WW3? Ukraine/US vs. Donbass/Russia

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/dana916/status/1736758152253595930

https://x.com/mazzenilsson/status/1736757264382308729

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
🇺🇦 The decision to dismiss the heads of all regional military commissions in Ukraine by decree of Zelensky has led to problems in the organisation of mobilisation in the country's armed forces, the AFU commander-in-chief, Valeriy Zaluzhny, has admitted in a conversation with Ukrainian journalists.

"These were professionals, they knew how to do the mobilisation, and they are not there," he said in response to a question about what impact the dismissal of regional military commands had on the mobilisation process in Ukraine. Zaluzhnyy's words were quoted by the Ukrainian daily Strana.

@ukraine_watch

https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1736765962399932727

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
Russian Defense Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation

18 December 2023

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

▫️ In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems repelled ten attacks of assault groups of AFU 21st, 115th mechanized, 95th air assault brigades near Sinkovka, Liman Perviy, and Terny (Kharkov region).

AFU losses were more than 60 Ukrainian troops, one German-made Leopard-2 tank, three infantry fighting vehicles, two armored personnel carriers, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

▫️ In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units supported by artillery repelled one attack of the AFU 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade south-eastern of Kuzmino (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses amounted to up to 220 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, one tank, three armored personnel carriers, five motor vehicles, as well as one Slovakian-made Zuzana 2 self-propelled artillery system.

▫️ In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by artillery and heavy flamethrower systems repelled nine attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 24th, 28th mechanized, 79th air assault, 81st airmobile brigades close to Kurdyumovka, Belogorovka, Leninskoye, Shumy, and Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, aviation and artillery launched strikes at AFU manpower and hardware near Kleshcheyevka and Andreyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy has lost up to 190 Ukrainian personnel, five infantry fighting vehicles, including one Bradley, and two motor vehicles.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, two Msta-B howitzers, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and three D-30 howitzers were eliminated.

▫️ In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by Operational-Tactical aircraft, helicopters, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems repelled four attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses amounted to 90 troops, three pickups, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

▫️ In Zaporozhye direction, two attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 117th Mechanized Brigade near Novoprokopovka (Zaporozhye region) were repelled by the Russian Group of Forces, air strikes, and artillery fire.

Moreover, the Russian Armed Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower of AFU 33rd, 65th mechanized, 128th mountain assault brigades near Rabotino, Zherebyanka, and Nesteryanka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy's losses amounted to 30 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, as well as one D-30 howitzer.

▫️ In Kherson direction, as a result of actions of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery and aviation, the AFU lost up to 50 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded and three motor vehicles.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made M109 Paladin, one Polish-made Krab, and one Msta-B howitzer were destroyed.

▫️ Operational-tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Group of Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation destroyed one command and observation post of the AFU 1st Operational Brigade of National Guard near Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic), as well as manpower and military hardware in 113 areas.

▫️ Air defense systems shot down 25 unmanned aerial vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Topolevka, Verkhnekamenka (Lugansk People's Republic), Gorlovka, Berestovoye, Spornoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Alyoshki (Kherson region), as well as two U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles.

📊 In total, 553 airplanes and 259 helicopters, 9,861 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defense missile systems, 14,165 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles, 1,189 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,382 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,437 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

Russian Defense Ministry

https://x.com/dana916/status/1736742259700158824

[Ravenlocke]

Kiev Crisis:
Bug Found Zaluzhny Office,
Ukr Army Discontent Boils Over,
West No Plan B,
Rus Advances

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=iWPs5_eebmk

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
There is a gloomy mood in the Armed Forces of Ukraine - The Washington Post

Discontent among Ukrainian soldiers, which was once extremely rare and expressed only in private, has now become more widespread and open, The Washington Post reports. As winter approaches, there is increasing concern among Ukrainian Armed Forces fighters that Russia is better prepared for combat.

Some openly question the judgment of their commanders, others ask why complex operations could not have begun months ago in warmer weather, and others criticize the leadership for being too slow in preparation and disorganized.

“The reason for the gloomy mood of the Ukrainians is that they not only understand that nothing has worked out for them this year, but also feel that the Russian ‘game’ is improving,” WP quotes ex-British Army General Richard Barrons as saying. According to him, the soldiers and the mood of the Western allies are not happy: “They (Ukrainians) see what is happening in Congress, and they see what is happening in the EU.”

https://t.me/rezident_ua/20713

https://x.com/GeromanAT/status/1736826938587541848

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Text:
BBC about Nazi groups in Ukraine 8 years ago - you all knew it - NATO pumped those Bandera scum up with money and weapons - to bring Russia down - you lost - and all those groups will be erased from the face of the earth - all of them - and I hope "EU" and "NATO" will go to **** for that as well.

https://x.com/GeromanAT/status/1736821922611048763

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Text:
🇺🇸 By the end of December, the United States will announce a new aid package for Ukraine, but it will be the last one, the White House reported.

"The US still plans to allocate another package of military assistance to Ukraine at the end of this month. However, it might be the final one until Congress makes a decision to increase funding. After that, 'we won't have any more authority to replenish the budget,'" stated John Kirby, spokesperson for the State Department.

@ukraine_watch


https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1736812131574538606

¤=[Post Update]=¤

Text:
More POWs

The number of people surrendering continues to grow. On December 15, six more Ukrainian border guards surrendered on the border of the Kursk region.

Now Ukrainian military personnel can say everything they think about their leadership and current events without fear.

Of course, they are still a mess in their heads, but it is already obvious that insight is gradually coming to the guys...

by Otryad Kovpaka

https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1736742601397608731

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Text:
🗣 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview with the “Big Game” program on Channel One said:

▪️ The IMF and the World Bank act with absolute priority in favor of Ukraine to the detriment of everyone else;

▪️ The West does not hide that it wants a ceasefire only for the rearmament of Ukraine;

▪️ Western journalists dare not ask their governments for a list of those killed in Bucha, but Tucker Carlson can;

▪️ The issue of unblocking illegally seized Russian fertilizers in EU ports is being resolved;

▪️ The Russian Federation has no intention of attacking NATO countries; it is the West that is making Moscow an enemy;

▪️ The Russian Federation no longer has any territorial disputes with anyone, including Japan;

▪️ There is every reason to believe that NATO personnel are fighting in Ukraine;

▪️ Statements by the US President and the head of the Pentagon that the Russian Federation will allegedly “take on NATO” after Ukraine indicate their desperate situation;

▪️ Agricultural production in Russia is in fact “going uphill,” although with reservations;

▪️ Washington is guilty of double standards when it calls on Israel to use US weapons in a targeted manner, while allowing Kyiv to freely define targets;

▪️ The West realizes that the goal of destroying the Russian Federation as an independent entity on the world stage is illusory;

▪️ The Russian Federation was waiting for an investigation into the events in Bucha, at least receiving the names of the victims, but nothing was done;

▪️ The West still sets itself the task of “finishing off Russia”;

▪️ The USA and Britain must understand that there are lines that cannot be crossed with the Russian Federation if they want to “sit out overseas”;

▪️ The idea of ​​using F-16 fighter jets from NATO countries in Ukraine is “dangerous thinking.”

@Slavyangrad

https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1736741423569920070

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Text:
Sasha Kots:

⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ A shell famine has set in in the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Ukrainian troops are experiencing a shortage of artillery shells and have been forced to reduce the scale of a number of operations due to a decrease in foreign assistance, said the commander of the Ukrainian operational-strategic group of troops "Tavria" Alexander Tarnavsky. According to him, the shortage of ammunition of Soviet calibers 122 and 152 millimeters is most acute.

The weight of an artillery salvo decides, if not everything, then a lot in this conflict. And if Tarnavsky’s words are not misinformation, then difficult times will soon come for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We already surpass them in the number of drones in most areas. And it is very important to take advantage of this advantage wisely. There is not much time - sooner or later the Western defense industry will work at full capacity.

@Slavyangrad

https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1736739858087862576

¤=[Post Update]=¤

Text:
If this doesn't demonstrate how desperate pro-UA's wishful thinking about Russian missile stocks has been, then nothing will:
On the left, new updates about Russian stocks, showing nearly 300 total Iskanders, ~500+ Kalibr/Kh-101s, etc.
On the right, their jeering reports from last year that Russian Iskanders had dropped below 120, Kalibrs to "a few dozen" and all soon to run out.

I guess these amateurs don't understand how a true manufacturing power works.

Don't worry, next year when there's 1000 Iskanders and Kalibrs and Ukraine is surrendering, then they'll understand.

https://x.com/simpatico771/status/1736829392146309415

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https://x.com/OlgaBazova/status/1736691203662315574

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https://x.com/OlgaBazova/status/1736794230314443212

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Text:
Trust in Zelensky declined to 62%, compared to 84% in December 2022.

At the same, the percentage of those who said they do not trust Zelensky increased from 5% in December 2022 to 18% in the most recent poll.

Trust in Ukraine's civilian government as a whole declined to 26%, a drop from 52% recorded the previous year.

An overwhelming majority (96%) of respondents trust the military, a figure that has remained stable since December 2022. In addition, 88% said they trust Zaluzhny, who was not included in previous editions of the KIIS trust poll.

H/t:
@DD_Geopolitics

https://x.com/OlgaBazova/status/1736771429419397526

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Text:
The EU is considering depriving Hungary of its voting rights due to obstructing aid to Ukraine, - FT

▪️ It is noted that some officials are considering the possibility of invoking Article 7 of the 2007 Treaty on the European Union, which allows for the suspension of the country's voting rights.
▪️ At the moment, EU members are in no hurry to apply the article to Budapest, but hope that they can convince Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to change his mind about helping Ukraine.
▪️ If this fails, the publication adds, the 26 states of the union will be able to conclude an agreement on assistance to Kiev on their own, although this will take time and will only be a short-term solution.
▪️“Perhaps Hungary will create more problems. But in the end, Hungary will not be able to stop us from providing financial assistance to Ukraine,” said one of the FT’s interlocutors.

Source:
https://ft.com/content/96d15e1a-4e23...a-8234f993b8b4

https://x.com/OlgaBazova/status/1736657094944633290

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/ArthurM40330824/status...94545952588106

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Text:
⚡️Britain admits success of Putin's 'plan' for Ukraine

Russia has seriously increased its chances of winning the confrontation with Ukraine, Daily Express reports.

The newspaper cites the opinion of retired British Air Vice-Marshal Sean Bell, who states that the situation on the front line has not changed in Kiev's favour:

"Russia has pretty extensive defensive lines: three layers of ditches, dragon's teeth and minefields, which, despite the Ukrainians moving about 15km through them, has still not proven enough to make a breakthrough."

The expert believes that the change in the US administration will further complicate the situation for Kiev, demonstrating the advantages of Russia's strategy towards Ukraine, which aims to "play the long game".

@ukraine_watch

https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1736736699957264808

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1736540957666124187

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/ArthurM40330824/status...91863690919953

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Text:
Basic summary of this NYT article:
"We temporarily shut down collective west businesses operating in Russia in order to get Russians out, on to the streets, and push for regime change. Once we had regime change, our companies would resume operations in a much stronger position...
The Putin outsmarted us."

But more to the point, the real purpose of this article is actually very clever. It says Russia siezes assets, seemingly without reason, and thus can not be trusted as a place for business investment.

By creating this "Putin corrupt, Russia steals assets" narrative, the NYT is providing cover for the inevitable US/EU theft of the $300B in frozen Russian assets.

https://x.com/AXChristoforou/status/1736649747765543132

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
Pro-government coalition won parliamentary elections in Serbia

According to the currently published preliminary results of the parliamentary elections, the coalition “Aleksandar Vučić - Serbia does not dare to stop,” where the main political force is the Serbian Progressive Party, won 46.74% (1,703,308 votes).

The opposition list “Serbia against violence” received 23.53% or 857,641 votes, the coalition “Ivica Dacic - Prime Minister of Serbia” - 6.56% or 239,250 votes.

NADA received 5.03% or 183.439 votes, and “We are the voice of the people, Professor Branimir Nestorovic” received 4.69% or 170.813 votes.

The remaining parties were unable to overcome the 3% barrier required to enter parliament.

The Dveri/Zavetnica association had 2.78% or 101,337 votes, and the result of the Serbian Radical Party was 1.47% or 53,434 votes.

The coalition formed by the country's president is also leading in the municipal elections in Belgrade.

There are a total of 250 parliamentary seats in the Serbian Parliament; they will go to parties and associations that pass the threshold, as well as representatives of national minorities.

Source: RT Balkans

https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1736738821532749915

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/colonelhomsi/status/1736165727650931130

https://x.com/colonelhomsi/status/1736166082312913329

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/colonelhomsi/status/1736032129006411994

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https://x.com/colonelhomsi/status/1736169606031487346

[Bill Ryan]

From The Moon of Alabama today. The title will be self-evident to anyone who's been following this thread — and was obvious to most of us well over a whole year ago.

• https://www.moonofalabama.org/2023/1...tory.html#more

The Total Defeat of Ukraine is Coming into Sight

Gideon Rachman, often read columnist at the Financial Times, states the obvious:

Ukraine and its backers need a credible path to victory (archived) - Financial Times

Ukraine goes into the new year short of ammunition, money and diplomatic support. Underlying these critical shortages, there is another important deficiency. The country and its western backers no longer have a convincing theory of victory. Unless they can come up with one, western support for Ukraine will continue to waver.
...
The fear now must be that while 2023 was the year of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, 2024 will be the year that Russia goes back on the attack. The worst-case scenarios are that, if western aid is cut off, Ukraine could be in serious trouble by the summer.
...
Without a credible theory of victory, the pressure on Ukraine to negotiate with Russia will mount. The Ukrainians might make a deal — even if it involved making territorial concessions — if they had any confidence that Russia would stick to it. But Ukrainian officials can point to a litany of agreements that Putin has made and then broken. They believe that any cessation in the fighting would simply be used as an opportunity for Russia to rearm.

Rachman fails to list any of the agreements Russia is claimed to have broken. Does he mean the Minsk agreements which the Ukraine rejected to fulfill? Or is it the Russian–Ukrainian Friendship Treaty which Ukraine in 2019 refused to renew?

Unlike the U.S. and its proxies Russia usually sticks to its treaties and promises.

But aside from that false claim Rachman is mostly right. There is currently no 'theory of victory' for Ukraine. The question now is how much it will lose.

Nonetheless he still hopes for some kind of ceasefire:

One alternative to a formal agreement between Russia and Ukraine might be a de facto freezing of the conflict. In this scenario, Ukraine would move into a mainly defensive posture and hold off further Russian advances. The fighting would never stop completely — but it would dwindle.

But Rachman does not explain why Russia would agree to that. Its current president Vladimir Putin certainly does not do so:

There will be peace when we achieve our goals, which you have mentioned. Now let’s return to these goals – they have not changed. I would like to remind you how we formulated them: denazification, demilitarisation, and a neutral status for Ukraine.

Russia has made some progress but those aims have not yet been achieved. It will continue the war until the Ukraine agrees to some kind of negotiations and territorial losses. If it does not do so anytime soon Russia will fight until the Ukraine is completely defeated.

The Ukrainian outlet Strana has analyzed how that might happen (in Russian, machine translation):

Only a few events can bring Ukraine to the brink of complete defeat:

1. Capture of Kiev.
2. Cutting off Ukraine from the sea - the capture of the entire Black Sea coast of the country and the withdrawal of Russian troops to the borders of Romania and Moldova. This will be a catastrophic blow to Ukraine both economically and militarily-strategically.
3. The capture of Dnipro and Zaporizhia – the largest rear, industrial and logistics hubs of the Ukrainian army, which will mean a critical threat to the entire Southern Front of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as most of the eastern one. ...
4. A strike from Belarus through the Zhytomyr and Vinnytsia regions with the aim of reaching Transdniestria from the north and maintaining control over this line.

The apocalyptic scenarios described above for Ukraine can only be realized if at least one of the following events occurs (we leave out the options for using nuclear weapons or entering the war on the side of the Russian Federation of large third countries, as they can lead to a world war, where there will be completely different scenarios):

1. A catastrophic drop in discipline and morale in the Ukrainian army, when entire units begin to surrender or leave their positions without orders, exposing large sections of the front.
2. Internal destabilization in Ukraine, acute conflict within the military-political leadership, loss of control by the authorities over the processes in the country, the collapse of the army management.
3. Falling to a critically low level of both military and financial aid from the West.
4. A sharp (much faster than similar actions of Ukraine) increase in Russia's army size, quality and quantity of weapons used, which will radically change the balance of forces at the front.

At the moment, none of these situations are observed.

However, Russia is obviously actively working to make these points a reality.

I disagree with the Strana writer that none of the Ukrainian failings he describes have yet been observed.

These things occur gradually, not in one sudden moment.

Judging from protest videos Ukrainian units put out, the morale at the front is getting steadily worse. In the last weekly summary the Russian Defense Ministry announced that 82 Ukrainian soldiers were captured or had voluntarily given themselves up. That is a new high.

AP writes on the "gloomy mood" of Ukrainian soldiers:

Discontent among Ukrainian soldiers — once extremely rare and expressed only in private — is now more common and out in the open.

The conflict between the political and military leadership in Ukraine is again heating up. Yesterday the military announced that it had found spying devices in General Zaluzny's and his aide's offices. No one thinks that Russia has put them there. Today Zaluzny criticized the dismissal, by Zelenski, of officials in the recruitment and mobilization offices which has let to disarray:

Quote: "It is still a little early to evaluate recruiting, and as for mobilisation issues, it is not necessary to strengthen it but to bring it back to those limits, to those frameworks that worked before."

A new draft law includes the mobilization of all women between 25 and 60. Should it become law many women will simply flee from Ukraine to avoid being shipped to the frontline. That in itself would create many more labor and social problems as well as morale issues.

Aid to Ukraine has already fallen off a cliff. New aid from the U.S. or Europe is seriously in doubt. If either fails to agree to new billions the other will too. Additional problems come from the western border were Polish truckers, now joined by farmers, continue to block the border crossings with Ukraine. Shortages in ammunition have already led Ukraine to scaling down its current operations.

Russia has steadily increased the size of its army and the production of new arms. It puts out way more than the West can deliver to Ukraine.

All these trends continue towards their final effect just like Earnest Hemingway's way into bankruptcy: "Gradually, then suddenly."

All of this does not mean that Russia will definitely win the war. Long wars are hard to predict. There are risks everywhere. The U.S. may yet come up with some nastiness that could divert Russia from the war.

Should Russia win and take over most of Ukraine it could negate Ukraine's debt, making the West pay double for its adventure.

That would be a just punishment for the failing neoconservative attempts to dismantle Russia.

[Tintin]

Yet more quite extraordinary footage from the camera of Russian soldiers during the battle for Marinka - date uncertain - which includes the following exchange provided courtesy of Simplicius on X:

"During the battles in Marinka, Russian soldiers were exchanging fire with the enemy and suddenly shouts of “OUR OWN!” came from the basement.

And then these “friends” started yelling *“palyanitsa”, for which they received several grenades inside."

Of course, the "our own" call was a decoy.

The footage does not show corpses or any bloodshed, but it's about as up close and personal as one could imagine from the viewpoint of the Russian soldier. And a combination of sub-zero temperatures and doubtless some anxiety can be observed from the preparation of the grenade

Contact Volga on 149.200

Surrender you fools!




* translation from паляница meaning 'a girl' used in the derogatory sense here obviously, but can also mean this:

Here's the explanation:

📚 Word of the day #3

The word “palyanitsa” — Ukrainian for a traditional loaf of bread — is composed of sounds that native Russian speakers cannot pronounce "correctly" and has been used to identify Russians.

Usage example:

Ukrainian: Palyanitsa, palyanitsa! We're Ukrainian!
Russian: What the hell is a palyanitsa? (throws grenade)

[Tintin]

Referenced in the terrific Moon of Alabama article Bill shared here "Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation" (PDF now in the library) from the UN Treaty collection.

Here's a Wikipedia summary:

The Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation was an agreement between Ukraine and Russia, signed in 1997, which fixed the principle of strategic partnership, the recognition of the inviolability of existing borders, and respect for territorial integrity and mutual commitment not to use its territory to harm the security of each other. The treaty prevents Ukraine and Russia from invading one another's country respectively, and declaring war.[2] Due to the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2014, Ukraine announced its intention not to renew the treaty in September 2018.[3] The treaty consequently expired on 31 March 2019.[4][3] The treaty was also known as the "Big Treaty".[5][6]

Until 2019, the treaty was automatically renewed on each 10th anniversary of its signing, unless one party advised the other of its intention to end the treaty six months prior to the date of the renewal.[1][7]

Russia–Ukraine relations have deteriorated since the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea and Russian support for separatist forces in the war in Ukraine's Donbas region.[8] In response, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree not to extend the treaty.

Signing and ratification
The treaty was signed in Kyiv on 31 May 1997 by the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma and Russian President Boris Yeltsin.[1]

In Ukraine, the treaty was ratified by the Law of Ukraine No. 13/98-VR on 14 January 1998 (On ratification of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation).[9]

In Russia, on 25 December 1998, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly adopted a resolution on the adoption of the federal law "On ratification of the Agreement of Friendship, Collaboration and Partnership between the Russian Federation and Ukraine" and directed it to the Federation Council. The Federation Council approved this federal law by the Resolution on 17 February 1999. The treaty was ratified.[10]

The document superseded the previous treaty between the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic of 19 November 1990 (before dissolution of the Soviet Union).[11][12]

Contents of the treaty
Under the agreement both parties ensure the citizens of the other countries' rights and freedoms on the same basis and to the same extent that it provides for its citizens, except as prescribed by national legislation of States or international treaties.

Every country protects in established order of the rights of its citizens living in another country, in accordance with commitments to documents of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and other universally recognized principles and norms of international law, agreements within the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The agreement, among other things prematurely confirms the inviolability of borders of countries,[1] regardless of the fact that Russia and Ukraine had not finalized a border between the two countries.[13] The border was delineated in the 2003 Treaty on the Russian-Ukrainian State Border, but Ukraine has started the agreed-upon demarcation unilaterally after Russia dragged its feet.[14]

Under Article 2:
In accord with provisions of the UN Charter and the obligations of the Final Act on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the High Contracting Parties shall respect each other′s territorial integrity and reaffirm the inviolability of the borders existing between them.[15][7][16]

The Treaty document stipulates in Article 40 that the Treaty is entered into for a period of 10 years and renews automatically unless one of the parties notifies the other of its intention to curtail the Treaty.[1]

Termination
On 19 September 2018, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree not to extend the treaty. On 3 December 2018, Poroshenko drafted a legislation to Parliament to end the Treaty of Friendship immediately; support came from Western allies within the United Nations Security Council.[3][17] According to Poroshenko the non-renewal "does not require a vote" in the Ukrainian parliament. Ukraine announced that on 21 September 2018, it would notify the United Nations and other relevant organizations on the termination of the treaty.[18] Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it was notified on 24 September 2018 of the treaty's termination by Ukraine and expressed regret.[19]

On 3 December 2018, Poroshenko submitted a bill on the termination of the treaty to parliament; 277 MPs supported the termination of the treaty, and 20 legislators voted against it.[20] On December 6 the Ukrainian parliament declared the Treaty to be terminated starting from April 1, 2019.[21]

[Tintin]

Arestovich confesses Ukraine won't exist as a country - it has committed national suicide (since 1991) from an interview which may even be a year old. (Thanks to Simplicius on X as the source for this.)

[Vicus]

Watch: First Night Version of Russia’s Gastello FPV Attack Drone Tested in Special Op Zone 17.12.2023

The integration of first-person view (FPV) drones in modern warfare has revolutionized the way military operations are carried out. These drones, equipped with cameras and real-time video transmission technology, provide soldiers with a bird's-eye view of the battlefield, enabling them to make informed decisions and execute precise maneuvers.
The first night version of the Russia's Gastello attack FPV drone has been successfully tested in the special military operation zone.
"The first night FPV drone Gastello has been tested in the special operation zone. It was created based on the wishes of Russian FPV drone operators, who operate directly in various areas of the special operation zone. The drone is equipped with a highly sensitive night camera," a representative of the developer said.

According to him, the new development will allow fighters to effectively work on targets in the dark, when conventional drones can't be used.
The UAV is named in honor of Nikolai Gastello, Hero of the Soviet Union. In the early days of the Great Patriotic War, the crew of a DB-3F (Il-4) aircraft under his command carried out a combat mission in which they had to attack a cluster of German equipment. The Nazis shot down the plane, as a result of which it caught fire, and Gastello made a "fiery ram" by directing the aircraft at the enemy column.
The Gastello FPV drone entered production in Russia in August 2023.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/wa...115638032.html

[bojancan]

Well prepared unbiased presentation... from different source... just finished to listen...

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=EWjMr3RZ8Ss

[Ravenlocke]

The Duran, 20 minute update

Ukraine wiretap. Russia's tough terms will shock Collective West

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=AFuOtJiYs0c

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/mazzenilsson/status/1737061219121459367

https://x.com/mazzenilsson/status/1737080559078092800

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
❗️Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin:

Since the European Union adopted the 12th package of sanctions against Russia, 18,772 illegal restrictive measures have been introduced.

The European states are acting on the dictates of the United States, harming first and foremost their own citizens.
The eurozone economy is forecast to enter recession within six months. This means recession - the first since the coronavirus pandemic.

As one of the leading American publications admits, "Washington was counting on the withdrawal of Western companies to help strangle the Russian economy. But the Russian leadership had other plans and turned the boycott of Western companies into a windfall for the state.

Western companies that announced their withdrawal from our country lost more than $103 billion.
This money stayed in Russia.

By the way, our country's GDP growth will be 3.5 per cent by the end of the year.

@ukraine_watch
https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1737132609182810252