Russia Invades Ukraine. Again
POSTED BY: captaincrunch
UPDATED: Sunday, September 6, 2026 21:09
VIEWED: 562266
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As the West drags its feet over additional military support to Ukraine, NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg’s well-worn words of support are starting to jar with reality
By Henry Foy | Nov 29, 2023
https://www.ft.com/content/f2cfebb4-77c9-490a-ac99-8c16f3385373
A scoop to start: EU countries including France and Belgium are permitting transshipments of billions of cubic metres of Russian gas, a practice banned by the UK and others, in a scheme that helps Moscow fund its war against Ukraine. (EU ports help sell on over 20% of LNG imports from Russia https://www.ft.com/content/aff34dec-9fbb-4158-9af8-7a7761b25893
Russian gas shipments are routinely transferred between tankers in Belgium, France and Spain before being exported to buyers in other continents. The ship transfers are crucial for Russia as it attempts to make best use of its Arctic fleet. Transshipment usually takes place between Russian “ice class” tankers that are used to run between the Yamal peninsula and north-western Europe and regular LNG tankers that then sail on to other ports, freeing up the ice-class vessels to return north.)
‘As long as it takes’
Western rhetoric of unwavering support for Ukraine is a well-worn mantra. But Kyiv probably didn’t think that it meant waiting “as long as it takes” for Western governments to make decisions.
Context: An EU plan to provide Kyiv with €50bn in budget support is stuck over internal wrangling. A $60bn fund promised by the White House is stuck in the mire of US Congress politics. And long-term weapons supplies have been cast into doubt by low production capacities in Europe and uncertainty over next year’s US presidential election.
Amid the foot-dragging, NATO foreign ministers this week are attempting to put on a brave face and turn to their favourite export (of which there is never a shortage): pledges of ironclad backing.
“In our meeting today, allies reiterated . . . unwavering support as the Ukrainians bravely defend their country,” NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said yesterday evening, referring to new pledges of assistance from Germany and the Netherlands. “All of this helps to save Ukrainian lives. And sends a message to Russia that our support will not falter.”
Ukraine’s summer-to-autumn counteroffensive, which made marginal gains against heavily-entrenched Russian troops, has petered out.
Kyiv privately blames Western governments for encouraging them to use NATO military tactics but failing to provide enough of the cutting-edge weaponry that their own forces enjoy.
That’s led to uncertainty over what comes next, especially as the US and EU continue to bicker over cash provisions critical to keeping the Ukrainian government running into 2024.
The alliance’s foreign ministers will gather again this morning with their Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, for a session of the NATO-Ukraine Council.
After meeting with Kuleba yesterday, EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell was asked whether faltering support for Ukraine was the “elephant in the room.”
“Look, the room is full of elephants. We have a room crowded with big issues and big questions. And certainly, the prospect of the war in Ukraine is one of the most important issues [with] which we are dealing,” Borrell retorted. “But, to be frank, I do not see any sign of member [states] having what you call ‘fatigue’.”
Such sentiments are appreciated in Kyiv. But rhetoric can’t pay the bills, or stock the ammunition dumps.
The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly
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Is poisoning of Ukraine spy chief's wife part of old Russia playbook?
The Vantage | November 30, 2023 15:42:45 IST
https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/vantage-is-poisoning-of-ukraine-spy-
chiefs-wife-part-of-old-russia-playbook-13449362.html
The use of poison, a notorious tool in Putin’s arsenal to silence critics, has now found its way to the Ukrainian battlefield. Marianna Budanova has become the first known target. Reports indicate that the Ukrainian intelligence unit G-U-R, responsible for the country’s security, has confirmed her poisoning along with several other officials, all now hospitalised.
The aftermath of Marianna Budanova’s poisoning raises serious questions about a potential breach in Ukraine’s intelligence unit.
Kyrylo Budanov, a 37-year-old Lieutenant General and chief of Ukraine’s main spy agency since 2020, has been a thorn in Moscow’s side. Known for orchestrating attacks deep inside Russian territory, Budanov has survived at least 10 assassination attempts including a botched car bombing in 2019.
Moscow has levied charges against Budanov, linking his unit to the killings of pro-war Russian figures, including Vladlen Tatarsky, a blogger, and Darya Dugina, a journalist and the daughter of a close ally of Putin. These charges make Budanov a prime target for Russian agencies.
History of covert poisoning in Russia
The use of poison as a weapon is not new in Russian tactics. Notable victims include Alexei Navalny, Putin’s vocal opposition politician currently serving a 30-year jail term, and the 2018 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in London. The recurring theme of poisoning critics underscores the ruthless methods employed by Russian intelligence.
The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly
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Quote:
Originally posted by second:
As the West drags its feet over additional military support to Ukraine, NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg’s well-worn words of support are starting to jar with reality
The reason why "the west", principally the USA, is dragging its feet supplying Ukraine is bc our military war gamers know that is we were to get into a direct land war with Russia in Europe, WE WOULD LOSE. The logistics aren't there. Anything we would attempt to convoy to Europe would be sunk crossing the Atlantic.
Also, Europe and the USA have run out of readily disposable weapons and munitions: not enough shells, not enough Patriot missiles, no more tanks etc.
Europe and the UK in particular have gone "all in" politically (on the mistaken belief that the USA had inexhaustible stores and natgas) and they have expended their armories, torpedoed their cheap energy supply, bled their treasuries, and deinduztrilaized themselves supporting Ukraine. And the USA is eating them for lunch bc their firms are moving here, where energy is cheaper.
Unbelievably stupid politicians! DON'T THEY KNOW THAT BEING AMERICA'S FRIEND IS FATAL?
Quote:
By Henry Foy | Nov 29, 2023
https://www.ft.com/content/f2cfebb4-77c9-490a-ac99-8c16f3385373
A scoop to start: EU countries including France and Belgium are permitting transshipments of billions of cubic metres of Russian gas, a practice banned by the UK and others, in a scheme that helps Moscow fund its war against Ukraine. (EU ports help sell on over 20% of LNG imports from Russia
And now the author wants to flog them some more?
Well, fine!
But don't be surprised if you see a political revolt in Europe, and a lot of governments changing hands in the next couple of years.
Another unbelievably stupid and counterfactual article from SECOND! There seem to be plenty out there, so I'm sure he'll post another wall of bullshit.
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"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger
Loving America is like loving an addicted spouse - SIGNYM
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Quote:More than half of Europeans are cheese-eating surrender monkeys so it would not be surprising if you are right. Those surrendering Europeans should not be surprised if wealthy Russians end up owning them. The same is true in America, where the majority already surrendered. The consequence for those Americans who surrendered is that the wealthy ended up with all the money:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Well, fine!
But don't be surprised if you see a political revolt in Europe, and a lot of governments changing hands in the next couple of years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_inequality_in_the_United_States
Unlike most East Texans, I did not surrender to circumstances. Neither did my sisters nor parents, who worked at Burger King. America worked well for all of us, but it doesn't for those who give up and hand over their money to the wealthy.
The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly
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OK, let's see. In one case (your family) "not surrendering" led to prosperity. Ok, that's a good reason to keep on keeping on. Of course, there's a difference between hard work and pathological greed, and I suspect that the top 1% didn't really work hard d to get there.
In another case (Europe) "not surrendering" leads to permanent poverty. So, what's the upside for "not surrendering"? And who are they "not surrendering" to? Because from where I sit, the EU elite are doing the USA's and globalists' bidding, and you want the people to surrender to their elite.
I really don't see a reason for Europe to continue fighting Russia. Russia has very clear security goals which I think are quite reasonable for everyone: a belt of neutral nations, like Austria, between NATO and Russia. Austria has done quite well as a neutral state, bc being NATO member would just put them in a state of permanent hostility, tension, and increased military expenses. Russia has no interest in invading Austria, or anyone, and did everything possible since 2014 to avoid conflict in Ukraine. It was "the west" that provoked the war.
The sooner people in Europe realize that, the sooner they'll be free of our, and their, bloodsucking elite.
One of us in confused, and I don't think it's me.
-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger
Loving America is like loving an addicted spouse - SIGNYM
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Quote:You have forgotten Russia's past, haven't you? Invading countries and never leaving, at least not until the Soviet Union disintegrated. And you also forgot how poorly Europe handled their defense needs before WWII. One country after another collapsed because they were not prepared for what was obviously going to happen. Europe is not prepared even today. One of these days it will be obvious to the cheese-eating surrender monkeys, but it will be too late. The USA showed up in Europe too late during WWII and it will be too late in the next war. All those NATO agreements mean nothing if the USA decides to do nothing. Nobody in Europe is ready to take on Russia, other than Finland, a country that beat up the Russians back in WWII and will do it again.
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
OK, let's see. In one case (your family) "not surrendering" led to prosperity. Ok, that's a good reason to keep on keeping on. Of course, there's a difference between hard work and pathological greed, and I suspect that the top 1% didn't really work hard d to get there.
In another case (Europe) "not surrendering" leads to permanent poverty. So, what's the upside for "not surrendering"? And who are they "not surrendering" to? Because from where I sit, the EU elite are doing the USA's and globalists' bidding, and you want the people to surrender to their elite.
I really don't see a reason for Europe to continue fighting Russia. Russia has very clear security goals which I think are quite reasonable for everyone: a belt of neutral nations, like Austria, between NATO and Russia. Austria has done quite well as a neutral state, bc being NATO member would just put them in a state of permanent hostility, tension, and increased military expenses. Russia has no interest in invading Austria, or anyone, and did everything possible since 2014 to avoid conflict in Ukraine. It was "the west" that provoked the war.
The sooner people in Europe realize that, the sooner they'll be free of our, and their, bloodsucking elite.
One of us in confused, and I don't think it's me.
I will show what happens when people who are easily frightened and quick to surrender are helped with money:
$892,723
$446,805
$381,231
$226,161
That's money given to 4 different people by me. Each of them now has none of that money. They would receive a little bit of money, find they need more, and then find they need still more after that. Each has nothing to show for all that money. Nothing. They all give promises to NOT do this or that extremely stupid thing, like sign purchase agreements or leases, but then they would break the promises and do as they pleased. That didn't work out to their advantage because they understand nothing about how Capitalism works. On the flip side, they'd promise to do things and then didn't. That also didn't work out. It's just awe-inspiring how many perfectly stupid ways Americans can find to fail in life, year after year.
All four of these women need somebody to run their lives for them because they are too cowardly and diffident to run themselves. But unless they are in jail or a cult, nobody can stop them from stumbling through life in America. In America, you are free to be the biggest failure you can be. I have seen this pattern repeated hundreds of times, but only these four received a large amount of my money. I'm convinced the problem is not money; the problem is the way they think. And it is not limited to just 4 people not thinking straight.
The same stupidity happens to countries, especially when their politicians bend to the will of the dumbest citizens, either the poorest citizens in a country like Argentina or bend to the will of the richest citizens in a country like the USA or UK.
The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly
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Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
OK, let's see. In one case (your family) "not surrendering" led to prosperity. Ok, that's a good reason to keep on keeping on. Of course, there's a difference between hard work and pathological greed, and I suspect that the top 1% didn't really work hard d to get there.
In another case (Europe) "not surrendering" leads to permanent poverty. So, what's the upside for "not surrendering"? And who are they "not surrendering" to? Because from where I sit, the EU elite are doing the USA's and globalists' bidding, and you want the people to surrender to their elite.
I really don't see a reason for Europe to continue fighting Russia. Russia has very clear security goals which I think are quite reasonable for everyone: a belt of neutral nations, like Austria, between NATO and Russia. Austria has done quite well as a neutral state, bc being NATO member would just put them in a state of permanent hostility, tension, and increased military expenses. Russia has no interest in invading Austria, or anyone, and did everything possible since 2014 to avoid conflict in Ukraine. It was "the west" that provoked the war.
The sooner people in Europe realize that, the sooner they'll be free of our, and their, bloodsucking elite.
One of us in confused, and I don't think it's me.
SECOND: You have forgotten Russia's past, haven't you? Invading countries and never leaving, at least not until the Soviet Union disintegrated.
I don't give a fuck about their past, and you constantly bringing it up is just scaremongering fit for stupid people.
Let's look at post-2014 Russia and "the west" for a reality check, shall we?
Russia appealed over and over for the Minsk agreements to be enforced (by the west and Ukraine, since they were the signatories).
In that time, the west "stuffed Ukraine with weapons" and then openly bragged that they had only signed the Minsk Agreements to buy time to arm Ukraine.
In the interim, Russia abided by every contract and every agreement they had signed to.
In 2022 Russia and Ukraine initialed a cease fire and a roapmap to peace, which would have left Ukraine whole (except for Crimea). They even withdrew their troops from Kiev as a sign of good faith. The west canceled the initial agreement and pressed Ukraine to keep fighting.
Then the USA blew up Nordstream.
As far as grain shipments, Russia kept up its end of the bargain. But the west failed to implement ITS end, which required that weapons NOT be shipped thru the "grain corridor" and that Russian grain shipments be insurable in the west.
Needless to say, MORE bad faith on the part of the west led to Russia not extending the deal.
The history of western dealings with Russia is replete with bad faith and duplicity. At this point, WHY should Russia believe anything the west says, or signs?
I sure wouldn't. I wouldn't trust us, either.
We're the bad guys. SECOND, YOU'RE the bad guy, always trying to pick fights and blame others.
Russia has been faithful to its contracts, agreements, and treaties.
Us? Not so much. I would trust them more than I'd trust or government, or you for that matter.
Quote:
They all give promises to NOT do this or that extremely stupid thing, like sign purchase agreements or leases, but then they would break the promises and do as they pleased. That didn't work out to their advantage because they understand nothing about how Capitalism works. On the flip side, they'd promise to do things and then didn't
Wow, sounds just like our neocons!
We really need to learn how to be more honorable.
-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger
Loving America is like loving an addicted spouse - SIGNYM
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It appears that nobody is rushing to complete this delivery because they don't see it as a matter of life or death:
Ukraine's new long-range rocket delivery from US pushed to next year
By Mike Stone | November 30, 2023 11:14 AM CST
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-new-long-range-rocket-de
livery-us-pushed-next-year-2023-11-30/
WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Ukraine will need to wait until next year before it receives its first big shipment of rocket-propelled bombs the U.S. has adapted to strike at a nearly 100-mile (160km) range, according to the Pentagon and people familiar with the timing.
When the U.S. was first approached by Boeing (BA.N) to buy and ship the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) to Ukraine last fall, the most optimistic timeline for shipping was around spring of this year, according to a document seen by Reuters at that time. It was reported by Politico in February that delivery wouldn't take place until later in 2023.
Ukraine needs GLSDB to augment the limited number of 100-mile range ATACMS rockets the U.S. has sent. It will allow Ukraine's military to hit targets at twice the distance reachable by the rockets it now fires from the U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and force Russia to move its supplies even farther from the front lines.
People familiar with current timing say delivery to the U.S. by Boeing, the prime contractor for the GLSDB, will take place in late December - followed by several months of testing before onward shipment to Ukraine. (I guess they think that Ukraine can't test the bombs on Russians? I'm pretty sure that competent Ukrainians could answer the question of how close to the target did the bomb land? Did the bomb explode on impact? If they can't provide those answers, they are firing the bombs blindly, which means they are randomly wasting extremely expensive ammo. The perfect way to lose a war is to not carefully aim before firing your exotic and pricey weapons. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_Launched_Small_Diameter_Bomb )
A Pentagon spokesman said "we anticipate providing this key capability in the early 2024 timeframe after successful verification," another term for testing. (I shot a bomb into the air. It fell to Earth I know not where.)
Because the contract to begin production of GLSDB was signed in March, according to a Pentagon statement to Reuters, delivery was forced towards year-end. Production required government furnished materials, so contract signing constrained its start.
The decision to send the long-range rocket, something the U.S. government hasn't purchased for itself, followed a proposal last summer from Boeing Co (BA.N) to U.S. commanders in Europe managing weapons for Ukraine.
Boeing did not respond to a request for comment.
Although Russia said in March it had shot down a GLSDB, the U.S. has not supplied any of the smart bombs to Ukraine, a U.S. official and a person familiar with the matter said. Reuters could not determine if another country supplied Kyiv with the weapon.
GLSDB is made jointly by Sweden's SAAB AB (SAABb.ST) and Boeing Co (BA.N). It is GPS-guided, can defeat some electronic jamming, is usable in all weather conditions, and can be used against armored vehicles, according to SAAB's website.
Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama
The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly
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Quote:
Originally posted by second:
It appears that nobody is rushing to complete this delivery because they don't see it as a matter of life or death:
Ukraine's new long-range rocket delivery from US pushed to next year
By Mike Stone | November 30, 2023 11:14 AM CST
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-new-long-range-rocket-de
livery-us-pushed-next-year-2023-11-30/
WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Ukraine will need to wait until next year before it receives its first big shipment of rocket-propelled bombs the U.S. has adapted to strike at a nearly 100-mile (160km) range, according to the Pentagon and people familiar with the timing...
Wow.
You still don't get it?
-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger
Loving America is like loving an addicted spouse - SIGNYM
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The Kremlin continues to advance its strategic slow-burn effort to absorb Belarus through the Union State structure. The Russian Ministry of Economic Development and Belarusian Ministry of Economy agreed to a new package of Union State integration measures for 2024-2026 to advance the Kremlin’s effort to absorb Belarus through the Union State on November 29.[45] Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will likely sign the integration package during an upcoming Union State Supreme State Council meeting, possibly in 2024.[46] Lukashenko has previously resisted the Kremlin’s efforts to further integrate Belarus into the Union State, although recent events, including the death of Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin and the collapse of the June 24, 2023 agreement between Putin, Prigozhin, and Lukashenko that gave Wagner sanctuary in Belarus, have likely degraded Lukashenko’s ability to resist further Union State integration efforts.[47] Lukashenko recently portrayed himself as the guarantor of Belarusian statehood ahead of Belarusian parliamentary elections in 2024 and presidential elections in 2025, stating on November 10 that incoming young Belarusian leaders should ascend to office with the goal of “saving the country [Belarus].”[48]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campai
gn-assessment-november-30-2023
The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly
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