A brief housekeeping note: I have a stonker of a sinus headache. I think this is a combination of the heavy storms we’ve had to and the out of control oak pollen. As a result, I’m going to try to keep this update as brief as possible so I can just rack out.
All of eastern and much of central Ukraine is currently under air raid alert for drone swarms as of 9:30 PM EDT/3:30 AM local time in Ukraine. Putin has stepped up the nightly drone swarms over the past several weeks as Trump has realigned the US to be more friendly towards Putin’s concerns.
Three years ago today the Russian’s committed one of the most horrendous war crimes. The Russians targeted and attacked the Mariupol Drama House, which was being used as a civilian bomb shelter and had been marked as such. Even if it had not been deconflicted, the Drama House was purely as civilian target, which should have made it untargetable under the Law of Armed Conflict.
Kharkiv theaters have placed signs reading “Children” at their entrances to honor the victims of the Mariupol Drama Theater tragedy, where russian aerial bombs were dropped on the building—serving as a bomb shelter at the time, killing hundreds.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 11:17 AM
The cost:
🫡🇺🇦 They step together, pressed against each other, as if knowing that here, among the fallen heroes, their common soul seeks peace, paying tribute to those who will not return, but forever remained in the ranks.
— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) March 15, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
After the Talks in Jeddah and the American Proposal for a Ceasefire on the Frontline, Russia Stole Almost Another Week of War – Address by the President
16 March 2025 – 21:38
I wish you health!
Today, I made personnel changes in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Together with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, we decided that Andriy Hnatov will be the new Chief of the General Staff. He is a battle-hardened man, and his key tasks will be maximizing combat experience of our brigades in operational planning, both defensive and offensive, as well as accelerating the development of the corps system. Everything our brigades have learned in this war must be fully implemented at the planning level. General Barhylevych has been reassigned from the position of Chief of the General Staff to the Main Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense.
Today, the Commander-in-Chief also provided a report on the battlefield situation. Fighting and our defensive operations continue along almost the entire front line, including many key locations – from the Kharkiv region and the Kupyansk sector to the southern directions.
After the talks in Jeddah and the American proposal for a ceasefire on the frontline, Russia stole almost another week – a week of war that only Russia wants. We will do everything to further intensify diplomacy. We will do everything to make diplomacy effective. But every day now is about defending our independence, our state, and our people. We must remember – it is the support of our army, all our defense and security forces, and our state that determines everything.
I thank each and every one who does not forget that Ukraine’s defense and resilience are paramount. I am grateful to all Ukrainian soldiers, every one of our units. I thank everyone who works for our defense and for our state. I thank all Ukrainians for every fundraiser for our Ukrainian army. We must remember – as long as the occupier is on our land, and as long as air raid sirens sound, we must defend Ukraine.
Based on the results of the week, I want to give special recognition to the warriors of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces – thank you! Also, the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade – fighting in the Pokrovsk sector – well done! The 425th Separate Assault Regiment – thank you for your bravery in liberating positions from the occupiers. The 100th and 24th Separate Mechanized Brigades – thank you for effectively destroying Russian equipment and soldiers in the Toretsk and Kramatorsk sectors.
I just spoke with Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney. I thanked him for supporting Ukraine, our sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as for Canada’s participation in our joint efforts with partners to protect our people, bring peace closer, and guarantee lasting security. We discussed sanctions against Russia – particularly targeting Russia’s tanker fleet, its banks, and the revenue-generating schemes of the Russian state. With Prime Minister Carney, we discussed the outcomes of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, as well as its final document, which is quite strong. I would like to thank all our partners in the G7. Canada will continue to support Ukraine, and this is important. It is important that almost every day, Ukraine receives new signals of support: new defense packages, proposals for joint diplomatic efforts, and partners’ willingness to be more active.
Just now, Defense Minister Umerov reported to me on the fulfillment of tasks related to air defense – missiles for IRIS-T, NASAMS, and SAMP/T. There are good results in securing artillery contracts – additional shells will be provided for our army. The Defense Minister also provided an update on the organization of the next “Ramstein” meeting – we are preparing for Brussels. We are also working on a concrete security guarantees system for Ukraine: this week, a meeting of military representatives took place in France, and a meeting in the UK is being prepared. The first steps toward security guarantees are being taken. I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!
Georgia:
Rustaveli is blocked again.
Day 109 of continuous protest.
#GeorgiaProtests— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Day 109. “Georgia, rise up! Revolt! No justice, no peace! Until the end!” #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Protesters are being fined 5,000 GEL (≈$1,800) en masse for blocking the road, with fines issued using facial recognition cameras. Citizens are trying confuse cameras.
📸 Natia Leverashvili/Publika
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Since people used garbage bins as barricades back in November-December, the petty Tbilisi City Hall refuses to put garbage bins on entire Rustaveli.
So, every single day we put up packages and collect garbage of the daily protests. #GeorgiaProtests— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Switzerland:
Great piece by @mjruehl.bsky.social on Switzerland’s new defence minister Martin Pfister, an army colonel who reckons co-operation and joint training exercises with Nato, of which Switzerland is not a member, is “absolutely necessary”
@financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/38de…
— Henry Foy (@henryjfoy.ft.com) March 16, 2025 at 8:13 AM
From The Financial Times: (emphasis mine)
Just two months ago, Switzerland’s new defence minister was seen as an outsider with little chance of securing a federal government post.
But Martin Pfister, an army colonel and cantonal minister who advocates for more defence co-operation with Nato and EU neighbours, is set to take office next month after defeating a more conservative rival earlier this week.
Co-operation and joint training exercises with Nato, of which Switzerland is not a member, was “absolutely necessary”, Pfister said last month, adding that while he was not pushing for his country to become a member, the defence alliance remained essential for Europe’s security.
His appointment highlights how even neutral Switzerland is feeling the urgency to bolster its defence, as US President Donald Trump threatens to unwind the American guarantees that have long underpinned the continent’s — and the Alpine nation’s — security.
In a news conference after the vote on Thursday, Pfister said Nato was “changing, we don’t know in which direction”. Interoperability and co-operation with European countries was crucial “if security is important to us”, he added.
Any shift in Switzerland’s neutrality stance would require a referendum and constitutional changes — a process that could take years.
But discussions have started to take place at several levels of government that could lead to a dramatic shift in a country whose very identity is deeply intertwined with neutrality, according to experts.
“I have never seen a scenario that depicts the situation we are in,” said Jean-Marc Rickli, head of global and emerging risks at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
“In transatlantic relationships there have been ups and downs but the US showing possible disengagement from Europe as well as siding with Russia . . . has sent shockwaves through Europe including Switzerland.”
A similar view is held by Matthias Zoller, secretary-general of the aeronautics, security and defence division of Swissmem, an industry body and lobby group.
“There is a sense of urgency that has not been there,” Zoller said. “Finally, both sides — parliament as well as the government — see that there is something to do and to change.”
Public sentiment has shifted towards more security co-operation with European neighbours, according to a study published last summer by the military academy at ETH Zurich and the Center for Security Studies.
The study found 53 per cent of respondents were in favour of closer ties with Nato — while the 10-year average on this question hovered around 43 per cent. Only 30 per cent wanted to join the alliance but that was still higher than the 10-year average of 23 per cent.
Zoller, who attended a hearing with Pfister ahead of his appointment, said the new defence minister “understands that whatever we do we need to collaborate with our neighbours”.
One of Pfister’s early tasks after taking office on April 1 will be to help draft the country’s first national security strategy, which could emerge by summer.
Discussions on the security strategy “will take place with a growing sense of urgency which is a good thing”, said Daniel Möckli, who runs the think-tank at the CSS at ETH Zurich, which is partly funded by the defence ministry.
“The formal draft security strategy will be the first of its kind and it will define our objectives. It should give an idea of where the government wants to take the country.”
Also under consideration are changes to export regulations. Bern prohibits arms exports if the destination country is involved in any wars, at home or abroad, including Ukraine.
The rules have been a source of discontent in Europe, especially for countries such as Germany, which was not allowed to re-export Swiss-made armaments to Ukraine.
That could change under Pfister.
“Martin Pfister confirmed he would fight for relaxation of export restrictions on Swiss war material and systems,” said Stefan Holenstein, a colonel in the general staff of the Swiss army who chairs the Association of Military Societies Switzerland.
More at the link.
Slowly, then all at once.
France:
🇫🇷 armament offensive incoming.
“Those who buy Patriot should be offered the new-generation Franco-Italian SAMP/T. Those who buy the F-35, should be offered the Rafale,” French president Macron says.
www.politico.eu/article/macr…— Björn Müller (@bjoernm.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 11:04 AM
From PoliticoEU:
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron wants to lead a charm offensive to convince EU countries to stop buying U.S. defense equipment and buy French and European instead.
Macron, who has been calling for years to direct defense spending toward EU products, said he wants to convince other European countries that are currently “buying American” to shift to local options.
“My intention is to go and convince European states that have become accustomed to buying American,” he said on Saturday in an interview with several French media including Nice-Matin and Le Parisien.
“Those who buy Patriot should be offered the new-generation Franco-Italian SAMP/T. Those who buy the F-35, should be offered the Rafale. That’s the way to increase the rate of production,” he said.
Macron’s comments come as European NATO members have become even more dependent on U.S. weapons than ever before.
This month, the Netherlands and Belgium confirmed they would still buy American-made F-35 fighter jets, while Portugal is wobbling about replacing its U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets with more modern F-35s because of “the recent position of the United States, in the context of NATO.”
Macron said he has asked French defense companies to cut red tape and reduce costs to become a more attractive option, Nice-Matin reported.
The French president also clarified what a possible deployment of European troops to help Ukraine could look like. The goal is to “deploy a few thousand men per nation, at key points, to carry out training programs” and “show our support over the long term,” he said.
Macron said that the conditions laid down by Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree on a ceasefire in Ukraine “are unacceptable.”
“This would mean a partial invasion of Ukraine and a freeze on the conflict, without offering any security or guarantees for the future,” Macron said.
More at the link!
The US:
As funding for Radio Liberty and Voice of America gets cut, Russia is spending millions to push its message in many languages abroad. Think they won’t rush to fill the gap?
— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 2:55 PM
If Putin manipulates Trump, he’ll regret it,” said Senator Lindsey Graham
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Senator Graham is not a smart man. Nor a very observant or perceptive one.
Back to Ukraine.
A Ukrainian fighter filmed a Russian fiber-optic drone getting caught in anti-drone nets. Such drones can’t be jammed by EW due to cable control, but the nets stopped it.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Ukrainian fighters showcased mobile air defense systems equipped with electronic sights, enhancing effectiveness against Shaheds, especially during night attacks.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Izium, Kharkiv Oblast:
Last night, russian forces attacked Izium in Kharkiv Oblast with three drones, striking homes. The attack killed a woman and injured three other civilians, including two teens.
#UkrainianView— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Last night, russia struck Izium in the Kharkiv region, killing one person and injuring 3 others
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Kurakhove, Donetsk Oblast:
In occupied Kurakhove, Donetsk Oblast, “brave” Russian soldiers (marauders) loot “humanitarian aid” from abandoned homes. They’re especially awed by “marvels of technology” like washing machines and toilets, which they haul off as trophies.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 11:31 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some related material.
Divers of Odesa region wish everyone a good morning and a wonderful Sunday rest 💙💛
Follow the rules and stay safe!
Have a good mood and take care of your loved ones! 🐕🥰
The Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Odesa region.— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Open thread!
Medium Cool – A Serious Discussion about Comedies!
Mr. Bemused Senior
So many war crimes. I’m not going to list them, we all know.
Adam, thank you and feel better soon.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
Thanks, Adam. Hope you feel better soon
Adam L Silverman
@Mr. Bemused Senior: You’re welcome.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
Get well soon.
Jay
https://nitter.poast.org/AseyevStanislav/status/1901369013562962360#m
Adam L Silverman
@Jay: It’s just a headache.
Searcher
That was quite the prediction Senator Graham made in Dec 2016, how did it play out over the last decade?
Jay
So, how come Kari Lake is still employed but nobody else at the VOA is?
More wingnut welfare?
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
Get well soon, Adam.
dimmsdale
Hope you feel better soon, Adam, and thanks as always.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
bookworm1398
Of all the things this administration has done, defunding VOA is one I’m not upset about, I don’t see anything to think it was at all effective. Whereas Hollywood is very effective at spreading US influence and remains around.
Hope Europe takes action. Social media suggests a lot of them are still in denial and thinking there is a way to return to normal
Jay
@bookworm1398:
VOA and RFERL and other groups were highly effective.
They just didn’t expose stories from inside the various regimes, but they also trained up generations of journalists and voices, ran training sessions, networked and also acted as an adjunct to Western Intel.
They were also less than 0.001% of the US budget.
Where they were less effective, was in Africa and Latin America, mostly because they “weren’t really there”, other than Cuba.
The US has ceded the entire Global Information Space to ruZZia and others.
Jay
@bookworm1398:
Other than Hungary and Slovakia, the big purveyor of returning to “business as usual” with ruZZia is the US.
Romania has “cancelled” 2 Presidential campaigns, one part way through the election cycle, because of massive ruZZian interference, illegal funds and an armed paramilitary/ex military force supporting the guy’s campaign, the second, recent candidate, ditto for the ruZZian influence and money,
The third r-u-n-n-o-f-t’s when the ruZZian links became public. They never officially declared and are currently “vacationing” in Saint Petersburg.
bookworm1398
@ Jay. Sorry, I should have clarified – I meant that a lot of people in Europe seem to think that it’s possible to return to previous relationships with the US. That they won’t actually need to increase defense spending or domestic weapons production or find new trade deals.
Martin
@bookworm1398: This has me fighting mad though.
ColoradoGuy
The question mark about a possible “kill switch” lurking in millions of lines of code should be making European armed forces think long and hard about any future weapons purchases from the USA. We are no longer the “indispensable partner”, the reliable ally, or even reliably neutral. The USA is now a potential adversary, as long as an increasingly unstable Trump is in charge, and the Administration is filled with Russian assets.
Overseas weapons sales are a surprisingly large portion of the US balance of payments system. When that goes, a big chunk of the military-industrial-complex is no longer profitable. Winning trust back will take a generation, and cannot even begin as long as the Republican party retains its current form.
YY_Sima Qian
@Martin: The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution vibes are getting stronger every day.
Jay
@bookworm1398:
30% of EU residents are in favour of “normalizing” relations with ruZZia, in the highest poll I have seen.
Did they filter for ruZZian’s fleeing to the West to avoid being meatcubes, no,
Did they filter for supporters of political parties bankrolled by ruZZia, no.
Did they filter for the children of the ruZZian Oligarchs living their best, decadent lifestyles in the decadent West, no.
Did they filter for Gazprom Board members in the West or the Tildi employees and others who still sell to ruZZia, no.
All of the Nordstream II reopening advocates, are Americans.
Jay
@ColoradoGuy:
There is no “kill switch”.
There is digital maintenance, upgrades and parts, mostly parts.
As an example, the EW pods that are on US F-16’s, (none were ever supplied by the US to Ukraine), that were supplied by EU Countries, are no longer supported by the US as of late.
Matt McIrvin
@bookworm1398: I think we might be seeing the end of Hollywood as an international player. The United States has trashed its image and influence so completely, nobody is going to want to watch American entertainment ever again.
Jay
@bookworm1398:
Yeah, no.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/business-concerns-us-trade-1.7483636
Parfigliano
If you were buying a gun from a business would you buy from the business that controls how, when and where you can use it? Can make it inoperable and useless at will.
I wouldn’t. It would be insanity for a country to do so.
Jay
@Parfigliano:
A huge part of the F-35 “deal” was co-production,
This was not a parts shipped/assembly deal, or a “we will teach you how to make them in your own plants”,
This was a “okay, you signed off” so you Canada will make all the wings, Britain signed off so Thales will make all the sensors, Turkey will make all the tail sections.
So, when somebody pulls out, what happens?