Over the past few weeks we seem to have witnessed an ever increasing Russian bombing campaign—including missiles, suicide drones, and more traditional (just smarter) bombs—targeting Ukrainian munitions and fuel storage sites as well as critical infrastructure such as key bridges and rail junctions.
Just lifted this extract from a report on RT site today:
"Russian forces have repelled an attempt by Ukraine to carry out “a terrorist act” against a settlement in Belgorod Region close to the border, the defense ministry has said.
The Russian military, together with border guards and other units of the Federal Security Service (FSB), “thwarted a new attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist act against the civilian population of the town of Shebekino,” the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
At around 3am Moscow time, two Ukrainian motorized infantry companies, reinforced by tanks, tried to cross into Russia near the settlement of Novaya Tavolzhanka and the Shebekino border checkpoint, according to the statement. The attempted incursion followed intensive shelling of the area from the Ukrainian side of the border, it added.
Three attacks by “Ukrainian terrorist groups” were repelled by Russian troops, the ministry said. Kiev’s units “suffered significant losses and were driven back… The violation of the state border was not allowed.”
The Russian Air Force carried out 11 airstrikes, while the artillery performed 77 fire missions against the approaching Ukrainian units. Heavy flamethrower systems were also used on two occasions, according to the statement.
More than 30 Ukrainian “terrorists”, four armored combat vehicles, a Grad multiple rocket launcher, and a pickup truck were destroyed as a result of the failed incursion, the ministry said."
I can't link to it because I have a backdoor link to RT but it would seem that Ukr are desperately trying to start their counter offensive....
Thanks. I just saw a brief ref to this by Big Serge. Presumably these cross border attacks or intended to distract the Russians from the main direction of the offensive. Good luck with that.
I read somewhere that Russia is saturating air defenses, warehouses, depots etc in the Kiev region and nearby regions to reduce counter punch plans when Russia attacks the Kharkiv region again.
Russia May have been waiting for the right time to escalate, when the West has fully committed all their wonder weapons, to show how ineffective the Ukrainian military is, and Russia had increased weapon production enough to sustain at this level of intensity.
And of course it’s “the right time” to up the ante, to show just how pie-in-the-sky is this counteroffensive. In my view Zelensky’s essential cowardice prevents him from calling a halt to this needless butchery, but Zhou too has blood on his hands.
Why should Zelensky stop? Money is still flowing in.
And Russia has no interest in stopping now. As Merkel’s and Hollande’s statements showed with the Minsk agreement, you can’t trust the West. If Russia stops now, it would allow Ukraine to arm and recover for another round.
Russia will only stop when facts on the ground, probably taking 2/3rds of Ukraine, create a permanent solution. Making Ukraine a landlocked country.
Ray, Johnson says this counteroffensive offensive is “forced suicide”:
“Instead of executing a viable military strategy, Ukraine’s military is being asked to perform a political charade to satisfy Western expectations. Whatever success Ukraine achieves in the initial phase of its counter offensive, it lacks the depth in terms of reserves and materiel to sustain an attack. This is not a desperate gamble. This is forced suicide.”
UK Foreign minister James Cleverly said of the attack on Moscow that it was legitimate for Ukraine to strike on Russian soil to weaken Russia. It wasn't too long ago that we were all hearing assurances that western equipnent would only be used to repel RF on Ukrainian soil. To me that's escalatory.
G'day Mark and all partakers seeking a Meaning in History... (shameless plug or simple fact...?)
Reflecting on the assorted speculations just going back to 'Waiting for the Winter Freeze' that was to provide the onset of Russian Escalation through 'Russia playing catch up w/technology' (5eyes/EW, etc.), the assortment of pronouncements of NATO/US Whiz-Bang war-winning weapon provision announcements through Wagner's kind of patient "Meat Grinder" taking of Bakhmut what I find to be now considered "escalation, perhaps prodded in retaliation" is kind-of what Mark suggested was an efficient way of waging this Ukrainian war while simultaneously preparing for defending from a NATO conflict. Western Propaganda, 'er Reporting which isn't shy using "Lindsey!" statements appears provocative while NATO forces/weapons/EW support etc. in and of itself is an argument for Russia to engage beyond it's SMO. Add to that thought muddle it was us, the US, during Obama (and less pronounced previous administrations) that courtesy of the CIA, etc. changed the Government of Ukraine and further setting of the stage for where we are.
It feels like wheels within wheels but I'm inclined to fall back on Neocon 'good intentions' that went sour and we're experiencing failure-driven panic motives that now expose a Nuclear Risk to this planet. Way too much risk for my taste; & since I'm only offering my opinion I'll end my rant with that. Best regards to all, (WrH)
Graham's statements seem so foolish and provocative. I was shocked when I heard them. So much so that I wondered if the video could have been manipulated. Can you imagine our response if an adversary was bragging that killing our armed forces was the best money they had spent? It almost seems too provocative.
Tikanis Athena, Yes they are foolish and provocative, but I sense the shallowness of Graham's character suggests he is playing to the Neocons. Graham is an attention seeker.
I concur. I am a tech sales rep and we represent a small tech outfit in S.C. They do cater to Military sub-contractors and they love Graham, as he gets them more biz. So, yes this slimy guy is a war monger, but not a Neocon.
All Neocons are hyper ideologues and greedy, it’s in their DNA and the access to great wealth is a feature of their ideology. You nailed the characterization of the Graham. He has to take care of the people in order to stay in office. Neocon adjacent, that’s a good one.
It is becoming increasingly dangerous for us and the rest of the world because these “ruling elites” have come to believe their own press and their own bullshit. People that refuse to live in, or accept, reality are clinically considered to be crazy or insane, just sayin.
Graham introduced a bill right before the 2022 elections that would put a federal ban on abortion. However you feel about the issue, the timing of this announcement was sorta poor. Sorta the kind of thing you'd do if you really wanted to fuck things up.
Just lifted this extract from a report on RT site today:
"Russian forces have repelled an attempt by Ukraine to carry out “a terrorist act” against a settlement in Belgorod Region close to the border, the defense ministry has said.
The Russian military, together with border guards and other units of the Federal Security Service (FSB), “thwarted a new attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist act against the civilian population of the town of Shebekino,” the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
At around 3am Moscow time, two Ukrainian motorized infantry companies, reinforced by tanks, tried to cross into Russia near the settlement of Novaya Tavolzhanka and the Shebekino border checkpoint, according to the statement. The attempted incursion followed intensive shelling of the area from the Ukrainian side of the border, it added.
Three attacks by “Ukrainian terrorist groups” were repelled by Russian troops, the ministry said. Kiev’s units “suffered significant losses and were driven back… The violation of the state border was not allowed.”
The Russian Air Force carried out 11 airstrikes, while the artillery performed 77 fire missions against the approaching Ukrainian units. Heavy flamethrower systems were also used on two occasions, according to the statement.
More than 30 Ukrainian “terrorists”, four armored combat vehicles, a Grad multiple rocket launcher, and a pickup truck were destroyed as a result of the failed incursion, the ministry said."
I can't link to it because I have a backdoor link to RT but it would seem that Ukr are desperately trying to start their counter offensive....
Thanks. I just saw a brief ref to this by Big Serge. Presumably these cross border attacks or intended to distract the Russians from the main direction of the offensive. Good luck with that.
https://twitter.com/myscotlandtoday/status/1663823763568295936
I read somewhere that Russia is saturating air defenses, warehouses, depots etc in the Kiev region and nearby regions to reduce counter punch plans when Russia attacks the Kharkiv region again.
Miss Lindsey isn't just deranged, a sociopath, as is the case with all homicidal maniacs, he is EVIL incarnate.
Since Grahmesty first emerged I’ve disliked him, now, I’m with you, he is just evil.
Russia May have been waiting for the right time to escalate, when the West has fully committed all their wonder weapons, to show how ineffective the Ukrainian military is, and Russia had increased weapon production enough to sustain at this level of intensity.
And of course it’s “the right time” to up the ante, to show just how pie-in-the-sky is this counteroffensive. In my view Zelensky’s essential cowardice prevents him from calling a halt to this needless butchery, but Zhou too has blood on his hands.
Why should Zelensky stop? Money is still flowing in.
And Russia has no interest in stopping now. As Merkel’s and Hollande’s statements showed with the Minsk agreement, you can’t trust the West. If Russia stops now, it would allow Ukraine to arm and recover for another round.
Russia will only stop when facts on the ground, probably taking 2/3rds of Ukraine, create a permanent solution. Making Ukraine a landlocked country.
Ray, Johnson says this counteroffensive offensive is “forced suicide”:
“Instead of executing a viable military strategy, Ukraine’s military is being asked to perform a political charade to satisfy Western expectations. Whatever success Ukraine achieves in the initial phase of its counter offensive, it lacks the depth in terms of reserves and materiel to sustain an attack. This is not a desperate gamble. This is forced suicide.”
What ever short term gain the Ukrainians achieve will be spun as a great victory, no matter the cost.
and of course we’re complicit.
UK Foreign minister James Cleverly said of the attack on Moscow that it was legitimate for Ukraine to strike on Russian soil to weaken Russia. It wasn't too long ago that we were all hearing assurances that western equipnent would only be used to repel RF on Ukrainian soil. To me that's escalatory.
The history of Britain’s hatred of Russia is well documented. As a Brit have you read about this?
G'day Mark and all partakers seeking a Meaning in History... (shameless plug or simple fact...?)
Reflecting on the assorted speculations just going back to 'Waiting for the Winter Freeze' that was to provide the onset of Russian Escalation through 'Russia playing catch up w/technology' (5eyes/EW, etc.), the assortment of pronouncements of NATO/US Whiz-Bang war-winning weapon provision announcements through Wagner's kind of patient "Meat Grinder" taking of Bakhmut what I find to be now considered "escalation, perhaps prodded in retaliation" is kind-of what Mark suggested was an efficient way of waging this Ukrainian war while simultaneously preparing for defending from a NATO conflict. Western Propaganda, 'er Reporting which isn't shy using "Lindsey!" statements appears provocative while NATO forces/weapons/EW support etc. in and of itself is an argument for Russia to engage beyond it's SMO. Add to that thought muddle it was us, the US, during Obama (and less pronounced previous administrations) that courtesy of the CIA, etc. changed the Government of Ukraine and further setting of the stage for where we are.
It feels like wheels within wheels but I'm inclined to fall back on Neocon 'good intentions' that went sour and we're experiencing failure-driven panic motives that now expose a Nuclear Risk to this planet. Way too much risk for my taste; & since I'm only offering my opinion I'll end my rant with that. Best regards to all, (WrH)
Graham's statements seem so foolish and provocative. I was shocked when I heard them. So much so that I wondered if the video could have been manipulated. Can you imagine our response if an adversary was bragging that killing our armed forces was the best money they had spent? It almost seems too provocative.
My guess is Lindsay’s gonna dip out for awhile.
Tikanis Athena, Yes they are foolish and provocative, but I sense the shallowness of Graham's character suggests he is playing to the Neocons. Graham is an attention seeker.
Tikanis, heading to Greece in a few weeks!
Enjoy your trip. Where in Greece will you be?
The Gulf of Corinth, about 90 minutes from Athens.
The video was, in fact, edited. However, Davis addresses that issue and says that it really was just as bad, anyway.
I concur. I am a tech sales rep and we represent a small tech outfit in S.C. They do cater to Military sub-contractors and they love Graham, as he gets them more biz. So, yes this slimy guy is a war monger, but not a Neocon.
All Neocons are hyper ideologues and greedy, it’s in their DNA and the access to great wealth is a feature of their ideology. You nailed the characterization of the Graham. He has to take care of the people in order to stay in office. Neocon adjacent, that’s a good one.
Russian officials at high levels have made this or similar observations at regular intervals. Who's listening?
It is becoming increasingly dangerous for us and the rest of the world because these “ruling elites” have come to believe their own press and their own bullshit. People that refuse to live in, or accept, reality are clinically considered to be crazy or insane, just sayin.
But will the disco’s stay open?
Reminder; John McCain was his role model.
Graham introduced a bill right before the 2022 elections that would put a federal ban on abortion. However you feel about the issue, the timing of this announcement was sorta poor. Sorta the kind of thing you'd do if you really wanted to fuck things up.
He has stiff competition, but he makes a strong case for that status.