I think it would be fair to say that the Middle East situation has preoccupied the thoughts of most commentators once more this week. Israel has launched its retaliatory attack on Iran and I think there is a consensus view that it did not achieve significant results. Alastair Crooke provides some good analysis here which explains why Israel failed. The Iranian authorities admit to only minimal and repairable damage and have vowed to retaliate when it suits them.
The Israelis have said that they are now due a retaliation because Hezbollah managed to knock on the window of Netanyahu’s weekend home with a drone. The drone, which carried a very small payload, was sent as a symbol not as a serious attempt to kill Netanyahu who wasn’t at home. Israel continues on its barbaric, genocidal path as it commits massacre after massacre in Gaza and Lebanon. But the Israeli forces are struggling in South Lebanon while attacks on their own territory from the likes of Islamic Resistance, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis are definitely increasing day by day - as you will come to appreciate if you follow Palestinian channels such as this. New Hezbollah leader, Naim Qassem said that they will continue the war with Israel ‘for as long as it takes' and that any ceasefire agreed will be on its terms.
On the battlefronts of Ukraine, the Russians are fighting towards Sudzha in Kursk, towards Kurakhovo in the east, in Pokrovsk direction where the village of Kurakhovka was recently captured, and in Kupyansk where the Russians are expanding their zone of control. Ukrainian desertions and the failure of mobilisation to replace losses are becoming huge problems for the Ukrainians (see below). Civilian casualties from Ukrainian terror attacks have been mercifully low in recent weeks. As for North Korean soldiers fighting in Kursk, I’m not going there: this is another attempt at escalation; an excuse to allow Ukraine to use long range missiles to strike Russia - but it will not work. Colonel MacGregor debunks it here.
In the US, the elections are only four days away and it appears that Donald J has the edge on Harris. If this were a boxing contest, the Cackler would be on the canvas by now. She quite clearly hasn’t got two ideas to rub together and panics without a script in front of her. She is so obviously a puppet. Biden blundered by going one further than Hilary Clinton’s description of Trump supporters as ‘deplorables’ by calling them ‘garbage’ - oh dear. The Trump campaign has made the most of that (see below).
The European economy has been given a poor bill of health and the divisions between EU countries are growing into chasms.
And now it’s official: the Russian Army is the strongest in the World and the T-72 is judged to be the world’s best tank - thank you NATO.
Russia Has Strongest Army in the World
According to US News and World Report Magazine, Russia has the strongest army in the world. The US is second. You can read more at Sputnik.
‘An Island of Sanity and Adequacy in a Crazy World’
Now where could that be? Between 1.5 and 2 millions people want to move to Russia, according to the head of the Rossotrudnichestvo (government agency) Yevgeny Primakov. You can see more here1. Russia needs them and will welcome them.
Russian Consulate in Poznan to Close
The Poles are closing the Russian Consulate in Poznan which was apparently prompted by the ambassador’s laying of flowers on the graves of dead Soviet soldiers. Maria Zakharova has said that Russia will respond in kind.
Z Places Guterres on ‘Hit List’
Guterres has angered the once great Z by attending the BRICS Summit so is no longer welcome in Ukraine. Z accused the UN Secretary General of ‘insulting common sense and international law’ through his visit to Kazan. Guterres has been placed on Ukraine’s hit list as ‘an accomplice to Russian authorities and complicit in its crimes’ - all this for attending BRICS at Kazan. This could place him at risk of assassination since many on the list have already been killed.
Z Wanted Tomahawks
The New York Times has infuriated the once great Z by revealing ‘secret’ information about his peace plan - as you can read here.. It seems that Z had requested the Tomahawks (with a 1,500 mile range) as part of a non-nuclear deterrence package. Their range is seven times that of ATACMs. Anyway, Z was turned down, which is sensible: I wouldn’t trust him with a box of matches.
Winter Beckons
In the Scottish Borders, high winds have taken most of the leaves from the trees, the clocks have gone back marking the approach of winter and darkness descends earlier. This will be inconvenient in some ways but I enjoy much of what winter has to offer, including starry skies, moonlit nights and the coziness offered by an open fire. But for Ukrainians, winter, this year will be much more than inconvenient. Ivan Federov, an administrator appointed by Kiev to the Ukrainian section of Zaporozhye is warning people they will need to ‘sit without electricity at all in the winter’. With regard to heating, he said:
As for heat supply, cogeneration units will be installed at all large boiler houses in Zaporozhye and Zaporozhye region, such as Volnyanskaya.
You can read about cogeneration units in this article.
But even if heat can be provided, I can’t see how people will manage without any electricity. Furthermore, these heating units will not start operating until December yet temperatures will be falling below zero by Mid November according to this forecast.
‘You Must All Suffer’ - Korchinsky
Banderovite Dmitro Korchinky, who recently called for 14 year old’s to fight at the front, is now advocating for World War 3 so that other countries will suffer as Ukraine is suffering but WW3 could provide an end of suffering for all of us - you idiot. Yet he ran for President of Ukraine some time ago. Anyone interested in this man’s checkered past can read about him here.
Ukrainian Deaths
According to this report from Slavyangrad, the number of Ukrainian obituaries has reached 522,000.
Ukrainian Motivation Poster
It reads: ‘a person who is not ready to die for the sake of the nation is not worth living’. I think they mean that such a person does not deserve to live. Pure Nazism, some would say. But the number of those not willing to die is growing:
Deserters on the Rise
According to this source, the number of soldiers deserting the army is now 700 per day and possibly more. Three weeks ago, a journalist, using official figures, reported that 86,000 had deserted during 2024 so far. This is much higher that 2023 (25,000) and 2022 (10,000). The author of this article is claiming that there has been a twofold increase in deserters during October compared to September. Commentators on Ukrainian channel legitimniy, predicted back in January that there would be a catastrophic increase in desertions come the fall. This is now happening, they say. They also point out that the numbers of refusals have increased to an alarming level that is being hushed up. This is supported by some anecdotal evidence I have reported here. Another Ukrainian source is claiming that the government is hiding the true desertion figures which are actually closer to 200,000 since the start of the SMO.
Ukraine Losses Exceed Replacements
According to a Ukrainian source, Ukrainian losses are exceeding replacements by one and a half times. I think this means that if they lose 15 (dead and badly wounded = sanitary losses) they will receive only ten men to replace them. The official figures are often underestimates, according to the source, because the regime doesn’t want to let the people know how bad the situation is - fearing a rebellion. But such a situation is clearly not sustainable, especially with desertions on the rise.
Blocking Detachments
A Ukrainian source is claiming that Syrsky has ordered commanders to set up ‘blocking detachments’ to prevent troops from running away from the Russians as the Soviets did at Stalingrad in 1942.2 Azov has admitted to using them in the past and I have reported on them here.
Kukharchuk
Dmytro Kukharchuk is the commander of an assault battalion in the third separate assault Brigade (formerly a Nazi ‘Azov’ Brigade). He spoke with a Ukrainian journalist about the situation on the fronts admitting that Zelensky’s ‘Victory Plan’ would not enable Ukraine to reach the 1991 borders (which includes Crimea) and that either the front will collapse and Russia will occupy Ukraine, followed by a guerilla war in some regions - OR - the war will be frozen along the existing lines which will give Ukraine time to prepare for Russia’s next invasion. I think the former is more likely but I doubt that a guerilla war would necessarily happen.
Ukrainian Population Drops by Ten Millions
The Ukrainian population has fallen from 43 million in 2022 to a predicted 35 millions by the end of 2024. Over a ten year period the population has declined by ten millions. Deaths on the battlefield, people leaving the country and a declining birth rate have all contributed to the decline.
The People Fight Back
Odessa
Rebellious residents of Odessa have demanded that compatriots captured by the marauding TCC be released. You can see some footage here.
Human Shields
According to a report from a Ukrainian source, women are forming human shields to prevent the TCC from getting at their men. You can see some footage here.
Zelensky - British Spy?
This article claims that Zelensky was recruited back in 2019 by the British Intelligence Services, according to ex Ukrainian Embassy Official, Andrey Telizhenko. Instead of promoting peace and reconciliation with the breakaway republics of the DPR/LPR, as Zelensky had originally intended, he was persuaded by the Brits to persecute the people of the Donbass and continue the war against them. Ukraine billionaire, Ihor Kolomoisky, who was taken into custody by Z on fraud charges, knew about this and advocated breaking with NATO and negotiating with Russia. According to Telizhenko:
Zelensky made an agreement with British intelligence in London. They knew after that, Ukraine was sold out. That’s why Kolomoisky argued for abandoning NATO and negotiating with Russia—there’s an article about it in The New York Times.
India - ‘You Must Side with Ukraine’ - Z
In an interview with Times of India, the once great Z showed himself up again by demanding that India abandon it neutral stance and side with Ukraine. He appeared to be suggesting that to be neutral is to side with Russia. People must be getting fed up with this guy.
Language Law - Ukraine Style
Anyone caught breaking ‘language law’ in Ukraine will now be fined $83. Using the Russian language in any form will attract sanction - according to this report. I doubt whether any other country in the world has a similar law but I can’t be sure. In Ivano-Frankovsk, 40 volunteer ‘language enforcers’ have taken to the streets hunting for Russian speakers.
Ukraine War Crime Caught on Camera
Ukrainian forces were filmed attacking and killing civilians fleeing towards the Russian lines in Chasov Yar Direction. In this video, you can see the mortar and artillery fire attempt to kill civilians who sought refuge in a pillbox. The civilians can clearly be seen waving a white flag.
NYT Reports on Ukraine War Crimes
I have seen a number of reports of war crimes committed by Ukrainian forces in Kursk and have reported on these in the past. Now The New York Times is reporting that Ukrainian soldiers shot at fleeing civilians in Korenovo while four cars in Kurilovka were attacked with machine gun fire, killing a pregnant woman and her child.
Here is another report that the 68th Jaeger, the 152nd Mechanised and the 59th Motorised Infantry Brigades shot at civilians refusing to leave: some were killed.
Ukrainian Soldiers Demand Ransom for Russian POW
According to Sputnik, a group of Ukrainian soldiers who are holding a Russian POW is demanding a ransom of 1 millions rubles for his release - otherwise they will kill him. They also threatened to send a video to his children showing him being abused and to force him outside to die of exposure and lack of food. These people are monsters. It is not looking hopeful for the soldier since communication with the extortionists has been lost.
Ukraine Terrorist Attacks (those that target civilians)
25th/26th October
Many villages in Belgorod region came under attack from drones and shelling overnight. Damage was caused to houses and cars but only three casualties were reported. The DPR suffered attacks from drones and cluster shells but only one civilian was injured. Overnight, 3 drones were destroyed over Belgorod, one over Bryansk and a balloon was shot down over Rostov, according to the Russian MoD.
26th/27th October
Overnight, according to the Russian MoD:
A total of 18 drones were intercepted over the Tambov Region, 16 over the Belgorod Region, four each over the Bryansk, Lipetsk and Oryol regions, three over the Voronezh Region and one over the Kursk Region, according to the statement.
27th/28th October
According to the Two Majors:
Over the past day, our air defence destroyed more than 100 enemy aircraft-type UAVs. Of these, more than 20 were over the Bryansk region. About 10 UAVs attacked the Voronezh region, it is reported about a fire at a distillery, 1 person was injured as a result of the strike. The fire affected a building and one tank, two residences and one outbuilding are known to be damaged
Many villages in Belgorod suffered shelling and drone attacks which damaged houses but no casualties were reported. In Gorlovka (DPR) four civilians were injured by drone drop. Elsewhere in Gorlovka, a man was injured by shelling. In the village of Durovo-Bobrik (Kursk), two young men were killed by drone attack while another was wounded.
Bryansk Raid - 28th October
A group of mercenaries from the US and Canada entered the Bryansk region intent on sabotage but was destroyed by border guards and other units. Some were killed and others retreated leaving their equipment behind. A tattoo of the US 75th Ranger Regiment was found on the body of one combatant.
28th/29th October
Many villages in Belgorod region came under attack from drone drops overnight which damaged houses and cars but only one casualty was reported. Also in Belgorod, two men were injured by ‘submunitions’ (i.e. mines) spread by cluster munitions. One of the men is in a serious condition.
29th/30th October
Belgorod region suffered shelling and drone attacks which caused some damage to power lines. Two civilians were injured by the shelling and another two were injured by ‘submunitions’. In the DPR, one civilian was killed and another two injured by a drone drop while waiting for a bus, while another was injured by submunitions. Later, on the morning of the 30th October, in the village of Otradnoye (Belgorod) four civilians were injured by shelling.
30th/31st October
Villages in the Belgorod region were attacked overnight causing damage to cars, houses and power lines but no casualties. In the DPR, one man was injured by an exploding mine and another by shelling.
The village of Berdyansk in Zaporozhye suffered a heavy drone attack overnight which destroyed houses and injured three civilians.
31st October/1st November
Overnight, 22 drones were shot down over Bryansk but one managed to get though causing damage to an apartment building and injuring one civilian. Drones were also shot down over Kursk and Oryol. In the village of Dalny (Belgorod) an agricultural worker was killed and another injured by drone attack.
The Sea War
25th/26th October
3 drones were destroyed over the Black Sea at night.
26th/27th October
Overnight, one drone was shot down over the Sea of Azov.
31st October/1st November
Overnight, drones were shot down over Crimea and the Sea of Azov.
The Air War (Map)
Russian Missile/Drone Attacks
25th/26th October
Ukrainian sources have reported Russian strikes on Kiev and Dnipro overnight.
26th/27th October
Port facilities in Odessa, along with warehouses containing weapons and ammunition, were hit by Russian missiles or drones according to this report.
27th/28th October
According to the Two Majors, the Russians carried out Geranium strikes on Ukrainian facilities in Khmelnitsky, Rovno, Kharkov, Zhitomir, Cherkassy, Kirovograd, Sumy and Kiev regions.
28th/29th October
Geraniums attacked Kiev, Zhitomir and Cherkassy overnight. You can see some footage here.
29th/30th October
Overnight, Iskander-M missiles hit a building in Kharkov being used by the Ukrainian Intelligence Services (SBU) The death toll is unknown.
30th/31st October
Odessa port facilities suffered a massive missile attack overnight according to this. Further west, in Zatoka, the Russians attacked the road-rail bridge which is the only one in that area bringing Western supplies into Ukraine. The Russians launched 43 Geraniums at Ukraine overnight but only 17 were shot down.
31st October/1st November
On the 31st October, according to Rybar:
Russian forces struck enemy targets with drones in Kyiv, Cherkasy and Dnipropetrovsk Regions, and also launched a dozen missiles at a bridge in Zatoka, Odesa Region.
Ukrainian Missile/Drone Attacks
27th/28th October
Drones caused some damage to electricity infrastructure in Zaporozhye but no casualties were reported. According to the War Chronicle:
In the Voronezh region, at night, a UAV of the Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked a distillery in Novokhopersk, Voronezh region. The fall of one drone on the territory, a strong fire. Outside the enterprise, two garages with vehicles burned down.
Two people were injured in the attack, images of which you can view here.
A distillery could be a legitimate military target so am not including this as a terrorist attack.
28th/29th October
The industrial sector in Lugansk was attacked with Storm Shadows, Scalps or ATACMs on the morning of the 29th.
October 31st/November 1st
Industrial enterprises were attacked in Bashkortostan (Bryansk) overnight causing some damage but no casualties.
The Ground War
Russian MoD Reports (excludes Kursk)
w/e October 11th, 14,430 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 483.
w/e October 18th, 15,495 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 467.
w/e October 25th, 15, 630 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 506.
w/e November 1st, 17,000 Casualties killed and wounded (record high): equipment losses 589 (record high).
Kursk
28,850 troops, 180 tanks, 101 infantry fighting vehicles, 106 armoured personnel carriers, 1,062 armoured fighting vehicles, 777 motor vehicles, 254 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, ten anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles…
The Fronts
Front Line Cats
Short Sitrep From South Front
This video - provides a brief overall picture.
‘The Front Has Collapsed’ - General Marchenko
Referring to the Donbass, Ukrainian General Dmitry Marchenko has admitted that:
Unfortunately, the front of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has collapsed. This happened under the pressure of Russian forces due to fatigue of personnel and a shortage of reserves.
This Ukrainian source conceded that the Russians liberated 478 km² of territory in October, which is the most ground they have captured since March 2022.
Kursk
On the 29th October, Ukraine suffered the largest losses I have seen in this Direction. In a single day, they took 420 casualties (killed and wounded) and lost 26 tanks/APCs.3 By the end of the week, the Russians were advancing on Sudhza while Ukrainian counter attacks have evaporated here - according to the War Chronicle. But the Ukrainians continued to counter-attack near the village of Kremyanoye. According to this source, by November 1st the Ukrainians were building up their forces for another major counter attack - so it appears that the Ukrainians are not yet finished in Kursk.
Kharkov
By the end of the week, the line of contact in this Direction had not changed. Fighting continues in Volchansk.
Kupyansk
On the morning of the 31st October, the Two Majors reported:
In the Kupyansk direction, the RFAF are expanding their zone of control near Sinkovka and Kruglyakovka. Conditions are being created for an advance from Kruglyakovka southwards to Zagryzovka, along the Oskol River.
By the 31st October, the Russians had liberated Kruglyakovka.
Chasiv Yar
This week, the Russians made advances along the H-32 road (near Krasnoe) trying to outflank Mine number 9.
Pokrovsk - North of Selidovo
Pokrovsk-Selidovo-Kurakhovo
On the 27th October, this Ukrainian source claims that the Ukrainian forces started to leave Selidovo.
It is claimed that everywhere there is a dearth of ammunition/equipment and that Syrsky has lost control of the front. Frontline commanders are making their own decisions. Kurakhovka and Gornyak (below) were also captured.
On the 30th October, a Ukrainian source reported that its forces had started to leave Kurakhovo which they had been preparing to defend. Many Ukrainians fear that they could be surrounded. The liberation of Kurakhovo will put an end to the shelling of Donetsk City.
By the 31st October, according to this report from the War Chronicle, the city of Pokrovsk was being prepared for defence. Some have compared Pokrovsk with Bakhmut in terms of its fortifications, and symbolic importance. The battle for Pokrovsk will be an historic one, according to this source and Syrsky is expected to use his last reserves in order to defend it. By the end of the week the Russians had liberated Selidovo and were expanding their control in the area, attacking towards the villages of Ilyinka and Volchenka.
Uhledar
A major breakthrough in the Uhledar Direction was reported on the morning of 27th October. On the 31st October, the two Majors gave this report:
According to the enemy's estimates, the frontline in the area of YasnayaPolyana is becoming more difficult for the AFU. Our troops have begun to move towards the villages of Razliv and Maksimovka. To the north of Bogoyavlenka, which was recently taken, advanced units of the Russian Army are operating near Trudovoye. There is a plan to reach Kurakhovo from the south. The outskirts of this important fortified area are about 12 kilometres from this front edge.
On the 1st November, the Two Majors reported that:
In recent days, the RFAF have pushed the enemy back more than 7 km deep, completely liberated Shakhtyorskoye, Novoukrainka and YasnayaPolyana, creating a bridgehead for further advance. The frontline on our side is being levelled.
The Economic War
European Industry in Decline (IMF)
For the first time, the IMF has announced that EU industry is in decline across all sectors of the economy. The IMF admitted that the decline is due to the fact that Europe has denied itself cheap Russian energy and raw materials plus the loss of the vast Russian market. The IMF also noted that sanctions on Russia are stifling investment growth and Capital flows. German conglomerate Siemens has declared investment in Germany as pointless. This week, German workers from various industries have been protesting the proposed closures of VW plants. You can read more here.
Russian Economy - Fastest Growth in a Decade
According to Zero Hedge, Russia is currently experiencing its fastest economic growth in a decade in spite of (or maybe because of) the sanctions imposed on it. Western companies leaving the country, such as Starbucks, were quickly replaced by Russian versions such as those shown above. Small businesses in Russia have contributed to the growth since they have been incentivised to purchase goods on the foreign markets through sanctions loopholes which they bring back to Russia and sell at very good profit margins.
Russian TV Channels to Sue Google
Some time ago Google blocked the accounts of a number of Russian TV channels and in spite a demand from a Russian court that they restore the service they have refused to do so. The TV channels are therefore taking the tech giant to court claiming damages of $20 decillian - which is probably a symbolic figure. You can read more at Sputnik.
FATF Fails
The Financial Action Task Force was set up by the G7 in 1989 by the G7 to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorists. It now has 40 members, some of which have a power of Veto. Ukraine has asked the Task Force to place Russia on its banned list along with the likes of Iran and North Korea - but the move has been vetoed by China, India and others. Another Western tool bites the dust.
EU Tries to Avoid Hungarian Veto
The EU thought it had found an ingenious way to side step Orban’s veto on providing 6 billion Euros to Ukraine: they have set up a ‘European Peace Fund’ where countries can provide voluntary contributions which cannot, therefore, be subject to veto. But then those clever EU diplomats realised that no one will provide contributions to Ukraine unless they are forced to - so they may abandon the Peace Fund. France and Germany have also objected that such a move would jeopardise the fund’s future as a foreign policy instrument. I have no idea how they can apply the term ‘peace’ to a fund that will allow a war to continue. But those Europeans are so Orwellian: they are also a bunch of amateurs.
G7 Agrees to Steal Russian Assets
It appears that the G7 countries have agreed to steal interest from Russia’s frozen assets to provide Ukraine with a loan. It is estimated that $50 billion in funds can be generated this way.
World Politics
Trump-Rogan And the Garbage Collector
The US elections are less than a week away so televised conversations with Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson were big coups for Trump and his supporters. I watched highlights of the Rogan ‘chat’ and was impressed by both men. No politician is completely honest, we all know that, but in the Joe Rogan Podcast Donald John Trump came across to me as more authentic than the likes of Biden, Kamala, Starmer, Macron and most other politicians in the Western world.
The interview could not have been conducted in this way with most Western leaders - none of whom are able to be themselves because they are owned. Trump, on the other hand, is not owned, so can speak his mind and engage with broadcasters such as Rogan on their own terms. Trump doesn’t feel superior to Rogan and Rogan doesn’t feel that the ex/future President is superior to him. And they appear to benefit from each other’s contributions. I am not saying that in the light of this Trump will make a great President and I do not believe that he can save American (maybe no one can). However, he is most definitely better than Cackling Kamala.
No one can know how well Trump will perform as President - though some commentators have expressed opinions. But after all, Trump is a businessman and an entertainer - not a politician. It would be a mistake to assume that what Trump says in his campaigning represents his true views (as with most politicians) or that it provides a blueprint for what he will actually do.
Trump has promised the American people that he will not send their sons and husbands to fight in foreign wars - as, he claims, Kamala will do if she becomes president. And I don’t think he will: now that’s a rare bit of speculation from me4. But Trump is a populist politician and his supporters would feel betrayed if he did such a thing. So what! - you might say. Once elected Trump could simply dump his supporters and ignore their wishes. But I don’t think he would or could do that and live with himself. Trump loves being adored - we all know that. Therefore, he would not cope well if his supporters started having a go at him - but I could be wrong.
Some say that Trump will be harder on Iran and the Palestinians, others say he will be no different than Kamala. I must say that I am a little concerned about Trump’s connections to Israel and his election commitment to supporting them 100%. But we have to appreciate that for the sake of votes - and maybe money - this commitment may be prudent for someone wanting to win an election. Trump’s number one priority given that he wants to save America (or has been chosen to save America) must be to win. I am trying to look at it from his point of view. When in office, he may be more critical of Netanyahu and I don’t think he will want a war with Iran. According to a report in RT, Trump has told Netanyahu privately to end the war before inauguration day. Trump also criticised the attacks on civilian targets in Gaza.5 I hope he pulls in Tulsi Gabbard for military advice rather than the neo-cons and I hope he has learned from the past.
We’re Running Out Of Missiles - Pentagon
According to the Wall Street Journal, sources at the Pentagon have expressed concern that the US is running low on certain types of air defence missiles due to their commitment to supplying these to Ukraine and Israel. According to the WSJ:
The US has not developed a defense industrial base intended for a large-scale war of attrition in both Europe and the Middle East, while meeting its own readiness standards,” said Elias Yousif, a fellow and deputy director of the Conventional Defense Program at the Stimson Center in Washington DC. “And both of those wars are extended conflicts, which was not part of the US defense planning.
The Middle East is exhausting the supply considerably and will do so even more if US bases in the region are attacked and if Israel needs to ward off enemy attacks on its territory from various sources. You can read a short report of this story at Pravda.
The Georgian Election
Even before the people went to the polls in Georgia one could safely predict that if the pro-Russian ‘Georgian Dream’ party won, the opposition and many in the West would not recognise the result and that a coup would be attempted. Well, the ‘Dream’ party won; the opposition didn’t accept the result, even though independent monitors had declared it legit, and many Western countries said the result was rigged by Putin. Even Boris Johnson chimed in.
Opposition parties won only 37.5% of the vote - according to Rybar. Here’s how the West reacted, according to the Two Majors::
The media reports that "leading parliamentarians" from Europe and Canada believe that the EU should not recognize their results and should impose personal sanctions. The statement was signed by the chairmen of the Foreign and European Affairs Committees of Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Ireland, Ukraine, Poland, Canada, as well as the Deputy Speaker of the Swedish Parliament and one MEP. They stated that "the political climate in Georgia on the eve of the elections was incompatible with European standards of fairness."
The protests against the result have much less to do with the fairness of the elections than they are inspired by the fact the result did not please the protesters whose demonstrations petered out after a few days - so there is no danger of another Maidan. It didn’t take long for Anthony Blinken to demand an investigation.
On the plus side, Turkiye has accepted the election result.
Russia Exhibits at Burkina Fasa Art Fair
This is Burkina Faso’s 17th international arts and crafts fair but the first time Russia has had an exhibit there. It is part of a strengthening of cultural ties between Russia and Africa.
Crazy Westerners - Alexander Stubb
Finland’s new president has announced that Ukraine will join NATO and the EU -though he could not give dates when these things will happen. Would that be in this life or the afterlife Stubby? He said that the Kremlin has made sure that this will happen. He insists that Ukraine be given all the weapons it needs so it can carry out maneuvers such as the Kursk invasion which will place it in a position of strength to negotiate. Does this guy have any idea what happened to the Kursk invasion!!! He is so deluded that he thinks the military situation for Ukraine is better now than it was in the spring. He has obviously not been paying attention. Stubb will be flying to China in a bid to persuade Xi not to supply Russia with any goods that could be used for military purposes. Good luck with that.
Russia’s ‘Insatiable Imperialist Appetites’ - Duda
Poland’s President has advocated the construction of an Iron Curtain of steel and concrete to protect the country from Russia’s ‘insatiable imperialist appetites’. This is a waste of money because a) The Russians have no such appetites and b) If Russia did have such appetites the wall of steel and concrete would not stop them.
Duda has also requested that NATO protect Poland’s air space following its donation of MIG-29 jets to Ukraine until it receives the more modern replacements it has purchased from the West. Sounds a little suspicious to me - psyops maybe…
The emerging Multi-Polar World
BRICS Summit
There is much in the BRICS Declaration that I don’t agree with, some of which I don’t fully understand and I am disappointed that it was not more radical. It seems that at this stage BRICS will be attempting to reform existing institutions - such as the UN - rather than replacing them. But I was probably expecting too much, not fully appreciating that this BRICS Summit was very much a tentative first step. When hopes are denied by reality, disappointment is not unreasonable. But it was an important first step in that it gave priority to the creation of financial mechanisms that will allow BRICS countries to break from the tyranny of the dollar. The bank note is symbolic of that: which is why they used it in a publicity stunt.
You will probably know that the US enlists the support of the dollar to force many countries to do its bidding. No country that is subject to this can claim to be completely sovereign. At Kazan, BRICS countries announced that they will be seeking to end dollar dominance. They are not saying that they want to destroy the dollar but they want to be free of it - though this desire may be in their hearts. Inevitably, the dollar will decline in value and importance in consequence of BRICS’s financial moves.
But more important than anything in the Declaration, the BRICS Summit told the West - simply in virtue of organising a Summit (to which it was not invited) - that they don’t need the West with all its faults and failings; they no longer need the West’s permission or approval to do anything. They are going it alone. The fact that the Summit was held in Russia and was chaired by their enemy Putin - rubbed salt in the decaying West’s festering wounds. That’s why I saw this Summit as a Declaration of Independence which is one of the most important things about it imv.
BRICS Clear and the BRICS Pay System, which were showcased at the Summit, will provide a convenient alternative to the Western Swift system from which Russia has been banned. These form part of BRICS’s effort to avoid Western imposed sanctions and will allow BRICS countries to engage in transactions between them that cannot be sanctioned. This video explains how it will work. A new Crypto currency payment system known as ‘Blockchain', partially backed by gold, was also showcased. This will also allow BRICS countries to avoid Western sanctions. In addition, the New Development Bank will be expanded. If you would like a succinct overview of BRICS and its history, along with a brief examination of these economic measures, Professor Vladimir Brovkin provides it here. For a little more detail on the financial measures, have a look at this article. Many were hoping for a new currency or proposals to create one but this will not happen for some time if it does at all.
For an overall summary of the Declaration have a look at this from Russian journalist Edward Slavsquat. Thanks to Arthur and Random for the link.
Zakharova on BRICS
For years, the West has done everything to neutralize the BRICS agenda and tarnish the image of those countries that are part of the organization. The historic expansion of BRICS has become an information bomb in the West; it has become impossible to hide. The West's attempts to isolate Russia on the international stage have failed.
Mark Milley Accepts the Inevitable
Ex US Chief of Staff, Milley, admitted that the emerging MPW is going from strength to strength:
Today it’s clear we’re in a multipolar world and that’s really growing in a lot of different ways and it’s a much more complex world today than it was not too long ago.
That’s it for another week. Many thanks for you views, subscriptions, likes, shares and follows. Have a good week - Best Rob
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Sorry, I have lost the link and can’t find it again.
The extent to which blocking detachments were used at Stalingrad is a matter of dispute.
Armoured Personnel Carriers
JD Vance has also said that ‘I think we should pursue avenues of peace [with Russia]’
This article is dated 30th October and can be accessed through Brave. In the top right hand corner menu choose ‘New Private Window in Tor’, let it load then type RT in search.
Good work this week. So much happening.
"followed by a guerilla war in some regions" Good luck with that in this thermal sight equipped lethal drone age, Kukharchuk. As Ritter likes to say, "They will DIE."
I'll spare you my comment on your Trump blandishments.... :-)