Once more this week, the horrors of the Middle East have pushed the Ukraine conflict into the background for many. The Israeli bombing of a make shift tented refugee camp in Gaza marked the peak of barbarity as young children were burned alive. Such things are difficult to report on. Civilian casualties in the Middle East are unconscionable, whereas those in the Ukraine war, which have been declining in spite of the best efforts of the Ukrainians, are mere pinpricks by comparison. During the week ending 11th October I have seen reports of only 3 civilians killed and 25 injured by Ukrainians. In contrast, Gazan’s frequently suffer 50 deaths in a day. If the Ukrainians had airplanes, long range missiles and air superiority, I suspect the killing would be almost as obscene as it is in Gaza and Lebanon.
According to many of the commentators I have been reading or listening to, the Israeli military and its population are experiencing a wake up call as their ground forces in South Lebanon and Gaza struggle against a determined enemy while Hezbollah missiles and rockets expose the vulnerability of the IDF in the rear areas. One of its attacks on a military base in Golani killed at least 5 and injured 100 Israeli soldiers. The Palestinian Telegram channel I follow provides a running commentary on all this. Here is a list of Israeli losses in the past week.
Alastair Crooke and Alex Krainer provide analyses that point to an Israeli economy on the verge of collapse as many Israelis leave the country. The promised Israeli retaliation against Iran has not yet materialised but it will now avoid nuclear and energy infrastructure to concentrate on military targets - or so the Israelis are telling us. The Americans have sent troops into the area along with some missile defence systems. So, in addition to the horrors actually happening, those who are paying attention will also be concerned about the horrors to come. Many are less fearful of the Israeli retaliation than they are of the Iranian retaliation which will follow and what will happen after that. A new Financial Times report quoting an ex-Pentagon ‘expert’ suggests that the supply to Israel of interceptor missiles is being exhausted and is reaching a ‘tipping point’. You can read more at Zero Hedge. The Iranians will know this. By the way, the drone that attacked the Golani base was not detectable, according to Gilbert Doctorow, because it lacked metal parts. This type of drone may have been developed by the Russians.
In spite of these obvious difficulties, exacerbated by Hamas ambushes in Gaza, incoming long range missiles from Islamic resistance in Iraq and missiles from the Houthis in Yemen, some crazy Zionist Ideologues insist that Israel is determined to conquer territories adjoining the lands they currently occupy - as their God wants them to do (so they believe). Any sane observer will be able to see that the Israelis are not capable of doing this. But the Israelis are also committed to continuing the genocide by attempting to starve the people of Gaza and spreading disease amongst them, according to correspondent Laith Marouf.
In Ukraine, the once great Z, knowing which Western buttons to press, is exaggerating North Korean involvement in the Ukraine conflict in a bid for more Western troops on the ground. The West will be more concerned about Russia’s military alliance with North Korea (see below) which will obligate each country to come to the other’s aid should either be attacked - as you can read here. The Ukrainian troop shortage is prompting some to recommend a reduction in the mobilisation age to 20. This may happen - we shall see. Many concerned mothers are taking their teenage sons out of Ukraine so that they can be saved (see below).
On the battlefronts, the Ukrainians in Kursk are being pushed out while the Russians continue to progress in nearly all Directions. Currently, the most important section of the front and most likely to collapse is at Toretsk whose capture will severely hamper Ukrainian logistics and open the way to Kramatorsk (see Ground War below). The once great Z has been on tour again while Sleepy Joe Biden is meeting with Marcon, Starmer and Scholz in Germany today. Z has submitted his ‘Victory Plan’ to parliament but it has not been well received by the West. In his disappointment at this, Z has warned the West (and the whole world) that if he cannot obtain security through NATO, he will develop a nuclear bomb. In doing so, he may have signed his own death warrant.
The US election is so, so boring and made me think about the old adage regarding politicians: i.e. trust only what they do rather than what they say. Trump is ahead in one poll but Kamala is catching him, according to another.
Finally, the anticipation is mounting among those who are hopeful about BRICS, which meets on the 22nd October, and those who want a Trump victory in the US elections on the 5th November. Many things that are happening now must be examined in the light of these coming events. We should not forget that a new world is waiting to be born.
Putin Meets Pezeshkian
Last week I touched on the meeting between Putin and Pezeshkian just as I was about to publish. I hadn’t time to digest the significance of the meeting but now, with some prompting from comments uttered by the very wise Alastair Crooke, I have come to see the ME in a different light. You would need to watch all of this to fully appreciate the following. Crooke knows the diplomatic history of the Middle East, as well as its political and economic history. He tells us that for decades the Neo-Cons in the US wanted to support the emerging Israeli state as a means of countering the threat - as the Neo Cons saw it - from Iran, which had the potential to unite with Russia and China in a force that could easily challenge US/Western hegemony. In my ignorance, I hadn’t realised this.
One of the ironies of this drama is that the actions of those Western leaders who sought to divide their enemies, on the basis of this assumption, have succeeded in uniting them! Those they wished to destroy are now destroying them; the hunter has become the hunted.
Putin Submits DPRK Partnership Bill to Duma
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Bill (DPRK) was submitted to the State Duma this week. The Bill includes a commitment by North Korea and Russia to come to each other’s aid in the event that they are attacked by a third party. This is an historical development that will infuriate the West along with Belousov’s visit to Beijing to ‘discuss military matters’ (see below).
Arch hypocrite Zelensky is claiming that North Korea has actually entered the war on Russia’s side. Zelensky suggested that Russia needs these Koreans to fight on the front lines and to work in factories because their own men have been decimated on the battlefield. I doubt whether any of this is true, though it wouldn’t surprise me if Koreans were operating in a support role at the front or simply as observers learning from the war. This is another of those ‘Russia is running out of’ stories/projections: the Russians don’t need Korean soldiers.
But on what grounds can the once great Z complain when NATO soldiers from many Western countries have been fighting on Ukraine’s side since the SMO began. Of course, Zelensky’s aim is to get the US, especially, to fight alongside Ukraine against common enemies.
Russia is Safest Country - US Traveler
A woman from the US who has lived in four different countries is telling the world through her blog that Russia’s is the safest place to be. Why isn’t it like this back home, she asks:
I've lived in four different countries, and the safest one for me has been Russia. You can leave your valuables unattended, and no one is gonna touch a thing. Nobody cares. So, don't believe the media, when they tell you Russia is so scary and dangerous. They are just afraid you're gonna come here, see it with your own eyes, and start asking, why isn't it like this back home?
Human Shields Freed At Tolsty Lug
The Russians recently liberated Tolsty Lug in Kursk and freed 70 civilians, including small children, who, it appears, were being used as human shields - according to the War Chronicle.1
Concentration Camps in Kursk - Zakharova
The following briefing came from Maria Zakharova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 16th Oct:
There are two concentration camps in the Kursk region near the settlement of Oleshnya and in the area of the settlement of Yunakovka in the Sumy region of Ukraine. More than 1,100 people are kept there in inhumane conditions (including children, sick and seriously wounded citizens of Russia). Priests of the canonical UOC are also brought there. Prisoners in the camps, created in the image and likeness of the concentration camps of Nazi Germany, are subjected to physical and psychological violence on a daily basis.
Human shields and concentration camps - which makes Ukraine the most democratic country in Europe, or so Yermak claims below.
Z Presents ‘Victory Plan’ to RADA
I have mentioned the plan in previous Updates but on the 16th October it was presented to the Verkhovna Rada for approval.
You can see him presenting the plan on X. Here are the main points:
1 Geopolitical: Inviting Ukraine to join NATO before the conflict ends.
2 Military: Continuing operations in Russia and lifting restrictions on strikes deep within its territory.
3 Deterrence: Deploying a "non-nuclear deterrence package" in Ukraine.
4 Economic: Developing Ukraine's strategic and economic capabilities while increasing sanctions on Russia.
5 Security: After the conflict, using the Ukrainian military’s experience to strengthen NATO and European defense. The Ukrainian military could potentially replace the U.S. contingent in Europe.
I think this is a huge con that seeks to persuade people that because the ‘Victory Plan’ exists then ‘Victory’ is still a possibility - which is ludicrous.
Alarmingly, Zelensky has stated that Ukraine could develop nuclear weapons if it cannot benefit from being part of NATO. This is pure blackmail but is not impossible for Ukraine, according the German tabloid BILD which claimed that Ukraine could develop a nuclear weapon within weeks. Some believe that it is no coincidence that BILD came up with this story just after Zelensky made his announcement.
If I were in Putin’s shoes I would be making sure that Ukraine is deprived of facilities that would enable it to do this - such as electricity. The toddler is playing with matches again so the adult must take them away before he burns the house down. But this assumes that the toddler really has the matches: Russian defence spokesman, Andrey Kartapolov, doesn’t think so (see ‘guest’ 132 MoA Oct 18th Ukraine thread). According to this report, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has denied that Ukraine has nuclear capabilities. It’s all theatre!
‘We’re counting on you for victory’ - Zelensky
Speaking in Croatia - as part of yet another tour - Zelensky told the press that he was counting on Biden, Britain, France, Germany and Italy to bring peace and stability to Europe. But he also told his audience that he was also counting on ‘each of you, all of you’. So, he wants to make each individual responsible for ending the war. But in a meeting with Rutte he went further:
Our message to all countries: prepare brigades, they can be a reserve and can replace our guys who are tired, they can replace them on the battlefield.
Zelensky also hinted that the battlefield situation will create the opportunity for ‘decisive action’ in the next few months. This is simply an attempt to persuade people to part with their cash in a war that Ukraine can win through some ‘decisive action’ in 2025. You can read more at RT.
Ukraine - ‘Is Most Democratic Country in Europe’ - Yermak
Apart from saying that Ukraine is ‘the most democratic country in Europe’, Andriy Yermak boasted:
We are a great European nation that is respected in the world. We deserve to be in the EU more than some EU members. As soon as we join the EU - we will immediately be in the top countries.
This ‘great European nation’ does not hold elections, its leader’s term of office expired months ago, opposition parties were banned years ago and any media that disagrees with the regime has been shut down. The regime is trying to prevent people from speaking Russian, it has banned the Russian Orthodox religion and people can be grabbed by force from the streets and sent to the front where they will be killed or maimed - and that’s just for starters.
The degree of self delusion involved in these claims is staggering.
But Yermak was even more deluded regarding negotiations. In a recent interview, he told reporters that Ukraine was now willing to negotiate with Russian representatives but not with Putin because Zelensky will not allow this. They are both deluded in thinking that Ukraine will have a say in such matters. Some say that the ‘Victory Plan’ was designed to be unacceptable.
No Aircraft Left
According to this Ukrainian source which claims ‘insider’ information, there are no planes left that can be used on the front line. Ten ‘fighters’ are available in the rear for dealing with missile strikes but at the front the Russians have complete control of the air.
‘No More Tanks’ - Scholz
Olaf Scholz has told the once great Z that Germany cannot provide him with tanks, armoured vehicles or howitzers because they have none left to spare. Scholz also refused to give permission for Ukraine to use Taurus missiles deep into Russia. You can read more at Sputnik.
500,000 Soldiers Disabled
According to a Ukrainian source, 500,000 soldiers have a disability in consequence of the conflict. However, none will receive adequate benefits unless they are severely disabled through loss of limbs or organs. Yermak has introduced a scheme whereby wounded soldiers whose injuries would normally disqualify them from combat are transferred to ‘staff’, where they receive such low salaries that they are forced to go back into the army as fighters in spite of their injuries. Policies such as this are generating hatred of the regime amongst civilians and soldiers alike. I have no idea whether these figures are accurate or not - but I would not be surprised if they were. b writes about this on the MoA (16th Oct) and so does Simplicius.
60% of foreign mercenaries have also suffered disabilities in the war, according to this report.
300,000 Teenage Boys Left Ukraine This Fall
According to this Ukrainian source, MP Nina Yuzhanina claims that 300,000 boys in grades 10-11 (15-17 year olds) have been taken into Europe by their parents this autumn, presumably to avoid service in the military. This represents half of the students in the age group.
‘Israel is Taking Our Aid’ Ukraine’s Foreign Minister
Andrey Sibiga has accused Israel of begging the Pentagon for money that was originally earmarked for Ukraine. In this way, the IDF which should be financing its own war, is aiding a Russian victory, according to this report, which concedes that the story may not be true.
Ukraine Can Strike Russia with our F-16s - Holland
Dutch Defence Minister, Ruben Brekelmans, has authorised Ukraine to use its F-16s to strike anywhere it pleases in Russia, including airfields or missile launch sites. What could go wrong?
The People Fight Back
Mobilisation Madness
According to Pravda:
Shock images coming out of Ukrainian cities have shown recruiters and police attempting to detain mobilization-age men at an array of public venues - from clubs and concert halls to malls, restaurants, gyms, gas stations and even a wedding.
On occasions, the general public, with shouts of ‘shame, shame’, managed to chase the recruiters away but more often than not the TCC manage to ensnare their prey. This could be a sign of desperation due to the dire situation at the front. You can read more at Pravda. This Ukrainian source claims that mobilization is actually stalling. Many young men in their 30s have avoided the ‘draft’ by entering full time education. I expect this loophole will be closed soon.
Unknown Location
The TCC attempted to kidnap a man in a town somewhere in Ukraine but a group of women saved him and the cloud applauded - you can see some footage here.
Zakarpattia
In Zakarpattia Oblast (south of Lviv) it is claimed that women and children confronted TCC officials who tried to take men away in a mini bus. The women and the children picked up stones and hurled them at the bus and at the TCC workers inside - as you can see here or on X.
Velyki Komiaty, Beregovsky
October 16, 2024, in the village of Velyki Komiaty, Beregovsky district ( Western Ukraine ), women dissatisfied with the TCC blocked the road, attacked a man-catcher and tried to overturn a van. The National Police responded to this event by opening a criminal case. You can see some footage here.
Transcarpathia
In a mirror image of the above incident, a group of women, possibly of Hungarian extraction, attacked a van with TCC recruiters on board. The recruiters had no option but to flee with their tails between their legs and their hands empty. You can see footage on X.
Cherkassy
A group of 100 armed and masked thugs, accompanied by Ukrainian police officers, attacked the Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkassy along with the parishioners who were worshipping there. Brave elderly people and priests fought off the intruders with stones and pepper spray. The intruders stole $60,000 and attempted to seize the Cathedral. You can see some footage here or on X.
Kiev
Hundreds of women protested in Kiev demanding information about men killed or wounded in the Pokrovsky Direction. You can see some footage here.
Ukrainian Terrorist Attacks
11th/12th October
According to the Two Majors, overnight, properties in Krasnador Region were damaged by drone attack but there were no casualties. On the morning of the 11th, three civilians were injured by drone attack in the village of Ustinka (Belgorod). In the evening, another nine were injured in Shebekino (Belgorod). Many villages in Belgorod suffered damage to houses and cars from shelling and drones but there were no further casualties in the region. In Gorlovka (DPR), a teenage boy, a woman and a boiler house watchman were injured by shelling. In Nikitovka District of Gorlovka, two employees of the Russian Emergency Services were injured by drone attack as they tackled a fire.
12th/13th October
I couldn’t find any reports for this day - a Sunday. Maybe someone is taking the day off. It is certain that the Ukrainians didn’t take the day off so there will have been shelling and drone attacks on Russian soil - as always.
13th/14th October
In Belgorod region overnight, a civilian was killed by drone attack. In Horlivka (DPR), a man was injured by a ‘drone drop'.
14th/15th October
Overnight, near the village of Tserkovny (Belgorod region), a lorry was hit by a drone, injuring the driver while a car exploded on a petal mine in Krasny/Oktyabr. There were no reports of casualties in this latter incident but in Oktyabyrsky a man was injured by drone drop. In the DPR, two young boys received burns after handling explosive objects.
15th/16th October
Overnight, Belgorod region suffered many drone attacks including one which injured 8 people traveling on a bus and a drone drop on house which injured one man. The Ukrainians are dropping ‘petal’ mines via drone in order to make the lives of civilians more hazardous. A bus was also attacked by drones in the DPR causing injuries to three civilians. Elsewhere in the DPR, one woman was injured by a ‘drone drop’ and another by shelling. I am getting the impression that there are now fewer injuries from shelling and more injuries from drone drops - especially on buses and cars.
16th/17th October
Shebekino in Belgorod was shelled causing some damage to property and injuries to three civilians. Elsewhere in Belgorod, yet another bus was attacked but there were no casualties. In the Gorlivka (DPR) one civilian was killed and another four injured by ‘drone drops’.
17th/18th October
Overnight in Donetsk, a man was inured by barrel artillery and in Gorlovka another was killed by a kamikaze drone. Elsewhere in the DPR, three civilians were wounded by shelling. Belgorod, Kursk and Oryol also suffered drone attacks.
The Air War (Map)
Russian Missile/Drone Attacks
12th/13th October Overnight
The Russians attacked port facilities in Odessa with Iskanders overnight. This report suggests that a cargo ship was targeted. The airport at Limanskoye in the west of Odessa was also attacked. Drone strikes in the Crimean peninsular emanate from this point.
13th/14th October
Port facilities were attacked with ballistic missiles overnight as you can see here.
14th/15th October
Overnight, Russian drones and missiles attacked Mykolaiv, Odessa, Cherkassy, Zaporozhye, Chernihiv and Sumy regions - according to South Front. Mykolaiv Vehicle Plant was struck by five missiles:
According to available information, there were German Leopard tanks, US Challengers, French VAB, AMX-10 armored vehicles being repaired on the territory of the plant at the moment of the attack. As a result, two workshops were destroyed and a large fire broke out in the area.
You can see some footage of the strike on X.
HIMARS systems were destroyed in Sumy region while ammunition/maintenance systems were destroyed in Chernihiv region.
15th/16th October
According to the Two Majors:
The RFAF carried out strikes by Geranium UAVs, rocket launchers and FABs with UMPC against the enemy's rear areas during the night. Explosions were heard in the enemy's capital region, Vinnitsa, Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye, Sumy, Zhitomir, Ternopol, Cherkassy, Kharkov and Poltava regions.
According to this report, around 150 Geraniums were deployed in the attacks.
16th/17th October
Kiev came under attack by Geraniums overnight.
The Ground War
Russia Gains Ground
In August and September of this year, the Russians captured 5.5 times more ground than they did in the whole of 2023:
According to infographics from the Ukrainian OSINT project.
- 2023 - 148.6 sq. km.
- August 2024 - 350.7 sq. km.
- September 2024 - 467.7 sq. km.
Russian MoD Reports (excluding Kursk)
w/e 27th Sept 16,640, Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 698.
w/e October 4th 16,650 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 536.
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.
Casualties in Kursk are usually between 250 and 350 killed and wounded every day.
Front Line Cats
Kursk
By the end of the week, the Russians had liberated the eastern part of Lyubimovka, placing the Ukrainians under ‘operational encirclement’ for which they are attempting to escape. Elsewhere, the Ukrainians have launched unsuccessful counter attacks towards Zeleny Shlyakh. Fighting continues in Sudzha District and near Kremyanoye. Battles are also taking place in Plekhovo and in the adjacent forest areas.
Kharkov
No news from this Direction.
Kupyansk
On the 16th October, the Ukrainian authorities ordered people to leave Kupyansk which lacks water, gas and electricity.
Svatove-Kreminna
In the Lyman Direction, the Russians have liberated the village of Nevske. By the end of the week, attacks on Kruglyakovka and Kolesnikovka continued.
Siversk
No news from this Direction.
Chasiv Yar
According to Marat Khairullin:
South of Chasov Yar, units of the Russian Armed Forces broke through the enemy's defenses and reached the area of mine No. 9 southeast of workshop No. 2 of the Chasovyar Refractory Plant. Our soldiers broke through the forest from the previously occupied intersection and took control of the territory of the garbage dump and industrial building to the west of it.
Kalinovka, north of Chasiv Yar, came under complete Russian control on the 18th October. Also, north of Chasiv Yar, a large Ukrainian stronghold near Grigorovka was captured.
Toretsk (now called Dzerzhynsk)
On the 13th October, Tass reported that the Ukrainians began to leave the city in small groups. By the 16th October, the Russians had control of two thirds of the town. According to Denis Pushilin, head of the DPR, the capture of Toretsk will be a huge logistical blow for Ukraine. This would prevent Ukraine from supplying their troops in the area, would open the way for the Russians to attack Kramatorsk and to liberate the ‘complete liberation of the DPR’. It would also reduce artillery attacks on Gorlovka - according to Sputnik. By the end of the week, fighting continued in the centre of the city.
Pokrovsk - Selidove
Selidove - Detail
Kurakhove - Selidovo
Pokrovsk provides Ukraine with coal for its iron and steel industries without which the Ukrainian economy would die. But it will be a while before the Russians capture it. For the moment, they are capturing settlements to the north and south, maybe with the intension of outflanking it. The settlement of Tsukurino, to the south of Pokrovsk was liberated on the 13th October. By the end of the week, the Russians had liberated Krasny Yar, while Selidove was in the process of being encircled. On the 17th October, the Russian Ministry of Defense officially announced the liberation of Maksimilyanovka:
We fought for it for a long time. It was hard. But we did it. This opens the way to Kurakhovo for us. And from here, in the future, we can also strike at the rear of the Ukrainian Armed Forces group in the Bogoyavlenka area (towards Uspenovka).
On the 18th October, to the south of the above map, the Russians were fighting near Katerinovka and Antonovka.
Zaporozhye
Fighting continued in this Direction north west of Robotyne and north of Verbove but there have been no significant changes.
Kherson
Both sides are trading artillery and drone strikes across the Dnieper but there have been no significant movement.
The Economic War
‘We Will Block Sanctions’ - Szijártó.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister has said that Hungary will block sanctions on Russia if the EU bans the country from buying Russian oil.
Ukraine Tax Increases
A recent bill passed by the Ukrainian parliament has increased the ‘military tax’ from 1.5% to 5%. This will affect everyone apart from most pensioners and military personnel. It is the largest tax increase in Ukraine’s history.
World Politics
Trump - Not Again?
Yes, it appears that someone who attended the Trump rally in Coachella (California) may have intended to kill the orange man, according to the Independent. He was arrested with a gun and a false passport. Vem Miller, from Las Vegas, has denied any wrong doing claiming that he is a non-violent Trump supporter - which could be true. Later, the man launched a defamation lawsuit against the police.
Wise Westerners - Viktor Orban
Ursula Von der Leyen has lectured Viktor Orban over the number of Russians who have work permits in Hungary but she neglected to look at the statistics - oh dear. The stats showed that 300,000 Russians work in Germany; 100,000 in Spain and so on - but only 7,000 in Hungary! Orban could not hide his delight in pointing this out to Ursula and her ‘parliament’.
He has also lambasted Von der Leyen for her failed war ‘strategy’:
The truth is the EU entered this war recklessly, based in flawed calculations and a misguided strategy....I attribute the actions to the President of the Commission. In every war, diplomatic efforts are essential. Without this we will sink deeper into the quagmire. I advocate taking a stronger stance for peace.
Wise Westerners - Carlo Rivelli
Italian theoretical physicist Carlo Rivelli has pointed out that even in the depths of the cold war amid huge ideological differences the West and the Soviets managed to have a dialogue that enabled nuclear arms limitation treaties to be made. This was possible because reasonable people, including scientists, were involved in the negotiations. He reminded us that:
There was communication between American and Russian scientists, which was important both culturally and directly. I think that's what should be happening today. For scientists, Russians and Chinese are friends. And I think what we have to learn and tell politicians is to stop this madness.
Wise Westerners - Sahra Wagenknecht
Sahra, who is leader of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance2, has expressed some wise words regarding the Ukraine conflict, which, she said, cannot be resolved by providing more weapons to Ukraine. Sahra who called for negotiations, expressed her support for the Brazil-China peace plan according to RT. She also expressed concern that German and European policy regarding the conflict could lead to escalation or nuclear war.
Wise Westerners - Luboš Blaha
This Slovak MEP visited Moscow to apologise for European Russophobia. In Moscow square, he laid flowers at the tombs of the unknown soldier and Marshal Zhukov - as you can see here. He wrote the following on his Telegram Channel:
Hearty greetings from Moscow, friends. Russia is still as beautiful, wise, advanced. I came to thank you for the liberation from fascism. And to apologize for Russophobia in the West.
He also said that hatred towards Russia in Europe is reminiscent of the Nazi era.
Biden Talks Nuclear Disarmament - Medvedev Responds
Sleepy Joe Biden, with a nod to posterity perhaps, has said that he is ready for talks with Russia on a reduction of strategic nuclear weapons. Medvedev described this as ‘yet another display of American arrogance’ and had this to say:
Think about it: the U.S. is waging what is essentially a full-scale war against us, not just a 'hybrid' one, and desires a strategic defeat for our country. Negotiating with America on strategic arms is about as useful as discussing a truce with Hitler in 1945.
Biden may have been prompted to make such a statement following Donald J’s claim that when in office, he had almost reached a ‘denuclearisation’ deal as you can read here. I have absolutely no idea whether this is true or not.
Kamala Cackles to Christians
In times of crisis, and we’re looking at the images of the aftermath of the hurricane, but, it is easy in these moments of crisis to sometimes question our faith. To sometimes lose our faith for a moment. What we see is so hard to see that we lose faith or a vision of those things we cannot see but must know.
This woman aspires to be the President of the United States and commander in chief. How anyone could vote for her is beyond me.
Rutte - Ukraine Must Keep Fighting
Mark Rutte has told Ukrainians that they must continue to fight because this is part of NATO’s strategy: not Ukraine’s strategy but NATO’s. The alliance will not let Putin get what he wants so Ukraine will continue to receive massive support.
Protests
Munich
Thousands marched in Munich over the weekend demanding a ceasefire in Ukraine and in Gaza. The protest was organised by a local Trade Union under the slogan ‘You will not prepare me for war’ - which is what the EU is trying to do. You can see some footage here or on X where it is claimed that 260,000 attended.
Havana
In the capital of Cuba, thousands marched against the genocide in Gaza and Lebanon led by President Miguel Diaz-Canel (pictured). Around 10,000 people attended the rally. You can read more at Sputnik.
New York
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters, including Jews, gathered outside what they thought was the site of the NY Stock Exchange3 demanding that the US stops arming Israel. Demonstrators criticised the stock exchange for profiting from genocide. You can read more at Zero Hedge.
Belousov in Beijing
Russian Defence Minister, Belousov, is in Beijing this week for negotiations with his Chines counterpart regarding military matters. He received the ‘red carpet’ treatment as you can see here or on X. The following statement will not please the West:
Military cooperation between the Russia & China is an important element in increasing defense capability & global security. Friendly relations between Russia & China help to expand military cooperation in all directions & are at an unprecedented level. Trust in the leadership of the 2 countries plays a key role in strengthening strategic ties.
Daniel Ortega Compares Netanyahu/Zelensky to Hitler
Many in the Western World have wrongly compared Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler but people in the global South, such as Nicaragua’s President, are able to see through the propaganda because they don’t rely on the legacy media for their news.4 The terrorist activities of both Z and Netanyahu are deserving of the comparison.
Come Into My Parlour
Ursula Von der Leyen has invited Moldova into her parlour with a tempting 1.8 billions Euros. The offer was made just five days before the country is due to vote on joining the EU (Oct 20th) - and the West has a cheek to accuse Russia and China of meddling in elections!
The emerging Multi-Polar World Order
‘The Old Is Dying And The New Struggles to be Born’
This quote is taken from The Prison Notebooks, which Marxist Antonio Gramsci wrote while in jail courtesy of Benito Mussolini. Some take him to be referring to the world of capitalism which, he believed, was on the verge of collapse following the stock market crash of the late 1920s. But he was not optimistic that its socialist replacement was ready; hence it was struggling to be born. Gramsci claimed that ‘in this interregnum, a variety of morbid symptoms appear’. But the phrase is being used today by those who believe it pertinent to the fall of the Uni-Polar World and its replacement by the Multi-Polar World Order. I have already written about the Dangerous Interregnum on May 28th 2024. Among the ‘morbid symptoms’ are the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East along with the economic, political and cultural collapse of the West.
I am referring to this now because Alex Krainer, in a discussion with another two Alex’s, provides a clear exposition and analysis of the phenomenon explored by Gramsci as it applies to the current situation. I would urge anyone with an interest in this to listen to Krainer on the Duran. The first 30 minutes would provide people with some invaluable information.
Serbia to Join BRICS?
The Serbian Deputy PM, Vulin, has said (to a Berlin newspaper) that joining BRICS may be preferable to joining the EU:
If BRICS membership is attractive for other countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Turkey, why should it be any different for Serbia? So there is no doubt that joining BRICS has become a real alternative to the EU.
Putin - BRICS Drives International Economic Growth
BRICS countries account for 37.4% of global GDP while G7 countries account for only 29.3%. The gap is widening, according to Putin and will continue to do so as BRICS begin to drive world economic growth. You can read more at RT. Putin will address the BRICS Business Forum today - according to Sputnik.
That’s it for another eventful week. Many thanks for your views, subscriptions, likes, shares, follows and comments. Best wishes - Rob
Non subscribers can view Updates on Telegram: https://t.me/UWUupdate.
Used to be called the Military Chronicle.
In a recent update I mistakenly claimed she is in the AfD - then altered it when a subscriber pointed it out. I’m not sure how this came about but I know she is not in the AfD.
The stock exchange moved to New Jersey some time ago.
This story is available at RT but not RT archive.
I watched Wagenknecht's speech in Reichstag. Its quite a lonely lectern you have to walk up to but boy did she stick it Scholz. Orban did well with that- stony, po-faced, aristocratic title craving, scion of a slave owner, medusa- Von Der Leyen, sitting down just diwn from him as he stuck the knife in. Unlike Mackie Messer he did the stabbing in plain sight. It pains me to say that Ms Albrecht, is a great granddaughter of Mary Ladson Robertson and is therefore partly Scottish descent. It pains me even more to say the Robertson's were slave owners in the USA. The irony is that many of the Scots slave owners were the descendants of Jacobite and Covenanter Scots who had been transported as slaves in the first place to the USA and the Caribbean.
The BBC was at it again yesterday. A well known reporter on covering the death of the Hamas leader made reference to the view that they thought he was hiding out in a tunnel using hostages as human shields whilst throwing in a reference to Bin Laden. No mention of the fact that Israel has extra judicially killed the three Palestinians named on Khan's prospective ICC warrant. The secrets they could have shared in defence will now never be voiced in a court of law. Convenient.
Thanks for the latest update Rob. Well done and this stack is becoming more and more the one place to go to to catch up on events.
The nuclear weapons or NATO membership stance is horrific and is outright blackmail by the coke king and his nazis in the background.
Yermak's statement about democracy in Ukraine, as you have mentioned, is equally mind boggling.
Apparently Zelensky also stated in the 'plan that there are no nazis in Ukraine.
Not only this but Ukraine sees itself as a key member of NATO and would like to take the place of the US and send their nationalism all over Europe.
On the war side of things it is great to see the RF is reducing the Kursk salient in size and slowly ejecting the UA back over the border. Plus other fronts moving forward as well.
I wouldn't be surprised if the nationalists are planning on opening another front soon to prolong their time in power and cull some more of their population.
Transnistria has been mentioned as a target in other sources but could they go for another kamikaze attack somewhere else?
Lets see what happens next week.