Everyone’s worn to a frazzle between the heat dome, the various wars and conflicts, and for those in the US, the state of domestic politics. So I’m just going to answer a question from last night’s comments and then run through the basics.
Last night Y_Y Sima Qian asked:
Adam, you made the below comment on BlueSky in relation to WSJ reporting that 70% of the USAF’s GBU-57 inventory was expended during Operation Midnight Hammer:
Silverman on Security @silvermansecurity.bsky.social
Two is one and one is none. North Korea and the PRC will be very happy to read the Wall Street Journal’s reporting.I am curious why you think the PRC would care one way or the other (NK I understand). Isn’t the rapid ongoing expansion of the PRC’s nuclear triad started a few years ago precisely to make the PRC’s 2nd strike capability much less vulnerable to a conventional strike. Furthermore, the rapid modernization of the PLAAF & the build out of the dense IADS would place even the survivability of B2s into question.
I would expect that anything the US does to weaken itself is going to be welcomed by the PRC, which is why I wrote what I wrote. If there are only six MOPs left, that limits the US. And anything that limits the US gives the PRC greater flexibility.
The Russians are attacking Kharkiv with drone swarms again as of 3:20 AM local time in Ukraine/8:20 PM EDT. This has been going on for the better part of an hour.
6th explosion in Kharkiv ‼️ just fuck off already!
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:34 PM
5th explosion in Kharkiv ‼️ close! Car alerts went off. Fucking russian bastards!
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Me and my 67 years old neighbor hanging out in the corridor, listening to russian drones and explosions, wishing you a great night, and russians to fully feel everything they do to us!
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Ukraine, as I’ve documented over and over, is in need of more air defense.
Based on publicly available footage, the Patriot air defense system has shown impressive performance against the Iranian missile attack. With Russia approaching a production rate of 200 missiles per month, the need for additional systems in Ukraine is becoming increasingly urgent
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Part of what looks like a Patriot air defense system interceptor missile lies in the street in Kyiv’s northeastern Troyeshyna district. Fascist Russia fired 11 ballistic and 4 cruise missiles at Ukraine overnight on June 22-23, most targeting the Ukrainian capital, + 368 drones.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Despite the deficit, Ukraine is doing amazing air defense work:
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia attacked Kyiv and other cities overnight with 352 Iranian designed Shahed-type drones and decoys; 11 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles; and 5 Iskander-K cruise missiles.
Air defenses took down 354 of the combined 368 missiles and drones.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) June 23, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Unfortunately it only takes a few Russian drones, missiles, or guided bombs to get through to cause significant damage to Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The cost:
On June 22, Lieutenant Colonel Vano Nadiradze, a Georgian soldier and commander of a Georgian unit fighting in Ukraine, passed away. The probable cause of death was a heart attack. Nadiradze had been fighting in Ukraine against Russia since the beginning of the war.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 3:06 AM
President Zelenskyy travelled to London today for meetings with Prime Minister Starmer, so there’s no daily address.
Zelensky held a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They discussed cooperation, technology, and sanction pressure on Russia. The key outcome of the meeting was the decision to jointly produce drones — both interceptors and long-range types.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
He also met with this guy:
Today, King Charles III and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine held a meeting at Windsor Castle.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Georgia:
For 100 days straight, students in Tbilisi, Georgia have kept a 24/7 protest going in front of Parliament. Thank you for your resilience. ❤️🇬🇪✊
— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Day 208 of uninterrupted #GeorgiaProtests
There is no chance that we lose this. None whatsoever. It might get painfully protracted, but we will win this.
And aid from our friends and partners can help us greatly to avoid costs that can be avoided.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
🚨 Poet Zviad Ratiani was detained on June 23 at the #GeorgiaProtests.
⭕️ Police confirmed criminal charges.
💢 His lawyer didn’t know his whereabouts for 2 hours.
❌ He’s accused under Article 353¹ – attacking a police officer – which carries 4 to 7 years in prison.
#RepressionInGeorgia
— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I’m really worried for poet Zviad Ratiani, who’s been physically targeted by the regime multiple times before. Now they detained him and they claim he “hit a policeman,” the regime’s new favourite default for prosecuting someone under the Criminal Code.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 4:12 PM
🚨 Breaking 🚨
1/ Under Georgian Dream’s new draft law, which is being reviewed through an expedited procedure, media coverage of court hearings would become virtually impossible.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 1:25 PM
2/ The proposed changes would restrict filming even in courtyards and hallways. The right to record proceedings would be granted solely to the court or a person authorised by the court.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 1:25 PM
3/ Additionally, the court would have the authority to confiscate personal items — including mobile phones, computers, and photo, film, video, or audio equipment — from anyone entering the courthouse.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 1:25 PM
🚨GD is fast-tracking a bill banning media from filming or recording in court buildings and yards. Only the Public Broadcaster will be allowed to record hearings. The law also allows confiscation of personal devices like phones. Expected to pass this week.
#RepressionInGeorgia
#GeorgiaProtests— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM
🚨 Georgian Dream is fast-tracking changes to the “Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression”. The amendments shift the burden of proof in defamation cases onto the defendant and scrap protections that favored free speech in cases of doubt.
#RepressionInGeorgia
#GeorgiaProtests
#Georgia— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 1:24 PM
The following politicians are currently detained by the GD:
Zurab Japaridze;
Nika Melia;
Nika Gvaramia;
Mamuka Khazaradze;
Badri Japaridze;
Irakli Okruashvili.
#TerrorinGeorgia
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Another leader of Lelo party, Badri Japaridze, was also sentenced to 8 months in prison. Both of Mamuka Khazadarde and Badri Japaridze are in their offices, waiting for the police to arrest them.
#TerrorinGeorgia
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 9:22 AM
The next few weeks and months after the jailing of democratic leaders will be a sweeping crackdown on the democratic forces by the Georgian Dream regime, and the West will be having a summer break.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
🔴 Judge Zviad Sharadze sentenced another opposition leader Badri Japaridze to 8 months in prison for refusing to appear before the so-called “Tsulukiani Commission.”
Today, Irakli Kobakhidze said: “They don’t recognize (the GD parliament), and they will go to prison.”
#RepressionInGeorgia— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 9:44 AM
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 10:43 AM
The jailings of Zurab Girchi Japaridze and Mamuka Khazaradze for 7 and 8 months, respectively, underlines that the regime in Georgia is no longer interested in keeping any democratic or even competitive façade. 1/
📷 Guram Muradov / Civil. ge
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM
They are all in and aim for a total crackdown, because why not? If it works for them, it saves them, and if it doesn’t, then they are losing everything anyway so why not try your best while you can, right? It IS a zero-sum game and pretending otherwise gives the adversary an edge. 2/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM
In this light, the debate on local elections is simply ridiculous. (Plus, the regime isn’t even inviting OSCE/ODIHR and in general there won’t be any observation allowed, essentially). 3/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM
This does not necessarily mean that they are in a confident position. If they could afford window-dressing, they would. Apparently, they can no longer afford anything but seeming uncompromisingly tough until the minute they fall. 4/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Today is an opportunity for democratic forces and the society to finally stop discussing what tactical measures are the best and to fully dive into complete non-cooperation with the regime, diversifying the protest, and working with our foreign partners. 5/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM
If we don’t accept defeat prematurely and push through the obstacles with unyielding truth and stamina, we shall prevail! ✊🏻🇬🇪
We need more targeted sanctions against regime representatives and aid to CSOs, among others. 6/6.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM
1/6
🟥 On June 23, journalist and founding CEO of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, Mzia Amaglobeli, was once again denied release from pretrial detention.Judge Nino Sakhelashvili cited a ‘high risk of reoffending’ as the justification for the continued detention.
www.freemzia.com
#FreeMzia— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
2/6
The court disregarded medical evidence presented by Amaglobeli’s legal team, which showed that her vision had significantly deteriorated during her time in custody.— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
3/6
Medical examinations conducted in Feb 4 & 6, 2025, at “Vivamedi” during her hunger strike revealed a sharp decline: vision in her right eye had dropped from 30% to 10% (could be corrected to 40% vision with glasses), while her left eye retained only about 4% vision, limited to light perception.— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
4/6
Amaglobeli had previously been diagnosed with keratoconus in her left eye, for which she underwent surgery to implant intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS), leaving her with minimal vision in that eye.— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
5/6
Prior to her detention, her right eye was still functional and could be corrected to 90% vision with glasses. However, two separate reports from Vivamedi in February confirmed that the condition had progressed to the right eye as well – advancing keratoconus in both eyes to stage 3.— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
6/6
The rate of vision loss, as documented by two check-ups from the prison’s contracted clinic, is described as severe and rapid.
#RepressionInGeorgia
#TerrorInGeorgia
#FreeMzia— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Hungary and Slovakia:
“Hungary and Slovakia have blocked the adoption of the 18th sanctions package against Russia.” — Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
Just two old roosters.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 7:42 AM
New Zealand:
New Zealand will provide Ukraine with a new aid package totaling NZ$ 16 million (approximately $ 9.4 million USD).
The package will include both military and humanitarian assistance.
www.beehive.govt.nz
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 5:57 AM
The UK:
In the video, an English grandmother sells ice cream and donates the proceeds to funds helping Ukrainians. This small gesture means more than tons of diplomatic statements 🇬🇧🇺🇦
— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Back to Ukraine.
Death toll from Russia’s missile and drone attack overnight is now at least 6 people in Kyiv and one south of the capital in Bila Tserkva, says President Zelensky. He’s visiting London today to discuss Ukraine’s defense, “which must become the foundation of a much stronger collective security.”
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) June 23, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Monsters.
united24media.com/latest-news/…— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
From United24 Media:
Russian forces have been using a new strike tactic against Ukraine for several months now—a so-called “delayed attack” strategy that poses greater risks to civilians, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported in a comment for Channel 24 on June 23.
According to Klymenko, Russian troops are conducting combined attacks: they first launch drones in the evening, forcing people into shelters, then wait several hours before firing missiles closer to dawn—when people have returned home, believing the danger has passed.
“The occupiers use this tactic of delay: drones come first in the evening, and then, hours later—often by morning—missiles follow,” Klymenko told Channel 24.
Typically, the initial drones are sent at night. Once the air raid alerts end, residents leave shelters and go back to their homes, unaware that missiles are likely to arrive just before sunrise.
Klymenko cited last night’s attack in Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region, as an example. During the evacuation of patients from a medical facility, two rescuers were injured and a woman being carried to safety was killed.
This marks the second incident in which State Emergency Service workers have been harmed during an evacuation under this tactic.
Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region on June 23, killing at least nine people and wounding 31 in one of the deadliest strikes on the capital in recent months.
According to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, the assault hit several residential neighborhoods with a combination of ballistic and cruise missiles along with explosive drones.
This is a perverse variation on the double tap strike the Russians have been using to target Ukrainian first responders and emergency services.
And that’s not the only Russian innovation
Russians have started adding a viscous liquid to Shaheds that burns even when mixed with sand.
Additionally, the Shaheds have been spotted with a Chinese protected 8-channel GPS antenna designed to resist Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
There have already been at least 36 published videos of interceptions of Russian Gerbera drones in June 2025. Also, a reminder that during the entire war before this there were only 15 videos of interceptions of this type of Russian drones.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that Russia is returning the bodies of fallen Ukrainians in a mutilated and decomposed condition, violating proper body preservation protocols.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The Head of the Security Service of Ukraine reveals new details about the operation “Spiderweb”.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Two Ukrainian security colonels tasked with protecting Zelensky were secretly working for Russia’s FSB and plotting his assassination.
www.kyivpost.com/post/55020
— Kyiv Post (@kyivpost.com) June 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM
From The Kyiv Post:
Two colonels from Ukraine’s State Guard Department (UDO), whose duty was to protect the country’s top officials, were working for Russia’s FSB and plotting to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky, said Vasyl Malyuk, head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in a conversation with journalists, Kyiv Post reports.
“Last year, we carried out a major operation. One of those detained was the head of a department within UDO — someone whose role is to protect this country’s leadership. Alongside him, another colonel was arrested. Both were working for Russia’s FSB, specifically its Fifth Service,” Malyuk said.
According to the SBU chief, the plan was to identify and recruit individuals to assassinate Zelensky at the President’s Office in Kyiv.
“This was an extremely complex operation on our part. We worked on it for nearly two years, essentially from the beginning of the full-scale invasion. We managed to infiltrate the group using a powerful agent-technical operation,” Malyuk said.
He also recalled another attempted assassination, this time in Poland. According to Malyuk, it involved a retired Polish military officer who had been recruited decades ago by the Soviet Union and was recently reactivated as a “sleeper agent” to eliminate Zelensky during his stay at Rzeszów Airport.
“The task was to physically eliminate President Zelensky at Rzeszów Airport. Several options were considered, including an FPV drone and a sniper rifle,” he said.
Maliuk added that Russian intelligence services had also been gathering and transmitting information, and were preparing assassination attempts against the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, as well as against Malyuk himself.
Earlier, the SBU officially reported the arrest of the two UDO colonels, who were part of a spy network run by the FSB’s Fifth Service and were plotting to kill the president.
Kyiv:
Another sleepless night, as Russia once again launched a massive air attack on multiple Ukrainian cities. Here in Kyiv, at least 6 people were killed in an apartment building. Explosions from ballistic missiles and drones rocked the city for hours on end, forcing many people into bomb shelters.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) June 23, 2025 at 1:46 AM
🤯 Bullet flew into the bed of Kyiv resident in the Solomensky district.
❗️During the work of mobile fire teams against the “Shaheds”, you cannot stand near the windows. A machine gun bullet flies for many kilometers and is very dangerous.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 5:54 AM
A soldier who had only recently returned from the front may be trapped under the rubble of a destroyed building in Kyiv.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:18 AM
In reality, in Kyiv fascist Russia hit a residential building near a park and right next to a private hospital (which, knowing the Kremlin, might well have been the intended target) as it continues its relentless terror bombing campaign against civilians in cities across Ukraine.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Monitoring channels strongly warn: don’t touch unknown objects — russia attacked Kyiv with cluster munitions.
Cluster munitions.
On a city of 4M people.
Let that sink in.Don’t talk about “both sides.”
Don’t ask Ukraine to give up.Peace comes only when russia is defeated.
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) June 22, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Reuters has released footage of the massive nighttime attack on Kyiv.
At this time, 9 people are confirmed dead and over 30 injured.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Odesa:
🙏🇺🇦 A lyceum in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Odesa region. Hit by a Russian ballistic missile. Fortunately, the children were on vacation and were not at the facility. However, the lyceum staff were there. Two people were killed and at least 12 were injured.
The rescue operation is ongoing.— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Russia launched a ballistic missile strike on an educational institution in the Odesa region; people may be trapped under the rubble.
The institution has been destroyed.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 9:10 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos tonight.
Here is some adjacent material.
Ukrainian Soldiers and their very Serious Rescue Cats!
Humor tells you everything about people. 🇨🇦♥️🇺🇦🕊️🐾🌻— CougarMojo (@cougarmojo.bsky.social) June 20, 2025 at 12:45 AM
🐾KITTEN FOOD APPEAL UPDATE 🐈
we have purchased some more Canned Cat food to feed the shelter cats
Friends thank you so much for supporting the shelter and supporting the Ukrainian animals
The shelter and the shelter kittens are grateful for your support
Please continue supporting us
— STRAYS OF UKRAINE ANIMAL SANCTUARY (@straysofukraine11.bsky.social) June 18, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Open thread!
YY_Sima Qian
Thank you Adam for the response!
Yes, that much is definitely true. I’ve said it before in another thread, Xi must sitting pretty in Zhongnanhai, sipping tea, & marveling at how the “great changes unseen in a century” is opening a path for the PRC to reoccupy a privileged position in the world, after a 2 centuries hiatus.
As long as there is no foolishness on Taiwan…
Adam L Silverman
@YY_Sima Qian: You’re welcome.
Jay
As always, thank you, Adam.
Adam L Silverman
@Jay: You’re welcome.
bjacques
Thanks as always, Adam.
Meanwhile, the NATO summit is on, just down the road. Current Secretary General Rutte makes me miss Stoltenberg.
wjca
Thank you, Adam
It never ceases to amaze me that you continue to turn out these reports night after night. Not only do you keep us informed, but future historians will bless you.
Westyny
Thank you, Adam.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
pieceofpeace
Thank you, Adam.
AKA The Man
@YY_Sima Qian: “As long as there is no foolishness on Taiwan” doing a lot of heavy lifting
Big Fly
Interesting: it appears President Zelenskyy wore close-enough-to-a-suit to meet King Charles III. The good president knows how to troll.
just another boomer
Adam, thank you for this as always.
I particularly appreciate your keeping an eye on this while there are so many other things going on, each important in its own way but not to the exclusion of everything else.