Ukraine Weekly Update
12th April 2024
This week, Russia has continued to degrade Ukraine’s energy system with some massive drone/missile attacks. Several large power plants have been damaged and some disabled while large underground gas storage facilities have been destroyed. The future of Ukraine’s energy remains uncertain at this time. On the fronts, there has been a noticeable uptick in Russia’s activities and some strategically important Ukrainian towns, such as Chasov Yar, are close to collapse. Reports coming from Ukrainian Telegram Channels are increasingly gloomy (see below) as ammunition and manpower shortages begin to bite, while disillusionment with the Ukraine’s regime is growing. In the Middle East, Iranian retaliation for the Israeli attacks on its embassy in Damascus have not yet materialised while the Israelis are still on the verge of attacking Rafah having pulled many of its troops out of Gaza. The clash between Israel and Hezbollah continues along with Houthis attacks on shipping. Sergey Lavrov visited China this week and it is possible that Xi has now agreed to back Russia militarily in the event of escalation. If this is true, as commentators such as Alexander Mercouris appear to believe, then this could be the most significant event of the week: hence the photo above.
Donetsk Aged 10 - 7th April 2024
Happy Anniversary!
April 10th was also the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Odessa from the NAZIS. During the 907 day occupation of the city, 82,000 of the city’s residents were killed and another 78,000 deported to forced labour camps in Germany. On May 1st 1945, Odessa was declared a ‘hero city’. Now Odessa is waiting for liberation from a modern version of Nazism.
Dmitry on Fire
This statement follows the interrogation of Crocus suspects which revealed that they were advised that a path would be cleared for them (including mine clearance) so that they could cross the border safely into Ukraine. A definite connection between the terrorists and the Ukraine intelligence service has been established but Medvedev believes that connections to Western leaders and the terror attacks have also been made.
Unconditional Surrender
Russian ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, has responded to the peace initiative hosted by Switzerland which excluded Russia. ‘Very soon’, he said:
…the only topic for any international meetings on Ukraine will be the unconditional surrender of the Kyiv regime. I advise you all to prepare for this in advance.
Maria Zakharova suggested that Russia would not be attending any peace conferences based on the Zelensky model - which ignores reality - and questioned Switzerland’s neutral status, the lack of which disqualifies it from hosting such conferences in relation to the Ukraine conflict.
Burisma Used To Fund Terror Attacks on Russia?
The Russian Investigative Committee has found evidence that money was channeled through Burisma Holdings (once run by Hunter Biden - so they say) to finance terrorist attacks in Russia and to eliminate Russia’s political opponents outside the country. Other Ukrainian companies, not named, have also been involved, according to RT. The Committee has opened a criminal case under the heading ‘financing terrorism’ that involves US and NATO officials. Could NATO be a terrorist organisation, I wonder! There is also a connection between Hunter Biden and the Biolabs discovered across Ukraine. Of course, sleepy Joe Biden, who secured ‘employment’ at Burisma for his son, also has his paw marks all over this.
Ukraine Using Chemical Weapons in Artemovsk
Sputnik is reporting that the Ukrainians have been using glass flasks containing what could be white phosphorous in the Artemovsk direction. Symptoms include burning of the upper respiratory tract and coughing - but is lethal in higher doses.
Criminal Lack of Training
Dmitry Lubinets, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, in an interview with Suspilnye Novosti, said that Kiev is throwing young men into battle without any training. Men are mobilised and sent to the front in just a couple of days whereas they should be trained for at least three months, yet no one is punished, he said.
25 Patriots Needed - Z
The once great Z has called for 25 new Patriot systems with 6-8 launchers each. I’d like a Hymer Camper van but it’s never going to happen. The Patriots cost at least $1 billions each. He also admitted that the Ukrainians do not possess sufficient missiles for offensive actions but have enough for defence - which is doubtful. I read somewhere that only 4 of these Patriot systems are produced in a year.
Yermak - No Compromises
Andriy Yermak, spokesman for Zelensky’s office, has announced that Ukrainians will never compromise with Putin, who, he believes, does not wish to negotiate. This is odd coming from the spokesman of an administration that has outlawed negotiations with Russia. The fact that Ukrainians are staying in Ukraine with their families is testimony to their determination in the face of Russian aggression, even though they are tired of war - he said. But the truth is that people are leaving Ukraine and will continue to do so.
More Ukrainian Woes
Ukrainian Telegram channel legitimniy is reporting that the Ukrainian army is suffering a shortage of ammunition which Kiev is unlikely to be able to resolve. But some commentators on Ukrainian channels have also pointed to low morale within the army and an increasing number of ‘leaving positions/surrendering’ especially around Chasov Yar. Others, who now appreciate that the war cannot be won, talk about the country’s inability to increase mobilisation and are critical of Z for refusing to negotiate simply to keep himself and his entourage in power and at the feeding trough. On April 9th, one commentator on legitimniy gave the following assessment of situation on the fronts which is as gloomy as the rest of the report which you can read here:
Puzzle 7. Front
The situation at the front is deplorable. Almost a disaster. There is little ammunition, little equipment, and few people. Morale is low and many are depressed. Tension between officers and soldiers is growing. The soldiers quietly hate Ze-power and the General Staff. The Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to lose ground. The front is sinking.
The assessment of Russia in this report does not read well for Ukrainians:
Puzzle 6. Enemy.
The enemy (Russian Federation), during this time, strengthened itself politically, economically, and industrially. They are producing more and more equipment, ammunition, UAVs, missiles, etc. Support for the Russian Federation on the world stage has not decreased, but increased. There are more people stirring up schemes with the Kremlin. There are already fewer people inside Ukraine who think that the arrival of Russia is bad and terrible (the number of those who don’t care what flag is, the main thing is peace and tranquility), is growing especially.
The once great Z is equally pessimistic and has been criticised for recent speeches which have been ‘depressing’. In one recent interview he warned that Ukraine will lose the war without US aid and that Russia will then launch a nuclear attack on ‘other countries’. He blamed the US congress for all this because it did not approve Ukraine’s funding - according to Slavyangrad. Polish President, Donald Tusk, doesn’t share Z’s hysteria, suggesting that a Russian attack of any kind against European countries is unlikely.
His Nose is Growing
The New Yorker is carrying a story from Luke Mogelson who was on the front line in Ukraine recently and talked to Ukrainian officers. These officers ridiculed Z ‘s claim that only 31,000 Ukrainians had been killed. Mogelson compared the once great Z with Pinocchio - who couldn’t stop his nose growing when he lied. Z also promised a new offensive once the West sends the weapons - hey it’s still growing. According to Z’s logic:
Yes, we have a counteroffensive plan. We will definitely win. We have no alternative. But I cannot promise this and name a date.
So, the Ukrainians will win because they must (i.e. should), which can’t count as an argument really. Such ‘thinking’ is commonplace among Western leaders who employ moral imperatives as part of their ‘logic’ - as I have said a number of times before.
Kiev Anti-Cemetery Protests
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Kiev this week - but not for an end to the war, which would have been great. No, these people were protesting about the destruction of 260 hectares of forest in order to accommodate their menfolk in cemeteries. When people feel more motivated to protest about trees than they do about men there is something seriously wrong with that society. It’s the Green Curse.
Ukrainian Terrorist Attacks
5th/6th April Overnight
According to the Two Majors:
The Belgorod region is under fire again. In the morning, the AFU hit Belgorod. Windows were broken and the facade was cut in the building of the Children's Polyclinic No. 4 of Belgorod, arrivals in the area of the Gallery Shopping Center, residential buildings in different parts of the city, Photos with a fire in the private sector diverge. Yesterday, a drone attacked a peaceful tractor near Shebekino, a civilian received minor injuries. Vyazovoye of the Krasnoyaruzhsky district, the village of Krasnoye in the Shebekinsky urban district were shelled. On the DPR's peaceful population, the Nazis fired 125 rounds of ammunition, and 8 civilians were wounded in Donetsk and Gorlovka. The Zaporozhiye NPP reported the arrival of Ukrainian combat drones in the area of the cargo port and nitrogen-oxygen station, no damage to critical infrastructure was recorded.
7th/8th April Overnight
The Zaporizhye NPP was attacked again overnight but there was minimal damage. Three employees of the plant sustained injuries.
According to Slavyangrad:
At about 16.00 Moscow time, air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 15 airplane-type drones over Belgorod (12 UAVs) and Bryansk (3 UAVs) regions.
However, some drones got through to cause casualties. In the village of Shagarovka, a car containing six people was hit, killing a young girl and causing serious head injuries to 4 others, including two children.
According to the Two Majors:
In the Bryansk region, 2 aircraft–type UAVs were destroyed over the Suzemsky district, 1 over the Trubchevsky district. Due to the attack on the village of Kurkovichi, Starodubsky municipal district, the power supply was disrupted. On the DPR, the enemy fired 63 rounds of ammunition, a civilian born in 1957 died in Makeyevka, 6 were wounded in Donetsk, Gorlovka and Staromikhaylovka, including a girl born in 2017.
8th/9th April Overnight
The Zaporizhye NPP was attacked again with drones on the 8th April when one drone hit the roof of the 6th power unit. US State spokesman Matthew Miller, predictably, blamed the Russians for the Ukrainian drone attacks urging them to take civilians and military personnel from the plant. The Russians will be raising the NPP attacks at the next UN Security council meeting.
Elsewhere, according to the Two Majors:
In the Belgorod region, enemy drones continue to destroy civilian vehicles. In the Valuysky urban district, an FPV drone attacked a milk truck moving along the road. An aircraft-type UAV was shot down over the region at night. A similar drone was suppressed by electronic warfare in the Voronezh region. There were reports of the shelling of Tyotkino in the Kursk region. In the DPR, two civilians in Yasinovataya and Gorlovka were wounded by Nazi fire.
On the 9th April, the training centre at the Zaporizhye NPP was hit causing some damage but no casualties. The village of Klimovo in Bryansk was also attacked with shells killing one woman and a child, while injuring three others, according to RT.
9th/10th April Overnight
According to the Two Majors, drones attacked a bus and a minibus in Belgorod overnight, injuring two civilians. Four ‘aircraft-type’ drones were shot down but caused damage to infrastructure in some villages.
10th/11th April Overnight
Ukrainian ‘aircraft type’ drones were shot down over Kursk, Bryansk and Lipetsk regions overnight. In Kursk, an explosive device dropped from a drone hit a car killing three people, including two children. 61 rounds of ammunition were aimed at civilians in the DPR. Fortunately, only one person sustained injuries in consequence, according to the Two Majors.
11th/12th April Overnight
Belgorod and Bryansk came under attack from drones and shelling overnight while in the DPR six civilians were injured by attacks.
The Air War (Map)
Russian Missile/Drone Attacks
5th/6th April Overnight
According to the Two Majors:
The RFAF, In the morning, launched a combined attack with sea- and air-based missile weapons, as well as the Geran UAV, on enemy targets in the Kiev, Khmelnitsky and Zaporozhye regions. FABS with UMPC are used not only to demolish enemy positions on the frontline, but also for regular destruction of targets at a distance of up to 90 km in the Kharkov and Sumy regions. Earlier in the day, it was reported about a strike on the Motor-Sich Plant in Zaporozhye and an electric substation.
6th/7th April Overnight
According to the Russian MoD:
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a group strike with long-range maritime and airborne precision weapons and strike drones against military industrial facilities engaged in the production and repair of armoured and motor vehicles, UAVs, military airfields, and temporary deployment areas for foreign mercenaries of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The goal of the strike has been achieved. All the assigned targets have been engaged.
7th/8th April Overnight
At least five missiles hit military facilities overnight in Kharkov. But electric substations were also damaged and the city was left without electricity for some time while the subway could not function.
Ilyichevsk, in Odessa and Dnepropetrovsk were also attacked causing damage to the electric grid and power outages. Oil depots in Novograd-Volynsky and fuel storage tanks in Zhytomyr were also attacked. Kiev and Sumy regions also came under attack.
8th/9th April Overnight
According to the Two Majors:
The RFAF used Geran UAVs and missile weapons against enemy targets at night, while the enemy notes the launch of drones at intervals, which may indicate a change in tactics of their use. Probably for the opening of air defence positional areas. Explosions were heard in Poltava, Kamenskoye, Dnepropetrovsk region, the city of Stryi, Lvov region, Odessa, Khmelnitsky regions. In the afternoon, Iskander missiles hit the assembly shop of Ukrainian UAVs in Zaporozhye. Frequent strikes by FABs with the UMPC continued in the Kharkov and Sumy regions.
10th April
The Two Majors reported that: ‘The RFAF continued to launch attacks by UAVs and missile weapons on targets in the Odessa and Nikolayev regions during the day’. Among the targets repeatedly attacked was a railway bridge in Odessa.
10th/11th April Overnight - Large Scale Attack
This was one of the largest Russian air attacks for some time. According to Cyberspec, which uses Ukrainian sources:
The Russian Armed Forces launched a massive attack on Kharkov, targeting CHPP-3, the Turboatom plant, the Malysheva plant and factory for reinforced concrete products acc to the pro-Russian Kharkov underground. In the Kiev region, the Trypilska Thermal Power Plant was hit, a fire is burning [see image below]. The strike hit the building with the power units. The regional administration confirms the arrival. Kharkov has big problems with electricity. The metro will not operate in the near future. 15 ballistic missiles were launched at the city
The Two Majors gave this report:
In the early morning [April 11th], a massive combined strike was inflicted on the enemy's territory. The Geraniums were the first to enter the business. Launches were carried out from strategic missile carriers Tu-95ms, hypersonic "Kinzhal" from MiG-31 were used. It is significant that up to 8 hypersonic missiles were launched at the same time. Several waves of explosions swept through the city of Stryi, Lvov region, Kiev, Rovno, Ziytomir, Zaporozhye, Kharkov, Khmelnitsky, Ivano-Frankovsk regions. In the Odessa region, there are hits in electrical distribution substations. Getting into the Tripoli TPP. (Kiev region, Ukrainka). It's burning. In Kharkov, there were several arrivals at night in the area of CHP-3, followed by a fire. Also, during the past day, targets in the Odessa region were attacked. Several hits occurred on the railway bridge on the branch line to the seaport of Chernomorsk (Ilyichevsk), and other important logistics points were attacked.
11th/12th April
According to the Two Majors:
The Geran UAVs, at night, hit targets in Krivoy Rog, Starokonstantinov, Odessa and Vinnitsia regions. During the day, the scale of the destruction of the enemy's TPPs in the Kiev, Sumy and Kharkov regions after massive strikes by the RFAF became clear. The facilities are not subject to restoration.
The combined heat and power plant in Sumy was also damaged overnight, according to Tass.
Later it was learned that the Trypillya Thermal Power Plant (pictured below) in Kiev was completely destroyed - though the Ukrainian authorities could be publicly overestimating the damage to avoid further Russian attacks.
These latest attacks will lead to electricity shortages in Ukraine. The damage to large underground gas storage will hurt the Ukrainian economy because Europeans may be reluctant to store their gas here in future. Gas shortages and increased prices are possible for Ukraine and other European countries. Some Ukrainians believe that Crocus provided the Russians with the motivation to destroy Ukraine’s energy system after they showed considerable restraint during the winter months. I am not so sure. It is also possible that these latest attacks have been made for reasons associated with the military situation. In several months (or years) we will be in a better position to make judgements on this.
Ukrainian Missile/Drone Attacks
7th/8th April Overnight
Ukrainian drones attacked oil refineries at Tatarstan, a military airfield at Morosovsk where 40 drones were shot down and the airfield at Yeysk (Krasnador). There was minimal damage and no casualties were reported. This is the only attack on oil refineries I have seen this week.
The Ground War
Cats At The Front
Many cats have found homes with soldiers fighting on both sides of the front. The pictures shown are of felines on the Russian side who the soldiers are trying to make comfortable.
Don’t Forget the Dogs
The picture on the right shows injured ‘Chucky’ who took a drone hit in order to protect his fellow Russian soldiers.
South Front Sitrep - Air and Ground Wars
This sitrep is short at under 3 minutes but gives a sense of the overall picture.
Russian MoD Reports
w/e 22nd March 8745 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 361
w/e 29th March 5770 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 361
w/e 5th April 5075 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 321.
w/e 12th April 6685 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 338.
After two weeks of relatively low casualties, there has now been a considerable increase in manpower losses but less so with regard to equipment. I don’t have the time or the inclination to analyse and speculate here - maybe Brian Berletic will do a piece on it.
Seversk
The Russians continue to advance in the Seversk direction and towards the heavily fortified village of Belaya Gora. (Sorry I couldn’t get a map in English)
Chasov Yar
With Chasov Yar on the verge of collapse, the once great Z is prioritising the spending of some 6 millions hyrvnia to rename the streets. Do you not realise, Mr. Zelensky, that plaques with street names are likely to get buried under the rubble once the Fab-1500s have finished their work. And when the dust clears and Russians occupy Chasov Yar, they will choose Russian heroes to name their streets after. But Z is after that transient moment of defiance when image attempts to defy reality but can do so only fleetingly.
On Monday 8th April, the village of Bogdanovka, on the flank of Chasov Yar, was captured. On the 9th April, the Two Majors reported that the Ukrainians are not allowing civilians to leave and are forcing them out of basements which they then occupy themselves leaving the people vulnerable to Russian attacks.
On the 10th April, the Military Chronicle gave this update:
The Russian army is launching a frontal triple strike on Chasiv Yar - the same one was used in Avdiivka and Artemivsk. The offensive is taking place in the central part directly in the residential area, from the north from the side of Bogdanovka and in the south from the side of the village of Krasnoye along the gullies. Thus, the eastern district of the city "Canal" will be taken in pincers.
It appears that an Azov brigade has refused orders to go to Chasov Yar because they consider the city to be lost already. The orders came from Syrsky.
Zaporizhye
Sorry there’s no map - I’m having problems finding English versions - so I need to obtain new sources.
Fighting has been going on around Rabotino and Verbove for what seems like an eternity. On April 10th, the Military Chronicle reported that:
Near Orekhove and Malaya Tokmachka, the enemy is building fortifications and preparing for a long-term defense. It is reported about the appearance of foreign mercenaries in the area, due to the loss of the initiative of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On April 12th, according to the Military Chronicle, fighting continued in the centre of Rabotino.
Avdeevka
By the end of the week, fighting continued West of Avdeevka. In the area of Berdychi, stubborn battles continue for the northern outskirts of the village and landings in the direction of Ocheretyne - according to the Military Chronicle. To the north of Avdeevka the Russians are advancing west in the direction of Novokalinovo and Keramik.
The Economic War
Adam Smith Spurned
Adam Smith lived and died not far from here in Edinburgh. He was a moral philosopher as well as an economist and was friendly with philosopher David Hume who also lived not far from here (in the 18th century). He is known as the father of capitalism and an advocate of ‘free markets’ guided by a ‘hidden hand’ that makes the system work equitably for all participants (or so Smith believed).
I think he would have been horrified at what capitalism has become for many. If a ‘free market’ ever existed, it died a long time ago. The actions of the US, in particular, are antithetical to the free market because the primary economic strategy employed is coercion. The sanctions war against Russia is an example of this. But recently senior US State Official Geoffrey Pyatt has made it clear that US policy is geared towards ensuring that Russia does not develop any new energy projects - according to RT. In particular, he said that economic sanctions will ensure Russia’s arctic LNG project will remain ‘dead in the water’. US economic policy relies on a ‘clenched fist’ rather than a ‘hidden hand’ so it appears. In the same way, coercion has taken the place of diplomacy as part of Western political strategy.
Hands Off Russian Oil - US Tells Ukraine
Zero Hedge is reporting US concerns that Ukraine’s attacks on Russia oil refineries and storage facilities could cause a world energy crisis that may hurt Biden’s Presidential bid. An expert consulted by CNN said:
That was the deal with Ukraine: We will give you money, we will give you weapons, but stay away from the export facility, stay away from Russian energy, because we don’t want a massive energy crisis.
The only attack on Russian oil refineries I have seen reported this week was on the 7th April. I may have missed some reports or maybe Ukraine is now listening. However, Ukraine is still attacking the Zaporizhye Nuclear Power Plant which could have far more catastrophic consequences for many.
NY Times - Stealing Russian Assets Would Harm US
The idea of confiscating frozen Russian assets and handing them over to Ukraine would seriously harm the US, according to The New York Times. The confiscation of Russian assets, they say, is a danger to the U.S. economy because other countries will see it as a robbery. It would weaken the dollar's status as the world's main reserve currency. In other words, other countries would abandon the dollar for fear of being robbed - as I have said many times. But there are some who believe that the US would not survive de-dollarisation. But of course it will survive though its world influence will wane considerably.
World Politics
A Russian Message
UN Charter Allows Russia to Attack Ukraine
Articles 106 and 107 of the UN charter permits Russia and the other victors in the Second World War to prevent the rise of Nazism, according to this unconfirmed report.
Lack of Solidarity in NATO?
This chart demonstrates a lack of solidarity between NATO states, many of which want to be defended but don’t want to defend others. According to Washington, only 37% of NATO countries are paying their way. You can read more at RT.
Europe to Stand Alone
Europe was obliged to America at the end of World War One but at the end of World War Two it became dependent on Uncle Sam. Europe and Russia were crippled by the conflict, whereas the US was virtually untouched and made lots of money out of it. But it also gained the status of one of two world super powers along with Russia. There was some ‘unfinished business’ between Russia and the US towards the end of the war that found expression in the words of General George Patton, among others. The US did not win the war and the generals knew it. But since then Europe has remained subservient to the US economically (e.g. the Marshall Plan) and politically. Europe has benefitted overall from this for many years, arguably, but now it will need to stand alone - which may not be a bad thing in the long term, especially if we are heading towards a Multi-Polar World Order. It is as if BRICS and other progressive forces are dragging the decayed Western world into a new and better future - but that’s the optimist in me speaking. People such as (Jungle) Joseph Borrell are suggesting that Europe must now stand on its own feet - it has to defend itself and not rely on the US president, who, in Trumpian shape, may not be predisposed to give Europe a ‘free ride’ when it come to NATO contributions and may want to ditch the ‘alliance’ altogether.
Slovakia Elects President
Pro-Russian Peter Pellegrini has been elected President of Slovakia. Along with Prime Minister, Robert Fico, he is opposed to sending aid to Ukraine: he is the leader of the ‘Voice for Social Democracy Party’
Russians to be Sent to Coventry
In the UK if someone is sent to Coventry, it means that they are being ignored: that no one will speak to them. The Ukrainian Olympics Committee is banning their athletes from congratulating Russians, talking to Russians or having photos taken with them. It all sound a little childish to me.
My Scottish Home
Anti free speech ‘capital’ of the world - that’s my home - with the most draconian ‘hate speech’ legislation anywhere. And I’ve had a look at some of it in all its ambiguous glory. The chances of someone falling foul of these laws unintentionally are very high and the Scottish Police force has for years been inundated with calls from people wanting to get other people into trouble through the hate crime laws. Many are accusing the police of neglecting other crimes such as assault and theft in order to deal with this unnecessary burden. You can read more here.
I’m sure the police would prefer to be fighting crime and keeping us safe instead. All this is reminds me of the way the Gestapo worked in NAZI Germany. I had always thought that the Gestapo was ruthlessly efficient but in reality it relied very much on informers. The people policed themselves to an extent. But in my view the so called ‘crimes’ associated with these laws are crimes only because we label them as such; name calling or using the wrong pronoun are not really crimes.
Anyway, it is good to see some sanity here in Scotland courtesy of this anti-Woke satire from BBC Scotland. It is short and well worth a watch if you haven’t seen it: obviously it deals with the hate crime problem for the Scottish police. Here’s another link for those who don’t have Telegram.
Protests
Naples
Anti-NATO protesters clashed violently with police in Naples. They were trying to break through to the San Carlo theatre where the 75th anniversary of the establishment of NATO was being celebrated.
Pelosi and Politics
Our dear Nancy has had a change of heart recently with regard to the Gaza, after some American aid workers were killed. Now she’s calling for an end to the aid that is facilitating Israel’s genocide - which is welcome. But she’s just as idiotic as ever regarding Donald J. In a work of genius, she asked some of the deep philosophical questions of our time:
Who benefits from it? Donald Trump. And who benefits from Donald Trump? Putin. There is, in my view, a connection here.
So our Nance is claiming that something benefits the Donald and that this also, necessarily, benefits Putin. But this is a connection only between hypotheses not realities. Sorry Nancy girl but you are a complete idiot, competent only to talk about gossip at the hair dressers - politics is beyond you. If you remember, Nancy was caught visiting her hairdresser illegitimately during lockdown.
If a political system allows people like Nancy et al (place your own names here) to have any sort of power in any sphere that impacts on people then we should be worried. I know - we are already worried.
The emerging Multi-Polar World Order
‘The Russian Noah’s Ark will save the righteous people of the world from the evil of globalism’. Russia is leading the way but other BRICS nations have their own ‘arks’ to save us from globalism.
BRICS and SCO Helping Russia Bypass Sanctions
Sergey Lavrov visited China this week (8th/9th April) after Janet Yellen used her visit to warn Chinese companies that they face ‘significant consequences’ if they supply parts or equipment to the Russian military. No country that is supplying weapons that allow Israel to commit genocide in Gaza has a right to preach to anyone.
But Lavrov said that BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation have enabled Russia to avoid the impact of sanctions. Russia has responded to the sanctions by diversifying and moving into the Asia-Pacific market where its trade with India and China has increased considerably - according to RT.
According to Sputnik, Lavrov also said that both Russia and China aim to strengthen security in Eurasia, while the existing platforms of Euro-Atlantic security, NATO and the OSCE, have "exhausted themselves as relevant structures capable of any meaningful negotiation based on the balance of interests."
Africa and Mideast Back Putin
A recent poll of African and Mideast States indicated that 44.4% of those polled view Putin most favourably among the major world leaders. 33.8% favoured Xi while only 21.7% favoured Sleepy Joe. You can read more here.
China Will Back Russia
As I have already said, Lavrov visited Xi in China this week - and in diplomatic parlance, the likes of which people like Alexander Mercouris will understand, this is considered by some to be an announcement that China will support Russia militarily if the Ukrainian situation escalates. If so, this is a significant development coming soon after Janet the Yelland was given short shrift by Xi in the light of her unwise attempts to reprimand the ‘dictator’.
That’s all for another week. I appreciate your views, subscriptions, likes, shares and comments. Best wishes - Rob
I agree with the Ukrainian protesters. You could have used the forests as woodland burial grounds. Its a difficult culture to understand. I have a Ukrainian friend who is very patriotic. Hates Putin etc. I suggested that if the Ukrainian diaspora and refugees all contributed financially they could come up with the money the US wont send. I was told categorically that the Ukrainians couldn't afford to help. I then suggested that maybe some of the cheerleaders should return home to fight. That was an emphatic no. And yet, the Ukrainian diaspora and refugees are insistent that their country shouldn't surrender and won't be defeated by the Russians. There's a real disconnect with reality. My friend is from western Ukrainian. I was told about the Soviets and what they did during the Holodomor. It didnt make a difference when i pointed out that my friends home town was actually Polish during the Holodomor and wasn't even part of the Soviet Union and had been Polish for hundreds of years prior to being briefly part of the Russian empire and then the Soviet Union for 50 years. I didnt have the heart to say i think it will be part of Poland again very soon.
It is wondrous indeed how the imports into Scotland, who never lifted a finger for the freedom of the Scots, are so keen on introducing the diversity of STFU to Scottish natives.
If ye canna take a wee bit o' criticism, of sunlight of your dark thoughts and policies, of rigorous debate of your Totalitarian impulses then hey on back to the lands of your forefathers and sell your package of deceit to them.