The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation issued an emergency statement on the situation in the Black Sea
The United States is creating a multinational group near the Russian borders in the Black Sea, and is also studying the theater of possible hostilities in the region. This is stated in the message of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, the correspondent of “PolitNavigator” reports.
The ministry stressed that we are talking about the entry into the Black Sea of the destroyer Porter, the headquarters ship Mount Whitney and the tanker John Lenthall. In addition, five American F-15E Strike Eagle fighters were deployed to airbases in Bulgaria and Romania. The Russian Ministry of Defense believes that this is not only about exercises – in this way, the US military is developing the territory.
“Taking into account the fact that in addition to the US Navy, it is planned to use tactical, patrol and strategic aviation, as well as contingents of the armed forces of Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine, there is a study of the alleged theater of military operations in the event that Kiev prepares a military solution in the south- east, ”the statement said.
According to the military expert of the Institute of CIS Countries, Captain I Rank Sergei Gorbachev, the United States is creating its own mini-flotilla in the Black Sea, capable of delivering missile strikes and threatening not only the south of Russia, but also Moscow:
“The development of the coastal infrastructure of Ukraine is underway – port, logistics components, the use of facilities on land. If we talk about aviation, this is the use of the airspace of Ukraine for their own purposes, the development of the airfield network. NATO aircraft periodically land in Odessa, near Nikolaev, and at other sites in various regions of Ukraine. I think our statement is related to drawing attention to the forces from which the threat to peace comes.
This kind of thing happens periodically – just remember the significant grouping of anti-Russian forces that participated in the Sea Breeze 2021 summer exercises. There, both the number of forces and the number of countries whose representatives were sent to the exercises can even be called a record. That is, this kind of thing happened. But here we see a coincidence both in time and place, and it is worth paying attention to the variety of forces. If we evaluate the three American boats, then this is a command ship, which has equipment of a very different direction, capable of performing functions ranging from monitoring to reconnaissance, providing communications systems, command and control, and so on.
This is a platform that can accommodate a significant number of seconded contingent, the same Marines. On the other hand, there is the possibility of landing helicopters, transferring various weapons systems and personnel. If we are talking about an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, then this ship is a platform for 90 different missiles, including Tomahawks, which can reach Moscow. This includes issues related to the use of the Aegis combat information control systems associated with the same complex in Romania. Plus, a tanker that has the ability to provide not only fuel, but also all sorts of oils, water, supplies, and so on. Such a mini-flotilla, multifunctional, with various possibilities.
A member of the movement “strong Russia”, military expert Mark Bernardini offers Russia in response to the actions of the US to send its warships to American shores:
“Of course, the principle of reciprocity, obviously, the United States is nothing will not be against it, if in the vicinity of Cuba and Florida, and also Alaska, the ships of the Russian Navy will appear: after all, you need to study the theater of possible hostilities in the event of an attack by the States on Liberty Island? Seriously, the Americans are really preparing and will promote the version of the US and its henchmen (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey) helping Ukraine’s attack on the Donbass people’s republics.
In fact, as you know, the Kiev fascists will never dare to do this without an unspoken order from the overseas Naglo-Saxons. In other words, not the United States and the company will join Ukraine, but exactly the opposite. Alas, the Ukrainian regime has never been very far-sighted: it would be worth reminding them how the Yankees’ assurances to such heads of state as Gorbachev, Hussein, Gaddafi and even Saakashvili have turned out over the past thirty years. ”
Maxim Karpenko
The Ministry of Defense records the unprecedented activity of reconnaissance aircraft in the sky over the Black Sea:
✔️On November 9, over the Black Sea, the US Air Force’s E-8C ground target reconnaissance and strike control aircraft was accompanied by the radio-technical means of the anti-aircraft missile forces of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Also on the past day, Russian anti-aircraft missile forces over the Black Sea were accompanied by THREE reconnaissance aircraft of NATO member states:
✔️ The strategic reconnaissance aircraft RC-135 of the US Air Force, which took off from the airbase on the island of Crete (Greece), was approaching the state border of the Russian Federation at a distance of 30 km.
✔️ The base patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon of the US Navy, which took off from the airbase on the island of Sicily (Italy), was approaching the state border of the Russian Federation at a distance of 70 km.
✔️ The C-160G “Gabriel” reconnaissance aircraft of the French Aerospace Forces that took off from the airbase on the territory of Romania was approaching the state border of Russia by 30 km.
✔️Another U-2 strategic reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force, which took off from the territory of Great Britain, was detected and accompanied by radar reconnaissance equipment over the territory of Ukraine, approaching the border of the Russian Federation at a distance of about 60 km.
✔️This morning at 8.56 Moscow time, the US Navy guided missile destroyer Porter left the Georgian port of Batumi.
✔️At 09.20 Moscow time, the US Navy headquarters ship Mount Whitney left Batumi.
✔️Tanker “John Lenthall” of the US Navy is located in the southwestern part of the Black Sea.
The actions of the American Navy, together with reconnaissance and strategic aviation in the Black Sea, confirm the true goal of the unscheduled multinational exercise: the development of the alleged theater of military operations and, in particular, the territory of Ukraine in case Kiev prepares a military solution in the southeast.
I would recommend Andrei Martyanov’s video ‘Concussion’ in which he comments about the “posturing” of US/NATO, and the ‘signs of war’, all in the context of the realities of the horrors of surviving modern munitions.
http://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/2021/11/something-for-weeked.html
(and join in supporting Andrei’s video presentations at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martyanov/posts)
His videos and articles are excellent and unique to his knowledge, experience and expertise.
The psychopath Biden is becoming more dangerous every day, Uncle Shmuel warships are nothing but sitting ducks, let’s see how long Putin patience will last, thanks for sharing,I would like to read an analysis from you about this dangerous situation.
We have two factions in the Deep State as usual. Neocons and other crazies(Blinken, Nuland, the Cia chief who came to Moscow with ultimatum..), and cooler heads in the Pentagon:
Pentagon Denies “Hollow” Media Reports On Impending Russian Invasion Of Ukraine.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/pentagon-denies-hollow-media-reports-impending-russian-invasion-ukraine
It is very depressing to me as a US citizen to see the US government working 24×7 to stir up trouble and start wars where ever possible. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the biggest threat to world peace on the planet. Possibly the most evil government that has ever existed.
Bill… maybe it’s time to withdraw your support of your government, and leave the country. I did. No regrets. Never going back.
Hi Druida,
At my age leaving the US is not a viable option. If I was younger I would definitely consider it. My understanding is that Russia will accept a non-Russian immigrant if he can speak and write Russian ( I do not know Russian).
Things are looking very unstable with half the country or more feeling alienated. Maybe things will eventually get better but it sure looks like they will have to get a lot worse first.
Thank you,
Bill
The Ukies themselves say this is not Russia threatening an incursion. Now the Pentagon chief of staff says “no problem here”.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/pentagon-denies-hollow-media-reports-impending-russian-invasion-ukraine
And notice that the Russian troops are massed 324 kms from the border. That’s around 205 miles by road.
As the missile flies, it is 160 miles away.
What matters is the US and NATO have been enticing Russia to cross the border en masse for seven years.
They want desperately to mark Russia as an aggressor nation and then deprive Russia of its veto vote on the UNSC.
If Russia could just knock the hell out of Kiev, the US would be very happy. The Americans then will have less responsibility for the failed state, 404, once called The Ukraine. Kiev and its 40 million hapless souls (some say its down to 30 million now) is a world class albatross, unwilling and incapable of governing and uplifting itself from massive poverty and corruption. No one wants anything to do with it, except exploit and eventually devour it. Poland, the Khazarians, the UK, Germany and France, NATO and Turkey all will pounce on the corpse, but none want to be responsible for Ukraine remaining alive except as a living platform to launch threats toward Russia.
So, who says Russian troops are a threat? The Ukies and the US military just have spoken that it is not them.
Just look at the list of Russophobes and pick any one of them. You will be correct.
When the Russians come, it will be swift and surprising, but for concrete, factual, legal cause of war.
And it will be brief and horrendous for their enemies.
……When the Russians come, it will be swift and surprising,……..
When will it be? When all the young people move out and only old ones stay who will be dependent on the already exhausted pension system of Russia or the ones without salaries on the social system? Or when those who know how to assemble a rifle from the Russian side in Ukraine die or move out? If they had supported Givi and Mozgovoi, Kiev would be in Russian hands today. By russian speaking ukrainian people. There would not be necessary need for the Russian army to react officially, openly. Did it pay off for the Russians to wait for the currents to happen and then join the destroyed Ukraine to Russian world? Is that what suits Russians or shareholders in transnational corporations? Were they waiting for better weapons, for the awareness of the Ukrainian people? Did they expect China to quarrel more with America so they could count on mutual support? Are they safer today with such Afghanistan, Turkey and Pakistan? Have they increased confidence in the so-called “partners,” who will now be less willing to join the Anglo-Americans? To recall that they had a non-aggression pact with Ribbentrop and what happened…..
it is a novelty to get aware today by djolistic ‘a posteriori’ plans how Russia should have behaved in 2014 in order to wipe out a newly created but still viable Ukraine.
Pity that Putin has instead picked up the Minsk peace plan vs of his advice, wouldn t he have been accused of monstrous russian agression anyway.
Bad Vlad must be sent to Le Hague courts for his inability to assess the correct degree of his aggression and so causing so much grief and blood in the Donbass.
How is it that America or England are not accused of monstrous aggression and bloodshed? What kind of international institutions are Russia defending then? Do they make sense? Is this winning principle…..better to get something than nothing? Is that how force behaves? Or on the principle …what the ox is not allowed Jupiter is? I hope to get an answer backed by arguments. Thank you
All that needs to happen is for Mother to take the leash off of NAF. NAF will be in the outskirts of Kiev in 48 hours and will have precisely zero ‘polite young men in green’ in their ranks.
The only thing that has saved the orcs to date is Mother telling NAF to stop and stand where they are. For almost 8 years now they have stood and taken daily losses whilst TPTB argue over what was signed in Minsk, an agreement that neither the orcs nor Mutti has the slightest intention of putting in place and enforcing, the only reason Mutti went running to VVP those some years ago was to save what was left of the orc government she put in place along with Foggy Bottom.
Those much maligned miners and tractor drivers have a score to settle and spilled blood to repay and are chomping at the bit to be turned loose. May God have mercy on the orc’s souls because NAF won’t.
For those new to blog:
NAF: Novorossiya Armed Forces
Foggy Bottom: Swamp on the Potomac River and location of central government of SehSha.
SehSha. США pronounced.
Mutti. A. Merkel, the genius behind the Minsk treaties and former head of German government.
Auslander
The West is on the edge: Supply chains issues, inflation, energy crisis and failing credibility of the ruling political class.
The ony thing which may keep this system running (they hope) is digital fascism, but thy need for this some kind of act of war, which they hope to control.
We are dealing here, in the West, with psychopaths.
God save us.
Cheers from France.
Agreed. Cheers from Ireland.
‘Russian troops are a threat’ was the mantra which led to WW1 and WW2. In both cases Germany put all the efforts to make the Russians appear the aggressors.
Finally, there is some fresh air dispersing the doom and gloom which accompanies the stunts of these panting, shouting, and drooling ”invincibles”:
It’s instructive in this regard to look at Iran. Having emerged strengthened after fending off the Iraqi and the collective West’s assault in the 1980s, Iran has courageously — for over 30 years — backed up and contributed to the anti-Zionist fighting forces in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon without being bombed and invaded by Israel and NATO. We all know what happened after the cowardly murder of General Soleimani. Israel and NATO, the US in particular, don’t have any spine, wit, or fighting spirit except against captive populations such as the Palestinians.
Unless this Mark Bernardini is already working for Sergey Shoygu, he should be promoted accordingly. I didn’t find anything about him or the movement he is an alleged member of, but his piece of advice is absolutely spot on.
Contrary to what it s said here tomahawks can not reach Moscow from the black sea.
Maybe not, but they sure as heck can reach Sevastopol, Novorrosysk and Rostov amongst other villages.
Putin held back against Shoigu’s proposal to organise their own military manoeuvres, as he doesn’t want to escalate the situation:
https://tass.com/politics/1360967
So this situation is worse than with Sea breeze 2021 because:
1. These are unplanned military manouvres
2. They are using strategic weapons
Is this correct?
I don’t see how russian own exercises would escalate anything. Answering to provocations and showing readyness is not an escalation.
Based on past experience, only about 50% will get anywhere near the official target. The MIC is happy with that. The US military needs to buy at least twice the number needed to get anywhere near a 100% strike average.
No, not without being shot down first.
Tomahawks are not difficult targets for the Russian air defenses
The Saker
Yes, Tomahawks are not difficult targets for Russian air defenses. During the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1993-1995) the US fired Tomahawks against the Bosnian Serbs, aiming agricultural farms. Three Tomahawks struck soft targets and failed to explode. The Bosnian Serbs handed them over to the Russian military.
Not true.
Check the ranges here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomahawk_(missile):
Operational range
Block II TLAM-A – 1,350 nmi (1,550 mi; 2,500 km)
Block III TLAM-C, Block IV TLAM-E – 900 nmi (1,000 mi; 1,700 km) Block III TLAM-D – 700 nmi (810 mi; 1,300 km)[3]
Block IV – 864nmi, (1000 miles,1600+ km)
And on road, and not as the crow flies, the distance btw Odessa and Moscow is 1345 Km.
The tomahawks would have to fly over the Russian territory for 2000 kms. The missiles would be shot down long before they reach Moscow. And to have a chance to fire the missiles before being sunk the ships would have to fire from the Mediterranean sea. In that case reaching Moscow would be impossible the target would exceed the range of the tomahawks.
You are completely and apparently ignorantly as well as obstinately wrong.
Driving distance from Deveslu, Romania, where Tomahawks are based on land, is 1216 miles from Moscow.
That’s not straight flying distance which is 834 miles.
So stop pulling distances out of your butt and get some geography and specs correct.
Yes, Tomahawks can be shot down with Russian missile defenses, but swarms of thousands of them from all the available platforms and launch sites that would be used would make 100% shoot down impossible.
If the West fires at Russia, it will fire everything from every direction it has.
Get real. If the Russians thought or believed that Moscow would not be hit, they wouldn’t practice getting the population down into bomb shelters, nor would they vow total kinetic war in reply to such an attack.
Larchmonter445
“If the West fires at Russia, it will fire everything from every direction it has”. Yes, that would indeed be the case in a major confrontation. The same applies to Russia, which is huge, and which too will fire from every direction.
The Tomahawk is no mystery to the Russians. During the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1993-1995) the US fired Tomahawks against the Bosnian Serbs. Three struck soft targets on agricultural farms, failing to explode. The Bosnian Serbs handed the missiles over to the Russian military, which now knows how they function.
A few years ago, the US attacked that Syrian airfield with 60 Tomahawks, using two salvos of 30 missiles. In the first salvo one Tomahawk failed to fly, while the remaining 29 were intercepted by the Russian Khirbiny electronic jamming system. Not one struck the airfield. It is not clear if the Khirbiny jamming system was used against the second salvo. Even so, the attack was a failure. Not a single missile struck the runways, while some struck villages, killing civilians. A few struck two hangers, where old Syrian planes were serviced. The airfield was back in operation within 24 hours.
Some time after followed that NATO missile attack against Syria. Tomahawks and other missiles were used. The Syrians shot down 71 missiles, with two being captured after failing to explode. About 30 struck empty buildings and land, causing virtually no real damage.
You stated that in a major confrontation thousands of Tomahawks would be used against Russia, making a 100 % shoot down impossible. Debatable. Nobody really knows what the Russian military inventory holds in the form of high tech, while the Tomahawk is an old missile. In Syria Russia proved that it can jam it’s electronics.
Even in Yaroslavl the sirens were tested this last month.
During the week you can hear the firing like fireworks from the distant range if the wind is right, usually after work from about 18h to about 20h.
The first frosts and snow of General Winter have arrived so the migratory ducks along the Volga are heading south again. The tankers are still moving on the Volga but seem to be rushing to get their cargoes delivered.
You cannot even enter the Moscow – Sheremetyevo Terminal building yesterday without having your baggage scanned, emptying your pockets and removing your belt. The process is repeated when going through customs (when leaving the country). Your passport is checked at least three times from check-in to actually boarding. There was a superficial air of normality with the full complement of staff from earlier times while the majority of the 428 check-in counters had almost no line-ups (less than five minutes). Many of the counters were closed. You cannot imagine such a huge hall with so many counters unless you see it for yourself. The Geneva aircraft was replaced by a Boeing 737-800 instead of the 777, a much smaller aircraft.
Sheremetyevo (SVO) is discreetly on standby mode, for what I do not know.
You are correct, I fully agree with your assessment.
The Tomahawks with nuke warheads in Romania, enabled for launch from Aegis Ashore missile defense systems are well within range of Moscow (834 miles).
This has been operational since 2016.
The Russians are upgrading the S-500s with an S-550 system of missile defense to cope with the swarms of missiles that could be sent toward Russia, besides drones of all sizes and bombers and fighter-bombers.
The US could launch from Georgia ports, Romania, and Moldova around the Black Sea.
This is why Russia has made it military doctrine and national policy to clearly state that all launch sites, all Command and Control centers, all military Headquarters and national capitals will be destroyed by Russia if it is attacked by kinetic or nuclear or other weapons.
The US “show of its fist” is rehearsal for suicide, a dance macabre.
I was referring to the threat posed by the tomahawks on the uss porter. In that case I am correct. The missiles launched from the uss porter can not reach Moscow because they would be shot down and firing from the black sea is 100% suicidal so they would have to fire from the Mediterranean sea.
I wasn t referring to all US assets in Europe but to what was mentioned in the article which is the tomahawks on the uss porter. Read the sentense again: “we are talking about an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, then this ship is a platform for 90 different missiles, including Tomahawks, which can reach Moscow”.
What you are talking about is a complete different matter. A matter the article did not touch. You should have done the same.
Let me ask you can the 30-50 tomahawks on the uss porter reach Moscow? The answer is no. That s the matter I was talking about. So please jump off from your high horse.
Likely, the first salvos would be aimed at missile defense and radars in Crimea and the Southern Military District.
That would clear the air for air strike platforms to launch.
The entire focus of a first strike is to decapitate the defense systems. Striking Moscow would be the task of IRBMs, ICBMs and Bombers, Stealth drones and Space weapons.
Sorry but Tomahawk can’t deal with Crimea air defenses. And the USN ship would be destroyed even before the Tomahwks would make it to shore.
I doubt US destroyers would be able to launch whole salvo before they’ve been hit.
Is there reliable information out there how much time is needed for Arleygh Burke class destroyer to launch it’s 90 Tomahawks? It seams it can launch one missile at the time, with delay no less than 30 seconds between.
Those ships are on suicide mission, and crews know it. US soldiers simply do not have determination for such sacrifice. Obviously, their masters do. That explains recent over-the-top efforts to gather vasals into various alliances against Russia. Their main problem is, noone wants to die for them. It looks like they are not capable to realise that.
Which is the reason for seamingly schizophrenic behaviour.
But those spoiled brats are not mentaly ill. They just never experienced consequences of mistakes.
Russia shouldn’t waste its resources in pissing contests with provocative enemy that is able to transfer costs on others. (Romanians, Bulgarians and Ukrainians will eventualy pay for those NATO bases. Every single cent, and then some.)
Having said that, the escalation is inevitable and there will be real damages and lost lives.
But full blown attack is out of the question.
.
Laurent salut à toi..I don’t think these idiots will try to shoot tomahawks on Moscow or any Russian city or MIL asset(including Crimea of course which is Russia). They are mad but not to that point.They for sure have a gigantic MSM/propaganda army, think tanks etc…Russia can’t do nothing or very little against that soft power. t They talk a lot but never act(the US).I’m not even sure that the most crazy ukrops will dare.
We will see, the ukie (new?)defense minister travel to D C tuesday to receive the orders from the ‘headquarter’.
Some ukie oligarchs are giving some voice against the Z(not zemmour the other one),including the ‘gas queen’ Timo.If things become very serious I would not be surprised to see some kind of real counter maidan, as in some areas of 404 there is no more light today, they are crying for Slovakia ‘help’.What will happen when the winter will really bite?Inflation is skyrocketing, covid is everywhere(700 deaths today for maybe 32/34 millions ukrops?), no vaccines(hello merika, hello EU where are you??), food starting to be missing in some places, energy bills impossible to pay for the vast majority of the people…
Some of the latest Tomahawks (Block IV and V) have ranges around 900 nautical miles which would be around 1500-1600 km so quite possible to reach Moscow from the northern reaches of the Black Sea. Some older variants like the Block II have a 2500 km range so definitely able to hit Moscow from anywhere in the Black Sea.
The real drawback for the Tomahawk family of munitions is that 1) it’s old (first deployed in 1983), 2) slow as molasses (subsonic at around 550-600 mph) and 3) it’s guidance tech is well known and easily spoofed and/or jammed.
But it would be completely suicidal for US/NATO/collective West to launch any kind of missiles against Moscow. That would be the start of WW3!!
Agreed.
No matter how many troops, boats or planes the Zionists amass in the Black Sea, Russia should wait until they make the first move and beware of false flags. The moment they make the first move, Russia should publicize it on every media platform while hitting the intruders as hard as she can.
Absolutely 💯% 👍
@Man With No Name
I disagree with your view that Russia should wait until the US and NATO make the first move. Rather, Russia should take the offensive in Ukraine immediately. Russia’s goals should be occupy the country all the way up to the Dniepr River, to neutralize that territory, and politically mobilize the support of the considerably pro-Russian population domiciled in that region.
Next, Russian forces should topple Zelensky’s government. After that, the NATO training camps in western Ukraine should be obliterated. Having achieved these goals, Russia should halt all military operations.
The end game would be to annex territories presently called “Ukraine” that are east of the Dniepr River. The remainder of Ukraine, on the Dniepr’s west bank, should be turned into a permanently neutral country, organized along the lines that of Austria after 1946.
America and NATO will not risk their own destruction by intervening in any Russian military political and military operation of the sort I describe here. For Russia, the true challenge will come in the aftermath of defeating and dismantling Ukraine. That’s when the West will respond by dramatically increasing economic sanctions and embargoes against Russia. The US and its allies will probably reestablish a 1970s style arms race and ICBM face-off against Russia, this time with dividing line being the borders of the Baltic States, Poland, and Rumania.
But for Russia, the consequences of failing to act will prove to be worse than the fall-out from moving decisively to dismantle and neutralize Ukraine.
@GW
The Zionists have already publicized the false narrative that Russia is preparing for an invasion of Ukraine. They said that on media in the past couple of days. If Russia attacks first it would be confirming their false narrative and give them the reason for implementing their ultimate goal; expel Russia from the UNSC.
Liberating the regions of Ukraine with ethnic Russians should be a goal but that should be undertaken after decimating the ukie military with missiles and their masters in the Black Sea.
Perhaps you meant to say the liberation of Ukraine?
UNSC also needs liberation from NY.
Andrei My Brother,
Are they for real? Or is this just the usual pomp and show BS that really means nothing? I can’t see a nation that just made a He/She an Admiral and named a new ship after a notorious sodomite leader to be serious about starting a conflict with a power that could actually defeat them in a conventional conflict.
I used to get all worked up about Washington/NATO provocations like this but now I just kind of dismiss it as the usual bloviating. Maybe the show is to convince the Ukronazis to do something more stupid then they’ve already done the past few weeks.
Finally, a post which doesn’t contribute to the despair, doom and gloom which accompany the stunts of these shouting, panting, and drooling ”invincibles” with Tomahawks this, Supercarriers that. I tried, obviously in vain, to draw attention to a quote in the post about the prospect of deploying Russian warships to US shores and corroborated its feasability in the light of the experience of Iran, standing up against the collective West. Has Israel and its mad US dogs dared to invade and bomb Iran for all these years? Nope.
Maybe it’s time for Russia to prepare (more openly) plans for a military solution for the “Southwest”. And to try and get Venezuela to let them develop bases there.Not that I necessarily think they would use those bases,but let the US worry that they are going to.Maybe joint exercises with the Venezuelan Navy could be a good start. Including showing how to hit naval targets with long range missile strikes.Since 2014,how has turning the other cheek with NATO worked for Russia.Not well as for as I can see.Maybe a chance is in order,including a private call between generals.Along the lines of,”you are quickly coming to our Red Lines,if you cross them,there is no going back.We will destroy you without any more conversations”.
No. Not possible. Russia doesn’t have the financial strength to project force, especially to South America. The strain on Russia to “play games” like that would cause significant internal unrest. Russia can’t afford that either.
Only the US can do what the US does with its military presence polluting almost every nation and ocean and island chain on the planet.
That Russia (and China) have the US so agitated, just by staying home and focusing on their own agendas … shows that increasingly the US advantage of controlling the world’s reserve currency is diminishing.
§|
As above as below. In the 1960s, at the height of its power, the US had a young, virile President.
Now, in its decline, it has a feeble, mentally befuddled president.
Justify like a someone with dementia, the US is lashing out in impotent rage.
Russia and China need to feed the ailing superpower a sedative and suggest it takes a long nap.
@White Whale
Russia’s finances hinders it from doing military drills in foreign countries but its vital for them to have a presence in Venezuela and Cuba. It’s almost certain with the US rhetoric lately that they would opt for an attack on either of these two nations probably in the way they did in Libya. Russian military presence deters such subversive acts.
@UncleBob
“Maybe it’s time for Russia to prepare (more openly) plans for a military solution”
What you suggest is that Russia has to strain itself with intercontinental war(s) without means to recoup war expenses (and then profit) by pillaging “liberated” countries. Like Anglos do. Effectively, to deny its citizens decent standard of living for decades. That is exactly the goal of UKUSses provocations. They managed to outspend USSR during the cold war, now they are trying the same trick with Russia.
It must be infuriating to see strategy that worked before fizzles, when you do not have any viable alternative.
We are witnessing tantrum of spoiled heirs of the World, while it slowly slips through their fat fingers. Ideas like “First strike”, baning Russia from UNSC, or instigating Ukies to poke a Bear, shows panic among high ranked proxies, hard pressed to comeup with any solution.
“First strike” means suicide. Effort to boot Russia from UNSC suggests that US would respect its decissions. Yeah, right. Ukies against Russia….I just don’t want to go into that.
Meanwhile, back Home, number of disgrunted voters is growing and growing every week. As is looming hyperinflation.
Why would Russia play into UKUSses strong hand when it can go into defense mode and just wait untill bully punch itself out?
Possible new US sanctions proposed for the ‘fake 404 invasion’:
Almost a declaration of war( Gazpom, energy entities,banks).
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/what-if-russia-invades-ukraine-again-consider-these-options-for-sanctions-escalation/
Oh I think that’s their plan. 404 has become a lost cause and a liability to the west. The only thing they can achieve now is using ukraine to justify new sanctions. To do that they need a war between ukraine and Russia. So they need to push ukraine to attack the donbass. By supplying ATGMs to ukraine and deploying warships and strategic bombers in the black sea close to Russia the US is exactly doing that.
I think it could go as far as disconnecting Russia from swift. Financially speaking it would be like going nuclear.
It looks like this very ugly seven year conflict in Ukraine may be reaching its terminal stage. That’s because Russia has a great leader, a president whose strategic management abilities seem to be on par with those of Peter the Great, Suvorov, Kutuzov, and Stalin. On top of that, the Russian army is presently functioning at peak ability. Almost all of the infantry and air force commanders all the way through the battalion level are known to have gained combat experience in Syria or elsewhere. Russia is ready to strike the enemy, and to win.
As we all know, the Ukraine crisis was started by America and some of its more ambitious NATO allies, specifically Poland and the Baltics. One more shattering defeat of the Ukrainian army in east Ukraine should be all it takes to topple Zelensky’s government, and to unify the people of the Russian World all the way up to the Dniepr River. When the fighting’s over, the rump state of Ukraine (consisting of lands west of the Dniepr River) can be permanently neutralized.
I have faith that the Ukraine conflict – which is literally a 21st century, hybrid war invasion of the Russian World – will be successfully concluded if fighting intensifies and spreads anywhere near Russia’s borders. Putin is tough, shrewd commander and his got a good team surrounding him.
It’s a shame that so many people in the English speaking world, namely the US and UK, have been brainwashed by the anti-Russian propaganda that permeates the Western press. If only most Americans and British understood the facts about Ukraine, they’d probably side with Russia.
“a president whose strategic management abilities seem to be on par with those of Peter the Great, Suvorov, Kutuzov, and Stalin”
“”seem to be” could be the operative words, concerning Stalin anyway, as he was useless and followed directions of his generals and military advisors, and in the end had them shot. All well chronicled and archived.
Yes.
Those with any brains in US & UK see thru all this. Many do.
There will not be popular support for a war with Russia.
And if govts pursue it they will be destroyed.
when the UK ship caused trouble…. there was talk about a non peaceful intention of passage. Could Russia declare this again over the whole Black Sea- “revoke” the Montreux Convention as Nato seems to be breaking it… give Nato ships 48 hrs to leave to show that they are risking escalating confrontations and must comply with previous statements by Nato top brass that they do not military confrontation.. then blockade Bosphorous
and new Turkish canal against any military ships ???? Only a partial solution of course.
Take control? Time for ultimatums?
Geez, doesn’t Biden have better things to do?
I am not even convinced that Biden knows what ‘Biden’ is doing…
@The Saker
Maybe we are watching an hologram. He does move like NPC from early version of Skyrim :)
(Non-Player Character … fits perfectly!)
13 NOV, 08:45
Putin finds it inappropriate to conduct maneuvers in Black Sea in response to NATO drills
Russian President also said that NATO exercises is a serious challenge for the country
© TASS/Ruptly
MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin finds it inappropriate for Russia to carry out its maneuvers in the Black Sea in response to NATO exercises there, there is no need to escalate the situation. He said it in an interview with Pavel Zarubin, the host of the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin program.
“I should say that our Defense Ministry also came up with a proposal to hold its own unplanned exercises in this water area, but I believe that this is inappropriate and there is no need to further escalate the situation there. Therefore, the Russian Defense Ministry does not go further than escorting aircraft and ships,” he said.
He drew attention to the fact that now the United States and its NATO allies are now conducting unplanned exercises in the Black Sea.
Moreover, “not only they formed a fairly powerful naval group there, but they also use aviation, including strategic aviation, in the course of these exercises,” Putin noted.
“This is partly the answer to your previous question of where and how our strategic missile carriers fly,” Putin told the host of the program.
“B-51 are used, which is rather old aircraft, but it not the carriers that matter, the matter is that they carry strategic weapons. This is a serious challenge for us,” Putin said.
…… strategic weapons. This is a serious challenge for us,” Putin said.
Putin knew this day was coming.
He warned at the Munich Security Conference in 2007 of the risk of NATO placing missiles in Romania and Poland.
He has repeated warnings over the decades since.
The Russians have been preparing their defences.
Like that old 1980s nuclear war game movie…
The only way to win is not to play.
So Putin won’t escalate, but attempt to defuse.
But the HMS Defender incident in Crimean waters earlier this year had the Russians open fire.
So long as NATO prances around outside Russia’s borders…the bear watches.. encroach inside those borders …
It’s November 13, 1830 EST Zulu time, 12 days before the Thanksgiving American holiday.
I have read every one of the 34 comments posted so far including Saker’s terse response to some of them. I’m sure he will consult with his contacts and work up some sort of tactical analysis to share with us as his time permits.
I bounced over to smoothiex12’s, place and nothing so far. I called my oldest boy who works as a contractor in Norfolk, Virginia. He said he hasn’t heard any scuttlebutt but he did say he has plans in place to get his family out of the area heading west into the interior of the country.
These Pentagon-NATO a**holes are planning to do something stupid; it’s unbelievable.
I fear the worst is coming, I feel it.
“These Pentagon-NATO a**holes are planning to do something stupid; it’s unbelievable. I fear the worst is coming, I feel it.”
@PokeTheTruth
Yes, I can feel that very dark clouds are forming on Russia’s borders. The time for war is getting close. It is happening because American and some of its allies are provoking Russia. They are doing so by arming and training Ukrainian forces, and by forming a powerful NATO military presence in the Black Sea.
Sadly but necessarily, Russia must take the offensive in order to destroy this threat to its national security and to the sanctity of the Russian World.
Russia will prevail, just as it did in 2008, in response to NATO provocations in Georgia. And in 2014-15, Russian arms won great victories over NATO’s puppet state Ukraine, military successes which set back NATO expansionist plans by a number of years.
The up side to this tense situation, in my opinion, is that the US and NATO are bluffing. They cannot be so stupid as to be willing to get involved in any combat that takes place in Ukraine. To do so would run the risk of sparking a thermonuclear exchange. As an American, I can tell you for a fact that the US population would not support its government if Washington DC tried to militarily intervene in any fighting between Ukraine and Russia. The same is true of the European people. They would never support Brussels if it tried to intervene militarily in Ukraine.
Rather, and this is quite sad and horrific, it is America’s and NATO’s intention to fight all the way down to the very last Ukrainian soldier. That’s the true tragedy that’s about to unfold. When the fighting starts, Washington and Brussels will economically sanction Russia, and they will dramatically spike up military aid to Ukraine. Therefore, Russia’s army must win a quick and decisive victory.
One encouraging thought for the Russian World is that there probably aren’t that many Ukrainian men who are genuinely motivated to fight a shooting war against Russia. Remember what happened in 2014-15, when most Ukrainian servicemen proved unwilling to obey orders or advance in battle. That occurred because so many Ukrainians are ambivalent about national identity. It was that way in the 2014-15 war, and it will remain the same in the 2021-22 war. The only Ukrainians willing to fight hard will be those who come from Ukraine’s far-western provinces. There aren’t that many Ukrainian men from that region to survive much fighting. Their ranks will probably be gutted sooner rather than later when the shooting starts.
But still, it is tragic and worrisome to realize that Western forces have once again taken position on the edge of the Russian World, preparing to trigger war. A real one.
Russia won in 1812 when it was challenged by the hostile West (led by Napoleon), and Russia did the same in 1941-45 when confront by Fascist Europe (led by Germany). Russia will win in 2021-22 as well. America and NATO will be forced to permanently withdraw from Ukraine in the end.
Thank you for your insight. I don’t know what to think or do at this point.
I trust Saker, smoothiex12, Larchmonter445, Auslander et al to strategize going forward as to the various scenarios that could play out in the coming days and weeks.
However it seems to me as a layperson that if U.S.-NATO launches any type of airborne offensive ordnance that violates Russian sovereignty, it will mark a “crossing the Rubicon” moment.
I have no doubt that right now, Russian submarines are steaming on station in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and are prepared to hit the eastern and western coastal military bases of the U.S. mainland hard, if their captains receive the “go code” from the Kremlin.
I am working my prayer rope pretty hard right now, as I did a long, long time ago in a land far away from my home, America. I feel weak in the knees and need the strength of the Holy Spirit because I am a coward without him; I am not ashamed to write these words.
this is very serious, it’s awesome, it’s scary and it’s nerve-racking. And much of the world doesn’t connect the dots. Much of the world lives as if this isn’t happening!!!
There is no guarantee of victory.
And to build self confidence based on wars that Russia will win ,I find it as an ignorant assumption.
The same statement make no sense if we were to list Russia’s lost wars and conclude – Russia will be defeated.
The fact remains that Russia is in a very difficult strategic situation, so the fight over Ukraine would not be easy for Russia. US-NATO Naval and Air power cannot be ignored.
@Anonymous
“There is no guarantee of victory. And to build self confidence based on wars that Russia will win ,I find it as an ignorant assumption. The same statement make no sense if we were to list Russia’s lost wars and conclude – Russia will be defeated.”
But read the first post I made, earlier in the evening. In that post, I explicitly state that Russia will win if it is properly led and well-prepared for war. I also explicitly stated that, at the present time, Russia is very well led and its military is superbly prepared for conflict. Therefore, I conclude with confidence that Russia will win the upcoming struggle.
I have been a lifelong student of Russian military history, and my ancestors taught Russian military history at Tsarist Cadet Corps. It’s a subject my family knows well, dating over generations. The Ukrainian campaign of 2014-15 turned out much as I expected. I am certain that I am making the right call about Russia’s upcoming showdown with the West over Ukraine.
Be aware that the only times Russia has lost a major war is if it is unprepared and/or poorly led. That is an indisputable fact.
I am not making any rash assumptions about history or the upcoming struggle. And I am anything but ignorant of Russian military history. My perceptions are based on lengthy and careful reading of a variety of news sources concerning Russia’s military preparedness as of 2021.
The upcoming struggle over Ukraine could turn into a major historical turning point in the relationship between Russia and the West. When the West is defeated, it’s obsession with eastward expansion will be muted for a very long time, maybe a century or more. We could be looking at a NATO defeat in Ukraine that is the equivalent of the historic defeat suffered by the Ottoman Turks at Lepanto in 1571 and at Vienna in 1683.
People seem to not realize that Russia won even in 1918-20. The major objective of Germany’s war against the Russia was the capture of Ukraine (and Crimea), which they achieved with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Russia recovered Ukraine and the lost territories in the Caucasus.
@ Anonyous The Soviet Union recovered Ukraine and the lost territories in the Caucasus.
And here we go again! We have already been thru this nonsense earlier this year when ukro shite decided to do some stupid stint in Donbass, delusionally thinking that “NATO would be right behind them!” Ya, right.
We had here the very same panic merchants and all sorts of “military advice” from the “armchair generals”, the wannabe “military advisors”. And I had made a similar comment then – to leave things to people who actually know what they are doing, mainly, the Russian President and his extremely capable General Shoigu. I will repeat it again – this is another provocation and the the LAST thing Russian President is going to do is escalate! It is an extremely stupid thing to do, for two simple reasons – firstly, he is dealing with deranged imbecils most of the time, and secondly, it is unpredictable, as any escalation once launched, cannot be stopped. And only God knows where that would lead! What they are trying to achieve is to get Russia into so-called Ukraine and then scream to the world that Russians are aggressors (we told you so!) and hoping at same time that Russia will remove this stone round their necks (which they hung there themselves) and put that stone round her neck. Again, ya, right! So, as usual, VVP is being the only adult in the room, keeping cool, level head. And I suggest we all do the same. Last time the whole thing got sorted without firing a shot, all Russia had to do was to show some muscle and they all pulled their heads in, instantly. So instead of going on about Tomahawks and salvos and flying distances for these to reach Moskva think about this – those US navy ships in Black Sea are being “escorted” – the russian polite word for being ABSOLUTELY targeted. From above and from below. If any of them so much as attempts to open any of their missile silos they would immidiately have that “sinking feeling”, from a nice round hole in the bows, just below the waterline, from the torpedo fired from one of the Russian submarines that is “escorting” them.. Same fate for any of their planes – these will be totally disabled by shutting down all their on-board navigation systems. This is no-brainer, so why is this inaine panic every time?!
Andrei, you should stop posting stuff like that without some qualifying, reasoned introduction, otherwise they just get into some kind of tizzy here, in other words – getting their knickers in a twist! It happens here again and again..
@Katerina
Isn’t it fairly ”amusing” to see this torrent of blather about Tomahawks this, Supercarriers that because of the imbeciles’ provocations? If they were to peruse the comment threads here, they would be congratulating themselves big time! The imbeciles shout:
— Despair!
And get the assuring response:
— How deep?
Remember, this applies not only to their military provocations. It’s equally manifest in the case of their colour revolution horseshit.too. Just take a look at the forum in August last year when Lukashenko was a ”dead man walking”, Belarus would be ”swallowed by NATO”, and Putin ”wasn’t interested in doing anything to stop it”. How did it all end up?
Quite a significant presence of incurable defeatism around; that’s for sure.
@Katerina
My previous post in total support of yours above didn’t pass moderation. But just to give a little hint about funny predictions made here fairly recently (August last year) — Lukashenko was a ”dead man walking”, Belarus would be ”gobbled up by NATO”, and ”Putin isn’t going to lift a finger to stop that”. Well, reality turned out to be ”somewhat different”, eh?
Knickers? Putin is competent but he is not God. Putin makes it clear that we are close to nuclear war. The reality is that the degenerate, idiotic, decadent West is indeed playing with fire! This is remarkable and cannot be ignored! Before the two world wars, Europeans read the newspapers and said that nothing was going to happen. The Romanovs before being murdered also said that nothing would happen. Yes, it’s hard to keep yourself tempered in these days of the worldwide virus pandemic!
Don’t despair and do not surrender to fear. The danger of war is not zero of course but not so high as you fear. I have immense faith in the incompetence of US/NATO and its leaders: they simply don’t have it in them to take on anything big and dangerous. All they are doing is banging their tin cans to get more taxpayer dollars to drop in and keeping the sheeple compliant and patriotic. They may also be hoping to entice Russia into attacking Ukraine. Then all the propaganda bullhorns will be turned on at full volume vilifying Russia.
@Anonymous
You’re overestimating the zionists’ abilities. The stakes are high for them in a war concentrated in the Black Sea. Russia might get hit but she will definitely send that flotilla of Zionists to the depth of the Black Sea.
Considering the dire situation back in the US and also jn Europe that would suffice to break hell lose and start mass protests. The US is in a situation that they have to take some action to deviate their populace from internal issues but it can’t afford to lose a single ship.
The threat of war is very real, people feel it, the analysts speak of this extreme danger point, and it appears as both inevitable and avoidable, the latter if only the right people in the right place, at the right time act.
I am praying , what else is possible I don’t know, but it is very calming and centering, you have to practice, as with anything., best of luck.
Zionist?
It is English and its 5 evil eyes anglo pests who are plotting all wars.
The English at it again – the world will be a better place once the world has done what must be done for a better world – get rid of the English pirates once and for all. Wherever is there any destabilisation, destruction or war on other nations, there is bound to be dirty hands of dirty English men and women. They have in every respect forfeited the right to be part of mankind!
Gulf war plotted by witch thatcher, first Iraq war by criminal tony blair- this Syrian war again by english rats which borne their ugly child ISIS.
Tony Blair, who, when occupied Iraq, claimed that “we will become the British Empire again,” meaning that he will occupy the rest of the world too!
Only when wars become unpopular the english stop taking credit for that and let blame be placed on Jews.
and stupid people including hitler blamed jews while it was all along the english parasites who loot.
Cold war against Russia was started for the same reason as cold war against Germany has started. TO keep britain in picture as it gives them a sense of false position, to harass other country and wreck others’ economy.
i can’t remember where i read, probably RT, some days ago that israel has developed a new defence system that disables the opponents EW…i thought @ that time…ah, so, the empire believes it’s ready. possibly they taken apart a drone or some such other piece, bt i’ve been waiting for this. i propose that the empire believes they now are ready to disable mother’s EW & begin to deliver their ‘vaunted warfare’…or perhaps merely track how mother defends herself against their new & glorious toy.
Here is where I read it…
https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/revolution-warfare-israel-unveils-new-scorpius-electronic-warfare-system
@emersonreturn
The apartheid state has a historical tendency for bragging and bluffing. They said the same about their Iron Dome system but the recent war against Hamas and this new system itself proves the fact that Iron Dome is a failure. The same goes for this system. Israel can’t guarantee that they’ll not be harmed if a large-scale conflict breaks out
Russian EW systems can concentrate its output into single target for years. I do not see anything revolutionary or “new” on Scorpius EW system, except the ability to concentrate energy into multiple beams. That is not new also. It is just stupid. Because by doing that, output energy is divided accordingly (with huge loss).
Must admit, it’s good sales pitch.
A bit difficult to differentiate what was actually said by RF MoD and the accompanying commentary. Assuming the last part of the article — the part after ‘Maxim Karpenko’ — is what was said by RF MOD, to wit:
The Ministry of Defense records…
:
:
The actions of the American Navy, [snip] the true goal of the unscheduled multinational exercise: the development of the alleged theater of military operations and, in particular, the territory of Ukraine in case Kiev prepares a military solution in the southeast.
it appears that fUKUS is doing its part in giving the Ukrainians the impression that help is close by to goad them to attack the Donbass. Echoes of the Saddam-Kirkpatrick con regarding Kuwait come to mind.
fUKUS/Nato are not going to die for the Ukraine but I’ve no doubts that with enough ‘assurances’ from fUKUS, the loons in Kiev will swallow the bait and attack the Donbass; I’ve also no doubt RF will come to LDPR’s defence if that happens. Not exactly a bright prospect for the Black Sea region.
it appears that fUKUS is doing its part in giving the Ukrainians the impression that help is close by to goad them to attack the Donbass.
Exactly!
Spot on!
This will be those running Biden and EU elites behind this.
Trying to provoke Russia.
Time for Russia to deal with the head of this snake !
Strikes aimed at those pushing this is the only solution.
Can you identify the ‘head’ of the snake? In fact, it is a hydra — several heads, spread all over the place. It would be hard to hit all of them at once with any weapon, except an economic/financial weapon.
The entire ‘show’ of support that the Deep State is staging in favour of current (illegitimate) governments of Ukraine and Taiwan has ONLY ONE purpose – Military Industrial Complex wants new fat order booking over and above the existing ones. The entire operation works in three distinct stages:
Stage 1 : governments of Ukraine and Taiwan act opposite to what common sense would suggest – they express willingness to fight their parent states Russia and China for all sorts of irrational and unnecessary agenda >>
Stage 2 : Russian and Chinese governments act in a sensible manner in as much peaceful way as possible – the Deep State runs campaigns about how ‘democracy’ is threatened by the ‘autocratic’ rulers of Russia and China >>
Stage 3 : governments of Ukraine and Taiwan invite the Deep State to support democracy by mobilizing 5-Eyes armed forces in their ‘state-lets’ – the Deep State issues tenders for new armaments AND private militia …..
If, by chance, a single shot gets fired in any of these two theaters, USA and UK forces will move out of the theater FIRST & FAST. They are, after all, products of intelligent design!
Krótkie pytania.
Ile lat trwaloby przestawienie zachodniej gospodarki na tory wojenne?
Przywrócenie mocy produkcyjnych w oparciu o krajowe komponenty?
Zgromadzenie zapasów dla dużej kampanii wojennej?
Przygotowania do Pustynnej burzy trwały pół roku.
Wyczyszczono magazyny w Europie, i nigdy stanu zapasów nie odtworzono.
W kampanii libijskiej, Brytyjczykom i Francuzom skończyły się rakiety po tygodniu.
Moim zdaniem, poza propagandowym atakiem, zachód nie dysponuje żadnymi innymi mozliwościami.
The West is luring Russia in a conflict with Ukraine.
Russia should instead lure Poland which has territorial aspirations in Ukraine.
Perhaps that is what Putin via Lukashenko is trying to do? Looks to me Russia is unleashing maddog Lukashenko (via Poland) to counteract Nato’s Ukie lapdogs. The Ukies have their backs against the wall, because they have been concentrated in the South, the Ukie North Western borders are now undefended against Poland and Belarus.
Looks to me the Ukies will have to back down from escalating in the Donbass.
Interesting point. It would be interesting to know other analysts views about this.
It’s crazy, but it looks like it’s the DC gang that wants war.
I read the entire post and comments, and looked for what’s not there. Most all of the comments make sense to me, and I accept the post as obviously true. Smoothiex12 often addresses the nature of the persons in the ruling junta – essentially they’re cunning but delusional and ignorant. Just now this junta is in a very tenuous domestic position – like Hillary said when Trump won, they face the noose. Actually Bush 41 said something about lamp-posts too. Their actions strongly suggest desperation. In a sense their backs are to the sea. As Sun Tsu says, more or less, that means a fight.
So, what occurs to me is the matter of motivation for war in the ruling junta, not in the Ukraine junta, but in the big junta far from Ukraine. Ukraine and the B Sea etc is important, but the Policy is the driver – and Policy does not derive from the area of action.
Recalling that they are naive and delusional, and also the classical dictum “evil appears as good in the minds of those whom god leads to destruction”, or : “who [God], whenever He purposes that some adversity shall befall a man, touches first his reason” . Or the Rabbis who say that if you don’t listen to God he’ll throw rocks…or Sun Tsu, etc…
What I did not see in comments, thus, is the idea that, to said ignorant delusional junta persons, a dandy war (the consequences of which they are unable to grasp) may seem like a way to keep power and enforce emergency discipline, and provide an excuse to “postpone sine die” any more troublesome elections or court rulings (like the 5th Circuit’s stopping the injection command). BTW Mercouris just spoke to the lawlessness of this junta.
The junta’s delusional. And desperate. And cowardly. I recall Liddell Hart’s “All effective Strategy is indirect” – and suspect that the way to bring peace to the regions of the Black Sea and Ukraine lies in changing the Character of the ruling junta – the DC Gang. And I recall VVP speaking of “command and control centers”
Where, precisely, would those be? And could the junta stay in power after a “concussion”?
addendum> Perhaps it’s a tautology, or nearly so, to say “All war comes from a perception of domestic necessity”. (and to note that poor perceptive ability and delusion are closely joined.)
I have not been able to find an exception to this “rule”, but I have also not been able to prove it. For “war” one may substitute “conflict”, whether in a bar-fight or actual war – seems to work the same.
“command and control centers” iirc it was decision making centers, and there may be a chasm between those two?
404
Go ahead Eddie; floor it. Let’s see what this baby can do.
Floor it Eddy! F_ck the red light. Floor it! Whatsa matta, chicken?
Come on Eddie, stand on it!
Otherwise, I’m thinking that this 404 meme appeals too much to common sense and good intentions. That’s why it’s wrong. I think the Europeans, not to mention the Americans, are just fine with Ukraine as a failed state. Since the Maiden especially, the deindustrialisaiton especially has proceeded quickly. And this is a country that had a long way to fall, the aerospcace industry, shipbuilding, turbines, cutting edge radar, the sort of nuclear sophistication that was able (and willing$$) to help the North Koreans to get a viable industry of their own up and running. But really, this was and remains standard faire throughout Eastern Europe. Only the Czechs managed to save a bit of their manufacturing. As for the rest of these Euros, all top grade Aryans in good standing (or close enough), it was the new variation of the Morganthau plan. But instead of agriculture (and honest and industrious occupation) they decided to make it real estate instead, the better for their bubble blowing proclivities. Not that anybody aside from Soros seems to value Ukrainian real estate, but they do have all that black earth that would be of some value to the privitisers. A deindustrialised Ukraine is rapidly loosing population. Just like the Baltics and the Balkans. Getting the kids to move away from the mother country to wait on German tables is in line with those ‘rules based order’ folks who are well known to dislike nationalism. Gets in the way. Ukraine is not a millstone around Europe’s neck. They don’t care. They don’t care about Ukraine any more than they ever did about North Africa, Syria, Iraq, or the Sub Saharan Africa.
For the French speaking readers(quiet a lot), from Moscow Xavier Moreau analysis.
Varsovie vs Minsk, CIA vs SVR, Le Drian vs Lavrov
https://youtu.be/koMISrT6qn0
I don’t think there’s a possibility of limited localized conflict or war in Europe or Asia that the West and particularly the US want and “need”. They are out of choice. Having no war is, interestingly, an existential threat to the West (at least in their minds).
In the least, there will be considerable direct losses of NATO and US assets close to Russia. If this remains like this, it would be destructive for the US and the collective West and their egos. This is of existential magnitude for the West and its thirst for dominance.
Any further escalation would result in essentially immediate direct hit on US territory at their centers of power. That means politicians and armchair generals dead and gone quickly. The equation is simple in that regard: no effective AD in the US and the West, while massive AD assets in Russia; no hypersonic assets in the West, while Russia clearly has such. As a result, the US (short of using nuclear missiles) will lose the war quickly and decisively, which is also of existential magnitude. They would be left with the choice between giving up on the Empire or going nuclear. Clearly, nuclear is of existential dimension.
So in all cases we are looking at a situation of existential type for the West and the US. The current situation is very dangerous. It seems that Russia is aiming for the first option: landing the US without a war or a major one at least. No matter how annoying that is, the delusions of grandeur that the US and the West suffer from are very important. It’s not necessarily bad that the US believes that they have it great and Russia is about to collapse. This delays a lot of panic and neurotic responses. By giving time, it makes it more likely to converge towards the less destructive and less escalatory, and most non-war outcome. A dark outcome, but the least dark one.
Nice list of targets. The weakest on the NATO/American side is the tanker.