The Attack in Volgograd
Ukraine’s military confirms that they have attacked an oil depot in Volgograd, Russia.
Russian local authorities also reported drone attacks during the night that triggered a fire at an oil facility, stating that debris from a downed drone caused the fire (always these debris…) Read more here.
Agreement between Ukraine and the USA
Ukraine and the USA are expected to sign an economic agreement worth 800 billion dollars aimed at stimulating Ukraine’s recovery after the war at a meeting with world leaders and business executives in Davos. The agreement follows the plan of the so-called “mineral agreement,” a deal from 2025 that grants American investors preferential access through a reconstruction fund between the USA and Ukraine. Read more here and here.
Russian Losses
We are now on day 1418 of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, and Russian losses remain high. Many of us already believed 3 years ago that the losses were unsustainable, but Russia continues its offensive war, and Ukraine continues to wear them down.
- 1130 KWIA
- 11 Tanks
- 3 AFVs
- 44 Artillery systems
- 1 MLRS
- 654 UAVs
- 134 Vehicles & fuel tanks
Today, we celebrate one year!
It has been a year since the first post was published here on the blog. The post begins by mentioning Trump and Greenland; maybe not much has changed in a year? You can find that post here.
During this past year, 391 posts have been written, and 15,879 comments have been posted.
Thank you to all visitors, everyone who comments, and those who donate!
Don't forget to donate, Ukraine's cause is ours! Support Ukraine!
AFU reports:
“❗️During the night, 🇺🇦Ukrainian military shot down 125/154 🇷🇺Russian UAVs”
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3mc4xmwoxms2l
“Footage confirms a major fire at an oil depot in Russia’s Volgograd region following a Ukrainian strike. The hit appears to have caused significant damage.”
https://bsky.app/profile/insideukraine.bsky.social/post/3mc44rhvbj22c
Greenland
“❗️London may send its troops to Greenland to “reassure” Trump — The Telegraph According to the publication, British officials held a meeting with their counterparts from Germany and France regarding the potential deployment of NATO troops on the island’s territory.”
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3mc4xtvwmck2l
Good or not? Is this Putte’s plan? To divert attention and resources from Ukraine?
Assuming that Trump and Putin are really close friends, it is not entirely unrealistic that the whole purpose of threatening to take over Greenland is to force Europe to significantly increase its military presence there, while simultaneously weakening Europe’s defense the day Russia decides to take the next step.
But I believe more in the idea that the USA, or mainly Trump, dreams of the natural resources and showing that the USA can take whatever they want.
It opens up for a Russian attack on Svalbard. Partly because if the USA can, then.. partly because the resources from the EU will be divided.
Elegant cake for a nice blog. January colors as decorations on the cake (white and ice blue), very suitable in our currently icy country. 🥳
👍Thank you!
You are right, the colors suit the current weather but I must admit that the inspiration came more from the blog’s (and Ukraine’s) colors rather than in a more pastel shade of blue and with gold instead of yellow.
https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/sa-manga-svenskar-vill-att-ukraina-byter-land-mot-fred
One could suspect that it was to help Putin win time that Trump acted as he did (TACO) but it took him almost a year to realize that Putin had fooled him?
“Sources in the White House tell The Telegraph that Donald Trump is beginning to tire of Vladimir Putin. According to the sources, Trump now believes that Putin poses a greater obstacle to peace in Ukraine than Volodymyr Zelensky does.
“This week, the USA seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic. According to the sources, it should be interpreted as a signal to Putin to end the war.
– [Trump] is working based on the carrot-and-stick method. And I think he has run out of carrots, says a source close to the American president to the newspaper.
Trump has previously spoken warmly of Putin and accused Ukraine of Russia’s invasion. However, several former and current officials within the Trump administration say that the president’s view is increasingly that Putin is trying to buy time.”
https://omni.se/kallor-trumps-talamod-med-putin-borjar-ta-slut/a/K8ynbG
Interesting from the Accentmannen about Transnistria. Moldova and Ukraine have together initiated a blockade against Transnistria, maybe Russia will soon also lose its influence there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=iTcO5hfLGZE
Iran
“The Iranian regime warns the USA against military intervention in the country, several news agencies report. If the USA attacks Iran, the regime will consider both American military bases and Israel as legitimate targets,” it says.
The extensive protests against the Iranian government have been ongoing for several weeks and have been met with violence from the country’s security forces. Donald Trump has previously threatened to intervene if the violence does not cease. According to sources to the New York Times, the president has received information about various military intervention options, but has not yet made a decision.
According to Reuters sources, Iran’s archenemy Israel has gone on high alert in anticipation of a potential American attack in Iran.” https://omni.se/iran-varnar-for-hamnd-om-usa-ingriper-militart/a/5p6BOW
“Donald Trump has in recent days received information about various options for how the USA could militarily intervene in Iran. Several American officials with insight tell the New York Times.
Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with American intervention if the regime does not stop using violence against protesters. According to New York Times sources, Trump has not decided whether the USA should intervene or not, but allegedly “seriously consider” an attack.
Among the military options presented to Trump are attacks on non-military targets in the capital Tehran. Sources to the Washington Post say that discussions on how to proceed will continue in the coming days.
On Saturday, Trump wrote a post on Truth Social commenting on the developments, partly in capital letters and with several exclamation points.
“Iran wants freedom, maybe like never before. The USA is ready to help,” wrote the president.” https://omni.se/usa-overvager-militara-alternativ-mot-irans-regim/a/6qz95O
Don’t Trump use uppercase letters and exclamation marks, do you mean? After all, it’s about a potential military intervention from one of the world’s militarily strongest countries in one of the world’s most explosive regions.
I only quoted from Omni about what Iran said and supplemented with another post on the topic of Iran with Trump’s statement (which may have been the basis for Iran’s statement).
I did not write anything myself and did not convey any message.
To distinguish between my own comments and what I just repost, I put “” around the quoted text (although sometimes I forget to do so).
I repost things I find interesting and that others may want to know about regardless of where the information comes from. Just like I sometimes post statements from Putin. It’s interesting to see both sides.
So, I was just conveying the information.
Posting something that someone else has written or said does not automatically mean that I share the opinions or agree with the message.
So please, don’t shoot the messenger! 😱
NP 😉 just for fun
👍
I wonder if there is any ulterior motive behind this or if it’s just a routine operation.
“❗️🇬🇪Georgia detains tanker Caminero, which previously sailed under the 🇷🇺Russian flag”
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3mc4zdv5iu22l
Translation: “The Georgian coast guard detained the Panamanian-flagged tanker Caminero for violating maritime regulations in the country’s territorial waters.
This was reported by the Georgian border police.
The vessel previously sailed under the Russian flag, but its registration was changed at the end of 2022.”
https://militarnyi.com/uk/news/gruziya-zatrymala-tanker-caminero-yakyj-ranishe-hodyv-pid-rosijskym-praporom/
N Slobozhansky-Kursk 3↗️
S Slobozhansky 6↗️
Kupyansk 9💥↘️
Lyman 10💥↗️
Slovyansk 3
Kramatorsk 0
Kostjantynivka 13💥↘️
Pokrovsk 47💥💥💥
Oleksandrivskij 14💥↘️
Huliaipole 23💥
Orikhivsk 1
Prydniprovskij/Dnipro 1
Lower Russian attacks and higher localized Ukrainian(?) attacks, which accounted for more than every third attack. Otherwise, the same total as the previous day.
Sum sectors 127↘️
Unlocalized 46↗️
Total 173
Highest activity in Pokrovsk and Huliaipole.
👍
Some thoughts on Greenland
Quarter 13th of January 2025
https://kvartal.se/kvartal/artiklar/trumps-utspel-kan-motverka-kinas-expansion-pa-gronland/cG9zdDoxMzMyNA
“Over the past decade, China has expanded its influence in Greenland, especially in the mining sector, with the aim of exploiting the island’s natural resources. This development has raised concerns in several quarters, and the incoming President Donald Trump has expressed interest in strengthening the US military presence in Greenland as a counterbalance to China’s influence.”
“China has built strong political networks on the island that may be activated as climate change makes mining operations easier and more accessible.”
(The last quote is NOT from Trump)
Stock Market Watch 27th of May 2025
https://www.borskollen.se/nyheter/27/gronland-vadjar-om-investeringar-fran-vast-annars-kan-de-vanda-sig-till-kina
“Greenland’s government appeals to American and European companies to accelerate their investments in the country. Minister of Finance and Equality Naaja Nathanielsen warns that otherwise the country may need to turn to other nations, including China, to develop its natural resources.”
Hufvudstadsbladet 20th of August 2019
https://www.hbl.fi/2019-08-20/gronland-ser-chans-att-bli-sjalvgaende-med-hjalp-av-kina/
“Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland stems from the island seeking its path as a nation. And that it seems it could happen with the help of China.”
——————
Greenland IS a security interest for the USA, they can certainly send military forces there and increase security, but I don’t think that’s enough. The problem is that even if the USA establishes several bases in Greenland, there is still a risk that Greenland will invite China, which could then spy, sabotage, build infrastructure they control, or deploy military equipment. Add to that Denmark being a small country dependent on exporting pork (pig feet and ears, for example) to China. When Norway chose the “wrong” Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the salmon exports to China stopped. Does the USA trust that Denmark would be able to resist China if China started making demands? Will the EU be able to resist?
I don’t think Trump trusts either Denmark, the Greenlanders, or the rest of Europe.
The ultimate responsibility falls on Denmark.
🇩🇰
Just like on Gotland, in Sweden 🇸🇪 and in several other European countries, such as Lithuania 🇱🇹, Chinese investment has security policy consequences. If Denmark has allowed China to invest in mines, as you mentioned above, it is remarkable, as China has threatened (or carried out threats) of restrictions on the country’s export of rare earth metals to the West, which we in the West depend on in our defense industry. The fact that Denmark has not taken a firm stance, as Swedish authorities did on Gotland, is noteworthy to say the least, as it is a matter concerning security and defense falling within Denmark’s area of responsibility. Lex 1939: zero (0).
Lithuania: “Get rid of Chinese phones”
🤡2017: Chinese buys Gotland submarine port
The Defense Forces bid was rejected. Then came an unexpected turn. Owner Joachim Kuylenstierna has sold the submarine port at Fårösund on Gotland to Hong Kong Chinese Ming Wai – who allows the Defense Forces to use the harbor basin free of charge.
https://www.svd.se/a/VnypV/kines-koper-gotlandsk-ubatshamn
a strategically important facility on Gotland that was previously sold by the Defense Forces in 2000 but where there has been interest in repurchasing it for political reasons; after a controversial sales process in 2017 (involving both Russian and Chinese interests) it was finally repurchased by the Fortifications Agency in 2018 and is back in state ownership for defense purposes, reports DI, SVT News, and Svenska Dagbladet. The harbor has a deep basin adapted for submarines, and the repurchase was made because the defense sees a need for it again for its operations.
China has tried a mining project in Greenland (they are indirectly owners of Greenland Minerals which they acquired in 2017) but they have not succeeded, so no mining has ever started.
I guess it might end up the same way there, that they are forced to sell off their shares.
Now maybe mining resources (even though they should be) are not seen as equally strategically important as a strategic port, but we’ll see what happens.
Denmark has stopped some (but not all) of the projects that China has attempted, and they would of course have been even tougher earlier, BUT there is currently no active mining in Greenland that China is behind and the infrastructure projects they have tried to start are halted.
China’s involvement in Greenland is marginal and is unlikely to increase significantly now that the EU has realized that we must rid ourselves of dependence on China when it comes to, among other things, rare earth metals. China made a mistake when they started restricting their exports, not only towards the USA but also made it more difficult for Europe.
The EU has a significantly larger presence in Greenland than China (and the USA) do.
Both in the mining industry and in infrastructure.
For Europe, it is strategically much more important that Denmark retains control over Greenland than it is for the USA.
Therefore, I strongly doubt that they will allow China to take over.
Very good 👍.
Interesting insights and links.
Smart of Greenland to put pressure on to initiate investments by threatening to turn to China.
To demand taking over Greenland because of fear that Chinese companies might come there to spy feels somewhat exaggerated. There are other ways to solve it if that really is the main reason.
China has shown interest in both mining and infrastructure projects in Greenland, but none of the projects have materialized and some have even been halted because Denmark has said no due to security concerns and fears from both Europe and the USA.
The notion that Denmark is a small country dependent on exporting pig feed to China does not align with reality.
Denmark’s largest export income comes from the pharmaceutical industry (mainly Novo Nordisk), where the USA is the biggest customer, but they also sell to Europe and China.
After that comes shipping and transportation services, and in third place Food & agricultural products (where pig feed might fit in) with the EU being the biggest customer even though they also export to China and Japan, among others.
Denmark also exports machinery and equipment for industry, chemicals, and biotechnology.
But from a security standpoint, you have a point that Trump may not trust Europe, we have disarmed for many years and have not been able to help Ukraine achieve victory over Russia. Partly due to disagreements within the EU but also due to lack of decisiveness. So, there is a risk that we would not take a tough stance against China either if they were to make a military attempt.
On the other hand, the USA has not done anything regarding Russia either, arguing that it is not their war. But when it comes to Greenland, they suddenly think that Europe should no longer take their own responsibility but rather they want to step in and take over?
Still, it seems like the primary motivation is actually the natural resources they are after, and secondly to prevent China from accessing them.
China almost entirely dominates rare earth metals, not only in terms of access to the raw materials but also the processes. Much of the ore mined elsewhere in the world is shipped to China for extraction. It would therefore be a setback if they were to gain control over Greenland as well, but the USA does not need to take over Greenland to stop them.
“Smart of Greenland to put pressure on to get investments going by threatening to turn to China.”
Smart?
I am surprised. 😯 It is more than naive to believe that China is a reliable partner, MXT. Playing with one’s own security (as well as Denmark’s and the rest of the West’s) should have been stopped early on by the Danish government, which is responsible for Greenland’s defense, security, and foreign policy.
Where have I written that China is a reliable partner?
Now you have probably read but not understood? Or did I formulate myself so poorly that one can make that interpretation?
It’s the opposite and therefore it’s important that they don’t gain any influence even over Greenland, but to stop them, the USA is not needed.
Denmark has already stopped several projects, and the EU has indeed been naive for quite a while but has now realized that we must protect the assets that exist and that we must rid ourselves of dependence on China when it comes to, among other things, rare earth metals.
The EU (together with Denmark) will therefore hardly allow China to exploit Greenland. It is a greater threat to us than it is to the USA as we have very few assets.
No, of course you didn’t write that, but the threat is a bit like threatening to jump from a great height without a parachute, so I think it falls outside of “smart”. But I don’t know what one should have done to get Denmark/EU/(USA?) to act/react.
China’s regulation of metals + the US threat of invasion, I believe, has finally woken up Europe. Now we are talking about sending troops there, and I also believe that investments in mines, etc. will materialize.
The positive thing about Trump is that he manages to light a fire under the EU. 😄
It’s just to get Europe going. Greenland is governed by Denmark, which in turn is part of the EU, and they will certainly not allow more establishment from China.
But as a political move from Greenland, it’s quite clever of them. It puts pressure on both the USA and Europe to engage. Pure “sales tactics” simply.
However, it would be extremely foolish of them if they actually tried to get China to make further investments, but it is Denmark that decides, and they know that.
It’s just hot air as Johan usually writes.
The USA definitely should not take over Greenland. But there is reason for Europe to take security more seriously. As recently as 2023/2024, the frigates that Denmark had in Greenland were in such poor condition that they caused a domestic political crisis. The possibility of Russia or China seizing Greenland cannot be ignored either, considering how Russia has acted in the Arctic, including Svalbard, where they have significantly increased their presence without justification. Denmark/EU should have (as can be seen now at least) reacted to the US military withdrawal – not for the sake of the US/Trump but in their own interest. It is healthy for the USA to act in its own interest. It is sick that Europe does not.
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/foerst-kunne-de-ikke-skyde-og-nu-kan-de-ikke-sejle-mystiske-fejl-rammer-forsvarets
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/kanonen-paa-forsvarets-nyeste-arktiske-krigsskibe-har-ikke-kunnet-skyde-i-15-aar-0
Yes, then we agree!
Yes, Europe is far too naive and slow. Hangs well in a way with how the EU is more like a kind of economic voluntary club where there is no real governing body.
The USA consists of a lot of independent states but still coexist under the same leadership that can set the direction and act quickly when needed.
In the EU, we have to discuss for a year or two before we reach something to be voted on, and still there are a couple of countries that veto and sabotage everything, so it takes another half year before getting around it. Works okay in peacetime but worse when things heat up.
👍
“The Russian provocations have been increasing on Svalbard. In 2023, a military helicopter participated in a similar victory parade, a clear violation of the Svalbard Treaty which prohibits military presence. Russia has also raised flags and a six-meter high Orthodox cross at the historic mining town of Pyramiden, something that has been perceived as an attempt to mark the area as Russian.”
This is how Russia provokes on Norwegian Svalbard
Kenneth Gregg: 10.01.2026 update about resilience
“
What we in the West often overlook about the war in Ukraine
In the West, we often talk about frontlines, weapon systems, and major offensives. But what determines Ukraine’s survival is rarely seen in the headlines.
We overlook that the war is also fought over electricity, water, heating, communications, and healthcare – every day. When a transformer is knocked out, it’s not just about “darkness,” but about water pumps stopping, hospitals running on backup power, and daily life coming to a halt for hundreds of thousands of people.
We also miss how quickly society actually gets repaired. In many countries, recurring power outages in sub-zero temperatures would lead to societal collapse. In Ukraine, it leads to technicians being deployed, backup systems being activated, and functions being restored – sometimes within hours.
We also overlook that Ukraine is already living in a degraded normality. Generators, batteries, diesel fuel, makeshift solutions, and local cooperation are not crisis measures – they are standard. That’s why the country still functions.
And perhaps most importantly: we overlook that this is as crucial as the battles on the front lines. A country that can’t heat hospitals, pump water, or maintain communication cannot defend itself, no matter how many tanks it has.
This is not just Ukraine’s struggle. It’s a lesson for all of Europe on vulnerability, preparedness, and what resilience actually means in reality.
What we in the West should do – for real – after three years of war in Ukraine
If the war in Ukraine has taught us anything, it’s this: societies don’t fall when bombs drop – they fall when electricity, water, heating, and communications disappear without backup.
There are concrete things we in the West should do right now.
Firstly: stop thinking in terms of large-scale prestige projects. A few large power plants or central systems are vulnerable. Ukraine shows that thousands of small, redundant solutions are much harder to knock out. Mini-grids, backup power, and local self-sufficiency should be standard around hospitals, water treatment plants, town halls, and telecom nodes.
Secondly: take backup power seriously. Generators, fuel reserves, and simple technology that works in cold and crisis are more important than perfect, optimized systems. In war – and crisis – what starts every time wins.
Thirdly: view energy as a matter of security policy, not a climate debate. Renewable energy is important, but without stable backup, it’s not resilient in times of war. Ukraine shows that hybrid solutions – fossil-based, supplemented with solar, batteries, or local production – are what actually works when the grid goes down.
Fourthly: practice operating in a degraded state. Plan for when electricity, internet, and heating disappear – not in theory, but in practice. Ukraine manages this because they’ve been forced to. We should learn before we’re forced to.
And finally: build local expertise, not just technology. It’s the technicians, engineers, repair teams, and coordination between the municipality, civil society, and businesses that keep society running. Machines without people are not enough.
Ukraine is not just a country defending itself militarily. It’s a laboratory for resilience.
The question is whether we in Europe choose to learn – or continue to hope that we never have to.
”
If one is concerned about Chinese investments, there are peaceful methods to impose restrictions.
Exactly, some projects have already been stopped just because they have been seen as a security risk.
However, it is clever of Greenland to use China as a “threat”. Invest with us or we will go to China!
If Musk wanted to, shouldn’t he be able to put a stop to a large part of the Russian use of Starlink?
“👀‼️ Ukrainian sappers have discovered the facts of the Russian military installing additional traps on Starlink terminals used on Molniya UAVs, – Militarnyi” https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3mc5brsg6bs2g
Heard something about Musk supporting the popular uprising in Iran. Starlink?
🇮🇷🚨 | Elon Musk just opened Starlink for free in Iran, giving protesters a lifeline amid the internet blackout. He vows to keep the network running and block any attempts by the regime to shut it down. Freedom signals in the digital age.
https://x.com/warsurveillance/status/2009602041451331976?s=46
But beware:
No official announcement from Elon Musk or Starlink confirms free access in Iran as of Jan 9, 2026. Reports mention prior activation in 2025 and ongoing protests with blackouts, but claims of recent free opening and vows to block shutdowns lack primary sources. Rumors circulate, but verification is uncertain.
Post
…
Khamenei.ir • @khamenei_ir • 3d We will not give in to the enemy.
Elon Musk • X @elonmusk
X.com
It’s just a false illusion.
23:36 • 03/01/2026 •
If he has done it, of course, that’s great!
Then I don’t know how good the access is in Iran, it doesn’t help if it’s free if there isn’t good access to Starlink terminals.
“Photo reportedly shows Geran-5 wreckage. The drone has a new aerodynamic design but shares components with earlier models, including Kometa GPS, Raspberry tracker, and Telefly engine, and resembles Iran’s Karrar.”
https://bsky.app/profile/wartranslated.bsky.social/post/3mc5brhiwis2z
Regarding the proposal that I posted about earlier:
“Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson supports a proposal for Swedish soldiers to be sent to Greenland ‘together with others,’ as part of an EU force. This is reported by Dagens ETC, who spoke with the party leader.
‘I am not opposed to increased military presence in Greenland. This naturally includes Swedish soldiers,’ she says.
Such an effort must come after Danish and Greenlandic requests, Andersson clarifies. She also highlights several other efforts, such as increased private investments on the island.
The statement comes ahead of the party leader’s participation in the National Conference on Defense and Security in Sälen, which begins today.”
https://omni.se/s-ledaren-oppnar-for-svenska-soldater-pa-gronland/a/QJm704
Iran
Now we are probably at the point where the “Responsibility to Protect (R2P)” that 205 has written about several times, should be invoked by the UN and where the world is urged to act.
“The US-based human rights organization CHRI states that hundreds of people have been killed in the massive protests against Iran’s regime, reports the Washington Post.
The organization has based its assessment on information from witnesses as well as “credible reports.” They add that it is impossible to determine a verified death toll because the internet has been shut down in Iran since last Thursday.
According to CHRI, people in Iran testify that the number of injured and dead is increasing every hour. Several media outlets have information from healthcare personnel who report people being shot in the head.
“CHRI warns that a massacre is taking place,” the organization writes, urging the world to act to prevent more injuries or deaths.
Another American human rights organization, Human Rights Activists News Agency, reports that 116 people have been killed, of which 37 belong to Iran’s security forces or police.”
https://omni.se/manniskorattsgrupp-varnar-for-pagaende-massaker/a/K8ynKM
“Healthcare personnel in Iran testify to several patients who have been shot in the head in connection with the large protests against the regime, reports CNN, citing the Iranian news agency Iranwire.
– I have never seen such scenes in my entire life, a healthcare worker in Shiraz tells in a video shared with the news agency.
A doctor in Neyshabur in northern Iran says that security forces are shooting at demonstrators from buildings.
– They are shooting from rooftops and terraces. They are not on the streets where people can see and flee from there.
According to the doctor, the security forces are also shooting at “ordinary pedestrians”. She tells that a family of six people was shot when they passed by a demonstration.
– How many more have to die here?”
https://omni.se/vardpersonal-om-valdet-skjuter-folk-fran-hustaken/a/y5R68R
“❗️En drönare från 🇺🇦210:e separat fallskärmsregementet förstörde en 🇷🇺rysk 2S1 Gvozdika självgående artillerisystem på Zaporizhzhia-axeln.”
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3mc5dbqx7mc2d
Just keep your fingers crossed that more regions go bankrupt.
The capital city Saratov has approximately 840,000 inhabitants while the entire oblast has around 2.5 million.
So, roughly speaking, it would be like the Stockholm region going bankrupt.
“Russian regions going bankrupt In the Saratov Regional Duma, they announced the region’s default 2025 was a “catastrophic” year for the Saratov region : there was a collapse in production, and the region effectively found itself in default, said regional Duma deputy Alexander Anidolov.
Especially at the end of the year, there was a catastrophic drop in production, especially in the manufacturing sector, not related to the military-industrial complex.
The result is a drop in personal income tax and profit tax. We lost 7.5 billion rubles this year, and we lost it suddenly… Overall, the region is effectively in default. The federal government forgave us 12.5 billion rubles,” he noted.”
https://bsky.app/profile/beefeaterfella.bsky.social/post/3mc57hx2egs2q
Greenland / USA
“The democratic congressman Ted Lieu urges the American military to defy Donald Trump if he orders a military attack on Greenland without going through Congress. He writes this in a post on X, as reported by Danish TV2.
“Greenland is a part of Denmark, a NATO ally. If Trump orders an attack on Greenland without Congress’ approval, it is an illegal order. You should refuse to obey that order,” Lieu writes.
He also reminds the military that their oath is to the constitution, not to Trump.
In November, six democrats urged soldiers to defy illegal orders, which made Trump furious and he said that treason is “punishable by death”.”
https://omni.se/demokrat-trotsa-trump-om-han-beordrar-angrepp/a/7pK6wo
Happy birthday
🕯️
The Iranians will liberate the country themselves.
Maybe there will be some targeted efforts with occasional flights where needed, which will then be denied?
Israel will in the future access individuals who have so far been protected in Iran when they flee from law enforcement efforts.
“❗️Kadyrov’s kidneys have failed — the Kremlin is discussing candidates for the new head of Chechnya, according to a Ukrinform source in the GUR.”
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3mc5edgvlwc2d
Off-Topic, Philippines
“The hope for the 29 people buried under a mountain of garbage in Cebu City in the Philippines is almost gone. This is according to rescue personnel for AFP.
– Yesterday we detected two signs of life with a special radar. We saw heartbeats 30 meters down in the rubble, but now we can no longer see them, said firefighter Wendell Villanueva to the news agency.
On Monday, the rescue service’s work is expected to formally shift from being about saving lives to being about finding remains.
12 people have been rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital.”
https://omni.se/hoppet-slocknar-for-de-som-begravts-under-sopberget/a/vrAeJw
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260110-death-toll-climbs-after-trash-site-collapse-buries-dozens-in-philippines
“The People and Defense national conference begins in Sälen today. The program includes speeches by Ulf Kristersson (M) and Magdalena Andersson (S), according to SVT in their live report.
Among those present are NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alex Grynkewich, the king, and the queen.
This is the eighth edition of the conference, and this year the development of total defense is high on the agenda. This is according to TV4 News, which reports that many people are unsure if they are part of the total defense.
“I think it’s very important for us to know what we need to do and what is required of us if there were to be a war,” says Skövde resident Emma A Karlsson to the channel.”
“The international situation is more serious than in a long time, says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) during his speech at the national conference Folk och Försvar. According to him, the world order is more threatened than in many decades.
– It is dangerous in several ways. The risk of major conflicts is increasing, but also the risk that smaller nations will be sacrificed along the way. For a country like Sweden, this is particularly serious, he says.
He also criticizes the US’s statements about taking over Greenland from Denmark, something he calls “threatening rhetoric.”
– On the contrary, the US should thank Denmark, which over the years has been a very loyal ally, says the Prime Minister, adding that Sweden will stand up for Denmark.”
https://omni.se/kristersson-haller-tal-usa-borde-tacka-danmark/a/ExpQVo
Off-Topic, Sweden and the snow.
Some are delighted by the large amounts of snow!
“The recent weeks’ snowfall and cold weather are now boosting sales for Sweden’s sports stores, writes TT.
Jonas Linder, CEO of the industry organization Sportforum, states that the trade has turned around after a gloomy December characterized by mild weather.
– It’s a completely different pressure, he says.
Even Anders Engström, CEO of the retail chain Alewalds, states that sales picked up when the snow arrived.”
https://omni.se/sporthandeln-jublar-efter-snosmockan-helt-annat-tryck/a/lnE3ye
“Over 1,000 buildings in Kyiv still without heat after Russian strikes amid freezing winter”
“1,418 days -this’s how long the war between the USSR& Nazi Germany lasted during WWII.Soviet,then Russian historyographers call this “The Great Patriotic War” In 1418 days,the Soviet army pushed Germans out of modern-day territories of Russia,Ukraine,Belarus,Moldova,Baltic countries,& reached Berlin
The full-scale Russian invasion into Ukraine lasts for 1418 days as of today. Ukraine continues defending ourselves from an aggressor with a territory 27 times larger than ours that has nuclear weapons. Russia has neither “battles for Berlin” or “liberation” of major Ukrainian cities.
Russia is waging exhausting position battles for small villages, destroyed towns and a frontline that moves in small increments (Russia occupied about 0,72% of Ukrainian territory in 2025, having killed and injured hundreds of thousands of its soldiers).”
https://bsky.app/profile/antongerashchenko.bsky.social/post/3mc5gn5qh3s2n
“🐝STING interceptor drones have already shot down over 3000 Russian Shahed type drones!”
https://bsky.app/profile/specialkhersoncat.bsky.social/post/3mc5g3uhkhc2f
👍
🔥 ATESH agents burned a military air defense unit’s communications tower in the Moscow region. It’s an element of the air defense system of the 5th Air Defense Division. This tower served as the unit’s communications and command center.
Donald Trump sharpens his tone against Cuba. Neither more oil nor money will go to the island nation from Venezuela, he writes on Truth Social.
“There will be no more oil or money going to Cuba. Zero!” he writes.
At the same time, he urges the country to reach an agreement “before it’s too late.”
When a user on the platform suggests that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio could become Cuba’s president, Trump responds: “Sounds good to me.” At the same time, he shares another post from political commentator Marc Thiessen speculating on whether the Cuban regime – which has survived since Eisenhower’s days – may come to an end with Trump.
⚡️ Ukraine hits Russian drilling platforms in Caspian Sea, military reports. Separately, Ukraine also hit a Russian Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system in the occupied parts of Luhansk Oblast, according to Ukraine’s General Staff.
Overnight, long-range strike elements of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces conducted an operation against offshore energy infrastructure operated by Lukoil in the Caspian Sea.
The operation targeted multiple drilling platforms, including those bearing the names V. Filanovsky, Yuri Korchagin, and Valery Greifer. These installations are used to support fuel supply chains sustaining Russia’s military.
This strike is part of an ongoing campaign of asymmetric actions aimed at degrading the enemy’s capacity to sustain its war against Ukraine.
🐦StratcomCentre🇺🇦
🇺🇦 So, utility workers are now heating pipes to bring heat to Kyiv residents’ homes. The equipment is covered with a thick layer of ice.
Donald Trump is wrong when he says that Russia and China are interested in Greenland, according to Nordic diplomats interviewed by the Financial Times. Last week, the president said that there are “swarms” of Russian and Chinese ships around the island.
According to FT’s sources, no Russian or Chinese ships or submarines have been seen around Greenland for several years.
“It is simply not true that the Chinese and Russians are there,” says one source.
The American president said at a press conference on Friday that Russia or China will take action against Greenland if the US does not protect Greenland. His statement was also refuted by the Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide on Saturday.
“It is not true that there is a lot of Russian and Chinese activity around Greenland,” he told NRK.
Read Yle’s article about Russia’s 🇷🇺 actions in Svalbard 🇳🇴 which is linked in one of my comments above.