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Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

The lights are all blinking red.

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

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

Give the craziest people you know everything they want and hope they don’t ask for more? Great plan.

You cannot shame the shameless.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

I have other things to bitch about but those will have to wait.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires Republicans to act in good faith.

This fight is for everything.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

I don’t recall signing up for living in a dystopian sci-fi novel.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

Sadly, media malpractice has become standard practice.

The desire to stay informed is directly at odds with the need to not be constantly enraged.

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

One of our two political parties is a cult whose leader admires Vladimir Putin.

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

Republicans: The threats are dire, but my tickets are non-refundable!

Today in our ongoing national embarrassment…

Trump should be leading, not lying.

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

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Open Thread:  Hey Lurkers!  (Holiday Post)

Open Threads

You are here: Home / Archives for Open Threads

Thursday Evening Open Thread: “A Verdict Has Been Reached… “ GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY!

by Anne Laurie|  May 30, 20244:54 pm| 379 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Trumpery

BREAKING: Verdict reached in Trump criminal trial and the jury will present its decision shortly. pic.twitter.com/SCZ40JCnPX

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) May 30, 2024

… And will be announced “immanently”, or maybe in half an hour?

BREAKING: Jury reaches a verdict in former President Trump’s hush money trial.https://t.co/wV7RR1xKc3 pic.twitter.com/lpPC7Nh3zo

— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 30, 2024

The jury in the Trump hush money trial has reached a verdict. Here’s why that’s bad news for Joe Biden.

— New York Times Pitchbot (@DougJBalloon) May 30, 2024

ETA:
From the BBC’s liveblog:

Thursday Evening Open Thread: "A Verdict Has Been Reached... "
(H/t Trollhattan)

ETA Again:
Thursday Evening Open Thread: "A Verdict Has Been Reached... " 1

Thursday Evening Open Thread: <del>“A Verdict Has Been Reached… “</del> GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY!Post + Comments (379)

I Guess 20 Years Wasn’t Quite Long Enough! Open Thread

by WaterGirl|  May 30, 20243:39 pm| 119 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

I don’t have much to say about this other than that I hope this hurts Trump with at least some potential voters.

You can read the story at the link, listen to the audio version, or check out the transcript.  (Transcript does not appear to be complete, but I only glanced at it.)

The Donald Trump I Saw on The Apprentice

For 20 years, I couldn’t say what I watched the former president do on the set of the show that changed everything. Now I can.

BY BILL PRUITT

On Jan. 8, 2004, just more than 20 years ago, the first episode of The Apprentice aired. It was called “Meet the Billionaire,” and 18 million people watched. The episodes that followed climbed to roughly 20 million each week. A staggering 28 million viewers tuned in to watch the first season finale. The series won an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, and the Television Critics Association called it one of the best TV shows of the year, alongside The Sopranos and Arrested Development. The series—alongside its bawdy sibling, The Celebrity Apprentice—appeared on NBC in coveted prime-time slots for more than a decade.

The Apprentice was an instant success in another way too. It elevated Donald J. Trump from sleazy New York tabloid hustler to respectable household name. In the show, he appeared to demonstrate impeccable business instincts and unparalleled wealth, even though his businesses had barely survived multiple bankruptcies and faced yet another when he was cast. By carefully misleading viewers about Trump—his wealth, his stature, his character, and his intent—the competition reality show set about an American fraud that would balloon beyond its creators’ wildest imaginations.

I should know. I was one of four producers involved in the first two seasons. During that time, I signed an expansive nondisclosure agreement that promised a fine of $5 million and even jail time if I were to ever divulge what actually happened. It expired this year.

No one involved in The Apprentice—from the production company or the network, to the cast and crew—was involved in a con with malicious intent. It was a TV show, and it was made for entertainment. I still believe that. But we played fast and loose with the facts, particularly regarding Trump, and if you were one of the 28 million who tuned in, chances are you were conned.

As Trump answers for another of his alleged deception schemes in New York and gears up to try to persuade Americans to elect him again, in part thanks to the myth we created, I can finally tell you what making Trump into what he is today looked like from my side. Most days were revealing. Some still haunt me, two decades later.

Transcript

What do you think?  Timing is everything; can this hurt Trump?

 

I Guess 20 Years Wasn’t Quite Long Enough! Open ThreadPost + Comments (119)

Jury Questions Give Me Hope That This Is a (mostly) Sensible Jury

by WaterGirl|  May 30, 202412:50 pm| 157 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Politics, Trump Indictments, Trump’s NY Criminal Trial

I think I am more hopeful that Trump will be found guilty than most of you.  I don’t always have to be right, but I sure hope I am this time!

First president in 28 years to not serve a second term.

First president in 45 years not to release any of his tax returns.

First president in 89 years to lose the presidency, the House and the Senate in a single term.

First president in 102 years to allow more than 120,000… pic.twitter.com/6R1JI7onoW

— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) May 29, 2024

  1. First president in 28 years to not serve a second term.
  2. First president in 45 years not to release any of his tax returns.
  3. First president in 89 years to lose the presidency, the House and the Senate in a single term.
  4. First president in 102 years to allow more than 120,000 Americans to die in a single virus outbreak.
  5. First president in 129 years to lose the popular vote twice.
  6. First president in 152 years to boycott his successors inauguration.
  7. First president ever to fail to hit a 50% approval rating at any point during their presidency.
  8. First president ever to be elected with the help of a foreign nation.
  9. First president ever to be impeached twice.
  10. *First president ever to have a member of their own party vote for conviction in an impeachment trial.
  11. First president ever to have an arrest warrant issued against him by a foreign nation.
  12. First president ever to refuse to concede defeat. First president to be banned from social media.
  13. First president to refuse to ensure the peaceful transfer of power.
  14. First president to have their home searched for official national security documents.
  15. First former president found liable of sexual abuse, defamation & business fraud.
  16. First former president criminally indicted (also the second, third and fourth).
  17. First former president with a mugshot.
  18. First former president to await a jury’s verdict as the defendant in a criminal trial.
  19. So many firsts, so much winning. He must be sick of it.
  20. ?

*#8 gets an asterisk because Nixon and Reagan conspired against the US with other countries in order to get elected.

*#10 has been deemed incorrect by a commenter, with a reference to Andrew Johnson.  Disputed by Baud.

What’s everyone up to today?

Is spring gardening kicking anyone else’s butt?

 

Jury Questions Give Me Hope That This Is a (mostly) Sensible JuryPost + Comments (157)

While We Wait Open Thread: Carson Dies More Often Than Kenny*

by TaMara|  May 30, 202410:40 am| 94 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

Because of the way FB works, I’ll be forever grateful my cousin follows this group and liked a bunch of Carson is Dead – Again videos. Carson is a rescue opossum at the For Fox Sake Wildlife rescue in TN, and he is VERY DRAMATIC. While most possums will fake death when threatened, Carson fakes death if you look at him. So the videos of his vet checks went viral.

ETA: Forgot to say he was just released with 3 others, this week. And yes, he did “die” before he finally left his crate. They had to watch with binoculars to make sure he was finally on his way.

 

@forfoxsakewildlife Carson dies again. #wildliferescue #opossum ♬ Funeral Choir – Marc Straight


I LOVE that they made him a little coffin enclosure and added the funereal music.

@forfoxsakewildlife Carson dies again. #opossum #wildliferescue ♬ Church pipe organ & chorus – PeriTune

Here he is on CNN, with a bit more explanation.  Carson is dead again   (you’ll have to click over, but it’s worth it)

=========

Now we’re going to not only change lanes, but hit the gas because Randy Rainbow has a new video on MTG

show full post on front page

==========

And finally, Sam Bently makes me smile again with his good news roundup for May.

===========

Here’s the cuteness in my life right now:

May be an image of cat
Reggie and Trixie chillin’

I have got to get video together so you an see Reggie’s little hop, not that it stops him from anything, and of him and Jasper playing “attack the tail”. Maybe this weekend.

*a South Park reference

This is an open thread while we wait to see that the jury does today.

 

While We Wait Open Thread: Carson Dies More Often Than Kenny*Post + Comments (94)

Thursday Morning Open Thread: News the Media Can Use

by Anne Laurie|  May 30, 20248:40 am| 182 Comments

This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, Nature & Respite, Open Threads, President Biden, Proud to Be A Democrat

Pandas!

It’s official: the pandas are coming to D.C.!

Alongside @FLOTUS, we’re thrilled to announce that by the end of this year, the Zoo will once again be home to two giant pandas. #DCPandas pic.twitter.com/BGJjjaUVve

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) May 29, 2024

Now, if they could just work up a similar level of enthusiasm for Democrats…

Biden was asked by a reporter today if he would serve four more years if reelected or hand over power to Kamala Harris.

Biden asked the reporter if they were OK: “Did you fall on your head or something?”

— Shawna Mizelle (@shawnamizelle) May 29, 2024

NBC: There's positive news for the economy. Consumer confidence is rising, signaling that Americans are feeling better about where things stand pic.twitter.com/knBKCRHY6q

— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) May 30, 2024

Promises made, promises kept ? pic.twitter.com/kEX5A4nmwT

— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) May 29, 2024

show full post on front page

President Biden: Because Black Americans voted, I am President. Because you voted, Kamala Harris is a historic Vice President. Because you voted, Donald Trump is a defeated former president. And with your vote in 2024, we will make Donald Trump a loser again pic.twitter.com/kL8uWNjNqW

— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) May 29, 2024

Biden touts marijuana decriminalization, implementing key aspects of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act despite Republican obstruction, relieving student debt, and reshaping the federal judiciary by appointing Black women pic.twitter.com/xkCqMADv0Z

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 29, 2024

Then vote for Joe Biden https://t.co/Ef7z3s76FX

— vituperativeerb (@vituperativeerb) May 29, 2024

Thursday Morning Open Thread: News the Media Can UsePost + Comments (182)

Late Night Open Thread: The Cultists Are Uneasy

by Anne Laurie|  May 30, 20242:43 am| 215 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Republican Stupidity, Republicans in Disarray!, Trumpery

Did Eric just say he’s confident they are going to win because they’re white?

?? @ScooterCasterNY pic.twitter.com/n59lY0oSnX

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 28, 2024

Vox populi numbers not looking great for TFG…

STOP THE COUNT pic.twitter.com/EyP22ahI3t

— Finnegans Take (@LittleMammith) May 29, 2024


Late Night Open Thread:  The Cultists Are Uneasy

show full post on front page

Trump supporters are now CRYING as they pray for him outside of the courtroom during jury deliberations. It’s a cult. These people absolutely need to seek help. This is insane. pic.twitter.com/BcNptfTG01

— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) May 29, 2024

The mood in MAGA land right now:

"Run bro" pic.twitter.com/FAASuOQwm6

— Peter Henlein (@SwissWatchGuy) May 29, 2024

If ‘the worst’ *should* happen, J.D. Vance will deny Trump three times before cockcrow:

A strongly worded letter after the trial is over to DOJ. Vance really knows how to get things done. pic.twitter.com/aaI2TWTala

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 29, 2024

Trump press secretary says their Project 2025 agenda will seek “revenge” on those who oppose Trump, adding that criticizing Trump is a “crime” that requires “justice” pic.twitter.com/HDUNeaIRsF

— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) May 30, 2024

Not the best Downfall parody I’ve seen, but I did snort-laugh at the Melania line…

Downfall: The Jury Deliberates pic.twitter.com/8M3alG4Glt

— FriendlyKozak ???? (@KvotheTheArcane) May 29, 2024

Late Night Open Thread: The Cultists Are UneasyPost + Comments (215)

War for Ukraine Day 826: Air Raid Alerts Up Over Most of Ukraine

by Adam L Silverman|  May 29, 20248:09 pm| 17 Comments

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

A screen grab of the air raid alert map of Ukraine from 7:13 PM EDT on 29 MAY 2024. Air raid warnings are up over almost all of central Ukraine from the eastern border with Russia to the central oblasts/regions.

(Air Raid Alert Map of Ukraine as of 7:13 PM EDT on 29 MAY 2024)

Quick housekeeping note: The girls are doing fine. Rosie is acting/being more her normal self than before she was diagnosed. Her next chemo treatment is on this coming Monday, which will be the first treatment of the second round. Until then there’s not much to report. Thank you all again very much for the good thoughts, well wishes, prayers, and donations!

Also, it’s been a long couple of days, so I’m going to try to keep tonight’s update shorter.

As you can see from the map, most of Ukraine is under air raid warnings right now.

Kharkiv is being attacked as I write this:

Several explosions reported in Kharkiv! Right now, russian forces are attacking the night city with missiles!

— Iryna Voichuk (@IrynaVoichuk) May 29, 2024

As are several other oblasts and cities:

Currently, several oblasts of Ukraine are under attack by russian Shahed drones. Moreover, monitoring channels are reporting the takeoff of russian Tu-95 bombers, meaning that early this morning Ukraine is likely to be under massive missile attack.

— Iryna Voichuk (@IrynaVoichuk) May 29, 2024

The Tu-95 “Bear” bombers are what is most likely responsible for the air raid warnings being posted so far west.

Sumy Oblast was also attacked again earlier today.

Russians mount 17 attacks on border areas in #Sumy Oblast, killing and injuring civilians
🔗 https://t.co/XN48GescyZ#Druzhba #IOC #IOCmedia #Putyvl #RoadToParis2024 #Russia #SeredynaBuda #BBCBreaking #GBNews pic.twitter.com/xCo2RRLacR

— European Media News 24 (@europeanMedia24) May 29, 2024

From Ukrainska Pravda:

The Russian army launched 17 attacks on settlements in Sumy Oblast on 29 May. In total, 68 explosions were documented.

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration

Details: In the afternoon, the Russian army launched a missile attack on the Krasnopillia hromada [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]. Two people are reported to have been killed. The number of people injured has risen to five.

One person was injured in a mortar attack in the Seredyna-Buda hromada, where three explosions were recorded.

In the Myropillia hromada, the Russians launched artillery attacks. Two explosions were documented. In the Esman hromada, there was a mortar attack (four explosions).

In the Shalyhyne hromada, Russia dropped 14 mines. The Russians attacked the Druzhba hromada using multiple-launch rocket systems (11 explosions). A mortar attack was recorded in the Putyvl hromada (17 explosions).

In the Velyka Pysarivka hromada, the Russians mounted attacks using UAVs (four explosions) and a mortar (eight explosions).

The Kyiv Independent also has details on yesterday’s attacks:

Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast 81 times in 23 separate attacks throughout the day, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on May 28.

The communities of Bilopillia, Khotin, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Berezivka, Seredyna-Buda, Novoslobidske, Putyvl, Hlukhiv, and Esman, were targeted.

Throughout the day, Russia assailed the border communities with mortar, drone, and artillery attacks, while also dropping explosives from drones onto a community.

No casualties or injuries were reported.

The town of Velyka Pysarivka, located about 3 kilometers west of the Ukraine-Russia border, experienced the bulk of the attacks reported with 19 explosions recorded in the area.

Given the town’s proximity to Russia, Velyka Pysarivka has become a main target of attack for Russia over recent months. Much of the community’s infrastructure has been destroyed by Russian attacks.

Russian strikes against Sumy Oblast have become increasingly destructive in recent months. Amid intensified attacks, Ukrainian authorities ordered increased evacuations from the region.

Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on May 14 he expects Russia to launch a new attack in Sumy Oblast once the situation in Kharkiv Oblast stabilized, the New York Times reported.

Officials from Ukraine’s Border Guard service later said that Russia does not have enough troops on the Sumy Oblast border to launch a major attack on the region.

Shelling is a daily occurrence for the communities near Ukraine’s northeastern border with Russia, with residents in the region’s vulnerable border settlements experience multiple attacks per day.

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

show full post on front page

Russia Is No Longer in a Position to Disrupt the Global Peace Summit, Although It Is Trying Hard to Do So – the Address by the President

29 May 2024 – 20:29

Dear Ukrainians!

Today we are grateful to Sweden: there is a new and very significant military package for our warriors. It is a substantial reinforcement. Yesterday, on my way to Ukraine after my working visit, I spoke with Mr. Prime Minister Kristersson about both the situation on the battlefield and our current needs. We are working at maximum capacity to make our air defense system more effective, and Sweden is providing Ukraine with special radar surveillance aircraft; armored vehicles and ammunition are also part of this package. The whole package is worth almost €1.2 billion. Thank you, Sweden! It is one of our most principled partners, and it is thanks to Sweden that thousands of lives have already been saved in Ukraine.

Today I also received reports from the Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of the General Staff, and the Minister of Defense of our state on the current situation on the front, on our actions. Attention is being paid to all directions, especially the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions in the Donetsk region, as well as the Kupyansk and other directions in the Kharkiv region. I am grateful to each unit that is doing everything necessary to stabilize the situation on the front. We are also preparing for any further enemy activity – we clearly understand what tasks Putin sets for his army and for what purpose. We will respond to him – for sure. And we are also preparing our diplomatic responses to Russia’s attempts to undermine the Peace Summit, which begins in two weeks. Russia is no longer in a position to disrupt the summit, although it is trying very hard to do so. It is putting pressure on leaders, openly threatening various states with destabilization. And this is one of the consequences of the world giving the terrorist state too much time. Unfortunately, evil knows how to adapt, and now it is using its means to divide the world and prevent Russia from being forced into peace. But we already have almost a hundred states and international organizations joining us in this global effort.

Today I held a long meeting with all our officials involved in the preparations for the Summit. The team of the Office and the government officials were present – the Prime Minister and the Ministers; the Verkhovna Rada was also represented – the Chairman of the Parliament is now in contact with many countries through interparliamentary relations. I have given them the task of providing detailed information on an almost daily basis about the states that still need our work to attend the Summit and the states that have already confirmed their participation – to make the Summit as effective as it needs to be to bring real peace closer. I thank all the leaders who are helping! I am grateful to everyone in the world who is literally on the phone these days, in constant contact, in negotiations, so that this global format can become an example – an example of how the joint work of different nations of the world can restore the effectiveness of the UN Charter and force the aggressor into peace.

Today I spoke with the Prime Minister of Australia, and Australia has also confirmed its participation in the Summit. I also spoke with the UN Secretary-General about the preparations for the Summit, about how important it is for the UN system to be effective and for the UN to always be part of genuine peacekeeping efforts. And from now on, every day will be just as active in our international work for the sake of Ukraine – for the sake of our independence, our peace.

Glory to Ukraine!

Today, I had my weekly phone conversation with US @SecDef Lloyd Austin.

We discussed the current situation at the front.

Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi reported in detail about the situation on the battlefield.

I separately informed my American colleague about the mobilization…

— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) May 29, 2024

Today, I had my weekly phone conversation with US @SecDef Lloyd Austin.

We discussed the current situation at the front.

Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi reported in detail about the situation on the battlefield.

I separately informed my American colleague about the mobilization efforts and recovery of our combat brigades.

We continue to focus on the issue of air defense and ammunition.

russia continues to use guided aerial bombs along the entire front line. I also emphasized that Ukraine should have the right to strike enemy territory.

I am grateful to our American partners for their constant support.

Together, to victory! 🇺🇦🇺🇸

This is interesting:

A group of former high-ranking NATO commanders wrote an open letter with demands to provide Ukraine with maximum military aid and issuing the risks of Ukraine’s potential defeat on the battlefield. Main demands are in the thread below pic.twitter.com/T1832iWFzz

— SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre (@StratcomCentre) May 29, 2024

Here’s the full text of the letter:

29.05.2024 13:59

Open Letter – Ukraine and Global Security

A group of former high-ranking NATO commanders wrote an open letter with demands to provide Ukraine with maximum military aid and issuing the risks of Ukraine’s potential defeat on the battlefield. Full text is in the text below.

As NATO’s 75th Anniversary approaches, we undersigned call upon Western leaders to urgently
deliver the military assistance needed to ensure that Ukraine can withstand the ongoing brutal assault from Russia, restore its sovereign borders, and build a strong democracy with a modernized military force that will deter future Russian aggression. Global security hangs in the balance.

Now into the third year of this illegal war, Ukraine’s ability to continue its successful defense against
Russian aggression and one of the largest militaries in the world is endangered. The ongoing reduction of Western assistance will leave Ukraine with no chance to withstand this existential struggle and the military defeat of Ukraine’s Armed Forces could happen within months.

Ukraine chose the path of democracy and rejected Russian authoritarianism with security assurances from Western partners that, if left unfulfilled, would represent a historic betrayal and the almost certain eradication of the Ukrainian people and their culture. Russia’s leadership does not hide its plans to destroy Ukraine as an independent state, which it previously attempted in the 1932-33 Holodomor that resulted in the deaths of millions of innocent Ukrainians. Hundreds of thousands more will die trying to defeat Russia’s current invasion, and millions will be forced to leave Ukraine and become refugees.

Despite this obvious tragedy, the consequences of the defeat of Ukraine will be much more serious to global stability and will imperil Western civilization. The reluctance and lack of courage by the West to support Ukraine will inevitably be perceived by other authoritarian regimes as an invitation to use military expansionism, resulting in other costly wars. Losing confidence in the U.S. as the leader of the free world, weaker states will seek to guarantee their security through arrangements with Russia and China. As European countries discover the fragility of NATO’s symbolic deterrence, they will also pivot away from American influence and seek alternate security agreements. This could lead to the demise of the Western Alliance and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The West can still act to avoid this perilous but highly possible outcome. Ukraine’s spirit is indomitable, and Ukrainians have proven repeatedly that they can effectively contain and defeat Russia on the battlefield, even in the face of Russian superiority in forces and means. Yet, the epochal threat posed by Russia cannot be answered with platitudes or hollow concepts. Rather, we call upon the leaders of all NATO states to immediately undertake the following actions:

  1. Unblock all military assistance to Ukraine, including the accelerated delivery of critical combat systems, innovative battlefield technologies, priority training efforts, and needed replenishment of Ukraine’s operational stocks of all scales of ammunition and spare parts.
  2. At the upcoming NATO Summit, announce NATO’s intention to support Ukraine until its sovereignty and territorial integrity have been restored, and provide Ukraine a pathway for accession to the Alliance.
  3. In the meantime, like the recent Estonian pledge, conclude bilateral long-term security agreements with Ukraine, which commit Ukraine’s Western partners to permanent military and technical assistance.

If, by the time of NATO’s 75th Anniversary, Western leaders have not committed to providing Ukraine the resources that it urgently requires, the betrayal of Ukraine will signal to Russia and other potential antagonists that the Alliance lacks the strategic commitment, internal fortitude, and collective will to defend the sovereignty of its member nations. For Ukraine’s survival and NATO’s continued relevance, there is no substitute for a Ukrainian victory.

General Sir Alexander Richard David Shirreff, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (2011-2014)
General Riho Terras, Chief of Defense of Estonia (2011-2018)
Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, The U.S. Army Europe Commander (2014-2017)
Lieutenant General Mark Phillip Hertling, The U.S. Army Europe Commander (2011-2012)
Major General Michael Repass, The U.S. Special Operations Command Europe Commander (2010-2013)
Major General Riho Ühtegi, The Estonian Special Operations Force Commander (2012-2019)
Bundeswehr Brigadier General (ret.) Klaus Wittmann
Janusz Onyszkiewicz, Minister of Defense of Poland (1992-1993, 1997-2000).

Sweden:

Sweden announced a new military aid package to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. It’s the largest package from Sweden, valued at €1.16 billion.

The package includes ASC 890 Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft, as well as Rb 99 AMRAAM missiles. Sweden will also donate its… pic.twitter.com/RA6hRXBDFA

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 29, 2024

Sweden announced a new military aid package to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. It’s the largest package from Sweden, valued at €1.16 billion.

The package includes ASC 890 Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft, as well as Rb 99 AMRAAM missiles. Sweden will also donate its entire stock of PBV 302 armored tracked personnel carriers and surplus tank vehicles from the armed forces.

We express our deep gratitude to our Swedish partners for their unwavering support! Your support is crucial for Ukraine’s fight for freedom.
🇺🇦🤝🇸🇪
@ForsvarsdepSv
@PlJonson

This is a really big deal!

A completely new capability to strengthen Ukraine’s collective air defence.

Read more: https://t.co/J2eOYlBPtz pic.twitter.com/0CSbXp3dHU

— Sweden in Ukraine (@SwedeninUA) May 29, 2024

From the Government Offices of Sweden:

Military support package 16 to Ukraine – new capability to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence and support to meet its prioritised needs

Published 29 May 2024

Today, 29 May, the Government is presenting its 16th and largest military support package to Ukraine to date since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. Sweden will provide Ukraine with a completely new capability to strengthen its collective air defence. The package, which will be part of an upcoming additional amending budget, amounts to SEK 13.3 billion and will meet Ukraine’s prioritised needs.

Ukraine’s needs remain immense and Russia is currently putting pressure on several fronts, intensifying its air strikes against both military and civilian objects. The Government will therefore provide Ukraine with another record military support package. Sweden’s support will contribute to strengthening Ukraine’s joint military capability.

Sweden will send Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft (ASC 890) to Ukraine and thus strengthen its air defence capability. Sweden will donate its entire stock of armoured tracked personnel carriers (PBV 302) to support the reconstruction of new Ukrainian brigades. Sweden will also donate artillery ammunition and resources for maintenance of previously donated materiel.

Since Russia’s brutal war of aggression began in February 2022, Sweden has provided SEK 43.5 billion in support.

Air defence

The support package will include Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft (ASC 890), which will provide Ukraine with a completely new capability against both airborne and maritime targets. Ukraine’s capability to identify and engage targets at long range will be strengthened. The package will also include a holistic solution that involves training, technical equipment and methodological support for air surveillance and command and control.

The donation will entail a temporary decrease of Sweden’s defence capability, which will be addressed by procuring additional S 106 GlobalEye aircraft and advancing previous orders for two new GlobalEye aircraft.

To further strengthen Ukraine’s air defence, the support package will also include the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (RB 99-AMRAAM), which can be used on aircraft and in ground-based air defence systems. The missiles will be redesigned to suit ground-based anti-aircraft systems. Meanwhile, Sweden will purchase new missiles to replace the donated ones.

Ammunition

Ukrainian field units are short on artillery ammunition. The package will include an addition of 155 mm artillery shells to increase Ukraine’s capability to combat Russian units in the depths of the battlefield.

The donation will entail a temporary decrease of Sweden’s defence capability, which will be addressed by procuring replacement grenades.

Strengthened reconstruction of new Ukrainian brigades

The Ukrainian army is organising a number of new brigades and therefore needs armoured vehicles for infantry companies. Therefore, Sweden will donate its entire stock of PBV 302, including spare parts, maintenance equipment and ammunition.

The donation will entail a temporary decrease of Sweden’s defence capability, which will be addressed by procuring replacement armoured vehicles.

Financial support, satellite communications, maintenance, tank vehicles and research

The 16th military support package will also contain the following:

  • Surplus fuel transport vehicles from the Swedish Armed Forces;
  • maintenance of previously donated Swedish materiel;
  • financial support to capability coalitions;
  • financial support to funds and temporary initiatives to enable swift and large-scale procurement of materiel to Ukraine;
  • in connection with the package, the Swedish Defence Research Agency will be tasked with supporting Ukraine in establishing its own defence research institute;
  • Ukraine’s command and control capability will be further strengthened in the package through a donation of terminals with subscriptions for satellite communications.

Apart from the aircraft, 🇸🇪Sweden gives us all of its Pansarbandvagn 302 IFV – all of them.

As far as I understand, Sweden has over 170 of them.

And also RB 99-AMRAAM missiles.

THIS. IS. ABSOLUTELY. BASED. pic.twitter.com/0v67SKfFMR

— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) May 29, 2024

The Swedes are very clear eyed about the stakes and what is really on the line.

Air power experts have long pointed out that individual planes (F-16s) don’t equate to Western air power, which involves a broad suite of enablers & capabilities. In that regard, Sweden’s donation of an airborne early warning & control aircraft to Ukraine is very important. https://t.co/2IGWRRSShs

— Shashank Joshi (@shashj) May 29, 2024

There has been some concern before about Russian access to Link 16 technology, though an AEWC platform isn’t going to be flying close to the frontlines. https://t.co/zjzH85jmVg

— Shashank Joshi (@shashj) May 29, 2024

Countries that authorized use of their weapons against targets on Russian soil:

– Finland
– UK
– the Netherlands
– France
– Poland
– Czech Republic
– Estonia
– Latvia
– Lithuania
– Sweden
– Denmark
– Canada

Countries that have used nukes in response.

–

— Darth Putin (@DarthPutinKGB) May 29, 2024

So, as of now, about 10 European nations have officially stated that Ukraine can use weapons provided by them to strike legitimate Russian military targets in Russian territory, as per the very basic logic of fighting a war to win.

Will the U.S. administration and Berlin…

— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) May 29, 2024

So, as of now, about 10 European nations have officially stated that Ukraine can use weapons provided by them to strike legitimate Russian military targets in Russian territory, as per the very basic logic of fighting a war to win.

Will the U.S. administration and Berlin continue to stubbornly adhere to artificially imposed restrictions that make no sense and, moreover, directly undermine the possibility of what we all do this for — a Ukrainian victory, the prevention of Russia’s continuing aggressive military expansion in Europe and the coming of just and stable peace?

That is the question.

Germany seems to have provided a muddled answer:

“After months of griping at western capitals barring Ukraine from using their weapons to strike back against targets inside Russia, last night brought a major breakthrough as French President Emmanuel Macron bowed to Zelenskyy’s request, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced… https://t.co/oOvtBFqHv9

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 29, 2024

“After months of griping at western capitals barring Ukraine from using their weapons to strike back against targets inside Russia, last night brought a major breakthrough as French President Emmanuel Macron bowed to Zelenskyy’s request, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced his agreement.”

…

“Scholz, who has been one of the most reticent western leaders on this issue, said Ukraine had every right ‘under international law’ to hit targets in Russia in order to defend itself.”

Important shift by Olaf Scholz:

A person “familiar” with the German gov’s position confirms to POLITICO’s Berlin Playbook that the Chancellor did indeed mean with yesterday’s remark that Ukraine could strike back with Western weapons on Russian soil.https://t.co/yQtt7Ncfs3

— Hans von der Burchard (@vonderburchard) May 29, 2024

Politico EU has the details:

BERLIN — The German government is cautiously ditching its reservations about allowing Ukraine to hit military targets inside Russia with donated arms.

On Tuesday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Ukraine could use German-supplied weapons “within the framework of international law,” which would allow them to be used against an aggressor like Russia, including inside Russian territory.

That wasn’t quite as clear as other countries have been on the topic.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke alongside Scholz on Tuesday, said: “We have to allow [Ukrainians] to neutralize the military sites from which the missiles are fired, but not other civilian or military targets,” adding a limit that’s not in line with what Kyiv wants.

Other countries leave even less ambiguity.

“Polish weapons sent to Ukraine have no limits. Ukrainians can use them as they see fit,” Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said in a Polish radio interview.

Berlin moved on Wednesday to clear up confusion about what Scholz meant to say.

Scholz’s spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit told reporters that Ukraine’s “defensive action is not limited to one’s own territory, but [can] also be expanded to the territory of the aggressor,” while also stressing that he could not reveal precise agreements with Kyiv on using German weapons as they are “confidential.”

Hebestreit further argued that a year-old statement by Scholz, in which he said there was a “consensus” that Ukraine would not use German weapons on Russian soil, had been “a statement of facts” that was true at that moment but did not necessarily apply to the future.

A person familiar with the German government’s position also said that Scholz was in favor of allowing the use of Western weapons against targets inside Russia, without going into detail.

“I find it strange,” Scholz told reporters on Tuesday, “when some people have discussions and say that they [the Ukrainians] are not allowed to defend themselves and take measures that are suitable for this.”

Well that’s clear as mud.

The real issue here is going to be what happens with US weapons systems, weapons, and munitions/ammo. The US has end use agreements in place with the states we do direct MIL-MIL sales and transfers, State Department authorized sales from US defense contractors, and Commerce Department authorized sales for dual use items. Those end use agreements often have prohibitions about under what circumstances US produced defense material can be transferred and used. We will now have to wait and see what the US, and US here means the Biden administration, in terms of whether it joins the ever growing list of its allies and partners and whether it allows US produced defense material that those allies and partners have transferred to Ukraine to be used by the Ukrainians to strike targets in Russia.

Vovochansk, Kharkiv Oblast:

20 days after the beginning of the Russian invasion of northern Kharkiv, the center of #Vovchansk remains under Ukrainian control … and Russia destroys it house by house. pic.twitter.com/X6VPfgFgtV

— Julian Röpcke🇺🇦 (@JulianRoepcke) May 29, 2024

The left bank of the Dnipro:

The occupiers tried to cross the Dnipro and received a “warm welcome” from the warriors of the 79th @DPSU_ua detachment. pic.twitter.com/JwW9pMYf4s

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 29, 2024

Russian occupied Crimea:

Follow us on other channels; support our work: https://t.co/ZFU6CGgMON

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) June 5, 2023

Kharkiv Oblast:

Maxim Tucker of The Times via the Thread Reader App:

In Kharkiv for @thetimes, I encountered an astonishing act of heroism by ‘Drago’ (L), a 24 yr-old special forces officer in Ukraine’s Kraken Detachment. He was awarded a medal for valour for extraordinary actions while holding the Russians for 16 hours at the village of Krasne…Image
Elite Russian Spetznaz had crept into his unit’s rear, he told me: “You could see how professionally and well co-ordinated they were working; it was high-level stuff. They had the latest-model Kalashnikovs and night-vision devices. They covered their movement by accurate fire.” 
Drago was recovering from concussion and second-degree burns at Kraken headquarters in the bombed-out city of Kharkiv as he described his encounter with Russia’s feared special forces. 
Plumes of smoke trailed into the sky above the city as he spoke, marking the aftermath of a Russian air raid on a factory. 
Putin failed to take Kharkiv in the early months of the war and his forces now appear determined to raze the city. Once home to 1.5 million mostly Russian-speaking inhabitants, today it is scarred by flattened apartment blocks and university buildings riddled with shrapnel.Image
Drago and his men had been watching Russian troops massing across the border since last month, powerless to hit their supplies and ammunition with a pre-emptive strike because of a US prohibition on the use of long-range American missiles on Russian soil.Image
“There were a lot of Russians gathering, we could’ve destroyed them coming in but we don’t have many ATACMS and we have a ban on using them there,” he said, shaking his head as he discussed the casualties the US policy cost his unit. “We had to wait for them to cross the border.” 
When the Russians did move into the Kharkiv region, they ran straight into his First Assault Company, specialist night fighters under the command of Ukraine’s military intelligence, HUR. Along with other special forces fighters, they had been redeployed from the Donbas region.Image
The clash triggered a day-long gun battle between elite soldiers at the village of Krasne as the Russians pressed their new offensive against Ukraine’s second-largest city.Image
This account is based on a Kraken commander’s report, Drago’s testimony, and the HUR rationale for awarding him the Order for Courage medal, presented by Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, for “bold and decisive actions in a tactically unfavourable situation”.Image
Russian artillery had opened up at 3am, covering the movement of small groups of specialised infantry. The Spetsnaz bypassed Ukraine’s defensive strongpoints at night, looping back to encircle the Ukrainian troops who held them. 
“They came through the marshes and the trees, almost unnoticed by our attack drones,” said Drago, who was encouraged to join the special forces during his training with the British military last summer.Image
“The adjacent units were newly formed, people who had no combat experience yet. They were next to us, trying to hold the line of defence, but the enemy, consisting of 20 people, came to our rear.” 
Drago tried to shoot his way out of the trenches, but the Russians tossed in grenades, igniting the wooden fortifications and burning both his legs. With the enemy in front and his trenches on fire, the situation seemed hopeless. He called in artillery fire on his own position. 
“It worked. The artillery killed at least three of them and they dropped back. Then our back-up group arrived with machinegunners,” he said. This second team of eight Kraken soldiers tried to provide covering fire from a treeline.Image
But working methodically, the Russians took out their machinegunners. One was killed outright; the other was wounded, shot in the lung and coughing up blood. “At first my mind went empty. It felt so hard to see my friend lying dead on the ground,” he told me: 
“I was drained and devastated that the guy who came here to save us had died.” The men who had been hit were his friends from civilian life, bonded closer by two years of war together. 
“I was trying to pull myself together. I realised I have to be patient, to calm down, and I need to save my other friend’s life.” Drago clambered out of cover to reach the wounded gunner, dragged him into a trench and managed to dress his wound and stabilise him. 
Then he was caught by another grenade and concussed as he called for casualty evacuation. He lost his rifle in the blast, so grabbed a Kalashnikov from a dead Russian and fought on. 
The Russians arrived inside the first dugout, starting a shootout at a distance of only 5m from the second dugout. Drago’s group killed at least two of them. 
The second group of three fell back to another area where the evacuation vehicle was arriving. Badly wounded, Drago and his second group could not make it there before it was forced to leave under heavy fire. 
He called in a second vehicle but the Russians were already in the Ukrainian trenches and the driver could not tell where to go to evacuate Drago and his men. In plain sight of the Russians, Drago decided to stand up over the parapet to signal his position, ignoring the bullets. 
Ordering the driver to park with one hand on the steering wheel and the other firing his rifle at the enemy, Drago covered the evacuation with a smoke grenade, then dragged the wounded machinegunner into the back of the vehicle. 
By the time they pulled away, the Kraken teams had held the Russians at Krasne for 16 hours, buying crucial time for more Ukrainian special forces and assault brigades to take up positions at the village of Lyptsi, where they are fighting fiercely to hold on to high ground.Image
Their task has been made more difficult, HUR officers say, because the US has still not given the go-ahead to use long-range weapons such as ATACMS on Russian soil, despite Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, hinting at lifting those restrictions. 

Donetsk Oblast:

/2. Pieces of RPG-7 munition found on the site of the strike in Donetsk https://t.co/zKnm7lUpd2

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 29, 2024

Tatarigami and his Frontelligence Insight team have a new assessment up regarding the rail line Russia has been constructing between Burne and Malovodne. From the Thread Reader App:

The Frontelligence Insight assesses that Russia is very close to launching the new railroad line between Burne and Malovodne (Donetsk Oblast), likely within weeks or days. The satellite imagery confirms limited train movement

Before proceeding, please like and share

Thread🧵:Image

2/ The construction of an 80km railroad in Donetsk Oblast, approximately initiated around June 2023, aimed to establish a direct link between occupied southern Ukraine and the rest of Russia as a partial alternative to the Crimean Bridge.Image
3/ According to Mariupol mayoral advisor Petro Andriushchenko’s statement on May 8th, operations are expected to commence by late May or early June. Additionally, in April and early May, three test trains traveled from Volnovakha in Donetsk Oblast to Mariupol’s port and back.Image
4/ Based on mid-resolution imagery, it’s evident that on May 24th, at least one train was traveling on the new railroad. With the aid of satellite imagery captured with a time gap, we confirmed that the train was in motion and not static.Image
5/ The current resolution does not allow us to determine whether it was another “test” train or if it’s a train involved in railroad construction. However, based on other high-resolution imagery, we assume that this is the very final stage before its launchImage
6/ Our team assesses that this new railroad would suffice to supply the region even if the Crimean Bridge is destroyed. Additionally, the railroad reduces travel time from Russia. For more details on the impact and deeper assessment, refer to our latest report on our website 

7/ Thank you for reading. You can aid us with visibility by liking and sharing the opening message of the thread. You can also help with small donations or opt for a premium subscription to access more exclusive materials.

Tatarigami_UA is All Source Public IntelligenceSatellite imagery and other expenses https://buymeacoffee.com/frontelligence

The Kupyansk front:

/2. The unknown technology worked as the cable ferry – a rope was stretched between two Russian positions and Russians pulled this bathtub from one side to another. Using this device Russians exchanged supplies and ammunition between two positions. https://t.co/wByWGeJHbG pic.twitter.com/AO6byLcLtU

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 29, 2024

FPV attacks Russian BM-21 Grad MLRS from behind. Kupyansk front. https://t.co/6yUDJp716u

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 29, 2024

Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

Russian BUK M1 air defence system. As claimed by the source it was destroyed by FPV drone 20km south from Melitopil, Zaporizhzhia region. Which is 100 km from the frontline. https://t.co/hrg8yb9zSV pic.twitter.com/Os1xYFjXqD

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 29, 2024

Urozhaine front:

Repelling of the yesterdays Russian attack on Urozhaine front. https://t.co/jkfG08mNRs https://t.co/GFZpIr998E pic.twitter.com/gkhy1HVFf0

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 29, 2024

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

A new video from Patron’s official TikTok!

@patron__dsns

Це у всіх так працює той денний сон?? 🥱🫨 #песпатрон

♬ som original – 𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙚★

Here’s the machine translation of the caption:

Is this how daytime naps work for everyone?? 🥱🫨 #песпатрон

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 826: Air Raid Alerts Up Over Most of UkrainePost + Comments (17)

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