The war in Ukraine 2025-06-18

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The Russians’ losses of tanks and other armor were unusually high compared to how it has been in recent weeks. KWIA was somewhat low but even there it’s about the level we’ve been at now.

  • 1040 KWIA
  • 7 Tanks
  • 31 AFVs
  • 37 Artillery systems
  • 1 MLRS
  • 184 UAVs
  • 23 Cruise missiles
  • 137 Vehicles & Fuel tanks

SLAVA UKRAINI

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144 thoughts on “The war in Ukraine 2025-06-18”

        1. MXT

          It will take some time, but they will probably close that pocket and straighten out the front. 

          I wonder if the next step will be Siversk, or if instead they will carve out a new wedge further south to create a new pocket.

  2. MXT
    AFU: “In total, 186 combat clashes were recorded during the past day.
    According to detailed information, yesterday the zagarbniki launched 2 rockets and 45 aviation strikes on the territory of Ukraine, used 33 rockets and dropped 79 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, 3600 kamikaze drones were deployed to strike and carried out 6116 shells of positions of our troops and settlements, including 72 from the reactive systems of salvage fire.”
  3. 205

    #N_Slobozhansky_Kursk 28💥💥↘️⏱️38, 24, ..

    #S_Slobozhansky 3⏱️4, 7, ..

    #Kupyansk 1⏱️4, 11, ..

    #Lyman 16💥↗️⏱️7, 14, ..

    #Siverskyi 3⏱️1, 4, ..

    #Kramatorsk 11💥⏱️12, 10, ..

    #Toretsk 16💥⏱️18, 15, ..

    #Pokrovsk 57💥💥💥⏱️56, 46, ..

    #Novopavlivka 22💥↘️⏱️28, 32, ..

    #Huliaipil 2⏱️4, 0, ..

    #Orikhivsk 0⏱️2, 3, ..

    #Prydniprovsky 2⏱️1, 0, ..

  4. MXT

    I’m starting to think that maybe G7 should drop the USA and instead become G6. The USA and Trump are now on Russia’s side, and Russia was excluded when G8 became G7.

    “G7 drops statement on Ukraine and sanctions against Moscow

    The G7 summit in Canada resulted in a watered-down joint statement after the USA and Donald Trump opposed support for Ukraine and tougher sanctions against Russia, according to sources for several media outlets.

    The host country decided to scrap the statement altogether because the diluted wording would not be fair to Ukraine, a government source told Reuters.

    Instead, Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce a statement from the six other countries, according to the source.”

      1. MXT

        It might resolve itself in the long run.
        Trump promised that if he won, no one would need to vote again, we’ll see how it goes in the next election.

        1. MacMelmac

          Wasn’t it his way of saying that everyone would be so pleased with him that no one wanted to vote because they wanted to keep him? Just humble enough as only he can express himself!
          Not that he would abolish the voting process and the whole system?

          I haven’t actually seen him say that he will withdraw from the presidential election, but maybe he has?

          1. MXT

            He never provided any explanation in connection with the statement, but of course, he may have given it as an explanation later when he received criticism.

    2. CB500four

      It’s a pity that the USA, which has previously stood for freedom, justice, and democracy, is tearing down everything they have built up.

      This is simply by choosing a president who completely lacks all the qualities that we associate with a president. Furthermore, he now seems to completely lack the ability to make his own decisions.

      With an almost homoerotic attraction to strong men, he only seeks advice from white men whom he considers to be strong leaders like himself, and now there are only two tough guys he listens to, Putin and Netanyahu, those are the two who are supposed to help him make America great again… Good luck with that…

      The American system with a strong president has shot itself in the foot. The founding fathers could not have imagined in their wildest dreams that the people would be so dumbed down as to vote in a completely incompetent person for this position.

      1. Umlaut

        Yes, that was it, hence the electoral system. However, in many states, the function has been circumvented by prohibiting “unfaithful” electors through various laws. There is much to discuss in the American electoral system, including this, but the founding fathers had a thought to protect the people from themselves.

  5. MXT

    The Israeli government hopes that Donald Trump himself will make the decision to involve the USA in the war, reports CNN, which has spoken with several high-ranking Israeli officials. Two of the channel’s sources state that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not asked or urged Trump to attack Iranian nuclear facilities, despite the leaders having had close contact in recent days.

    “The entire operation is based on the assumption that the USA will join at some point,” says one of the officials.

  6. MXT

    “Iran and Israel have continued to attack each other even tonight. Reuters reports that air raid sirens sounded over Tel Aviv after Iranian drones were detected in the airspace and explosions were heard in the city.

    According to sources for Haaretz, at least 25 drones are said to have been fired, and according to Iranian reports, at least one of them was hypersonic. The newspaper also reports new alerts about drones early on Wednesday morning.”

  7. MXT

    If he seriously believes that a conversation with Luka would lead to peace, one can understand why the peace negotiations have failed completely.
    “Trump’s special envoy Kellogg plans to visit Belarus in the coming days to meet with Lukashenko, Reuters reported. In private conversations, Kellogg has portrayed the trip as a step that could help start peace talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war.”
    https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3lrucmkebg22x

    1. MacMelmac

      Who knows, Luka may have expressed in a secret Whatsapp group that he needs help to escape Putin’s clutches.

      Nothing surprises me anymore.

  8. MXT

    “The U.S. has reportedly withdrawn from two more military bases in northeastern Syria — al-Wazir and Tal Bidar — now guarded by small SDF units. The move has raised concerns among Kurdish forces about a potential resurgence of ISIS activity in the region.”

  9. MXT

    “Air defense forces of Ukraine neutralized 30 UAVs overnight. Out of 58 Shahed-type drones and decoy UAVs launched from Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russia), and Chauda (occupied Crimea), 30 were destroyed—12 by firepower, 18 suppressed or lost via electronic warfare.”
    https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lrucu6j36k2c
    https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsize/plain/did:plc:4aqzua5vsewimmusg66fyajl/bafkreigq6u6jppt6f3s6b6wyyjdhe272gth5iwkymsokznockg2icu6kjq@jpeg

  10. MXT

    Israel’s air defense missiles are starting to run out after several days of intense attacks, according to American sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. According to the sources, Iran has more missiles to fire than Israel, and the USA has defensive missiles, raising questions about Israel’s ability to defend itself.

    It mainly concerns the Arrow 3, which is used to shoot down ballistic missiles before they reach Israeli airspace.

    1. MacMelmac

      Isn’t it a violation of Syrian airspace to send robots over Syria? If Syria had shot down robots from both sides, there would have been trouble.

    2. CB500four

      I am surprised by Iran’s incompetence, Israel surely had prepared well, but if they can break in with 200 planes completely undisturbed, there must be some other problem as well.

      Partly it is probably the fact that dictatorships are notoriously bad at waging war, since making their own decisions is forbidden, so if the higher command is shot down, the military power stops.

      It may also be that the military is starting to have enough of being controlled by the mullahs, that they simply drag their feet, and let Israel bomb away the leadership.

      Trump is the type of man who likes to swagger around and “play tough,” but when push comes to shove, he gladly hides behind someone else. That’s why I think he wants to keep the USA out for as long as possible. If their bases are attacked, I think they will probably come in with planes and bunker bombs.

      1. Umlaut

        Iran has two defense forces, the regular one and also the Revolutionary Guard, where the latter is the best equipped and is there to ensure that the Iranian people are kept in check.

  11. MXT

    Off-Topic

    “Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” currently being discussed in the Senate risks increasing the American budget deficit even more than previously feared. This is shown by new calculations made by the Congressional Budget Office CBO, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

    The fact that the deficit would increase at a faster rate thus puts the Republican argument that the budget package would “pay for itself” under scrutiny.”
    https://omni.se/rantebetalningar-ater-upp-positiva-effekter-av-sankt-skatt/a/0V6ljA

    1. Westley Richard

      The founding fathers probably couldn’t even dream that politicians would spend more than they received unless the country was in an existential crisis, otherwise they would probably have included it in the constitution.

       

  12. MXT

    Sweden
    “The Iranian regime is pressuring gang criminals in Sweden to commit attacks against Israeli targets and against exiled Iranians. In SVT’s Mission Investigate, several individuals are now testifying about how the pressures are being exerted.

    The background is that Foxtrot Network’s leader Rawa Majid was arrested by Iran while he was fleeing in the country. In order to be released and receive protection, Iran demanded that he utilize his network to carry out actions against the regime’s enemies.”
    https://omni.se/iran-pressar-svenska-gang-till-attentat-anvander-oss-som-en-politisk-bricka/a/73kMwB

    1. Umlaut

      Shouldn’t this then mean that their crimes sometimes qualify as terrorism, treason, or illegal intelligence activities? At least the leadership that receives these missions.

        1. Wiiking

          This is unfortunately the problem with politics, a good proposal from an opponent can never be accepted even if you yourself would have wanted to present it first as a super good proposal.

      2. MXT

        Yes, why not? It’s influence from another country so it should be more serious than just the crimes they commit. Then maybe it’s difficult to prove and to get witnesses to dare to testify of course.

    2. johan No.1

      Has anyone maybe written about this well for a long time now 🧐

      Today Russia doesn’t need any spies, the gangs and the criminal clans are enough.

      2. CB500four

        The dollar down and the oil price up, better liquidity for oil producers in the US and Russia, so at least he has succeeded with that.

         

  17. MXT

    “Ukrainian southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia was under attack overnight. Aftermath of the Russian assault on 18 June:

    ♦️Nova Poshta postal facility completely destroyed (video)
    ♦️47 vehicles burned in open parking area
    ♦️9 apartment buildings damaged
    ♦️6 non-residential buildings damaged”

  18. Peter Den Större

    Then we got to see how it played out in reality – Trump’s early announcement that the USA has other hotspots to focus on and that Europe, after decades of nagging, must finally put on its marching boots itself. NATO also stipulates a principle of proximity. So! Have we seen a European mobilization equivalent to the threat posed by Russia?

    Now we are here. And some still have the energy to act surprised.

    1. CB500four

      Will not happen until we get a Pearl Harbor moment, and by then we are several years behind. Europe cannot expect to build up its military “in relative peace” like the USA from 1941, when they had their industries on their own continent. 

    1. Westley Richard

      Afghanistan is quite affected by the war in Iran as much of their trade with India takes place through the Iranian port of Chabahar, including importing a lot of wheat that way. It is very possible that the Taliban want to exchange for Russian wheat in exchange for some military help.

       

       

  25. MXT

    Sweden

    “A 24-year-old man is sentenced to 17 years and 10 months in prison for recruiting children to commit a series of serious violent crimes in the Gothenburg area.

    According to the prosecutor, the man is said to have handed a gun to the 14-year-old who fired the shots at Kungsmässan in Kungsbacka last autumn, injuring a man.

    The 24-year-old is convicted of, among other things, attempted murder, aiding attempted murder, and two cases of aggravated weapons offenses.”
    https://omni.se/anlitade-barntorpeder-doms-till-17-ars-fangelse/a/5E7lP6

  27. johan No.1

    Exciting times to say the least, not only because Midsummer is approaching but also globally.

    Merz is absolutely relentless in statement after statement – he must have a strong mandate for this, that’s the only conclusion, right?

    The feeling one gets is that Trump is starting to get tired of being a major world leader, he will probably soon stop bothering the rest of us and just focus on his revenge against the Democrats for the rest of his term.

    But…

    The USA will also join the wars that are currently underway.

    I believe it will get worse and in the end we will find ourselves in a situation where someone will describe it as a world war – the USA is probably just one staff meeting away from assisting Israel in an operation against Iran.

    We can probably expect something from China regarding what they are planning.

    You know what Russia is planning if you have read the posts.

    And I am one of those who often write that Hormuz will be blocked. Apparently, the Houthis plan to close the waterway in the Red Sea, how they will do it remains to be seen.

    Israel – Iran is too much psyops for me to figure out, but it is reasonable to assume that Iran will be able to launch missiles that hit in the future as well?

    For Israel to feel secure, the country needs to collapse and a sensible opposition take over – it is reasonable to assume that this is part of the plan.

    If you see all this as a coherent spider’s web where Russia and China fuel the fire, along with the USA, it immediately becomes more understandable than if our world suddenly became completely chaotic.

    The entire Palestinian movement is partly controlled by Russia, which is very clever in shaping opinions.

    Our elected officials are trying to do the right thing regarding the conflict in Ukraine and the citizens are moderately concerned.

    Israel – Palestine is “popular” opinion shaping to the extent that our politicians must do something to avoid ruining their careers. Something Zelensky can only dream of.

    If one is conspiratorial, it probably suits Trump well that there is domestic turmoil and that he has unleashed everything against Iran because he will not have the capacity to assist against Russia if they decide to escalate.

    You don’t hear much from Macron or Starmer these days, but it is balanced out by Merz who speaks out on absolutely everything and never chooses the “popular line” for likes on Twitter.

    Domestically, it is exciting because the tone is grotesquely high – the government is at least Nazis and opinion makers to the left of center are not showered in tax money (yours and mine), which is a threat to democracy.

    I am not dumber than to understand that all political parties see tax revenue as fun party money and that we will probably never get away from it, but the absolute contempt for your and my money is interesting to see. It’s not like the railways, electricity supply, or schools work better despite the taxes getting heavier, so they are definitely not fulfilling their core mission and then have money left over for other things.

    It’s hard to blame Putin for all of this, but Russian subversive activities are present here and amplify everything.

    One is starting to get tired of everything anyway, both globally and the mudslinging in our little puddle 😀

    2. 205

      In order for Israel to feel secure, it is necessary for the country to collapse and for a sensible opposition to take over – reasonable to assume that this is part of the plan.

      Wasn’t that exactly what happened in Syria?

      A visionary / conspiratorial plan where this could fit is that the West (including the USA, Israel, and NATO) starts (has already started: Syria) by tearing down the smaller dictatorships, to then stand with Russia and China against the wall. Without their bulldogs.

      A tactic that would be analogous to the one Israel uses in its elimination of the top layer in Iran – starting with the lower ranks, until eventually the ayatollah stands alone.

      Syria, Iran, and North Korea are intermediate goals. The main targets are Russia and China (or in reverse order from an American perspective)

  28. MXT

    Even though I don’t like Netanyahu and his methods, isn’t it a bit extreme to compare him to Hitler? By the way, is Erdogan afraid that Israel will attack Turkey? And has anyone really claimed that Iran is not allowed to defend itself?

    “Turkish President Erdogan:
    ▪️Netanyahu has long surpassed Hitler in committing genocide. We hope he doesn’t share the same fate.
    ▪️ We strive for peace—but if attacked, we respond decisively. No one should dare test us.
    ▪️Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself.”

    1. johan No.1

      Ulf Kristersson and Netanyahu are our time’s twin Hitlers if one were to believe the opposition and Erdogan.

      The times are out of joint 😲

  29. MXT

    Several factors make it unlikely that Russia will support Iran more than just verbally, according to analytical texts in several media outlets. Three reasons mentioned are that rising oil prices often benefit Russia, that the conflict distracts from the Russian offensive war against Ukraine, and that by mediating, the Kremlin could once again position itself as a key player and peacemaker in the Middle East.

    “Russia, when it comes to Iran, must weigh the risk of a conflict with Israel and the USA – so saving Iran is obviously not worth it,” says Nikita Smagin, an expert on the Russia-Iran relationship, to the New York Times.

    1. MXT

      This was also included:
      “In addition, President Vladimir Putin does not want Iran to have nuclear weapons, while he wants to continue improving relations with Donald Trump, according to analysts the newspaper has spoken to.”

      That more humorous post I wrote earlier, where Putin, Trump, and Netanyahu agreed on the war may not have been so stupid after all.. 😀

    2. 205

      At the same time, it is inevitable that a significantly weakened Iran is a loss for the Russian regime and weakens its war machine in turn, which has so far been boosted by Iran and NK. Regarding NK, a defeated Iran could also serve as a deterrent. And in a corresponding scenario / hypothetical attack on NK (which is in line with the USA’s focus on security in the Pacific region), Russia is unlikely to lift a finger. Not even China. Yes, China, they haven’t said much about Iran, have they?

      1. Westley Richard

        Surely, a weakened Iran is a problem for Russia, but it must be countered by the fact that the focus is shifting away from Ukraine and that the USA has redirected weapons intended for Ukraine to Israel.

         

  30. MXT

    “Only 16% of Americans believe U.S. forces should intervene in the conflict between Israel and Iran, while 60% oppose involvement and 24% are unsure, according to a new Economist/YouGov poll.”

  31. MXT

    Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is giving a speech on state television for the first time since Friday. He says that Israel has made a “huge mistake” by attacking the country and at the same time warns the USA not to interfere, Reuters reports.

    1. CB500four

      Probably the last time that tollan gives a speech on TV. The fact that Israel had established air superiority on day 2 probably does not give a high rating to the Iranian defense forces.

      The defense forces in a dictatorship are not there to defend the country against external enemies, but to defend the leadership against the people.

  32. MXT

    North Korea is set to send thousands of workers to Russia to help rebuild the Kursk region. This is reported by AFP.

    In addition to the workers, two brigades of 5,000 men each will also be sent to the region. The announcement came after a meeting between the head of the Russian Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, and North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong-Un.

  33. MXT

    Israel has destroyed two buildings used for manufacturing centrifuge parts for Iran’s nuclear program through air strikes. This has been confirmed by the UN’s nuclear energy agency IAEA, according to AFP.

    Centrifuges are an essential part of the process of enriching uranium. In another attack, a building where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested was hit, according to the UN agency.

  35. 205

    Offtopic. With nuclear weapons, isn’t North Korea at least as big a threat to the USA as Iran, especially in the region that the USA currently prioritizes the most? There is no logic in allowing North Korea, which has on numerous occasions expressed threats to use nuclear weapons against the USA, to maintain that capability, if Iran is not considered to have it. If the USA once again puts NK on the radar, it could become yet another arms bearer and supplier to Russia that disappears. 

    1. MXT

      You have a point there!

      The question is whether the USA has anyone nearby who is willing to take on the dirty work? I don’t think South Korea, for example, is eager to start a war even if they are, of course, like Israel when it comes to Iran, the ones in the most precarious position if North Korea acquires effective nuclear weapons.

      1. 205

        South Korea, Japan in the front line as the closest mourners, perhaps Australia, New Zealand, and alongside them the United Kingdom (AUKUS) in the second line. And then the USA in the background. And why not NATO, which currently has North Korean soldiers in combat over 70 miles away (a short flight of less than an hour, half a day’s drive) from the borders of several members (Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania).

        1. MXT

          Japan I didn’t think about.

          North Korea’s population would need to be liberated, so you would kill two birds with one stone if it were to happen.

    2. Westley Richard

      NK is a cancerous tumor just like Russia and Iran, however, it does not spread like the Iranian one or is as aggressive as the Russian one. Sure, it supports Russia with ancient artillery and brainwashed soldiers, but it is not an immediate threat.

       

    3. CB500four

      The problem is that it is considered that North Korea has nuclear weapons, so no one dares to attack. Iran had not yet obtained them, so the attack is preventive. If Iran had conducted a nuclear test, I don’t think Israel would have attacked.

  36. MXT

    Look, sometimes they can actually agree! 👍

    “All Swedish parliamentary parties support a historically large upgrade of the Swedish defense, according to SVT News. In total, this involves investments of 300 billion Swedish kronor.

    This means that Sweden will meet the new requirements that NATO is expected to agree on at the summit in The Hague next week, namely that the alliance countries should invest 3.5 percent of GDP in military defense and 1.5 percent in civil defense.”
    https://omni.se/svt-partierna-eniga-om-jattesatsnin-pa-forsvaret/a/dRW8pJ

    1. Westley Richard

      Good so far, but I believe there will be arguments about how it will be financed and what it will specifically be used for.

      But at least it’s a good start.

       

      1. MXT

        Yes, they will probably have disagreements about both this and that before it’s all said and done, but as you write, it’s a step in the right direction.

    1. CB500four

      Putin has surely cried over the phone to Trump, that it’s so sad for Russia now that they can’t get supplies from Iran, so they can defend themselves against the gaywokenazis in Ukraine.

      Trump baa.. oh poor little thing, sorry I couldn’t stop Bibi, is there anything else I can do for you to repay this? Kisses, kisses!

      One goes crazy every time something new comes out of that madhouse.

  38. MXT

    USA
    “Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota was on Vance Boelter’s list of Democrats he planned to shoot.

    To the New York Times, Smith now says that the political rhetoric that President Donald Trump is pushing has contributed to a “toxic atmosphere.”

    – I believe it is driven by the president’s willingness to use violent rhetoric and to encourage others to use violence on his behalf, she says.”
    https://omni.se/senatorns-kritik-trump-har-bidragit-till-valdet/a/nyeKPa

  39. MXT

    “In Israel, the hope of American participation in the fight against Iran has sparked euphoria, writes Al Jazeera. Above all, confidence is placed in the belief that the US B-52 bomber could bring it all to an end. For example, the front page of Israel’s largest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, features a picture of President Donald Trump today. The headline is a call to action: ‘Mr. President, give the order.'”

  41. MXT

    I like Kallas!
    “Kallas calls for tougher sanctions and more aid for Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia only reacts to strength. The EU has introduced its 18th sanctions package, further weakening Russia’s war capabilities, with a focus on the energy sector and banks. Ukraine remains “Europe’s first line of defense”.”

  42. MXT

    “The streets that usually teem with people now echo empty, just like the shelves in the grocery stores. The Iranian leadership claims to have been prepared for an Israeli attack, but for the population of Tehran, the reality is different, writes The Independent.

    – There is a visible anxiety in people’s faces. Parents are deeply worried about their children, and those with low incomes look as if they have aged several years in just a couple of days, says a food vendor in Tehran.”

    1. Westley Richard

      Ukraine’s cities are subjected to daily terror bombings directly targeting the civilian population, yet they stay because they trust their leaders.

      Israel is bombing military targets in Tehran, and the population is fleeing the city because they have no trust in the leaders.

      We must hope that the anxiety the population is experiencing goes beyond the mounds. 

        1. CB500four

          It’s not easy when they know that the military is there to protect the leaders from uprisings from the population, not to protect the population from external threats.

          1. MXT

            No, of course, that’s how it is in oppressive regimes.
            We’ll see if they dare later on if Israel manages to remove most of the top layer.

  43. MXT

    “Russian soldiers’ remains were found among the bodies of fallen Ukrainians returned by Russia, the Interior Minister reported. 💬 “Each package contains parts of the bodies of one, two or three people. (…) The enemy either treats this negligently or, on the contrary, tries to provoke us.” https://bsky.app/profile/united24media.com/post/3lruvc237ir2r

    “Ukraine Will Need Over a Year to Identify All Bodies Recently Returned by Russia”
    https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraine-will-need-over-a-year-to-identify-all-bodies-recently-returned-by-russia-9232

    1. Westley Richard

      The officers can still collect salaries for the deceased, Putin avoids paying compensation to dead soldiers, handling of remains must be done by Ukraine. Typical for the Russians to not even be able to honor those who have died in battle for their sick regime.

       

  44. Westley Richard

    🇬🇧🇺🇸 Britain is considering military support if Trump orders a strike on Iran. PM Keir Starmer will lead a Cobra meeting today to review scenarios, – The Times

     

    ✈️ The US may request access to the Diego Garcia base, where B-2 bombers capable of hitting Iran’s Fordow nuclear site are often stationed.

    https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3lrv6hgzflc2e

    The British do not usually back down when it comes to a fight, even though Vance humiliated them a few months ago.

     

    1. MXT

      Yes, they always stand up for the USA. Let’s see what Denmark does (despite Greenland).

      Although one would have wished that they could have done the same for Ukraine a long time ago (applies to countries that support Ukraine, of course).

       

  45. MXT

    Are they starting to get a little peeved in Russia? Maybe they depend on Iran for parts for Shahed, for example?

    “Russia urges the USA not to attack Iran and argues that it would further escalate the situation. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov says that a US attack on Iranian targets would destabilize the entire Middle East, Reuters reports.

    He also states that the USA and Russia are in contact regarding the situation in the Middle East.”
    https://omni.se/rysslands-varning-till-usa-attackera-inte-iran/a/dRW2dJ

  46. MXT

    Australia har infört sanktioner mot 60 ryska tankfartyg som användes för att kringgå oljebegränsningar och finansiera kriget, – Yermak”

  47. CB500four

    They know that their rulers cannot protect them from external threats, but they dare not rise up because they know that the military is there to crush uprisings against the rulers.

  49. MXT

    “In de första fem månaderna av 2025 kommer dubbelt så många civila att dö till följd av ryska attacker jämfört med samma period förra året – Shmyhal #Ukraine”

  52. MXT

    ❗️Trump said he spoke to Putin “yesterday”:

    “I spoke to him yesterday and said – by the way, he offered to help as a mediator. I told him: do me a favor – be a mediator for yourself. Let’s deal with Russia first, okay?”

    2/I said: Vladimir, let’s deal with Russia first. And you can deal with this later. But I think everything will be fine there too. Even if a lot of people died.”
    https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3lrvdfrjj6s22

    2. MXT

      “Trump: “Two very simple words – unconditional surrender. That means I’ve had it, okay? I’ve had it, I surrender. Nothing more. Then we blow up every nuclear weapon that’s everywhere there [in Iran]

      [Q]: “Mr. President, what do you say to the supreme leader of Iran who says they’re not going to surrender?”

      Trump: “I say good luck.”

      [Q]: “When is your patience with Iran running out?”

      Trump: “It’s already running out. That’s why we’re doing what we’re doing. They had 60 days. Plenty of time. They made a mistake, frankly. Their country is in ruins. So many people are dead who shouldn’t be dead. It’s very sad.”
      https://bsky.app/profile/antongerashchenko.bsky.social/post/3lrvdr3q7js2y“

    3. CB500four

      “Let’s deal with Russia first.” It went well, Putin got the sanctions postponed.

      Now we are eagerly waiting for the ultimatum on Iran to be “relaxed” or to receive a deadline, which will of course be extended as needed.

       

  55. MXT

    The French procurement agency (DGA) intends to purchase two Globaleye aircraft and related ground equipment from Saab. This is stated in a press release. The letter of intent also includes an option that gives the country the opportunity to purchase two more aircraft.

    1. MXT

      That France intends to buy two Globaleye aircraft from Saab is a breakthrough, says Minister of Defense Pål Jonson (M) to Svenska Dagbladet. – The more countries that use Globaleye, the more we can cooperate on further development.”

    2. Westley Richard

      SAAB’s Erieye has been extremely important in both Pakistan’s and Ukraine’s warfare, both of their air forces have some French aircraft which has surely helped the French in their decision-making process. 

      Probably some form of countermeasure will be needed.

      What do the French have to offer?

       

  56. MXT

    “During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised that he would be a ‘peacemaker.’ After recent statements about Iran, NBC News believes that the president is instead speaking with a more ‘belligerent tone.’ If Trump decides to attack targets in Iran, it risks alienating parts of the Maga movement and other supporters, according to the channel’s analytical text.”

      1. CB500four

        Trump has promised to keep the US away from unnecessary wars, which is probably okay.

        At the same time, it gives more leeway for warlike despots as they feel that the US is withdrawing.

        Trump’s rhetoric is quite typical of bully types, lots of big words and aggressive language use, as long as someone else is doing the fighting. I think an attack on something American is needed before they get involved actively, probably through bombings.

        I believe Putin has increasingly become a mentor to Trump, they apparently talk quite often, and decisions often follow these conversations. Like now with the delay of the sanctions.

        Whether it’s due to Trump’s increasing age-related issues, or that he sees Putin and himself as a team, I dare not speculate, but that it’s good for Russia and bad for the rest of the world is certain.

  59. Westley Richard

    The regime in Russia is starting to get nervous after Donald Trump opened up to attacking targets in Iran. Ivor Bennett writes about this in an analysis on Sky News. Russia has a close cooperation with Iran that has become stronger since the invasion of Ukraine. Initially, the Kremlin saw the conflicts in Iran as an opportunity, according to Bennett. If Putin had managed to convince Iran to lay down its weapons and instead negotiate with the USA, he could have later asked Trump for a favor related to the conflicts in Ukraine. After Trump threatened to kill Iran’s top leader, there is now a “crisis” in the Kremlin. Pjotr Sauer at The Guardian writes about the same thing in his analysis. Iran has previously been able to provide Moscow with thousands of drones and other knowledge for the Ukraine war. If Israel, with the help of the USA, were to succeed in overthrowing the Iranian regime, Russia would lose a strategic partner. Iranian investments and efforts in energy and infrastructure projects are at risk of disappearing if the regime in Tehran falls. This would be a blow that seriously undermines Russia’s geopolitical ambitions, according to Sauer.

    1. MXT

      Good, more signs that Russia absolutely does not want Iran to fall.

      Then it is of course a matter of Israel (+ USA) really making them fall too.
      If one is satisfied with just bombing nuclear facilities, there is a risk that other activities can be restored fairly soon.

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