Another very busy day, so I’m just going to run through the basics.
Ahem:
“The United States is lifting sanctions on the Belarusian airline Belavia.” – U.S. Special Representative John Cole announced during his visit to Minsk.
According to him, U.S. President made this decision after a phone call with Lukashenko.
The U.S. also plans to reopen its embassy in Minsk.— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM
One day after a swarm of drones violated NATO airspace in Poland, with some entering from Belarus and crashing into a civilian building and the territory of a military base, the U.S. lifted sanctions on Belarus’s flag carrier airline “Belavia”.
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Trump gave Lukashenko cufflinks featuring an image of the White House.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Trump continues to give Russia break after break and benefit of the doubt. This will encourage Russia to further escalate, knowing the US won’t step up and respond. “I’m not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation. But hopefully it’s going to come to an end.”
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) September 11, 2025 at 5:50 PM
President Zelenskyy did not make an address today. Rather, he held a joint presser with Alexander Stubb, the President of Finland.
Here was President Zelenskyy’s assessment of the Russian attack on Poland:
One possible reason for Russia’s drone attack on Poland last night may have been its desire to influence our partners so that they would not provide Ukraine with air defense systems ahead of winter. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this during a joint press conference with President of Finland Alexander Stubb in Kyiv.
The Head of State also emphasized that with this attack, Russia sought to test both the political reaction of the North Atlantic Alliance and its physical ability to repel such strikes.
“In my view, the most terrible thing is that this attack is psychologically similar to Crimea. And what is the difference? Right now, it is technological warfare. Today, there is no need for so-called ‘little green men’ who simply entered your territory. Today it is a different war. In Poland, that same role was carried out by Russian-made drones,” the President noted.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine has already offered Poland its assistance, training, and the experience gained in defending against Russian aggression. According to the President, Patriot and SAMP/T systems cannot help in combating ‘shaheds,’ since these are expensive weapons designed to intercept ballistic missiles: a single Patriot missile costs about $2–3 million, while a strike drone costs about $100,000.
The Head of State emphasized that Ukraine has unique experience in building multi-system defense and is ready to share it with its partners.
“The Air Force is engaged when necessary, and so are mobile fire groups, interceptor drones, and various types of weaponry, including helicopters and aircraft. In other words, only with a multi-system setup is it possible to counter a massive drone attack,” the President explained.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored that it is now important to focus on creating a reliable, comprehensive, and effective defense system for Europe.
It’s a good time to remember how the russian propaganda machine operates, especially in light of the russian drone attack on Poland, and confusing conspiracies that surround it already.
Rather than presenting a believable alternative version of events,
1/3👇
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:56 PM
it floods tv and social media timelines with numerous baseless and easily debunked narratives.
The ultimate goal isn’t to persuade people to believe their version, but instead, it aims to bury the actual facts under a deluge of falsehoods.
2/3
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:56 PM
By sowing confusion, they prevent meaningful discussion and encourage people to dismiss the issue as too complex to unravel.
The russian propaganda machine isn’t aims to convince, but to confuse.
3/3🔚
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Here is the video of his joint presser with President Stubb. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
Statement by the President of Ukraine Following the Meeting with the President of Finland
11 September 2025 – 15:10
Dear Alex, Mr. President!
Distinguished guests, dear journalists, our teams!
I am confident that we are all glad to welcome today in Ukraine the President of Finland – a person who truly does so much to support us, to stop this war, and to reliably guarantee security. We are working with Alex and Finland very substantively in each of these areas, and I am grateful for all the assistance. It is important that we maintain constant coordination with Alex – I thank you for this, for your contribution, and for your time. Sometimes we literally coordinate every day, especially regarding our relations with the United States and with President Trump, as well as with other European partners. Finland provides Ukraine with tangible defense, humanitarian, and political support. Together with other European countries, Finland is also an active participant in the Coalition of the Willing and will be one of the guarantors of security for Ukraine, for the eastern flank, and for all of Europe once this war ends. Security in Europe can only be achieved through joint action – the actions of Europeans and Europe’s engagement with global actors, primarily the United States. We are working together toward this – and, in my view, very effectively. Thank you, Alex, for being part of this.
Of course, today we paid significant attention to the attack carried out by Russia against Poland yesterday. Almost two dozen drones, in my view, were part of a planned operation. There is a full analysis of the drones’ trajectories, and more details are emerging regarding the construction of the drones used by Russia. All this indicates that the drone launches into Polish territory via Ukraine and Belarus were deliberate and by no means accidental. Military exercises by Russia and Belarus on Belarusian territory have already effectively begun – we are monitoring them in Ukraine. Our forces are tracking the movement of Russian equipment and the development of military infrastructure. The intent of these actions by Russia is certainly not defensive and is clearly aimed not only at Ukraine. Everyone in Europe can see that Russia, unfortunately, still has the capacity to continue and expand its aggression. Therefore, strong steps are needed – not just from Europe – strong pressure that will genuinely limit the potential for Russian warmongering. Unfortunately, even after yesterday’s events – the drone strikes in Poland, the many hybrid attacks by Russia on European countries, and the massive attacks against Ukraine – there have not yet been truly strong, tangible measures that would compel Russia to seek peace. Such steps are important, and in our view, they are achievable.
I want to thank Alex and Finland for supporting all sanctions work in Europe, for coordinating many processes, and for ensuring alignment between Europe and the United States. We are grateful to many close friends of Ukraine, and certainly Finland and its President personally are on that list.
Sanctions against the Russian state and Russian trade are truly necessary, and much depends on the United States as well. Today we discussed in detail how to channel our joint capabilities – of Europe and America – to increase pressure on Russia. It is crucial that the measures we agreed on in meetings with the U.S. President, and in discussions not only in Washington but also after the Coalition of the Willing in Paris, are fully implemented. Today, we also discussed our work within the Coalition of the Willing. We now understand the architecture of security guarantees, as I have mentioned before. We know which sanctions and steps can actually be effective. We see Ukraine’s EU membership as part of important security guarantees, primarily economic security guarantees for Ukraine. I am grateful to Finland for supporting our EU path and for backing the opening of the relevant clusters – Ukraine is doing all the necessary work, and the 27 votes must follow. We will keep working on this. We have already achieved a lot together to strengthen weapons production. We appreciate that Finland is ready to continue supporting this effort – not only by financing Ukrainian production but also by creating joint production facilities. We have already started relevant processes with Denmark. We are building a factory there. We hope this effort will continue with all our key partners. Of course, air defense remains a steadfast priority. Not only strengthening our air defense – which is already an urgent task – but also building the Eastern European air shield, which is effectively becoming an element of EU policy. And it is crucial to implement this in a modern way, so that drone defense lines protect Europe, and all aviation capabilities, all air defense systems, and all elements of this complex system work together. Ukraine is ready to share its experience and expand production. Ukraine is offering all neighboring European countries – neighboring us and neighboring Russia – a joint program for funding, production, and development of interceptor drones. To my mind, Ukraine, due to the war and thanks to our wartime production, is a leader in this field, a completely new technological area. And this requires the fastest possible approach — bureaucratic processes must not stand in the way. We are open to this work, to this cooperation. Our European friends – and no one else in the world – simply do not have enough missiles to shoot down all types, all varieties of drone types. A missile that costs a million, whatever type it is, simply cannot be used to destroy drones that cost tens of thousands – or even one hundred thousand dollars. It is simply impossible.
And one more thing.
In Ukraine, we value Finland’s participation in initiatives such as the Shelter Coalition. This helps us not only at the state level but also at the community level. It is important to intensify the work of these coalitions and all cooperation that supports our people, communities, and every person in Ukraine. Thank you, Alexander, for the visit. And today, we also host the humanitarian Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, and it is a pleasure to welcome the First Lady of Finland. Thank you for your support. A crucial focus there is education, in the broad sense, and the safety of education in Ukraine – and, of course, in a wider context overall. I greatly appreciate Finland’s support in this. Thank you for such a visit.
Glory to Ukraine!
Georgia:
This particular march was dedicated to regime prisoner Meggie Diasamidze, the 23-year-old student imprisoned over graffiti on a GD campaign banner. #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 2:43 PM
They keep stopping people over face masks for “identification.”
Masks were banned in around December, yet it has bothered them into intervention only since yesterday.
#GeorgiaProtests
📷 Mariam Darbaidze
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
‼️State Security Service arrests former Defense Minister in the Georgian Dream cabinet(2021-2024), Juansher Burchuladze
⭕️Charge: abuse of official authority and legalization of illicit income, involving particularly large sums.
⭕️He faces 9–12 years in prison.
#Georgia— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) September 11, 2025 at 9:20 AM
1/ UNM political council chairman Levan Khabeishvili has been detained. He is accused of publicly calling on police officers to defy orders to disperse or detain demonstrators at rallies, allegedly offering them $200,000 in return.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 10:02 AM
2/ According to the State Security Service, these statements constitute bribery, an offence punishable by four to seven years in prison.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 10:02 AM
3/ Former UNM member Murtaz Zodelava was also detained today alongside Khabeishvili.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 10:02 AM
4/ According to the State Security Service, Zodelava was accompanying Khabeishvili at the time of his arrest and took possession of his phone, refusing to hand it over to law enforcement despite their demands, which led to a physical altercation
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 10:02 AM
5/ He is charged with resisting police, an offence punishable by two to five years in prison.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 10:02 AM
They detained Khabeishvili over “bribe promise” charges. Khabeishvili used to publicly state that all Special Tasks Department & police personnel who would refuse to crack down on people or otherwise cooperate with protests would get $200K.
4-7 years jail time.
Out of anything they could trump up…
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 9:27 AM
UNM member Murtaz Zodelava was also arrested with Khabeishvili, under the Criminal Code.
They accuse him of running away with Khabeishvili’s telephone and then assaulting a policeman.
In reality, he sat in his car and had a live TV appearance, he just refused to open the door.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Now another UNM political, Ana Tsitlidze, posted that law enforcement personnel who switches to the public’s side will get USD 400,000 each, double the amount suggested by now-jailed Khabeishvili.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava reiterates Levan Khabeishvili’s pledge that every law enforcement representative who will refuse to take measures against the Georgian public will get USD 200,000 in compensation as soon as the Ivanishvili regime is changed. 1/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Bokuchava called on everyone to take to the streets on October 4 in order to reclaim Georgia.
UNM Political Council Chair Levan Khabeishvili was arrested today precisely for this pledge, deemed as “a promise of bribery” by the Georgian Dream. 2/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Lawyers argue that such a thing doesn’t even exist in laws and assume that similarly, politicians have to be jailed for political promises involving pensions and salaries. 3/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Some people note that the police that stole everything from tortured protesters, down to cross necklaces, could actually be swayed by financial encouragement.
#GeorgiaProtests 4/4.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 12:19 PM
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The Federalists leader Giga Bokeria also agrees that law enforcement representatives who refuse unlawful orders must be, one way or another, “legitimately encouraged” after the regime changes.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
God, things are unfolding fast again. Maybe not December 2024 fast but May 2024 for sure.
Except that there’s less fear & confusion, more anger, and a weaker regime.
This downward spiral cannot last forever. It has to reach some much-delayed culmination rather soon.
#GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 10:28 AM
France:
🇫🇷✈️ Macron: After Russian drone incursions in Poland, I decided to send three Rafale fighters to help protect airspace and NATO’s Eastern Flank.
Europe’s security is our top priority. We will not yield to Russia’s intimidations.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Poland:
🇵🇱🇺🇦Polish Prime Minister announced at a press conference that Poland will cooperate closely with Ukraine on counter-drone systems. ” We will draw on the best practices, and the Ukrainian ones are battlefield-proven,” he added.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:59 PM
/2. We have arranged specific talks and exchange of experiences with the Ukrainian side in the coming hours – the Prime Minister noted.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:59 PM
“It’s time for Trump to realize that Putin is mocking him.” – said Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 2:07 PM
🇵🇱 🇵🇱From 10 September 2025, until 9 December 2025, Poland restricts flights in eastern zone EP R129. Night flights are banned except military; daytime flights allowed only under strict rules. Civilian drones are banned 24/7, with exceptions for state, military, emergency and approved missions.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Sweden:
🇸🇪🇺🇦/1. Sweden has announced a new military package to Ukraine worth almost one billion US dollars
The package totals SEK 9.2 billion (≈ US$985 million) and includes:
Artillery & long-range capability – 18 Archer artillery units, artillery ammunition, and long-range drones. Value: (≈ US$385 million)
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 8:53 AM
/2. Marine materiel – coastal surveillance radars, troops boats with grenade launchers, diving chambers, and crane lorries. Value: (≈ US$225 million).
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
/3. Air defence & space – ammunition, sensors, command and control systems for the Swedish Tridon anti-aircraft system, air base equipment, and sensors for drones and robotic systems. Value: (≈ US$374 million).
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
/4. Other – civil defence initiatives and services via the Swedish Defence Research Agency and Swedish Defence University.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Back to Ukraine.
Tonight’s map from dronbomber shows huge Ukrainian drone attack in three main directions, N, E and SW into fascist Russia- don’t think I’ve seen such an attack so large before. Map compiled from reports of drone activity from Russian sources.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Ukrainian athlete from Kharkiv Nataliia Zharkova has won the World Freediving Championship that took place in Greece🎊🥇
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 11:07 AM
After NATO’s “concern” over russian drones breaching Poland’s airspace — with some not even shot down — I’m convinced: NATO should be applying to join Ukraine, not the other way around.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Ukrainian Mi-8 intercepting Russian Shahed
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Interception of a Russian Shahed-type UAV by an air-to-air missile launched from Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet of the 107th Aviation Brigade during the latest massive Russian drone attack. t.me/AIRTEAM_UA/2…
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Izyum:
3yrs ago, Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated Izyum and found mass graves of 447 people. Most of the murdered were civilians — 215 women, 194 men and 5 children. 22 were servicemen, 11 bodies couldn’t be identified.
Many bodies had signs of violent death.
The occupation lasted less than half a year.
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Kharkiv:
Russian drones are approaching Kharkiv right now ‼️
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Kharkiv Oblast:
Yet again, an ambulance became a russian target in Kharkiv Oblast, two medics were injured.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast:
This was a town. I know it’s hard to believe.
Thousands lived here. Worked. Dreamed. Built homes. Made plans.
Russia erased. Completely.Vovchansk. Kharkiv region.📍
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Sumy:
This was a town. I know it’s hard to believe.
Thousands lived here. Worked. Dreamed. Built homes. Made plans.
Russia erased. Completely.Vovchansk. Kharkiv region.📍
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Russia:
Russia’s oil export revenues remain near five-year lows, reducing tax revenues and exacerbating Russia’s economic slowdown – Reuters
Ukrainian sanctions work 💪
www.reuters.com/business/ene…
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
From Reuters:
MOSCOW, Sept 11 (Reuters) – Russia’s revenue from sales of crude oil and oil products declined in August to one of the lowest levels seen since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday.
Russia’s energy industry has been challenged by Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries and export pipelines as well as Western sanctions.
The IEA said the revenues fell by $920 million from July to $13.51 billion following a decline in crude oil and fuel exports as well as the widening discount to the Russian flagship Urals oil blend’s price to around $56 per barrel, below the Western-imposed price cap of $60 per barrel.
“Russia’s oil export revenues remain near five-year lows, reducing tax revenues and exacerbating Russia’s economic slowdown,” the Paris-based IEA said.
Russian oil and fuel exports eased by 70,000 barrels per day to 7.3 million bpd in August as crude fell 30,000 bpd and products 40,000 bpd, according to the agency.
The IEA also said that Russian oil production declined last month by 30,000 bpd to 9.3 million bpd, in line with the output quotas set by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, a group, known as OPEC+.
In earlier September, the price cap for UK, Swiss and EU companies transporting Russian crude and providing services fell to $47.60 per barrel.
More at the link.
Krasnodar Krai, Russia:
Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence strikes Russian recon ship. (HUR statement in comments.)
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:42 AM
/1. The longest publicly shown strike by an operator-controlled kamikaze aerial drone. The Russian ship MPSV07, stationed near Novorossiysk, was targeted.
While this type of aerial drone cannot cause critical damage to a vessel, it can disable exposed equipment on deck.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:58 AM
/2. The key point, however, is the demonstration that Ukrainian operators can guide aerial drones in real time to hit targets on the Novorossiysk coast — almost 500 kilometers from Ukrainian-controlled territory. Before this, such attacks were always limited to Crimea, mainly its western part.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:58 AM
“On Sept. 10, 2025, Ukraine’s HUR special forces successfully hit another high-value target in the Black Sea: a multi-purpose MPSV07 vessel belonging to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.”
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:42 AM
“This ship, valued at around $60 million, was commissioned by Russia in 2015. It is one of only four such vessels in their fleet, equipped with diving complexes, remote-controlled submersibles, side-scan sonar, and electronic intelligence tools.”
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:42 AM
“At the time of the attack, the vessel was conducting electronic reconnaissance and patrolling the approaches to the Novorossiysk bay, where the remnants of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet are now based.”
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:42 AM
“HUR special forces struck the ship’s control bridge with a Ukrainian-made combat drone, targeting the navigation and communication equipment. The strike destroyed the ship’s electronic intelligence apparatus, rendering the vessel inoperable and in need of costly repairs.”
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Smolensk Oblast, Russia:
At least two drone hits on Lukoil’s Kardimovo oil depot in fascist Russia’s Smolensk region. Geoloc: 54.880837, 32.432301. Several other videos circulating on socials show shootdowns of other drones by SAMs. Ukraine sources saying perhaps 200+ drones launched by Ukraine tonight.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Belgorod Oblast, Russia:
Lazar unit blows up Russian bridge in Belgorod region of Russia.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Tula Oblast, Russia:
ATESH agents sabotaged an air defense plant in Tula, destroying a communications tower near the Shcheglovsky Val enterprise. The facility produces air defense systems, rapid-fire cannons, and small arms, including Kornet and Pantsir-S missile systems.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 6:54 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today.
Here is some adjacent material.
VICTORY IS COMING! 🇺🇦
SLAVA UKRAINI! 🇺🇦— bohdandenys3.bsky.social (@bohdandenys3.bsky.social) September 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Open thread!
Ishiyama
I originally came to Balloon Juice for the information on the War for Ukraine. Thank you.
Carlo Graziani
Thank you, Adam.
That is a 7% drop in oil revenue in one month. It’s an unbelievable achievement, and a deadly promise of things to come this Winter, when foreign and domestic demand would ordinarily send Russian revenues on a cyclic upswing.
It now looks to me as if Ukraine has a better theory of victory than does Russia.
Adam L Silverman
@Ishiyama: You are most welcome.
Adam L Silverman
@Carlo Graziani: You’re welcome too.
Adam L Silverman
I’m going to take the garbage out and rack out.
p.a.
Wonder if there’s anyone remaining in the Pentagon to insure that the lessons we can learn from Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s tactics are, well, learned.
Because we won’t aid them🤬, maybe at least learn from them.
CW I’ve seen is that Poland’s ruling party is (was?) friendly towards Putin. Vlad getting impatient?
Gin & Tonic
@p.a.: The Polish situation is complicated. The recently-elected President, Karol Nawrocki, is a Catholic rightist, pro-Trump, and closely aligned with right-wing PiS (the “Law and Justice” party.) There is considerable tension between the President and Prime Minister (Donald Tusk) but that’s not just different political alignments between the two, there is real constitutional/structural tension between the positions.
In the past, he headed the Institute for National Remembrance (I may be a little off on the name) which is a hard-right nationalist group that is still fighting WWII-era battles – a time when relations between Poland and Ukraine were quite violent, dating back to Poland’s occupation of Western Ukraine after the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. So his support of Ukraine is soft – he still wants Ukraine to apologize for alleged atrocities committed by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army in the 1940’s. He pays lip service to Ukrainian independence, but Ukrainians do not think his heart is in it.
Carlo Graziani
@Gin & Tonic: I am avowedly uninformed on Polish politics. But my model of the President/Prime Minister distinction, informed by the usual (not French) European Parliamentary structure, is that the former is a figurehead with no policy authority, whose power consists of calling elections during Parliamentary crises, and in inviting Parliamentary leaders to create a new government when one is needed; whereas the latter actually exercises executive power, has legitimacy based on Parliamentary majority or plurality, and has no obligation to take the Presidency’s policy views under advisement except in matters relating to Constitutional transitions.
Which is to say, under this model, Nawrocki can kibitz publicly, but what Tusk says goes, at least until the next Parliamentary elections.
Is that how it works in Poland?
Gin & Tonic
@Carlo Graziani: Short answer is “not really.” Longer answer won’t be today, as it is approaching bedtime.
Mea
Thank you Adam. Speaking for the many of us who read, appreciate very much the task you are doing, but don’t comment on the regular – Thank You x 100’s
Jay
As always, thank you, Adam.
Westyny
Thank you, Adam. ≅
pieceofpeace
Thank you, Adam.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
Jackie
@Mea:
Me, too.
Jay
nitter.poast.org/konrad_muzyka/status/1966066417704501483#m
YY_Sima Qian
OT: Trump is condensing the structural relative decline of US hegemony (which should happen over decades) into matter of weeks (gift links to NYT articles below):