This post was supposed to be about Bible studies but then it shifted to Iran, and then Leipzig.
Leipzig/Halle is a central NATO hub for transports and according to what we have heard, Europe has significantly strengthened security against incoming threats after two years of constant Russian drone overflights over our high-value targets.
They have been downright embarrassing with no one detecting 10 drones scouting bases, airbases, industry, or other high-value targets, but that is supposed to be over now.
The incident was as follows – a DHL flight in the air received a warning on the instruments and a drone hit the aircraft body, they saw a second object on the instruments and then the flight was redirected – possibly two drones in the air.
At the same time, at ground level at the airport, an airport employee saw an FPV drone either parked on the ground or hovering low in the air right next to a Ukrainian transport aircraft.
“The drone with “an unknown explosive device” was found by an airport employee near the south runway, police said, adding it was being examined after having its detonator removed. An investigation was underway. (isn’t that self-explanatory?)”.
The Germans deny that the flight was loaded with ammunition.
This airport employee neutralized the drone and upon inspection, it was equipped with Semtex which he probably did not know – military explosive.
Police helicopters searched a couple of areas near the airport but as far as I know, no one has been arrested.
That it is Russia we do not need to guess, and that it was a live attack that failed we also do not need to guess even if everyone wants to be the adults in the room and not overreact.
- Russia has operators inside Europe who can handle FPV drones and have access to explosives. Leipzig/Halle is inland and this was a small quadcopter so not something flown in from the shadow fleet thus.
- Russia has shown that they now intend to start targeting locations inside Europe.
- Europe has zero defense against these, Leipzig/Halle and the Ukrainian transport flight were high-value targets prioritized for protection.
If Russia were to decide to carry out a campaign against, for example, some LNG storage tanks, our central stockpiles of air defense interceptors, or fighter jets lined up at airbases now in peacetime, we currently have very little ability to defend ourselves, apparently between zero and minus two.
Europe issued 450,000 Schengen visas to Russian citizens in 2025 and just as many on an annual basis so far in 2026. In addition, they have for a couple of years built up a network of people who for payment carry out various acts for them, for example from gangs or just people with questionable morals who want to get paid.
Our, Europe’s, resilience against Russia largely depends on our belief that we can defend ourselves in case of conflict but if larger stockpiles of anti-ballistic interceptors disappear then suddenly the threat Russia can project with ballistic missiles increases if the defense is removed.
They have just done that in the Baltics – the US pulled all offensive units from there.
We are already today 25% below in LNG reserves for what we need to avoid blackouts this winter in continental Europe. If Russia, by means of FPV drones, manages to burn down some larger tanks or the import pipeline that comes by sea, we are probably easier to affect than if the tanks are full.
We have so many fighter jets that it is probably easier to target central stockpiles of their missiles instead of the planes themselves.
Russia has just shown us that they have infiltrated the capability in Europe to carry out these attacks and that they have started to carry out these attacks even though technical failures and an airport employee won round 1 for us.
This is exactly how Ukraine operates against Russia and Robert Brovdi, the Ukrainian drone king, has declared in front of full stands with all of Europe’s leaders that he can paralyze Europe with one of his drone battalions.
In the last two years, Ukraine has contributed drone groups to our defense exercises and every time we get badly beaten and have to remove them from the exercise.
Ukraine has practically shown us what the threat looks like.
Russia, on the other hand, has been subjected to this by Ukraine for several years now and every smart operation Ukraine makes they can just steal and prepare against us, right?
You can find the invectives at johanno1.se but it is incomprehensible to me that Europe is still sleeping through this. That the threat is geographically limited to Russia and Ukraine is only true until it is no longer true.
Finland and the Baltics recently went on heightened alert at high-value targets within their countries because they know Russia will start a campaign.
Poland, which in autumn 2025 failed to shoot down 23 Geran drones that flew straight through the country, recently failed to shoot down a Russian missile with a warhead that flew 100 km into the country before hitting the ground and detonating.
We are also wide open to the Russian missile and long-range drone threat still and just in July 2026 Ukraine shot down 55,000 drones of all sizes.
Russia has also parked ships from the shadow fleet in a string along Europe’s borders and they have operators onboard with Geran warheads. The Gerans can reach virtually all targets across Europe, if they want.
Since we –
-support Ukraine’s war/drone war against Russia
-impose sanctions against Russia
-freeze their money
-board their ships from the shadow fleet
and in every other way make Putin’s life miserable, I am quite convinced that from the Russian stands we are already a belligerent party against them – we are at war with Russia.
We should of course do all this and preferably a bit more but we must also prepare for the backlash that is guaranteed to come and it is precisely there I get high blood pressure when we consistently refuse to do so.
Besides that, I dug a bit into why Ukraine is not getting anti-ballistic interceptors and it is only SAM/PT with their Asters that fill that role besides Patriot PAC3.
NASAMS seems to be coming and they together with Ukraine’s domestically built new capabilities can take down everything else which they do +90% of targets engaged.
The US is now out of the equation, they have left walkover all according to what Krasnov has arranged with Putin. If you are not worried that all offensive units from the US have been pulled from the Baltics, maybe you will be now when they are not sending any Patriot interceptors when the situation is critical?
Europe simply does not manufacture enough Aster interceptors and now probably all countries’ Chiefs of Defense are hoarding for national defense and none are sent to Ukraine.
What then happens in Iran, is it going well there at least?
That the US has not succeeded in getting Iran to throw in the towel is clear to everyone, moreover Iran does not seem to have any coordinated administration where one group signs an agreement while another bombs American bases in the region the same day.
If one wants to be charitable, one might call it strategy, but most likely it is a full power struggle with claws out in the bunkers.
For me, the US lost the initiative when they allowed Shia militias from surrounding countries in; we covered this in a couple of posts you have all read.
Israel wanted regime change and that was why they went to war; the US did not have that explicitly in their battle plan. Israel had Pasha on the sidelines and reached the point of hunting IRGC with drones under road bridges before the ceasefire.
We saw videos of queues of IRGC soldiers at Afghanistan’s and Pakistan’s border controls seeking asylum, and citizens took to the streets in large numbers. Pasha also activated his “immortal guard” at the end, some kind of stay-behind force meant to assist the citizens’ fight for freedom.
Israel spared the army’s high command and fought only the regime and IRGC – whispers that the army was about to take over.
Then something happened; we posted videos here of Shia militias forming up in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan – everyone knew they were preparing to move into Tehran to support the regime. Pickups, flags, weapons, and happy men.
Then there were videos of long lines of pickups and many thousands of militiamen driving through the desert towards Tehran for several days.
Israel, which had just been hunting IRGC with drones under road bridges, left these alone. In Syria, both Israel and the US have learned to combat these; they always form up and then move towards an area they intend to ethnically cleanse, so the modus operandi with the allied Kurds has been to fiercely fight them on the roads before they arrive, using air or drone strikes.
The US, which had just deployed its Apaches and A10 Warthogs to the area, also left these alone.
The same US/Israel that within minutes could strike rocket launchers as they rolled out of hangars to fire. They absolutely saw this slow, long, bright red snake in the desert heading towards Tehran on their IR cameras from drones or satellites.
Rumors circulated about a quarrel between Netanyahu and Trump for a while.
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/20/politics/trump-netanyahu-tense-phone-call
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgz21pq3g6o
Pasha disappeared and the citizens of Iran were subjected to another round of genocide and had to retreat back into their shells.
Not only that, but regular flights landed in Iran during the war and militiamen poured out. The butcher from Kirkuk smiled broadly and bowed over the privilege of being invited to this people’s festival as well. I sat watching the videos and couldn’t believe it was true.
Then came all the “full war”, “now it’s peace” from Trump – I think he’s up to 40 times soon?
Those who have timed his statements have made huge amounts of money on speculation; this has been widely discussed on finetwitter.
The single most important event of the war involving the protected Shia militias, which have completely fallen into oblivion except here it seems.
It was also the only acceptable reason for the war – to free the country from dictatorship so that peace could settle over MENA. I supported the war on that basis.
My burning question is why they chose not to score an open goal?
The picture from what has been reported about Trump is that he is very pro-Israel, and then there was some idea about parking themselves as gatekeepers in Hormuz so the US could start collecting tolls.
Besides that, one of the plans also seems to have been to sell MENA security because the US has made the area unsafe (again).
The US is well aware of what their forever wars have cost them and should have tried for a quick conclusion.
There is a bit more information – the US and Israel started attacking oil infrastructure in Iran early on and claimed to be surprised when Iran retaliated proportionally.
Few sharp analysts, where I am probably world-leading, will claim that you win a war as fast as possible by knocking out oil pipelines in an area where you have your own pipelines 10 miles away and the opponent has as many long-range weapons as you do.
At one point Trump blamed everything on the Kurds; the US seems to have armed them but since Trump threw them under the bus in Rojava (Syria) a few months earlier, they were probably upset.
You who read here heard the outcry when Trump betrayed Rojava from me, and we can guess what the Kurds themselves thought and felt.
So what are the alternatives to where we are today? Please feel free to fill in?
– Trump/USA simply missed the militias’ march towards peace and freedom, and everyone else is just bumbling idiots.
– Trump made a deal from the start with Russia and China to weaken the US in the Iran war.
– China and Russia reached out to Trump sometime after the war started and began to influence him.
– Forces in the US see a new forever war in MENA as good business, so it must not end too quickly.
I can almost guarantee you these militia convoys were detected (because I saw them!!!!) but they chose not to fight them, and that Israel screamed bloody murder.
Has Trump made a deal with China and Russia and is trying to weaken the US, or did he get billions directly into his account – considering all the disgruntled military, this should have come out if so, or is it too early in the game?
Yes, unfortunately Trump has had the opportunity to meet both Xi and Putin in private, so the letter agencies’ ability to eavesdrop has been somewhat weaker; theoretically, they could have cooked up something he kept quiet about?
It’s not entirely unreasonable that there are forces wanting a new forever war in MENA as well, but that would be without Israel since their security situation today is acutely worse than before the war started.
ISIS was a creation of “moderate rebels” who were armed to the teeth by the US and became ISIS. Most recently, when the US left Afghanistan, they gave about 5 billion USD in weapons to the Afghans?
All paid for and ready, generating new flows of materiel in the future when they turn the weapons against others.
You can keep fantasizing freely like this forever – the only thing I feel I can conclude is that the US and Israel very deliberately chose to let tens of thousands of militiamen into Tehran and then it was game over for popular uprising.
Why, well, historians will have to figure out over the next two hundred years.
The US, with Trump at the helm, is probably starting to feel they are cornered; their fuel reserves are not infinite, the 30-year interest rate is high, midterm elections in November, and Iran seems to be doing exactly as they please.
It’s not entirely unlikely that Iran is playing for time here; they took the hit and still have the capability to create unrest in the neighboring area, which, because it involves oil and LNG, immediately ripples out into the world.
Ukraine will have to bear the consequences anyway, as the USA, led by Trump, blames the Iran war for not being able to send more weapons to Ukraine.
The fact is that Iran holds a pretty significant black swan if they so wish to shake up the markets at the right moment. They are fighting for their survival and the laws of war apply, but it will naturally have a global impact.
Once again, I want to push for a paid subscription to my Substack before the financial crisis arrives.
Don't forget to donate, Ukraine's cause is ours! Support Ukraine!
Ryska förluster i Ukraina 2026-08-07
SLAVA UKRAINI
Ukrainska generalstabens sammanfattning
Damn AI, kamikaze drones sound more like Danish than Swedish..?
Nah, those reports are probably not worth trying to get it to translate.
Good post today, beats Bible studies any day! 👍
More about Leipzig
“The drone incident at the airport in German Leipzig is not unexpected. This is stated by a source with insight into the Swedish defense intelligence work to SvD.
The source says that it is relatively easy to disrupt air traffic with drones, and that the method points to Moscow being behind it.
– It is a modus operandi that recurs with them.
Hybrid threat expert Hanna Smith, working at the University of Vaasa, tells TT that much points to the Russian state, but that this does not have to be the case. Another possibility, according to Smith, is that it is “criminal groups taking advantage of Ukraine weakening.””
https://omni.se/svensk-underrattelsekalla-det-ar-typiskt-for-ryssland/a/PdO6mb
“A crashed explosive-laden drone near a German airport and unknown objects colliding with cargo flights. German politicians raise a warning finger for a new level of threat. Swedavia is now monitoring the development: “We are prepared.””
https://www.svd.se/a/oE1jrK/kraschad-sprangladdad-dronare-vid-tysk-flygplats-kallas-statsterrorism
“It is too early to point to Russia as responsible for the drone incident at the airport in Leipzig, even if much points in that direction. This is stated by hybrid threat expert and Russia specialist Hanna Smith to TT.
Leipzig’s airport, an important hub for support to Ukraine, appears to have been a hair’s breadth from an explosion.”
https://tt.omni.se/expert-om-leipzig-dronaren-eskalering/a/Arx82M
The US will not assist Ukraine with any missiles, and of course it is Biden’s fault! 🙄
** ‘We want missiles too’ — Trump responds to Zelensky’s appeal for additional military aid
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Aug. 6 that the United States “needs missiles too” when asked about President Volodymyr Zelensky’s renewed calls for long-range missiles and Patriot air defense systems.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump also commented on former President Joe Biden’s military support for Ukraine, claiming Biden had provided “so much” military assistance.
“We want missiles too,” Trump said. “Biden gave (Zelensky) $300 billion worth of ammunition.” **
https://kyivindependent.com/we-want-missiles-too-trump-responds-to-zelenskys-appeal-for-additional-military-aid/
Russia’s president Vladimir Putin may test NATO’s resilience with a limited attack on a member country within the coming years. This is according to American intelligence information obtained by the Wall Street Journal.
Previously, the US assessment was that Russia would probably not attack the defense alliance while invading Ukraine. But now the assessment is that Putin is pressured by his war in the neighboring country and that an attack that divides NATO could be the domestic political victory he needs.
Several possible attack scenarios are outlined, ranging from a cyberattack to a smaller land invasion in the countries on NATO’s eastern flank. The risk of the latter scenario is assessed as low but increasing.
Escalation is hardly any longer a risk. It is a fact. The question is more what form of escalation Moscow chooses and when.
Trump about the war in Ukraine when asked about it:
** ❗️Journalist: “Are you aware that Russia has intensified its attacks on civilian targets? This must be causing you concern?” Trump: “Listen, we are not involved in this. An ocean separates us, after all.” **
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3mshtad6xul2f
💬 “I noticed it.” Donald Trump responds to Russia’s increased attacks on Ukrainian civilians. “There’s a lot of hatred in that war… But progress is being made.” **
https://bsky.app/profile/united24media.com/post/3mshtda6fkc2z
Another Wildberries bites the dust!
** Breaking Now: Ukrainian drones are attacking another Wildberries warehouse, this time in Yekaterinburg. It’s more than 2,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The flames are slowly spreading throughout the warehouse. Now this is what we call a good morning ☕️. Monitoring. **
https://bsky.app/profile/slavaukraini033.bsky.social/post/3mshsvufnp22e
—
** ❗️Just now in 🇷🇺Yekaterinburg, 🇺🇦Ukrainian drones of the Lyuty type attacked a Wildberries warehouse. There are hits. 2000+ km from Ukraine’s state border. ** Movie
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3msht3y2r632f
** Wildberries Hit Again: Ukrainian Drones Reach Warehouse More Than 2,000 Kilometers Inside Russia
In brief: A Ukrainian drone strike set a Wildberries warehouse ablaze in Russia’s Yekaterinburg, more than 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, as Kyiv’s long-range campaign against the retailer’s logistics network continues. More than 20 company warehouses have reportedly been hit since mid-July. **
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81876
☹️
**Russian sources say the fire at the Wildberries logistics hub in Yekaterinburg has been contained.**
https://bsky.app/profile/specialkhersoncat.bsky.social/post/3mshw7fdqys2z
** ❗️At night, a number of facilities were attacked on the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea. Krymskyi Viter states that fuel and lubricant depots on the territory of the “Hvardiiske” airfield were hit, as well as, according to preliminary information, a concentration of equipment in the Feodosia area. ** Movie:
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3mshsmvyngd2f
Good morning
Very good post today Johan 👍👍👍
WAKE UP Europe!
Also a very active MXT with several posts 👍👍👍
Europe: 😴😴😴🥱
Halle Leipzig. What should one believe? There are at least plenty of disadvantaged former East Germans. Very interesting post Johan no 1👍👍👍
** The Russians are training recruited soldiers from North Korea at their training grounds, allegedly for new assault operations. ** Movie:
https://bsky.app/profile/wartranslated.bsky.social/post/3msg5s35zw22p
”A crashed explosive-laden drone near a German airport and unknown objects colliding with cargo flights. German politicians raise a warning finger for a new level of threat. Swedavia is now monitoring the development: ”We are prepared.”
Photo by Jani Sallinen
Jani Sallinen
Published 2026-08-06 22.01
Images broadcast in international media on Wednesday showed a police officer in bomb disposal suit with a remote-controlled bomb robot approaching the drone. They managed to defuse the charge and soon confirmed that it was live.
The find was made at Leipzig/Halle airport, a well-known hub for military transports to Ukraine. The drone was also found near a Ukrainian cargo plane of the Antonov model. The incident led to civilian air traffic being rerouted, including a flight from Mallorca.
A cargo flight from transport giant DHL was also forced to divert its landing after colliding with an unknown object in the air, reports The Guardian.
In Germany, authorities are now investigating whether the events may be linked to sabotage activities.
Süddeutsche Zeitung writes about a plane near the explosive charge, which was loaded with military ammunition that had come from France for further transport. According to the newspaper, the information comes from a confidential police report. However, it has not been confirmed by authorities.
The country’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said during a press conference that this represents a completely new level of threat to the country, and that it could be a case of ”a professional hybrid threat scenario.”
”We are dealing with a situation where foreign powers may also be involved – the investigations will clarify this – and which obviously wants to create significant insecurity in Germany,” said Dobrindt.
Säpo: Reviewed hundreds of incidents
The concept of hybrid threat is well known within Western intelligence services. The Swedish Security Service (Säpo) calls it part of Russian strategy, aimed at destabilizing countries in Europe in various ways. But it happens covertly without a clear link to Russia. Particular focus is on targets connected to the West’s support for Ukraine.
There are several examples from recent years. Russian drones violating Polish airspace, assassination plots against business leaders, cyberattacks, and suspected sabotage against both critical and civilian infrastructure, something SvD has previously reported on.
Säpo does not want to comment on the events in Leipzig. But it has closely examined hundreds of different incidents reported as vandalism in Sweden during the past year.
”No physical sabotage has so far been linked to foreign powers. The Security Service works every day to prevent and counter security-threatening activities from foreign powers, a work that continues with undiminished strength,” writes Gabriel Wernstedt, Säpo’s press service.
A source with insight into the Swedish Armed Forces’ intelligence work, who wishes to remain anonymous, says Europe will be challenged over time as long as support for Ukraine continues.
– It is not unexpected that this happens. Drones are a good option to disrupt air traffic. It is easy to conceal and has great impact, says the source.
The method points to Russian involvement, according to the source.
– It is a modus operandi that recurs with them.
Could mean serious escalation
In Germany, Russia has not been officially pointed out. Leipzig/Halle airport is also the main base for the large Ukrainian Antonov planes and is classified as critical infrastructure.
Ukrainian Antonov planes at Leipzig/Halle airport, where the drone was found.
Ukrainian Antonov planes at Leipzig/Halle airport, where the drone was found. Photo: Hendrik Schmidt/AP
Security experts The Guardian has spoken to say the events would represent a serious escalation with Russia – if it is established that the Kremlin is behind it.
An opposition politician interviewed by Der Spiegel calls it ”state terrorism.”
”If it turns out that a state is behind this, it is not just about terrorism, but about state terrorism directed against the Federal Republic of Germany and its citizens,” said Konstantin von Notz, The Greens.
Swedavia cooperates with Säpo
Swedavia, which operates Swedish airports, writes to SvD that it does not want to comment on its security work.
”We have preparedness regarding security work at our airports and follow developments in our environment. We have good cooperation with Swedish authorities and the Security Service,” writes Susanne Norman, operational manager at Swedavia.
On Thursday, Lithuania’s Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas warned that Russia may be planning a so-called ”false flag” attack, an attack that can be blamed on others.
The goal is said to be to provoke NATO members in the Baltic states; Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania.
No specific dates are mentioned by the defense minister, but the situation is being monitored. According to the Baltic news agency BNS, quoting Kaunas, one scenario is to use drones of Ukrainian origin to strike critical infrastructure in the Baltic states.
During the summer, two previous warnings about ”false flag” attacks have come from the Baltic states and Poland.”
https://www.svd.se/a/oE1jrK/kraschad-sprangladdad-dronare-vid-tysk-flygplats-kallas-statsterrorism
Off-Topic, AI
Not only is there a risk of new effective computer viruses being created, AI has now been used to create real viruses.
“AI has for the first time created new viruses. The new study published in Science is reported in the world’s largest media outlets.
The AI tool learned to recognize DNA structures in nature and then used its knowledge to create viruses that have never existed naturally. The viruses were viable and potent enough to infect and kill E. coli bacteria.
The study raises hopes for medical advances, but an equally great concern that AI could give rise to deadly toxins, dangerous pandemics, and biological weapons.
Moritz Hanke, who works on health security at Johns Hopkins University, tells the New York Times that governments and research organizations have been slow to develop safeguards, while research is accelerating.
– There is simply a huge discrepancy, he says.”
https://omni.se/ai-har-skapat-virus-vacker-forhoppningar-och-radsla/a/zOV57q
** Preliminary data showed Ukrainian air defenses shot down or suppressed 114 of 147 Russian drones launched overnight, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas and Parodiya types. Hits by 29 attack drones were recorded at 15 locations, with debris falling at 4. The attack was ongoing at 08:30. **
https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3mshw3dhlwk2j
Thank you Johan number 1 for today’s yellow wall. I assume most have forgiven you because the Bible studies were canceled today.
The sitting president of the USA, who considers himself worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize despite having cut funding to aid organizations with unforeseeable consequences and starting wars he cannot control, is unfortunately the recurring factor in most of the misery that has happened and developed since his inauguration for the second presidential term just over 1.5 years ago. It has really gone at record speed, and so far he is still being tolerated.
But he is an unfortunate combination of
a) traitor to his country
b) traitor to his allies
c) a simple thief with too much power
d) the diagnosis DIH (Dumb In Head)
That Europe does not react to the extent one might wish is, as discussed here on the blog, ominous, but we hope that all the wisdom from here will eventually be adopted by the decision-makers who follow the blog.
Anyway, at least it’s Friday now with the evening activities that follow!
Or is it meant to be Bible studies every Friday from now on instead? Yuck!
“The drone at Leipzig airport, which according to many German media carried explosives, was near a Ukrainian cargo ship for four hours. This is shown in a video clip obtained by the German newspaper Bild.
Afterwards, a bus driver working at the airport reportedly spotted the drone at low altitude and managed to kick it down, according to information to DPA and Der Spiegel.
Government politicians have dismissed that the drone carried explosives, but the German newspapers are filled with details about this based on police information.
According to Der Spiegel, the drone carried the explosive Semtex. Bild has information that the explosive charge was hidden in a tin can with a drilled hole in the bottom, where a lighter would trigger the explosion. The drone is also said to have had two SIM cards and a function that allowed the can to be released.
The information about the drone’s function still varies and more information is expected during the day.”
Off topic
”Bombardier wants to take over GlobalEye production from Saab
Canadian Bombardier wants to take over a larger share of the production of Saab’s radar surveillance aircraft GlobalEye. ”We are in discussions with Saab and are currently looking for a suitable location in Canada,” says Bombardier’s CEO Eric Martel.
At the same time, Canadian de Havilland proposes that they be allowed to manufacture the Gripen aircraft that Canada may potentially order from SAAB.
According to Bombardier, which manufactures the aircraft fuselage for GlobalEye, there are currently orders for 18 GlobalEye, of which 10 are for NATO. Each aircraft costs the equivalent of 6 billion SEK.”
https://www.affarsvarlden.se/artikel/bombardier-vill-ta-over-globaleye-tillverkning-intressant-marginal
The hope is probably that an escalation will give Russia new cards to play in a deadlocked situation. In addition, the failure in Ukraine is forgotten, and it confirms the propaganda claim that NATO is the enemy….win win win. But in the long run, Russia is unlikely to win anything at all.
There is, of course, a risk that a small operation that does not cost Russia too much could succeed in dividing NATO and at the same time get Europe to think primarily about its own security and thereby partially abandon support for Ukraine.
But at the same time, all these rumors about what Russia might do also partly contribute to exactly that. Completely convinced that Russia is working hard to make us worry, both through propaganda and through its hybrid warfare, and that may be precisely the goal.
We must, of course, increase security, but not forget that the best way to get rid of Russia is to make sure that Ukraine kicks their ass.
I can only fully agree.
When it comes to events like the one in Leipzig, one could wish that the EU actually acted for real.
It doesn’t have to be such big things; it could be announcing new support packages or arms deliveries, or new sanctions.
Russia can, of course, rant as much as they want about “it wasn’t us,” but you don’t have to care about that. Just send support anyway. And if Russia ever actually were innocent, it wouldn’t matter anyway.
Unfortunately, the EU doesn’t seem to understand that real responses are needed, not just condemnations.
Of course, it can be difficult to act quickly with a large, slow organization like the EU, but then you could actually decide in advance on a number of measures so you have a list to refer to every time something happens.
Like now with Leipzig, if Germany had immediately announced that they have now decided that Ukraine will finally receive Taurus, it would both show that they are not intimidated and make Russia think about whether sabotage, drones, etc., really work as they intended, and if it is worth it.
Every time Russia does something, we need to respond; anything else is a success for them and a propaganda victory.
I agree.
Having ready action plans for different scenarios is, one might say, essential.
Unfortunately, the EU structure is such that the reactions tend to be quite reactive in such events.
A difficult balancing act. Someone high up in Poland thought that NATO should help Ukraine take down Russian ballistic missiles over Ukraine. Air operations, that is. Maybe this war has to get worse before it gets better. Russia would probably welcome an escalation but is militarily weakened. Russia is and will remain a cloud of concern in the world. Time to play hardball?
It’s about time to get tough. The only language those Russian bastards actually understand.
At the same time, one can understand the hesitation.
I have long advocated (already in the autumn of 2022 if I remember correctly) that help should be provided with flights but also that troops should actually be sent to Ukraine’s border with Belarus.
In this way, Ukrainian troops needed at the active fronts are freed up.
Belarus claims that they are not involved in the war and that they do not intend to attack Ukraine. They will protest but those protests will be quite ridiculous.
As long as the troops only guard the border with Belarus and do not participate actively, it does not constitute aggression.
We can call it a joint exercise. Russia has trained inside Belarus and also attacked Ukraine from there.
Russia will scream hoarse that it is an escalation, but that too can simply be ignored. They are getting help from North Korean soldiers and Chinese officers have also been on site.
Russia has therefore already done the equivalent, so their complaints only make their double standards even clearer.
What are they going to do anyway that they are not already doing?
If they actually escalate against Europe, it will probably only lead to more people realizing that they must be fought by all means.
Once again, I can only fully agree.
🤬 Wasted time and resources.
Former senior officials and diplomats from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Russia have held secret, informal talks in Vienna to explore possible conditions for peace in Ukraine. The initiative, organized by a Swiss think tank, involved high-ranking individuals but took place outside the direct control of official governments. Read more in the article from Bloomberg.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-05/european-and-russian-ex-officials-held-talks-on-war-in-ukraine
So incredibly stupid. Now it was locked so I haven’t been able to read it, but my guess is that the participants all in one way or another have financial incentives to achieve a peace in order to be able to resume business with Russia again.
The fact that it was arranged in Switzerland says quite a bit…
Yes, and that has also been the heads of state’s plan for a long time, idiots all of them
We will build missiles the same way we built drones – Zelenskyy 💪
**“Concrete results” are needed before the end of the year to develop an alternative to Patriot, says Ukraine’s president. What we know on day 1,626 Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he wants “concrete results” before the end of the year to produce an anti-ballistic missile defense system for Ukraine. Zelenskyy referred to Ukraine’s role in the Freyja programme to jointly develop a European anti-ballistic system as an alternative to Patriot. “Ukraine can produce its own missile and carrier rocket, while our partners will provide the necessary components and critical elements – radar, sensors and everything else required … Others have spent decades developing their systems. Ukraine must do this as quickly as possible, with concrete results already in place by the turn of 2026–2027.”
Zelenskyy said on Thursday evening that he had met senior officials on how to accelerate development “so that Ukrainian arms manufacturers and developers can deliver real results … We are creating all the necessary conditions for this to happen.” On the offensive side, “Ukraine is also working on developing its own ballistic missiles. Tests have shown great potential. We must turn this into a real weapon.”**
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/07/ukraine-war-briefing-build-missiles-freyja-programme-zelenskyy
✊👍
Yes, it’s on its way too 😀
** 🤌 Border guards of “Prime” unit of the 5th detachment in the North-Slobozhansk direction destroyed D-30 cannon, cars and trucks, a motorcycle and a firing position of the enemy. The enemy also suffered losses in manpower. **
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3msibielgq22n
👀👀👀
** Massive explosion reported across Moscow and the surrounding region around 11 AM. Heard everywhere from the city center to Khimki and Krasnogorsk, rattling windows. No official info yet. **
https://bsky.app/profile/wartranslated.bsky.social/post/3msibbluax22z
** The “land bridge” to Crimea is clearly cracking. Occupied Prymorsk, Zaporizhzhia region. Looks like a supply convoy got torched. ** Movie:
https://bsky.app/profile/wartranslated.bsky.social/post/3msib4t4xfc2z
Got a tip via email about a post on Flashback.
There are many Russian trolls there but also many who stand on Ukraine’s side.
The gasoline prices were temporarily lowered when Putin was out and about, which supports the theory that he is given tailored information because those around him are afraid he will shoot the messenger. The question is how much they are hiding from him?
This is an excerpt from the introduction of the post. There are some other interesting things to read as well and many links.
“EVERYTHING IS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN” – the Russian psychopath Vladimir Putin
More news from the Russian dictatorship and the pile of trash
EVERYTHING IS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN – In the Donald Duck dictatorship Russia, the subjects lowered the fuel prices on the displays at gas stations around the city of Krasnoyarsk where the great leader was supposed to appear. As soon as the dictator left the city, the prices were raised and the displays showed the original prices again. According to the mythomaniacs in the dictatorship, it was “a temporary improvement in logistics and the arrival of additional volume.” What a circus and pile of trash.
EVERYTHING IS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN – The Russian monkey army suffered losses in July that reached record levels. Not even a surface of Manhattan did the ape-animals manage to conquer despite these losses.
EVERYTHING IS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN – 2500 stores have thrown in the towel in the sewer of Moscow’s malls. Things are going well now.
EVERYTHING IS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN – State of emergency in Omsk for agriculture and collapsed wheat prices under pressure from rising freight and insurance costs. Things are going well now.
EVERYTHING IS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN – The only Russian manufacturer of TV sets was declared bankrupt. RUSSIA STRONK!
The former Russian presidential candidate and opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin has now fled from the Russian dictatorship to France. Nadezhdin has sometimes been seen in the clown shows on the Russian dictatorship’s sewer TV where he has played the role of an opposition voice against the lies from the mythomaniacs and psychopaths.”
https://www.flashback.org/sp95604308
Good good
Annika Ström Melin: The world has misunderstood what happened in Ceuta – Sweden fell into the trap
Locked article:
https://www.dn.se/brandstudio/choosy/missarna-som-kan-ata-upp-semesterkassan-sa-valjer-du-ratt-kreditkort-2/
Anyone who can afford svd and hqr the article?
Here is an unlocked link to Annika Ström Melin.
https://archive.ph/5PulY
👍
** “Epic detonation of a Russian “Grad” [BM-21 MLRS] with its ammunition after a drone strike near Lyman. – 63rd OMBR” **
https://bsky.app/profile/the-hedgehog.bsky.social/post/3mshca3m4fc2k
Yalta 🤩
** New alert from Yalta: authorities ordered people off the central waterfront and into shelters amid a reported Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessel attack. Residents said they heard gunfire about 30 minutes earlier. Mash reported Sea Baby 2 vessels were used. https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3msibwin62c2j https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4aqzua5vsewimmusg66fyajl/bafkreibhlzjb42cfclkyrnoe6xbxwzu7qlglf3mcb6rqimbslccze4h7r4
❗️Smoke is rising from Yalta’s port as Ukrainian sea drones attack the city. Tourists are being evacuated from beaches while the port remains under attack. https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3msicumax622j
More from Yalta 🤩🤩🤩 ** Movie: https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3msid6oi65k2e
😢😡
** Russian attacks kill 9, injure 89 across Ukraine over past day as Dnipropetrovsk Oblast comes under nearly 80 attacks. Russia launched 147 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine overnight on Aug. 7, with air defenses shooting down 114 of them, the Air Force said. ** https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-kill-9-injure-89-across-ukraine-over-past-day-as-dnipropetrovsk-oblast-comes-under-nearly-80-strikes/
Very good post MXT about what we should do 👍
It has been up since 2022 by us as you wrote and discussed endlessly, but now it is starting to be time 😀
Putin is a bacteria in the stomach, if you don’t eat he dies out but if you keep eating he remains.
If we now put up a drywall against him so it stops, something else must happen with them and probably he will fall.
All calming messages and “don’t overreact” would have been okay if it weren’t for the fact that Ukraine is fighting for its survival.
You brought up all the measures above and then a permanent large exercise in the Baltics.
Then we can sit down and wait.
Then I will breathe out 😀
Thank you!
Yes, there were some of us who had all kinds of progressive ideas early on where we didn’t think one should hold back.
Back then, most were negative about almost everything.
For example, the Gripen would never fly in Ukraine because it was a waste. They didn’t need any CV-90 or STRV 122 either; old Russian tanks and armored vehicles would do just fine.
Deploying troops in Ukraine would be a terrible provocation, and entering Russia was not even an option!
Most of it has actually happened, or is on its way to being put in place. We are waiting for the Gripen, but it is on its way. Unfortunately, it seems the Taurus won’t happen.
Unfortunately, I don’t think we will ever see troops in Ukraine. Possibly if Russia actually attacks the Baltics, because then we would be at war with Russia, and then there can hardly be any obstacles to striking back against them even from within Ukraine.
Yes, a permanent large-scale exercise would be nice. Both in the Baltics and on the border with Belarus!
Quoting the article for anyone interested
”Since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, over 50,000 sensitive products, or dual-use goods, have been exported from India to Russia, according to a mapping conducted by the analysis firm Strider Technologies.
The company has examined the origin of products exported from India to Russia within categories often subject to restrictions, such as electronics, machinery, precision instruments, transport equipment, metals, and advanced electrical components.
The analysis shows a significant increase during 2022–2025 compared to the three years before Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Most of the products come from Germany. But in a European comparison, the export of Swedish products from India to Russia stands out as having increased the most during the three-year period.
After the EU and India signed a huge free trade agreement in January, the country has emerged as a hot new growth market for many Swedish companies. When Di visited the large AI fair AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February, Marcus Wallenberg spoke about the great opportunities he sees for the family empire’s companies in India.
But alongside many European companies now investing heavily in India, Russia is also increasing its presence in the country.
The development exposes a dilemma for companies and politicians who have hoped that cooperation with India would strengthen Europe’s economic resilience, says Strider’s intelligence chief David Vigneault, who previously headed Canada’s civilian intelligence service.
“Our research shows that Russia is exploiting the same ecosystem within manufacturing, research, and technology to maintain access to critical functions and avoid sanctions,” he says in a comment.
”Today’s geopolitical situation means that governments and companies need to have a clear picture of the competitive landscape alongside these opportunities.”
Scania and AB Volvo say they have robust systems in place to ensure that their trucks do not end up in Russia.
Scania and AB Volvo say they have robust systems in place to ensure that their trucks do not end up in Russia. Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT
Strider’s report does not specify exactly which Swedish products are transferred from India to Russia, or which companies they come from.
But even in the Swedish National Board of Trade’s statistics for Swedish exports to India, large increases are seen in certain product categories during 2023–2025 compared to 2020–2022. This mainly concerns trucks and special vehicles, as well as generators and engines.
Both Scania and AB Volvo VOLV B -1.24% say, however, that they have robust systems in place to ensure that their trucks do not end up in Russia.
According to Scania’s press officer Erik Bratthall, the company’s exports to India are very limited and have decreased rather than increased over the past three years.
He emphasizes that all of Scania’s dealers sign end-customer agreements that require them to have control over where the trucks go.
”All our distributors and dealers are prohibited from selling, transferring, or exporting our Scania products to Russia or Belarus,” he says.
”And these requirements are to be passed down throughout the distribution chain.”
Scania’s press officer Erik Bratthall and Volvo’s press officer Claes Eliasson.
Scania’s press officer Erik Bratthall and Volvo’s press officer Claes Eliasson. Photo: Bo Håkansson, Bilduppdraget, Scania (Press photo)
He admits, however, that Scania cannot have control over a truck throughout its entire lifetime.
”We do our utmost to ensure that no trucks end up in Russia,” he says.
”But then you have to be completely honest in saying that Scania loses control over who owns the vehicle at some point during a truck’s lifespan.”
”Something can happen to a truck that is a few years old.”
AB Volvo has its own manufacturing in India, as well as the joint venture VECV together with Eicher Motors, but the company does not break down sales figures by country, says press officer Claes Eliasson.
He emphasizes that Volvo does not participate in any schemes to circumvent the restrictions.
”When we sell products to third parties outside Russia, we have implemented robust due diligence measures to avoid sanction circumvention, which includes monitoring activities, active follow-ups, and ultimately even refusal of delivery,” he writes in a written response to Di’s questions.
”If any product is resold to a sanctioned country by a dealer, that dealer loses the opportunity to continue purchasing from us.”
”We take compliance with export control and sanction regulations very seriously.””
India is not our friend. Maybe not quite on the same level as China, but almost.
India has been off track before. India has manufactured Carl Gustaf grenade launchers for many years and sold parts or complete rifles to, among others, Burma, Afghanistan, and Cambodia despite prohibitions from Sweden.
Can you afford a paid subscription to DI Pehr, luxury 😶
This is a DAMN OLD SCRATCHED RECORD unfortunately.
Since 2022, we have constantly been proven with facts that our exports to countries that forward to Russia have increased by 5000% while our direct exports to Russia have decreased by 5000%.
Infinitely boring but obviously hard to address.
Here is an unlocked link to Annika Ström Melin’s editorial in DN.
“The outside world has misunderstood what happened in Ceuta – Sweden fell into the trap”
https://archive.ph/5PulY
Thank you!
Yes, it was okay written.
It is a bit of political jabs but also an election in a month.
She completely refrained from “hungry refugees,” which was good.
I don’t entirely agree that Spain is taking a hard line and acting accordingly, but overall what she wrote made sense.
Off topic:
The USA and Japan made a historic joint effort when they intervened to support the Japanese yen late last week. Several factors suggest that the USA acted to prevent its allies from dumping American government bonds in a fragile situation.
“We will do whatever it takes,” declares Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Economists call it “a crisis move.”
Published: August 7, 2026, 13:09
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson (AP/TT)
It was on Thursday and Friday last week that the USA and Japan together conducted support purchases of the Japanese yen. This happened just as the yen reached its lowest level against the dollar in 40 years.
The countries’ central banks have not joined forces in an intervention since 2011 – when the G7 countries acted together after the Fukushima disaster – and the move is described as historic.
How large the intervention was is known by few. Estimates referenced by Bloomberg point to $87 billion, or 830 billion SEK.
What is clear, however, is that the yen is weakening again.
“They really gave it their all – but now it’s falling again. In fact, it is happening exactly in line with the ripple effects from previous interventions,” writes former Goldman Sachs currency strategist Robin Brooks on X.
That is usually how it looks. Currency interventions are described by economists as futile and unable to reverse a trend, such as the steadily weakening yen. But that is not the point, says SEB’s senior economist Robert Bergqvist.
He speaks from experience, having previously worked at the Riksbank during a period when Sweden conducted support purchases.
“The aim is to create uncertainty and throw a wrench in the works to get the market to avoid tunnel vision; for example, the idea that the yen will continue to weaken,” he explains.
WHY IS THE YEN WEAKENING?
There are several theories behind the yen’s weakening in recent years. Economists point to everything from interest rate differentials with the rest of the world – which can give rise to so-called carry trade with the currency – concerns about reduced domestic savings, and the country’s high national debt.
There are several reasons why the USA chooses to support Japan. Partly it is to show support for Japan as an ally and a regional counterbalance to China, North Korea, and Russia. But also because of its own national debt.
Japan, with its roughly $1.1 trillion in American government bonds, according to the latest figures from the US Treasury Department, is the largest foreign holder of US debt securities.
The size has been declining since 2020, partly as a result of previous yen interventions, according to Bloomberg. In 2026, there is a clear decline – even as several interventions have taken place.
This is bad for the USA, which depends on foreign buyers of its national debt. It is also a significant trump card for Japan.
“I think they have knocked on the door and told the Americans that ‘either you join the interventions or we will have to sell government bonds’,” speculates Robert Bergqvist.
This puts Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s comments about doing “whatever it takes” to support the Japanese yen in a way that “helps the American economy” in a new light – as a signal that they want to hedge against intensified Japanese government bond sales.
“The USA has a large deficit without a plan for how to solve it. The world is also fragmented. This makes the USA, which depends on foreign capital, especially vulnerable,” says Robert Bergqvist.
“The USA has a large deficit without a plan for how to solve it. The world is also fragmented. This makes the USA, which depends on foreign capital, especially vulnerable,” says Robert Bergqvist.Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT
There are several factors indicating that the USA acted defensively.
For one, they chose to allow the selling of euros to finance the support purchases, rather than dollars.
Also, Japan did not use an existing swap line with the Fed, which allows Japan to exchange yen for dollars. Instead, an instrument developed during the pandemic was used: a repo facility known by the acronym FIMA.
This means Japan borrows US dollars, using its holdings of US government bonds as collateral. In practice, the USA starts the printing press.
Scott Bessent also wants to raise the limit for the FIMA facility from $60 billion per day, according to CNBC.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is himself a former currency trader and invested at George Soros’s hedge fund Soros Fund Management against the Japanese yen in 2013.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is himself a former currency trader and invested at George Soros’s hedge fund Soros Fund Management against the Japanese yen in 2013.Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson /AP/TT
Even the use of swap lines is considered a “crisis move,” says Brad Setser of the think tank Council on Foreign Relations, formerly at the Treasury Department, according to CNBC.
Scott Bessent disagrees.
“The facilities that the Federal Reserve has, whether it is FIMA or swap lines, are meant to protect the American economy,” he told CNBC on Tuesday.
The US-Japanese intervention also takes place at a very sensitive time.
US long-term interest rates are at historically high levels, with the 30-year at 5.2 percent at the highest levels since 2001, and the 10-year at the highest levels since 2007 with its 4.68 percent.
“It is at five percent that things start to break,” said Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM US LLP, to Washington Post’s former chief economic writer Jeff Stein – now at a news site called Notus – earlier this week.
The USA is also about to issue government bonds with three, ten, and 30-year maturities next week for a total of $125 billion, or almost 1.2 trillion Swedish kronor. The last thing they want is for the sale to meet low demand, which would cause interest rates to rise. This increases the incentive to help Japan to protect their own house.
“It is partly self-inflicted by the USA, where Trump with his threats made countries and institutions question how much US government debt they really want to hold in their portfolios,” says Robert Bergqvist.
“Until the midterm elections, probably the biggest interest rate risk is a failed government bond issuance,” says Adam Posen, at the think tank Peterson Institute for International Economics, to Notus.
https://www.di.se/nyheter/usas-krisdrag-for-att-stoppa-en-storre-small/
Interesting!
Yep, I’m also following that a bit.
For a while, I thought the USA was trying to crash Japan, but that wasn’t the case.
China has gone after them anyway.
Since it is Friday, I put together a fitting article.
To avoid confusing you, I made it a page and not a post, I hid it in the menu under Support Ukraine.
A little bit with the ulterior motive to see if it will affect the advertising offerings here on the site, I think there are so many irrelevant ads now! 😂
Världens bästa vodka
The best vodka in the world
haha, excellent 👍👍
No advertising other than illegal home distilling?
The other blog seems to have targeted ads where only SD bought ad space 🤣🤣
More of that ✊✊💥
Home distilling, I see as a socially sustaining hobby that will be very useful if war comes and the state alcohol monopoly has to close.
Instructions on how to proceed should have had their own section in MSB/MCF’s brochure, “When the crisis or war comes!” 😆
A bit funny that Cornu was exposed to SD advertising. Almost makes you think they trolled him.
They probably want to balance out a bit against that blogger’s hate rhetoric specifically against SD?
Johan, will it be Bible study with lit candles and sparkling water or Friday drinking with chips, dip, and Mariestad tonight?
** 🔥Satellite images confirm multiple fires at and near Hvardiyske airfield, – Crimean Wind A weapons depot, a fuel depot, and numerous other facilities were ablaze. **
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3msinmscyjs2b
** 🎥 On the occasion of Yalta Day – “Group 13” operators held a naval parade off the southern coast of Crimea GUR special forces restored an old festive tradition that arose and took root in free Yalta – the welcome exit of Ukrainian warships and vessels near the city embankment. ** Movie:
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3msimyhcoqk2b
👍😂😂
** Probably the best in-flight footage so far of this Ukrainian long-range strike drone, whose shape closely resembles the Shahed. Despite never being officially unveiled, drones of this type are used relatively frequently against Russian targets, including in deep-strike operations. **
https://bsky.app/profile/specialkhersoncat.bsky.social/post/3msiltp3ois2p
** The crew aboard a ship in the Black Sea filmed Ukrainian Shahed-looking drones flying directly over their deck during attacks on other vessels in the area. One of the targeted ships has the distinctive profile of a Ro-Ro cargo vessel, fitting the recently struck NADEZHDA. **
https://bsky.app/profile/specialkhersoncat.bsky.social/post/3msil3kj6f22p
** ❗️Satellite reconnaissance recorded numerous damages at the Yaroslavl Oil Refinery after the Ukrainian Defense Forces’ attack on the night of 7 August: technical overpasses, the VT-6 unit tank farm, the AVT-3 unit (likely from a previous strike), pumping stations, and a completely burned-down hangar of unknown type. Due to regular strikes by the Ukrainian forces, the plant is currently unable to operate at full capacity. **
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3msil6p3bus2c
Oh MXT you wrote thanks above so now there will be a whole post about it on Monday 👍
😂
Good that everyone liked the post, on Monday there will be another one that you will appreciate.
The Bible studies are of course underway as well, I know you are struggling not to be able to hold back but it is coming.
We also need to circle back to Ukraine at some point, some good things have happened there.
You can be completely sure that it will be an eventful autumn, the second gear is engaged globally now.
Has anyone seen Dengamle or is he still fiddling with drones in Germany?