The so-called Lindsey O. Graham law was barely passed, which was intended to punish all companies that traded with Russia before Trump did the opposite. The law gave Trump the authority to impose or refrain from sanctions and tariffs, and initially, it was intended to increase tariffs on goods from Russia by between 100-500%. Trump immediately decided to issue extensive exemptions from all sanctions against Russia, thereby nullifying exactly what the law was intended for. This has led to criticism, of course, but that’s nothing Krasnov cares about.
Democratic Representative Don Beyer is critical. He urged the U.S. Congress to “fix” the “deficient” law and condemned Trump for having “capitulated” to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin by defying Congress’s intent with the Graham law. “Trump has proven that he will twist this law and abuse the powers it gave him, and even though he has left the tariff authorities unused for the moment, the law, as written, also gives Trump the authority to arm trade authorities against our allies and trading partners,” he added.
The executive order initially increased tariffs on goods from Russia by 500% and by 100% on goods from the five largest importers of crude oil and natural gas originating from Russia. The same order largely refrains from these measures. On October 13, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators urged Trump to cancel his agreement to purchase Russian diesel, joining other colleagues in Congress who criticized the controversial agreement against Russia and Iran. Kyiv Independent
Russian losses
1950 KWIA
1 Tank
2 AFVs
21 Artillery systems
4 MLRS
2 Air defense systems
1396 UAVs
4 UGVs
329 Vehicles & fuel tanks
2 Special equipment
Ukrainian General Staff morning report
Operational information as of 08:00 on October 17, 2026, regarding the Russian invasion
The 1697th day of the Russian Federation’s full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine has begun.
During the past day, a total of 238 combat engagements were recorded.
According to updated data, the enemy conducted 71 air strikes yesterday and dropped 261 guided aerial bombs. Additionally, the attackers used 7,433 kamikaze drones and carried out 2,699 shellings against communities and our troops’ positions.
In the Sumy region, the communities of Ulanove, Fotovyzh, Sadky, Mala Korchakivka, Rudenok, Tovstodubove, Volfyne, Neskuchne, and Khrapivshchyna were subjected to hostile artillery fire. Furthermore, the enemy conducted an air strike in the area around Buvalyne.
During the past day, the defense forces’ aircraft, missile units, and artillery struck an area with a concentration of enemy personnel as well as a command post for unmanned aerial vehicles.
On the northern Slobozhanskyi sector, 12 combat engagements took place in the areas around Novodmytrivka, Tovstodubove, Mala Slobidka, Buniachyne, Doroshivka, Neskuchne, Shpyl, Hrafske, Sadky, and Mohrytsia.
On the southern Slobozhanskyi sector, 25 combat engagements were recorded near Starytsia, Mala Vovcha, Chuhunivka, and Radkivka during the day.
On the Kupiansk sector, the defense forces repelled an enemy attempt to advance in the area around Kupiansk.
On the Lyman sector, our units prevented the enemy from advancing in the areas around Lyman, Zarichne, and Dibrova and stopped five attacks.
On the Sloviansk sector, six enemy attacks were repelled in the areas around Ozerne, Pyskunivka, Kryva Luka, and Mykolaivka.
On the Kramatorsk sector, our defenders successfully repelled an enemy assault attempt in the area around Dibrova.
On the Kostiantynivka sector, 18 combat engagements were recorded in the areas around Kostiantynivka, Dovha Balka, Druzhkivka, Novoselivka, Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, Mykolaipillia, and Novopavlivka.
On the Pokrovsk sector, a total of 30 attacks were repelled. The occupiers attempted to advance in the areas around Toretske, Hruzke, Vilne, Kucheriv Yar, Svitlé, Dobropillia, Serhiivka, Molodetske, Novopavlivka, and Marivka.
On the Oleksandrivka sector, two enemy attacks were repelled in the areas around Zaporizke and Komyshuvakha.
On the Huljajpole sector, the enemy conducted 13 attacks during the past day in the areas around Vozdvyzhivka, Rivne, Andriivka, Kopani, Charivne, and Yehorivka.
On the Orikhiv sector, the defense forces repelled seven attempts by the attackers to advance in the areas around Novoiakovlivka, Mala Tokmachka, Pavlivka, Stepnohirsk, and Plavni.
On the Prydniprovsk sector, the enemy conducted no offensive operations.
Total Russian attacker losses during the past day amounted to 1,950 personnel. Additionally, one tank, two armored fighting vehicles, 24 artillery systems, four multiple launch rocket systems, two air defense systems, four ground-based missile systems, 1,396 unmanned aerial vehicles, 329 vehicles, and two units of special equipment were neutralized.
No significant changes in the situation occurred on other front sectors.
Let us defeat the enemy and bring our victory closer! Glory to Ukraine!
Comment:
120 localized attacks out of a total of 238 gives 118 unlocalized and a ratio of 118 / 120 ≈ 0.98, which is among the lowest in a long time.
Don't forget to donate, Ukraine's cause is ours! Support Ukraine!
Good to see that the USA is reacting. Positive. Sooner or later, they should make an impact.
Oh well, I was apparently second with my post, Trump’s betrayal had already been discussed in yesterday’s thread.
** Volodymyr Zelensky urged EU leaders to supply 300 Patriot interceptors and €70 billion for 2027 as Ukraine runs low on anti-ballistic missiles. “Ukraine can’t get by on just two or four missiles,” he said, demanding a winter package to shield cities. **
https://bsky.app/profile/kyivpost.com/post/3my2hucsook2l
Hope it’s a mistranslation or language confusion: Demanding = kräver, completely correctly translated by AI.
However, an unfortunate choice of words by Zelensky, I would have chosen wish/ask. You don’t demand when you are in that position. Sure, the Ukrainians are freezing and dying for our sake, but not everyone has understood that, which is why he uses unnecessarily harsh words that opponents can latch onto.
The correct English word would probably be plead, that is vädja in Swedish.
If you go to the link from bluesky it says: We need a winter package…
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/87338
** 😄 Lukashenko to soldiers: “If a person can physically move, you should learn to dodge a bullet…” **
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3my2hhxzgz22v
** 🤬 Trump has suspended Graham’s law on “hellish” sanctions against Russia, even though he previously signed it himself. The new executive order states that this decision by the US president “at this stage corresponds to the national interests of the United States.” Senator Graham’s law was set to take effect in just a few days… **
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3my2hcghqkk2c
To everyone who wrote post after post about this (also on the other blog): Was it time well spent? I maintain that one should only comment on actual deliveries, sanctions, or actual implemented measures from the American government. 95% is just talk and a waste of capacity in the brain.
Yes, can anyone mention any actual package, sanction, or similar that Trump has given as a benefit to Ukraine which was not decided since Biden’s time or funded by Europe?
**Moscow airports ✈️❌ Flight cancellations and delays are hitting airlines, passengers and airports also in other countries – Turkey, Egypt and other destinations from which people fly to Russia. Plus an additional burden on Russian air defense, economic losses and constant problems with air traffic. **
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3my2h4hwfd22v
** 🥴Trump: I use a little makeup, and I apply it myself. If you don’t touch it up at least a little, you’ll look like a corpse. And I don’t want to look like that. ** Video:
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3my2gseve622c
Hopefully he will do that soon.
I stand by that, and before anyone starts whining, I just want to remind you of what the bastard said at Robert Mueller’s passing.
** ❗️During the attack, the enemy used Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, Kh-22/32 cruise missiles, 4 Kalibr missiles, and 332 strike UAVs. Air defense forces shot down/suppressed 293 targets — all 4 Kalibr missiles and 289 UAVs.
Hits were recorded at 22 locations, and debris from downed targets fell at 3 locations. **
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3my2gmittmk2c
** Russian soldiers are “the new oil”, says a Russian warblogger. They are a source of easy wealth for scammers, who have robbed tens of millions of rubles from new recruits and injured men, who are preyed on by their fellow soldiers, recruiters, and even fellow patients.
Anastasia Kashevarova describes “how fellow soldiers and recruiters steal from cards, phones, and hospitals.” She comments:
“Unfortunately, where the money is big, there are always a lot of scoundrels. And payments to participants in the Special Military Operation (SVO) are big money. And those who make a living out of the misfortunes of others swirl around them. I’m handling numerous requests from people.
“A huge number of complaints and requests for help with theft from military personnel’s bank cards. The problem is systemic, and the scammers are among their own. Fellow soldiers. Recruiters. Those who are supposed to help, but in reality, steal.
“Scheme One. Cards That Don’t Exist. A situation in one of the brigades. New recruits arrived. They say, “You should have given us bank cards.” The political officer asks, “How? You should have received them at the selection point, when you registered.”
“The answer: “We were told the cards would be here.” It’s unclear where and who has the cards, contract payments are coming quickly, and shady recruiters have already managed to skim money from them. And there are many such stories.
❗️ Guys, remember: no one will give you cards for your personal account in the brigades. Carefully read all the documents they give you to sign.
https://bsky.app/profile/chriso-wiki.bsky.social/post/3my2gbxa4uk27
https://t.me/akashevarova/8855
Russian bastards who deceive Russian bastards, what a shock.
** A few smart people are wondering whether Putin has threatened to leak whatever he has on Trump, given Trump’s outrageously pro-Kremlin behaviour. The answer is still no.
Russia experts know that Putin is confused and alarmed by Trump’s unpredictability, and nobody in the Kremlin behaves like they hold hidden leverage over Trump. The leverage they have is out on the open.
First, it’s ideological – Trump and Putin share a monarchist, hyper-neoliberal (might is right) and fascisised worldview. Second, Trump is dependent on Putin as his main source of narcissistic supply among world leaders. It’s no wonder Trump wants Russia to win. **
https://bsky.app/profile/vladvexler.bsky.social/post/3my2im7ocfs2j
I would like to know what is hyper-neoliberal about any of their politics and/or society.
🇺🇸💯💯💯💯
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3my2ihi35422w
** 🥲❗️Vinnytsia region has experienced one of the most massive attacks since the start of the full-scale war, – OVA Over the past 24 hours, 24 Russian drones have been shot down over the region. At the same time, civilian and critical infrastructure has been damaged.
Energy and utility companies are restoring electricity and water supplies. Six people were injured as a result of the attacks. **
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3my2idzjptk2w
** European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius: We’re living through a century of profound turbulence and transformation. We should not fear this organic evolution of the European Union.
We should welcome the opportunity to live through this time in which Europe matures and assumes primary responsibility for its own future.
European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius: What we are talking about is a European Defense Union as a broader geographical foundation for a new European defense architecture. It includes not only EU member states, but also Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Norway and perhaps Canada.
And a European Security Council for effective decision-making. This is how a new European defense architecture can be built.
European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius: If China and India return to global economic leadership, the consequence will be that the United States will be pushed from first to third place in the global rankings.
Americans will need to adapt to the reality that Pax Americana has come to an end. The slogan “Make America Great Again” shows that natural nostalgia for the glorious times of US global leadership is already starting to play a more and more important role in US political and geopolitical mentality.
It will take time to overcome this psychological challenge. ** Videos:
https://bsky.app/profile/slavaukraini033.bsky.social/post/3my2f5dirck26
As true as it is said.
Amen.
It was also this that some who voted no to the Lindsey Graham package warned about. Trump can arbitrarily exempt Russia while simultaneously punishing allies (who at best completely stop ALL types of trade with Russia to take that weapon out of Trump’s hands).
🎯
Little surprisingly, Krasnov is praised by his client in Moscow.
“Krasnov’s decision to pause the Graham Act is an important and truly historic moment”
https://omni.se/a/vlGAKX
Impressive that they praise him. Is the next step to admit that they control him? The best would probably be to keep a low profile?
I believe that they, Putin and co, are aware that the value of their “investment” is rapidly decreasing and that it is a matter of squeezing out the very last drops before it is too late and the fun is over.
When I sometimes think about the various final fates I wish for Trump, it happens that I see in my mind’s eye a scene from the Coen brothers’ film Fargo. Can you perhaps guess which scene I am thinking of? But now the scene takes place at Mar-a-Lago and Steve Buscemi is replaced by the clown in chief 🤡 and Peter Stormare by Melania.🧠🫀☠️
Umlaut is right.
Now that the financial crisis is coming, there will be a reason to impose sanctions on a European bank.
Deutsche or French.
Dealing with Russia still is the reason, and several banks do it, so it is not wrong in principle.
Then you totally crash the bank and escalate the crisis.
You have read about Guilfoyle and Greece, right?
completely incredible but expected.
The most remarkable thing is perhaps that the Krasnov administration has dismissed her and distanced itself.
Hm, how does it usually work in Russia. It is defined in the power pyramid where you stand and who should get a share of the bribes you take. It could be that she was not clear about what level she was at and paid the wrong person, or paid too little.
The tragic thing is that I am not surprised, only that it was completely in line with what could be expected. As corrupt as any place in Africa, but with a (sharply declining) world status that makes people actually willing to throw money at you.
High losses
Ukraine is steaming ahead with the refinery.
The result of yesterday’s attack 😁
* The Russian oil refinery Ryazan stops the operation of a main unit after a drone attack, Reuters reports.
Since President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the resumption of attacks on October 15, Kiev has not reported any new attacks on Russian oil refineries or confirmed reports of such attacks.*
https://kyivindependent.com/russian-ryazan-oil-refinery-halts-one-of-its-main-units-after-drone-attacks-reuters-reports/
Let’s see when Trump places Patriots near the Russian raffens to protect “national interests”.
China, do they like a US – RU alliance?
That was something speculated the first time Trump showed his love for Putin.
However, I believe that the recent declaration of love is not part of any plan, but rather an expression of desperation. He simply wants to create as much chaos as possible before the election.
If there is chaos and protests, he will simply declare a state of emergency and postpone the election. That naturally creates even more chaos, which he can then suppress with a heavy hand using the National Guard and ICE.
I don’t think China minds that Trump has shown himself to be a Putinist; it shifts the focus within the US, so China can work undisturbed. However, China might face more expensive oil. Who knows, maybe that was discussed when Xi was visiting.
Trump does not give up, going against the popular Graham Act is politically bad and just before the midterm elections.
Do you think Trump knows they are losing and is stepping on the gas?
Or does RU want chaos from the bought Krasnov?
It’s very hard to see Trump’s logic here.
You have to see that there is a risk that Trump will disappear if he goes too hard with his Putinism, but they are also desperate, and need the US’s help against Ukraine and Europe.
If there is a midterm election, Trump will be hampered after that. He will probably cause some trouble so they can lock him up.
Hope hope
That would be for the best. Then the war started by Trump could lead to something good in the end.
I hope that Iran and the mullahs hold out a little longer. Preferably until the new congress has had time to take office.
Good if the regime can fall
Damn if Guilfoyle isn’t going to cause damage.
https://x.com/calltoactivism/status/2111299766135173256?s=46&t=Vah3JXV31B9lXwZOK5gF7w
Are IRGC and CCP bribes involved beyond all her crimes.
Total nepotism in the appointment.
Europe should also jump on this, Iran and China inside the EU
Guilfoyle leaked reports to China
Trump has crossed the line, now all that is needed is something that sticks, anything, and Guilfoyle-gate is a good candidate.
It can be directly linked to Trump and is treason.
Have started with the chapter The Old Man and Guilfoyle
I am patiently waiting for chapter 27 in the fifth book.
Guilfoyle Gate is thus the following – Trump’s son’s ex-wife who was appointed as ambassador to Greece with zero merits on direct orders from Trump of course, even though he dodges it.
As soon as she got there, she started committing crimes.
She has wrecked the relationship with Greece, I never understood why Rubio was in Athens in this rat hole but now it became clear.
IRGC and CCCP have paid to gain control over important infrastructure and Guilfoyle has probably acted as a facilitator?
This goes all the way up to EU security accordingly.
Never understood who the other guy on the phone was – some GOP in Greece who in despair has seen her rampage and no one in GOP USA who cares?
The one who posted was at least angry about a shakedown attempt from Guilfoyle and decided to take the fight.
—
Since Trump has now crossed the line, all it takes is something that doesn’t fall apart and Guilfoyle is a good candidate. Outside the USA as well, so an international scandal and if the EU can just safely step up the gas even better.
The connections to Trump exist and then when Guilfoyle is thrown under the bus she retaliates by releasing everything she has on the Trump family.
I think this will turn out very well, and well deserved.
They will probably vote everything down, a woman who has advanced in her career, siding with Iran, which is a good help against Israel.
The risk unfortunately exists
Well, she is not exactly a careerist, but she has many of the prerequisites to get a high position from Trump, family acquaintance, fairly young attractive woman, not morally constrained and loyal.
Are you not a feminist CB500four, you’re going on the watchlist now 🧐
Hope 🙏
Exactly. He will use it against Europe and Ukraine
If they can control drones inside Ryzh without Starlink, why do they need Starlink inside Ukraine? Maybe cheaper and easier, but it sounds like it’s time to rip off the bandage on gadgets they don’t have control over. Fire and forget LV-drones should be quite simple to produce, and also cheaper than with a heavy Starlink link on the back.
Then maybe they don’t control inside Ryzh but are just pre-programmed, with a bit of AI that makes some course corrections and identifies targets at the end.
As you can see, geniuses speculate, but I really don’t understand why they need Starlink after seeing how reliable we in the outside world are.
I think that the EU or an individual member country should invite Musk. Then he will not be allowed to leave, but will be placed in secure custody; only imagination sets the limits for a suitable reason for this.😉
Since it is not the Capitol and is much more violent, it is probably peaceful left-wing activists who just want better schools. In other words, there is nothing to see here. It will be interesting to see mainstream media talk this down.
Quite exaggerated in the reporting. The street next door can be perfectly calm, people sitting unaware and drinking coffee and eating ice cream 100 meters away. The demonstration also only lasted an hour or two, then everything was restored. It’s the same when there is a football match in our own cities.
Do you mean in France DJ?
They have burned down several town halls/city halls and tried to march towards the Élysée Palace?
Putin is trying to start a Ukrainian refugee wave to Europe.
The Ukrainians who want to leave have probably already done so? I don’t see that it’s particularly easy to start a refugee wave from that country. Much easier to import from other countries and ship them to the nearest EU border.
Good for Europe except Ukraine, bad for Ukraine.
The author terrorist is allowed to run wild here, what has happened to the world?
Furthermore, young Mr. Trump is allowed to completely embarrass the USA, the country that supports, or alternatively does not protest, the killing of innocent civilians.
Which do you think is worse?
The author terrorist or the state terrorist? 😳
Nowadays, after a chapter, No.1 should also be defined as the author, is it him you are referring to, DenGamle? 🙂
That was it, but it was too hard. Johan writes well.
Absolute state terrorists 👍
Absolutely.
Trump has done some sensible things and Europe buys more from RU than the USA does, which should have been highlighted in the months before the election.
It is extremely difficult to see the logic in this.
What Trump is doing now two weeks before the election is devastating for the GOP.
After Guilefoyle’s rampage on this, there were no warnings missing.
If Trump had instead blue-lied before the election and started with this the day after, I would have understood.
Is this deliberate from Putin?
The clown does nothing before Putin forces him.
Does Russia want political deadlocks rather than a GOP majority?
Who doesn’t care about an election, exactly everyone does including Trump, he is campaigning all over the USA.
The strategists are crying now.
They may have already given up and want to get the most out of Krasnov before everything risks exploding?
It could lose power this winter and no heat or water Maggan, then people will probably start to move?
They have experienced similar winters before. I would guess that only the really tough ones remain in the country. No refugee wave in sight. If there were to be one anyway, I think we would find it easier to take care of Ukrainians since they are closer to us.
I just put my Chinese inverter behind a firewall. So in theory, it should no longer be able to communicate with China as it is completely blocked from the WAN and therefore cannot be shut down along with a potential IT attack on the Swedish network. It’s unfortunate that the app thus becomes useless and I have to rely solely on my own local ugly app.
They have had power outages intermittently in previous winters, but if Russia has stockpiled a supply of ballistic missiles and Trump blocks all Patriots and slows down everything he can from Europe, it will probably be difficult to continue living in Kiev when ballistic missiles are raining down on all power plants, substations, heating plants, waterworks, sewage plants, as well as arbitrarily on residential buildings, hospitals, schools, etc.
Now I don’t know how many ballistic missiles Russia has stockpiled, but I assume it is considerable amounts.
The launch platforms must be removed.
Well Pehr, probably fits best.
Question two – what does Putin have on Trump for this suicide 😀
He admires strong men, lacks empathy, loves himself, and I also believe that he has some sadistic traits as well; he feels satisfaction from putting others down.
One might think that with these traits he would also enjoy using his power to put down Putin, especially now that Russia is the weaker one on the battlefield.
However, he has never said or done anything negative towards Putin, except when it comes to Venezuela and Iran, but that may have been agreed upon; perhaps Ukraine is part of the agreement.
I believe Putin functions as Trump’s mentor. Trump wants to become as powerful as Putin, and Putin helps him decide what to do and when, in order to gain more power. They share the same worldview and the same view on the exercise of power. They are both in an information bubble created by themselves. They only listen to those who reinforce their own opinions.
One difference between the two is that Putin would never look up to anyone so much that he would allow himself to be led. Trump, on the other hand, is like a teenage girl at a Beatles concert in the 60s when he gets to meet Putin, or for that matter, other autocrats as well. He gladly allows himself to be led if he receives appreciation from those he admires.
Trump is dangerous, desperate, and mentally unstable, the wrong man in the wrong place at the completely wrong time.
Zelensky does not give up.
I support that but the USA will strike back
Trump will strike back, we will see then how far the USA lets it go. We know from before that the dictators want to see a divided Europe, so it is likely that Trump will blame Ukraine, help Putin, and try to destroy as much as possible for Europe.
The whole school protest is playing out exactly as we predicted.
We know because these are old actions that have been dusted off
Albania is also going full speed by the way
Trump succeeded well there.. It’s easy to create disorder where tensions are already high.
Well said as usual. Tough love towards Luka, hopefully he understands that.
Full dogs 🐕 here?
🥳
Only on Fridays
Va 😀 🍻
What 😀 🍻
I demand that the Air Force lend one of the three delivered Globaleye 👁️ to Ukraine.
I have personally paid a fairly large part of that plane through my tax bill.
The Krasnov administration’s plan for Ukrainian capitulation includes a proposal for European countries to start importing more of the Russian devils’ gas, according to sources from the New York Times.
The idiots Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are said to have raised the proposal, which is described as a central part of the US plan to achieve Russian victory, with both Ukrainian and European representatives.
Specifically, it involves Ukraine opening gas pipelines that previously transported the Russian devils’ gas to Europe. According to the newspaper’s information, European representatives have reacted very negatively to the proposal.
Last year, 13 percent of the EU’s gas imports came from Russia, down from 45 percent the year before the full-scale invasion began.
As we say.
Go fu-k yourself.
Nah. All in.
Death to the slime gnomes 🩸
Yep, even if it might be giving too much credit to Trump, it could have been part of the plan with the war against Iran. To reduce the threat to Israel, stop Iran’s nuclear program, control the flow of gas and oil to Europe via Hormuz.
We also saw it when the Houthi rebels stopped the flow in the pipeline through Saudi, and Saudi Arabia asked for help, they were refused, because the loss of oil affected Europe.
The USA under Trump tries to force Europe to buy Russian gas and oil, and at the same time drives the division within Europe.
WARNING ⚠️
I have been thinking after 12 morning drinks.
Could it be as simple as that Trump’s plan all along has been for there to be a war between Russia and NATO? His goal is to weaken the EU/Europe and also Russia. A war that the EU/Europe, with the help of Ukraine, would probably win. But money/assets would be moved to the USA. The USA would be the winner, Russia and Europe losers, in economic ruin.
What speaks against this is that it would require an IQ over 100 for Trump, and that Trump seems to be in love with Putin.
But still…
I think that is what is coming now, have you sneakily read the thread in your absence?
The USA probably wants the capital in Europe terrified and we run to the US national debt.
If the USA crashes, the EUR takes over and the petrodollar is no more.
That is not just Trump, it is the USA that wants it even though the cheer idiot at the same time enriches himself and wants a date with Putin.
Romania has shot down two drones
Two drones have been shot down after violating Romania’s airspace on Saturday, according to the country’s Defense Minister Radu Miruta.
“Two drones were attacked and shot down a few minutes ago by Romanian military pilots over the Black Sea, just moments after they illegally entered our airspace,” he writes on Facebook.
The incident is the latest in a series of similar attacks in a short period, believed to be connected to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, reports TT.
Did I read an autumn reluctant admission wrapped in mild criticism a bit above DenGamle 🧐
You deserve recognition, I admit it very reluctantly.
Now it is actually upon us throughout Europe – it will only escalate from here until Russia implodes.
Exactly how much it will escalate, no one knows except Putin; Trump probably knows more, in a way, than we do in Europe.
China will probably have to guess some of it.
Expect cut submarine cables and inexplicably burning LNG and fuel depots.
An addition to the school protests, in France they have stormed and burned down town halls/city halls in several cities and built street barricades in city centers, I don’t know in how many cities.
There is NO normal life in those cities, imagine the city hall in Stockholm burned down and the whole of Norrmalm occupied.
Yes, you can walk around in Bromma and have a coffee but not at Sergels torg or Stureplan.
Historical monuments are being torn down or vandalized.
I get the feeling that the French government is letting the demonstrators and the so-called yellow vests and the tail of left-wing revolutionaries and professional troublemakers run wild for a while, and then when things have gotten bad enough and the public has seriously started to get tired, they strike hard and simultaneously cash in on the public’s sympathy and show decisiveness, which strengthens their position ahead of next year’s presidential election.
SvD writes about the riots:
On Saturday evening, the violent clashes in the ongoing protests across France escalated. Demonstrators have looted stores and stormed city halls in several cities, while the police respond with tear gas and stun grenades.
Photo by Ingrid Friberg
Ingrid Friberg
Published 2026-10-17 19:47
Updated 00:04
At least half a million people are reported to be out on the streets across France as, among others, school students, teachers, trade unions, and farmers have joined together in a joint day of protest. The “yellow vests” have also joined.
In Paris alone, hundreds of thousands of people are said to have taken to the streets on Saturday. A large part of the demonstrations were reportedly peaceful, but during the day the unrest has escalated.
Demonstrators are said to have smashed windows of shops, restaurants, and two TV newsrooms, according to Le Monde. There are also reports that demonstrators have fired fireworks.
Riots at Place de la République in Paris on Saturday.
Riots at Place de la République in Paris on Saturday. Photo: Thibault Camus/AP/TT
Together, the French are protesting against, among other things, rising living costs and increasing fuel prices. Some have also demonstrated over how the police have handled the student protests that have marked France over the past four weeks. But criminals and “rioters” have also joined the protests, French media report.
The police are said to have responded with both tear gas and stun grenades against the crowds during the day.
Continuing into the evening
On Saturday evening, a total of 400 people had been arrested by police across the country, announced France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Most are said to be adults with no connection to the student protests that have been ongoing in recent weeks. He also says that at least 60 police officers have been injured and blames the violence on external individuals who have infiltrated the demonstrations.
“Groups of several hundred or thousands of troublemakers, who were obviously incited by the far left, attacked the authorities,” Laurent Nuñez said at a press conference.
At around 21:30, the atmosphere is still very tense on the streets of Paris and the police presence is enormous, reports SvD’s correspondent Teresa Küchler on site.
Large groups of hundreds of youths are being chased by riot vans and motorcycle-mounted and marching riot police.
Electric scooters and rental bikes are strategically placed to block the police’s advance, says SvD’s journalist Teresa Küchler in Paris.
Electric scooters and rental bikes are strategically placed to block the police’s advance, says SvD’s journalist Teresa Küchler in Paris. Photo: Thibault Camus/AP/TT
“When the shouts that the police are coming are heard, everyone starts running at once and panic breaks out. Several people tried, like me, to seek refuge down a subway staircase to avoid being trampled,” says SvD’s correspondent.
Tear gas and dispersal grenades are still going off.
“People fled coughing and with watery eyes into a karaoke bar, but then brought the smoke inside, and several dinner guests started coughing and rubbing their eyes.”
City hall on fire
In the afternoon, a demonstration march left from Place de la République, which had been approved by the police in advance. The march reportedly took place “without major incidents,” writes Le Figaro. However, news footage has emerged showing cars set on fire at the square.
Demonstrations are also ongoing in many other places. Over 600 demonstrations are said to have been planned across France, but unauthorized demonstrations have also appeared, writes TT.
Reports come from Marseille, Nice, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes, and Lille about blocked roads, trash bins on fire, broken windows, and looted stores.
In Marseille, a police station was attacked and around noon demonstrators are said to have broken into city hall. A few hours later, demonstrators also stormed city hall in Lille and vandalized the premises. In the evening, reports came that the 143-year-old city hall in the city of Limoges was also stormed and is on fire.
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Chaos on the streets of Paris. Photo: Emma Da Silva/AP/TT
A demonstrator’s hand has been blown off by a grenade in the city of Saint-Etienne outside Lyon.
In Lyon, there is “complete chaos,” writes Le Monde. There, demonstrators are said to have set fire to a tourist office and looted several stores. The police also tried to push back the more aggressive parts with tear gas.
France’s president Emmanuel Macron is said to have called for “calm” and appealed to demonstrators to “respect people and property.” Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemns the violence in a post on X.
“Peaceful demonstrations have an obvious place in our republic. Arson, looting, and attacks have no place at all,” he writes on Saturday evening.
The leader of the French far-right Marine Le Pen accuses “rioters” of “poisoning” the protests.
In a post on X, she blames the far left:
“Looting, vandalism, and attacks on the police – rioters have once again sullied the demonstrations against high living costs,” she writes.
https://www.svd.se/a/PgX6QX/eld-och-targas-nar-halv-miljon-demonstrerar
According to an article in Expressen, part of the recent chaos in the White House is explained by the fact that the sycophants have now started fighting among themselves. Susie Wiles, who has acted as a somewhat controlling and moderating force and had a decisive influence on hires, is now being outmaneuvered, and Trump is apparently more unbalanced and aggressive than usual.
I can’t help but think of some of the scenes from the film “Der Untergang”.
Good analogy 👍
Forward into the night.
Crush the orcs.
The glove is thrown.
https://youtu.be/BfbdD8bMIfI?is=ff6moc3NighlA8zi
Energiminister Erkki Keldo (Reform) wants to cooperate with Latvia to permanently stop Russian gas transit through the Baltics, with other options available if talks fail.
In a statement to ERR, the Estonian Minister of Energy and Environment said he plans to meet his Latvian counterpart as soon as Latvia’s new government is in place.
“The valve, so to speak, that we can physically control on the Estonian side is closed, so nothing can flow through there,” Keldo explained, referring to a natural gas pipeline running through southeastern Estonia. “But the other physical pipe and valve are on the Latvian side, and we need to discuss this with the Latvians and Lithuanians.”
He noted that the pipeline section belongs to the state-owned network operator Elering and is used solely for transit, emphasizing that no gas from it can enter Estonia’s domestic network.
Keldo declined to speculate before the two ministers met whether Latvia would agree to shut off the supply, but he clarified his own position.
Defense official: The front is heating up, the energy ceasefire fails as US-Kiev tensions grow
“We will look at what intervention options and solutions are available,” he said. “Since [the pipeline] is unfortunately operated by a Latvian state-owned operator, this is also a matter for negotiations with our neighbors and allies. But I can absolutely say that I do not think this is right.”
The minister said sanctions or other measures should first be considered after talks with Latvia.
Both countries have advocated raising the cost of Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine through sanctions and additional tariffs, Keldo noted.
Against this background, even though no Russian gas has flowed through the pipeline for over two years, he hoped his Latvian counterpart would help find a way to ensure it does not resume in the future either.
“I believe and hope that we can reach an agreement with the Latvians,” the minister said. “But if we cannot, we must look at what other options are available.”
Sector politicians unaware
Earlier this week, Eesti Ekspress reported that Estonia maintains a natural gas pipeline running through Võru County that Russia can use to supply its Kaliningrad oblast enclave.
The newspaper noted that none of the Estonian politicians responsible for overseeing the sector in recent years were aware of the agreement with the Russian gas pipeline.
Kaliningrad depends on Russian gas to power its power plants. After Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were disconnected from the Russian-controlled electricity grid in February 2025, the enclave was left as an isolated energy system.
https://news.err.ee/1610168398/estonia-wants-to-block-russian-gas-transit-through-baltics-for-good
The Ukrainian military expert and presidential advisor Serhij “Flash” Beskrestnov has warned that Russia could achieve full satellite coverage over Ukraine within six months through the “Rassvet” system. This network can provide Russian forces with real-time control of drones and missiles as well as limit the effectiveness of Ukraine’s electronic countermeasures. Read the full article on UA.NEWS.
https://ua.news/en/war-vs-rf/flesh-poperediv-pro-zagrozu-rosiiskoyi-suputnikovoyi-sistemi-rassvet-associated-press
Extensive Ukrainian drone attack on Saint Petersburg during the night.
It is a large-scale attack where Russian authorities claim that over 120 Ukrainian drones have been shot down. Explosions and fires have been reported from several key locations in the city:
• Oil terminal hit: A large fire broke out at Saint Petersburg’s oil terminal, where at least one fuel tank caught fire.
• Road bridge and data center: Drones have also hit a bridge in the city as well as a data center belonging to the Russian media company VKontakte (VK).
• Disruptions in infrastructure: The attack has led to temporary restrictions on air traffic at Pulkovo Airport. Power outages and problems with the water supply in the region have also been reported.
https://www.dn.se/direkt/ukraina/2026-10-18/ukraina-anfoll-flera-mal-i-sankt-petersburg-i-natt/