WW3? Ukraine/US vs. Donbass/Russia

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/aussiecossack/status/1834761994983162152

https://x.com/aussiecossack/status/1834789196327952536

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1834915392013353444

https://www.rt.com/russia/604020-us-...rt-aggression/

US sanctions against RT are ‘aggression’ – Moscow
The new US sanctions against RT and other Russian media outlets are a brazen act of aggression that should concern the rest of the world, as Washington could apply the same measures to others, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.

On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced new restrictions targeting RT parent companies Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti while accusing the network of being “engaged in covert influence activities… and functioning as a de facto arm of [Russian] intelligence.”

In her opening remarks at the BRICS media summit in Moscow on Saturday, Zakharova described the recent US crackdown on Russian media an “emergency situation” that she said should be of direct concern to the group’s members.

READ MORE: ‘They’re terrified of dissenting voices’: RT comments on new US sanctions
“Yesterday, Russian journalists became victims of the aggression from the United States of America. They were subjected to a real terrorist and information attack both as a corporation and as individuals.”

She noted that the latest restrictions – which he said were based on “monstrous and baseless” accusations became just another link in the “pre-planned” chain of events that has seen the US ramp up pressure on Russian media – not only on RT, Sputnik and Rossiya Segodnya, but on their contributors – as relations between Moscow and Washington soured in recent years.

“We cannot remain silent. What is happening now to Russian journalists and media organizations… could happen to each and one of you,” she warned, addressing BRICS members while urging the global community to express solidarity.

“This is a crime. This is an assault of freedom of speech. This is an assault on the profession of journalism. This is an assault on human dignity.”

Zakharova previously promised that the US crackdown on Russian media would not go unanswered. Her comments came after Washington last week sanctioned several Russian nationals, including RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan and three other senior RT employees, over alleged efforts to influence the upcoming US election.

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1834879768535183748

https://www.rt.com/news/603997-us-sanctions-rt/

US sanctions RT

The Russian outlet is a threat to democracy, the State Department has claimed

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused RT and its parent company of acting as an extension of Russian intelligence and attempting to undermine democracy around the world.

Speaking at a State Department press conference on Friday, Blinken announced sanctions designations against RT parent companies Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti, accusing “individuals affiliated” and “elements within” them of allegedly attempting to interfere in the Moldovan elections.

The State Department has also sanctioned Dmitry Kiselev, Rossiya Segodnya’s director-general.

TV-Novosti was also accused of “being responsible for or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, interference” in US or other foreign elections “for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, directly or indirectly,” the Russian government.

RT is “engaged in covert influence activities… functioning as a de facto arm of [Russian] intelligence,” Blinken told reporters.

Blinken revealed that the US, UK, and Canada plan to launch a global effort to treat RT’s activities as espionage, and hope to attract all of their “allies and partners” to the endeavor.

James O’Brien, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, called RT a “threat to democracy and accurate information.”

According to the State Department, RT has “moved beyond being simply a media outlet and has been an entity with cyber capabilities,” which is “also engaged in information operations, covert influence, and military procurement.”

The US government claimed that “an entity with cyber operational capabilities and ties to Russian intelligence” has been embedded within RT since the spring of 2023 and that RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan and her deputy Anton Anisimov had “direct, witting knowledge of this enterprise.”

Another accusation leveled against RT was that Anisimov has operated a crowdfunding platform “providing material support and weaponry to Russia’s military units in Ukraine.”

The State Department claimed that RT has funded “proxy outlets” that engaged in “covert influence activity” around the world, alleging that this has happened in Africa, Germany, France, and Argentina.

The head of the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), James Rubin, told reporters on Friday that the “broad scope and reach” of RT was one of the reasons many countries around the world did not support Ukraine. The GEC has funded propaganda games aimed at children and forced Twitter to censor pro-Russian content. Rubin admitted last year that he wanted to use the GEC to shut down Russian media outlets around the world.

“We are going to be talking… in Latin America, Africa and Asia… to try to show all of those countries that right now broadcast – with no restrictions or control – RT and allow them free access to their countries,” Rubin said, arguing that RT’s presence has “had a deleterious effect on the views of the rest of the world about a war that should be an open and shut case.”

The State Department’s announcement was leaked to CNN earlier in the day. When reached for comment by the US outlet, RT’s press office sarcastically replied: “We’ve been broadcasting straight out of the KGB headquarters all this time,” adding, “We’re running out of popcorn to sit and watch what the US government will come up with next about us.”

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/tassagency_en/status/1834971164386451543

https://tass.com/politics/1843249?ut...m_social_share

Russia’s response to long-range weapons supplies to Kiev will be brutal — MFA

"The opponents in Washington, London, and other places clearly underestimate the degree of danger of the game they continue to play," Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Ryabkov said


MOSCOW, September 14. /TASS/. The United States has given Kiev all the carte blanche to strike with long-range weapons deep into the Russian territory, Moscow’s response to it will be brutal, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Ryabkov told reporters.

"The Russian President has said everything on this topic. The decision [to allow Kiev to strike] is there, all the carte blanche, indulgences have been issued to Kiev’s clients. Therefore, we will respond in a brutal way. There is an element of serious risk here, because the opponents in Washington, London, and other places clearly underestimate the degree of danger of the game they continue to play," Ryabkov said.

As the Deputy Minister told TASS earlier on the sidelines of the BRICS Media Summit, Russia knows that the West has already made decisions on strikes deep into Russian territory and has transmitted the corresponding signals to Kiev.

Russian President Vladimir Putin previously stated that Ukraine is not capable of striking deep into Russian territory without the help of the West, since it needs intelligence from satellites and flight missions to do so. The Russian leader also noted that NATO countries are not simply discussing Kiev’s possible use of Western long-range weapons, but are essentially deciding whether to directly engage in the Ukrainian conflict. He indicated that Moscow will make decisions based on the threats that will arise for the Russian Federation.

Moscow hosts the BRICS Media Summit on September 13-17. The event brings together the heads of leading media outlets from the group’s member states and the countries that have applied to join BRICS. TASS is the organizer of the summit.

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/tassagency_en/status/1834924831982170531

https://tass.com/defense/1843219?utm...m_social_share

Ukrainian forces lost up to 520 troops in Battlegroup West zone of responsibility

The enemy also lost six vehicles, a UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled howitzer, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer and two electronic warfare stations

MOSCOW, September 14. /TASS/. The Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 520 servicemen in the Battlegroup West's zone of responsibility in one day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"Units of the Battlegroup West improved their tactical position, inflicted losses on the manpower and equipment of the 14th, 44th, 54th, 115th mechanized, 3rd assault brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces, 104th and 119th territorial defense brigades in the areas of the settlements of Kovsharovka, Glushkovka, Novoosinovo, Kruglyakovka, Borovaya in the Kharkov region, Rozovka in the Lugansk People's Republic and Terny in the Donetsk People's Republic. A counterattack by the assault group of the 66th mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was repelled. The enemy's losses amounted to 520 servicemen," the ministry said.

The enemy also lost six vehicles, a UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled howitzer, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer and two electronic warfare stations. Two field ammunition depots were destroyed," the ministry added.

Battlegroup Dnepr inflicts fire damage on units of 3 brigades of Ukrainian forces

Over the past 24 hours, the Battlegroup Dnepr liquidated up to 80 servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces, and also inflicted fire damage on formations of three brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"Units of the Battlegroup Dnepr inflicted damage on concentrations of manpower and equipment of the 35th, 37th Marine Brigades and the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces in the areas of the settlements of Veseloye, Tokarevka in the Kherson region and Stepnogorsk in the Zaporpzhye region," the ministry said.

As the ministry noted, the enemy's losses amounted to "up to 80 servicemen, seven vehicles, a US-made 155-mm M777 howitzer and a 122-mm self-propelled howitzer Gvozdika. In addition, a field ammunition depot was destroyed.

Battlegroup East liquidates up to 105 Ukrainian servicemen in a day

Units of the Battlegroup East of the Russian armed forces took up more advantageous lines and positions in one day, the enemy lost up to 105 servicemen, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"Units of the Battlegroup East took up more advantageous lines and positions, defeated the formations of the 58th Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces and the 118th Territorial Defense Brigade in the areas of the settlements of Dobrovolye, Makarovka of the Donetsk People's Republic and Levadnoye of the Zaporozhye Region," the report says.

As the ministry noted, one enemy counterattack was repelled. The Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 105 servicemen, a tank and a France-made 155-mm Caesar howitzer. In addition, a field ammunition depot was destroyed.

Russian armed forces hit Ukrainian missile and artillery weapons depot

Over the past 24 hours, tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as artillery and missile troops of the Russian armed forces have hit airfield infrastructure and basing sites of boats of the Ukrainian armed forces, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"Tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian armed forces' troop groups hit airfield infrastructure, basing sites of boats of the Ukrainian armed forces," the report says. In addition, Ukrainian armed forces' manpower and military equipment were hit in 132 districts.

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/TheDuranReal/status/1834927760118026666

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
‼️🇷🇺🏴‍☠The enemy is watching: powerful piles are being driven in and new fortifications are being built along the Kerch Bridge

▪️Ukrainian media are publishing photos of piles being driven into the seabed parallel to the bridge from the side of the Kerch Peninsula.
▪️There is also a large amount of special equipment in the waters of the strait and near the shore.
- RVvoenkor

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1835009896116338894

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/squatsons/status/1834973323102396849

https://x.com/GeromanAT/status/1834977119643762713

Text:
"The Russian army's counteroffensive in the Kursk region and the Ukrainian Armed Forces' attempt to strike at the flank.

The battles are going on for Lyubimovka, and the capture of the village of Snagost allowed the enemy to open a land road for the group on the border and effectively removed the threat of capturing Korneevo.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces tried to break through the border in two places to the west a few days ago, in the area beyond the Seim River where the "cauldron" was planned, with a completely clear tactical plan to strike the rear of the Russian units that had advanced towards Snagost.

Today, the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to advance 4-5 km deep into Russian territory, approximately the zone of the Ukrainian army's presence was marked with blue hatching.

The General Staff was forced to use additional forces and resources, that is, to become even more involved in the Kursk region in the conditions of the defense crisis in the Donbass.

The number of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Russian Armed Forces in this area is approximately equal, and the most important thing is that the Russian forces were withdrawn from secondary areas, but not from the main Pokrovsky area, only the 810th brigade, which was there in reserve, left there. In addition, the Ukrainian Armed Forces failed to take Korenevo, which was a very important task. And now the Ukrainian Armed Forces are doing something completely incomprehensible, very belatedly introducing additional forces into the Kursk region."

Military analytics 🇺🇦 TG


https://x.com/GeromanAT/status/1834980561099563042

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
🇷🇺🇺🇦🇺🇸 Russian forces reportedly captured a U.S.-supplied Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle in Ukraine, finding inside a map of Fort Irwin, one of the largest military training bases in the United States, according to RIA Novosti.

The map, which detailed the Fort Irwin National Training Center in California's Mojave Desert, was allegedly left behind by American personnel who had been operating the vehicle before it was seized by Russian troops in the Kupyansk area. Fort Irwin is a key site for U.S. military exercises and training.

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1834850315377533383

Text:
Russian Forces find map of US base in captured Ukrainian Bradley - Sputnik reporter

Russian soldiers have discovered a map of the US military base at Fort Irwin, which the US military forgot in one of its Bradley fighting vehicles that it transferred to Ukraine that was later captured in the Kupyansk area, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

Fort Irwin is one of the largest military training centers in the United States located in the Mojave desert in California, where soldiers train to operate armored vehicles as part of brigades.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, the United States has supplied Kiev with more than 300 Bradley vehicles. A significant number of them have been destroyed by the Russian forces on the battlefield in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia.

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1834804798966661132

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
UK pledges another $700+ mln to Ukraine, while leaving 10m British pensioners to freeze

Britons are growing discontent with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as he focuses on Ukraine while imposing austerity at home.

🔸 Earlier this week the Labour government abolished £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) in winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners in England and Wales. Starmer faced a backbench rebellion, with more than 50 of Labour's 404 MPs not voting for the measure.

🔸A 2017 analysis by Labour claimed that scrapping winter fuel payment could "kill" as many as 4,000 pensioners. British charity Age UK said a whopping 2 million elderly Britons could be affected by Starmer's cuts.

🔸A Conservative motion "regretting" the withdrawal of fuel allowance for pensioners was later passed in the House of Lords, dealing another blow to the Starmer government. The revelation that Downing Street had not even carried out an impact assessment on scrapping winter fuel support was called "absolutely unthinkable" by opposition parties.

🔸Number 10 cannot guarantee other pensioners' benefits, including council tax discounts. Starmer claimed the constraints were caused by a £22 billion ($29 billion) "black hole" in government finances left by the previous Tory government.

🔸In July the government revealed that the UK has pledged £12.5 billion ($16 billion) in support to Ukraine since February 2022, including £3 billion ($4 billion) for military assistance in 2024/25.

🔸Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics reports that the UK’s economic growth has almost stalled. Despite inflation falling to 2.2%, consumer prices continue to rise. The international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said the UK "faces a challenging economic environment."

🔸A new Ipsos poll indicates that 46% of British respondents see Starmer unfavorably. Nonetheless, Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated on September 11 the UK would provide another $782 million in aid to Ukraine.

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1834716881669828865

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
🇷🇺⚔🇺🇦 The Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost Snahost and surrounding villages in the Kursk region, with Russian forces breaking through into Lyubimovka, according to DeepState.

▪️ The DeepState analytical resource, which works for Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR), confirmed reports from Russian sources and the Russian Ministry of Defense about Russian troops taking control of several settlements.

▪️ Additionally, the Russian army has broken through to Lyubimovka, where intense fighting is ongoing. The capture of this location could pose a threat of encirclement for Ukrainian forces on the northern flank, east of Korenevo.

▪️ However, DeepState claims that to the east of Korenevo, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have taken control of the settlements of Vetreno, Durovka, and part of Zhuravli (which is likely untrue).

- RVvoenkor

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1835012825615384941

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
North Korea to expand cooperation with Russia - Kim Jong Un

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reassured Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu during a meeting in Pyongyang that the North Korean government will expand cooperation with Russia in the spirit of the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

The Russian Security Council said in a statement Friday that Shoigu visited Pyongyang on September 13, where he was received by Kim Jong Un.

“Comrade Kim Jong Un assessed that under the agreements reached at the June Korea-Russia summit in Pyongyang, relations between the two countries are developing vibrantly in all spheres including politics, the economy and culture. He assured that the DPRK government will continue to expand cooperation and assistance with the Russian Federation in the spirit of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement,” the agency said.

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1834737587707170899

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1835009809675878816

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1834982139286155501

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1835011954513265061

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by Ravenlocke, quoting Ben Norton (here)
https://x.com/BenjaminNorton/status/1834774597453201444

The US military is offering a contract for research on "the effects of nuclear weapons on agricultural systems".

That's so ridiculous, it's like something out of a dark comedy. I could 'research' that, and report back in two minutes with one well-chosen sentence. And so could anyone else reading this.

[Satori]

Posted by Ravenlocke (here)
https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1834982139286155501

Very good find. A good dose of truth. Thanks for posting.

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by Satori (here)

Posted by Ravenlocke (here)
https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1834982139286155501

Very good find. A good dose of truth. Thanks for posting.

~~~

Just as a footnote (but a valuable one), we have an Avalon thread about him.

• RIP Udo Ulfkotte - A Journalist with Integrity

[Ravenlocke]

Alexander Mercouris

US Backs Off Missile Strikes;
Tense US/UK Talks;
Rus Storms Ukr Kursk Enclave;
BBC Pokrovsk Critical

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=E6a5QRMjHGk

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
There’s going to be a showdown between
@ukrcancongress
and
@bnaibrithcanada
in federal court. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is trying to prevent the release of a list that contains the names of 900 Nazis in Canada.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a real, sane voice in Canada when it comes to the Ukraine issue. There are about 1.1 million Ukrainian-Canadian voters, and they play a key role in deciding who wins important seats in Parliament. Both Conservatives and Liberals want to avoid angering this community. This makes me wonder: if there are no Ukrainian Nazis, why would the release of a list of 900 make them angry? Could it be that they’re acknowledging Putin might have a point here? 😃

https://x.com/ShoahUkraine/status/1833158950222733360

Text:

Remember, guys, one of the Nazis on the list of 900 Canada wants to keep secret is Michael Chomiak ; grandfather of Deputy Prime Minister
@cafreeland
. Michael Chomiak ran a Nazi newspaper in the Ukrainian language in Nazi occupied Krakow , Poland, which was an epicenter of Banderism .

https://x.com/ShoahUkraine/status/1832979169795543541