Russian Invasion of Ukraine[In Progress]

[BADecker]

Russia yawns a little when they hear Ukraine blabbing. Then, when Ukraine does anything hostile against them, they simply retaliate on a much larger scale.

... retaliate by shooting down a passenger jet of a third country. I'm sure that'll teach those pesky Ukrainians.

Russia doesn't really want to destroy Ukraine. The war is more like a civil war... all family. They have showed her over and over how powerful they are. But Ukraine just doesn't learn. So, they will try lots of different strategies.

However. Russia wants to get this war clearly over by January 20. So, expect some strong escalations on the Russian side.

[tvbcof]

Zelenski getting even more twitchy as Putin grabs half the coke supply which was located in what was temporarily called 'Ukraine' by the Bolsheviks.  

  https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2024-12-20/prospect-losing-pokrovsk-a-blow-to-ukraines-metallurgical-sector

The Pishchane mine was taken yesterday.  There is another juicy mine (rare-earth) in the vicinity before the Russians get to the Dnipropetrovsk border which should happen within a few weeks at the present rate.  My bet is that both were under the 'beneficent ownership' of Fink/BlackRock...for a short period of time at least.  After the border line is crossed, there are a ton of nice shiny things for the Ruskies to appropriate within Dnipropetrovsk proper.

[paxmao]

Zelenski getting even more twitchy as Putin grabs half the coke supply which was located in what was temporarily called 'Ukraine' by the Bolsheviks.  

  https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2024-12-20/prospect-losing-pokrovsk-a-blow-to-ukraines-metallurgical-sector

The Pishchane mine was taken yesterday.  There is another juicy mine (rare-earth) in the vicinity before the Russians get to the Dnipropetrovsk border which should happen within a few weeks at the present rate.  My bet is that both were under the 'beneficent ownership' of Fink/BlackRock...for a short period of time at least.  After the border line is crossed, there are a ton of nice shiny things for the Ruskies to appropriate within Dnipropetrovsk proper.

Of course, shiny stuff is very difficult to resist for a cleptocratic regime, that's no doubt. A perfect reason to make sure Ukraine gets enough support to collapse the Ruzzian economy further. Do you think the market may not be as appreciative of this fantastic military feat as you? How come does the Ruble go down the drain despite this marvellous conquest?

https://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=RUB&to=USD&view=2Y

I wonder if they are going to close the Ruzzian air space anytime soon. It seems it is too dangerous to pretend that everything is going well. But to be honest, it is much better to keep it open, it makes drones more difficult to identify,

[BADecker]

Zelenski getting even more twitchy as Putin grabs half the coke supply which was located in what was temporarily called 'Ukraine' by the Bolsheviks.  

  https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2024-12-20/prospect-losing-pokrovsk-a-blow-to-ukraines-metallurgical-sector

The Pishchane mine was taken yesterday.  There is another juicy mine (rare-earth) in the vicinity before the Russians get to the Dnipropetrovsk border which should happen within a few weeks at the present rate.  My bet is that both were under the 'beneficent ownership' of Fink/BlackRock...for a short period of time at least.  After the border line is crossed, there are a ton of nice shiny things for the Ruskies to appropriate within Dnipropetrovsk proper.

Of course, shiny stuff is very difficult to resist for a cleptocratic regime, that's no doubt. A perfect reason to make sure Ukraine gets enough support to collapse the Ruzzian economy further. Do you think the market may not be as appreciative of this fantastic military feat as you? How come does the Ruble go down the drain despite this marvellous conquest?

https://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=RUB&to=USD&view=2Y

I wonder if they are going to close the Ruzzian air space anytime soon. It seems it is too dangerous to pretend that everything is going well. But to be honest, it is much better to keep it open, it makes drones more difficult to identify,

I wonder how many of 'them' will be destroyed before 'they' give up the idea of shutting down Russian airspace.

I hope some of them try. Russian air command needs something to practice on.

[giorgione]

Zelenski getting even more twitchy as Putin grabs half the coke supply which was located in what was temporarily called 'Ukraine' by the Bolsheviks.  

  https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2024-12-20/prospect-losing-pokrovsk-a-blow-to-ukraines-metallurgical-sector

The Pishchane mine was taken yesterday.  There is another juicy mine (rare-earth) in the vicinity before the Russians get to the Dnipropetrovsk border which should happen within a few weeks at the present rate.  My bet is that both were under the 'beneficent ownership' of Fink/BlackRock...for a short period of time at least.  After the border line is crossed, there are a ton of nice shiny things for the Ruskies to appropriate within Dnipropetrovsk proper.

Of course, shiny stuff is very difficult to resist for a cleptocratic regime, that's no doubt. A perfect reason to make sure Ukraine gets enough support to collapse the Ruzzian economy further. Do you think the market may not be as appreciative of this fantastic military feat as you? How come does the Ruble go down the drain despite this marvellous conquest?

https://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=RUB&to=USD&view=2Y

I wonder if they are going to close the Ruzzian air space anytime soon. It seems it is too dangerous to pretend that everything is going well. But to be honest, it is much better to keep it open, it makes drones more difficult to identify,

I wonder how many of 'them' will be destroyed before 'they' give up the idea of shutting down Russian airspace.

I hope some of them try. Russian air command needs something to practice on.

I don't think it's very easy for them to continue doing what they want to do, they have to make a compromise if they don't want to fail with the peace mission they are carrying if they continue like this they risk a permanent closure of the airspace and this does not it's good

[BADecker]

~

I wonder how many of 'them' will be destroyed before 'they' give up the idea of shutting down Russian airspace.

I hope some of them try. Russian air command needs something to practice on.

I don't think it's very easy for them to continue doing what they want to do, they have to make a compromise if they don't want to fail with the peace mission they are carrying if they continue like this they risk a permanent closure of the airspace and this does not it's good

Exactly the point. Who is strong enough to force them to close their airspace? Half the world wants their airspace to stay open. They have enough rocket power, etc., to keep their airspace open. If they really are threatened, they will simply start taking out Ukrainian cities. Following that, NATO cities throughout Europe.

[paxmao]

It seems that Trump's changing his rethoric about Ukraine. Looks to me similar to that "we will take Ukraine in 3 days" that then became "we will take part of Ukraine no matter how many years it take". Trump's version is "I will stop the war in 2 days" soon to become "I hope we can stop in 2 years".

And while the resident trolls discuss non-sense, the president of Azerbajian is seeking recognition of guilt and compensation from Putin.

Interesting dilema... close the airspace and loose international communication by air or... keep on trying to find out if it is a drone or a passenger plane.

https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-russia-plane-crash-e6c1002284a900fa635eecf5573214ea

It seems that also the sea is dangerous for Ruzzia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZB2iZg-hVw

Biden has sent another 2.5 Billion. Use wisely.

[BADecker]

It seems that Trump's changing his rethoric about Ukraine. Looks to me similar to that "we will take Ukraine in 3 days" that then became "we will take part of Ukraine no matter how many years it take". Trump's version is "I will stop the war in 2 days" soon to become "I hope we can stop in 2 years".

And while the resident trolls discuss non-sense, the president of Azerbajian is seeking recognition of guilt and compensation from Putin.

Interesting dilema... close the airspace and loose international communication by air or... keep on trying to find out if it is a drone or a passenger plane.

https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-russia-plane-crash-e6c1002284a900fa635eecf5573214ea

It seems that also the sea is dangerous for Ruzzia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZB2iZg-hVw

Biden has sent another 2.5 Billion. Use wisely.

More money for Russia when she takes Ukraine over. Trump realizes this, because by the time Ukraine has the ability to use the funds, etc., Trump will be "IN" and Zelensky will be "OUT."

Huge New Year Ukraine-Russia Prisoner Swap Results In Hundreds Of Soldiers Freed


Mainstream Media Finally Reports That Ukraine’s Only Option Is Making ‘Territorial Concessions’ to Russia To End the War – Without NATO Invitation


https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/12/mainstream-media-finally-reports-that-ukraines-only-option/
As 2024 ends, the Russian Ministry of Defense Has divulged the numbers for the year – a significant result where they claim its forces 'liberated' 214 settlements (I say 'conquered,' Ukraine says 'occupied') in the special military operation zone in Ukraine and in the Russian Kursk region.

Some of the most significant successes of the year is the capture of the key cities of Avdeevka, Ugledar, and Selidovo.

And, as 2025 arrives, there are major ongoing sieges in Chasov Yar, Pokrovsk, Kurakhovo, among others.

The largest number of settlements that have been liberated are located in the Donetsk Region — no less than 157 cities and villages.
...

[paxmao]

It seems that Trump's changing his rethoric about Ukraine. Looks to me similar to that "we will take Ukraine in 3 days" that then became "we will take part of Ukraine no matter how many years it take". Trump's version is "I will stop the war in 2 days" soon to become "I hope we can stop in 2 years".

And while the resident trolls discuss non-sense, the president of Azerbajian is seeking recognition of guilt and compensation from Putin.

Interesting dilema... close the airspace and loose international communication by air or... keep on trying to find out if it is a drone or a passenger plane.

https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-russia-plane-crash-e6c1002284a900fa635eecf5573214ea

It seems that also the sea is dangerous for Ruzzia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZB2iZg-hVw

Biden has sent another 2.5 Billion. Use wisely.

More money for Russia when she takes Ukraine over. Trump realizes this, because by the time Ukraine has the ability to use the funds, etc., Trump will be "IN" and Zelensky will be "OUT."
[...]

It does not look the case. Trump is doing one of those high-G turns about Ukraine and it is clear that the plan of "48 hours to end the war" is not feasible - it never was. And going back to reality means that he will have to make a few choices on who are the allies and who are the adversaries. Frankly, is not that difficult.

This will not be over until at least one more year, which is what will take for the Ruzzia economy to seriously plunge to the point that revolts may happen.

[DaRude]

Zelenski getting even more twitchy as Putin grabs half the coke supply which was located in what was temporarily called 'Ukraine' by the Bolsheviks.  

  https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2024-12-20/prospect-losing-pokrovsk-a-blow-to-ukraines-metallurgical-sector

The Pishchane mine was taken yesterday.  There is another juicy mine (rare-earth) in the vicinity before the Russians get to the Dnipropetrovsk border which should happen within a few weeks at the present rate.  My bet is that both were under the 'beneficent ownership' of Fink/BlackRock...for a short period of time at least.  After the border line is crossed, there are a ton of nice shiny things for the Ruskies to appropriate within Dnipropetrovsk proper.

Of course, shiny stuff is very difficult to resist for a cleptocratic regime, that's no doubt. A perfect reason to make sure Ukraine gets enough support to collapse the Ruzzian economy further. Do you think the market may not be as appreciative of this fantastic military feat as you? How come does the Ruble go down the drain despite this marvellous conquest?

https://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=RUB&to=USD&view=2Y

I wonder if they are going to close the Ruzzian air space anytime soon. It seems it is too dangerous to pretend that everything is going well. But to be honest, it is much better to keep it open, it makes drones more difficult to identify,

It seems that Trump's changing his rethoric about Ukraine. Looks to me similar to that "we will take Ukraine in 3 days" that then became "we will take part of Ukraine no matter how many years it take". Trump's version is "I will stop the war in 2 days" soon to become "I hope we can stop in 2 years".

And while the resident trolls discuss non-sense, the president of Azerbajian is seeking recognition of guilt and compensation from Putin.

Interesting dilema... close the airspace and loose international communication by air or... keep on trying to find out if it is a drone or a passenger plane.

https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-russia-plane-crash-e6c1002284a900fa635eecf5573214ea

It seems that also the sea is dangerous for Ruzzia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZB2iZg-hVw

Biden has sent another 2.5 Billion. Use wisely.

Interesting admission of the UA strategy Using civilian aircraft to hide military equipment behind. But it does fall in line with UA's other actions and answers the question like why Ukraine didn't close the airspace over Donbas and let MH17 in the area where UA military jets were operating, or why UA didn't open humanitarian corridor for civilians out of Mariupol where it's Azov battalion was surrounded. But even if we agree to the true benefactor of this horrendous (possible war crime, Deliberately using civilians to shield military operations) strategy, that nevertheless doesn't excuse the ultimate action but underlines the difficulties RF forces must operating under.

[paxmao]

Zelenski getting even more twitchy as Putin grabs half the coke supply which was located in what was temporarily called 'Ukraine' by the Bolsheviks.  

  https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2024-12-20/prospect-losing-pokrovsk-a-blow-to-ukraines-metallurgical-sector

The Pishchane mine was taken yesterday.  There is another juicy mine (rare-earth) in the vicinity before the Russians get to the Dnipropetrovsk border which should happen within a few weeks at the present rate.  My bet is that both were under the 'beneficent ownership' of Fink/BlackRock...for a short period of time at least.  After the border line is crossed, there are a ton of nice shiny things for the Ruskies to appropriate within Dnipropetrovsk proper.

Of course, shiny stuff is very difficult to resist for a cleptocratic regime, that's no doubt. A perfect reason to make sure Ukraine gets enough support to collapse the Ruzzian economy further. Do you think the market may not be as appreciative of this fantastic military feat as you? How come does the Ruble go down the drain despite this marvellous conquest?

https://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=RUB&to=USD&view=2Y

I wonder if they are going to close the Ruzzian air space anytime soon. It seems it is too dangerous to pretend that everything is going well. But to be honest, it is much better to keep it open, it makes drones more difficult to identify,

It seems that Trump's changing his rethoric about Ukraine. Looks to me similar to that "we will take Ukraine in 3 days" that then became "we will take part of Ukraine no matter how many years it take". Trump's version is "I will stop the war in 2 days" soon to become "I hope we can stop in 2 years".

And while the resident trolls discuss non-sense, the president of Azerbajian is seeking recognition of guilt and compensation from Putin.

Interesting dilema... close the airspace and loose international communication by air or... keep on trying to find out if it is a drone or a passenger plane.

https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-russia-plane-crash-e6c1002284a900fa635eecf5573214ea

It seems that also the sea is dangerous for Ruzzia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZB2iZg-hVw

Biden has sent another 2.5 Billion. Use wisely.

Interesting admission of the UA strategy Using civilian aircraft to hide military equipment behind. But it does fall in line with UA's other actions and answers the question like why Ukraine didn't close the airspace over Donbas and let MH17 in where UA military jets were operating, or why UA didn't open humanitarian corridor for civilians out of Mariupol where it's Azov battalion was cornered. But even if we agree to the true benefactor of this horrendous (possible war crime, Deliberately using civilians to shield military operations) strategy, that nevertheless doesn't excuse the ultimate action but underlines the difficulties RF forces are operating under.

I am absolutely puzzled by your interpretation. I hope it is due to your personal choice of festive celebrations in these dates.

Ruzzia is a country at war, there are drones and missiles flying over Ruzzia air space - that is what happens in a war. Yes, you are at war.

Ruzzia cannot guarantee the safety of their own air space. They cannot tell a large passenger plane from a usually small drone. That is clearly the case and has been clearly proven by Ruzzia downing a passenger plane without any "help" from Ukraine.

Ruzzia should reckon they cannot guarantee any level of safety to their commercial civil aviation flights, anyone taking a plane in Ruzzia should be made aware that they can be downed by their own air defence. It seems that Ruzzia - as usual - will not recognise this fact, but passengers at least should be made aware.

If you take a commercial flight in Ruzzia, you may be killed by the Ruzzia air defence forces. It has happened and they have not done anything to prevent it from happening again.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-airlines-flight-was-downed-by-russian-air-defence-system-four-sources-2024-12-26/



Enjou your flight!

[BADecker]

^^^ The above doesn't really matter. Ukraine will be gone soon. They just cut their own throat... by cutting the throats of NATO who is helping them.


Ukraine Cuts Russian Gas Pipeline to Europe to Start the New Year


https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/01/ukraine-cuts-russian-gas-pipeline-europe-start-new/
This move, effective from January 1, 2025, concludes a longstanding energy arrangement that has been central to Europe's energy landscape.

The 2019 contract between Ukraine's Naftogaz and Russia's Gazprom officially ended on December 31, 2024, effectively cutting off one of the last major routes for Russian gas into Europe.

This pipeline has been transporting approximately 40 billion cubic meters of gas annually to European countries.

NYT reported:

The flow of natural gas from Russia to Europe was cut off early Wednesday after Ukraine refused to renew an agreement that allowed for the transit of Russian gas through its territory, according to officials in both countries.

The move to suspend the flow of gas through a pipeline that had carried Soviet and then Russian gas to Europe for nearly six decades is part of a broader campaign by Ukraine and its Western allies to undermine Moscow's ability to fund its war effort and limit the Kremlin's ability to use energy as leverage in Europe.

"This is a historic event," Ukraine's energy minister, Herman Galushchenko, said in a statement. "Russia is losing markets, it will suffer financial losses."

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine vowed last month to shut down the pipeline despite threats of retaliation, including from Slovakia and Hungary, two of the European countries that most depend on Russian gas.

Slovakia, heavily reliant on Russian gas, faces significant supply concerns. Hungary, which has maintained energy ties with Moscow, will continue to receive Russian gas via the TurkStream pipeline through Turkey, though the loss of the Ukrainian route adds pressure to its energy security.

As TGP's Paul Serran previously reported, Zelensky's move has caused a side conflict that is expanding, especially with Slovakia.
...

[tvbcof]

Interesting admission of the UA strategy Using civilian aircraft to hide military equipment behind. But it does fall in line with UA's other actions and answers the question like why Ukraine didn't close the airspace over Donbas and let MH17 in the area where UA military jets were operating,

Same trick Israel uses, and it resulted in the loss of a Russian aircraft offshore of Syria IIRC.

...or why UA didn't open humanitarian corridor for civilians out of Mariupol where it's Azov battalion was surrounded. But even if we agree to the true benefactor of this horrendous (possible war crime, Deliberately using civilians to shield military operations) strategy,...

Akin to Gaza where Israel tells civilians to go to 'safe areas', then massacres them when they collect there.

It should be a surprise to nobody that the 'right sector' Ukrainians, their Jewish president, and their Jewish handlers in the U.S. State Department display the same abysmal tactics as do the Israelis.

As for 'why', seems that the very identity (religious and otherwise) of 'those who call themselves Jews' seems to revolve around mayhem, violence, and the destruction of everyone and everything which is not of use to 'their people'.  In the two instance above they wanted, and still want, maximum destruction of souls.  Genocide.  I think that is the basis of what the neocons mean when they identify themselves as having 'Trotsky-ite roots.'

that nevertheless doesn't excuse the ultimate action but underlines the difficulties RF forces must operating under.

Yeah, my respect and admiration for post-Soviet Russia steadily increase with the restraint and dignity (and effectiveness) that they display in the contest with an enemy who fights in a very very dirty manner.  I'm certainly entertaining the concept of the assertion that they now are guided by 'Christian values' where in earlier days when I was still significantly brainwashed by American propaganda I would literally laugh such a thing off.

[Branko]

Brother paxmao and his neighbors won't be able to pay for heating this winter - its either food or heating:

[paxmao]

Interesting admission of the UA strategy Using civilian aircraft to hide military equipment behind. But it does fall in line with UA's other actions and answers the question like why Ukraine didn't close the airspace over Donbas and let MH17 in the area where UA military jets were operating,

Same trick Israel uses, and it resulted in the loss of a Russian aircraft offshore of Syria IIRC.
[...]

There is no "hidding" because there is nothing to "hide", Ukraine will keep droning and destroying as many factories, oil facilities and military infrastructure until Ruzzia decides to go back where they belong.

Ruzzia has shot down their own commercial aircraft. There is no Ukraine involvement whatsoever and even the president of Azerbajian has demanded apologies from Ruzzia.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgrzvn7y5lo

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has called on Russia to accept blame for a plane crash on Christmas Day that killed 38 people.

The plane is thought to have come under fire from Russian air defence systems as it tried to land in Chechnya before being diverted to Kazakhstan, where it crashed.

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin apologised to the Azerbaijani president over the downing of the plane in Russian airspace - but stopped short of taking responsibility.

You need to get this once an for all Ruzzia is at war. You cannot pretend that "nothing is happening". There are drones and missiles flying to legitimate targets and if the Ruzzian air defence cannot even tell a plane from a drone, the airspace should be closed for commercial aviation and stop risking the lives of innocent passengers.

I wonder what would happen if another commercial plane is downed during the next month?

What would happen to the Ruble (at the lowest since COVID and near there?)

Brother paxmao and his neighbors won't be able to pay for heating this winter - its either food or heating:

[...]

Sure Branko just like Europe was going to freeze a year ago, but it did not happen. BTW the UK government has cut the fuel subsidy this year.

However let me put this into context...

2023

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/CitizensAdvice/Energy/FINAL_%20Winter%20Warning_%20The%20urgent%20case%20for%20energy%20bill%20support%20this%20winter.pdf

The urgent case for energy bill support this winter

2022

The cost of living crisis hitting Britain today isn't just an economic problem – by forcing millions of people to go without heat and food, it will also have a devastating impact on public health.

2021
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58746953

Millions of households face higher gas and electricity bills

2020
https://www.nea.org.uk/news/energy-crisis-will-double-average-heating-bill-from-april/

And if you look for nearly any other year you will see exactly the same news. Just in case you don't get it, this is the go-to "news" of the season and the "heating or eating" is the slogan that comes up every winter. Because people in the UK want their government to pay their bills.

[BADecker]

NATO nations are at the start of throwing their weight behind Russia, against Ukraine.


Slovakia considering cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine in retaliation for Kyiv preventing Russian gas from reaching the country


https://www.naturalnews.com/2025-01-02-slovakia-considering-cutting-electricity-supply-to-ukraine.html
    Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatens to cut electricity supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv halts the transit of Russian gas through its territory.

    Slovakian energy is heavily dependent on supplies of Russian natural gas running through Soviet-era pipelines in Ukraine.

    Slovakia could be forced to spend 220 million euros more in additional transit costs if Ukraine halts the flow of gas and alternative arrangements are needed.

    Ukraine plans to end the transit of Russian gas through its territory in 2025, but this move could cost billions in damages to Europe and exacerbate the current energy crisis.

    Ukraine is preparing to further halt Russian oil transport through its territory to Slovakia if Bratislava decides to retaliate.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has issued a threat to cut electricity supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv disrupts the transit of Russian gas through its territory.

This comes after Ukraine announced that it will no longer allow Russian gas to be transited to Europe through its territory beginning Jan. 1, 2025, following the end of the current contract Kyiv has with Moscow regarding energy transportation, which expired on Dec. 31.

Slovakia is heavily dependent on Russian natural gas, which it receives through Soviet-era pipelines that run through Ukraine. This dependency has led to a critical situation, and Fico is not backing down from his stance.

This January, Slovakia is reportedly going to assess the situation and may take reciprocal economic measures against Ukraine, including potentially stopping electricity supplies from reaching Kyiv through its territory. (Related: Slovakia’s PM reveals NATO, EU states still considering sending troops to Ukraine.)

"Stopping the transit of Russian natural gas through Ukraine is not just a hollow political gesture. It's an extremely costly move, one that we, in the European Union, will pay for," Fico said.

Fico's warning comes with reports indicating that terminating the transit deal with Moscow will cost the EU billions of euros in damages, further eroding the bloc's international competitiveness.

It's about the ECONOMY for Slovakia
...


Russia signals willingness to negotiate peace deal with Ukraine at neutral site in SLOVAKIA, but Ukraine rejects it


https://www.naturalnews.com/2025-01-02-russia-signals-willingness-to-negotiate-peace-deal-with-ukraine-in-slovakia.html
    Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to Slovakia’s offer to host peace negotiations with Ukraine, praising Slovakia’s “neutral position.”

    Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s controversial visit to Moscow has sparked backlash domestically and internationally, with critics accusing him of undermining EU unity.

    Ukraine has rejected Slovakia’s mediation offer, accusing Fico of siding with Russia and jeopardizing European solidarity.

    Kyiv has accused Russia of intensifying its offensive, including the use of North Korean troops

    Slovakia, a NATO and EU member, has faced criticism for its reliance on Russian gas and its perceived alignment with Moscow.

    Ukraine’s refusal to extend the Russian gas transit contract has heightened tensions with Slovakia, which relies heavily on Russian energy supplies.

    Ukraine's refusal to negotiate a peace deal is a missed opportunity for Europe.

Slovakia’s peace offer could become a missed opportunity, as Ukraine rejects diplomacy
...

[DaRude]

Zelenski getting even more twitchy as Putin grabs half the coke supply which was located in what was temporarily called 'Ukraine' by the Bolsheviks.  

  https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2024-12-20/prospect-losing-pokrovsk-a-blow-to-ukraines-metallurgical-sector

The Pishchane mine was taken yesterday.  There is another juicy mine (rare-earth) in the vicinity before the Russians get to the Dnipropetrovsk border which should happen within a few weeks at the present rate.  My bet is that both were under the 'beneficent ownership' of Fink/BlackRock...for a short period of time at least.  After the border line is crossed, there are a ton of nice shiny things for the Ruskies to appropriate within Dnipropetrovsk proper.

Of course, shiny stuff is very difficult to resist for a cleptocratic regime, that's no doubt. A perfect reason to make sure Ukraine gets enough support to collapse the Ruzzian economy further. Do you think the market may not be as appreciative of this fantastic military feat as you? How come does the Ruble go down the drain despite this marvellous conquest?

https://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=RUB&to=USD&view=2Y

I wonder if they are going to close the Ruzzian air space anytime soon. It seems it is too dangerous to pretend that everything is going well. But to be honest, it is much better to keep it open, it makes drones more difficult to identify,

It seems that Trump's changing his rethoric about Ukraine. Looks to me similar to that "we will take Ukraine in 3 days" that then became "we will take part of Ukraine no matter how many years it take". Trump's version is "I will stop the war in 2 days" soon to become "I hope we can stop in 2 years".

And while the resident trolls discuss non-sense, the president of Azerbajian is seeking recognition of guilt and compensation from Putin.

Interesting dilema... close the airspace and loose international communication by air or... keep on trying to find out if it is a drone or a passenger plane.

https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-russia-plane-crash-e6c1002284a900fa635eecf5573214ea

It seems that also the sea is dangerous for Ruzzia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZB2iZg-hVw

Biden has sent another 2.5 Billion. Use wisely.

Interesting admission of the UA strategy Using civilian aircraft to hide military equipment behind. But it does fall in line with UA's other actions and answers the question like why Ukraine didn't close the airspace over Donbas and let MH17 in where UA military jets were operating, or why UA didn't open humanitarian corridor for civilians out of Mariupol where it's Azov battalion was cornered. But even if we agree to the true benefactor of this horrendous (possible war crime, Deliberately using civilians to shield military operations) strategy, that nevertheless doesn't excuse the ultimate action but underlines the difficulties RF forces are operating under.

I am absolutely puzzled by your interpretation. I hope it is due to your personal choice of festive celebrations in these dates.

Ruzzia is a country at war, there are drones and missiles flying over Ruzzia air space - that is what happens in a war. Yes, you are at war.

Ruzzia cannot guarantee the safety of their own air space. They cannot tell a large passenger plane from a usually small drone. That is clearly the case and has been clearly proven by Ruzzia downing a passenger plane without any "help" from Ukraine.

Ruzzia should reckon they cannot guarantee any level of safety to their commercial civil aviation flights, anyone taking a plane in Ruzzia should be made aware that they can be downed by their own air defence. It seems that Ruzzia - as usual - will not recognise this fact, but passengers at least should be made aware.

If you take a commercial flight in Ruzzia, you may be killed by the Ruzzia air defence forces. It has happened and they have not done anything to prevent it from happening again.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-airlines-flight-was-downed-by-russian-air-defence-system-four-sources-2024-12-26/



Enjou your flight!

Is Ukraine at war? Because i'm pretty sure they haven't declared war on Russia either and up to 2 days ago were even receiving money for transferring Russian gas.

They key point here is intent, in a conflict it's the responsibility of the military to minimize civilian casualties. Everyone can read what you wrote, that it is "it is much better to keep it open, it makes drones more difficult to identify" that implies that it would be much worse for Ukraine if Russia closed the airspace, because there would be less civilian aircraft and make UA drones harder to hide. Clearly doing the opposite of trying to minimize the civilian casualties, there's really no other way to spin this.

[paxmao]

[...]


Is Ukraine at war? Because i'm pretty sure they haven't declared war on Russia either and up to 2 days ago were even receiving money for transferring Russian gas.

They key point here is intent, in a conflict it's the responsibility of the military to minimize civilian casualties. Everyone can read what you wrote, that it is "it is much better to keep it open, it makes drones more difficult to identify" that implies that it would be much worse for Ukraine if Russia closed the airspace, because there would be less civilian aircraft and make UA drones harder to hide. Clearly doing the opposite of trying to minimize the civilian casualties, there's really no other way to spin this.

Ruzzia is at war, Ruzzia cannot defend their skies nor guarantee the security of the commercial flights, full of civilians that should be safe from the Ruzzian air defence systems while crossing Ruzzia. If Ruzzia cannot tell a commercial plane from a drone - and they have shoot down a plane full of civilians killing 37 and injuring many others - they should not allow commercial flights over their territory, just as Ukraine has done long ago.

If you really want to minimise casualties you would close the airspace, but it is evident that it is not a priority to minimise anything.

But we all know that is not going to happen so again:

To all, please check carefully that you flight does not go over Ruzzia or for that matter Georgia, you may be killed by the Ruzzian air defences.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/28/putin-apologises-to-azerbaijans-president-over-tragic-plane-crash

Putin apologises to Azerbaijan’s president over ‘tragic’ plane crash
Vladimir Putin says incident occurred in Russian airspace, but does not acknowledge any possible involvement of Russia.

In a statement on Saturday, the Kremlin said Russian air defence systems were firing near Grozny due to a Ukrainian drone strike, but stopped short of saying one of these hit the plane.

So, if your planes is downed by the Ruzzian air defence you will get a vage apology, no recognition of gilt whatsoever and no compensation to your relatives since "nothing happened".


Just a quick note: The first 3 French Mirages have arrived to Ukraine.

[hellflame]

Would it be better if both Russia and Ukraine joined the EU and made Europe stronger and united? Why is Russia against joining the EU while the likes of Turkey wished to?

[Branko]

Would it be better if both Russia and Ukraine joined the EU and made Europe stronger and united? Why is Russia against joining the EU while the likes of Turkey wished to?

UK and USA would never allow it. Unity of German industry and Russia resources is biggest threat to them