WW3? Ukraine/US vs. Donbass/Russia

[Ravenlocke]

Oreshnik Strikes Giant Ukraine Gas Plant;
Mayor Urges Kiev Residents Go;
Blackouts;

EU Gas Shortage

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Tn7BGPdzU9g

[Ravenlocke]

Zlatti71

⚡️ Comment by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, on the development of the situation with Russian citizens in the crew of the tanker "Mariner" (January 9, 2026)

🔊 Audio comment by Maria Zakharova

💬 In response to our appeal, US President Donald Trump decided to release two Russian citizens from the crew of the tanker "Mariner", which was previously detained by the American side during an operation in the North Atlantic.

We welcome this decision and express our gratitude to the US leadership.

We are proceeding to urgently address all issues related to ensuring the speedy return of our compatriots to their homeland.

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/2009589827210002594

[Ravenlocke]

TASS

Trump has decided to release two Russians from the Marinera tanker crew in response to an appeal from Russia, and Moscow expresses its gratitude for this step, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said:
https://vk.cc/cTeVaO

https://x.com/tassagency_en/status/2009601110747566280

https://tass.com/politics/2069441?ut...m_social_share


Russia grateful to US for decision to release two Russians from Marinera crew — diplomat

According to Zakharova, the Russian side is urgently addressing issues related to the return of its freed citizens to their homeland

MOSCOW, January 9. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump has decided to release two Russians from the Marinera tanker crew in response to an appeal from Russia, and Moscow expresses its gratitude for this step, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"In response to our appeal, President Trump has decided to release two Russian citizens from the Marinera crew, who were previously detained by the US during an operation in the North Atlantic," the diplomat noted in a statement. "We welcome this decision and express our gratitude to the US leadership," she emphasized.

According to Zakharova, the Russian side is urgently addressing issues related to the return of its freed citizens to their homeland.

[Ravenlocke]

TASS

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni believes that it is time for Europe to talk to Russia:
https://vk.cc/cTfpxv

https://x.com/tassagency_en/status/2009659760023322975

https://tass.com/world/2069461?utm_s...m_social_share

High time for Europe to talk to Russia — Italian PM

However, she believes that the conditions for Russia's return to the G7 have not yet been met

ROME, January 9. /TASS/. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni believes that it is time for Europe to talk to Russia.

"I think that [French President Emmanuel] Macron is right: I believe that it is also time for the EU to start negotiating with Russia," Meloni said at a press conference summarizing the past year's results. "The question, of course, is who should do it. There are too many voices," she pointed out.

"I have always supported appointing an EU special envoy for Ukraine," the Italian prime minister added.

However, she believes that the conditions for Russia's return to the G7 have not yet been met. Nevertheless, she did not rule it out in the future. "We need to see when peace will be achieved and under what conditions," Meloni said.

[Ravenlocke]

RT
US Southern Command CONFIRMS seizure of Olina tanker

It's suspected of carrying embargoed oil, tried to evade US forces, says Sec Noem

'The ghost fleets will not outrun justice. They will not hide under false claims of nationality'

https://x.com/RT_com/status/2009633221705670711

Lord Bebo
@MyLordBebo
·
5h
🇺🇸🇻🇪 "The seizure of the oil tanker 'Olina' in the Caribbean Sea was without incident" — US Southern Command

According to US sources, Olina was falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste

The ship had previously sailed from Venezuela and had returned to the region


https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/2009636745898602528

[shaberon]

Posted by Ravenlocke (here)
Russia threatens to sink American ships!

Aleksei Juravlev (Deputy Chairman of the Defense Committee in the Duma):

"We must respond militarily.. Hit them with torpedoes and sink their ships!

It's a hawkish opinion, not really a threat.

Most places have a running commentary of this nature, which changes when, for instance, in Iran you currently have a high-level review about changing clerical restraint to military pre-emptive strikes. The above is just commentary, until such a time as the majority of the Duma would agree to it, or it passes military command and they go ahead and perform the action without any threats.

The above shows that Russia currently operates in a form of restraint that it has the capability of changing.

[Tintin]

Posted by Ravenlocke (here)
TASS

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni believes that it is time for Europe to talk to Russia:
https://vk.cc/cTfpxv

https://x.com/tassagency_en/status/2009659760023322975

https://tass.com/world/2069461?utm_s...m_social_share

High time for Europe to talk to Russia — Italian PM

However, she believes that the conditions for Russia's return to the G7 have not yet been met

ROME, January 9. /TASS/. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni believes that it is time for Europe to talk to Russia.

"I think that [French President Emmanuel] Macron is right: I believe that it is also time for the EU to start negotiating with Russia," Meloni said at a press conference summarizing the past year's results. "The question, of course, is who should do it. There are too many voices," she pointed out.

"I have always supported appointing an EU special envoy for Ukraine," the Italian prime minister added.

However, she believes that the conditions for Russia's return to the G7 have not yet been met. Nevertheless, she did not rule it out in the future. "We need to see when peace will be achieved and under what conditions," Meloni said.

Well, Ms. Meloni is making the 'right noises' but there's a cuckoo in the background, heading for home in the clouds.

The EU needs to appoint an envoy to Russia; furthermore Russia have no intention of joining a sinking ship, that is, the G7: BRICS has more value presently, and should increase its influence over time - we'll see.

More delusional cuck from 'Europe' ie, the EU, not its peoples.

[Vicus]

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=lxrKseERRrY

[Jaak]

Trump going to give $800 billion to Ukraine and in turn USA/Blackrock get rights to mine resources in Ukraine .
It´s 4D chess. He is actually draining the swamp and fighting deep state and globalists!
Some people actually believe that nonsense...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to finalize a $800 billion "prosperity package" for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction at the World Economic Forum in Davos, scheduled for January 19–23, 2026.
The plan, aimed at mobilizing funds over a decade through a mix of loans, grants, and private-sector investment, is designed to rebuild Ukraine’s economy, restore jobs, and facilitate the return of displaced populations.
Kyiv hopes that U.S. involvement in high-profile reconstruction projects—particularly those appealing to Trump—will strengthen Washington’s commitment to providing long-term security guarantees.

The $800 billion target is based on a 10-year framework involving Ukraine, the U.S., EU, and G7 partners, with priority sectors including energy, infrastructure, industry, and human capital.
The foundation of the agreement builds on a 2025 minerals deal that granted U.S. investors preferential access to future mining projects in Ukraine.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink have been involved in drafting the plan, with BlackRock reportedly participating in the initiative.
Ukrainian officials, including Economy Minister Oleksii Sobolev, emphasize the use of blended public-private financing, risk-sharing, and sovereign investment platforms to attract funding.
As of January 12, 2026, the deal remains under negotiation, with final details not yet publicly disclosed, though European allies have advised against rushing the process.

[Ravenlocke]

Martin Ironside

Jan 8
This is a very bad development. Russia seizes ships worth 3 billion dollars in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea and in the Artic Sea. A coordinated strike on 12 ships. “This is a complete redefinition of maritime warfare” Ray McGovern says

https://x.com/Martin_Ironside/status...86479441900024

Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern reveals how Russia executed a perfectly coordinated $3 billion maritime operation, simultaneously seizing 12 commercial vessels across the Arctic, Baltic, and Black Seas in strategic retaliation against Western sanctions. He exposes this wasn't random piracy but calculated economic warfare using Western legal precedents to justify systematic vessel seizures that have permanently changed global shipping rules. McGovern demonstrates how Russia's "mirror strategy" exploits Western civilization's greatest vulnerability - complete dependence on maritime trade routes now controlled by hostile powers. Drawing from classified intelligence experience, he warns this operation signals the end of neutral commerce and the beginning of maritime warfare that threatens Western supply chains worth trillions. This explosive analysis reveals why Russia's tactical brilliance in controlling strategic chokepoints gives them more leverage than Western sanctions ever provided.

Russia's Pivot to Asia

Jan 10
Reports coming in that Russia has seized US$3 billion worth of US vessels in the Arctic:

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/2010242741427679688

https://www.modernghana.com/news/146...n-seizure.html

The Arctic Flashpoint: Russia’s $3 Billion Seizure and the New Rules of Global Trade

“If sanctions justify seizures, then security can too.” — Russian Naval Doctrine, 2025

In a stunning escalation that has sent shockwaves through global shipping lanes, Russia has seized twelve U.S.-linked commercial vessels in the Arctic, locking down over $3 billion in assets. With forty naval units deployed across three seas, this was not a rogue act of piracy—it was a calculated geopolitical maneuver. And while the world watches the Arctic, Africa must pay attention. The rules of global trade are shifting, and Ghana cannot afford to be caught off guard.

Why This Matters to Ghana
Though the Arctic may seem distant, the implications of this crisis ripple across oceans. Ghana, like many African nations, depends heavily on maritime trade, foreign investment, and global shipping norms. If powerful nations begin rewriting the rules of the sea, smaller economies could find themselves vulnerable to similar coercive tactics.

Timeline of the Arctic Seizure

Late December 2025 Russian naval forces begin quietly mobilizing across the Barents, Kara, and Bering Seas. Satellite imagery and maritime tracking suggest a buildup of over 40 vessels, including frigates, patrol ships, and support craft.
January 2, 2026 In a bold and coordinated operation, twelve commercial vessels with U.S. ownership or financial ties are seized by Russian authorities. The ships are intercepted without violence and redirected to Arctic ports under Russian control.
January 3, 2026 Russian state media confirms the seizures, framing them as “security enforcement actions” under domestic maritime law. Officials deny any violation of international norms, insisting the vessels were operating in “sensitive zones.”
January 4, 2026 The U.S. State Department issues a strong condemnation, calling the seizures “a dangerous precedent” and demanding the immediate release of the ships and their crews. Diplomatic channels are activated, but no resolution is reached.
January 5, 2026 Global shipping insurers react swiftly, raising premiums for Arctic routes and advising caution for vessels operating near Russian waters. NATO convenes an emergency maritime security session to assess the strategic implications.
January 6, 2026 Russia doubles down on its position. A senior Kremlin spokesperson declares, “The West wrote this playbook. We’re simply applying it.” The statement signals a new era of strategic mirroring and legal ambiguity in global maritime affairs.
Strategic Mirroring: Russia’s Calculated Response

For years, the United States and its allies have enforced sanctions by boarding foreign vessels, freezing assets, and leveraging control over global financial and insurance systems. Russia, long on the receiving end of such tactics, has now flipped the script.

“This isn’t piracy. It’s strategic mirroring,” said a senior analyst at the Moscow Institute for Strategic Studies. “If the West can use law enforcement to seize ships, why can’t we use security enforcement?”

By framing the seizures as legal and non-violent, Russia avoids the label of piracy while achieving maximum geopolitical leverage. The crews are not officially hostages—but their freedom is now a bargaining chip.

The Death of Maritime Neutrality?
This incident signals a dangerous erosion of long-standing maritime norms. For centuries, the high seas were considered neutral ground. But now, with great powers weaponizing trade routes, neutrality is becoming a myth.

“The Arctic is no longer just about ice and oil. It’s about power,” remarked Rear Admiral (Ret.) James Holloway, a former U.S. naval strategist. “And Russia just made that crystal clear.”

The Arctic as a New Frontline
The Northern Sea Route, once frozen and inaccessible, is now a coveted corridor due to climate change. Russia claims it as a sovereign economic zone. The West sees it as international waters. The seizure of ships is a bold assertion of that claim—and a warning to others.

Implications for Ghana and Africa
1. Precedent for Maritime Seizures: If global powers normalize such tactics, African nations could face similar risks in the Gulf of Guinea or Indian Ocean.

2. Insurance and Trade Costs: Rising premiums and rerouted shipping could increase the cost of imports, affecting food and fuel prices.

3. Need for Maritime Sovereignty: Ghana must invest in naval capacity and legal frameworks to protect its waters and trade interests.

4. Diplomatic Vigilance: As global alliances shift, Ghana must navigate carefully to protect its economic and geopolitical interests.

A Call to Action
This Arctic flashpoint is not just a distant drama—it’s a mirror reflecting the fragility of the global order. Ghana must learn, adapt, and prepare. As the world’s oceans become arenas of contest, our sovereignty, economy, and security depend on understanding the tides of change.

[Vicus]

"We fired two missiles": S-300 air defense system crew commander talks about the destruction of an F-16 - today



A Russian Armed Forces S-300 air defense missile system crew destroyed an American F-16 fighter jet in the Air Defense Zone. According to the crew commander, the operation to destroy the aircraft had been planned for a long time.

"We'd been planning this operation for a long time. We were hunting it down, waiting. Our enemy praises these planes highly because they're indestructible. It wasn't the first shot—we used two missiles. We cut it down with the first, and finished it off with the second. "

- told the officer.

As a reminder, military analysts estimate that the Ukrainian Armed Forces currently have no more than ten American F-16 fighter jets remaining, which were previously transferred to Kyiv by European allies. Some of these aircraft were destroyed by "friendly fire" from American Patriot air defense systems.

Several combat vehicles were destroyed with the help of Russian air defense systems.

Kyiv acknowledges that American fighters are not used in close proximity to the front lines due to the high activity of Russian fighters and the effectiveness of the air defense system. F-16s are primarily used by the enemy to repel attacks by Russian Geran-2 UAVs.

It should be emphasized that the latest modification of the S-300V4 air defense missile system is currently being actively used in the zone of the Russian Federation's special military operation in Ukraine. Its longest-range anti-aircraft missile, the 9M82MDE, has a range of 380–400 kilometers when intercepting enemy aircraft and can shoot down not only aerodynamic but also ballistic targets.

https://en.topcor.ru/67694-otrabotal...enii-f-16.html

[Vicus]

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=KKtxc7VjsWk

Drone Strikes Intensify💥✈️ Novoboykivske's Defense Has Collapsed💢🏚️ Military Summary 12.01.2026 📅🗞️

5 minute ago...

[shaberon]

Posted by Jaak (here)
Trump going to give $800 billion to Ukraine and in turn USA/Blackrock get rights to mine resources in Ukraine .
It´s 4D chess. He is actually draining the swamp and fighting deep state and globalists!
Some people actually believe that nonsense...

[I]Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to finalize a $800 billion "prosperity package" for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction at the World Economic Forum in Davos, scheduled for January 19–23, 2026.
The plan, aimed at mobilizing funds over a decade through a mix of loans, grants, and private-sector investment, is designed to rebuild Ukraine’s economy, restore jobs, and facilitate the return of displaced populations.
Kyiv hopes that U.S. involvement in high-profile reconstruction projects—particularly those appealing to Trump—will strengthen Washington’s commitment to providing long-term security guarantees.

I get the irony.

Of course Ukraine is welded to the Syrian and Israeli problems. Appeasement of "different views" is possible, as long as it's outside the US, because it's not tolerated here.

They seem to be bedmates with the Gulf Monarchs.

Sounds like a rich person's game of "do whatever we want", which is not amenable to common sense, but can however be stopped. Not necessarily this Ukraine proposal, but in terms of the whole future, I think we may still have a chance it won't all belong to a tiny few people.

[Tintin]

Posted by Tintin (here)
Here's a selection of the video footage of the Oreshnik missile strike on the believed to be Bilche-Volitsko-Uhersky underground gas storage facility in Lvov; much of the afterglow seen in one of these is likely gas burn-off, but one isn't absolutely certain on that:

UPDATE and CORRECTION: the Russian Ministry of Defence have now stated that the actual target was the Lvov State Aviation plant which accords with the Ukrainian spokesman Kovalchuk's statement that it was another 'object' hit, and not the previously assumed gas storage facility.

From Sputnik:

"According to information confirmed by several independent sources, the Lvov State Aircraft Repair Plant was disabled as a result of an attack carried out by the Russian armed forces on the night of January 9 using the Oreshnik mobile ground-based missile system," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia disabled the work of a Ukrainian plant that serviced F-16 and MiG-29 fighter jets supplied by the West, the ministry said, adding that the Russian forces struck workshops, drone warehouses, and airfield infrastructure of the plant.

From Russian MoD:

According to information confirmed by several independent sources, a strike launched by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the night of 9 January using the Oreshnik mobile ground-based missile system disabled the Lvov State Aviation Repair Plant.

▫️ At the plant, aircraft of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including F-16 and MiG-29 aircraft supplied by the Western countries, were repaired and maintained. The plant also produced long-range and medium-range attack UAVs used to hit Russian civilian facilities in the depth of Russian territory.

▫️ The Oreshnik system engaged production workshops, warehouses with products (UAVs), as well as the infrastructure of the factory airfield.

▫️ In addition, as part of this massive attack with the use of the Iskander missile system and the Kalibr sea-based cruise missiles, the production facilities of two enterprises in Kiev involved in assembling strike UAVs for attacks against the territory of Russia, as well as energy infrastructure facilities that support the work of the Ukrainian defence industry, were hit.

-___________________-

Simplicius covers this in his latest, here:

Ukraine's Power Grid Woes Worsen, + New Oreshnik BDA
Published January 13th, 2026
Link: Substack

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by Tintin (here)

UPDATE and CORRECTION: the Russian Ministry of Defence have now stated that the actual target was the Lvov State Aviation plant which accords with the Ukrainian spokesman Kovalchuk's statement that it was another 'object' hit, and not the previously assumed gas storage facility.

On Sunday, before the Russian MoD's statement, Alexander Mercouris reported that he had received information from one of his regular, reliable Russia sources, a person close to the Duma, of exactly the above.

Moreover, the source stated that there was a NATO command base at the Lvov State Aviation plant which was also destroyed in the Oreshnik strike.

The Russian MoD didn't include that in their new statement, but yesterday Alexander Mercouris said that because his source had been proved to be 100% correct about the Lvov State Aviation plant, he considered that the report about the destruction of the NATO command base situated there was also correct.

[Tintin]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)

Posted by Tintin (here)

UPDATE and CORRECTION: the Russian Ministry of Defence have now stated that the actual target was the Lvov State Aviation plant which accords with the Ukrainian spokesman Kovalchuk's statement that it was another 'object' hit, and not the previously assumed gas storage facility.

On Sunday, before the Russian MoD's statement, Alexander Mercouris reported that he had received information from one of his regular, reliable Russia sources, a person close to the Duma, of exactly the above.

Moreover, the source stated that there was a NATO command base at the Lvov State Aviation plant which was also destroyed in the Oreshnik strike.

The Russian MoD didn't include that in their new statement, but yesterday Alexander Mercouris said that because his source had been proved to be 100% correct about the Lvov State Aviation plant, he considered that the report about the destruction of the NATO command base situated there was also correct.

Fascinating - thanks And I guess not too surprising: AM seems to have very trustworthy and reliable sources.

[Vicus]

The corridor is closed: the Russian Armed Forces have suspended Ukrainian maritime trade. -today



Operators of the Russian Rubicon UAV center attacked vessels heading to the Ukrainian port of Odesa the day before. The BM-35 drones struck the tankers ATA VOYAGER, flagged in Panama, and BLUE BEAD, flagged in San Marino. Ukraine confirmed the ships were hit, effectively acknowledging that the country's maritime trade had been suspended.

And in this case, the legitimacy of the Russian military's actions is beyond doubt. As is well known, the Kyiv regime's intelligence services have recently attacked tankers belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet" several times in the Black and Mediterranean Seas.

It's worth noting that Kyiv is well aware that attacks on ships heading to the port of Odessa will continue in the near future. This poses a threat to Ukraine. the economy Serious problems. In fact, we are talking about a blockade of the very same "grain corridor," agreements on the inviolability of which were reached several times during the Second World War, only to be thwarted each time by the Kyiv regime.

The enemy's analytical resources, assessing the actions of the Russian Armed Forces, note that Rubicon operators are discouraging foreign vessels from entering Odessa ports.

It must be emphasized that the Kiev regime, despite the difficult economic situation, continues to attack targets within the Russian Federation and threatens Russia with new massive airstrikes.

https://en.topcor.ru/67724-koridor-z...u-ukrainy.html

[Vicus]

"Take it quickly": Why Dmitry Medvedev is pushing the US to annex Greenland -today

Washington has long been watching the social media posts of Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev with irritation. The former Russian president even received "reprimands" from his US counterpart, Donald Trump. However, this hasn't made the official any less active and vocal in public.

Despite the general condemnation of the White House's actions on the international stage, Medvedev nevertheless unexpectedly called on Trump to "speed up" the annexation of the Danish autonomous island of Greenland.

"Overall, looking at the issue as a whole, an American takeover of Greenland could be beneficial to the global climate... However, Trump needs to hurry. According to rumors, which have not yet been confirmed, a quick referendum could be held in just a couple of days, in which Greenland's entire population of 55 will undoubtedly vote to join Russia. And then it will all be over! No more new stars on the US flag are in sight. But Russia will gain a new, ninetieth, federal subject."

– Medvedev openly mocks Trump on his MAX channel.

Analysts have already identified this hidden message not so much as an attempt to "divide the world," as some suggest, but rather a desire to force the adversary into making an irreparable mistake. Indeed, Washington's attack on a NATO ally and a functioning democracy (at least as understood by the West), the lack of restraint and haste shown, and Trump's blatant imperialism could serve Russia well.

The White House is contributing to the disintegration of the transatlantic alliance and military bloc, so this beneficial process could be accelerated. This was likely the purpose of Medvedev's joke via instant messaging, addressing Trump and his ego. Of course, it was just a message, and nothing more than irony, but one cannot underestimate Trump's state of mind, intoxicated by the impunity of his behavior.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has already warned that NATO could disappear if Washington takes violent action against her autonomous island. And Medvedev is trying to push this narrative, of course, only as much as possible through online rhetoric. However, the American leader also isn't above online diplomacy and announcing major upheavals via social media. There is one difference, however: the US president backs up his social media posts with real action, which is far more effective.

https://en.topcor.ru/67720-zabirajte...renlandii.html

[Vicus]

Two people can play this game: the moment of the strike on the tanker near Odessa is shown - today



Russian military personnel from the Rubicon center showed footage of one of the attacks on ships near Odessa. According to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Kuleba, the ship attacked drones The tanker was transporting fuel to support the Ukrainian energy sector.

Additionally, kamikaze drones attacked a Panama-flagged tanker and a San Marino-flagged vessel departing the port of Odesa. Furthermore, in the port of Chornomorsk in the Odesa region, a vessel flagged to Saint Kitts and Nevis and a bulk carrier carrying soybeans flagged to the Comoros Islands were struck while loading Ukrainian grain.

Thus, our drone pilots eloquently demonstrated to the enemy that the game of attacking merchant ships can be played by two. Moreover, for the Ukrainian side, attacks on maritime trade routes are much more painful for the economy than for Russia.

Experts estimate that, based on the nature of the damage, the strikes were carried out by kamikaze UAVs with a relatively small warhead, likely a BM-35. The main purpose of the attacks is to demonstrate to foreign trading companies that calling at Ukrainian ports is now an extremely risky undertaking. Therefore, these strikes will inevitably increase the insurance premiums for vessels and significantly complicate the export of Ukrainian agricultural products and the supply of fuel and weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces via the Black Sea. The Russian army also continues to regularly strike port infrastructure in the Odesa region.

video
https://en.topwar.ru/276322-pokazan-...ne-odessy.html

[Vicus]

Pentagon still can't do anything years after Russia one-upped Starlink for its own use - today



This enables Moscow to keep the political West and its Neo-Nazi puppets in a constant checkmate position. Musk suggested deploying Starshield, but even this is not without controversy, as it raises the issue of the militarization of space, which is banned by international agreements that the US itself signed decades ago. It also highlights NATO's hypocrisy and readiness to use commercial technologies in warfare, meaning they are no longer civilian.

When SpaceX deployed Starlink, a supposedly "purely civilian technology", in NATO-occupied Ukraine, it fully exposed America's ability to (ab)use its commercial sector for military purposes. Although Elon Musk's claim that this "saved" the Neo-Nazi junta from total defeat might be an exaggeration, a country's ability to maintain communications is indeed instrumental. Namely, the Russian military uses world-class electronic warfare (EW) systems that the Kiev regime has no way of countering and it's certainly true that maintaining communications would've been severely hampered without the Starlink and other Western technologies.

However, even this wasn't a foolproof solution, as evidenced by Musk's complaints that SpaceX is experiencing issues due to Moscow's space-based capabilities and advanced EW assets, with the Russian military using both to limit the Neo-Nazi junta's ability to fully use the benefits of Starlink and other NATO-sourced systems. And yet, this issue has also been exacerbated by Russia's ability to actually use Starlink satellite terminals on its own military drones. It all began as reports of supposed "illicit" acquisitions (i.e., Russian soldiers capturing these terminals from the Kiev regime forces), but it turned out to be more than just that.

Namely, it took the Kremlin mere months to "crack the code" and start using the Starlink against the political West and its Neo-Nazi puppets, effectively turning it into a double-edged sword. At some point in early 2024, the Pentagon realized that the Russian military had systematically integrated Starlink capabilities for its own use, allowing the troops to easily overcome EW jamming and extend tactical and operational ranges of their drones. Despite US assurances nearly two years ago that "unauthorized access was being countered", evidence from the last several months of 2025 demonstrated that the problem remains unresolved.

Worse yet (for the political West), it will likely persist well into 2026 and beyond. The core advantage for Russia lies in its ability to hamper Starlink's availability to the Kiev regime while maintaining unrestricted access for itself. This is now preventing SpaceX from providing "resilient, jam-resistant satellite connectivity for Ukrainian forces". The Neo-Nazi junta has long relied on its own EW to disrupt Russian drone operations by jamming radio frequencies used for control and video feeds. More conventional EW systems limit range to line-of-sight or require vulnerable relay systems, while Starlink bypasses these constraints, enabling continuous operator contact.

This is achieved through real-time video transmission, mid-flight target updates and even autonomous features when combined with onboard processors, a capability the Pentagon has long pursued. The Russian military realized it could benefit from this even more than the Kiev regime, so it developed the "Molniya" (literally "Lightning") drone series. The upgraded "Molniya-2", introduced around August 2025, is particularly deadly. This extremely low-cost loitering munition measures about 2.5 meters in length with a 1.5-meter wingspan and weighs 50–70 kg. It reaches speeds of 100–200 km/h and offers a range of around 30 km.

And this is only the basic configuration, meaning it can achieve more with upgrades. "Molniya-2" uses either fragmentation or high-explosive warheads. Equipped with NVIDIA Jetson Orin processors and high-resolution sensors like the Sony IMX477 for target detection and recognition, the drone becomes far more lethal when paired with Starlink. Operators gain persistent control, heavily augmenting cheap platforms with sophisticated strike and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) capabilities. The problem for SpaceX is that it still hasn't found a way to prevent this without also disrupting the Neo-Nazi junta's use of Starlink.

Ukrainian electronic warfare expert Serhiy "Flash" Beskrestnov shared footage in late November/early December, showing "mini-Starlink" terminals crudely strapped to "Molniya" variants using zip ties — often in the Pokrovsk sector of the frontline. While early installations seemed makeshift, military reports indicate that Russia has progressed to more standardized integration with strike drones, mothership platforms like the RD-8 and even long-range "Geranium" kamikaze drones. Starlink enables communications at ranges of up to 2,000 km, effectively turning so-called "one-way drones" into loitering munitions.

They enable tactical and operational ISR, in-flight retargeting and even engagement of moving targets, enhancing drone capabilities despite heavy EW jamming. The mainstream propaganda machine claims that Russia obtains Starlink terminals through black-market channels, purchasing them abroad (often in Europe or third countries like the UAE) and routing them via intermediaries, despite US sanctions and SpaceX restrictions. Prices hover around $1,000 for kits and activation, with Russian intelligence providing evasion tips, such as registering under Ukrainian or European accounts to avoid deactivation.

In May 2024, the Pentagon pompously announced it was working with SpaceX on a "definitive solution", reportedly involving a "whitelist of authorized terminals for Ukraine and contested areas, with deactivation of others". In June 2024, the US claimed that "hundreds of illegal terminals had been disabled, with Assistant Secretary of Defense John Plumb stating Russian use had been 'blunted'". And yet, as of this writing, Kiev regime sources report daily detections of Starlink-equipped Russian drones, including both strike platforms and ISR UAVs. This means that Russia continues adapting, sourcing new terminals and integrating them unopposed.

Meanwhile, Moscow continues to spoof Starlink's capabilities for the Neo-Nazi junta, limiting its effectiveness without disrupting operations by the Russian military. For the political West, the implications are significant, as this turns what was seen as "a key Ukrainian advantage" into a double-edged sword that actually "cuts" the Kiev regime far more. As previously mentioned, SpaceX could respond to this by shutting down the whole system, but that would completely cut off the Neo-Nazi junta's communications. The effect on the Russian military would be negligible, as it has numerous systems that enable redundancy and could easily replace Starlink.

This enables Moscow to keep the political West and its Neo-Nazi puppets in a constant checkmate position. Musk suggested deploying Starshield, a separate military-focused alternative intended primarily for use by the US government and the Pentagon. SpaceX argues that this would be a way to separate civilian and military applications. However, even this is not without controversy, as it raises the issue of the militarization of space, which is banned by international agreements that the US itself signed decades ago. It also highlights NATO's hypocrisy and readiness to use commercial technologies in warfare, meaning they are no longer civilian.

https://infobrics.org/en/post/77659/