Putin Recognizes Donbass Republics, Sends Russian Military to 'Denazify' Ukraine

[Lone herbal witch]

Sorry i made a booboo. The wind around Lviv is going Westward, not Eastward. Sorry. Not enough coffee

I replayed the "explosions" video to see how much black smoke was shown. It occurred sometime after the second explosion. A small plume of black smoke shot into the air among the "white" and off white plumes. Many rockets seems to have found their way into residential areas as the explosion appeared like a "fourth of July" display. Amazing imagery. I can just imagine the noise level as well. People must have been outraged and downright scared as well.... Truly impressive....Now we know where all our money has "evaporated" to.....

Watch Ukraine's Largest Munitions Depot Turn Into A Huge Fireball

The explosions could continue for days.

www.thedrive.com

If there was DU, it goes without saying that rain and wind would certainly help to displace it in other areas. I'm sure this is not the last we hear of it.
Does anybody have a picture of the ammunition warehouse before the explosion? Was it really huge or simply a steel building above ground and the ammo was stored underneath? I've tried locating it but cannot.

 

[Adobe]

From TASS:​

Radioactive cloud from Ukraine’s eliminated munitions drifts to Europe — Security Council" (Russian)​

'SYKTYVKAR, May 19. /TASS/. The destruction of depleted uranium munitions supplied by the West to Ukraine has caused a radioactive cloud that is drifting towards Europe, Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev said at a conference in Syktyvkar on Friday.'

'He noted that "the Americans have ‘helped’ other countries in this way more than once in history.'

"They 'helped' Ukraine too, by putting pressure on their satellites and supplying depleted uranium munitions. Their elimination has caused a radioactive cloud that is now moving towards Western Europe. An increase in radiation levels has already been registered in Poland," Patrushev warned."

"In addition, he continued, "the US is developing and already using chemical and biological weapons, including in Ukraine."

"Patrushev recalled that in August 1945, without any military necessity, the US dropped A-bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which caused "disastrous consequences and the death of a huge number of civilians."

"They didn’t apologize! And they are not going to apologize for what they have done. They keep brainwashing the Japanese to make them think that it was the Soviet Union, not the United States, that used nuclear weapons against them," Patrushev stated. "That's what American aid and democracy is all about!".

Radioactive cloud from Ukraine’s eliminated munitions drifts to Europe — Security Council

"An increase in radiation levels has already been registered in Poland," Nikolay Patrushev warned

tass.com

 

[thorbiorn]

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said this a few days ago on Twitter:

The tweet read, in case it disappears from their flow:

Pentagon has reportedly made plans for hitting opponents with genetically engineered weapons. The genomic data of Asian Chinese, European Aryans and Middle Eastern Arabs all on a list to be collected by the US military.

And here is the image:

If nobody has been forgotten in the text, the good news is, that some Lives Matter.

Considering what the PTB did with COVID and the vaccination operations, it is probably already too late to stop the advance on this front, though it offers an opportunity to make people aware of the dangers.

A question is how much of what is going on now in terms of the spreading of tropical diseases is natural, and how much is assisted. For instance, one can make hybrids forms of corn and wheat that can grow in colder climates, so one could probably also speed up the creation of breeds of mosquitos that can tolerate colder weather.

I tried to check the developments for mosquitos over the last few years. In the most recent article, global warming has been offered as a reason to worry about tropical mosquitos in Scotland.

Disease-carrying mosquitoes are spreading through Europe: How can we protect ourselves?
By Natalie Huet & Lottie Limb • Updated: 23/04/2023
Scientists are investigating the threat of mosquitoes in Scotland, after France sounded the alarm over the Asian tiger species.

Mosquitoes are flying northwards in the wake of global warming.

“The importance of examining mosquito vectors and their pathogens, in a world in which the climate is changing, can’t be overstated,” says Heather Ferguson, Professor of Infectious Disease Ecology at the University of Glasgow.

[....]

Going back to 2020:

From the Essential Magazine Issue 203, Agust 2020

Tiger Mosquito Trouble​

The tiger mosquito – a potential carrier of dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya – has already doubled in number and will be present in all areas of Spain this summer – according to preventative pest control company, Anticimex.

This rise can be attributed to the heat and the amount of rain in some parts of Spain over the past few months. Dr. Mikel Bengoa, a Doctor in Entomology who specialises in the tiger mosquito and works with Anticimex, states that “This insect will be a bigger problem on the Mediterranean Coast, but this year it will reach areas that it wouldn’t have in ‘normal’ years.” Read the full interview below!

The active season for this insect lasts from May to October and it tends to peak in September. The situation “will be worsening over the next few weeks,” says Bengoa, adding, “The recent closure of borders will reduce the likelihood of transmission but we should remain vigilant and take preventive measures.”

Not all tiger mosquitoes carry dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya but they are vectors for the disease – meaning that if they bite someone with the virus, they can then pass it on. These three diseases are very serious; chikungunya can cause disfiguration of the body for various months, dengue often requires hospitalisation and can be lethal, while Zika can cause severe birth defects.

Dr. Bengoa, who has been fascinated by insects since he was a child, answers a few of our burning questions. My take on our interview is that, if you have a villa, you should definitely be taking steps to reduce or eliminate tiger mosquito populations in your garden and in surrounding areas.

Which Species is the Tiger Mosquito?
“‘Tiger mosquito’ is the common name for Aedes albopictus, an exotic mosquito in Spain. It is reared in small amounts of water outdoors and is located close to human beings because we provide it with the water recipients and blood it needs to thrive. It is considered the secondary vector for various arboviral diseases like dengue, chikungunya or Zika, but it is not as effective as another species called Aedes aegypti, which is not currently present in Spain.”

The tiger mosquito is currently a big problem in southeastern Asian and Caribbean countries because of dengue, Zika, and other diseases.

Have These Diseases Ever Been a Threat in Spain?
“In 2018, six cases of autochthonous dengue fever linked to the tiger mosquito were diagnosed in Spain, but the risk of an outbreak is not very high. The main threat they pose at this point in time is pain and discomfort, as their bites can cause severe reactions. The tiger mosquito is now a big problem in New York and New Jersey and it is making its way across the globe. Entomologists and pest control companies have to monitor its populations in order to prevent an increase in numbers and to reduce the possibility of arbovirus disease outbreaks. In 2017, the Aedes aegypti mosquito was discovered in Fuerteventura and thanks to quick action, the species was eradicated.”

We Have Heard Of Dengue Fever And Zika In The Media But Chikungunya Is A Lesser-Known Disease. What Is It?
“Chikungunya derives its name from kungunyala, the Swahili word for the characteristic stooped posture of patients with the disease due to their musculoskeletal symptoms. Its symptoms are high fever and pain in the articulations and in severe cases, it causes the body to bend forward. This effect lasts for around six months.”

How Did The Tiger Mosquito Arrive In Spain?
“We are unsure but we think it spread to the U.S. and Europe through the importation of old tyres for use in recycling. Rubber is recycled into so many things – including roads – and this material is constantly being shipped to the U.S. and other countries. Mosquitoes love laying their eggs in tyres, which can retain small amounts of water. They do so in other water containers as well – including pots with standing water, toys with rainwater, even a bottle cap.”
When Was This Insect First Found In Spain?
“In Spain the first discovery of the tiger mosquito was made by doctors in Sant Cugat del Vallés in 2004, who found that they were treating many patients with odd-looking bites. They concluded that these bites were caused by an invasive species, but they didn’t know which one. Doctors asked help from an entomologist at the Mosquito Control Service of Baix Llobregat and the latter discovered that the guilty party was none other than the tiger mosquito.
Tiger mosquitoes probably first entered Spain via Italy since we know they have been present there since 1997 (they were first found in the U.S., meanwhile, in 1979). Since car travel between European countries is so prevalent, they probably spread in this manner. One study by researchers in Barcelona showed that there are around 70,000 cars with a tiger mosquito in the metropolitan area of Barcelona every day.
It is very easy for mosquito populations to spread as they are so aggressive that they can follow us into cars when we enter them. Later, when we arrive at our destination, the female mosquito flies out, and if she finds a water deposit, she lays her eggs in it.”

What Knowledge Do We Have Of The Tiger Mosquito That Can Help Us ‘Beat’ It? “
We know that it is low-flying; this is why it tends to bite the ankles and calves, not the arms or face. We also know that this mosquito flies a small distance in its lifetime (around 400m) and that it doesn’t migrate very far from where it is born. It tends to remain within a 50-metre radius.”

Why Are These Mosquitoes Such Effective Vectors?
“It is the viruses that overtake them which are effective. The mosquito ingests the virus when it bites an infected person. This virus then has to make its way through the digestive system and travels all the way to the salivary glands of the mosquito, where it replicates in astonishing numbers. This in turn makes the mosquitoes thirsty so they bite more people. When a person is infected, their temperature rises and they in turn become more ‘attractive’ to mosquitoes. It is a highly complex cycle and a perfect one for the virus to reproduce.”

What Type Of Homes Do They Accumulate In?
“They tend to proliferate in homes with gardens – for instance, villas, since there are often toys, pots, and other items that can collect standing water there.”

How Can You Help People Who Think They May Have Tiger Mosquitoes In Their Vicinity? Is Fumigation Always Required?
“By conducting a very detailed inspection. Surprisingly, fumigation is a last-case resort at Anticimex and we try to solve the problem without chemicals if possible to lower the undesired effects on the surrounding beneficial fauna. Sometimes the entire problem can be solved with something as simple as removing a couple of pots, tyres, or anywhere where we find the mosquito or its larvae. We have even had to get rid of small outdoor fountains because they can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes. We also place specialised traps in strategic areas.”

How Else Can People Protect Themselves Against Tiger Mosquitoes?
“If they are travelling to an area known to have tiger mosquitoes they should wear long sleeves and apply a repellent solution containing DEET or Icaridin. It is important to be very thorough and to apply the repellent to all exposed areas, including the ankles. If you miss a spot, they head straight for it. Don’t bother with citronella bracelets, because they don’t work.”

Finally, Can You Tell Me Why You Decided To Become An Entomologist?
“I grew up in my parents’ villa and I used to love walking in the land surrounding it, collecting insects. When I heard about the tiger mosquito, I grew fascinated by how it transmitted disease and I decided to devote my doctoral thesis to it.”


WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

And from 2017

Known distribution of the tiger mosquito in Europe (Aedes albopictus)
Created 16 Jun 2016 Published 20 Dec 2016 Last modified 22 Feb 2017
1 min read
The maps displays information and the presence/absence of Aedes albopictus. RED: An established population (evidence of reproduction and overwintering) of the species has been observed in at least one municipality within the administrative unit. YELLOW: The species has been introduced (but without confirmed establishment) in the administrative unit within the last 5 years of the distribution status date DARK GREEN: Field surveys or studies on mosquitoes were conducted and no introduction (during the last 5 years) or no established population of the species have been reported MEDIUM GREY: No data for the last 5 years are available to local experts LIGHT GREY: No information is available about field studies on mosquitoes during the last 5 years.

1. 
   
2. Data and maps
3. Maps and graphs
4. Known distribution of the ...
   
   [...]

The knowledge of the diseases and the vectors could be cross-referenced with what has come out about the mainly US sponsored efforts to do dual use research in the bioweapon related area with live trials. The US and allies are never going to come out and announce a planned deployment of bioweapons like they do with their other weapons destined for Ukraine. Perhaps all the notice we get is from China like this tweet, incidentally backed up by briefings from the Russian MoD,.

 

[thorbiorn]

From this disaster, we can be sure of two things: 1. ordinary Ukrainian, Poles and anyone close to that border will suffer terribly 2. Zelensky will certainly leave the country and move where it is safe for him.

I think the Poles will stay where they are, and Zelensky too, at least if it just a few tons of DU.
Below, I will try to find out more and answer a couple of more posts at the same time.

1.
How much Depleted Uranium was there?
The Wiki on DU explains that DU is also used for civilian purposes.

Civilian uses include counterweights in aircraft, radiation shielding in medical radiation therapy and industrial radiography equipment, and containers for transporting radioactive materials. Military uses include armor plating and armor-piercing projectiles.

Another use of depleted uranium is in kinetic energy penetrators, anti-armor rounds such as the 120 mm sabot rounds fired from the British Challenger 1, Challenger 2,[36] M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams.[37] Kinetic energy penetrator rounds consist of a long, relatively thin penetrator surrounded by a discarding sabot. Staballoys are metal alloys of depleted uranium with a very small proportion of other metals, usually titanium or molybdenum. One formulation has a composition of 99.25% by mass of depleted uranium and 0.75% by mass of titanium. Staballoys are approximately 1.67 times as dense as lead and are designed for use in kinetic energy penetrator armor-piercing ammunition. The US Army uses DU in an alloy with around 3.5% titanium.
[....]
The DU content in various ammunition is 180 g in 20 mm projectiles, 200 g in 25 mm ones, 280 g in 30 mm, 3.5 kg in 105 mm, and 4.5 kg in 120 mm penetrators.

See also this Wiki: Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot
If you look at the image, it is a rather thin, long rod, probably no more than a few cm in diameter. That explains why the whole rod weighs only a few kg.

If we guess they sent 2000 rounds of DU each with a 4.5 kg rod, then it is 9000 kg or 9 tons of DU.
That is not too bad. If it all went up in one go, there would be a lot of heat, the air and dust would rise high, and the particles distributed over a large area, which means an overall lower concentration.

2.

Does anybody have a picture of the ammunition warehouse before the explosion? Was it really huge or simply a steel building above ground and the ammo was stored underneath? I've tried locating it but cannot.

I don't have a picture, but If each round of 120 mm ammunition weighs 25 kg (a guess based on a different type in the same calibre) they might be fitted into a limited number of containers, the warehouse could be big or small. Much of the blast was probably from other kinds of ammunition and the rockets themselves.

Finding out more about the DU ammunition that was sent
Before I could get to the calculation about the amount of DU, I looked up a few other details if anyone is interested in the process, for the eventuality that it should happen again.

If the DU munition sent from the UK corresponds to what was promised and nothing more, then we can begin in this Wiki: List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War. Under the UK there is:

Spoiler: Details about DU weapons

Ammunition

• 100,000 of rounds of artillery ammunition (including 50,000 of rounds for Soviet-era artillery) [2022].[421]
• 3,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition [2022].[421]
• 2,600 anti-structure munitions and 4.5 tonnes of plastic explosives [2022].[421]
• 1000s of depleted uranium tank shells [April 2023].[425]

Under source 425: UK sends thousands of Challenger 2 ammunitions to Ukraine, including depleted uranium rounds – British Defense Ministry, 25 April 2023 which leads to:

20:56 25.04.2023

UK sends thousands of Challenger 2 ammunitions to Ukraine, including depleted uranium rounds – British Defense Ministry​

2 min read

Great Britain has sent Ukraine thousands of ammunition for Challenger 2 tanks, including armor-piercing rounds with depleted uranium, according to Deputy Defense Secretary James Heappey.
"We have sent thousands of rounds of Challenger 2 ammunition to Ukraine, including depleted uranium armour-piercing rounds. For operational security reasons, we will not comment on Ukrainian usage rates for the rounds provided," Heappey wrote in response to written inquiries from Kenny MacAskill, House of Commons member from Scottish Alba Party.

In addition, the Secretary of State for Defense said the Challenger 2 tanks and depleted uranium rounds transferred by the UK to Ukraine are now under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the UK Ministry of Defense does not monitor the locations from where the AFU fire depleted uranium rounds on the territory of Ukraine.

Heappey also said "there is no obligation on the UK to help clear up depleted uranium rounds fired from Challenger 2 tanks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, we remain committed to helping Ukraine emerge from this war secure, prosperous and free and we are supporting a range of activities to meet Ukraine's immediate needs, restore essential infrastructure and services, and lay the groundwork for its longer-term recovery and post-war reconstruction."

And from the Wiki for the Challenger 2, just to be sure:

The Challenger Lethality Improvement Programme (CLIP) was a programme to replace the current L30A1 rifled gun with the smoothbore Rheinmetall 120 mm gun currently used in the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams. The use of a smoothbore weapon would have allowed Challenger 2 to use NATO standard ammunition, including tungsten-based kinetic energy penetrators which do not have the same political and environmental objections as depleted uranium rounds. The production lines for rifled 120 mm ammunition in the UK have been closed for some years so existing stocks of ammunition for the L30A1 are finite.[67]

Here is more about the DU rounds:

Analysis: Overview of depleted-uranium tank rounds to be delivered by UK to Ukraine​

Defense News March 2023 Global Security army industry POSTED ON SATURDAY, 25 MARCH 2023 12:16
On Monday, March 20, 2023, the British Department of Defense (DoD) confirmed that it would provide Ukrainian armed forces with depleted-uranium tank rounds. This type of ammunition is able to be fired by the Challenger 2 tanks that the British government will deliver to Ukraine. In this analysis, we describe how this type of ammunition works and its combat capabilities.


Depleted uranium (DU) tank rounds are a type of armor-piercing ammunition used in tank warfare. These rounds are made from depleted uranium, which is a byproduct of the process used to enrich uranium for nuclear power and weapons. (Picture source Graphic News & Army Recognition)

Depleted uranium (DU) tank rounds are a type of armor-piercing ammunition used in tank warfare. These rounds are made from depleted uranium, which is a byproduct of the process used to enrich uranium for nuclear power and weapons. Depleted uranium is denser than lead, making it an ideal material for armor-piercing projectiles.

DU tank rounds are designed to penetrate heavily armored targets, such as tanks and other armored vehicles. When the DU round strikes its target, the kinetic energy from the impact causes the depleted uranium to self-sharpen and penetrate the armor. Upon penetration, the DU round can cause catastrophic damage to the interior of the target, including the ignition of any fuel or ammunition stored within, as well as killing or injuring the crew inside.

The use of DU tank rounds has been controversial due to the potential health and environmental risks associated with depleted uranium. When a DU round impacts a target, it can create fine dust of uranium particles, which can be toxic if inhaled or ingested. Additionally, depleted uranium is weakly radioactive, raising concerns about its long-term effects on human health and the environment. As a result, some countries have called for restrictions on the use of DU ammunition, while others continue to use it due to its effectiveness against heavily armored targets.

The Challenger 2 MBT (Main Battle Tank) that the British government will supply to Ukraine is equipped with a 120mm L30A1 rifled main gun, which is capable of firing a variety of rounds, including depleted uranium (DU) tank rounds. The British Army has used the CHARM 3 (CHallenger main ARMament) L27A1 armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) round, which features a DU penetrator. The DU penetrator in the L27A1 round is designed to defeat heavily armored targets by leveraging the properties of depleted uranium, such as high density, self-sharpening, and pyrophoric effects.

[...]
Depleted uranium (DU) tank rounds have several advantages that make them an attractive choice for military use,
particularly for engaging heavily armored targets. This type of ammunition is approximately 1.7 times denser than lead and 2.4 times denser than steel, making it an excellent material for armor-piercing projectiles. The high density allows DU rounds to maintain their shape and integrity even at high velocities, ensuring better penetration against thick armor. When a DU round impacts a target, it has a unique characteristic of self-sharpening rather than deforming or mushrooming like other materials. This behavior increases the effectiveness of the round in penetrating armor, as it maintains its sharp, pointed shape as it passes through the target.

DU tank rounds are typically fin-stabilized, meaning they have fins attached to the rear of the penetrator to maintain stability and accuracy in flight. This enables the round to travel at high velocities and hit targets with great precision. The sabot is a lightweight carrier that encases the penetrator during its travel through the barrel of the gun. After the round exits the barrel, the sabot is discarded, allowing the penetrator to continue on its trajectory unimpeded. This design helps maintain high velocity and accuracy.

DU tank rounds are compatible with a variety of modern main battle tank main guns, including the 120mm smoothbore guns used on the M1A1 Abrams and the 120mm rifled guns used on the British Challenger 2.
[...]

3.

The issue with winds

is, that they often are, or can have, different directions dependent on the height. Just as an example for today; i interpret following in the current wind situations over Ukraine:

As you bring out, wind speed and direction varies with altitude. If one plays around with the altitude for the wind on Ventusky, it is easy to get an idea.

4.

"Medvedev stressed that there could be no talk of any equal negotiations with the Nazi state under external control. The Ukrainian state is now in a state of half-life. Negotiations are possible only with the masters of the Kyiv regime, who are in Washington."

Half-life is an interesting term now that we have been thinking about radioactivity.

Half-life (symbol t½) is the time required for a quantity (of substance) to reduce to half of its initial value. The term is commonly used in nuclear physics to describe how quickly unstable atoms undergo radioactive decay or how long stable atoms survive. The term is also used more generally to characterize any type of exponential (or, rarely, non-exponential) decay. For example, the medical sciences refer to the biological half-life of drugs and other chemicals in the human body. The converse of half-life (in exponential growth) is doubling time.

If Ukraine has lost half its population to death, less territory and emigration since February 24, 2022, then we should expect that it will be half of what it is now by late August 2024. That might be too pessimistic, but who knows?

 

[youlik]

Over the past 24 hours, cities that at one time became almost symbols of total destruction as a result of hostilities have been subjected to Ukrainian strikes. The ukrofascists will not calm down in any way.

AFU hit Volnovakha with 10 unknown missiles
The Ukrainian Armed Forces struck Volnovakha in the DPR using previously unknown weapons.

Volnovakha in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) was shelled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. At the same time, the use of a type of missile weapons was noticed, which had not been encountered in this conflict until that moment. This was announced by the deputy head of the Department of the DPR Regardie, Alexander Khodakovsky.

According to Khodakovsky, about ten such missiles were fired. The uniqueness of these munitions is that they practically do not leave debris and fragments after the explosion – this made their identification impossible. It is noted that the craters formed after the explosion indicate a large caliber of missiles and their similarity to artillery shells.

"This is the neighborhood of Volnovakha - something that was not shot down by our air defense. More than a dozen rockets of unknown modification were fired, leaving almost no fragments when they burst, but leaving craters akin to large-caliber projectiles. Apparently, the missiles are not homing," Khodakovsky said.

The absence of homing systems in these missiles suggests that they are designed to fire at large areas, not specific targets.

ВСУ ударили по Волновахе 10 неизвестными ракетами

Mariupol was hit by powerful long-range missiles
An explosion occurred in Mariupol: four rockets were reported to have landed on the territory of the old city airport.

Residents of Mariupol experienced a powerful explosion. Residents of the city make publications online with videos of the moment of impact, on which you can see that the explosion was very powerful.

War correspondents monitoring the situation note that four missiles were launched. According to available information, the missiles were launched from the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and flew into the area of the old city airport of Mariupol.

Some sources report that the targets could be old barracks premises, but at the moment there are no details on this matter from the leadership of the region yet.

It is not specified with the use of which weapons the strike was carried out, however, there is anecdotal evidence that Storm Shadow cruise missiles could have been used.

По Мариуполю нанесены мощные удары дальнобойными ракетами

Well, what can I say?! As it is written in the article: Red lines, have you not heard?

"A historic decision," Zelensky reacted to Biden's decision to give the F—16 to Ukraine
Red lines, haven't you heard? The United States and its allies are ready to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine - NBC.

According to information transmitted by NBC, the United States and its allies plan to transfer F-16 fighter jets to Kiev. According to a senior American official, aircraft deliveries to Kiev will not be carried out directly from Washington. Instead, the United States and other Western countries will decide on the start of deliveries, determining the number of transferred fighters and who exactly will make the deliveries.

According to information published in the newspaper Politico, Kiev hopes to receive up to 50 F-16 fighters from Western countries. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky wants the issue of combat aircraft to become a central topic at the G7 summit in Japan and at the NATO summit in Lithuania. The newspaper also reports that Ukrainian pilots will be trained to control fighter jets, including the F-16, in Europe. This process will take several months and may begin in the coming weeks.

National Security Adviser to the US President Jake Sullivan said on Wednesday that Washington is not yet ready to provide details regarding the possible supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

The UK announced that it will begin training Ukrainian pilots this summer, and will also continue cooperation with other countries on the possible provision of F-16 fighter jets to Kiev.

The Kremlin authorities have repeatedly stressed that the supply of weapons to Ukraine from the West does not contribute to the success of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and will have a negative impact.

«Историческое решение» — Зеленский отреагировал на решение Байдена дать F-16 для Украины

Spoiler: Russian spelling

За последние сутки украинским ударам подверглись города, ставшие в свое время практически символами тотального разрушения в результате боевых действий. Никак не угомонятся укрофашисты.
Ну что тут скажешь?! Как и написано в статье: Красные линии, не слышали?

 

[Altair]

As for the "historical decision" to give Ukraine F-16, I'm pretty sure it was made months ago. I read in the local German news several months ago that Ukrainian pilots were being trained at Laupheim Air Base.

 

[thorbiorn]

As for the "historical decision" to give Ukraine F-16, I'm pretty sure it was made months ago. I read in the local German news several months ago that Ukrainian pilots were being trained at Laupheim Air Base.

It could be one of those, where they will announce suddenly to the surprise of all, planes will be sent to Ukraine, and by the time the headlines are updated they are already flying and operating. While that may be an exaggeration, the planes could well be flying in less time than it would take to train the pilots if the training only began recently, also because they can take in mercenaries that can fly the jets. Seats do not necessarily need to be filled with Ukrainians.

 

[Aeneas]

Today, it is 4 years since Zelensky got into power. Sputnik has an article about Zelensky's rise to power which is interesting:

Bloody Jester: Volodymyr Zelensky's Rise to Power

Exactly 4 years ago Ukrainian actor and comedian Volodymyr Zelensky was sworn in as Ukraine's sixth president. Sputnik explores an eerie transformation of a popular comedian into deranged politician, drunk on blood and dirty cash.

sputnikglobe.com

Since some don't have access to Sputnik, the whole article is below:

Bloody Jester: Volodymyr Zelensky's Rise to Power​

2 hours ago

© AP Photo / Ukrainian Presidential Press Office

Ekaterina Blinova

Exactly four years ago Ukrainian actor and comedian Volodymyr Zelensky was sworn in as the nation's sixth president. People who personally knew Zelensky tell Sputnik about his eerie transformation from a popular comedian into an unscrupulous manipulator and deranged politician, drunk on blood and dirty cash.
Initially lauded as a new Winston Churchill, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is gradually losing his veneer of a "defender of Ukraine".
Western mainstream press now writes about his "aggressive instincts" contrasting with his public-facing image as "the stoic statesman". It also criticizes Ukraine's terror attacks on civilian infrastructure and Russian citizens under his government.
Who is Volodymyr Zelensky and how did he come to power?

Landslide Victory​

Zelensky's ascendance to power was nothing short of spectacular: having zero experience in politics, the 41-year-old outperformed his rival, then-President Petro Poroshenko, by a staggering 49% margin. On May 20, 2019, Zelensky was inaugurated as the sixth president of Ukraine.

"I would call it a syndrome of the driven-to-despair electorate, sorry for this formal expression," Mikhail Grushevsky, a stage artist and showman told Sputnik. The landslide "was caused by utter despair and a feeling of hopelessness. Ukrainians had already experienced charm and disappointment by that time. Remember the euphoria of the so-called Orange Revolution of 2004? And Yushchenko's chants? What kind of heroine was Tymoshenko there? They invented and erected idols for themselves and then quickly overthrew them. In the same way, Poroshenko probably became a hero of 2014 for them. Once again they fooled themselves. And it seems to me that they were ready to believe any swindler."
Ukraine suffered from endemic corruption, internal political strife, and arbitrariness of ultra-nationalists who terrorized civilians in eastern and central Ukraine. Kiev's Russophobic agenda, disruption of economic ties with Russia, and unwillingness to comply with the Minsk agreements and end hostilities in Donbass exhausted the nation.

World
'They Fired at Civilians': Mariupol Residents Recall 2014 Victory Day Massacre
9 May, 11:00 GMT

"[Zelensky] came as the president of peace, as a man who promised peace to Donbass and all of Ukraine," Grushevsky said. "And I remember we all listened to his first speech in the Rada [the Ukrainian Parliament – Sputnik], when he switched from Ukrainian to Russian and said that [the people in the east of Ukraine] were 'our people: They are as dear to us as other Ukrainians.' But it was just a pose. And I think that they voted for the person who promised them just that."
People were tired, first of all, of the established politicians, who were crooked as a dog's hind leg, who were stealing, who were liars, according to Yuri Kot, dean of the Faculty of Media Communications and Audiovisual Arts of the Moscow State Institute of Cinematography and author of the book "Ukrainians! We are Russians!"

"Ukrainians wanted someone new," Kot told Sputnik. "Well, they were given a jester. And that jester was not an ordinary one. He turned out to be a Little Zaches*, who used the trust of people for one single purpose: to get to power, get maximum fame and a huge amount of money, nothing more."
Yuri Kot
Author of the book "Ukrainians! We are Russians!"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a press conference on the first anniversary of his presidency, May 20, 2020.
© Sputnik / Стрингер
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A Master of Disguise​

Zelensky came to prominence as a showman, actor and a comedian, who owes much of his success to Russia and the economic gains of being popular in such a big country.
In 1998, "Kvartal 95", a comedy team from Krivoy Rog State University led by Zelensky, made a successful debut in KVN ("The Club of Jolly Quick-Wits"), a Russian TV program in which teams of university students from post-Soviet spaces compete in a battle of wits. Zelensky's team played in KVN's highest league until 2003. In subsequent years, he made various shows and series for Ukrainian and Russian audiences, worked as an actor, screenwriter and producer - and was quite popular.

"We crossed paths in different situations, starting from the joint organization of celebrations," recalled Kot. "Plus we were friends. Of course, we had mutual friends; we rested together from time to time. (…) [Zelensky] was a man with a hidden agenda, anyway. When he says something it doesn't mean he thinks so. I remember one episode when I was the host of a show and then we had an unofficial poll on 'the most popular shows in Ukraine', and the audience named exactly the show which I hosted. And I remember that at that moment I caught his glance from the corner of my eye: it was a sharp, cold gaze. This man is clearly very envious, one can probably say so. Still, he had nothing to be envious about, he always had a popular show, but this is who he is, hungry for success, obsessed with it."
"It is no coincidence that people say 'beware of a silent dog and still water'," said Volodymyr Oleynyk, a Ukrainian politician and former PM of the Verkhovna Rada, who recalled his first impression of Zelensky being a nice non-aggressive guy.
"Zelensky is a master of disguise. Now he has got into this satanic character so deeply and believed that the whole world is listening to him. His boorish behavior with the Pope and others is a sign of a [stardom] disease of the actor."

Russia's Special Operation in Ukraine
Ukraine's Zelensky Rejects Pope's Offer of Mediation
13 May, 21:59 GMT
Did Zelensky dream of a political career at that time? Unlikely, argued Oleynyk. Had Zelensky really planned to go into politics he would have never made silly and insulting jokes about Ukraine or engaged in murky financial schemes which later became his curse, he said.
Moreover, Zelensky appeared to be completely unprepared for debates with then-President Petro Poroshenko: Zelensky did not even know the Constitution of the country he sought to take the reins of, as per the ex-Cherkassy mayor.

"He entered politics from the back door," the ex-mayor told Sputnik. "And when some people draw parallels saying 'look, [Ronald] Reagan was an actor too', these comparisons are inappropriate because Reagan was a great actor for the American people. And he was also a governor. He was a congressman, people saw him. This is a rather difficult path when one is seen walking the talk. And [Zelensky] was seen only on the stage, where he joked, where he mocked Ukraine, called it a European whore, and so on, where he made such jokes about state symbols that many would not forgive him for. And then he made it straight to the presidency. He was neither an MP nor a mayor, so that people could judge him by his deeds. What could he do, except for jokes?"
Even now he is not the president of Ukraine in earnest, but is just playing the role, noted Oleynik. However, while previously people laughed at his jokes until they cried, now they are crying bloody tears, added the Ukrainian politician.

Ihor Kolomoisky, appointed head of the Dnepropetrovsk region, at a meeting chaired by Verkhovna Rada Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov, appointed acting president of Ukraine, in Kiev.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Markiv
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Socket Puppet President?​

Zelensky has never been an independent politician: his presidency was a "project" funded and cooked up by powerful players behind the scenes, according to Sputnik's interlocutors.

"It is difficult for me to judge whose exact project Zelensky is. I heard different versions, mentioning both the CIA and the British MI6. It's entirely possible that it's both, really. One does not contradict the other. Naturally, everyone understands that behind him was the figure of an odious man named Kolomoisky," said Grushevsky.
"[Kolomoisky] is a man who, in fact, brought [Zelensky] into the political orbit as his protégé. Well, and then all the rest gradually came, but first of all, it was Kolomoisky," echoed Kot.
Ukrainian oligarch Kolomoisky is currently under FBI investigation for financial crimes. He is also infamous for funding and supporting notorious neo-Nazi and ultra-nationalist battalions, including the Azov**, Aidar, Donbass, Dnepr 1, and Dnepr 2 in 2014, that terrorized Russian speakers and maintained secret torture sites in Eastern Ukraine, including the sinister "Biblioteka" (Library) in Mariupol.
Kolomoisky used to control one of the country's largest media conglomerates: "1+1" Media Group. In 2012, the mogul's "1+1" started to air Zelensky's comedy show "Kvartal 95". Their collaboration apparently proved lucrative. Exactly at that time, Zelensky and his partners founded a network of offshore companies, according to the October 2021 bombshell "Pandora Papers" release by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).

Russia
US Analyst: Time Has Come for American Politicians to Hold Kiev Responsible for Endemic Corruption
23 July 2022, 13:03 GMT
It was "Servant of the People" hosted by Kolomoisky's 1+1 that became fateful for Zelensky's political career. The series was created by Zelensky, who starred as Vasily Goloborodko, a school history teacher from Kiev, who accidentally becomes the president of Ukraine and embarks on a mission to fight corruption. The story resonated with Ukrainians and quickly became popular.
When on December 31, 2018, Zelensky announced his intention to run for presidency, it had not been perceived as something outlandish: some Ukrainian believed that he would fight for the common man; the others were ready to vote for anyone except Poroshenko, Sputnik's interlocutors said. Western observers admitted at the time that the series "catapulted this political unknown within spitting distance of the presidency," and referred to Kolomoisky as his powerful backer.

Comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy
© Sputnik / Stringer /
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As per Oleynyk, the Kolomoisky team did not initially plan to propel Zelensky to the presidency: the ex-mayor quoted the tycoon's lawyer Andrey Bodgan as saying that they wanted to get to the Ukrainian parliament using the newly established party, Servant of the People, as a vehicle. However, they decided to play big having realized that Zelensky enjoyed public support.
By that time the Ukrainian oligarch had already been accused of embezzling over $5 billion from the nation's largest lender, Privatbank. Later, in March 2021, the Biden administration slapped sanctions on the tycoon and his family. Ironically, instead of shielding his former patron, Zelensky soon distanced from him and reportedly stripped Kolomoisky of Ukrainian citizenship in July 2022 which could facilitate the latter's extradition to the US.

"What did Kolomoisky count on? That through Zelensky he would solve his [US] sanctions problem and close his criminal case in the US. They do not understand that the system is formed differently [in the US]. As of yet, the question about Kolomoisky's extradition has not been decided. Meanwhile, Kolomoisky has pretty much evidence and records implicating Zelensky," Oleynyk said.

The view shows the houses in Donetsk destroyed as a result of shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces
© Sputnik / Sergey Averin
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Why Didn't Zelensky Become a President of Peace?​

Despite Zelensky pledging that he would end the war in the east of Ukraine, implement the Minsk Agreements, and restore law and order in the country, he never delivered on his promises.

"It was a game. [Ex-German Chancellor Angela] Merkel said, 'I knew we wouldn't do it [the Minsk Agreements]'. Poroshenko said: 'We signed, but we knew we would not comply.' They told Zelensky: 'Stop it. Don’t you dare meet with Putin.' Why was he forbidden from meeting with Putin? Could you meet? He could. He was ordered to be silent, rearm and prepare," said Oleynyk.

Fighters of the Azov paramilitary battalion, a pro-Ukrainian volunteer armed group, take part in combat drills near the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol on February 6, 2015
© AFP 2023 / PETRO ZADOROZHNYY
According to the Ukrainian politician, Zelensky became part of a bigger geopolitical game which started almost three decades ago having won the presidential vote.
The Western colonial-minded elite has harbored plans to weaken Russia and its former satellites and lay its hands on their vast resources since the collapse of the Soviet Union. After the fall of the USSR, both Russia and Ukraine still stayed strong and intertwined. The only way to weaken them was to pit one brotherly nation against the other, argued Oleynyk.

"When [Viktor] Yushchenko came in 2004, he was pro-Western, but he could not solve this problem. Why? There was a fairly strong political representation of the voters of the southeast [of Ukraine] by the Communist Party, Socialists, and the Party of Regions."
These popular parties did not allow the pro-Western puppet government to sever ties with Russia and join NATO. Eventually, in 2010 Yushchenko lost the elections to Viktor Yanukovich, who commanded support in Eastern and Central Ukraine. At that time, the West understood that it couldn't carry out its project within the framework of democracy, and it arranged a coup d'etat in Kiev in February 2014, continued Oleynyk.
After that, the Kiev junta resorted to persecution of dissenting politicians, journalists, and ordinary civilians using paramilitary neo-Nazi groups and ultra-nationalists. The horrific massacre in Odessa became the harbinger of Ukraine's transformation into a quasi-nationalist state operated by the West.

Shortly before the tragedy, members of radical pro-Maidan nationalist groups, as well as “Ultras” football hooligans, arrived in Odessa and staged a march “For the Unity of Ukraine”, which ended in clashes, with thugs setting fire to the tents set up by anti-Maidan protesters on Kulikovo Pole Square. Anti-Maidan activists tried to defend themselves by retreating to the Trade Unions House. The radicals blocked the exits of the building. A fire soon broke out.
© Sputnik / Alexander Polishchuk

"Why did [the Kiev regime] bomb Lugansk in July 2014 from a warplane? In July, no one even took up arms [in Donbass]. Why did [Kiev] send armored vehicles there, when people stopped them with their hands, and women stood with icons. What for? To spill blood. The Americans knew that if blood was spilled in the Donbass, Russia would not be silent. They calculated it all," Oleynyk said.
As per the former Ukrainian MP, it was done to drive a wedge between Russia and Ukraine and, subsequently, undermine both.

Lugansk School No. 7, December 2014. Author’s photo
Under these conditions, Zelensky had a choice to either try to stop the Western-run war machine or become its cog. He chose the latter, continuing his predecessor's practice of political persecution and terror against his rivals and has spilled much more blood than Poroshenko and his neo-Nazi thugs, Sputnik interlocutors said.

"I think he got scared," Grushevsky said. "He really understood that the nationalist forces, which personify a fairly long-standing concept of 'Banderism' [after Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera, a Nazi Germany collaborator during WW2 – Sputnik]. These forces will not allow him any other political line, except to follow their own plans. I think it was fear – fear for his future, for his life – that turned the president, who came to power with peaceful slogans, into, virtually, a puppet."

Local women clean up outside a house that was damaged by a Ukrainian night shelling in Gorlovka.
© Sputnik / Valery Melnikov
"He probably had a choice: either to stay true to his promises - which would not be easy and there was a high probability that there could be could be slandered, robbed, and killed – or succumb to the temptation, get guarantees of a certain security, become a billionaire, gain world fame, appearing on all international platforms in the form of a sufferer, have unlimited power in a certain sense on the territory of Ukraine, when people can be killed at the behest of Zelensky. But he chose the second, he did not resist this temptation," noted Kot.

"He was offered a huge amount of money to fit into the system that existed before him, the system of Russophobia, the system of misanthropy, the system of Satanism. He got into it. He sold his soul for 30 pieces of silver. For some, 30 pieces of silver is money; for some, it's fame; for some, it's power. Zelensky got all three in one. Therefore, he simply, having a choice, chose this black side," he continued.
On top of that, Western intelligence communities appear to have enough dirt on Zelensky to pull his strings, Oleynyk added. The CIA is well-aware of the Ukrainian president's misdeeds and greed, as Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh remarked in his April 12 Substack piece: "One estimate by analysts from the Central Intelligence Agency put the embezzled funds at $400 million last year, at least."

A worker paints a "Saint Javelin", a Virgin Mary holding an American-made anti-tank missile, in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 24, 2022
© AP Photo / Natacha Pisarenko

Traitor​

"Since his drug addiction is quite obvious, it seems to me that, as a dependent person, he experiences a feeling of universal happiness from the fact that he is a world star," Grushevsky said. "There was a rock opera 'Jesus Christ Superstar'. And now Zelensky has a moment of world triumph. He is touring the world, asking for regular portions of military assistance, loans, and money. And his passion is speaking at world forums. It doesn't matter what it would be: the World Cup, the Eurovision Oscar, the Cannes Film Festival - it doesn't matter. Give him the opportunity, he will be ready to speak at any small-town forum. He became a global superstar in his own eyes. That is, these are ambitions, this is such vanity, which is very cleverly warmed up. And, of course, he is now experiencing something akin to euphoria from his world super glory."

World
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As per Kot, Zelensky has turned his dream of becoming a billionaire into reality: "Now Zelensky is trying to stay as long as possible in this post, and then just have time to run away with the money. Nothing else." However, it's unlikely that he would manage to flee and evade punishment, according to Sputnik's interlocutors.
"He is actually a little guy and not the sharpest tool in the box," Kot said. "He does not have a stable system of knowledge. He is really ignorant, absolutely ignorant. It has no spiritual foundations. He had long said that he was, in fact, an agnostic or an atheist. (…) He has no God in his soul, he has no knowledge. Plus, he is a man of vices. Look, he's a drug addict, sniffing cocaine. He likes women and men at the same time. He has a serious addiction to money and alcohol. There are a lot of vices that he simply let into himself for enjoyment. Naturally, such a person could easily turn into a pig in the blink of an eye. This is, in fact, what happened."

"I do not expect anything good from him in the future, because he has already gone so far that he passed the point of no return," echoed Oleynyk. "Only a fascist could cancel the May 9 Victory Day [in Ukraine]. Not just a traitor, but a fascist. Yes, he betrayed his grandfather too. We honor [his grandfather] Semen Zelensky, who was twice awarded the Order of the Red Star [in the Second World War]. And Zelensky betrayed him. He is trying to destroy Orthodoxy. This is something that only a few people would dare do. He won't destroy it, it's impossible. That is, there is no return for him. His fate will be very terrible because he brought too much sorrow for people to forgive him."
*Little Zaches is the main character of the 1819 satirical fairytale fantasy novella "Little Zaches, nicknamed Cinnaber" by E. T. A. Hoffmann. Zaches was gifted by the fairy Rosabelverde with the magical power of attracting people to himself and taking other people's merits which eventually made him selfish and evil.
**The Azov Battalion is an extremist organization banned in Russia.

 

[Ben]

Prigozhin announced the capture of Bakhmut/Artyomovsk. The operation lasted 224 days. It also happens to fall on the anniversary of the capture of Mariupol.

Military Summary

Evgeny Prigozhin announced the end of operation "Bakhmut Meatgrinder". Exactly 1 year ago russian army captured Mariupol.🤙🤙🤙🎻

t.me

From 25 May, the Wagner PMC will withdraw its units from Bakhmut/ Artemovsk, for rest and retraining, Prigozhin said.

During this time, defence lines will be established, then the city will be handed over to the Defence Ministry. The PMC will return when the Russian Federation needs help.

 

[youlik]

Prigozhin announced the capture of Bakhmut/Artyomovsk. The operation lasted 224 days. It also happens to fall on the anniversary of the capture of Mariupol.

Ukrainians have their own opinion on this

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine denies the loss of Bakhmut

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine refutes Yevgeny Prigozhin's statement about the capture of Bakhmut (Artemovsk).

"That's not true. Our units continue fighting in Bakhmut," Sergei Cherevaty, the speaker of the Eastern Grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told Reuters.

According to the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Anna Malyar, the situation for Ukraine in Bakhmut is "critical", but the AFU still controls a number of facilities.

"There are heavy battles in Bakhmut. The situation is critical. At the same time, our troops are holding the defense in the "Airplane" area. To date, our defenders control certain industrial and infrastructure facilities in this area and the private sector," said the Malyar.

https://rusvesna.su/news/1684591290

The offensive near Donetsk: The Russian Army advanced in Maryinka and began flanking the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Russian army advanced in Maryinka and began flanking the defense of the AFU. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

During the fighting in the city center, Russian troops rested on the strong defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and "directed their efforts to the flanks around the city — in the north and south," said Deputy Head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Anna Malyar.

The reports of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine say that the Russian Army carried out dozens of attacks in the area of Maryinka (DPR) during the day.

Under the blows of the AFU positions in the areas of Krasnogorovka, Georgievka, Pobeda, Kurakhovo, Ostroye and Katerinovka.

https://rusvesna.su/news/1684597989

Interesting opinion

The Russian army has fully adapted to the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine and the tactics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Russian army is adapting and improving in Ukraine.

The Russian armed forces are demonstrating impressive adaptation and improvement of their military skills during ongoing military operations in Ukraine, according to a new analytical report by the Royal United Institute for Defense Studies (RUSI) in the UK. This puts Ukraine in front of serious problems.

Especially noticeable in the report is the mention of the improvement of the reconnaissance and strike complex of the Russian artillery. Analysts note that the effectiveness of artillery fire has increased due to the improved ability to fire from multiple positions. This highlights the increased flexibility of Russian artillery in a changing battlefield.

The document also emphasizes the effectiveness and adaptation of Russian air defense (air defense). The researchers found that Russian air defense systems were almost completely able to neutralize the threat from HARM missiles that were used by enemy forces.

Overall, this report highlights the persistent adaptability and effectiveness of the Russian military machine in Ukraine, which represents a significant obstacle for the Ukrainian armed forces.

Российская армия полностью приспособилась к поставкам на Украину западного вооружения и тактике ВСУ

And here it is-my favorite. We have a saying: when the Ukrainian was born, the Jew cried.

In Kiev, the wreckage of the American Patriot air defense system struck by the hypersonic Dagger missile is being sold
Kiev residents confirm the destruction of the American Patriot air defense system with a hypersonic "Dagger".

According to Kiev residents, the Russian hypersonic missile "Dagger" successfully hit the American Patriot anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) in the capital of Ukraine. Information about the destruction of the air defense system was confirmed by ads on local websites where parts from the broken complex are offered for purchase.

In particular, an aluminum cover from a missile system is put up for sale. The Patriot who discovered the part requested five thousand hryvnias for it. This item became a physical evidence of the successful strike of the "Dagger" on the American air defense system.

The Ukrainian authorities also confirmed the statement of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation about the destruction of five launchers, however, at the moment it is reported that the system has been fully restored.

Earlier, US military analysts noted that the Patriot air defense system tried to shoot down the Russian high-precision hypersonic ammunition "Dagger". However, despite a volley of 32 missiles, none of them hit the target. The cost of a full salvo of this complex, as specified by experts, is about 96 million dollars.

Thus, Kiev residents with their announcements involuntarily confirmed the information about the defeat of the American air defense system by the Russian hypersonic Dagger.

В Киеве продают обломки поражённого гиперзвуковой ракетой "Кинжал" американского ЗРК Patriot

 

[Chaze]

May 20th is going to be regarded as a historic day for Russia after this. Both Mariupol and Artemovsk were liberated on this day, one year apart.



And personally, I think this picture is iconic:

 

[aragorn]

Just out of curiosity I had a peek what CNN is saying about the fall of Bakhmut. Well...as one might expect, they're in full damage control mode (as are all western media outlets). Did you know, that the situation now after Russia has taken Bakhmut/Artemovsk is actually better for Ukraine?

Quote from CNN:s article HERE:

Ukrainian forces are now, from a military perspective, likely to be in a stronger position than they were before their withdrawal from the center of the town.

They control significant territory on Bakhmut's northern and southern flanks, and the high ground to the west. Meanwhile, everything in what remains of Bakhmut — and that’s almost nothing — is now a free-fire zone for Ukraine.

Russian attempts to invest it with troops will make Putin's soldiers easy targets for Ukrainian artillery and rocket attacks.

In short, Wagner's declared "victory" in the small Ukrainian city may be pyrrhic — won at too great a cost to be worthwhile.

Clownworld, indeed...

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Zalensky admits at meeting with Biden that Ukraine no longer controls Artyomovsk.

Zelensky tells Biden Ukraine no longer controls Artyomovsk

"But you have to understand that there is nothing left there. It's a pity, it's a tragedy, but as of today Bakhmut is only in our hearts. There is nothing in this place", he said

tass.com

21 MAY, 2023

 

[thorbiorn]

Allegedly, in Sweden a UAF brigade of 3000-5000 men have been trained to use western weapon systems, There are no official comments, so it could be just a rumour from Swedish TV, but Sweden is in some places a thinly populated country, so it would be possible to run a large scale operation without many knowing.

 

[youlik]

Clownworld, indeed...

Here is another message from the same world of clowns. Although this news does not relate directly to Ukraine, it definitely refers to the confrontation between Russia and the united West. Such twists arise when the power planted by the West (in this case, the president of Georgia is a citizen of France) in the country does not act in the interests of this country, but in the interests of the West that planted it, and this becomes obvious to many citizens.

Georgian Airways has banned the President of Georgia from flying the company's planes

TBILISI, May 21 — RIA Novosti. Georgian national airline Georgian Airways will not let President Salome Zurabishvili on board its planes, the director of the carrier Tamaz Gaiashvili said.
This is how Georgian Airways reacted to the boycott that Zurabishvili announced to the company because of the decision to start direct flights to Moscow.
"Ms. Salome announced a boycott of the national airline. We declare her persona non grata and until she apologizes to the Georgian people, we will not let her on board," Giashvili said in a statement.

He also criticized the president for her position and activities, calling them treacherous.
On May tenth, the President of Russia canceled the visa regime with Georgia and lifted the ban for Russian airlines on direct flights to the republic. The first flight from Moscow after a four-year break landed at Tbilisi Airport on May 19. The next day, the first Georgian Airways plane flew to Russia.
Zurabishvili considers Moscow's decision a provocation, and the resumption of air traffic caused her indignation. The chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobakhidze, called the president's statement completely absurd.

Georgian Airways запретила президенту Грузии летать самолетами компании

Spoiler: Russian spelling

Вот еще сообщение из того же мира клоунов. Эта новость хоть и не относится непосредственно к Украине, но однозначно относится к противостоянию России и объединенного запада. Подобные выверты возникают когда посаженная западом (в данном случае президент Грузии- гражданка Франции) власть в стране действует не в интересах этой страны, а в интересах посадившего ее запада и это становится очевидым для многих граждан.