infection is kicking my dupa today, so I’m just going to run through the basics.
Here’s last night’s air defense tally:
⚡️ Ukraine downs 58 of Russian 132 drones launched overnight, Air Force reports.
Ukrainian air defense intercepted 58 drones out of 132 launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported on its Telegram channel on Dec. 14.— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 5:09 AM
The Kyiv Independent has the details:
Ukrainian air defense intercepted 58 drones out of 132 launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported on its Telegram channel on Dec. 14.
The attack targeted 11 oblasts, primarily in southern and central Ukraine, with Russia deploying 132 Iranian-made Shahed drones, according to the report.
Defensive operations were carried out across all targeted oblasts, with air defense systems active in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kyiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kirovohrad.
The Air Force reported that 72 drones failed to reach their targets, while two returned to Russia.
The overnight assault followed a massive aerial attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure earlier on Dec. 13. During that offensive, Russia launched approximately 290 missiles and drones across multiple regions.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least 93 missiles were fired, including some supplied by North Korea, with Ukrainian forces successfully intercepting 81 of them. Eleven missiles were shot down by F-16 fighter jets.
Moscow’s forces also deployed nearly 200 drones in the Dec. 13 strike, which Zelensky described as “one of the largest against our energy grid.”
President Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine will fill the humanitarian aid food gap created by the fall of the Assad regime and the Russian (sort of) pull out and abandonment of Syria:
⚡️Ukraine sending humanitarian aid to Syria to prevent ‘food crisis,’ Zelensky says.
“We are ready to help Syria prevent a food crisis … I have instructed the government to organize food deliveries in cooperation with international organizations and partners willing to help.”
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 2:34 PM
From The Kyiv Independent:
Ukraine is preparing to send humanitarian aid to Syria in order “to help prevent a food crisis,” President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Dec. 14.
The announcement comes a week after the Russia-backed regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad collapsed on Dec. 8 amid a large-scale rebel offensive.
Kyiv will contribute to stabilization in Syria in the aftermath of Assad’s fall, Zelensky said.
“We are ready to help Syria prevent a food crisis,” he said.
“Including through the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program. I have instructed the government to organize food deliveries in cooperation with international organizations and partners willing to help.”
Zelensky called on global partners to assist in ensuring a stable peace in Syria, which endured years of civil war “ignited with … Russia’s involvement.”
Kyiv launched the Grain From Ukraine initiative in fall 2022. Since then, the program has saved 20 million people from hunger, according to Zelensky.
Ukraine is one of the world’s leading agricultural producers and has been a major supplier of grain and other products to countries in Africa and Asia.
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
Today, We Already Have Preliminary Data That the Russians Have Begun to Use North Korean Soldiers in Their Assaults – Address by the President
14 December 2024 – 16:37
Dear Ukrainians!
Today, we already have preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults. A significant number of them.
The Russians include them in combined units and use them in operations in the Kursk region. So far, only there. But we have information suggesting their use could extend to other parts of the frontline. There are also already noticeable losses in this category.
In essence, Moscow has dragged another state into this war, and to the fullest extent possible. And if this is not escalation, then what is the escalation that so many have been talking about?
It is Putin who is taking steps to extend and prolong this war. He is the one pushing away any possibility of peace. Moreover, he wants to create more problems for the world in Asia. This is why the Russians are training North Korea in modern warfare.
And obviously, Moscow is ignoring the appeals of all countries, from China and Brazil to many others, about the need to do everything possible to de-escalate. Whenever there is no firm global response, Russia exacerbates the war. This has always been the case.
We will defend ourselves, including against these North Koreans. And we will continue to act in coordination with all our partners to stop this war – to stop it decisively, with guaranteed peace.
Next week, we will discuss our joint efforts in Europe. Sanctions against Russia, support for our defense, and investment in the collective defense of Europe, alongside strong diplomacy for peace – all of this must be expanded week by week, so that next year, together with our partners, we can achieve our main goal.
Today, following reports from our government officials, we approved actions regarding Syria. First of all, humanitarian and security actions. How we can contribute to stabilization.
This is important for Ukraine: the calmer the situation in such regions, the more actively the world will be able to assist us in establishing peace.
We are ready to help Syria prevent a food crisis. Including through the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program. I have instructed the Government to organize food deliveries in cooperation with international organizations and partners willing to help.
And we call on everyone in the world to join in the stabilization efforts so that the war ignited more than a decade ago in Syria – ignited with Iran and Russia’s involvement – so that this war finally comes to an end.
And one more thing. Last night, the Russians launched over a hundred more strike drones against our country. Thankfully, most of them failed to reach their targets – being shot down and diverted by electronic warfare.
I want now to thank all of our mobile fire groups, who defend Ukraine every day and every night, as well as all our other warriors from air defense units. And also, everyone who develops our electronic warfare systems, who manufactures them, who delivers them to the troops. Your work saves many lives – both by countering “Shaheds” and through providing protection against other types of drones
I thank everyone who is involved in the work for Ukraine! Glory to our warriors, glory to our entire nation!
Glory to Ukraine!
The Kyiv Independent is reporting that Ukraine’s HUR/Main Directorate of Intelligence has assessed that the North Korean troops have turned on and killed a bunch of Kadyrov’s Chechen soldiers.
⚡️North Korean troops open fire on Russian unit, Ukraine’s military intelligence claims.
North Korean soldiers killed eight members of the Chechen Akhmat unit in a “friendly fire” incident, HUR said, attributing the attack to persistent language barrier problems.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 4:17 PM
North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast killed eight members of a Russian unit in a “friendly fire” attack, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) claimed on Dec. 14.
Earlier in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that a “significant number” of North Korean troops had joined Russian assault operations in the Kursk region.
While engaged in combat in Kursk Oblast, a group of North Korean soldiers opened fire on members of the Chechen Akhmat unit fighting for Russia, HUR reportedvia its official Telegram channel. The attack allegedly killed eight Russian soldiers.
The Kyiv Independent was unable to verify the report.
HUR said the incident was the result of the language barrier between Russian and North Korean troops, which continues to be a “difficult obstacle” on the battlefield.
An estimated 200 servicemembers fighting with Russian and North Korean units have been killed as of Dec. 14, HUR claimed.
Zelensky previously announced that North Korean personnel had begun incurring “noticeable losses,” but did not provide a figure.
Ukrainian and Western officials in fall 2024 warned that over 10,000 North Korean troops had amassed in Kursk Oblast, ready to aid Russia’s attempt to oust Ukrainian forces in the region.
The Russian military has instituted special protocols in places where North Korean personnel are located, HUR said. Russian soldiers must undergo inspections before entering these areas, and their phones and electronic devices are confiscated.
The first direct clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast were reported in early November. According to Zelensky, North Korean personnel have not been deployed to any other areas of the front, but that could change in the future.
The US:
⚡️Kyiv delayed minerals deal with US to let Trump take credit, NYT reports.
Ukrainian authorities twice delayed signing the agreement, officials said. The delays offer the opportunity for Trump to claim an early victory at the start of his term.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 1:53 PM
From The Kyiv Independent:
Ukrainian authorities postponed signing an agreement with the United States on processing and extracting rare earth minerals, in order to let U.S. President-elect Donald Trump claim credit for the deal when he takes office, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Dec. 14.
Trump begins his second presidential term on Jan. 20, 2025. He has promised to make a quick end to Russia’s war against Ukraine, sparking fears in Kyiv that Washington will withdraw military aid when Trump returns to the White House.
In a bid to secure Trump’s support ahead of the inauguration, the Ukrainian government has appealed to Trump’s ego and reputation as a businessman, the New York Times reported. One attempt involved delaying a significant minerals deal.
Ukraine, home to large deposits of critical minerals, including cobalt, graphite, and lithium, planned to sign the deal with U.S. President Joe Biden. U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal announced plans for the deal in August 2024 after their visit to Kyiv.
Ukrainian authorities then twice delayed signing the agreement, the NYT said, citing officials on both sides of the negotiations. The delays offer the opportunity for the Trump administration to claim an early victory at the start of his term.
“This war is about money,” Graham told Fox News in November.
“So Donald Trump’s going to do a deal to get our money back, to enrich ourselves with rare earth minerals. A good deal for Ukraine and us, and he’s going to bring peace.”
Trump has repeatedly criticized the level of support the Biden administration provided to Ukraine and signaled Kyiv should brace for reduced assistance once his term begins. In a Dec. 12 interview, Trump said he would not “abandon” Ukraine.
“I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you’re going to reach an agreement is not to abandon,” he said.
Trump’s comments came a few days after his first in-person meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky since the U.S. presidential election. Zelensky praised Trump during the meeting, telling him he was the only one Russian President Vladimir Putin feared.
“I told President Trump that Putin fears only him and, perhaps, China,” Zelensky said on X.
Following his meeting with Zelensky, Trump said the Ukrainian president appeared ready “to make a deal and stop the madness” and that Putin should do the same after incurring staggering losses in Ukraine.
Remember, this is part of a very specific strategy that the Ukrainians have developed for dealing with the President-elect. They have done a key leader/operational psychological assessment of him and determined the best way forward for dealing with him. Delaying signing this agreement is part of that strategy.
Georgia:
1/ “Georgian Dream” is holding the presidential election, with the only candidate being GD-nominated former football player and MP Mikheil Kavelashvili, who has only completed school-level education The process began at 09:00 in the Parliament building.
#terrorinGeorgia
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:09 AM
2/ The election is being conducted under a new system, where the president is elected by a 300-member electoral collegium. Of these, 211 members represent GD. To secure victory in the first round, a candidate must receive the support of 200 voters.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:09 AM
3/ The current president of Georgia, along with other parties that passed the threshold in the parliamentary election, does not recognize the legitimacy of either the parliament or the presidential election.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:09 AM
4/ At the same time, a protest is taking place near the Parliament building. Police forces are mobilized around the area, and special equipment, including water cannons, is stationed in Freedom Square near the Parliament building.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:09 AM
5/ Acting President Salome Zurabishvili walked along Rustaveli Ave toward the Orbeliani Palace. Protesters gathered outside the Parliament greeted her with applause and cheers.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:09 AM
Kavelashvili, come out and play for us!” – Students brought balls to the protest in front of the Parliament, saying that Kavelashvili is as much a president as they are football players.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:47 AM
⭕️Transparency International Georgia: “The president ‘elected’ by an illegitimate parliament is also illegitimate.”
Today, GD’s parliament elected Mikheil Kavelashvili, a candidate nominated by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, as president. He was the sole candidate.
#Georgia— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 14, 2024 at 1:51 PM
Day 17. Release the unlawfully detained, schedule new, free and fair elections. AND! Salome Zourabichvili remains the legitimate President of Georgia!
#terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
📷 Ezz Gaber— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 12:39 PM
Salome Zurabishvili came to Rustaveli avenue.
19:20
#GeorgiaProtests
#Terroristattack— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 10:24 AM
In front of Parliament, GD supporters and #GeorgiaProtests participants faced off, separated only by MIA forces. In the end, Tbilisi Mayor postponed the Christmas tree lighting, while President Zourabichvili addressed the pro-European rally, saying, “I am with you, and you are in my heart.”
— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 14, 2024 at 10:52 AM
About the significance of today. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 2:17 PM
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 12:48 PM
19:10 Dec 14 – #Tbilisi
In front of Parliament, Georgian Dream supporters and #GeorgiaProtests participants faced off, separated only by MIA forces. The Tbilisi Mayor postponed 🎄lighting to an unknown date, and the stage was removed. Here’s a look at the situation on the ground at the time
— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 14, 2024 at 11:13 AM
Reportedly, the reason the regime had to back off from their prestige move of lighting up the Christmas tree (amid special police protection) is that they couldn’t mobilize enough people to feel superiority over protesters. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 10:28 AM
It should be noted that next to the President, the woman is the mother of Gega Kobakhidze, a youngster killed by the Soviets for his dissent.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 10:16 AM
21:00, December 14 – #Batumi
The #GeorgiaProtests in Batumi have been ongoing since November 28, when Irakli Kobakhidze announced halting EU talks. People continue to take to the streets daily, gathering at night in front of the Constitutional Court of #Georgia.
— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 14, 2024 at 12:29 PM
There appears to have been a terrorist attack in Dnipro:
⚡️Explosion in Dnipro center kills 1, injures 2 police officers.
The cause of the explosion is currently unknown, officials said. Police investigators and explosives experts are working to determine the circumstances of the explosion.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 12:46 PM
From The Kyiv Independent:
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
An explosion in a central neighborhood of Dnipro on Dec. 14 killed one person and injured four others, including two police officers, Ukraine’s National Police reported.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has classified the incident as a terrorist attack and detained a suspect.
The explosion occurred at around 2:45 p.m. local time, near an administrative building in the center of Dnipro, police said. At the time, the cause of the explosion was unknown.
Police investigators and explosives experts were dispatched to the scene to determine the circumstances of the explosion.
One man was killed in the explosion, and four others were wounded, including two police officers. The injured victims are currently being treated in the hospital.
Within hours of the explosion, authorities reported that police worked jointly with the SBU to detain a suspect. The detainee is a 37-year-old local resident who allegedly acted on the instructions of Russian special services.
Dnipro, Ukraine’s fourth-largest city, has served as a key logistics and humanitarian hub during the full-scale war. The city has recently been a target of intensified Russian attacks.
Russia launched its Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) at Dnipro Nov. 21, marking the first time such a weapon has been deployed against Ukraine during the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on Dec. 13 that Russia is preparing to attack Ukraine with another Oreshnik missile this weekend.
Kursk:
North Korean attack on the Kursk front. Extended video.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 11:47 AM
Kharkiv:
Russian drones in Kharkiv skies right now‼️
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 3:38 PM
These are children waiting to start their math test, hiding in a bomb shelter because of a MiG takeoff in Russia. Meanwhile, the Russian opposition is complaining about how hard life is for them in Western Europe.
— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 4:45 AM
Donetsk Oblast:
Destroyed Russian T-54. Donetsk region.
t.me/lost_warinua…— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 7:51 AM
Kherson:
#Kherson #HumanSafari On Dec 12, Russian drones’ attacks results:
💔1 man, 67, killed
💔1 man, 54, injured
🛑4 cars attackedThis is despite the weather conditions in-conducive to drone attacks
Artillery strikes all day. Total:
2 killed
6 injuredToday, attacks continue, several injured, TBD
— Zarina Zabrisky (@zarinazabrisky.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 9:26 AM
Pokrovsk:
🇺🇦🇷🇺 Ukrainian forces have started conducting offensive operations against Russian positions in Shevchenko, south of Pokrovsk. “A strong brigade” was transferred to the direction to both stabilize the front and retake recently lost positions.
Could be related to the post below.
— Conflict Dispatch (@conflictdispatch.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Pokrovsk is the last stronghold in the southwestern part of Donetsk Oblast, holding back Russian forces from advancing further toward Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and the regional capital of Dnipro.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 3:44 PM
From The Kyiv Independent:
Russian troops are closing in on Pokrovsk from the east and south. After the capture of Shevchenko village just south of the city, Russian forces are less than 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from this key logistics hub sitting on the western edge of Donetsk Oblast.
“The fighting is extremely fierce. The Russian invaders are throwing all available forces forward, trying to break through the defense of our troops,” Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
Ukraine had been suffering from an extensive infantry shortage, as well as disputes within the military command leading the defense.
Pokrovsk is the last stronghold in the southwestern part of Donetsk Oblast, holding back Russian forces from advancing further toward Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and the regional capital of Dnipro, home to 1 million people and serving as the main hub for Kyiv’s operations in the southeast.
Stanislav Buniatov, a platoon commander of the 24th Separate Assault Battalion Aidar, wrote on his Telegram that “everyone has already accepted that Russian troops will enter Pokrovsk.” However, he added, not everyone understands what consequences this will have for Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and Russia’s further advance in the area.
“Dnipropetrovsk Oblast is not built up with villages like Donetsk Oblast, so that progress will be faster there,” Buniatov said, adding that once Russia enters the next oblast of Ukraine, it will again dictate the conditions for the full ceding of these territories under Russian control.
Around 11,000 people remain in Pokrovsk, which was home to over 60,000 before the full-scale war, according to the local military administration.
Most utility companies and local businesses have stopped functioning. There is also no gas supply or heating in the city due to the power lines damaged or destroyed by constant Russian shelling.
Although gunfire and explosions can already be heard in the city, a few mines near Pokrovsk continue to operate.
Local authorities have been urging residents to evacuate for several months, adding that “there is no safe place in Donetsk Oblast as of now.” Evacuation is a challenge, however, with human lives at stake.
Since September, the state-owned railway, Ukrzaliznytsia, has canceled evacuation trains from Pokrovsk due to the risk of Russian attacks and now runs them from Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 100 kilometers (62 miles) away from the embattled city. Evacuation by buses or cars remains available from Pokrovsk.
While locals are considering whether they are ready to evacuate and leave their old life behind, Russian troops have advanced and gained a foothold in the villages of Novotroiitske and Shevchenko in December, according to the crowd-sourced monitoring website Deep State. The Shevchenko village is roughly less than 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Pokrovsk.
Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesman for the Khortytsia group of forces, said the Ukrainian army is trying to recover lost positions near Pokrovsk, particularly near the neighboring villages of Shevchenko and Vidrodzhennia.
“The enemy attacked our fortifications in the Pokrovsk direction, west of Vidrodzhennia and south of Novotroiitske, and as a result of prolonged fighting, two of our positions were destroyed, and one was lost,” Voloshyn said on national television.
Gustav Gressel, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations Berlin office, suggested that Russia is planning an attack on the city from the south to surround it and cut off the main logistical routes connecting the Ukrainian-controlled territories to the front line.
According to Gressel, Pokrovsk may face the same fate as Avdiivka, captured by Russian forces in February 2024.
“Now, Russian forces can reach the city (of Pokrovsk) with mortars and, of course, artillery. But the proximity to the E50 (route) and the rail line to Dnipro is even more problematic,” Gressel told the Kyiv Independent.
“The Russians may soon physically reach the rail line to Zaporizhzhia, putting the E50 under fire. This will have consequences for logistics in the whole southeastern perimeter.”
Meanwhile, even since the capture of Avdiivka, Russian military tactics had changed significantly. Now, Russian forces are sparing no resources in bombarding Ukrainian cities with guided aerial bombs and drones, and Pokrovsk is no exception.
Drones provide access to better awareness of the terrain, the location of the opponent’s positions, and critical infrastructure. Drones also provide control of important logistics routes, cutting off essential supplies.
Gressel calls the factor of drones a decisive one in the Pokrovsk direction, adding that their qualitative evolution, namely the development of resistance to interference and an increase in flight range, plays an even more significant role.
“Unfortunately, the Russians learned and adapted quite a lot in this field,” he added.
This is not Russia’s only advantage in this front-line sector.
Much more at the link.
Krymsk, Krasnador Oblast, Russia:
🔴 Russian Su-30 fighter jet and three locomotives were destroyed in Russia, reported Defense of Intelligence of Ukraine.
The Su-30 fighter jet burned at an airfield in Krymsk, Krasnodar region on December 14. A day earlier, fire destroyed three railway locomotives.
📹: Defense Intelligence
— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) December 14, 2024 at 6:07 AM
On December 14, 2024, in the city of Krymsk, Krasnodar Territory, Russia, saboteurs burned an enemy Su-30 fighter jet right at the airfield. Video by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
Link: t.me/DIUkraine/5023
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 6:01 AM
/2. Also before that, on December 13, partisans burned three Russian railway locomotives in the city of Krasnodar.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 6:07 AM
/3. The correct model of the burnt Russian fighter jet: Su-27SM or SM2. The tail number “16” is also visible.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 6:23 AM
/4. Also some more photos of this Su-27 from Russian media.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 6:34 AM
That oil depot in Oryol, Russia is still burning as the storage tanks and other equipment catches fire and cooks off:
/2. Russian oil depot in Oryol, Russia. Still burning after tonight’s drone attack
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 8:15 AM
Oil depot in Orel, russia, is still on fire 🔥
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:44 PM
The oil depot in Oryol continues to burn. Local neighborhood chats near the site of the fire report that fuel storage tanks at the depot have ignited. News agencies are now stating that the fire has intensified in recent hours, following a series of loud explosions.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 10:01 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron tweets or videos today. Here is, I think, the next episode of Patron’s official animated series that I have not yet posted here.
Open thread!
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
KatKapCC
Pretty notable that he is doing this even in the midst of their own war. I think it shows character.
On the minerals/Trump thing, it feels like when you let a toddler hand a dollar to the grocery store clerk and let the kid think they bought all the food. “That’s right, Donny, you did! You did it all by yourself. Good job, buddy!”
Jay
@KatKapCC:
ruZZia was “supplying” Assad with stolen Ukrainian grain, but they cut that off as soon as Assad fled, (abandoning his Generals, Ministers and even close family, telling them that he was not leaving and then going directly to the airport).
Much like the Iranian oil tankers doing a U turn in the Red Sea.
Syria needs food and fuel. Ukraine has stepped up with food. Who will step up with fuel?
Nukular Biskits
With reference to the news about the minerals deal, I realize this was probably a case of political reality and pragmatism … but, still WTAF?
As always, Adam, thanks!
Jay
https://xcancel.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1867934743490077137#m
Jay
@Nukular Biskits:
90% of Ukraine’s rare earths are in ruZZian Occupied Ukraine.
Nukular Biskits
@Jay:
Ref Assad’s departure: Why am I not surprised?
Ref location of minerals: Interesting … so … why would Ukraine agree to delay such an announcement, given the likelihood whatever “deal” Trump proposes will NOT be in Ukraine’s best interest?
Jay
@Nukular Biskits:
Hair Shitler is a moron.
So Hair Shitler get’s to announce this “Great Deal, Biggliest Ever”, securing a secure supply for Rare Earth Metals forever and screw Chyna,……..
Only eventually to have someone make a crayon drawing of where the Rare Earths are,
so the only way the US can get the minerals, is by kicking Pootie Poot out of Ukraine and investing in Ukraine’s recovery.
Now there is a 90% chance that Hair Shitler will just pretend about “The Deal”, and a 10% chance that one of his “Sir Generals” will point out that “it’s do-able”.
YY_Sima Qian
@Jay: And “rare” earths are not rare, but quite abundant.
Where the PRC has a stranglehold is not in the mining (although PRC companies do have large shares of global capacity), but in the refining/processing.
That is the part most commentators miss.
Jay
@YY_Sima Qian:
Yes, China has both scale and stability.
Many places that have “rare earths” only have the mining at best, no refining, and no stability.
Ukraine could have all three once the ruZZian’s are kicked out.
Eg. Afghanistan. Afghanistan is rich in gold, silver, emeralds, rubies, rare earths and many other minerals, and ruZZia is sucking up to the Taliban to try to get their hands on that, but Afghanistan is not “rich” in minerals because there is no stability or security, so Opium it is.
Bill Arnold
I just re-read this, on IHL and electricity (& energy in general) infrastructure. Worth a skim, IMO. (TL;DR; yeah, Russian war crimes. The article does not name countries; the pub date is suggestive.)
When the lights go out: the protection of energy infrastructure in armed conflict (April 20, 2023, Eirini Giorgou Abby Zeith (Legal Advisors, ICRC))v
Much at the link: here’s a useful paragraph:
Here’s another:
Gin & Tonic
@Bill Arnold:
Fuck the ICRC.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
My love for World Central Kitchen will never die, but right now I’m really torn. People in Syria could really use their help, but Syria is currently such a hot mess it really isn’t safe for them. Already they had personnel KIA in Gaza. So I’m really glad that Ukraine is stepping up.
Thank you Adam, as always. Sorry to hear that the sinus infection is still kicking your butt. (What is it with you & John & sinus infections? Maybe once you move out of Florida it won’t be so bad.)
Adam L Silverman
@Bill Arnold: This is what you want: Joint Publication (JP) 3-60.
For the record, I’m Joint Targeting Staff certified.
Jay
@Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom:
Over the course of the Syrian Civil War, the Syrians built in all areas, a “resilient”, self supporting societies.
Food has been rarely a problem.
The issue is that the ruZZian’s and the Assad Government “subsidized” the basics with stolen Ukrainian grains and oil seeds, while Turkey, UAE, USA etc “subsidized” the basics.
So WCK can’t replace ruZZia and the Assad regime’s supply of stolen Ukrainian grains and oil seeds, but Ukraine can.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
@Jay: Good to know. Thanks for telling me. Clearly the situation in Syria is even more complicated than I realise.
Geminid
@Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom: Syria might be safer than you think. Fighting now is pretty much limited to the northeast. Schools elsewere are supposed to reopen today (Sunday).
BeautifulPlumage
Zelenskyy is still one of the most badass leaders in my lifetime. He has been walking an international tightrope and keeps making the best moves for his people (per my limited perspective). I almost can’t believe his program to send help to Syria while managing the war against his country. I am in awe of this non-politician who stepped up and has never stepped back.
I really don’t care about the minerals thing. UKE is doing what it needs to in order to survive as an independent country.
And, Adam, I’m sorry your sinuses hate you. We here at BJ love you (and your mom and the doggos. Take care and thank you.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
@Geminid: Excellent news! Now if someone could get Israel to stop bombing WTH they want, life might actually achieve superficial normalcy.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam