Balloon Juice - Open Threads Archives

Day 6: Hardwood Installed, Sanded, Crisis on Day 3, Resolved on Day 4, 2 Finish Coats On, One More to Go

by WaterGirl| May 10, 202512:27 pm| 79 Comments

House projects! Love-hate relationship, am I right?

This is what I wrote last Monday.

Apparently I won’t have my house back for another week.

Today: carpet out and hardwood installed.

Skip a day for the floor to do its thing.

Wednesday: floor will be sanded, and 1 coat of clear finish on.

Thursday: clear finish, coat 2.

Friday: clear finish, coat 3.

Weekend: finish gets to do whatever it does for 2 days before moving furniture back.

Monday: furniture in place, hopefully.

This is what the floor looked like on Monday, Freshly sanded.

What’s the expression, we plan, and god laughs? Well, this one was a real knee-slapper!

Apparently I won’t have my house back for yet another week.

Wednesday: floor was sanded, and 1 coat of clear finish left the floor looking like we stained it orange.

Thursday: sand the whole thing again

Friday: clear finish, coat 2.

Monday: light sanding, then clear finish, final coat. (#3)

Friday 5/16: furniture in place, maybe. If not Friday, then Monday.

Let’s talk orange, which by the way is my least favorite color (except as an accent).

Family emergency for the installers on Wednesday when the floor would be sanded and the first clear coat on. Newborn, just a couple of weeks old, very unusual problem, in the hospital. (Baby is fine now, and home!)

So the guy who was to do coat 1 is the father of the newborn, so someone else did it. Much younger, apparently with less experience, and that’s how we ended up orange. I’ll tell the “orange” story mid-week when I start to get antsy as I wait to be able to move furniture back in.

Here’s what it looks like now.

Original post from Monday, just in case anyone is interested.

Day 1: Carpet Out, Hardwood Installed, Not Sanded Yet (Open Thread)

Open thread!

Day 6: Hardwood Installed, Sanded, Crisis on Day 3, Resolved on Day 4, 2 Finish Coats On, One More to GoPost + Comments (79)

Saturday Morning Open Thread

by Betty Cracker| May 10, 20257:04 am| 143 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

We’re waiting for a big rain event that is supposed to start this weekend. Meteorologists predict an atmospheric river, which is more common out West than in the Southeast. More than 3 inches are predicted, and maybe up to 10 inches in some places.

The frogs and insects who live in the swamp seem to believe a deluge is on the way, judging by their excited croaking and trilling. So I guess I believe it too.

We sure do need it. After Hurricanes Helene and Milton combined to flood this river last fall, the heavens clammed right up and barely deigned to yield a drop for months, plunging us into the worst drought in seven years. (I have noticed the biblical implications.)

The river is so low that our little Jon boat, pulled up to its customary berth on the shore of the lagoon below the porch, is stranded yards from the shrunken path of the river. Yesterday, I noticed some tracks in the mud from the water’s edge to the stern of the boat.

Tracks in the mud It’s kind of hard to make out in the photo, but there are claw marks on either side of a smooth track made by the creature’s belly dragging through the mud, which I figured were made by either an alligator or a very large turtle.

Outboard motor with tracks in the mud below. The creature came right up to the stern, and a closer look at the handprint-like tracks there tell me it was an alligator, not a turtle. So, it’s entirely possible a gator tried to make off with our outboard!

***

Tomorrow, my adorable mother-in-law is coming over for brunch. She lives fairly close by, and Bill will pick her up so she doesn’t have to drive in the rain or navigate the treacherous dirt road into the swamp.

I’m making some croissant-like ham and cheese pastries using frozen puff pastry sheets, some Buffalo wings, a lettuce-based salad, a fruit salad and cheesecake. Coca-Cola will be served.

I know this sounds like an odd combination of things, but these are her favorites. I am also making a Mother’s Day card for her — will probably draw a bird of some type on the cover since we are both fond of birds and birds are something I know how to draw.

I almost never buy greeting cards anymore. Can never find one that doesn’t make me cringe, either from the artwork or treacly sentiment within. Besides, cards can be such an afterthought!

One time my brother gave our mom a Mother’s Day card that was in Spanish. We don’t speak Spanish. He hadn’t noticed, even though he scribbled his name within. She never let him live it down!

So, this is what I’m up to this weekend. I will try to unplug from the outrage machine. (But talk about whatever you want.) What are y’all doing?

Open thread!

Saturday Morning Open ThreadPost + Comments (143)

War for Ukraine Day 1,170: Pobiedobesie

by Adam L Silverman| May 9, 202510:27 pm| 10 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

A quick housekeeping note: Today was a long day, but I was able to move some stuff around. So tonight’s update is at a normal time, but will be mostly just the basics while tomorrow’s is likely to come late in the evening.

Putin’s Victory Day “ceasefire” that isn’t a ceasefire continues to see fighting all along the front lines.

Leaders of France, Germany, Poland and UK on their way to Kyiv. No launches of Russian/Iranian Shahed killer drones reported, no enemy aviation in the air, and no threat from Russian warships in Black Sea – but fighting continues along the front during Putin’s false “ceasefire.”

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 7:08 PM

Russia paraded Shahed drones today—the same ones it uses to bomb Ukrainian cities and kill civilians. This parade wasn’t about WWII or modern weapons. It was about glorifying terror and war crimes.

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— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 11:23 AM

If I were a certain Western democracy entangled in a reckless tariff war, actively undermining my own economy, this video would be deeply alarming.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 10:39 AM

Xi and Putin pledge to stand together against US, — Reuters

At talks in the Kremlin, the two leaders cast themselves as defenders of a new world order no longer dominated by the U.S.

In a lengthy joint statement, they said they would deepen relations in all areas, including military ties.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 4:14 AM

I’m doing the following by memory. I don’t have time to pull the citations right now, but I’ve written enough on this topic for different US military elements over the past eleven years, that I could probably draft the next three paragraphs in my sleep.

Today he spent celebrating the end of World War II. Everyone else celebrates Victory Day, or Victory in Europe Day if you’re in the US, on 8 MAY, but in Russia it is celebrated on 9 MAY. This is a legacy of the Soviet revision of the history of World War II, which Russians call the Great Patriotic War. The academic and popular history of World War II in the Soviet Union was written to present the Soviets, especially Soviet Russia, as the real victim of the NAZIs, not Europe’s Jews. Moreover, this history was written to present the Soviet Union, especially Soviet Russia, as also being the real heroes of World War II who largely defeated the NAZIs single handedly. When the Soviet Union fell, this factually incorrect and heavily mythologized revisionist history was brought into post-Soviet Russia by a number of ideologues including Putin. You can see it throughout Dugin’s work, as well as threaded through Putin’s 2021 essay on the “historical unity of Russians and Ukrainians.” That’s the archive version, so you don’t have to go to the Kremlin’s English language website to read it.

Putin, as well as others, have been adding to this inauthentic history of World War II. One of the most major new innovations/additions to Russia’s history of World War II was the creation of the Immortal Regiment. This was originally intended to get the relatives/descendants of Russian World War II veterans who had died to come to Victory Day celebrations and march with pictures of these veterans. By 2012 two things happened. One was that Putin had latched on to it and the second was a concerted effort to make it a global event with Russian expats and Russophiles holding Immortal Regiment marches wherever they lived around the world. There was also a concerted effort to inject all of this into Russian education, which is why you see pictures on social media of preschoolers, in some cases toddlers, dressed up like Soviet soldiers from World War II and paraded around in strollers and prams made up to look like tanks and planes, as well as Russian schoolchildren doing Immortal Regiment marches throughout the year. Russian civilian education injects and reinforces this martial mythology as part of Putin’s governments attempts to propagandize and indoctrinate Russian children from as early an age as possible. Hence the following:

In Vladivostok, 1,500 first-graders were paraded as soldiers. From a young age, they are being conditioned to worship violence and nationalism, to be ready to kill and die for the twisted ideas in Putin’s broken mind.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 1:34 PM

All of this can be bundled under the term pobiedobesie, which translates as victory mania or victory fervor. And that’s what today, as well as the last week or so, has been about in Russia. It is also why Putin, other Russian officials, and Russian apologists state that one of the strategic goals for Putin’s/Russia’s genocidal re-invasion of Ukraine is de-NAZIfication. Anyone who opposes Russia is a NAZI.

President Zelenskyy addressed the foreign ministers of the EU today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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Russia Must Be Held Accountable for Its Aggression Just as the Nazis Were – President’s Address at the Meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers

9 May 2025 – 13:38

Dear friends!

Thank you to all of you who represent countries that believe in international law!

I’m glad to see you all here in Ukraine – not just supporting us from afar, but actually standing with us. It shows that we’re all Europe, all democracies – united not just by borders or institutions, but by shared values and hopes. You’ve come with strong decisions, real support for our people, and a readiness to increase pressure on Russia for the sake of true peace.

I know that today a decision is prepared for new support for our defense – for producing weapons in Ukraine – worth one billion euros. In total, it’s about four billion euros in new support decisions from Europe as of today. Thank you very much for this.

Russia must feel our shared – and most importantly, growing – strength. That’s what’s needed for peace. The desire to end this war has to grow inside Russia, and that begins with a feeling – the feeling that they are losing, losing from this war as any aggressor should – that is what is needed. I ask you to keep working for exactly that. And it’s very symbolic that our meeting is taking place during these days when we honor the memory of those who defeated Nazism 80 years ago, and when we celebrate Europe Day – the day of a new Europe, a day directly linked to the victory of the Allies in World War II. Our continent has a long and rich history, but today we are most proud of our new Europe – a Europe that knows how to live and stands up for the right to life. We must save this Europe. We’re proud of a Europe that does not kill. That is united. That stands for international law. A Europe that respects the individual – and if we ask who that individual is, it’s definitely not some ruler or a tsar. At the heart of today’s Europe is respect for every human being, for each person’s individuality and identity – the character of each nation, each individual, and each family. A united Europe together with our democratic friends around the world stands for exactly that. And it must be protected. Europe has been shaken and even broken more than once by reckless, misguided changes throughout the centuries. And now, at this turning point in history, it is vital for all of us – for every nation – that Europe does not break again. Not this time.

Our Europe – the one that has achieved so much in the years since World War II – must now simply become stronger, able to stand up for all people across Europe. We must protect this Europe – the Europe of human dignity, and therefore of law, human rights, and accountability for crimes against people and nations. Without accountability, declared rights are not truly real, and respect for human dignity begins to fade. This is the greatest moral legacy of the 20th century – there must be accountability, especially accountability for war. Because if even one war goes unpunished, more wars will follow. That’s exactly why Putin started a full-scale war against Ukraine – he got away with his earlier wars like a thug who never had to answer for anything. That must never happen again. And today, right in front of you, is a decision – a decision to create a mechanism that can help prevent future wars – through accountability. A decision to create a tribunal. And I urge you to give this decision your political support. Russia must be held accountable for its aggression just as the Nazis were. A strong tribunal for the crime of aggression can – and must – make any potential aggressor think twice. And we can make it happen if everyone who values human life stands up for life – not just here in Europe, but also in the United States and other nations just as we already see here with representatives from Japan and Australia.

I thank you and your countries for working together to build the justice infrastructure we need – to ensure accountability for this war, Russia’s war against Ukraine. I especially want to highlight the efforts of the Council of Europe – true leadership. Thank you to everyone working to make this tribunal an effective tool and to help strengthen the work of the International Criminal Court. My thanks also go to the Netherlands and the city of The Hague for being ready to become the home of justice – justice that Ukraine deserves in the face of this war. We all understand there is a lot of work ahead, both political and legal. We all understand how hard it is to actually bring war criminals to the courtroom. But we’ve already chosen the path. Russia will be held accountable for this war. This is a moral duty for Europe – and for everyone in the world who values human life.

Thank you for your support. Thank you so much. Let justice prevail.

Слава Україні!

President Zelenskyy also addressed the Joint European Force’s (JEF) member state’s summit today. Video follwoed by the English transcript.

Diplomacy Needs Silence – President’s Address at the JEF Member States Summit

9 May 2025 – 15:31

Dear colleagues, dear friends!

First of all, I want to greet you – these days we’re marking Europe Day and saying thanks to all the generations that defeated Nazism. Our Europe is the result of the choices and actions made by the generations before us – and the Europe we’ll pass on to our kids depends a lot on the choices and actions we make now. It’s really important that we stay strong and keep working together – just like we’re doing now. That’s the whole point of formats like JEF – and of our cooperation – Ukraine with Northern Europe, with the UK, with the Netherlands, with the Baltic states, and with all our other partners. Thank you all.

Recently we have had so much communication with the United States – and not just a lot, but really positive and productive. We’re working together to get to a ceasefire, one that’s solid and lasting, at least 30 days. Ukraine is ready. I spoke with President Trump – as you said, Jonas – yesterday. You also had a talk with him. We’re all in touch, and our teams are working together – and that’s how it should be. We’re all on the same page – there has to be a full ceasefire. And if Russia keeps dragging out the war, we’ll need stronger sanctions – especially if they break the ceasefire when it finally happens. The U.S. and all of you in Europe know what hurts Russia the most – what really puts pressure on Moscow to think about peace and stopping this war. Moscow should accept the ceasefire, because that’s the only way real peace can start. Diplomacy needs silence. Thanks for backing us in this – and let’s keep coordinating closely with the United States.

We’re also getting ready in Ukraine for a meeting with the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing – serious work ahead. We need this Coalition – and we need it to be strong enough to guarantee security the way we all agree on. I’m sure Europe will only benefit from this kind of teamwork – it’ll help strengthen the whole security setup we already have. Tomorrow – the meetings.

And one more thing.

Ukraine truly values its involvement in JEF – thank you so much to all of you for giving us the opportunity to connect the security efforts of our parts of Europe. These days, no region can stay isolated, living by its own rules – everything’s connected. Especially when it comes to war or other threats. And especially now, after Russia’s war against us, against Ukraine, changed the whole level of threats. Drones – we’re seeing a whole new scale of drone warfare. Infrastructure – we need to team up like never before to protect key infrastructure – energy, communication, transport. Cyber – every day we’ve got to keep up with those trying to break into systems and wreck security.

We’re already doing a lot together. But there’s still more we need to do. Thanks for investing in Ukrainian weapons production, in different models – that’s helping us scale up and keep our tech sharp. It’s also great that you’re boosting production in your own countries. We’ve got training programs, intelligence cooperation, political coordination. And when we finally get that ceasefire – we’ll need proper monitoring. All of this is the foundation for long-term cooperation. The Baltic and North Seas’ security depends so much on the security of the Black and Azov Seas to my mind. Our countries rely on each other – and that’s not a weakness, it’s our strength. I’m grateful that today we are receiving – I hope we will have it – the status of Enhanced Partnership within the JEF. And let that be part of our deeper integration – a symbol that once we’ve secured lasting peace for Ukraine, there will be no more new wars.

Thank you so much, Jonas. I’m ready for discussion. Thank you to all of you, friends.

Слава Україні!

Georgia:

“Putin Khuylo”

#GeorgiaProtsests
Day 163

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 1:56 PM

⭕️The EU anthem played at #Tbilisi’s Europe Square as people marched from various locations to celebrate #EuropeDay. Families of political prisoners addressed the crowd, with some sharing voice messages from prison.
“Fight to the end,” the crowd chanted.
#GeorgiaProtests

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM

year ago almost to the day, on May 11, 2024, it was likely the largest rally in the history of Georgia, and a man climbed the Vakhtang Gorgasali statue in the rain to put 🇬🇪 in his hand. The regime later took the flag down.

Today, on May 9, 1/3

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM

relentlessly protesting Georgians again hoisted the 🇬🇪 flag on the Vakhtang Gorgasali statue.

It is all deeply symbolic. #GeorgiaProtests 2/3

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM

3/3.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM

A citizen raised the Georgian flag on the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali.

Photo: Aleksandre Keshelashvili/ Publika

#GeorgiaProtsests

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 1:46 PM

Yet another proof that the emotional weight alone that the Rustaveli Avenue carries has served similarly for continuity of protests as tent towns and barricades have done elsewhere.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM

🗣️📢”- Euro-integration!
🗣️🗣️ – More sanctions for Qotsebi (*Georgian Dream members*)” – people chant as they march in the streets of #Tbilisi.

🇪🇺🇬🇪 May 9, on #EuropeDay, citizens are marching from several locations toward Europe Square.

#GeorgiaProtests #Georgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 9, 2025 at 12:24 PM

The largest rally in at least five weeks, and it’s Day 163 of daily protests against the illegitimate regime.

Reminiscent of the last year’s awakening days.

And if the much less hyped Europe Day attracted this many people, I imagine what the Independence Day on May 26 will be like. 1/2

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 1:42 PM

If our friends could come and stand with us, that would be very appreciated, by the way. #GeorgiaProtests

P.S. I have a soft spot for protests with Old Tbilisi in the background.

📷 MOSE

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 1:42 PM

Georgia celebrates Europe Day in Tbilisi.

#GeorgiaProtsests
Day 163

More pictures to come.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 12:26 PM

Today in Tbilisi, someone tried to hang a Russian flag over a bridge. Passersby immediately pulled it from his hands and trampled it.

Georgia will never be Russia.

Keep an eye on us for today’s massive Europe Day rally for our 163th day of protests. 🇪🇺🇬🇪

🎥 Giorgi Aladashvili

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 8:31 AM

Hungary:

Hungarian foreign minister reacts to exposure of Hungarian spy network in Ukraine

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— Ukrainska Pravda 🇺🇦 (@pravda.ua) May 9, 2025 at 8:16 AM

From Ukrainska Pravda:

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has said that Budapest has not yet received official reports from Kyiv about the exposed network of Hungarian spies, but also recalled the alleged “anti-Hungarian propaganda” in Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda with reference to 444.hu

Details: When asked by the media to comment on the Security Service of Ukraine’s statement about the exposed network of Hungarian military intelligence spies operating in Zakarpattia Oblast, Szijjártó said that he had not yet received such reports from the Ukrainian side.

Quote: “We will be able to say something only if we receive some details or official information. Until then, this should be seen as propaganda and should be treated with caution.

Anti-Hungarian propaganda is often used in Ukraine, and in many cases it has been completely unfounded.”

Background:

On the morning of 9 May, the Security Service of Ukraine announced the exposure of a Hungarian military intelligence network that had been conducting espionage activities in Zakarpattia Oblast, including “testing the waters” on the mood of local residents and their reaction to the potential appearance of “Hungarian peacekeepers” in the oblast.

Hungary continues to block the start of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations because of its demands on the rights of Hungarians in Zakarpattia.

This has created a risk that Ukraine and Moldova will go through this process separately.

The plan all along was for Hungary to either be rewarded with or allowed to take Zakarpattia for running interference on behalf of Putin and Russia in the EU and NATO.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 10:27 AM

Things have begun to escalate:

The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims it expelled two individuals who allegedly worked as spies under diplomatic cover at the Ukrainian embassy in Budapest.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 8:54 AM

A war of spies and military intelligence between Hungary and Ukraine is not going to end well for Orban and Hungary. The smart money will be on LTG Budanov and the HUR.

The US in Ukraine:

The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has issued a warning about a “potentially significant” air attack on our country in the following days.

It is a very russian thing to do to consolidate their parade and demonstration of force by burning a few families in their beds.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 2:56 PM

Rare warning from US Embassy Kyiv that it “received information concerning a potentially significant air attack that may occur at any time over the next several days.” It doesn’t name Russia, in line with a policy change under Trump. Similar Nov & Dec statements specified threats of Russian attacks.

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) May 9, 2025 at 4:10 PM

France:

Completely missed that France has started publicly attributing cyber attacks last week

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-f…

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— Ciaran Martin (@ciaranm.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 9:09 AM

From the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Russia – Attribution of cyber attacks on France to the Russian military intelligence service (APT28) (April 29th 2025)

France condemns in the strongest terms the use by Russia’s military intelligence service (GRU) of the APT28 attack group, at the origin of several cyber attacks on French interests.

Since 2021, this attack group has been used to target or compromise a dozen French entities. These entities are working in the daily lives of French people and include public services, private enterprises as well as a sport organization involved in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the past, this group was also used by GRU in the sabotage of the TV5Monde broadcasting station in 2015, as well as in attempts to destabilize the French elections in 2017.

APT28 is also being used to exert continual pressure on Ukrainian infrastructures amid Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, particularly when it is operated out of GRU Unit 20728. Many European partners have also been targeted by APT28 in recent years. In this regard, EU imposed sanctions on the individuals and entities responsible for the attacks conducted with the assistance of this group.

These destabilizing activities are not acceptable or worthy of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Moreover, they are contrary to the UN norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, to which Russia has adhered.

Alongside its partners, France is determined to use all the means at its disposal to anticipate Russia’s malicious behaviour in cyberspace, discourage it and respond to it where necessary.

The French Cybersecurity Agency is publishing a report today on this APT28-linked threat in order to prevent future attacks : https://www.cert.ssi.gouv.fr/cti/CERTFR-2025-CTI-007/

Poland:

In 2025, Ukraine will receive 100+ Oncilla armored vehicles from Poland’s MISTA. The latest Oncilla-Shturm variant boasts a 14.5 mm KPVT machine gun, enhanced armor, and a 700 km range, bolstering frontline mobility and protection.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 11:52 AM

Estonia:

On May 9, Narva Museum, Estonia, near the Russian border, hung a banner: “Putler – war criminal.” Earlier, Russia set up decorations and a screen opposite, broadcasting a parade today.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 5:13 AM

The EU:

Kaja Kallas commented on the creation of a special tribunal for Russia’s crimes against Ukraine. She also criticized Robert Fico for attending the Moscow parade, stating he’s on the wrong side of history.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 7:29 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Ukrainian Intelligence reveals unmanned drone carriers used to attack targets in Crimea.

This beauty 😍…, i mean naval platform can carry between 500 and 3,000 kilograms of various types of weaponry, including air-to-surface, surface, and underwater ordnance.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 9:13 AM

The system employs cutting-edge technologies integrated with artificial intelligence based on NATO standards.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 9:13 AM

“The problem that Putin is simply saying he wants a partial, at least, capitulation of Ukraine, and then there may be peace,” said Andreas Umland, an analyst based in Ukraine, from the Stockholm Center for Eastern European Studies, in an interview with TVP World.

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— TVP World (@tvpworld.bsky.social) April 12, 2025 at 8:17 AM

Lviv:

In Lviv, Denmark, France, and Italy signed a deal to direct €1 billion from the EU’s Peace Facility—money made from frozen Russian assets—towards buying Ukrainian-made weapons for Ukraine.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 7:22 AM

Delegations from 35 states and the Council of Europe visited Lviv. Ministers honored fallen Ukrainian heroes at Lychakiv Cemetery, discussed strengthening Ukraine, Russia sanctions, EU accession, and a Special Tribunal for Russian aggression.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 4:30 AM

Kupyansk:

Kupyansk—a once vibrant town of nearly 30,000, now reduced to ruins and emptiness, with only a few thousand remaining, mostly the elderly. Everything they have, everything they’ve ever known, is in Kupyansk, so they stay.

The most heartbreaking part?

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 8:30 AM

After enduring occupation, the town was liberated—almost untouched, given a second chance. If only Russia had chosen not to erase that hope with glide bombs and relentless artillery.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 8:30 AM

Ukrainian drones from the 77th Brigade, using fiber optics, entered a hangar in the Kupiansk area and destroyed all Russian equipment by setting it on fire.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 10:53 AM

The Kursk cross border offensive:

Ukrainian flag flying on May 9 over the small village of Gornal in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, just over the border from Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast. Despite Kremlin claims to the contrary, Ukraine still controls small footholds in Russian territory.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 7:19 AM

Shostka, Sumy Oblast:

With Putin’s parade over, reports of possible ballistic missile attack on Shostka in the north of Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast, along with reports of glide bomb and rocket attacks as well.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 7:15 AM

Belgorod Oblast, Russia:

Attack by unidentified (possibly Ukrainian) drone on Belgorod Regional Administration building on May 9. Deputy Governor of Belgorod Region Alexander Lorenz was injured in the blast, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on his Telegram channel

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 7:23 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos tonight.

Here is some adjacent material.

It was three years ago that my friend Eugene Kibets rescued this cat in Ukraine. And guess what? He’s still rescuing cats. We love you, Uncle Eugene. @eugenekibets.bsky.social

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— The Spirit of Lorenzo the Cat (@lorenzothecat.bsky.social) May 2, 2025 at 8:20 AM

Yesterday new rescue mission started. Team went East. There are a lot of cats that will not survive there. I will take as many as possible. But unfortunately I cannot do it alone. I know that I can do more but I need your help – my followers-family. Every dollar, euro or uah can save one extra life

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— Eugene Kibets (@eugenekibets.bsky.social) April 6, 2025 at 2:58 AM

Please support this mission

buymeacoffee.com/catsonmars

Or

Patreon
patreon.com/catsonmars_ukr…

Or

Paypal
[email protected]

P2P

5523245808871766

Mono

send.monobank.ua/jar/9FwpeqSoGF

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— Eugene Kibets (@eugenekibets.bsky.social) April 6, 2025 at 2:58 AM

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,170: PobiedobesiePost + Comments (10)

Sprung (Open Thread)

by Betty Cracker| May 9, 20251:50 pm| 109 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

Photo of Tufts PhD student Rümeysa Öztürk

Here’s some GOOD breaking news: a federal judge ordered the immediate release of kidnapped Tufts scholar Rümeysa Öztürk. From CBS News:

Washington — A federal judge on Friday ordered Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts doctoral candidate, to be immediately released from immigration custody on bail as she pursues a challenge to her detention by immigration authorities after the Trump administration revoked her student visa.

U.S. District Judge William Sessions, who is presiding over the case, said at the conclusion of Friday’s bail hearing that Ozturk raised “very substantial” and “very significant” claims that her First Amendment and due process rights were violated when she was taken into custody following the revocation of her student visa in March.

“Her continued detention cannot stand,” he said.

Öztürk was abducted in Somerville, Massachusetts about six weeks ago, illegally moved to an immigration jail in Louisiana and held in squalid, overcrowded conditions that threatened her health. She’s to be released on her own recognizance and with no travel restrictions.

Judge Sessions called the basis for Öztürk’s detention, that she is a flight risk and danger to the community, “untenable.” He also said the case raised substantial First Amendment issues.

The Trump administration has said that the underlying justification for taking Ozturk’s student visa away rested on an opinion piece she co-authored in the Tufts student newspaper last year about Israel’s war with Hamas. But Sessions said Ozturk “simply and purely” was detained for “the expression she made or shared in the op-ed.”

“There has been no evidence that has been introduced by the government other than the op-ed. I mean, that literally is the case,” Sessions said. “There is no evidence here as the motivation absent the consideration of the op-ed.”

I hope it’s possible for Öztürk to sue the shit out of DHS. This was always a bullshit charge designed to intimidate noncitizen residents.

Open thread.

Sprung (Open Thread)Post + Comments (109)

The Church of Trump Is Not Happy. Me? I Feel a Huge Sense of Relief and a Renewed Sense of Hope.

by WaterGirl| May 9, 202510:57 am| 245 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Politics

I grew up Catholic in Chicago, so the selection of local boy Pope Leo feels more personal than it otherwise might. I feel certain that my two aunts who were nuns in Chicago (my Dad’s sisters) are celebrating in whatever afterlife there is. If there is none, then we will surely feel the ground rumbling as they celebrate from there.

But really, I am just so relieved to see this choice, a man with a good face and kind eyes.

And I love that he smiles with his eyes!

Not that I’m Catholic anymore, but I do believe in the teachings of Christ.

Barack Obama could not have been more right when he said this, however many years ago.

The biggest deficit that we have in our society and in the world right now is an empathy deficit. We are in great need of people being able to stand in somebody else’s shoes and see the world through their eyes.

I am so relieved that once again – as the United States is faltering and many of our institutions are failing – much of the rest of the world is stepping up.

Canada. Australia. The Vatican.

Huge stumbling blocks to the road to autocracy that the world seemed to be on.

USA Today has a fun column from Rex Huppke today.

h/t Jackie

Well, MAGA, it looks like you got yourself another “woke pope” to contend with.

In the right-wing loon-o-sphere, the reaction to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost becoming the first American-born pope has been one of outrage and disgust. Conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who is regularly in President Donald Trump’s ear, posted of the new pontiff: “WOKE MARXIST POPE.”

Hardcore Trump supporter Ryan Selkis, a former crypto CEO, shared past social media posts believed to be from the new pope. They included things like support for George Floyd and criticism of Trump’s family separation policy. Selkis wrote: “A new woke pope. BLM. Kids in cages. Suicidal empathy. American who mostly posts en espanol.”

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

“‘Woke pope”, screams the MAGA crowd. Apparently, Jesus’ own teachings go too far.

Not familiar with the empathy is bad part of the Bible.

I’m not familiar with the “empathy is bad” portion of the Bible. But it seems the MAGA crowd is generally upset at the new pope, who took the name Leo XIV, because he believes in the things Jesus taught. The fact that those things – loving others, embracing peace, welcoming immigrants – are deemed “woke” and thus intolerable by parishioners of the Church of Trump tells you all you need to know about the congregation.

Who knows, maybe they’re just upset other places keep choosing leaders who stand against much of what Trump stands for.

Conservatives in Canada and Australia took a beating in recent elections thanks to widespread dislike of Trump, and now the Vatican gets a U.S. pope who: believes climate change is an urgent crisis; hails from Chicago, a city Trump has routinely derided as a liberal sanctuary city; preaches love for immigrants; and, like his papal predecessor and most humans, doesn’t seem to like Vice President JD Vance.

On his verified X account, then-Cardinal Prevost shared a column about Vance that included the headline, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”

That’s a double sad trombone for Vance, a fairly recent convert to Catholicism who has now taken heat from two popes.

Rabid Trump supporters see new pope as threat to MAGA cruelty.

Rabid Trump supporters see new pope as threat to MAGA cruelty.

In 2015, Prevost shared a Washington Post opinion column written by Cardinal Timothy Dolan with the headline: “Why Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric is so problematic.”

Such horrible wrongs led Loomer to sum up the new pope like this: “He is anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis.”

Somebody get these folks a Bible or a hobby, or both.

You might remember back when Trump was inaugurated for the second time, an Episcopal bishop had the gall to ask the new president and vice president to “have mercy upon the people in our country,” saying: “The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.”

Trump himself and the MAGA-verse erupted in outrage, as if those were the cruelest, most outrageous words ever spoken. That set the stage for the May 8 reaction to Pope Leo XIV.

Sean Feucht, a wildly pro-Trump Christian nationalist singer and pastor, posted of the new pope: “This is all a very calculated move people. IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP! They chose a globalist and woke Pope from the West ON PURPOSE to stand up and criticize the leaders of the Free World.”

And right-wing conspiracy nutter Mike Cernovich posted: “Sorry, Catholics. This new Pope is an open borders globalist. He will be pushing for abortion soon.

Oh no, the new pope is a Catholic. It’s a true nightmare for MAGA.

Hey, it wouldn’t be MAGA without 24/7 victimhood. The Catholic Church got a new pope from Chicago who seems to be … you know … Catholic.

And apparently that makes him a regular Pope Woke Marxist II. Which in turn makes him a threat to Trump, his policies and the army of dipstick influencers that bow at Trump’s feet.

Whatever your faith, conclude from that what you will.

Anyway… I am heartened by what I am seeing. A lot of heels digging in on the slide off the cliff – individual heels as well as entire countries like Canada and Australian and institutions like the Vatican and some of our courts.

These are hard times and rough roads ahead, but I am thinking all is not lost.

Open thread.

The Church of Trump Is Not Happy. Me? I Feel a Huge Sense of Relief and a Renewed Sense of Hope.Post + Comments (245)

Confederacy of Malevolent Dingleberries (Open Thread)

by Betty Cracker| May 9, 20257:30 am| 156 Comments

This post is in: Domestic Politics, Foreign Affairs, Open Threads, Politics, Republican Stupidity, Republican Venality

There are probably obvious historical parallels I’m overlooking, and it’s trite, but to me, the Trump cabinet brings to mind an assemblage of Batman villains. That’s the comparison that leaps to mind every time to capture the scope of this cabinet’s venality, derangement, obsequiousness and campish evil.

They’re all awful, but can you pick just one who’s the worst of that extremely bad bunch? It’s hard!

There’s the catcher’s mitt-faced, nepo-baby woo-peddler with a serial killer vibe and a deeply creepy fixation on people with autism. The drunken sex pest who imagines himself a “warfighter” while telegraphing classified operations to all and sundry.

There’s the utterly corrupt hack who eagerly converted the DOJ into a law firm for and enforcement arm of the ruling right-wing kleptocracy.

And then there’s the botoxed, veneered puppy shooter who’s in charge of our most unwieldy and Teutonic-sounding federal agency: the Department of Homeland Security.

Kristi Noem appeared before a committee to answer questions about her agency’s budget yesterday, and hoo boy, was Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) lying in wait to read her for filth:

Murphy’s point about the asylum law and its origins needs to be made more often. If Republicans don’t like the asylum law, they should try to change it through legislative channels, but ignoring it is unconstitutional, as Murphy made clear.

To end on a shallow note, I like whiskers on men, so I am pleased to see that Murphy has a beard now, as does Sec. Pete Buttigieg. Since we apparently can’t have a woman president, can we at least elect a man with a beard next time?

(To clarify, I mean let’s do that as long as the bearded prez is not the hirsute, eye-liner wearing, Cabbage Patch kid-looking, Pope-slaying couch-fucker, a fraction of a man whose sainted Meemaw should rise from the grave to thrash into a coma with an extension cord. Obviously.)

Open thread!

Confederacy of Malevolent Dingleberries (Open Thread)Post + Comments (156)

War for Ukraine Day 1,169: So Much for Putin’s Victory Day Truce

by Adam L Silverman| May 8, 20259:08 pm| 7 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

Quick housekeeping note: As I indicated last week, this week and next are and are going to be very busy. Tonight I’m going to just run the basics. Same will happen tomorrow night. And remember, tomorrow night’s post is likely to be late.

Putin’s Victory Day ceasefire turned out to be a Victory Day non-ceasefire.

A mythical russian ceasefire:

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 2:56 PM

As expected, Putin’s “ceasefire” turned out to be nothing but a farce, as the Russians continue to launch attacks along the entire front line.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 6:58 AM

On the morning of 8 May, russian troops struck a community in Sumy Oblast with aerial bombs, completely destroying one house and damaging three others. Rescuers managed to pull an elderly woman alive from the rubble.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 2:01 AM

More on this later.

The cost:

🫡🇬🇧🇺🇦 Christopher Garrett is a British volunteer. Since 2014 in Ukraine, he has been demining fields after the fighting. Russia “marked” his activities with 15 years in prison in absentia.
Yesterday Christopher gave his life defusing another shell in Kharkiv region.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 8:52 AM

🫡🇬🇧🇺🇦 Honor and glory and bright memory to the hero! 🕯

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 8:52 AM

Just our president walking the streets of Kyiv, filming a video, and greeting people.

I wonder if Putin went out in Moscow like this, how many seconds would pass before his own people killed him Gaddafi style?

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 2:43 PM

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

show full post on front page

A Ceasefire, Lasting and Reliable, Will Be a Real Indicator of Movement Toward Peace; America Can Help with This – Address by the President

8 May 2025 – 23:42

I’ve just spoken with President Trump. It was a good conversation – very warm and constructive. We congratulated each other and our nations on Victory Day in World War II: 80 years since the victory over Nazism – the victory in Europe, achieved together by all the nations that defeated Nazism. It is very important that this shared victory and the joint efforts of the Allies became the foundation for peace and international law – for a normal life for many nations.

Now, this life must be protected and restored – rebuilt from the ruins after Russian strikes. Just as before, we must work together to bring peace. We spoke with the President about joint actions: the support of the United States that is so urgently needed, and pressure on Russia – pressure for the sake of peace. We discussed the situation on the front lines. We discussed diplomatic efforts. We talked about how to bring closer a real and lasting ceasefire – for at least 30 days. That could open up many opportunities for diplomacy.

Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire starting right now, from this very moment – a 30-day silence. But it must be real. No missile or drone strikes, no hundreds of assaults on the front. The Russians must respond appropriately – by supporting the ceasefire. They must prove their willingness – willingness to end the war. This isn’t the first time, we are offering this once again. Thirty days that could become the beginning of years of peace. A ceasefire, lasting and reliable, will be a real indicator of movement toward peace. America can help with this. The world needs America now just as it did eighty years ago.

Of course, we spoke today about our agreement – the Economic Partnership Agreement with America. We emphasized how important it is for our relations to strengthen both of our countries for decades to come. And they will. I instructed the team to work quickly on establishing a joint Ukraine-United States Investment Fund – a fund for investing in our recovery. We also agreed with President Trump on our further contacts.

Overall, today was a very active day.

I spoke with Germany’s new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz – we agreed to cooperate. There are already concrete steps we can take together. Decisions will follow. I also spoke today with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to discuss our steps: accession to the European Union, our negotiations, our defense support, the assistance provided to our country and to our resilience. We must continue to defend Ukraine and our entire Europe together. That is exactly what we are doing.

I thank everyone who is helping! I thank all those who are defending our national interests and our independence!

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

Day 162. By now, everyone in Georgia knows we won’t stop until we win against the Russian regime! ✊🏻🇬🇪🇪🇺 #GeorgiaProtests
📷 Giorgi Burjanadze

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM

1/6 🧵

May 8 – A hearing is currently underway at Batumi City Court in the case of journalist and media manager Mzia Amaglobeli, who has been in pre-trial detention since January 12.

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 8, 2025 at 10:53 AM

2/6

Amaglobeli was arrested after slapping Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze following chaotic and aggressive wave of arbitrary arrests, including the detention of two of her relatives.

Mzia faces politically motivated charges of attacking a police officer, carrying a 4–7 year prison sentence.

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 8, 2025 at 10:53 AM

3/6

No medical report has shown any harm caused by the slap, and Dgebuadze himself has stated only that he felt momentary pain and that his cheek and ear were red following the incident.

Today Dgebuadze is testifying in court.

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 8, 2025 at 10:53 AM

4/6

Mzia was also subjected to inhuman treatment by Dgebuadze while in detention. However, he remains in his post, and the investigation into her treatment has been ineffective. She has yet to be granted victim status.

Her legal team has appealed to @echr.coe.int.

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 8, 2025 at 10:53 AM

5/6

Amaghlobeli is a veteran journalist and head of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, two of Georgia’s leading independent outlets. Her imprisonment on politically motivated charges is seen as part of a broader crackdown on critical media.

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 8, 2025 at 10:53 AM

6/6

Georgian journalists and media advocates have issued multiple statements urging international press freedom defenders to respond to what they describe as a deliberate and ongoing crackdown on independent media in #Georgia.

#RepressionInGeorgia
#MediaUnderAttack
#FreeMzia

— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 8, 2025 at 10:53 AM

1/ Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze testified in court that he experienced significant pain after being slapped by Mzia Amaglobeli, expressing particular regret that, as he put it, “his pain became a subject of ridicule in society.”

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 8:08 AM

2/ “Once she hit me quite hard in the right side of my face. The pain I experienced became a subject of ridicule in society”.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 8:08 AM

3/ “I have a logical question: when someone hits you in the face, it’s an attack — if anyone can give me a synonym, what does a person feel when they’re struck in the face… I felt pain,” said Irakli Dgebuadze.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 8:08 AM

4/ Mzia Amaglobeli — journalist and a founder-director of the newspaper Batumelebi and the online platform Netgazeti — was arrested on allegations of assaulting a police officer.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 8:08 AM

5/ She faces a prison sentence of 4 to 7 years. As a form of protest, Mzia Amaglobeli went on a hunger strike for 38 days.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 8:08 AM

6/ Numerous international and local organisations, as well as journalists and civil activists, consider Amaghlobeli a political prisoner, arguing that the charges against her are absurd and her detention unlawful. The gov’t argues that slapping a policeman is a serious offence.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 8:08 AM

“Tomorrow is May 9, Europe Day. I congratulate you and call on Georgian society to continue fighting for a European future,” said Mzia Amaglobeli at the trial.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 11:23 AM

Germany:

Germany has delivered a new package of military aid to Ukraine, according to the German government.
www.bundeskanzler.de/bk-de/aktuel…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM

The US:

Shot:

Trump after his call with Zelensky: “The U.S. calls for, ideally, a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. … If the ceasefire is not respected, the U.S. and its partners will impose further sanctions.”

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) May 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM

Chaser:

Here is Vance explaining that, yes, Russia is demanding too much to settle its war in Ukraine. But if they refuse to be reasonable, the U.S. is simply going to… walk away!

Not increase military support for Ukraine, not ramp up sanctions on Russia… just ✨️walk away✨️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 5:33 PM

Back to Ukraine.

Never again’ didn’t work for our generation. Russia turned it into ‘we can do it again.’ Russizm is the new evil and fascist state is trying to steal victory that belongs to all of us. This time, ‘never again’ must be real.

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— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 3:53 AM

The Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) has ratified mineral resources deal with the U. S. and the establishment of a reconstruction investment fund.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 7:21 AM

At 15, he fought Nazi Germany.

Now 98, Volodymyr Overko watches Russia distort that shared victory to justify new war.

🧵 (1/8)

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) May 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM

(2/8)

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) May 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM

(3/8)

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) May 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM

(4/8)

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) May 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM

(5/8)

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) May 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM

(6/8)

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) May 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM

(7/8)

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) May 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM

Read the full story 👇

(8/8)

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) May 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM

Double AASM Hammer strike on two Russian positions, one of which is underground, by MiG-29. t.me/soniah_hub/1…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 12:23 PM

Kharkiv:

devastation of the city between 1941 and 1943 and again since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM

Zarichne, Kharkiv Oblast:

WARNING!! WARNING!! GRAPHIC CONTENT!! WARNING!! WARNING!!!

“In the village of Zarichne, Kharkiv region, an 11-year-old boy found an object in a field, which then detonated. Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Regional Military Administration, reported that the child sustained injuries and has been hospitalized.”

Beyond the daily war crimes, Russia has

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 1:10 PM

also littered Ukrainian land with explosives—deadly remnants that will continue to kill for generations. Every day, I encounter news of deaths and injuries caused by these hidden dangers, with children disproportionately affected. The case above is just today’s heartbreaking example.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 1:10 PM

ALL CLEAR!!!!

Kostiantynivka:

Russia launched a glide bomb attack on Kostiantynivka tonight, striking an apartment building. At least 13 people have been injured, and 2 have been resqued from the rubble.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 6:23 AM

Last night, literally on the eve of the ceasefire, Russia struck Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region with guided aerial bombs.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 5:16 AM

The Pokrovsk front:

Lieutenant of the AFU, call sign “Alex,” reports: No ceasefire on the Pokrovsk front. Infantry assaults continue relentlessly, with no breaks in between. The fight is ongoing.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) May 8, 2025 at 5:19 AM

Odesa:

🫡🇺🇦 Today, Odesans honor the memory of the victims of World War II, as well as the new tragedies caused by russian aggression. Mariupol, Bucha, Izium are the new names of tragedies that the world should remember just like Auschwitz and Babyn Yar.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 9:33 AM

🇺🇦 It is the duty of every Ukrainian to remember the cost of gaining our country’s independence and freedom.
Ukraine continues to fight not only for its independence, but also for the security of all mankind.
Bright memory to those who died! 🕯

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 9:33 AM

Moscow:

The meeting between Putin and Xi has been going on for several hours, and now they’ve decided to have some tea.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 10:40 AM

It’ll be fun they said. What could go wrong they said.

Kaluga Oblast:

Photos show the aftermath of the recent strike on the Shaikovka airbase in Kaluga region.

A technical facility used for servicing and preparing Kh-22 missiles was destroyed. The airbase’s fueling stations and underground fuel tanks were also hit.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 8:32 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

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Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,169: So Much for Putin’s Victory Day TrucePost + Comments (7)

WTFGhost on The End of the Beginning (Nov 13, 2025 @ 1:29pm)

Kathleen on The End of the Beginning (Nov 13, 2025 @ 1:28pm)

zhena gogolia on The End of the Beginning (Nov 13, 2025 @ 1:28pm)

Paul in KY on The End of the Beginning (Nov 13, 2025 @ 1:27pm)

iKropoclast on The End of the Beginning (Nov 13, 2025 @ 1:27pm)

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

“A king is only a king if we bow down.” – Rev. William Barber

JFC, are there no editors left at that goddamn rag?

Never give a known liar the benefit of the doubt.

Fundamental belief of white supremacy: white people are presumed innocent, minorities are presumed guilty.

Let me file that under fuck it.

I swear, each month of 2025 will have its own history degree.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

The gop is a fucking disgrace.

The line between political reporting and fan fiction continues to blur.

Reality always gets a vote in the end.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

The most dangerous place for a black man in America is in a white man’s imagination.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

How stupid are these people?

Republicans do not trust women.

If America since Jan 2025 hasn’t broken your heart, you haven’t loved her enough.

“Perhaps I should have considered other options.” (head-desk)

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

No Kings: Americans standing in the way of bad history saying “Oh, Fuck No!”

Republican also-rans: four mules fighting over a turnip.

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

If ‘weird’ was the finish line, they ran through the tape and kept running.

You passed on an opportunity to be offended? What are you even doing here?

Day 6: Hardwood Installed, Sanded, Crisis on Day 3, Resolved on Day 4, 2 Finish Coats On, One More to Go

Saturday Morning Open Thread

War for Ukraine Day 1,170: Pobiedobesie

Russia Must Be Held Accountable for Its Aggression Just as the Nazis Were – President’s Address at the Meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers

Diplomacy Needs Silence – President’s Address at the JEF Member States Summit

Russia – Attribution of cyber attacks on France to the Russian military intelligence service (APT28) (April 29th 2025)

Sprung (Open Thread)

The Church of Trump Is Not Happy. Me? I Feel a Huge Sense of Relief and a Renewed Sense of Hope.

USA Today has a fun column from Rex Huppke today.

Confederacy of Malevolent Dingleberries (Open Thread)

War for Ukraine Day 1,169: So Much for Putin’s Victory Day Truce

A Ceasefire, Lasting and Reliable, Will Be a Real Indicator of Movement Toward Peace; America Can Help with This – Address by the President