Ukraine has attacked the “Shatura Thermal Power Plant,” a combined heat and power plant in the Moscow region, and from the videos being circulated, it seems to have been hit at least twice. The power plant is located approximately 120 km from Ukraine. It is a thermal power plant that produces both electricity and heat. The information I have found indicates that it delivers around 8 GWh per year in electricity but also ~340 Gcal/h in clean heat output (mainly for district heating). Natural gas is the main energy source, but it can also handle other fuels. It was built as early as 1920, initially using peat. With its high capacity, the outage will likely hit the nearest region hard, both in terms of electricity and heat interruption.
You can read more about it here: https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-military-strikes-power-plant-in-moscow-oblast/
In this thread, there are more (remarkable and spectacular) videos.
Pro-Ukrainian partisans are said to have set fire to a locomotive in Rostov-on-Don. Russia has a well-developed railway system and can probably quickly replace individual locomotives, but each time such attacks are carried out, they naturally create delays and costs. Each individual needle prick may not have a significant impact, but together they likely cause quite a bit of trouble after all, and it also shows that not everyone is satisfied with Putin and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Russian losses
- 920 KIA
- 2 Tanks
- 8 AFVs
- 26 Artillery systems
- 2 MLRS
- 496 UAVs
- 80 Vehicles & Fuel tanks
- 1 Special equipment
SLAVA UKRAINI
Don't forget to donate, Ukraine's cause is ours! Support Ukraine!
250 combat clashes
35 aviation strikes
104 KAB
3 843 shellings (114 from MLRS)
From yesterday, because this is today’s thread!?
Thank you!
I apparently missed reloading the page so I thought I took the latest..
162 combat clashes
42 air strikes
101 KAB
4 582 shellings (97 from MLRS)
6 152 kamikaze drones
Those were slightly higher numbers..
“Bryansk and Ryazan 🔥💥”
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3m6au2oeh6s23
“❗️During the night, 🇺🇦Ukrainian military shot down 69 out of 98 🇷🇺Russian UAVs”
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3m6bpvqezok2o
What is the situation with the Russian artillery?
Since the beginning of September, both artillery losses and the number of artillery attacks have decreased. It could be a question of some new strategy from the Russians’ side where they deliberately choose to use as much, but it could also be a sign that they are actually starting to have difficulty getting enough through.
As I understand it, artillery has always been the backbone of the Russian army. Drones have of course taken over some of that role, but I actually find it a bit hard to believe that they would voluntarily refrain from using artillery if they had unlimited amounts to use. Could it be that North Korea has now also depleted its stock?
Russian artillery losses since the new year:
Russian artillery attacks from March (there is no older data than that):
The Surrender Agreement.. Trump puts pressure while also opening up for negotiation:
“Trump increases pressure: “Accept or continue fighting with a little heart”
US President Donald Trump puts further pressure on Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, writes the Washington Post.
He says that Zelensky can either approve the peace agreement developed by the USA and Russia or “continue fighting with his whole little heart”.
At the same time, he announces that the plan is not the final offer for Ukraine.
– I want to achieve peace. It should have happened a long time ago. One way or another, we will end the war, the president tells reporters in Washington.
Today, delegations from the USA and Ukraine are set to meet in Switzerland to discuss the 28-point peace plan. Experts and critics argue that it contains many Ukrainian concessions and have described it as a capitulation for Ukraine.”
https://omni.se/trump-okar-pressen-tacka-ja-eller-fortsatt-kriga-med-lilla-hjartat/a/oEL71j
They don’t even seem to agree on whether the agreement comes from the USA or if it’s just Russia’s wish list.
“There is confusion about the American list of 28 points that is supposed to form the basis for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Politico reports that a group of senators from both parties were contacted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said that the list is not a proposal from the USA but rather a “Russian wish list”.
– He made it clear to us that we have received a proposal. It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan, says Republican Senator Mike Rounds.
But Rubio himself denies the information.
“The peace proposal has been drafted by the USA,” he writes on X, adding that it is based on input from the Russian side but also the Ukrainian side.”
https://omni.se/forvirring-om-fredsplanen-inte-forslag-onskelista/a/bOM7Xg
Agreed, time to speak up.
“The pressure that Donald Trump is now putting on Ukraine is more serious than before, according to Andrey Kazankov in Weekendavisen. To Danish TV2, he says that Ukraine is facing a very difficult situation because of the peace proposal presented by the USA.
“This time it is more serious and Trump seems to have agreed to Putin’s demand that Ukraine should leave the areas that the Russians have not yet managed to take,” he says.
Sky News political commentator Beth Rigby is on the same track.
“Ukraine cannot completely reject the USA […] but they cannot accept the agreement that is very advantageous for Russia,” she writes.
Even Ukraine’s allies are in a tight spot, and the only way forward is to confront Trump, writes The Independent’s Sam Kiley. He goes hard against the American president and argues that the EU, UK, Canada, and other allies must break free from their dependence on US military and intelligence.
“The question they must ask themselves is whether it is not time to stop fawning and buttering up just so the leader’s brat doesn’t have a big outburst,” he writes.”
https://omni.se/analys-dags-for-ukrainas-allierade-att-sluta-fjaska-for-barnungen-trump/a/GxljaJ
Not entirely easy to turn around an oil tanker filled with Russian oil and American weapons.
Significant increase in Russian attack pressure in the southeast (Hyliapil) and maintained pressure in the far north (Kursk). Otherwise decreasing.
N Slobozhansky-Kursk 19💥
S Slobozhansky 4↘️
Kupyansk 7
Lyman 2↘️
Slovyansk 10💥↘️
Kramatorsk 1
Kostjantynivka 17💥↘️
Pokrovsk 40💥💥↘️
Oleksandrivskij 16💥↘️
Huliaypillia 18💥↗️
Orikhivsk 3↘️
Prydniprovskij/Dnipro 3↗️
👍
Total backfire on the peace plan
machine translated from Russian and no one except Kirkoff + a few saw it.
Driscoll gave ua until Thursday to say yes otherwise the consequences will be enormous.
senators swear themselves innocent – knew nothing, both D and R.
The administration says Rubio is lying.
Who has given Kirkoff and Rubio the instructions?
What a sh1tshow 😳
hope Trump gets into big trouble.
The EU shows some resistance but could be clearer and tougher. If Rubio dares, we should dare too?
Seeing above that Rubio chickened out.
Yes, what remains is for the EU to find its inner Viking
He chickened out, but then he took it back again. 😄
Panic among them now 😀✊
Rubio is probably the only one remaining in the current administration who would have to go back to junior high school, he is surely under great pressure from above to keep himself in line.
Yes, a clear statement from the EU rejecting the entire setup would be needed.
It probably doesn’t matter much to the American regime. For Americans, foreign policy is not number one, two, or three on the list of important politics. It’s definitely not even in the top five and is lucky if it makes it into the top ten. In practice, this means that the government has carte blanche to do whatever it wants in foreign policy as long as it ensures that Americans can continue to buy weapons and believe that they live in the world’s best land of the free.
That is to say, there must be consequences from us (read: EU) because the only ones who react internally in 🇺🇸 are a small clique of cosmopolitan intelligentsia.
Trump has embarrassed himself but it requires Europe to say it for there to be consequences
Stubb has just given a speech from South Africa, but strangely the live broadcast was missing audio. More information will probably be available soon. I think all the European leaders will soon have gray hair.
What is worse – that the peace agreement came entirely from the USA or that it was Russian?
Damage control in panic right now.
Driscoll and Witkoff are probably trying to be sacrificed first and then Rubio?
Worst is probably that it was Russian, but presented by the USA as if it was theirs.
I think Rubio will have to go first, he is too intelligent and sometimes shows signs of thinking for himself.
Witkoff has proven to be loyal to Trumputin, so he will probably stay.
But.. It seems that both Democrats and Republicans agree that this is a crappy proposal. This could be a test of Trump’s power. Has he managed to take control of decision-making? or is there still a possibility that the people’s representatives still have the final say.
The leaked of Europe’s counteroffer is unfortunately crap.
Ceasefire and then territorial issues will be discussed.
The problem is the ceasefire…
We now have the opportunity but it doesn’t seem like we have taken it – then we also have to live with the consequences
“❗️“Trump sålde ut Ukraina!” I Washington krävde demonstranter att USA:s president skulle ställas inför riksrätt. Människor gick ut på gatorna för att protestera och fördöma Trumps handlingar både inom inrikes- och utrikespolitik.”
Great, matchstick faces off against big chinapuff ✊✊🤣🤣🤣
✊🇺🇸
Good with protests, but demanding impeachment because he treats another country like crap, there is hardly any relevance to that? The laws he should follow apply to formalities, not decisions.
“💥 The moment of the FP-2 attack on the Shaturskaya State District Power Plant”
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3m6bvlikhik2k
“Result of the attack on the Shatura State District Power Plant with a design capacity of 1500 MW, morning of 23.11.2025 Judging by the published images and videos (thanks to the Exilenova+ channel), the following conclusions can be drawn:”
https://bsky.app/profile/babayagafella.bsky.social/post/3m6bwygzats2p
Being quickly on site is unfortunately likely to be interpreted as having planned preparedness that is ready to be deployed. It is important that Ukraine continues to attack Russia’s power supply.
“‼️ Shatura, ten mobile power plants are already at the entrance to the city. This indicates the complete incapacity of the Shatura State District Power Plant.”
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3m6bvgtuqgc2k
“I can see at least three independent fires raging in the Shatura power plant in the Moscow region. Especially the last explosion in this footage shows a direct hit, causing a huge fireball. I assume that the local natural gas storage was hit.”
https://bsky.app/profile/tendar.bsky.social/post/3m6bzem7p6k26
Europe needs to leak a WAR PLAN, not rewrite some of Trump’s Russian plan…
Precs, it feels like everyone is craving peace, and therefore one does not reject the whole plan but rather speaks favorably about certain points. Still, not the answer one would like to see.
That’s what I think we’ve sensed in recent months and why Europe is failing
Napoleon with extra winter equipment.
Should have been a response to the above.
…as well as JAS, Mirage/Rafael..
“America has been desperately trying to surrender in a war it’s not even fighting”
😄
Hah, just like that 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AqvamTw72/
Great wording. Who came up with that? Johan No.1?
Or is it copied. One could suspect Darth Putin.
Off-Topic, the climate meeting and China
“Leading up to the COP30 climate summit, there was talk that China would take the lead in the climate transition. Hopeful figures about the country’s emissions remaining stable were contrasted with the absence of the USA in Belém. Now that the meeting is over, several analysts note that many hoped in vain.
“China did not seem eager to take on that role. They refrained from taking a strong stance on most issues,” writes The Economist in an analysis.
Instead, China, along with Russia, managed to prevent drafts that would limit the production of rare earth metals. The two countries control the majority of the production.
One of the major disappointments at the meeting was China’s actions, writes DN’s Peter Alestig, who notes that “the new green hero” instead “aligned with rogue states.”
Even analyst Jacqueline Peel observes China’s reluctance to take on a global leadership role.
“China’s negotiators spent most of their time resisting when Europe discussed how emissions should be reduced in the industry,” she writes in The Conversation.”
https://omni.se/analyser-kina-lierade-sig-med-skurkstater-pa-cop30/a/GxljK9
Raise your hand if you believe that the environmental movements will now abandon Europe and shift all focus to China 👎
There has been a recurring propaganda in public service about how good the Chinese are at expanding renewable electricity production and reducing the use of fossil energy, and that they are ahead of the EU in that regard. This is complete nonsense, even though there is a report stating that China reduced emissions of fossil carbon dioxide during the first quarter of 2025.
SVT had a segment on this not long ago where they claimed, “China is one of the countries leading the change, while for example the USA and the EU to a greater extent continue to rely on fossil fuels.”
This is pure falsification of reality. The truth is that China is at best (finally) starting to turn the trend towards increased use of fossil energy, while the EU has been reducing such usage since the mid-2000s, as seen in the article in Kvartal linked below.
https://kvartal.se/erikhogstrom/artiklar/svt-vilseleder-om-klimatet/cG9zdDoyMjAzOQ
Off-Topic, Epstein Email
“In the 20,000 documents from the investigation into the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, there are several connections to Sweden, reports SVT News.
Among other things, there is email correspondence between a Swedish businesswoman and Epstein. In an email from 2012, several years after Epstein was first convicted, he writes: “Who is your choice of wife this year?” The woman responds with a picture of a young woman described as “smart and sensual.”
In another email, the woman writes about meeting a “fantastic girl.”
“I thought of you but she may not be the Swedish girl we are looking for,” she writes.
According to SVT, the woman has a broad network and has served as a mentor for young women. She herself has not wanted to comment.”
https://omni.se/svensk-affarskvinna-i-kontakt-med-epstein-vem-ar-ditt-val-av-fru-i-ar/a/e7Wd0R
The name has already been leaked 😀
Boris, in any case, says exactly what he thinks!
“Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Trump’s plan for Ukraine “a complete betrayal” and “military castration,” according to the Daily Mail. According to him, the document presented by Washington “provides for the military castration of Ukraine.
“This is a complete betrayal of Ukraine… This is Munich,” Johnson said, referring to the 1938 agreement in which London and Paris allowed Hitler to occupy Czechoslovakia.
The ex-premier called the document “a total capitulation of the so-called friends of Ukraine.” According to him, Kyiv received “an ultimatum to start negotiations on these shameful terms.”
Boris for president ✊✊
“💥 The defense forces are holding back the enemy and conducting search and strike operations to eliminate the Russians in Pokrovsk, – 7th Corps of DShV”
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3m6bzanaavs27
“Ukrainian troops have cleared the center of Pokrovsk; Russian forces are unable to gain a foothold – 7th Air Assault Corps of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3m6bzfludi22h
Then they continue to sweep over with their better units at regular intervals – this might work for a while
24: But let us hope that the combined political and diplomatic efforts, the work of the military, and above all the soldiers in the trenches, as they say, will yield results and that we will be able to navigate this situation correctly. Can you also share the details of how the combatants from the Main Intelligence Service carry out such operations, since this is not their first time at the front line.
Budanov: What do I mean by that? When the combatants arrive and carry out a specific operation. Yes, that’s our job. How could it be any different? The special forces from the Main Intelligence Service have always been present in all the bloodiest and hottest places, absolutely always, both in 2014 and now.
24: How much preparation and, I don’t know, patriotism is required?
Budanov: Probably because these operations, if you look at a certain film, are very dangerous and the combatants behave very… Yes, come on. Yes, these are special forces. Here, there is a different approach, different training, a different level. It’s a different perspective on all this work. People come here, they are not forced to do it. We select them from among those who want to.
https://johanno1.se/sv/usa-och-ryssland-i-hemliga-forhandlingar-om-ukraina/#comment-58548
🔴 Ukrainian forces have cleared the center of Pokrovsk and are conducting search-and-strike operations to eliminate remaining Russian troops.
Defenders continue to hold positions in the city center, where firefights are ongoing.
Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter in Rostov Oblast using a deep strike drone, as reported by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) on Nov. 22.
The operation represents the first instance of Ukraine employing a deep strike drone to bring down a Russian Mi-8.
The SSO announced that the helicopter was downed near Kuteynikovo in Russia’s Rostov Oblast via Telegram. The specific date and operational details were not revealed.
“We are changing the rules of the game: now we are hunting!” stated the SSO.
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-downs-russian-mi-8-helicopter-with-deep-strike-drone-for-first-time-military-claims/
💥👍
Damn, Europe just has to let go of the boards soon.
The issue of NATO status is of course important, but if that is what is most focused on, I at least get the feeling that one has already given up and primarily thinks about how Ukraine should be protected after achieving peace, and not about how to ensure that they actually win the war.
“Ukraine and its allies in Europe have submitted a counterproposal to the US peace plan ahead of Sunday’s meeting in Switzerland. According to reports to Bloomberg, they demand that the US provide guarantees equivalent to those in NATO’s Article Five.
The NATO article means that an attack on a NATO country is considered an attack on the entire alliance. Therefore, all member countries are obligated to provide assistance to the attacked country.
Ukraine and Europe also demand a complete ceasefire before discussing territory, that is, what should belong to Russia and what should belong to Ukraine. The countries dismiss the US proposal that Russia should receive areas in Donbas that it does not currently control.”
Yes, that’s my opinion too.
Ceasefire will be our 1938
The thing with warranties from the USA and Europe is just laughable. Ukraine already had such guarantees in 2022 (and earlier) and they were worth exactly nothing.
At the same time as such guarantees, the agreement should stipulate that foreign troops are not allowed to be stationed in Ukraine. The agreement should also include a clause that Ukraine’s military force should be limited.
The proposal is completely absurd.
The only guarantee against continued aggression towards the world from Russia’s side is for them to understand that aggression will lead to very serious consequences for them. This proposal is the complete opposite.
Who was in charge of Driscoll.
There you have the crux of the matter, or whatever it’s called 😀
NollKoll?
Next week could be important.
Trump has really embarrassed himself, a joy to see.
RU never thought their 28-point list would be the ultimatum Ukraine received without it being the start of negotiations.
Trump/Witkoff/Kushner misunderstood their instructions but they have now received new instructions.
Europe is now making a big mistake – they are trying to downplay the list.
Ceasefire is fatal for us, it will be our 1938.
The best thing now would be to fully capitalize on the fact that the USA has only forwarded a list from RU and tried to force Ukraine to capitulate. The USA has completely embarrassed itself here, let them own this.
Do Rubio, senators, and congressmen dare to speak plainly – WHY DON’T WE DARE TO DO IT !!!!!
Present our war plan instead.
Stop buying US government debt.
Stop buying US weapons.
Send in the German brigade and the Foreign Legion in the Baltics at least.
Establish a humanitarian no-fly zone over western Ukraine, it will probably be mostly symbolic.
Be very clear that Ukraine should regain all of its land.
Ask the USA whether they stand with the West or with Russia through diplomatic channels.
Trump is now on the defensive, he has a midterm election that could go to hell but not if Europe rolls over on its back again for the hundredth time.
Find the inner Viking for heaven’s sake, it must also exist among our lousy leaders.
Erik Blodyx is probably dead. Otherwise, he and some rough fellows could sail over in the Gokstad ship with an Omega watch and a gold bar a la Schweitz. We’ll have to send Rutte instead, even though there are some differences in their personalities. But Trump is usually a good listener when he receives gifts.
👍
Is it only because I’m Ukrainian that it’s so painfully obvious?
1938 = 2025
Hitler = Putin
Sudetenland = Donbas
Chamberlain = Trump
Every time the world tries to “appease” a dictator by giving him someone else’s land,
it ends the same way: disaster that could’ve been stopped earlier…💔
By:
threads.com/@maskrim
This could actually become the most important month of the war.
UA seems to be able to hold the fronts AND there are rumors that Ukraine will now try to carry out an offensive because our leaders are idiots.
Lives are at stake for our strategy of doing nothing – bad but could work.
But Europe MUST wake up, if we do nothing for another six months, we will get what we deserve.
Yes! Best that the above post is the EU’s foreign policy that has accidentally leaked.
You have also heard the rumors about UA offensive, right?
Probably put together in some panic but with the right brigades, it might work – a major tactical victory on an appropriate front.
Melitopol was David D at yesterday. Railway junction.
https://x.com/secretsqrl123/status/1992327747721724114?s=46 1:39:00 ~ 2-3 minutes
(Hypothetical) southbound Tokmak – Melitopol
“The US plan is at the final stage of coordination: it already reflects most of Ukraine’s key priorities,” said Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov.
(Heroim_Slava@x)
Damn, was about to do something else, and then this pops up:
Trump: Ukraine shows “zero gratitude” for US efforts
US President Donald Trump calls Ukraine ungrateful in a post on Truth Social ahead of Sunday’s peace talks in Switzerland.
“Ukraine’s ‘leadership’ shows zero gratitude for our efforts, and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia,” he writes in the post.
Sunday’s meeting in Geneva will discuss the draft peace plan for the Ukraine war proposed by the US government, which has been criticized for leaning towards Russia’s advantage.
Agree, he is an old fool and he should thank Ukraine!
Then he rambles on as usual about how there has never been any war, everything is Biden’s and the Democrats’ fault, and that the election was stolen, etc. etc.
He’s starting to sound like a tiresome broken record.
I’m posting his entire post so we have this misery archived for the future..
The War between Russia and Ukraine is a violent and terrible one that, with strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP, would have NEVER HAPPENED. It began long before I took office for a Second Term, during the Sleepy Joe Biden Administration, and has only gotten worse. If the 2020 Presidential Election was not RIGGED & STOLEN, the only thing the Radical Left Democrats are good at doing, there would be no Ukraine/Russia War, as there wasn’t, not even a mention, during my first Term in Office. Putin would never have attacked! It was only when he saw Sleepy Joe in action that he said, “Now is my chance!” The rest is history, and so it continues. I INHERITED A WAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED, A WAR THAT IS A LOSER FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE SO NEEDLESSLY DIED. UKRAINE “LEADERSHIP” HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. THE USA CONTINUES TO SELL MASSIVE $AMOUNTS OF WEAPONS TO NATO, FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UKRAINE (CROOKED JOE GAVE EVERYTHING, FREE, FREE, FREE, INCLUDING “BIG” MONEY!). GOD BLESS ALL THE LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN LOST IN THE HUMAN CATASTROPHE! President DJT
Oh dear, how will this turn out, he is so terribly immature. But we can’t just keep trying to flatter and bribe him to keep him on track, like any addict he will just need more and more.
Soon someone will have to do something about it. First have a discussion with Vance, Rubio, and the others around him about where Trump’s floundering will lead, and then solemnly tell Mr. Trump that no one can bear to listen to his self-righteous preaching anymore, and if he can’t behave like a president he can go to hell, we’d rather talk to Vance instead.
“PLAN SEEKS ‘BEST WIN-WIN,’ WHITE HOUSE SAYS”
Yes, indeed..
Win-Win for Russia and Trump then, I suppose.
Something better than the Russian version but some think too many concessions are being made to Russia.
“❗️🇪🇺🇺🇦 The full text of the EU plan to end the war in Ukraine is published by The Telegraph”
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3m6ctczev5k2k
At least that is something to start from, as it leaves, as you say, far-reaching concessions to Russia. On the other hand, it could be something that is then taken in a bitter negotiation, for example, that some area de jure is considered Ukrainian, but de facto as Russian.
The important thing is that Ukraine accepts the peace plan. Otherwise, I think it is very reminiscent of the German plan during Scholz, i.e. not recognizing occupied land but accepting Russian occupation for the time being in order to later, under different circumstances, regain its borders. Just like the German reunification. Ukraine has fought more than well and is of course war-weary. No other country could have done this better. Becoming members of the EU and eventually NATO must feel like, if not victory, then at least a fine partial victory.
The EU will help Ukraine rebuild the country to such an extent that people from the occupied areas will flee to the “right side”. Just like East-West Germany. But, as I said, it is important that Ukraine has the final say in this peace plan.
Exactly, only the Ukrainians should decide on their fate.
Negotiations based on these points can conveniently be conducted in the shadow of European troops being in the Baltics, there is a no-fly zone in western Ukraine, and the Ukrainian offensive, as discussed above.
Yes, negotiations with Russia must be conducted from a position of strength.
Most likely, Russia will refuse to negotiate if they do not consider themselves to have “the high ground,” but then we must simply increase the pressure on Russia.
I started thinking about how Russia/Soviet wars usually end. It’s not often that they end with negotiations, only when they have won. The other wars, when Russia has had to give in, usually end with them withdrawing, like in Afghanistan. So, Trump’s continued push for negotiations is interpreted by Russia as a sign of weakness.
“Most likely, Russia will refuse to negotiate if they do not believe they have ‘the high ground’, but then we just have to increase the pressure on Russia.”
Yes, it becomes a self-reinforcing loop! The more (we) increase the pressure on Russia, the more reluctant they become to negotiate, and the less willing to negotiate, the more inclined Trump becomes to increase the pressure on Russia.
So, the final point, that it is a sign of weakness that Trump persists with negotiations, is not necessarily true.
Venezuela 🇻🇪
❗️Russian general leads the mission for training military personnel in Venezuela — Kirill Budanov
Russia continues to have its own military contingent in Latin America and is expanding its cooperation with Nicolas Maduro’s regime. This was stated by Major General Kirill Budanov, head of the intelligence service of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, in a comment to the newspaper The War Zone.
▪️According to him, there is currently a Russian contingent of over 120 military personnel in Venezuela.
They are led by Lieutenant General Oleg Makarevich, commander of the so-called operational group “Equator” within the Russian Ministry of Defense. He is the one leading the training of Venezuelan security forces.
💬”They serve as military advisors and instructors. This involves training in infantry, special forces, UAV operators, as well as work in intelligence and communication,” said Kirill Budanov.
The head of the Ukrainian intelligence service emphasized that the rotation of Russian forces in Venezuela has been ongoing for many years and is not a response to increased American military presence in the region.
The group’s commander Makarevich and around 90 Russians are stationed in Caracas, with the rest at facilities in Maracaibo, La Guaira, and on the Aves Island.
💬”The Russian units are likely to remain in Venezuela, even if the US decides on a military scenario. Russia will try to negotiate directly with Washington and use its military presence in the country as a cover,” emphasized Kirill Budanov.
Makarevich, commander of the Russian contingent in Venezuela, commanded the “Dnipro” troop group during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It was Makarevich who organized the explosion of the Kakhovka power plant in June 2023 – an act that caused significant humanitarian, ecological, and economic damage in Ukraine.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CVtSyWuTD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Interesting about Kirill Dmitriev, his Ukrainian upbringing, and fascination with the USA. 👍
According to the article, the Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk facilitated a contact for Kirill Dmitriev in Russia (where Dmitriev’s wife became a close friend of Putin’s daughter). Earlier this year, Victor Pinchuk appealed to Trump to stop Russia’s war in/invasion of Ukraine. The picture he paints of Russia is a country whose existence is fundamentally threatened by a free, independent, and flourishing Ukraine.
At #DLA2025, @PinchukFund Founder Victor Pinchuk passionately appeals to President @realDonaldTrump to end Russia’s war in 🇺🇦 Ukraine—with a security guarantee.
“We trust you will now get the enemy to agree to peace. But what do we do when you will not be in the office anymore?”
🎥Speech at the Atlantic Council,
https://x.com/atlanticcouncil/status/1920664809810305218?s=46
Is it just me or? There is a clear angle problem with Huovinen and it’s not the first time it appears when he speaks.
https://www.tv4.se/artikel/3xtvPu8RPnMjPZV3PcEDbc/daerfoer-aer-pokrovsk-sa-viktig-foer-putin-ett-tungt-pris
It shows in several of his comments over the years:
He often describes russia as more organized, more strategic, and more cohesive than what the actual development shows.
This contrasts with:
russia’s extreme losses (manpower & materiel)
The slow advance
The lack of operational breakthroughs
Ukraine’s increasing ability to hit ryzk logistics nodes, ships, radar, and air defense systems
So it is not consistent with reality.
Huovinen often analyzes russia’s behavior as if the country were:
efficient
long-term
strategically coherent
He talks about Pokrovsk as a great ryzk opportunity for success.
He portrays the ryzk offensive as more cohesive and driving than it is.
He describes #fckptn’s need for “a heavy price” as if it were a military reality, not an internal propaganda effort.
In other words:
His perspective favors the narrative that russia has more initiative and power than is true.
Or am I seeing ghosts? Hmmmmmm