Balloon Juice - Open Threads Archives

How Eager These Men Are to Become Slaves

by @heymistermix.com| December 15, 202411:21 am| 76 Comments

[…] So corrupted indeed and debased was that age by sycophancy that not only the foremost citizens who were forced to save their grandeur by servility, but every ex-consul, most of the ex-prætors and a host of inferior senators would rise in eager rivalry to propose shameful and preposterous motions. Tradition says that Tiberius as often as he left the Senate-House used to exclaim in Greek, “How ready these men are to be slaves.” […]

I saw someone post this quote on Bluesky a couple of days ago, and it seems relevant to the last few days:

Last night ABC announced a $15 million settlement with Trump over George Stephanopoulos using the same word the judge used to describe Trump’s assault of E. Jean Carroll. The settlement includes a “statement of regret” from Stephanopoulos.
Jeff Bezos, owner of the Washington Post, will donate $1 million to Trump’s inaugural. He joins Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, as well as Sam Altman of OpenAI, as a donor.
Zuck is not only a member of the $1 million club: his trip to Mar-a-Lago included him standing, hand over heart, while listening to a rendition of the national anthem sung by imprisoned January 6 convicts.
The billionaire owner of the LA Times has announced that he’ll personally approve every opinion headline to make sure co-president Elon Musk won’t be offended.

What is the point of having billions of dollars*, private jets, opulent yachts and staff to cater to your every whim, if you also need to roll over and practice submissive urination to Trump?

* I just checked and Bob Iger, President of Disney (ABC’s owner) is only worth $700 million, so I guess that pauper might have to bend the knee…

How Eager These Men Are to Become SlavesPost + Comments (76)

Sunday Morning Open Thread: Sentimental Gesture

by Anne Laurie| December 15, 20247:45 am| 270 Comments

This post is in: Justice, Open Threads, President Biden, Proud to Be A Democrat

www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/u…
Nevertheless, SHE is UNDETERRED! “But Ms. Gillibrand wants Mr. Biden to use his presidential power while he still has it to force the issue, effectively daring Republicans to wage a legal battle to take away equal rights for women.”
BidenPublishTheERA.org #ERANow

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— Horses&Roses.bsky.social (@deedeegiese.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 9:09 PM

There’s at least one front-pager I expect to show up and piss on this idea, but this is my post and I am very much in agreement with Senator Gillibrand. Sure, the Repubs will squeal like scalded weasels, and it will take no energy at all for their bought & paid-for SC(R)OTUS justices to reinvalidate the amendment, but: As Democrats it behooves us to leave our message in the history books. If not now, when? “Gillibrand Presses Biden to Amend the Constitution to Enshrine Sex Equality” [gift link]:

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York is on a mission in President Biden’s final days in office. She wants to convince him that he can rescue his legacy by adding the century-old Equal Rights Amendment, which would explicitly guarantee sex equality, to the Constitution as a way to protect abortion rights in post-Roe America.

He could do it all, she contends, with one phone call.

Both houses of Congress approved the amendment in 1972, but it was not ratified by the states in time to be added to the Constitution. Ms. Gillibrand has been pushing a legal theory that the deadline for ratification is irrelevant and unconstitutional. All that remains, she argues, is for Mr. Biden to direct the national archivist, who is responsible for the certification and publication of constitutional amendments, to publish the E.R.A. as the 28th Amendment.

The move would almost certainly invite a legal challenge that would land in the Supreme Court. But Ms. Gillibrand wants Mr. Biden to use his presidential power while he still has it to force the issue, effectively daring Republicans to wage a legal battle to take away equal rights for women…

Kelly Scully, a White House spokeswoman, said senior administration officials had been discussing the proposal with lawmakers and other stakeholders.

“President Biden has been clear that he wants to see the Equal Rights Amendment definitively enshrined in the Constitution,” Ms. Scully said in a statement. “It is long past time that we recognize the clear will of the American people.”

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The issue of the E.R.A., which was first proposed by women’s suffragists in 1923, is politically simple and legally complicated.

The Constitution states that proposed amendments must be passed by two-thirds majorities in both houses of Congress and ratified by three-quarters of the states. It makes no mention of a deadline for ratification, but Congress in modern times has typically included a seven-year clock for the states to sign on…

Ms. Gillibrand said she was not dissuaded by the possibility that a conservative-leaning Supreme Court might strike down the amendment.

“This will ultimately be decided by the courts, but this is a moment in time where we should stand up for what we’re for,” she said. “If you’re waiting for the people you don’t like on the court to die, we’re all going to be dead. That’s too long to wait.”

Republicans have generally called the measure gratuitous, arguing that equal protections for women are included in the 14th Amendment. But they, too, have conceded that adopting the amendment could provide a new legal basis for protecting abortion after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and said it should be opposed as a way to protect the lives of the unborn…

A new survey by Data for Progress, a progressive think tank, showed strong support for Mr. Biden taking action and that doing so would “cause a significant, positive shift among voters in terms of how they think Americans will look back on Biden’s presidency.” About 61 percent of likely voters, including about 87 percent of Democrats, said they supported Mr. Biden taking action to adopt the Equal Rights Amendment.

The poll also showed a 30-point increase in the percentage of voters who said they would look back on Mr. Biden’s presidency more favorably if he were to take action on the amendment.

Kate Kelly, the senior director of the women’s initiative at the Center for American Progress, who has been working on the issue for a decade, said she hoped that Mr. Biden and Democrats would not argue themselves out of taking action.

“This is the closest we’ve ever come for it being considered,” Ms. Kelly said. “I always tell people, ‘Think of what the other side would do if they were one signature away from changing the Constitution.’ We need that energy.”…

(Clay Bennett via GoComics.com)

Sunday Morning Open Thread: Sentimental GesturePost + Comments (270)

War for Ukraine Day 1,025: A Brief Saturday Night Update

by Adam L Silverman| December 14, 20247:30 pm| 20 Comments

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

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

The sinus infection is kicking my dupa today, so I’m just going to run through the basics.

Here’s last night’s air defense tally:

⚡️ Ukraine downs 58 of Russian 132 drones launched overnight, Air Force reports.
Ukrainian air defense intercepted 58 drones out of 132 launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported on its Telegram channel on Dec. 14.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 5:09 AM

The Kyiv Independent has the details:

Ukrainian air defense intercepted 58 drones out of 132 launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported on its Telegram channel on Dec. 14.

The attack targeted 11 oblasts, primarily in southern and central Ukraine, with Russia deploying 132 Iranian-made Shahed drones, according to the report.

Defensive operations were carried out across all targeted oblasts, with air defense systems active in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kyiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kirovohrad.

The Air Force reported that 72 drones failed to reach their targets, while two returned to Russia.

The overnight assault followed a massive aerial attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure earlier on Dec. 13. During that offensive, Russia launched approximately 290 missiles and drones across multiple regions.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least 93 missiles were fired, including some supplied by North Korea, with Ukrainian forces successfully intercepting 81 of them. Eleven missiles were shot down by F-16 fighter jets.

Moscow’s forces also deployed nearly 200 drones in the Dec. 13 strike, which Zelensky described as “one of the largest against our energy grid.”

President Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine will fill the humanitarian aid food gap created by the fall of the Assad regime and the Russian (sort of) pull out and abandonment of Syria:

⚡️Ukraine sending humanitarian aid to Syria to prevent ‘food crisis,’ Zelensky says.

“We are ready to help Syria prevent a food crisis … I have instructed the government to organize food deliveries in cooperation with international organizations and partners willing to help.”

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 2:34 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Ukraine is preparing to send humanitarian aid to Syria in order “to help prevent a food crisis,” President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Dec. 14.

The announcement comes a week after the Russia-backed regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad collapsed on Dec. 8 amid a large-scale rebel offensive.

Kyiv will contribute to stabilization in Syria in the aftermath of Assad’s fall, Zelensky said.

“We are ready to help Syria prevent a food crisis,” he said.

“Including through the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program. I have instructed the government to organize food deliveries in cooperation with international organizations and partners willing to help.”

Zelensky called on global partners to assist in ensuring a stable peace in Syria, which endured years of civil war “ignited with … Russia’s involvement.”

Kyiv launched the Grain From Ukraine initiative in fall 2022. Since then, the program has saved 20 million people from hunger, according to Zelensky.

Ukraine is one of the world’s leading agricultural producers and has been a major supplier of grain and other products to countries in Africa and Asia.

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

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Today, We Already Have Preliminary Data That the Russians Have Begun to Use North Korean Soldiers in Their Assaults – Address by the President

14 December 2024 – 16:37

Dear Ukrainians!

Today, we already have preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults. A significant number of them.

The Russians include them in combined units and use them in operations in the Kursk region. So far, only there. But we have information suggesting their use could extend to other parts of the frontline. There are also already noticeable losses in this category.

In essence, Moscow has dragged another state into this war, and to the fullest extent possible. And if this is not escalation, then what is the escalation that so many have been talking about?

It is Putin who is taking steps to extend and prolong this war. He is the one pushing away any possibility of peace. Moreover, he wants to create more problems for the world in Asia. This is why the Russians are training North Korea in modern warfare.

And obviously, Moscow is ignoring the appeals of all countries, from China and Brazil to many others, about the need to do everything possible to de-escalate. Whenever there is no firm global response, Russia exacerbates the war. This has always been the case.

We will defend ourselves, including against these North Koreans. And we will continue to act in coordination with all our partners to stop this war – to stop it decisively, with guaranteed peace.

Next week, we will discuss our joint efforts in Europe. Sanctions against Russia, support for our defense, and investment in the collective defense of Europe, alongside strong diplomacy for peace – all of this must be expanded week by week, so that next year, together with our partners, we can achieve our main goal.

Today, following reports from our government officials, we approved actions regarding Syria. First of all, humanitarian and security actions. How we can contribute to stabilization.

This is important for Ukraine: the calmer the situation in such regions, the more actively the world will be able to assist us in establishing peace.

We are ready to help Syria prevent a food crisis. Including through the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program. I have instructed the Government to organize food deliveries in cooperation with international organizations and partners willing to help.

And we call on everyone in the world to join in the stabilization efforts so that the war ignited more than a decade ago in Syria – ignited with Iran and Russia’s involvement – so that this war finally comes to an end.

And one more thing. Last night, the Russians launched over a hundred more strike drones against our country. Thankfully, most of them failed to reach their targets – being shot down and diverted by electronic warfare.

I want now to thank all of our mobile fire groups, who defend Ukraine every day and every night, as well as all our other warriors from air defense units. And also, everyone who develops our electronic warfare systems, who manufactures them, who delivers them to the troops. Your work saves many lives – both by countering “Shaheds” and through providing protection against other types of drones

I thank everyone who is involved in the work for Ukraine! Glory to our warriors, glory to our entire nation!

Glory to Ukraine!

The Kyiv Independent is reporting that Ukraine’s HUR/Main Directorate of Intelligence has assessed that the North Korean troops have turned on and killed a bunch of Kadyrov’s Chechen soldiers.

⚡️North Korean troops open fire on Russian unit, Ukraine’s military intelligence claims.

North Korean soldiers killed eight members of the Chechen Akhmat unit in a “friendly fire” incident, HUR said, attributing the attack to persistent language barrier problems.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 4:17 PM

North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast killed eight members of a Russian unit in a “friendly fire” attack, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) claimed on Dec. 14.

Earlier in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that a “significant number” of North Korean troops had joined Russian assault operations in the Kursk region.

While engaged in combat in Kursk Oblast, a group of North Korean soldiers opened fire on members of the Chechen Akhmat unit fighting for Russia, HUR reportedvia its official Telegram channel. The attack allegedly killed eight Russian soldiers.

The Kyiv Independent was unable to verify the report.

HUR said the incident was the result of the language barrier between Russian and North Korean troops, which continues to be a “difficult obstacle” on the battlefield.

An estimated 200 servicemembers fighting with Russian and North Korean units have been killed as of Dec. 14, HUR claimed.

Zelensky previously announced that North Korean personnel had begun incurring “noticeable losses,” but did not provide a figure.

Ukrainian and Western officials in fall 2024 warned that over 10,000 North Korean troops had amassed in Kursk Oblast, ready to aid Russia’s attempt to oust Ukrainian forces in the region.

The Russian military has instituted special protocols in places where North Korean personnel are located, HUR said. Russian soldiers must undergo inspections before entering these areas, and their phones and electronic devices are confiscated.

The first direct clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast were reported in early November. According to Zelensky, North Korean personnel have not been deployed to any other areas of the front, but that could change in the future.

The US:

⚡️Kyiv delayed minerals deal with US to let Trump take credit, NYT reports.

Ukrainian authorities twice delayed signing the agreement, officials said. The delays offer the opportunity for Trump to claim an early victory at the start of his term.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 1:53 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Ukrainian authorities postponed signing an agreement with the United States on processing and extracting rare earth minerals, in order to let U.S. President-elect Donald Trump claim credit for the deal when he takes office, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Dec. 14.

Trump begins his second presidential term on Jan. 20, 2025. He has promised to make a quick end to Russia’s war against Ukraine, sparking fears in Kyiv that Washington will withdraw military aid when Trump returns to the White House.

In a bid to secure Trump’s support ahead of the inauguration, the Ukrainian government has appealed to Trump’s ego and reputation as a businessman, the New York Times reported. One attempt involved delaying a significant minerals deal.

Ukraine, home to large deposits of critical minerals, including cobalt, graphite, and lithium, planned to sign the deal with U.S. President Joe Biden. U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal announced plans for the deal in August 2024 after their visit to Kyiv.

Ukrainian authorities then twice delayed signing the agreement, the NYT said, citing officials on both sides of the negotiations. The delays offer the opportunity for the Trump administration to claim an early victory at the start of his term.

“This war is about money,” Graham told Fox News in November.

“So Donald Trump’s going to do a deal to get our money back, to enrich ourselves with rare earth minerals. A good deal for Ukraine and us, and he’s going to bring peace.”

Trump has repeatedly criticized the level of support the Biden administration provided to Ukraine and signaled Kyiv should brace for reduced assistance once his term begins. In a Dec. 12 interview, Trump said he would not “abandon” Ukraine.

“I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you’re going to reach an agreement is not to abandon,” he said.

Trump’s comments came a few days after his first in-person meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky since the U.S. presidential election. Zelensky praised Trump during the meeting, telling him he was the only one Russian President Vladimir Putin feared.

“I told President Trump that Putin fears only him and, perhaps, China,” Zelensky said on X.

Following his meeting with Zelensky, Trump said the Ukrainian president appeared ready “to make a deal and stop the madness” and that Putin should do the same after incurring staggering losses in Ukraine.

Remember, this is part of a very specific strategy that the Ukrainians have developed for dealing with the President-elect. They have done a key leader/operational psychological assessment of him and determined the best way forward for dealing with him. Delaying signing this agreement is part of that strategy.

Georgia:

1/ “Georgian Dream” is holding the presidential election, with the only candidate being GD-nominated former football player and MP Mikheil Kavelashvili, who has only completed school-level education The process began at 09:00 in the Parliament building.

#terrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:09 AM

2/ The election is being conducted under a new system, where the president is elected by a 300-member electoral collegium. Of these, 211 members represent GD. To secure victory in the first round, a candidate must receive the support of 200 voters.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:09 AM

3/ The current president of Georgia, along with other parties that passed the threshold in the parliamentary election, does not recognize the legitimacy of either the parliament or the presidential election.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:09 AM

4/ At the same time, a protest is taking place near the Parliament building. Police forces are mobilized around the area, and special equipment, including water cannons, is stationed in Freedom Square near the Parliament building.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:09 AM

5/ Acting President Salome Zurabishvili walked along Rustaveli Ave toward the Orbeliani Palace. Protesters gathered outside the Parliament greeted her with applause and cheers.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:09 AM

Kavelashvili, come out and play for us!” – Students brought balls to the protest in front of the Parliament, saying that Kavelashvili is as much a president as they are football players.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:47 AM

⭕️Transparency International Georgia: “The president ‘elected’ by an illegitimate parliament is also illegitimate.”

Today, GD’s parliament elected Mikheil Kavelashvili, a candidate nominated by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, as president. He was the sole candidate.
#Georgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 14, 2024 at 1:51 PM

Day 17. Release the unlawfully detained, schedule new, free and fair elections. AND! Salome Zourabichvili remains the legitimate President of Georgia!
#terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
📷 Ezz Gaber

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 12:39 PM

Salome Zurabishvili came to Rustaveli avenue.

19:20

#GeorgiaProtests
#Terroristattack

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 10:24 AM

In front of Parliament, GD supporters and #GeorgiaProtests participants faced off, separated only by MIA forces. In the end, Tbilisi Mayor postponed the Christmas tree lighting, while President Zourabichvili addressed the pro-European rally, saying, “I am with you, and you are in my heart.”

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 14, 2024 at 10:52 AM

About the significance of today. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 2:17 PM

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 12:48 PM

19:10 Dec 14 – #Tbilisi

In front of Parliament, Georgian Dream supporters and #GeorgiaProtests participants faced off, separated only by MIA forces. The Tbilisi Mayor postponed 🎄lighting to an unknown date, and the stage was removed. Here’s a look at the situation on the ground at the time

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 14, 2024 at 11:13 AM

Reportedly, the reason the regime had to back off from their prestige move of lighting up the Christmas tree (amid special police protection) is that they couldn’t mobilize enough people to feel superiority over protesters. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 10:28 AM

It should be noted that next to the President, the woman is the mother of Gega Kobakhidze, a youngster killed by the Soviets for his dissent.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 10:16 AM

21:00, December 14 – #Batumi

The #GeorgiaProtests in Batumi have been ongoing since November 28, when Irakli Kobakhidze announced halting EU talks. People continue to take to the streets daily, gathering at night in front of the Constitutional Court of #Georgia.

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 14, 2024 at 12:29 PM

There appears to have been a terrorist attack in Dnipro:

⚡️Explosion in Dnipro center kills 1, injures 2 police officers.

The cause of the explosion is currently unknown, officials said. Police investigators and explosives experts are working to determine the circumstances of the explosion.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 12:46 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

An explosion in a central neighborhood of Dnipro on Dec. 14 killed one person and injured four others, including two police officers, Ukraine’s National Police reported.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has classified the incident as a terrorist attack and detained a suspect.

The explosion occurred at around 2:45 p.m. local time, near an administrative building in the center of Dnipro, police said. At the time, the cause of the explosion was unknown.

Police investigators and explosives experts were dispatched to the scene to determine the circumstances of the explosion.

One man was killed in the explosion, and four others were wounded, including two police officers. The injured victims are currently being treated in the hospital.

Within hours of the explosion, authorities reported that police worked jointly with the SBU to detain a suspect. The detainee is a 37-year-old local resident who allegedly acted on the instructions of Russian special services.

Dnipro, Ukraine’s fourth-largest city, has served as a key logistics and humanitarian hub during the full-scale war. The city has recently been a target of intensified Russian attacks.

Russia launched its Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) at Dnipro Nov. 21, marking the first time such a weapon has been deployed against Ukraine during the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on Dec. 13 that Russia is preparing to attack Ukraine with another Oreshnik missile this weekend.

Kursk:

North Korean attack on the Kursk front. Extended video.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 11:47 AM

Kharkiv:

Russian drones in Kharkiv skies right now‼️

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 3:38 PM

These are children waiting to start their math test, hiding in a bomb shelter because of a MiG takeoff in Russia. Meanwhile, the Russian opposition is complaining about how hard life is for them in Western Europe.

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— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 4:45 AM

Donetsk Oblast:

Destroyed Russian T-54. Donetsk region.
t.me/lost_warinua…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 7:51 AM

Kherson:

#Kherson #HumanSafari On Dec 12, Russian drones’ attacks results:

💔1 man, 67, killed
💔1 man, 54, injured
🛑4 cars attacked

This is despite the weather conditions in-conducive to drone attacks

Artillery strikes all day. Total:

2 killed
6 injured

Today, attacks continue, several injured, TBD

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— Zarina Zabrisky (@zarinazabrisky.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 9:26 AM

Pokrovsk:

🇺🇦🇷🇺 Ukrainian forces have started conducting offensive operations against Russian positions in Shevchenko, south of Pokrovsk. “A strong brigade” was transferred to the direction to both stabilize the front and retake recently lost positions.

Could be related to the post below.

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— Conflict Dispatch (@conflictdispatch.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 3:50 PM

Pokrovsk is the last stronghold in the southwestern part of Donetsk Oblast, holding back Russian forces from advancing further toward Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and the regional capital of Dnipro.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 14, 2024 at 3:44 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Russian troops are closing in on Pokrovsk from the east and south. After the capture of Shevchenko village just south of the city, Russian forces are less than 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from this key logistics hub sitting on the western edge of Donetsk Oblast.

“The fighting is extremely fierce. The Russian invaders are throwing all available forces forward, trying to break through the defense of our troops,” Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

Ukraine had been suffering from an extensive infantry shortage, as well as disputes within the military command leading the defense.

Pokrovsk is the last stronghold in the southwestern part of Donetsk Oblast, holding back Russian forces from advancing further toward Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and the regional capital of Dnipro, home to 1 million people and serving as the main hub for Kyiv’s operations in the southeast.

Stanislav Buniatov, a platoon commander of the 24th Separate Assault Battalion Aidar, wrote on his Telegram that “everyone has already accepted that Russian troops will enter Pokrovsk.” However, he added, not everyone understands what consequences this will have for Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and Russia’s further advance in the area.

“Dnipropetrovsk Oblast is not built up with villages like Donetsk Oblast, so that progress will be faster there,” Buniatov said, adding that once Russia enters the next oblast of Ukraine, it will again dictate the conditions for the full ceding of these territories under Russian control.

Around 11,000 people remain in Pokrovsk, which was home to over 60,000 before the full-scale war, according to the local military administration.

Most utility companies and local businesses have stopped functioning. There is also no gas supply or heating in the city due to the power lines damaged or destroyed by constant Russian shelling.

Although gunfire and explosions can already be heard in the city, a few mines near Pokrovsk continue to operate.

Local authorities have been urging residents to evacuate for several months, adding that “there is no safe place in Donetsk Oblast as of now.” Evacuation is a challenge, however, with human lives at stake.

Since September, the state-owned railway, Ukrzaliznytsia, has canceled evacuation trains from Pokrovsk due to the risk of Russian attacks and now runs them from Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 100 kilometers (62 miles) away from the embattled city. Evacuation by buses or cars remains available from Pokrovsk.

While locals are considering whether they are ready to evacuate and leave their old life behind, Russian troops have advanced and gained a foothold in the villages of Novotroiitske and Shevchenko in December, according to the crowd-sourced monitoring website Deep State. The Shevchenko village is roughly less than 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Pokrovsk.

Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesman for the Khortytsia group of forces, said the Ukrainian army is trying to recover lost positions near Pokrovsk, particularly near the neighboring villages of Shevchenko and Vidrodzhennia.

“The enemy attacked our fortifications in the Pokrovsk direction, west of Vidrodzhennia and south of Novotroiitske, and as a result of prolonged fighting, two of our positions were destroyed, and one was lost,” Voloshyn said on national television.

Gustav Gressel, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations Berlin office, suggested that Russia is planning an attack on the city from the south to surround it and cut off the main logistical routes connecting the Ukrainian-controlled territories to the front line.

According to Gressel, Pokrovsk may face the same fate as Avdiivka, captured by Russian forces in February 2024.

“Now, Russian forces can reach the city (of Pokrovsk) with mortars and, of course, artillery. But the proximity to the E50 (route) and the rail line to Dnipro is even more problematic,” Gressel told the Kyiv Independent.

“The Russians may soon physically reach the rail line to Zaporizhzhia, putting the E50 under fire. This will have consequences for logistics in the whole southeastern perimeter.”

Meanwhile, even since the capture of Avdiivka, Russian military tactics had changed significantly. Now, Russian forces are sparing no resources in bombarding Ukrainian cities with guided aerial bombs and drones, and Pokrovsk is no exception.

Drones provide access to better awareness of the terrain, the location of the opponent’s positions, and critical infrastructure. Drones also provide control of important logistics routes, cutting off essential supplies.

Gressel calls the factor of drones a decisive one in the Pokrovsk direction, adding that their qualitative evolution, namely the development of resistance to interference and an increase in flight range, plays an even more significant role.

“Unfortunately, the Russians learned and adapted quite a lot in this field,” he added.

This is not Russia’s only advantage in this front-line sector.

Much more at the link.

Krymsk, Krasnador Oblast, Russia:

🔴 Russian Su-30 fighter jet and three locomotives were destroyed in Russia, reported Defense of Intelligence of Ukraine.

The Su-30 fighter jet burned at an airfield in Krymsk, Krasnodar region on December 14. A day earlier, fire destroyed three railway locomotives.

📹: Defense Intelligence

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) December 14, 2024 at 6:07 AM

On December 14, 2024, in the city of Krymsk, Krasnodar Territory, Russia, saboteurs burned an enemy Su-30 fighter jet right at the airfield. Video by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

Link: t.me/DIUkraine/5023

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 6:01 AM

/2. Also before that, on December 13, partisans burned three Russian railway locomotives in the city of Krasnodar.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 6:07 AM

/3. The correct model of the burnt Russian fighter jet: Su-27SM or SM2. The tail number “16” is also visible.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 6:23 AM

/4. Also some more photos of this Su-27 from Russian media.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 6:34 AM

That oil depot in Oryol, Russia is still burning as the storage tanks and other equipment catches fire and cooks off:

/2. Russian oil depot in Oryol, Russia. Still burning after tonight’s drone attack

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 8:15 AM

Oil depot in Orel, russia, is still on fire 🔥

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 1:44 PM

The oil depot in Oryol continues to burn. Local neighborhood chats near the site of the fire report that fuel storage tanks at the depot have ignited. News agencies are now stating that the fire has intensified in recent hours, following a series of loud explosions.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) December 14, 2024 at 10:01 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron tweets or videos today. Here is, I think, the next episode of Patron’s official animated series that I have not yet posted here.

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,025: A Brief Saturday Night UpdatePost + Comments (20)

Saturday Evening Open Thread: The Real Horror of DEI

by Anne Laurie| December 14, 20246:42 pm| 89 Comments

This post is in: Education, Immigration, Open Threads, Republican Venality

When you see people like Elon Musk pointing to stuff like IQ to justify their disdain for encouraging diversity, it’s hard to avoid concluding that having a black guy in charge of something more than HUD, not as a novelty but as the normal state of affairs, was just too much for them to process
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— Chatham Harrison is tending his garden (@chathamharrison.bsky.social) December 12, 2024 at 11:42 AM

Used to be, a well-to-do white man’s unambitious sons could count on a ‘gentleman’s C’ from the right prep school and a few properly sourced letters of recommendation for a slot at an Ivy and a following lifetime of sinecure(s). But now, there’s all this competition from outsiders — Irish Catholics, Central European immigrants’ outlandish offspring, even Jews! — what’s a white man [dry sob] to do?!?

When I was in middle school, I read (mostly mocking) variants of this sad plaint from Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt (not at his best, there), and Finley Peter Dunne. Only difference between the complaints during the first Gilded Age and our current low-rent knockoff era are that, during the original, Jared Kushner’s old man could never have gotten close enough to the Harvard board to write them a million-dollar check as an introduction.

We’re going to hit an inflection point where the older men in power/management age out (read die), and the 30+ years of women having higher educational attainment becomes suddenly visible in org charts.
And shit’ll get *weird* s a result.

— Wandering Hoo (@wanderlib.bsky.social) December 12, 2024 at 11:14 AM

This is what I’m saying! A lot of powerful men are feeling that crunch. They know that what comes after them will not be what came before, & it scares them. Above all it scares them on behalf of their kids who they know can’t compete with that
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— Chatham Harrison is tending his garden (@chathamharrison.bsky.social) December 12, 2024 at 11:22 AM

Informed by 18 years as a divorce lawyer, I agree. There’s so much light and questionable heat on the most debated gender war issues.

Financial autonomy IS the heat, they’d love for you to take your eye off that ball, and there’s no world where it’s good advice to girls to give that up.
— Anselm (@gorobei.bsky.social) December 12, 2024 at 4:42 PM

Yep. And the talk on the right about the importance of trades (but never the importance of unions) & how you shouldn’t need a degree to get ahead (because your fuckup son needed five tries to fail out of college for good)

— Chatham Harrison is tending his garden (@chathamharrison.bsky.social) December 12, 2024 at 11:25 AM

The Trump team’s proposed immigration bans are another piece of the jigsaw, here:

we simply must stop all these perfidious nigerians from coming to america and becoming doctors

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— not an art thief (@famousartthief.bsky.social) December 12, 2024 at 11:24 AM

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Saturday Evening Open Thread: The Real Horror of DEIPost + Comments (89)

Lazy Saturday Open Thread

by Betty Cracker| December 14, 20241:55 pm| 81 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

Ever wonder what the fuck is wrong with Florida? This partly explains it:

Lazy Saturday Open Thread

But there are things that are right with Florida too, like this medium-sized gator with all the teef:

Lazy Saturday Open Thread 1

Open thread!

Lazy Saturday Open ThreadPost + Comments (81)

Saturday Morning Open Thead: We Are Not Resigned

by Anne Laurie| December 14, 20248:16 am| 348 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat

(Mike Luckovich via GoComics.com)

Harris to Deliver Speech Urging Young People to Stay Civically Engaged – The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/u…

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— Charlie Richmond (Gyro Gearloose) (@charlierichmond.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 7:38 PM

The torch is being passed to a new generation, which should please some complainers. Per the NYTimes, “Harris to Deliver Speech Urging Young People to Stay Civically Engaged” [gift link]:

Vice President Kamala Harris, who has kept a low profile since she lost the presidential election, will give a speech in Maryland next week urging young people to stay civically engaged, the White House announced on Friday.

The event will take place in Prince George’s County and will be Ms. Harris’s fourth visit to Maryland this year, the announcement said. She is expected to address an audience of high school and college students, recent graduates and apprentices who have been active in their communities, according to a White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the plans.

The official said Ms. Harris was not expected to focus on President-elect Donald J. Trump, and the announcement said her message would center on the “ongoing fight for the future.” The official said she would emphasize that young people’s leadership is more necessary than ever and remind them that young people have been at the forefront of pivotal moments of progress throughout American history…

“Don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place,” she said on Nov. 6. “You have power. You have power. And don’t you ever listen when anyone tells you something is impossible because it has never been done before.”

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Saturday Morning Open Thead: We Are Not ResignedPost + Comments (348)

War for Ukraine Day 1,024: Russian Drone Swarms Followed by Missiles

by Adam L Silverman| December 13, 20247:42 pm| 14 Comments

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

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

Two quick housekeeping notes. First, Rosie is doing great. She’s jumping up on the bed more often. Three times just yesterday. She and Ruby are a bit stir crazy because I’ve not been able to walk them for about ten days or so. Thank you for all the good thoughts, well wishes, prayers, and donations to help with her chemo.

Second, while the congestion is finally starting to break up, I still feel bleh. I’m just going to run through the basics again tonight.

Unfortunately, as expected, the Russians used the drone swarms to try to open the way for their missiles to attack.

Sitting in the corridor during a massive missile attack, the second this month, and reading about plans to negotiate with Putin. Feels surreal.

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— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 1:16 AM

Impressive interception of a Russian cruise missile by the mobile air defense group of the 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade. 13.12.2024

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 8:34 AM

Interception of a Russian cruise missile with the help of MANPADS during todays Russian missile attack on Ukraine.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 8:08 AM

Approximate tracks of Russian missiles and drones used in this morning’s large-scale attack on Ukraine.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 4:37 AM

Updated figures from Ukrainian Air Force: 287 weapons used in this morning’s Russian attack on Ukraine – 94 missiles of various types, 193 drones. 81 missiles, 80 drones shot down, 105 drones jammed, location lost, 5 drones flew back to Russia, and 1 flew to Belarus.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 5:35 AM

Today Russia launched a massive strike on Ukraine, launching 93 missiles and about 200 drones. As reported – 81 missiles were downed, 11 of which by F-16.

Video show one of the intercepted Kh-555 cruise missiles.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 4:15 AM

The Kyiv Independent has the details:

“As a result of the mass missile-drone attack, energy facilities in multiple regions were damaged,” the state energy operator Ukrenergo said. Repair works are underway, but the scope of emergency shutdowns will increase, according to the statement.

Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast suffered the “most massive attack during the full-scale war,” Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk announced. Cruise missiles and drones struck critical infrastructure facilities in the region, but no casualties were reported at the moment.

Six energy facilities were targeted in Lviv Oblast, according to regional authorities. Neighboring Ternopil Oblast was also impacted, the regional military administration said without revealing details.

“There are no casualties. Critical infrastructure facilities are operating normally,” the Ternopil Oblast authorities said on Telegram. Earlier in the morning, officials said that half of the region’s residents were without power due to emergency shutdowns.

Two people – employees of a civilian enterprise – were injured in the village of Myrne in Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported initially. The number of injuries later rose to four.

Five of Ukraine’s nine operational nuclear reactor units have reduced power output due to the attack, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

The Polish Air Force scrambled its fighter jets as Russian drones and missiles entered western Ukraine, a usual precaution Warsaw takes during Russian mass strikes.

“This is (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s ‘peace’ plan – destroying everything. This is how he wants to negotiate, by terrorizing millions of people,” Zelensky said.

“Oil gives Putin enough money to believe in impunity. A strong reaction from the world is needed: a massive strike – a massive reaction.”

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

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This Is a Deliberate, Cynical Russian Terror Aimed Specifically at Our People: Each Missile Targeted a Particular Energy Facility – Address by the President

13 December 2024 – 20:50

Dear Ukrainians!

First of all – I thank the defenders of our skies. This was one of the largest Russian attacks against our energy sector today. 94 missiles of various types, both cruise and ballistic. 81 of them were shot down. In addition, almost 200 strike drones were launched. In general, we can see that the Russians aimed to overload our air defense, as they always do during such large-scale attacks. And they also specifically waited for the frosty weather to make things worse for the people. The strike was timed to coincide with the cold snap. This is a deliberate, cynical Russian terror aimed specifically at our people. Each missile targeted a particular energy facility, and thanks to the precision of our warriors and the reliability of our air defense systems, many facilities were protected. Currently, power engineers and repair crews are working in all regions – where it is needed. The system is being restored.

Today, I held the first session of the Technology Staff – the format we promised to introduce to bring more innovation to our Defense Forces. And the very issue of enhancing the capabilities of our air defense was discussed at this Technology Staff. Defense against missiles, defense against “Shahed” drones. We require even greater capabilities to shoot down all this terrorist garbage. The session was attended not only by representatives of the army and the Security and Intelligence Forces, but also by arms manufacturers, scientists, people who know exactly what technological things can be done. We expect concrete decisions at the next session in this format. We will also involve other representatives of our defense industry. It is essential to involve more people, from the volunteer community, who have been helping the army become more technologically advanced for a long time. And technologies should address critical questions regarding the effectiveness of our units in combat operations. Greater technological capability means more lives saved.

Today, I also spoke with our European friends. The President of Finland – I thanked him for supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians. A new support package, a defense package, is on the way. Finland is also preparing another package. We also agreed with President Stubb that Finland will work with our requests for additional air defense systems. We also focused on how to work more actively with our partners on security guarantees and bringing peace closer. I also had a conversation with the Prime Minister of Latvia. About our cooperation – at the bilateral level and in coordination with other Baltic and Nordic states. The JEF (Joint Expeditionary Forces) Summit is being prepared, a format for cooperation in Northern Europe, and British leadership is clearly visible there. Ukraine always joins in, and we discussed the need for our full participation – as a full-fledged member of these forces. I am grateful for the willingness to help us staff a brigade together with other partners in the Baltic and Nordic countries. We are already preparing for meetings in Brussels next week – with European leaders.

And one more thing. There is a new defense package from the United States of America that includes, among other things, missiles for air defense, for HIMARS systems. As well as artillery. The package is worth 500 million dollars. I thank President Biden and both parties in Congress – everyone who supports our defense of life and people. Every time there are new Russian strikes against our country, we need – and this is an objective necessity – steps that send a clear message to Putin: his terror must not succeed. He is using missiles instead of seeking ways to end the war. It is war and intimidation that uphold the Russian “throne” under this individual. However, our partners should not be concerned with ensuring the stability of such individuals in Moscow; instead, they should focus on guaranteeing stability for themselves and for the world — stability and security that are only possible in peace. I am grateful to all those who are helping us to bring peace closer.

Glory to Ukraine!

The cost and the reason:

The war took 9 year old Irynka’s father, now she helps other soldiers fight the occupiers by making her own vinoks and selling them. She has raised money for 6 cars, thermal imagers, Starlink and drones. Today the army came to thank her, gave gifts in return and presented her with a volunteer award❤️

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— Sofia (@sofiaukraini.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 6:21 AM

Georgia:

The President now! #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 11:23 AM

🗣️ “Neither threats nor the time-tested tactics of totalitarian regimes will succeed in silencing the people or breaking their resolve.

The will of the people is unshakable!

Georgia stands, and will always stand!” President Zourabichvili regarding the repressions against #GeorgiaProtests

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 13, 2024 at 1:11 PM

Social workers held a protest march and joined the main protest on Rustaveli Avenue.

21:00

#GeorgiaProtests #TerrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 12:21 PM

🗣️”This is a fight: democracy VS authoritarianism! We are not fighting only for our ideals. How the West reacts to the problem in Georgia tells a lot about how they will approach this kind of problems in the future”, Natia from #GeorgiaProtests: Why people in #Georgia are taking to the streets

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 13, 2024 at 3:20 PM

🗣️”European Union, everyone around the world, please, support us in our fight for freedom!” Irina from #GeorgiaProtests: Why people in #Georgia are taking to the streets

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 13, 2024 at 12:25 PM

A joint protest march of IT, HR, trainers, finance, marketers, PR, and creative industry representatives moved down Pekini Avenue, completely blocking traffic.

Photo: IPN

18:00

#GeorgiaProtests

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 9:28 AM

Lawyers protesting at the Supreme Court, wineries and musicians marching together towards the Freedom Square. Everyone is out in Tbilisi today, all day. Videos attached below. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 10:28 AM

Lawyers at the Supreme Court.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 10:28 AM

Wineries and musicians together.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 10:28 AM

“The first Europeans,” nicknamed Zezva and Mzia, have been found in the Georgian town of Dmanisi. Today, Dmanisi entrance was illuminated with the depiction of Zezva and Mzia with the 🇬🇪🇪🇺 flags. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 5:51 PM

17:00

#GeorgiaProtests #terrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 8:28 AM

#GeorgiaProtests

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 8:29 AM

Two persons from the Supreme Council of Abkhazia (the de jure institution) who are part of the electoral colleague that will be electing the new, illegitimate President in the morning, refuse to participate in the illegitimate farce and the installation of a “mentally Russian.”

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 5:03 PM

A pro-European protest rally is taking place in #Batumi today, December 13, marking the 15th consecutive day, despite strong winds and torrential rain interrupting.

#GeorgiaProtests

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 13, 2024 at 1:32 PM

The EU/Europe:

Agree with Franz here & will reiterate: A ceasefire for sake of ceasefire isn’t enough & is short-sighted. Russia will regroup, rearm & attack again. It’s in US & EU interests to help Ukraine & in fact go beyond what it’s provided already to secure a lasting peace with real security assurances.

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 5:29 AM

If it is, several states, including Germany, must establish bilateral security agreements with Ukraine, incorporating mutual defense commitments, potentially including troop deployments, as long as Ukraine remains outside NATO, to freeze the conflict and act as a deterrent.

— Franz-Stefan Gady (@hoanssolo.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 4:15 AM

Otherwise, a future war is likely, as Russia will inevitably attack Ukraine again, having failed in its primary objective of installing a pro-Russian government.

— Franz-Stefan Gady (@hoanssolo.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 4:15 AM

In my personal opinion, defense commitments to freeze the conflict will likely be difficult to achieve without robust European forces on the ground in Ukraine.

— Franz-Stefan Gady (@hoanssolo.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 4:15 AM

I agree with the need for the security agreements. Freezing the conflict, however, is a strategically bad idea. It rewards Putin for his genocidal irredentism and attempts to level in order to remake the global system. Putin understands one thing: force. Break his nose, repeatedly knock him on his ass, kick his ribs and head in over and over, then, and only then, will you get behavioral change. The US under four different presidents have tried a variety of carrots, have tried to accommodate his concerns and all they have to show for it is genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and a world war.

Rare video of Su-27 fighter of the Ukrainian Air Force dropping four GBU-39 SDB on Russian targets.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 12:38 PM

The Donetsk Area of Responsibility:

Ukraine’s military leadership has fired the commander who oversaw its operations in the eastern Donetsk region, where Kyiv’s defences are buckling as Russia advances westward. A Ukrainian official confirmed to me that Oleksandr Lutsenko had been removed from his post… on.ft.com/4fgxsMb

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 2:36 PM

From The Financial Times:

Ukraine’s military leadership has fired the commander who oversaw its operations in the eastern Donetsk region, where Kyiv’s defences are buckling as Russia pushes towards a key logistics hub.

A Ukrainian official confirmed to the Financial Times on Friday that Oleksandr Lutsenko had been removed from his position as commander of the Donetsk operational and tactical group.

Ukraine’s forces, under Lutsenko’s command, had failed to stop Russia’s sweeping offensive that has taken an area roughly half the size of London in just the past month. The official said Lutsenko would be given another post in the army’s ground forces. He has been replaced by Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi.

Earlier on Friday Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrsky, said from a command centre near the city of Pokrovsk — the heart of the eastern Donetsk operation and a key logistical hub for the army — that battles were raging against a Russian army “superior . . . primarily in manpower”.

“The battles are extremely tough,” Syrsky said. “The Russians are throwing all available forces forward, trying to break through the defence of our troops.”

Deep State, a Ukrainian war-tracking group close to the defence ministry, said Ukrainian troops defending four villages south of Pokrovsk were under threat of encirclement, with Russian forces attacking “from all sides”.

Ukraine’s largest steelmaker, Metinvest, also announced the suspension of operations at the only mine producing coking coal in the country after Russian forces pushed to within 2km of the site near Pokrovsk, according to a company memo.

The mine produced around half of Metinvest’s total Ukrainian coal extraction volumes and is a source of the type of coal needed to produce coke, which is essential for steel manufacturing. Metinvest said it had evacuated core personnel and their family members from the site.

Russian forces have recently been advancing at their fastest pace since 2022 and their current focus is Pokrovsk, as well as the key towns of Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka to the south. The area is near three major highways that run to the Dnipropetrovsk region and the city of Dnipro, which is crucial to the Ukrainian military’s operations across much of the 1,000km frontline.

Underscoring the dire situation facing Ukraine’s army on the eastern front, Syrsky warned that he would have to soon resort to making “non-standard decisions to increase the stability of the defence and more effectively destroy the occupiers”.

⚡️ Ukraine resisting Russian encirclement attempts at 4 Donetsk Oblast villages, military says.

Ukrainian forces are repelling Russian assaults near Uspenivka, Hannivka, Trudove, and Romanivka in Donetsk Oblast, the Khortytsia group of forces said.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 13, 2024 at 8:56 AM

The statement comes as analysts raise concerns about a growing risk of Ukrainian units being encircled in the area.

— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 13, 2024 at 8:56 AM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Ukrainian forces are repelling Russian assaults near Uspenivka, Hannivka, Trudove, and Romanivka in Donetsk Oblast and “are taking necessary measures” to prevent encirclement, the Khortytsia group of forces reported on Dec. 13.

The statement comes as analysts raise concerns about a growing risk of Ukrainian units being encircled in the area.

The DeepState monitoring group reported on Dec. 12 that Russian forces are intensifying their assault on Uspenivka, 43 kilometers (26 miles) from occupied Donetsk. Russia has reportedly gained control of key routes between Uspenivka and Hannivka, threatening to cut off Ukrainian units in what has been dubbed the Uspenivka pocket.

The sector lies roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of the front-line town of Pokrovsk and 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of occupied Vuhledar.

The Khortytsia group cautioned against “emotional interpretations” of the battlefield situation, saying that such reactions could complicate the situation and benefit Russian forces.

According to the official statement, the Ukrainian military repelled Russian assaults on the outskirts of settlements.

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has previously described the ongoing Russian offensive as “one of the most powerful” since the full-scale invasion began.

Throughout the autumn, Russian forces have made operational gains in southern Donetsk Oblast, particularly near Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, and Kupiansk, while advancing on Russian soil in Kursk Oblast.

Kharkiv:

Wonderful Kharkiv💫

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 10:29 AM

Kyiv:

People in Kyiv taking shelter in the metro: Russian cruise missiles reported heading for the Ukrainian capital.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 12:58 AM

The 🇺🇦 Food Train rolls into Kyiv 😃

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— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 12:28 PM

Zaporizhzia:

Horrific moment of the russian missile strike on the clinic in Zaporizhzhia that killed 11 people and injured many more.

Missile arrived in 1 minute and 33 seconds, giving people no chance to hide.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 1:10 PM

Oryol, Russia:

Russian oil depot in under kamikare drone attack. Oryol, Russia.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 6:20 PM

Orel, russia. Oli depot is celebrating Friday night

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 5:06 PM

The Kyiv Independent has the details:

Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Ukrainian drones reportedly struck an oil depot in the city of Oryol overnight on Dec. 14, causing a large fire, Russian Telegram channels reported.

Explosions were reported by residents in the city around midnight local time.

Videos posted on social media and shot by local residents appear to show a drone hitting a storage tank and causing an explosions at an oil depot in Oryol. Local residents claimed that at least one storage tank caught fire as a result of the attack, ASTRA reported.

Local Russian officials have not yet commented on the alleged attack, and it was not immediately clear which oil depot was targeted in the attack.

The Kyiv Independent cannot verify the claims and Ukraine’s military has not yet commented on the alleged attack.

The full extent of the damage was not immediately known, and it is unclear if there are any casualties as a result of the alleged attack.

As Russia’s full-scale invasion continues, Ukraine has also continued to attack Russian targets along the Russia-Ukraine border to inflict damage to the country’s military supply chain.

Overnight on Dec. 11, Ukrainian forces struck a Druzhba oil loading pipeline near the city of Bryansk, setting it on fire, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported.

Oryol Oblast is located in western Russia, and borders Kursk region to the southwest, Bryansk region to the northwest, and Tula region to the east.

Over the past year, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia’s oil industry, which is crucial to sustain Moscow’s war efforts, as well as its military hardware.

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron tweets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

A herd of pigs inspects a Ukrainian FPV drone that sits in ambush waiting for Russian vehicles or infantry to approach
t.me/serhii_flash…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 6:33 AM

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,024: Russian Drone Swarms Followed by MissilesPost + Comments (14)

TONYG on The Elite Impunity Crisis (Nov 14, 2025 @ 12:29pm)

FDRLincoln on The Elite Impunity Crisis (Nov 14, 2025 @ 12:23pm)

Bugboy on The Elite Impunity Crisis (Nov 14, 2025 @ 12:23pm)

Rocks on The Elite Impunity Crisis (Nov 14, 2025 @ 12:22pm)

comrade scotts agenda of rage on The Elite Impunity Crisis (Nov 14, 2025 @ 12:22pm)

This chaos was totally avoidable.

A tremendous foreign policy asset… to all of our adversaries.

Every one of the “Roberts Six” lied to get on the court.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

We are aware of all internet traditions.

With all due respect and assumptions of good faith, please fuck off into the sun.

Of course you can have champagne before noon. That’s why orange juice was invented.

To the privileged, equality seems like oppression.

Fear and negativity are contagious, but so is courage!

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

Narcissists are always shocked to discover other people have agency.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

The willow is too close to the house.

A democracy can’t function when people can’t distinguish facts from lies.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

The low info voters probably won’t even notice or remember by their next lap around the goldfish bowl.

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

Seems like a complicated subject, have you tried yelling at it?

You don’t get rid of your umbrella while it’s still raining.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

Roe is not about choice. It is about freedom.

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

How Eager These Men Are to Become Slaves

Sunday Morning Open Thread: Sentimental Gesture

War for Ukraine Day 1,025: A Brief Saturday Night Update

Today, We Already Have Preliminary Data That the Russians Have Begun to Use North Korean Soldiers in Their Assaults – Address by the President

Saturday Evening Open Thread: The Real Horror of DEI

Lazy Saturday Open Thread

Saturday Morning Open Thead: We Are Not Resigned

War for Ukraine Day 1,024: Russian Drone Swarms Followed by Missiles

This Is a Deliberate, Cynical Russian Terror Aimed Specifically at Our People: Each Missile Targeted a Particular Energy Facility – Address by the President