For Those Who Might Be Wondering Why We Might Be In Ukraine

[ChloeTzang]

Putin: "No point signing deal with 'illegitimate' Ukraine"

President Vladimir Putin has doubled down on his core demands for ending the war in Ukraine, stating that Russia will lay down arms only if Kyiv's troops withdraw from territory claimed by Moscow.

Putin has long pushed for legal recognition of the Ukrainian territories Russia has seized by force. They include the Crimean peninsula, which it illegally annexed in 2014, and the Donbas, made up of Luhansk and Donetsk, which Moscow now occupies for the most part. For Kyiv, which has ruled out relinquishing the parts of the Donbas it still holds, rewarding Russia for its aggression is a non-starter.

Putin has stated that the 28 point plan could form the basis for an agreement but also claimed there was no point in signimg any kind of deal with the Ukrainian government because Russia regarded it as illegitimate.

I do wonder how Trump is going to deal with that one. Will he try and force Ukraine to capitulate? Or will he throw another tantrum and go back to sanctions on Russia? The man has a constant flow of excuses as to why he should do nothing. It's lmoat like Trump and Putin are playing bad cop - badder cop.

 

[Rightguide]

Walls Closing in on Zelensky as Authorities Raid Powerful Chief of Staff’s Home​

By Alexis Williamson • Nov. 28, 2025

Ukraine’s fight against graft took a dramatic turn Friday when anti-corruption investigators raided the apartment of Andriy Yermak, the longtime chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap) carried out the search, confirming the action was court-authorized but holding back on specifics for now.

Yermak, 54, who has shaped Kyiv’s strategy against Russia’s invasion for over five years, posted on social media to say investigators were on site with his lawyers present. “From my side, there is full co-operation,” he wrote.

The news has hit the Zelensky administration hard as Yermak is considered to be the president’s closest aide. It comes on the heels of a sprawling scandal that’s already toppled two ministers and landed several suspects in custody, all tied to an alleged $100 million scheme siphoning funds from the energy sector.

Prosecutors say the plot involved kickbacks and meddling in state-owned outfits like Enerhoatom, the nuclear giant that’s been scrambling to keep the lights on amid relentless Russian strikes on power plants. Blackouts have plagued Ukrainian cities this winter, leaving families in the cold while insiders allegedly pocketed cash meant for defenses against those very attacks. One fugitive in the mix, Timur Mindich—a former business partner of Zelensky—bolted the country before cuffs could close in.

More here: https://thelibertydaily.com/walls-closing-zelensky-as-authorities-raid-powerful-chief/

 

[ll74]

Walls Closing in on Zelensky as Authorities Raid Powerful Chief of Staff’s Home​

By Alexis Williamson • Nov. 28, 2025

Ukraine’s fight against graft took a dramatic turn Friday when anti-corruption investigators raided the apartment of Andriy Yermak, the longtime chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap) carried out the search, confirming the action was court-authorized but holding back on specifics for now.

Yermak, 54, who has shaped Kyiv’s strategy against Russia’s invasion for over five years, posted on social media to say investigators were on site with his lawyers present. “From my side, there is full co-operation,” he wrote.

The news has hit the Zelensky administration hard as Yermak is considered to be the president’s closest aide. It comes on the heels of a sprawling scandal that’s already toppled two ministers and landed several suspects in custody, all tied to an alleged $100 million scheme siphoning funds from the energy sector.

Prosecutors say the plot involved kickbacks and meddling in state-owned outfits like Enerhoatom, the nuclear giant that’s been scrambling to keep the lights on amid relentless Russian strikes on power plants. Blackouts have plagued Ukrainian cities this winter, leaving families in the cold while insiders allegedly pocketed cash meant for defenses against those very attacks. One fugitive in the mix, Timur Mindich—a former business partner of Zelensky—bolted the country before cuffs could close in.

More here: https://thelibertydaily.com/walls-closing-zelensky-as-authorities-raid-powerful-chief/

So who do you want to replace Zelensky and why?

Also - should Ukraine fight to defend their country against invasion?

 

[Rightguide]

So who do you want to replace Zelensky and why?

That's not my call. It's up to the people of Ukraine.

Also - should Ukraine fight to defend their country against invasion?

It’s their blood on the line. How much they choose to sacrifice to defend what is theirs is up to them, it always has been. That’s the story of the ages.

 

[ll74]

That's not my call. It's up to the people of Ukraine.

I asked you for your opinion.

It’s their blood on the line. How much they choose to sacrifice to defend what is theirs is up to them, it always has been. That’s the story of the ages.

You never actually give an opinion on anything.

 

[Lazaran]

Is Russiaguide Steve Witkoff???



Sergey Lavrov???



Traitor.

 

[ChloeTzang]

That's not my call. It's up to the people of Ukraine.

It’s their blood on the line. How much they choose to sacrifice to defend what is theirs is up to them, it always has been. That’s the story of the ages.

There would only be two choices - Poroshenko and Zaluzhyni - and all the polls say Zaluzhyni would win outright. Both are as hardline as Zelensky.

That said, I can't see Zelensky going. These corruption scandals have hurt him but Ukrainian's will stand behind him until the war is over. And he's already said he's not running for President again.

 

[Rightguide]

There would only be two choices - Poroshenko and Zaluzhyni - and all the polls say Zaluzhyni would win outright. Both are as hardline as Zelensky.

That said, I can't see Zelensky going. These corruption scandals have hurt him but Ukrainian's will stand behind him until the war is over. And he's already said he's not running for President again.

What are the latest non-government polls regarding Zelensky's popularity? If any.
Btw, the man behind Putin is even more radical and dangerous than he is.

 

[Lazaran]

There would only be two choices - Poroshenko and Zaluzhyni - and all the polls say Zaluzhyni would win outright. Both are as hardline as Zelensky.

That said, I can't see Zelensky going. These corruption scandals have hurt him but Ukrainian's will stand behind him until the war is over. And he's already said he's not running for President again.

I believe some people are making waaaaay too big a deal about a scandal where the particulars are NOT well understood, and where the principals involved HAVE used their budgets to great effect in the defense of Ukraine.

Credit to the Ukrainians for monitoring for potential corruption, but, c’mon.



Meanwhile: DonOld Trump, Steve Witkoff, Marco Rubio, and Pete Hegseth, etc, are CORRUPT TRAITORS who make the alleged corruption in Ukraine look insignificant.



We. Told. Them. So.

 

[Rightguide]

Russian President Vladimir Putin Gives Remarkably Detailed Explanation of Current Peace Negotiation Status – Either Ukraine Concedes Diplomatically, or We Will Win Militarily​

November 28, 2025 | Sundance | 193 Comments
On the sidelines of a trade and economic discussion with the govt of Kyrgyzstan and the CSTO summit, Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin took questions from media about the Ukraine -vs- Russia conflict.

Now, due to the significance of his remarks, and keeping in mind these responses are in the Russian language, it becomes important for WESTERN READERS to evaluate the translation. Vladimir Putin speaks in direct terms that are often not understood in western translation, the nuance within the translation is important.

That said, I am going through the remarks; I will share the video and ongoing translation while extrapolating against the known backdrop of communication as shared by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Emissary Steve Witkoff and ultimately, President Donald Trump.

Putin says his position on the agreement to end the Ukraine conflict is clear, either Ukraine concedes territory and pulls remaining troops back from current war zones, or Russia will continue to advance and defeat them militarily. At this point in the discussion, Putin goes into remarkably granular detail about the situation on the ground. WATCH:

https://theconservativetreehouse.co...des-diplomatically-or-we-will-win-militarily/

 

[ChloeTzang]

This is Putin's last gasp to use Trump to force a capitulation using Trump.

After this come's Russia's econimic collapseand the whole houuse of cards will come tumbling down.

Trump is getting desperate here

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[ChloeTzang]

 

[ChloeTzang]

Meanwhile in the USA: Witkoff and Kushner to offer deal on occupied Ukrainian territory to Putin

The Telegraph has found that US President Donald Trump has sent Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to Moscow to tell Russia that the United States is ready to recognise its de facto control over seized Ukrainian territories as part of a potential peace agreement. The Telegraph reported that Trump has sent Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow to make a direct offer to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, specifically US recognition of Russia's control over Crimea and other occupied Ukrainian territories as part of a "peace deal".

Plans to put such a proposal to Russia have reportedly not been shelved either after the Geneva talks or after warnings from European allies. "It's increasingly clear the Americans don't care about the European position. They say the Europeans can do whatever they want", an unnamed well-placed source told The Telegraph.

In his recent remarks, Putin said that, for Russia, the legal recognition of Crimea and Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts as "Russian" will be one of the key issues in talks on Trump's "peace plan". Putin claimed that Russia is prepared to state in writing that it does not intend to attack Europe. Multiple sources reported that the US proposal to recognise Russia's control over occupied Ukrainian territories has "remained part of the strategy" even after US and Ukrainian delegations in Geneva adjusted the original 28-point plan.

Ukraine, however, is not to be forced into granting such recognition.

Russia has refused to budge on its maximalist demands for a deal to end their war in Ukraine. On Thursday, Putin said his forces would fight on “until the last Ukrainian dies”, in chilling comments that underlined Moscow’s reluctance to engage with the peace process.

It was reported earlier that Europe is concerned about the United States seeking to secure "peace" before providing security guarantees to Ukraine.

Trump is not even pretending to involve Ukraine now. He's 100% Putin's cocksucking lapdog. No two ways about it.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...kraine-occupied-land-peace-deal-b2874547.html

 

[ChloeTzang]

Russian occupiers tell Donetsk residents to drink toxic mine water as infrastructure collapses

Water samples show lead, arsenic, mercury and radiation risks from Soviet-era nuclear test site.

Russian-installed authorities in the occupied Ukrainian city of Donetsk are pushing residents to accept mine water as a substitute for drinking supplies amid a deepening humanitarian crisis, according to the National Resistance Center (CNS). Donetsk has been under Russian control since 2014, and the occupation administration has long struggled to provide steady water, heat and medical services. Years of neglect, corruption and damaged infrastructure have left many communities without reliable utilities. The push to present mine water as a substitute now highlights how limited the occupation’s capacity is to address even basic civilian needs.

The campaign follows comments by occupation official Olena Nykytina, who claimed mine water was suitable for consumption. CNS analysts say Moscow’s local proxies are now trying to present the contaminated drainage as a “temporary solution” to mask the collapse of the region’s water network. Experts note that mine water in Donbas contains high levels of salts, heavy metals, petroleum products, industrial chemicals and radionuclides. Even Russian environmental groups classify it as technical-use water only. According to CNS, the occupation administration now claims that some Russian industrial regions reuse mine drainage, using this argument to convince residents that similar practices could work in Donetsk - despite the fact that those methods do not remove radiation or toxic compounds to safe levels.

CNS found that Russian treatment systems cannot eliminate radionuclides or dangerous organic substances. Samples from Donbas mine reservoirs show lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury and remnants of mononitrochlorobenzene - a highly poisonous compound left from Soviet-era accidents. Radiation risks add another layer of danger. At the nearby Yunkom mine, where the USSR carried out an underground nuclear test in 1979, Russian authorities halted pumping in 2018. Flooding has since increased the risk of the protective capsule failing, raising the chance that radioactive material could enter groundwater. The region’s normal water supply has collapsed. The Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal is destroyed, pumping stations lie in combat zones, and much of the network cannot be repaired under occupation. Instead of restoring it, local administrators promote mine water while distributing buckets as “aid.”

Doctors warn that long-term exposure to heavy metals can damage the liver, kidneys and nervous system, with children facing higher risks of developmental issues and cancer. Excess salts can trigger hypertension and heart problems. Health experts say consuming mine water could be dangerous, especially for pregnant women, vulnerable patients and children.

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/11...-donetsk-residents-to-drink-toxic-mine-water/

 

[ChloeTzang]

Street-by-street battle for Kupiansk turns against overextended Russian forces

Russia controls roughly 30 percent of the town after narrow infiltration tactics left their gains unstable. Now Ukraine’s newly formed Joint Forces Group is counterattacking from four directions to encircle them instead. Today, the biggest news comes from the Kupiansk direction. Here, Russian forces tried to break into Kupiansk and fully secure it to achieve the Kremlin's political objective. Unexpectedly for Russians, the Ukrainians are now the ones pushing to slice the Russian grouping in half and encircle them in the city instead. Brutal urban fighting in Kupiansk is going on day and night from street to street as the Russians are storming the city. Heavy bombardments light up the night, as Russians try desperately to dislodge Ukrainian defenders.

Sergei Kuzovlev, commander of the western troop grouping, recently informed Putin that Russian forces had completed the liberation of Kupiansk after months of intense fighting. However, in reality, this is merely the extent of their infiltration tactics, as their actual area of control is much narrower and more unstable, as only small Russian infantry pockets are operating in the city. This indicates that their consolidated territorial gains amount to roughly 30 percent of the town, with the area west of the Oskil River remaining a large grey zone due to continuous engagements between Russian infiltrators and Ukrainian defenders.

Russian disadvantages in Kupiansk are twofold. Firstly, logistics are difficult to maintain, because supplies need to be transported over the Oskil River while Ukrainian drones are constantly surveilling the crossings. Secondly, after Russia established a bridgehead on the right bank of the river, they advanced too narrowly into Kupiansk with only small infiltration groups and too few reserves, making their gains unstable. As a result, Russian forces have exhausted their forward momentum and, over the past two months, have managed only to consolidate their hold on a small number of newly captured streets.

In order to mitigate the risk of Kupiansk being fully seized and Ukrainian forces east of the Oskil River becoming isolated, the Ukrainian command has established the Joint Forces Group under the leadership of Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi. In the ranks of this new corps, Ukraine has its most combat-ready and motivated fighters, whose task is to clear the city. Ukraine's strategy emphasizes agility and attrition to hold the line; that is why they launch localized counterattacks to push back the Russians and expand the grey zone, disallowing the attackers to dig in inside Kupiansk. Firstly, an operation is currently underway to eliminate Russian strongholds in the northern part of the city. Here, the goal is to take these positions back, as these are now cut off from their main supplies and reinforcements, and liberating them would allow the Ukrainians to completely cut the Russian logistics and further inflow of troops into Kupiansk.

Secondly, Ukrainian special forces raids on the river's eastern bank are identifying Russian staging areas and relaying the information to the air force to strike them. This further degrades their logistics and limits the number of troops able to move across, thereby diminishing their capacity to dislodge the newly established Ukrainian positions. Thirdly, Ukrainian forces also conduct assault operations in the southwestern and southern parts of Kupiansk. They aim to regain control here by clearing those groups to concentrate the remaining Russians in the north, and prevent them from infiltrating deeper, while also shortening the line of contact. Taking a look at the topographic map shows that the clearing operation is supported by Ukrainian soldiers and drone operators located on the heights southwest of the city. This hill ridge provides observation points, improved fields of fire, and better signal propagation for the drones, allowing the assault groups in the south to advance with direct and much stronger combat support than the Russians.

These attacks aim to encircle the Russians from 4 directions at the same time, cutting supplies and stopping more Russian troops from infiltrating into the city, before clearing them out completely. Overall, Russian claims of complete encirclement and full control over Kupiansk are overly exaggerated and don't resemble the situation on the ground. Despite Russian announcements, most of the city remains in the grey zone, as Russians are unable to bring in a sufficient number of forces and consolidate their gains. Ukraine will not halt its counteroffensive operations because the strategic value of Kupiansk is great, and the loss of the city would pose a threat to the defenders east of the river.

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/28/frontline-report-2025-11-28-2/

 

[ChloeTzang]

First Skyranger 35 Air-Defense System on Leopard 1 Chassis Is Already En Route to Ukraine

Next week, Ukraine will receive the first Skyranger 35 self-propelled anti-aircraft system mounted on a Leopard 1 chassis. Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger announced this during the Rheinmetall CMD 2025 presentation, according to German Aid to Ukraine. The systems are being produced and integrated by Rheinmetall Italia SpA in Italy. Back on September 9, it was reported that Rheinmetall would supply these systems to Ukraine under a contract worth several hundred million euros. The deal is financed by an unnamed EU country using windfall profits from frozen Russian assets. The exact number and specific configuration of the Skyranger systems destined for Ukraine have not yet been disclosed.

Each of these systems can cover an area of 4×4 kilometers, creating a complete “drone-free” zone. The Skyranger 35 is equipped with a combat module featuring a 35 mm GDM-008 automatic cannon with a rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute. The ammunition load includes a wide range of rounds, including proximity-fused shells. The vehicle’s total ammunition load is 252 rounds. To detect small aerial targets, the system uses the AMMR multifunction radar operating in the S-band. The vehicle is equipped with five antennas that provide 360-degree coverage. Additionally, the system is equipped with the Rheinmetall FIRST passive detection system, which effectively identifies small targets.

One of Skyranger’s primary roles in modern conditions will be countering reconnaissance and strike drones, for which programmable 35 mm rounds are ideally suited. According to the developer, the system’s stated engagement range against aerial targets is 4,000 meters, and it can also operate effectively against ground targets.

https://militarnyi.com/en/news/firs...ard-1-chassis-is-already-en-route-to-ukraine/

 

[ChloeTzang]

Ukraine’s missile production surge tears through Russian strategic targets

With 40-50 Neptune and 90 Flamingo missiles rolling off production lines monthly, Ukraine is now conducting some of its most complex deep-strike operations yet – destroying rare aircraft, crippling oil exports, and overwhelming Russian air defenses. Here, amid the latest uncertainty about Western military support for the country, the Ukrainian defense industrial base is building more missiles than ever to support an operation deep inside Russia. As a result, dozens of Neptune and Flamingo missiles are now tearing up the skies above Russia, destroying high-value targets of all kinds and disrupting enemy efforts.

Ukrainian forces conducted one of their most technologically complex deep-strike operations to date, combining Neptune missiles with a swarm of around fifty FP-2 drones to hit the Taganrog airfield. The strike targeted Russia’s A-60 airborne laboratory, an extremely rare aircraft used for testing laser weapon systems and the A-100, Russia’s next-generation Awacs prototype. Satellite imagery released afterward showed both aircraft destroyed, along with damage to the final assembly hall and a hangar used to modernize Tu-95MS bombers, which launch Kinzhal cruise missiles against Ukrainian cities almost every night.
There is a visible rise in Ukraine's use of Neptune missiles across Russia, with one of the most notable cases being the multi-axis strike on Novorossiysk, where upgraded Long Neptune missiles and drones damaged seven S-400 launchers guarding the port. Satellite Firms data captured multiple fires at the cargo and oil terminals, as well as the long-range air-defense site overlooking the harbor. Analysts reviewing pre-strike imagery counted at least seven S-400 launchers inside the blast zone. Post-strike visuals showed fuel detonations and explosions consistent with secondary warhead cook-offs. This strike followed another Neptune attack launched from a modified Tatra chassis on the local oil terminal, temporarily halting 2.2 million barrels per day of crude exports, causing an estimated 70 million daily US dollar loss.

Ukraine has expanded its Neptune campaign even deeper into Russia, as Long Neptune missiles hit the Oryol Thermal Power Plant and Novobryansk substation, disrupting grids that support Russian defense factories. Another strike targeted the Progress plant in Cheboksary, a key site producing navigation electronics for ballistic missiles, drones, and guided bombs, causing a major fire and forcing production to halt. These operations reflect the major upgrades introduced to Ukraine's Neptune missile family, with the Long Neptune variant having reached an operational range of up to 1,000 kilometers, nearly quadruple the original model through an expanded fuselage with increased fuel capacity. Its warhead has grown to 350 kilograms, enabling the destruction of hardened facilities like oil terminals, air defense sites, and aircraft shelters. The missile now supports terrain-following flight and potential infrared terminal homing, allowing it to fly extremely low to the ground and evade radar, as demonstrated by multiple recent successful strikes.

Parallel to Neptune's evolution, Ukraine steps up the use of the Flamingo missile, the domestically developed cruise missile with an unprecedented 3,000 kilometer reach. Powered by a turbofan engine, it flies up to 950 kilometers per hour with a massive 1,150 kilogram penetrating warhead capable of punching through up to ten meters of reinforced concrete. Its guidance system combines inertial navigation, terrain ma pping, and GPS updates, achieving strike accuracy within roughly 14 to 50 meters, highly effective for strategic energy, air-defense, and command targets at a cost of around 500,000 US dollars per missile. Flamingo played a confirmed role in the recent Novorossiysk operation, contributing to major damage to the strike, as it only needs one to hit to destroy the target due to its powerful warhead two-and-a-half times as powerful as Storm Shadow. Earlier Flamingo deployments struck the Oryol power node and multiple military sites in Crimea, Berdiansk, and Yevpatoria again alongside Neptune missiles and drones.

Given current Ukrainian production levels, Russia's situation is set to deteriorate further. Ukraine now manufactures 40 to 50 Neptune missiles per month, while Flamingo output stands at around 90 monthly, with plans to scale up even more, as some elements like missile fuel are produced abroad and are not vulnerable to Russian strikes. Such volumes can overwhelm Russian air defenses, cripple logistics and energy grids, and impose billions in economic losses while diverting Moscow's resources away from the front.

Strategic independence transforms Ukraine's war-fighting capability

Overall, Ukraine's development of long-range strike capability independent of Western approval is strategically transformative. The combination of mass-produced Neptune and Flamingo missiles ensures that Russia's strategic rear, energy infrastructure, and military-industrial facilities are no longer safe. As Ukraine expands production and enhances capabilities, its ability to shape the war deep inside Russian territory will only increase, imposing relentless pressure on the Russian war machine with almost no place left to hide.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Ukraine Clams Hit on Key Rosneft Refinery in Volga Region

Ukraine hit the Saratov refinery of Russian oil giant Rosneft in the Volga region on Friday, Ukraine’s General Staff said, in what was the second attack on the refinery in recent months as the Trump Administration continues with its efforts to broker a peace deal. “As part of efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor, during the night of 28 November, units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck the Saratov Oil Refinery in Russia’s Saratov region,” Ukraine’s General Staff said on their Telegram channel. “The facility produces more than 20 types of petroleum products, including gasoline, fuel oil, diesel fuel and technical sulphur, and is involved in supporting the needs of the Russian occupation army.”

Ukraine said that “a series of explosions was recorded, followed by a fire in the target area. The results of the strikes are being clarified.” A similar attack on the Saratov refinery in August prompted the facility to halt the intake of crude oil. Last week, Rosneft’s refinery at Ryazan, Russia’s fourth-largest, was said to have suspended crude processing after a Ukrainian drone attack over the November 15-16 weekend. In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russia’s oil refineries, depots, and export terminals in an escalation of the war on energy infrastructure, which has also seen Russia targeting Ukraine’s gas producing facilities and gas and power distribution networks as temperatures drop.

Ukraine reportedly strikes Afipsky Oil Refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai

Ukraine's military reportedly struck one of southern Russia's largest oil refineries overnight on Nov. 29, Russian Telegram media channels reported. Photos and videos posted to social media by local resident purport to show a large fire emanating from the Afipsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar Krai. The Kyiv Independent could not immediately verify the reports. Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the reported attack. The information was immediately available on the extent of the damage caused.

Ukraine strikes Saratov oil refinery, airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine's General Staff says

Ukrainian forces struck the Saratov oil refinery, a drone storage facility at an airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea and other military targets overnight on Nov. 28, Ukraine's General Staff reported. Residents in several Russian cities and in occupied Crimea reported hearing explosions overnight. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down 136 Ukrainian drones, including 30 over Saratov Oblast and 29 over the occupied peninsula. Ukraine struck the Saratov oil refinery, a facility that produces more than 20 petroleum products and supplies the Russian army. The strike sparked a fire at the site, though the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, according to the report.

Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted the refinery in Saratov Oblast this fall, with the previous strike recorded on Nov. 14. The latest Nov. 28 attack is the fifth since the start of the season. One of the November strikes forced the plant to halt primary processing, according to Reuters. During the attack, Ukrainian forces also targeted a drone storage facility at the Saky airfield in the village of Novofedorivka, Crimea. Russian air defenses at the site were destroyed, including Pantsir S1 and Tor-M2 missile systems. Following the neutralization of the air defenses, Ukrainian troops destroyed the hangar storing long-range Forpost and Orion drones. Ukraine struck a Russian command and control center and a KamAZ military truck as well.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Ukraine's New Armored Pickups GYURZA-03 Separates Ammo From Crew, DESNA Aims to Replace IVECO

UkrArmoTech's GYURZA-03 designed to transport ammo safely for personnel, while DESNA fills multipurpose armored vehicle niche up to 8 tons. UkrArmoTech company is working on two more of its own armored vehicles: GYURZA-03 and DESNA. And they have already reached the stage of undergoing codification testing, which opens the path to supplying the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And these are interesting equipment samples that are essentially pickups with modular construction for various tasks. They use the company's previous developments and respond to existing military needs.

Thus, for GYURZA-03, such a solution was chosen to reduce risk when transporting ammunition and equipment alongside personnel. As a result, a separate cabin-capsule for 5 people was created, and separately from it, a special cargo compartment. The pickup scheme also provides space for installing additional equipment, such as radars, air defense systems, and even artillery systems. The latter most likely includes mortars, or very light 105mm howitzers, like Hawkeye, because the maximum weight of such payload on the vehicle is 3 tons. DESNA is also a very interesting sample, as it's offered for the niche of multipurpose high cross-country vehicle weighing up to 8 tons. This is something like IVECO LMV, which is also used by Ukrainian military.

At UkrArmoTech they note that the vehicle uses reliable and repairable solutions that are also installed on other company models, including automatic transmission and engine. Here it can be assumed that they are not analogous to UAT.TISA, because it still has a manual transmission. Developers assure that the new armored vehicles have the necessary level of protection, ergonomics, cross-country capability, and functionality. Characteristics are not yet provided, because most likely testing is still ongoing and details will be announced upon their completion. If we make assumptions, then at minimum GYURZA-03, by analogy with GYURZA-02, will have a specially developed chassis for it, or will use the same one. Regarding DESNA, it's difficult to say anything yet, as its possible to use a practical variant based on already proven global automotive platforms.

 

[ChloeTzang]

How Ukraine Fooled russia Displayed Fake Missile in UAE While Secretly Buying Every AI-25 Engine on Market

irst demonstration of the FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile from Fire Point in Ukraine took place in August this year, but in the world half a year earlier, during the IDEX-2025 exhibition in the UAE, in February. At the same time, a missile mockup was displayed at the stand of international company Milanion Group, which has headquarters in the UAE and has a British division. And why this happened was answered at the Fire Point press conference to a question from Defense Express by chief designer and company co-owner Denys Shtilerman. This was our special operation, which was supposed to distract the russians from mass purchases of old AI-25 and AI-25TL aircraft engines that we were conducting abroad. So that they would think this purchase was being conducted in the interests of this company.

We asked through friends to give us a stand, placed a mockup there. And thus the mass procurement of AI-25 and AI-25TL engines did not cause any suspicion among the russians. When they realized, we had already collected everything that was on the market, Denys Shtilerman said. Thus, Fire Point also completely confirmed the assumption about the engine type that Defense Express made immediately after the public demonstration of real photos of this missile. In particular, it was then assumed that FP-5 Flamingo uses used engines from training aircraft. In particular, AI-25 is used on the Czech L-39 Albatros and the number of such used engines with already exhausted life in the world and in Ukraine itself is quite significant.And they can quite be repaired to work for at least 4 hours for a single one-way flight, which is exactly how long FP-5 Flamingo can fly.

It should be noted that AI-25TL has a thrust of 16.87 kN with a specific fuel consumption of 58.6 kN*h, meaning at full thrust for a 4-hour flight, this missile's fuel supply needs to be up to about 3,950 kg. Considering the stated warhead weight of FP-5 Flamingo at 1,050 kg, it turns out that the missile itself (without fuel and warhead) should weigh only about 1,000 kg, of which 350 kg accounts for the engine itself.

And thus approximately 650 kg is the weight of the airframe and internal equipment, which is a very low figure for such a large missile. And it's achieved through active use of composite materials. In particular, as is known, the fuselage, wing and control surfaces of Flamingo are made of fiberglass. And besides reducing radar signature, this allows precisely to reduce weight.

https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_an...uying_every_ai_25_engine_on_market-16635.html

 

[Rebel5soul]

Let's be clear here, whether Ukraine stands or falls is of no great consequence to the US going forward. As a matter of principle Russia is the aggressor and quite clearly war criminals. Have we regressed to the Nixonian domino theory?

Putin is threatening nuclear exchange, bluff.............so far. But that is not the nuclear exchange the West is so fearful of.

The West can continue to incrementally escalate while Russian and Ukraine bleed themselves into irrelevance. The danger is to the East. China is salivating over Eastern Siberia. They are building a case for racial interest ( Go back to Hitler and Austria etc.) and historical sovereignty. If China moves Russia has no alternative than a nuclear response.

What I'm saying here is the myopic view that this is simply a case of Russia wrong and Ukraine right is far too simplistic in the world view and the best interests of the United States. The best interests of the United States is to drive a wedge between China and Russia and if we can save the Ukraine, well that would be a bonus.

 

[Rightguide]

Here, John Mearsheimer breaks down the Trump-led Ukraine peace deal currently being negotiated with Russia. He delivers a deep, unsparing, and scholarly assessment of its moral costs, its political realities, and the power dynamic it reflects. You’ll be well served to hear every word of his explanation of why, and how from it's beginning in 2008 we’ve arrived at this historic turning point today. It's worth the time.

 

[LeahWill]

Here, John Mearsheimer breaks down the Trump-led Ukraine peace deal currently being negotiated with Russia. He delivers a deep, unsparing, and scholarly assessment of its moral costs, its political realities, and the power dynamic it reflects. You’ll be well served to hear every word of his explanation of why, and how from it's beginning in 2008 we’ve arrived at this historic turning point today. It's worth the time.

OH YUK!!!!

Why in God's name have they used a photo of Trump pulling his 'cum face'...???!!!???






(Ah. "Forced Surrender". Now I see the link...)

 

[ChloeTzang]

Let's be clear here, whether Ukraine stands or falls is of no great consequence to the US going forward. As a matter of principle Russia is the aggressor and quite clearly war criminals. Have we regressed to the Nixonian domino theory?

Putin is threatening nuclear exchange, bluff.............so far. But that is not the nuclear exchange the West is so fearful of.

The West can continue to incrementally escalate while Russian and Ukraine bleed themselves into irrelevance. The danger is to the East. China is salivating over Eastern Siberia. They are building a case for racial interest ( Go back to Hitler and Austria etc.) and historical sovereignty. If China moves Russia has no alternative than a nuclear response.

The collapse of the Russian Federation would reduce Russia to another Belarus, which would be beneficial to the US - we could then remove ourselves from NATO focus on China, leaving Europe to the Arab and African invaders who are swarming the continent. Europe then becomes an irrelvance at best.

And China's best interests are served by allowing Ukraine to weaken Russia to the point where the Russian Federation collapses and China can then (1) reclaim it's lost territory and (3) establish a "protectorate" over eastern Siberia and it's resources, while ensuring the various republics there have ostensible independance - under China's protective umbrella.

What I'm saying here is the myopic view that this is simply a case of Russia wrong and Ukraine right is far too simplistic in the world view and the best interests of the United States. The best interests of the United States is to drive a wedge between China and Russia and if we can save the Ukraine, well that would be a bonus.

What IS ging to happen is Ukraine will save itself, the Russian Federation will disintegrate and Ukraine will NOT be our friend, and Europe will be pretty iffy. We'll face China alone as a result.