Ukraine Weekly Update
10th November 2023
This week has seen the effects of the middle east conflict spread around the world as protests erupt and countries begin to take sides. The risk of escalation grows along with the number of civilian casualties in Gaza. Here, innocent people, including children, continue to be murdered as part of a policy of collective punishment. Hamas dared to attack Israel, therefore, Palestinian children must pay the price. There are no innocent Palestinians, one Israeli official said, in an effort to dehumanise the enemy (see below). The response by many Westerners has been to excuse this murderous slaughter as if it is somehow justified or unavoidable. But other Westerners have demonstrated their humanity in condemning the killings. Yet their institutions - such as the UN - are not capable of an equitable and humane response, revealing their total subservience to the US and highlighting the need to create new and workable institutions as part of a Multi-Polar World Order.
Ukraine, however, is not prepared to take a back seat as its leadership, vying for much needed attention, appears on the brink of civil war. Some have already paid the price for being too honest about Ukraine’s military prospects: others, including Zaluzhny (pictured above1), may follow soon. Meanwhile in the US, the dripping funding tap is in danger of being completely shut off as Democrats and Republicans juggle the fortunes of their ally with careless hands. On the battlefields, the Russians appear to be increasing the pressure but the Ukrainians are far from finished - as Medvedev has warned. It has been an eventful week.
Ukraine - Palestine - Putting things into Perspective
This chart shows that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza. This is not collateral damage, it is simply murder.
Genocide Joe
Recent protests against Israel in Washington have been massive and many protesters were shouting; ‘Hey, Hey Ho Ho, Genocide Joe Has Got To Go’. Time magazine is reporting a massive drop in Arab support for Genocide Joe.
Putin’s Call To Arms?
In a speech delivered by Putin on October 30th, he included mention of the future of the Palestinian people as something that Russian warriors should be fighting for:
…those who really stand up for truth and justice, who fight against evil and oppression, against racism and neo-Nazism, which the West encourages, are now fighting at the front – near Donetsk, Avdeyevka, on the Dnieper. I repeat: these are our soldiers and officers. And the choice of a real man, a true warrior, is to take up arms and stand in line with his brothers, to be there where the fate of Russia and, indeed, of the whole world, including the future of the Palestinian people, is being decided.
Putin was speaking against the background of recent anti-Israeli protests in Dagestan and appears to want people to behave as warriors in a manly way rather than the cowardly way in which the protesters attacked innocent people at the airport. But it could also be understood as a call to arms that is preparing the Russian people for a wider war in which fascist forces in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere must be defeated.2 But Putin also made it clear that the Russian people are part of a wider struggle against the Unipolar ‘rules based’ Western hegemon:
I would like to stress once again that, while fighting this enemy in the course of the special military operation, we are boosting the positions of all those who are struggling for their independence and sovereignty.”
And it is true, I think, that Russia has been an inspiration to nations struggling for independence and sovereignty.
Zelensky Blackmail
On the 4th November, Z gave an interview to NBC in which he appealed to the US congress telling members that unless they back Ukraine, the Russians will attack a NATO country, undermine European unity, destroy democracy in the world and cause the situation in the middle east to deteriorate. So in the end, he said, the US will need to send its soldiers to fight and die in order to stop them. Z suggested it would be better for the US to pay the Ukrainians to sort out those Russkies as they’ve been doing since June 4th.
Putin is a dictator who cuts the heads off children, and cannot be trusted, he said, so there will be no negotiations until the Russian army leaves Ukraine completely (including Crimea). Z asked the West to steal the frozen Russian assets and give Ukraine the interest on the money, which, he believes, will plug the gap in the Ukrainian budget. He also appealed for F16 fighter jets, drones and more air defence systems which the Ukrainian army will need in order to advance. Zelensky contradicted his commander Zaluzhny’s claim that the battle had reached a stalemate.
Z appeared a little frustrated but he also came across as energetic, determined and clear headed - even though he obviously does not grasp the true nature of the military situation on the ground or the desperate situation with regard to logistics. I can’t say whether he is self-deluded or misinformed.
You can watch his entire interview with NBC news here (45 minutes).
Zelensky v Zaluzhny
For a long time now, I have been seeing comments on Telegram channels and elsewhere that discuss the ongoing conflict between Zelensky and Zaluzhny - even though there are some who believe that the latter no longer walks this earth. Recent reports from Ukrainian Telegram channels suggest that attempts are being made to set up the army in opposition to Zelensky. According to legitimniy, the tensions between military personnel and political/administrative workers is growing, with the former becoming tired of strategic interference from the latter which, they say, has caused them misfortune and defeats.
Z was not pleased with Zaluzhny’s recent statement to the press that the war has reached a stalemate and will be difficult to win given Russia’s superiority in terms of production and manpower (you can read more here). In contrast, Z has promised victories by the end of 2023. He has started to sack generals without consulting Zaluzhny and the power struggle between the two may be coming to a head. It appears that military commanders have been ignoring Z’s orders that they arrange a full scale crossing of the Dnieper with heavy equipment in Zherson/Zaporizhzhe Directions (though this may now have started). The commanders view such a move as suicidal but the Great Z believes that the Russians will never expect it - according to a Ukrainian Telegram Channel. So it seems as though Zelensky is not completely in control of military matters. A Russian Telegram Channel includes some analysis of the situation by Luhansk Professor of Political Science, Dmitry Tsybakov who identifies three factions vying for control of Ukraine. These are headed by Zelensky, Zaluzhny and Arestovich (see below). Tsybakov expects Zelensky to dismiss more generals appointed by Zaluzhny. You can read his brief report here.
On October 9th, Igor Tantsnura commander of Territorial Defence Forces was replaced without Zaluzhny’s consent. And the sackings continued this week when Z removed Viktor Khorenko, who was head of Ukrainian Special Operations, and replaced him with Sergei Lupanchuk (probably someone loyal to Z). The sacking comes a week after Khorenko started attacking civilians in Energodar, which I reported on last week. You can read more here.
Zaluzhny lost another General this week when second in command, General Gennady Chestyakov, was killed by an explosive device sent to him in the mail. His 13 year old son was seriously injured by the blast. There is much speculation on legitimniy as to who was responsible but Zelensky is certainly among the suspects. Some believe this was an assassination delivered as a warning to Zaluzhny. It is also possible, at least, that this was an accident involving live grenades sent through the mail by a friend. But I can’t believe that someone could be so stupid as to send live grenades through the postal service.
Some, including ex-CIA operative Larry Johnson who was interviewed by Sputnik, believe that recent media focus on Zaluzhny and criticism of Zelensky could be signs of an upcoming regime change being promoted by the West. Time will tell.
Arestovich
Former Zelensky aid, Alexey Arestovich (above), has said that Ukraine cannot win a war against Russia, though he had previously said that victory was possible. He now admits that he lied to the Ukrainian people in order to help Ukraine survive (I’m not sure why he thought this). He concedes that he was wrong to do so and now claims that in order for Ukraine to survive it must negotiate with Russia. He also announced his intention to run for the Ukrainian presidency next year. Ukraine, he said, should abandon its demand to regain territory now occupied by the Russians in exchange for NATO membership. Wow! I find it astonishing that some people think they can impress on the world stage by spouting such nonsense. I can only assume that his comments are being directed at the Ukrainian public who still want to join NATO. But this could be a sign that Arestovich has allies who will support him in attaining the Presidency and in ending a war from which the Ukrainians have suffered enormously in return for absolutely nothing.
Democracy on Hold - according to Z
But Arestovich is unlikely to get the chance to fulfil his political ambitions because Z has cancelled the elections. Even though Z is under Western pressure to demonstrate that his country is democratic, he has now stated that elections will be impossible to arrange while the war is still being fought because martial law is in place and many Ukrainians are out of the country. The fact that a dozen opposition parties have been banned would also pose a problem for democracy. Elections would also be divisive, Zelensky said. I imagine there will be many inside and outside of Ukraine who will be unhappy with this decision which will make defence of Ukraine more difficult.
Women Warriors
In the name of equal opportunities, women should be given the same right to die on the battlefield as men, according to the Ukrainian MoD. Therefore, more women are being enlisted into the Ukrainian army which already contains around 43,000 high heeled grunts. But the lifting of recruiting restrictions means that Grandmas of 60 can now serve as machine gunners, tank commanders and snipers. Some may aspire to serve but I don’t think they would be happy with the footwear.
Russian National Unity Day - 4th November
National Unity Day celebrates the day in 1612 when there was a popular uprising of various Russian groups who united to expel Lithuanian and Polish occupiers from their lands.
Ukrainians Fighting Against Their Own Language
Ukrainian sniper Konstantin Proshinsky admitted that in the Armed Forces of Ukraine the vast majority of soldiers speak Russian. Apparently, they are fighting so that in the future they will be completely banned from speaking it.
$125 millions US Aid To Ukraine
The US will provide $125 millions to cover Ukraine’s immediate military needs and a further $300 millions to improve air defences over the long term, according to Sputnik.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that this latest package has virtually exhausted Biden’s budget for Ukraine: the money allocated by congress is running out. Therefore, she said, ominously:
For now, we will provide small packages of military assistance to stretch the remaining capacity to support Ukraine for as long as possible.
Another report in Zero Hedge confirms that money for Ukraine is running out and that future aid packages will get smaller and smaller.
Sounds like a nail being driven into a coffin to me. No wonder Ukraine is now being asked to negotiate. Z will be hoping that congress provides more but it is not certain to do so.
Ukrainian Offensive Five Months Old on November 4th
‘Was it worth it?’, is the big question on the lips of many and the short answer, of course, is an emphatic ‘No!’. 36 Brigades of around 2,500 men each were lost along with many thousands of armoured vehicles. Losses such as these have not been incurred by an army since World War Two, according to Rybar. But I’m not sure if that’s true. A pathetically small amount of ground, now precariously held, is all Ukraine has to show for this bloody sacrifice.
Peace Talks?
On November 4th, Tass reported on a news program from NBC which claims that European officials have started talking with their counterparts in Ukraine about what Kiev is willing to give up in order to make a peace deal with the Russians. NBC has said that some talks were convened last month. The talks reflect concerns that there is a stalemate and that the West may not be able to maintain its supply of military ordnance. Even though NBC is claiming a stalemate it also appeared to be worried that Ukraine will not last until the end of the year:
Ukraine likely only has until the end of the year or shortly thereafter before more urgent discussions about peace negotiations should begin.
Of course, there is no stalemate in the sense that each side has exhausted itself and can fight no longer - even though there may be operational pauses in place. NBC appears to accept reports that the Ukrainians are running out of soldiers to continue the fight, according to RT.
But the Great Z will have none of this negotiations nonsense. In a joint press conference with Ursula von der Leyen he affirmed that Ukraine will not enter into negotiations with Russia and that he is not being pressurized by anyone to do so. However, he did concede that the Ukrainian media has been claiming that some Western nations are pressing Ukraine to start talks with Russia and that this surprised him. Washington has officially denied that it is urging Ukraine to negotiate.
I find it a little odd in that Z was not more condemnatory of the Ukrainian news reports and he didn’t appear to know who published them - according to RT.
Ban Telegram! - Aleksey Danilov
Ukrainian security chief Aleksey Danilov, wants to ban Telegram because it is dangerous from a national security perspective. If that happens, my Ukrainian sources will be reduced to zero.
Ukrainian Terror Attacks (i.e. attacks designed to kill civilians)
Luhansk Car Bomb
Colonel Mikhail Filiponenko was killed when a bomb exploded underneath his car at his home on the morning of November 8th. The colonel was a Member of the People's Council of the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), former head of the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the LPR and the former head of the People's Police of the LPR. The Ukrainian secret services have admitted responsibility.
DPR
On the 4th November, a 15 year old girl was injured by shelling in the village of Volnovakha. Two people sustained injuries after a drone attack on a ‘Walmart type’ enterprise while a drone attack on a supermarket resulted in no casualties (miraculously). The driver of a car parked outside a shopping Mal was not so fortunate and was killed by a drone blast that wounded his passenger. In Kirovsky district, civilians were also attacked by drones - according to Sputnik. On the morning of the 6th November, Ukrainian attacks killed two civilians and injured another two. On the morning of the 7th, at Gorlovka, another civilian was injured by shelling and later the same day HIMARS hit the Department of Labour and Social Protection in the Voroshilovsky district. Five people were killed and another five injured, according to South Front. Sputnik has reported that the final death toll was more than 20. Massive shelling on the 8th November killed another three and injured 30, according to the Two Majors. Later in the day HIMARS killed another six and injured 15. The Kalinin hospital in the city centre was also attacked. On the 9th November, five civilians were wounded by artillery strikes and another four were injured on the 10th.
Kherson
On the evening of November 3rd, the village of Chablinka was savagely attacked by Ukrainian HIMARS, some of which got through to destroy the Pension Fund Centre and the Employment Centre. At least nine civilians were killed and seven injured.
HIMARS also attacked the Vladimir Zhoga House of Culture while a concert was being performed. There were casualties, including a girl who suffered shrapnel wounds.
These attacks are repugnant from a moral standpoint but they are also a waste of HIMARS from a military standpoint.
On the evening of the 4th November, according to Rybar:
cannon artillery fire targeted Novaya Kakhovka, Kakhovka, Peschanivka, Sagi, Krynki, Dnepryany, and Golaya Pristan. Fortunately, there are no reports of casualties or damage.
I am not sure why Krynki is included on this list since it is occupied by Ukrainian forces. Missiles were also launched at the village of Skadovsk damaging a furniture store but causing no casualties.
The village of Skadovsk was attacked again on the morning of the 9th November causing damage to residential buildings and injuring eleven civilians.
Belgorod
On November 3rd, a local industrial enterprise came under attack in the city of Shebekino. Three people suffered shrapnel wounds and two of these required hospitalisation. Locals also reported shelling in the villages of Vyazovoye and Novaya Tavolzhanka but no information on damage/casualties has been provided. Belgorod came under attack again on the 7th when the village of Dronovka was hit with mortars, artillery and drones. The town of Valuyki was attacked on the 9th November.
Kursk
Many villages in Kursk came under artillery fire on November 4th and Guyovo was attacked on the 6th. Several border villages were attacked on the 8th November, including Uspenovka where several houses were damaged. There were no casualties. On the 9th November, a butter factory in the city of Sudzha was attacked with cluster munitions dropped from drones. Some production barrels were damaged but there were no casualties.
Bryansk
On November 6th, two ‘aircraft like’ drones were shot down and caused no damage. Border regions were attacked by continuous artillery fire on the 7th. On the 8th another ‘aircraft like’ drone was shot down over the village of Suzemsky.
The Sea War
Crimea
15 drones were launched towards the north west of Crimea on the 3rd November. Two of these were shot down while the rest were disabled by electronic means. Six drones which targeted Russian Armed Forces facilities in the Krasnoperekopsky and Pervomaisky districts were also shot down/disabled. The following day 11 missiles (Modified S-200 missiles and Stormshadows) were launched at Genichesk and Kerch but all were shot down. But early on the morning of November 5th, another large attack was launched targeting Berdyansk and the Kerch Bridge. Eight Stormshadow/SCALP missiles, probably launched from SU-34Ms in Dnipro, were shot down. A Neptune missile launched at Cape Tarkhankut was also shot down. Later, three more Stormshadows, apparently targeting Berdyansk, were destroyed - according to Slavyangrad. The Russian air defences, including S-400s, are working well. However, the Russian MoD reported that a ship (the Karakurt) at a shipbuilding plant near Kerch was damaged aby a Cruise missile that managed to get through
In Dzhankoy, the Ukrainians launched several drones in a bid to destroy a train carrying petroleum products. All drones were destroyed.
On the night of November 6th, nine drones were destroyed over Crimea and a further five were shot down over the Black Sea, according to Tass. One fell onto a house, according to the Military Chronicle, causing a small fire. Such drone attacks are usually preliminary to large missile strikes.
On November 7th, the airfields at Saki and Belbek were attacked by 17 drones: 9 were shot down while 8 were disabled electronically, according to Rybar.
On the 9th November, according to Slavyangrad:
By duty air defense systems, the Neptune anti-ship missile was detected and destroyed over the Black Sea off the coast of Crimea at 17:40 , the Russian Ministry of Defense reported
Overnight on the 9th/10th November, four drones were destroyed over the west coast while missiles and unmanned boats were intercepted near Uzkaya bay. Another Neptune missile was destroyed over Sevastopol on the 10th. None of these attacks caused any damage.
The Air War
Russian Drone/Missile Strikes
3rd/4th November Overnight
Russia launched a massive drone/missile strike covering the whole of Ukraine overnight. Around 40 kamikaze drones and an unknown number of Criuse missiles were used - according to Zero Hedge.
4th/5th November Overnight
Dnepropretovsk International airport was attacked late in the evening of the 4th, causing damage to NASAMS air defence launchers and several radars. Mirgorod airport in Poltava was also attacked yet again.
5th/6th November Overnight
Overnight, according to the Two Majors:
The RF Armed Forces carried out a massive attack at night using rocket weapons and Geranium UAVs. The enemy's facilities in Odessa were hit. They included warehouses with weapons and ammunition, factory premises and port infrastructure. The enemy's air defence failed, again the footage of AFU anti-aircraft missiles falling to the ground was caught on video.
According to another report, Onyx missiles and ten Geranium drones were used to attack port facilities and a production site for underwater drones in Odessa.
6th/7th Overnight
Port facilities in Odessa region were attacked overnight. Dolgintsevo and Krivoy Rog airfields were also attacked.
7th/8th November Overnight
Mirgorod airport in Poltava was attacked overnight.
8th/9th November Overnight
On the evening of the 8th, the port of Yuzhny in Odessa was attacked and damaged caused to a Liberian flagged ship with military cargo on board.
9th/10th November Overnight
Geraniums were on the wing again on the evening of the 9th over Dnipro and Poltava regions - according to Slavyangrad. Ukrainian Telegram channels are also reporting Geraniums over Kiev. According to the Two Majors:
During the night, the RF Armed Forces carried out strikes by the Geranium kamikaze UAV against enemy facilities in the Kiev, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk and Vinnitsa regions.
Ukrainian Drone/Missile Strikes
Sedovo
On November 5th, the Ukrainians managed to hit a Russian ammunition depot in Sedovo (DPR) using Stormshadows/ATACMS. But other reports contradict this claiming that a fire started due to faulty wiring but was quickly extinguished causing little damage.
Kursk
On the 10th November the Ukrainians attacked an oil depot with drones.
The Ground War
Russian MoD Weekly Summaries
w/e 27th October: Casualties: 5585 killed and wounded (797 per day); equipment losses = 253
w/e 3rd November: Casualties 5435 killed and wounded (776 per day); equipment losses = 377 (includes 35 watercraft)
w/e 10th November: Casualties 4825 killed and wounded; equipment losses 308 (includes 15 boats)
The Fronts
Kupyansk
On the afternoon of November 6th, the Russians launched a massive attack on Sinkovka from many sides. Throughout the week they continued to make slow progress towards Kupyansk.
Avdeevka
Dima, at the Military Summary Channel has reported that the Russians are digging tunnels underneath Ukrainian strongholds in Avdeevka which they are using the blow up or infiltrate their enemy’s forces. Other reports indicate a ‘tightening of the noose’ by the Russians who are preventing rotation of Ukrainian troops and blocking the supply of equipment into the city. I have chosen the above map because it provides a wide view of the conflict from Siversk in the north to Zaporizhzhe in the south.
Kherson
The Ukrainians are expanding their bridgehead near Kyrinki on the left bank of the Dnieper. 300 soldiers have been deployed to the area and equipment is being ferried across to these units. Some sources claim that pontoon bridges are being prepared. On November 10th, the Military Chronicle reported that the Ukrainians have broken into the forest belt south of Kyrinki - so they have made some progress. The Russians responded with heavy flamethrower systems and managed to ambush some three assault attachments as they pushed through the forest where 11 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered.
Artemovsk (Bakhmut)
As can be seen from the above map, the Russians, rather than the Ukrainians are progressing in this Direction as the latter are starting to lose positions they have fought hard to gain over the past six months.
Zaporizhzhe - Rabotino - Verbove
The Ukrainians have made several attacks this week but have made little progress in return for heavy casualties. The Russians made some progress in a counter-attack towards Rabotino on the 9th November.
The Economic War
Germany - Ukrainian Refugees Drain the Economy
Gunnar Beck, a spokesman for the growing AfD party in Germany, has expressed concerns that only 20% of their 700,000 Ukrainian refugees are in employment. The rest are quite happy on German welfare which is so generous that it acts as a disincentive to find work. Many Ukrainians, according to Gunnar Beck, are abusing the system by returning to Ukraine after receiving their fortnightly payment. Incredibly, according to this report in Sputnik, Germany has 5.5 million refugees receiving welfare. There is little incentive, according to Beck, for these people to return home.
West Trying to Steal Russian Money
The EU and the US have both signaled their intention to steal $300 billions of frozen Russian assets and give the money to Ukraine. There are at least two problems with this suggestion. First, it is illegal and Russia has made it clear that it will pursue any such action through the courts. Second, it could undermine faith in the dollar and the Euro as other countries begin to fear that their own assets held in these currencies may not be safe.
EU Sanctions Cost $1.5 Trillions
According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, EU sanctions imposed on Russia have cost it $1.5 trillions. Earlier this year Orban of Hungary estimated that sanctions against Russia had cost his country $10 billions.
Ukraine Budget Deficit 2024
The Ukrainian Finance Minister has announced that the budget for 2024 is short of $29 billions. I am not sure what will happen if the West doesn’t bail them out.
Italy Can’t Afford NATO’s Demands
Italy’s Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto, has told lawmakers that the country cannot afford NATO’s demands for military spending. NATO is demanding that spending is increased from 1.46% of GDP to 2%. Crosetto said that this was impossible and that spending will decrease in coming years. Maybe Italy should be considering whether they are getting value for money from NATO since the war it is funding in Ukraine is causing them nothing but pain.
World Politics
UN- West Responsible For Donbass Killings
Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, told the Security Council that the repeated targeting civilians and first responders in Donetsk with US-made HIMARS missiles was a deliberate crime, for which both the Ukrainian government and its Western sponsors will be held accountable - according to RT.
Czech Romanies Protest
Czech Romanies have been assaulted and even killed by Ukrainian refugees leading to protests against the Nazis. Roma children, in particular, are facing regular attacks, according to Rybar.
Ambassadors To Israel Recalled
Several countries have recalled their ambassadors to Israel this week - Chad; Turkiye; Bahrain; Honduras; Chile; Columbia and Jordon. South Africa has recalled all its diplomats in Israel pending an investigation. I hope this list grows.
Venezuela
Meanwhile, Maduro of Venezuela has called for an end to Zionist ideology which will come for the Arabs, the Muslims and the Christians. ‘Let’s stop the Zionist genocide in time’, he said, according to the Two Majors.
Sanctions Against Israel?
Deputy Belgian PM, Petra De Sutter, has called for sanctions against Israel due to its killing of Palestinian children in Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian Protests
There have been a number of Pro-Palestinian Protests around the world this week including 300,000 in Washington DC. At least a million gathered in Jakarta (Indonesia) over the weekend, according to the UK’s Socialist Worker paper which provides a summary of protests here. The British Labour party is hugely divided on the issue as pro-Israel leader, Kier Starmer faces pressure to resign. As I have already said, nothing will divide the world as much as the Israeli-Palestine conflict.
Dockers For Peace
Dockers in Barcelona are refusing to send arms to Israel, Ukraine or any other country at war, according to Slavyangrad. It would be good if truckers joined in.
US Headed in Wrong Direction - Poll
An ABC poll indicates that 76% of Americans believe that the US is headed in the wrong direction. The Economy, inflation and health care are among their primary concerns which are not being addressed.
UN Adopts Russian Anti-Nazi Resolution
According to RT:
The resolution that condemns “the persistence and resurgence of neo-Nazism, neo-Fascism and violent nationalist ideologies based on racial and national prejudice” was adopted on Friday by a vote of 111-50, with 14 abstentions.
No prizes for guessing who voted against - yes, the US, the UK, Canada and many European countries.
Russia Ditches The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
The treaty has been abandoned by the Russians ‘without regret and with full confidence of its rightness’, a spokesman said.
Polish-Ukraine Tensions
Polish truckers have been involved in a protest at the border with Ukraine. The recent relaxation of rules limiting the number of Ukrainian trucks allowed into Poland has affected the livelihoods of the truckers. Border guards have been supporting the action by delaying the passage of Ukrainian trucks into the country. Electronic applications from Ukrainian trucks to cross the border into Poland which used to takes hours are now taking as much as 11 days. Poland is also blocking Ukraine’s application to join the EU, insisting that Ukraine be held to account for the Volyn Massacre of 1943 when Ukrainian nationalists, who supported the Nazis, killed and buried between 40,000 and 100,000 Poles. The Polish government wants the victims to be exhumed and given a decent burial - according to RT. It also wants the Great Z to apologise for the massacre - which could be a problem.
Johnson Refuses to Meet With Ukrainian Lobbyists
New US house speaker Mike Johnson has refused to meet with Ukrainian faith leaders, according to the Washington post (reported in RT). The lobbyists are trying to convince Americans that the Ukrainian authorities have not impeded religious freedoms - which is, of course, nonsense.
The Emerging Multi-Polar World Order v The International Community
Maniac of the Week
And this week’s prize goes to Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu who said:
We wouldn't have given the Nazis humanitarian aid…There's no such thing as innocents in Gaza.
Do you mean that babies in their prams are combatants with kalashnikovs hidden underneath their blankets? What about those dying in incubators for lack of electricity, are they also guilty of something? This sad excuse for a human being topped even this when he said that dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza was an option. At this point an adult entered the room and suspended him - but they didn’t sack him or throw him in jail, they just suspended him for going off script. The Saudis and others complained that he had not been sacked. They also took note of this admission by the Israelis that they have nuclear weapons: something which they frequently deny.
US Presidential candidate, Tim Scott, came in at a close second when he said ‘you cannot negotiate with evil, you have to destroy it’. Therefore, if he gets to be president he is determined to bomb Iran. It seems that US leaders haven’t evolved very much since the gunfighting days of the old West.
That’s it for this week - sorry if it’s a little longer than usual but I needed to include some discussion of the middle east conflict. Many thanks for your likes, views, subscriptions and kind comments.
Thanks to VPK News for the image.
Thanks to John Helmer and Alexander Mercouris for drawing my attention to this.
This report is just perfect, including the great maps. Many thanks Dr. Rob for this beautiful summary. BTW. I think Zelensky is self deluded. He still insists that he wants to get all the territories back. That is surely a sign of insanity.
As usual, a great summary Rob. Thanks for providing it.