What the fuck is happening in Ukraine?Ain’t nothin going on but the rent
― Chappies banging dustbin lids together (President Keyes), Monday, 25 April 2022 15:45 (two years ago) link
Spent this morning visiting a shelter for Ukrainian refugees in Tijuana. Spent the afternoon at a shelter @ImmDef visits regularly to provide legal services to mostly Haitian & Central American families. The differences between the two are stark and soul-shattering. 🧵— Lindsay Toczylowski (@L_Toczylowski) April 22, 2022
― xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 26 April 2022 07:51 (two years ago) link
A story about the preservation of Ukrainian culture during the war:
https://inews.co.uk/news/long-reads/putin-russia-destruction-ukraine-culture-heritage-isis-shadows-project-1589358
The latest news from the "European values" front:
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/04/20/germany-refugee-policy-afghanistan-ukraine/
Germany Is Displacing Afghan Refugees to Make Way for Ukrainians
But also more news about Ukraine:
https://english.nv.ua/nation/terror-and-looting-in-the-farming-villages-that-bore-the-brunt-of-russia-s-eastern-push-towards-kyiv-50236045.html
― Noam CHOAMsky - I did not say this. I am not here. (MoominTrollin), Wednesday, 27 April 2022 06:58 (two years ago) link
Bumping this up
― Legalize Suburban Benches (Raymond Cummings), Wednesday, 27 April 2022 18:01 (two years ago) link
i expect this will be good in helping to determine what the fuck is going on in the ukraine
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Wednesday, 27 April 2022 18:31 (two years ago) link
I'm surprised more people aren't more bothered about this:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/apr/27/boris-johnson-tempting-evil-revealing-ukrainian-soldiers-trained-poland
It seems a total dick move.
― djh, Wednesday, 27 April 2022 21:22 (two years ago) link
Well, Boris Johnson is a total dick after all.
― Was Hitler a Hobbit? (Tom D.), Wednesday, 27 April 2022 21:26 (two years ago) link
Of course.
It just seems like a move that will get people killed.
― djh, Wednesday, 27 April 2022 21:29 (two years ago) link
A somewhat thorough rundown on diplomatic negotiations so far, and the effects of Bucha atrocities, sinking of the Moskva, and other events on said discussions for either side:
(article is in Russian but chrome has a useful translate function, hope it's available in other browsers)
https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-61241525
― Noam CHOAMsky - I did not say this. I am not here. (MoominTrollin), Wednesday, 27 April 2022 21:56 (two years ago) link
"The Ukrainian work that pre-dated the seizure of Crimea was a continuation of existing programmes, and we know the Russians seem to be using other marine mammals, including belugas in the Arctic," Lambert added in an email.And Russia isn't the only country to do this kind of work with marine mammals. In fact, the U.S. Navy has a history of similar programs, and it trains dolphins as well as seals for similar purposes to this day. Here's a look at why dolphins make good defenders and which countries rely on them.
Reminds me of this movie, and Dr. John Lilly, who I knew via his writing about acid and dolphins, which the Pentagon wanted him to train for Vietnam, but he was like gross fuck you---as wiki sez:
As of March 2022, The Day of the Dolphin holds a rating of 43% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 28 reviews.[17]Differences from the novel and other sources of inspirationMerle's novel, a satire of the Cold War, is supposedly the basis for this film, but the film's plot was substantially different from that of the novel. The movie is instead inspired in part from the scientist John C. Lilly's life. A physician, biophysicist, neuroscientist, and inventor, Lilly specialized in the study of consciousness. In 1959, he founded the Communications Research Institute at St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands and served as its director until 1968. There he worked with dolphins exploring dolphin intelligence and human-dolphin communication.See also Bottlenose dolphin communication and John Lilly and cetacean communication.
Differences from the novel and other sources of inspirationMerle's novel, a satire of the Cold War, is supposedly the basis for this film, but the film's plot was substantially different from that of the novel. The movie is instead inspired in part from the scientist John C. Lilly's life. A physician, biophysicist, neuroscientist, and inventor, Lilly specialized in the study of consciousness. In 1959, he founded the Communications Research Institute at St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands and served as its director until 1968. There he worked with dolphins exploring dolphin intelligence and human-dolphin communication.
See also Bottlenose dolphin communication and John Lilly and cetacean communication.
― dow, Saturday, 30 April 2022 03:29 (two years ago) link
Let’s talk about the state of the war and one of the most underreported yet crucially important issues: Russian blockade of Ukrainian ports and resulting strangulation of the country’s economy 🧵— Dmitri Alperovitch (@DAlperovitch) April 30, 2022
― xyzzzz__, Saturday, 30 April 2022 11:12 (two years ago) link
Really interesting bigger pic
― The Hon. Christian Sharia (R - MO) (Hunt3r), Saturday, 30 April 2022 17:17 (two years ago) link
As ever it's second hand and then some but the Twitter feeds I've been following on the conflict have been noting over the last couple of days that whatever the Russian big advance was supposed to have been seems to have slowed noticeably. Probably explains why Gerasimov's been sent there but it doesn't seem to have changed anything else. Some points of note:
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 30 April 2022 Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/TU1DzgHpEu🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/mfMgJGMqAL— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) April 30, 2022
If these Ukrainian claims are at all accurate (it should be noted that documented, photographed claims of Russian losses are about two thirds of those claimed, so they certainly should not be out by much) then the Russians have lost 217 tanks and 404 APCs since the battle started— Phillips P. OBrien (@PhillipsPOBrien) April 30, 2022
Even if they are exaggerrated by 20 percent, Russian losses would be extreme, around 20 full strength BTGs worth? And according to the Pentagon, the Russians have 92 BTGs in Ukraine. https://t.co/OfxADElCBF— Phillips P. OBrien (@PhillipsPOBrien) April 30, 2022
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 30 April 2022 21:01 (two years ago) link
Meantime, supposedly another Russian general's been killed:
Ukrainian sources are claiming this artillery strike on a 2nd Army Russian command post near Izyum, Kharkiv Oblast, killed Major General Andrey Simonov. It's yet to be confirmed by Russian sources but it's significant they named a specific general. pic.twitter.com/bohq0iX56G— Jimmy (@JimmySecUK) April 30, 2022
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 30 April 2022 21:03 (two years ago) link
Those O'Brien tweets are excellent quality.
― more difficult than I look (Aimless), Saturday, 30 April 2022 21:10 (two years ago) link
He's been solid these past few months. And I appreciate his regular noting that what happened with Syria shouldn't be ignored now that everyone's paying more attention.
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 30 April 2022 21:16 (two years ago) link
“Where there is war, you’ll find a Palestinian, a Yemeni and a Syrian. So here we are in Ukraine,” said Vail Albekhesi, 51, a Palestinian who came in 1989.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/28/ukraine-muslims-decry-russian-invasion/
A couple pieces from March on Chechens fighting for Ukraine:
https://oc-media.org/features/we-have-only-one-enemy-this-is-russia-the-chechens-taking-up-arms-for-ukraine/
https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/chechens-fighting-chechens-in-ukraine/
― Noam CHOAMsky - I did not say this. I am not here. (MoominTrollin), Sunday, 1 May 2022 03:28 (two years ago) link
Last month, on BBC Worldwide, a Chechen guy was saying, "It's Chechens versus Chechens," fighting on both sides, his tone was like, "Business as usual," if not, "Duh."
― dow, Sunday, 1 May 2022 03:47 (two years ago) link
Interesting. Per this short thread, turns out that the Russian general killed yesterday was collateral damage because they were actually trying to get Geramisov, and he was apparently wounded at least per reports, though no full confirmation yet.
The Ukrainian ability to process and act on important intelligence reaches to the top of the Kremlin. Maybe now they might have an idea of the country they so stupidly chose to attack. https://t.co/HbqldvijFn— Phillips P. OBrien (@PhillipsPOBrien) May 1, 2022
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 1 May 2022 16:24 (two years ago) link
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-denounces-lavrovs-hitler-comments-summons-russian-ambassador-2022-05-02/
― Was Hitler a Hobbit? (Tom D.), Monday, 2 May 2022 13:21 (two years ago) link
watching the old campist left go on and on about denazification as if all 44 million ukranians are azov has been embarassing
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Monday, 2 May 2022 15:14 (two years ago) link
To put it mildly!
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 2 May 2022 15:18 (two years ago) link
Ugh, seriously.
― DJI, Monday, 2 May 2022 15:33 (two years ago) link
the russian zip-up uniforms are mas macho
― Its big ball chunky time (Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved), Monday, 2 May 2022 16:13 (two years ago) link
Interesting thread, especially the final points.
Kirill Budanov, the head of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence (GUR), sat down with NV for a rather long interview. Here are some of the key takeaways for me. /1https://t.co/9LdSlRF4wS— Mattia Nelles (@mattia_n) May 2, 2022
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 2 May 2022 21:20 (two years ago) link
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Monday, 2 May 2022 22:14 (two years ago) link
Don't put the cart before the horse.
https://i.imgur.com/5RGTbeQ.png
― Noam CHOAMsky - I did not say this. I am not here. (MoominTrollin), Monday, 2 May 2022 23:11 (two years ago) link
An eyesore for shore.
― dow, Tuesday, 3 May 2022 00:19 (two years ago) link
Russia doubling down on Lavrov's comments. Lecturing Jews about the Nazis, not a great look, to be honest.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/moscow-under-fire-for-hitler-comments-says-israel-backing-neo-nazis-in-ukraine/
― Was Hitler a Hobbit? (Tom D.), Tuesday, 3 May 2022 11:52 (two years ago) link
Expecting a good faith discussion with Russia is foolish
― Chuck_Tatum, Tuesday, 3 May 2022 12:07 (two years ago) link
me having read (the almost unendurable) bloodlands a month ago or so, that lavrov shit is unfuckingbelievable. feeling actual fury.
― The Hon. Christian Sharia (R - MO) (Hunt3r), Tuesday, 3 May 2022 14:15 (two years ago) link
The only reason it doesn't enrage me more is that it's pretty hard to be like, "ok THAT'S it, THAT'S the last straw" after the kind of rhetoric they've used from the outset
― longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Tuesday, 3 May 2022 14:31 (two years ago) link
It's like with Trump, when every straw is the last straw, it's harder to recognise, process or even care about the massive fuckery. It's tiring by design.
― Chuck_Tatum, Tuesday, 3 May 2022 14:42 (two years ago) link
But even so it's not helping them. Whatever the Great Big Push plans in the Donbass were seems to have burned out.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 3 May 2022 15:07 (two years ago) link
In any event, a sobering read
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/05/03/feeling-around-for-something-human
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 3 May 2022 17:07 (two years ago) link
I'm glad they came out with the English translation for this - I kept waiting for it to happen, feels like it's been a couple weeks at least.
Meanwhile, just having a normal one:
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/russian-state-tv-shows-clips-simulating-ireland-being-wiped-out-by-nuclear-weapons-1.4867631
― Noam CHOAMsky - I did not say this. I am not here. (MoominTrollin), Tuesday, 3 May 2022 20:05 (two years ago) link
Problems problems
This is really remarkable. Soldiers from South Ossetia openly stating that the complete chaos and incompetence of the Russian command in Ukraine led them to desert and return home. They say huge amounts of equipment simply do not work. https://t.co/yXYygYGLIl pic.twitter.com/7cZpUG7Ia1— Neil Hauer (@NeilPHauer) May 4, 2022
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 4 May 2022 14:23 (two years ago) link
Typical Big Huge Galeev thread but brings up a variety of points new to me:
May 9, the Victory Day is a crucial symbolic date. We should expect the Victory Parade and Putin's speech to the nation on that day. What is he gonna say? Many are pondering whether he will:1. Declare war on Ukraine2. Declare mass mobilisation in RussiaLet's discuss both🧵 pic.twitter.com/LUvqRyUsLu— Kamil Galeev (@kamilkazani) May 4, 2022
Of which I thought this was especially of interest:
In practical terms that means that the ability of Russia to regroup, withdrawing its forces from the North (Kyiv) in order to send everyone to the East (Donbass) was probably exaggerated. Many of those who already been to Ukraine and were returned to Russia simply won't go again. pic.twitter.com/LgFQFBuWcf— Kamil Galeev (@kamilkazani) May 4, 2022
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 4 May 2022 18:12 (two years ago) link
Some good on the ground stuff here if you have WSJ access
https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-retakes-villages-near-kharkiv-easing-pressure-on-battered-city-11651669856
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 5 May 2022 02:57 (two years ago) link
That Meduza link is quite something, its been sitting with me for a while
― anvil, Thursday, 5 May 2022 06:21 (two years ago) link
Good article on a less-reported component of US military assistance to Ukraine, intelligence that has allowed them to target high-value Russian assets, such as senior commanders on the ground:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/04/us/politics/russia-generals-killed-ukraine.html
― o. nate, Thursday, 5 May 2022 15:47 (two years ago) link
xpost -- yeah it's not surprising, sadly, but it is clarifying.
Extensive O'Brien thread on things (worth reading from the start) which then notes this new key point
Ukrainian commander in Chief Zaluzhnyi now saying far from the Russians being just stalled in the Donbas, that the Ukrainians are now counterattacking around Izyum. (We already new about Kharkiv) https://t.co/kUOCHMjOZD— Phillips P. OBrien (@PhillipsPOBrien) May 5, 2022
To say it so publicly, the Ukrainians must feel really confident. And tbh, the Russian forces have been so tentative and halting in their advance, there is reason for the Ukrainians to be confident— Phillips P. OBrien (@PhillipsPOBrien) May 5, 2022
Meantime, fog of war stuff but (if accurate) an interesting read. A little context: the author is supposed to be a volunteer from one of the two occupied breakaway regions in the Donbass pre-war, and PMC is 'private military company' aka Wagner group. Sounds like it's not exactly happy for them about now.
You may remember an account from an LPR volunteer in Rubizhne from a week or so ago. There was another post from him about Wagner Group involvement in #Popasna offensive.I've translated it here: pic.twitter.com/coEvn5bNrs— Dmitri 🇺🇦 (@mdmitri91) May 5, 2022
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 5 May 2022 16:08 (two years ago) link
Also, an interesting complement to the Meduza piece
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/05/05/a-heart-to-heart-with-russias-elites-a77587
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 5 May 2022 16:28 (two years ago) link
Rumors circulating that Putin has assumed chief command of the 'special operation' and the Prime Minister Mishustin is overseeing domestic affairs
What could go wrong?
― Andy the Grasshopper, Thursday, 5 May 2022 19:07 (two years ago) link
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a rare apology on Thursday to Israel over recent antisemitic comments from Russia’s foreign minister connecting Nazi leader Adolf Hitler to Judaism, according to the Israeli prime minister.The reported apology came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of using Nazi propaganda and antisemitic tropes to justify the invasion as Russian leaders repeatedly compare Zelensky to Hitler.During a phone conversation between Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the Russian president apologized for remarks made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who recently dismissed Zelensky’s Jewish faith by claiming that “Hitler also had Jewish blood” — a discredited antisemitic claim.“The Prime Minister accepted President Putin’s apology for Lavrov’s remarks and thanked him for clarifying the President’s attitude towards the Jewish people and the memory of the Holocaust,” according to a news release from Bennett’s office.
The reported apology came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of using Nazi propaganda and antisemitic tropes to justify the invasion as Russian leaders repeatedly compare Zelensky to Hitler.
During a phone conversation between Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the Russian president apologized for remarks made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who recently dismissed Zelensky’s Jewish faith by claiming that “Hitler also had Jewish blood” — a discredited antisemitic claim.
“The Prime Minister accepted President Putin’s apology for Lavrov’s remarks and thanked him for clarifying the President’s attitude towards the Jewish people and the memory of the Holocaust,” according to a news release from Bennett’s office.
Putin: "it was a goof"
― Bruce Stingbean (Karl Malone), Thursday, 5 May 2022 23:27 (two years ago) link
yeah, offhand antisemitic comments don't exactly bolster the denazifiaction claims
― Andy the Grasshopper, Friday, 6 May 2022 01:03 (two years ago) link
U.S. intel helped Ukraine sink Russian flagship Moskva, officials sayThe flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet sank on April 14 after being struck by two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles, according to U.S. officials.
― dow, Friday, 6 May 2022 01:17 (two years ago) link
American officials have expressed concerns that reporting about U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine could anger Putin and provoke an unpredictable response.
― StanM, Friday, 6 May 2022 03:41 (two years ago) link
I can't imagine it's a huge secret that Ukraine is benefiting from U.S. intelligence.. we're sending howitzers, after all
― Andy the Grasshopper, Friday, 6 May 2022 17:35 (two years ago) link
A counterargument to the 'that shouldn't have leaked, jeez' response is that that's so much bluster and in fact the US et al basically are telling Putin "This is how fucked your armed forces really are." Which, I could see it.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 6 May 2022 17:48 (two years ago) link