A lot of people are wondering what the deal is with the so-called “cauldrons” in which the Ukie forces seem to get surrounded over and over again. Are the Ukie generals simply stupid, or what is the deal? I will try to explain.
Remember that that Ukie forces are typically “heavy”. They have lots of tanks, lots of artillery, lost of ammo, lots of soldiers, etc. At least initially. They are also much inferior in terms of tactical skills, morale and willpower. In contrast, the Resistance forces have dramatically fewer tanks, fewer artillery pieces, much less ammo and less soldiers too. But their morale is sky-high, their tactical skills excellent and they are fighting on their own land – a big “home turf” advantage. Add to all this the following: the Ukies are desperately trying to prove to the world that they are “winning” whereas the Resistance is trying to eject an occupying force. Now if you keep all that in mind, you will very easily understand how these “cauldrons” form. It typically goes like this:
The political powers in Kiev order the commanders of the so-called “anti-terrorist operation” to show some results. The latter get together and define what they consider a number of key towns and villages. They then order their forces to go in and take these towns/villages. The junta forces move in and with much superior firepower typically destroy a few Resistance roadblocks on the main roads and move to seize the said towns. At this point they report “mission accomplished – our flag is on the administration of town X“. The BBC picks up the info handed to them by the Ukies and the world learns of yet another Ukie victory. In the meantime, Ukie terror squads are brought in to smoke out any sympathizers of the Resistances in the occupied towns. As for the tanks, they are used to protect the Ukie force while their artillery is used long range to terrorize the population of the next town on the list.
Then everything goes down the tubes.
First, a big forces requires lots of petroleum, lubricants, ammo, supplies, food, etc. But the roads are under constant attack by Resistance forces. Next, the Novorussians slowly but inevitably bring in some artillery which begins ponding on the Ukie forces. Gradually, the bigger Ukie forces is forced to dig in while the Resistance take back full control of the main roads and surrounding towns. That’s it – the circle has closed, the Ukies are surrounded and a ‘cauldron’ has formed.
At that point two things happen: a) the Ukies try to retreat b) reinforcements are sent in to rescue them. But at this point the density and quality of Resistance forces is sufficient to block the main roads and to prevent both retreats or reinforcements. In some cases the Ukies succeed in breaking out or reinforcing, but typically at great costs in equipment and lives. And that brings me to another important point:
The Ukies prefer to fight on the main roads. The Resistance is at home in the forests, hills, fields and bushes (what the Russian military calls the “The Green”). That means that Ukie movements are very predictable. Not so for the Resistance. The Ukies fear the “Green” – the Novorussians love it. I don’t know of a single battle so far in which the Ukies attempted to attack through, or from. the “Green”. The Novorussians do that all the time.
Pretty soon, supplies become a real problem, and with more or less the entire Ukie Air Forces kaput, and the density of anti-air weapons of the Resistance, even large units go from a fighting mode to a survival mode. At least 4 Ukie death squads are in that mode right now, today.
But remember, the Ukies sill have more armor and more firepower, so it is not that easy to reduce and crush a cauldron – that is why the Resistance needs so much time to eventually finish them off. They do though, one by one. If they had the time and forces, they could do it easily, but they don’t.
Right now, the main forces protecting Mariupol are all stuck in 2-3 cauldrons southeast of Donetsk. But instead of wasting time reducing them, the Novorussian Armed Forces have launched an attack along the sea coast towards Mariupol were the Ukies are already in a panic mode as nothing much stands between them and the Resistance. And this is the correct move for the Novorussians.
Just as in chess a blocked figure is essentially useless, so is a Ukie force in a cauldron. The important thing is to keep the initiative and press the advantage. This is why the Resistance is pushing towards Mariupol. If that city is taken, or even surrounded, or if the cauldrons south of Donetsk are reduced, that will mean a collapse of the entire southern front of the Ukie attack on Novorussia.
There are risks however. First, any Novorussian force moved in or towards Mariupol risks been cut off and surrounded by Ukie reinforcements. Now, I don’t know for a fact what the Ukies are up to, but I bet you that there is total panic in Kiev and that reinforcements are sent from all over the country to prevent Mariupol from falling into Novorussian hands. The Novorussians need to keep a very careful eye over their shoulder (but then, I am pretty sure that the many GRU eyes in space and on the ground are already doing that for them). Second, the surrounded Ukies can try to join forces and then either break out or attack towards the north. If they fail, they will probably either do what they have done in the past – run for their lives and abandon all their heavy equipment or fight to the last man. Either way is fine for the Novorussians.
I hope that the short (and somewhat simplified) explanation above explain, at least in general lines, why and how these “cauldrons” are constantly forming.
Cheers and kind regards,
The Saker
General Saker, your explanation did the job.
Not quite John Keegan, but simple and direct.
Thanks.
God bless the Resistance Army!
A big thanks for this Saker! The (soon to be former) Ukraine debacle has left me confused on the military situation of the war. Your cauldrons-for-dummies explanation has been helpful to someone whose understanding of wars is from a geopolitical/historical perspective.
Keep up the good work, this blog has cured me of the sleepless nights I used to have since the crisis began.
To answer the question properly- the so-called ‘cauldrons’ occur because the methods of modern armies like that of the Ukraine EXPECT and DEMAND air superiority when fighting against what is supposed to be ‘primitive’ military opponents.
The neo-Nazi forces are trained in fighting methods that fall apart when 19th Century ground based supply routes become essential.
Every heard of the term ‘Blitzkrieg’? If so, you clearly didn’t understand it, but this has been the basis of every modern first world army since WW2.
The problem for the neo-Nazis is that their ‘Blitzkrieg’ methodology is supposed to smash into a region with a large self-supporting armour unit, bust up the ‘pathetic’ defending forces they encounter, and gain complete dominance over the newly captured territory. We can all see the problems with this approach when the war that is being fought is a CIVIL war.
Kiev isn’t that stupid, though, but fully expected that the modern way of using air support to resupply the Blitzkrieg unit would be available to them. But Russia effectively maintains a no-fly-zone over Novorussia.
Sadly, NATO is rapidly re-educating elite Ukraine and mercenary forces in methods more suitable for civil war conflicts with no real air support. And if you want to know how HORRIFIC these methods are, look to the Israel/US backed Apartheid era South Africa wars against neighbouring states like Angola.
Hit-and-run. Butcher squads comprised of the worst criminal scum from regime prisons. Targeted assassinations. Destruction of civilian infrastructure. But it gets worse.
Since Russia removed all Soviet era nuclear weapons from Ukraine, Ukraine has been busy building a new arsenal of nuclear warheads using material produced by their numerous nuclear power stations. Two of these nukes would finish off Novorussia. And the mainstream media of the West is laying down the propaganda that would justify their use. After all, hasn’t the vast majority of civilians from Novorussia’s two ‘rebel’ cities relocated elsewhere?
So, nuking these two cities would be sold as simply destroying the two ‘terrorist’ nests, where the only people that chose to remain were obviously doing so to assist the ‘terrorists’.
Ukraine will not launch these nuclear bombs on missiles- two risky, easy to spot, and easy for Russia to intercept. No, they will use the American method in Japan- simply drop them from high flying aircraft. As free falling bombs, they can be fully armoured against missile strikes, and their trajectory cannot be disrupted.
Legally, a nation can nuke its own territory, so this wouldn’t even represent a ‘war crime’. The Monsters of the West need nuclear weapons to be overtly used again (the US has covertly used them several times since WW2), in readiness for nuclear strikes against Iran. Nuking Novorussia would groom the sheeple to accept the ‘unfortunate reality’ of warfare using nuclear weapons.
In the south african invasion of angola, full air support was provided to the invading forces…
I did some map checking and it does make good sense to try and take Mariupol. The key is the Donetsk to Mariupol highway. It is less than half the distance of Donetsk to the East Russian border, whihc was the length of the front being defended in July when the first Southern Cauldron was formed. Its even less when the road is adjusted for key towns East of Donetsk.
I would say that the NRA are warming up the biggest cauldron so far!
@Anonymous:Every heard of the term ‘Blitzkrieg’? If so, you clearly didn’t understand it
Me? No, never heard it. What does it mean? I am confused. Can you please help me understand?
Thanks in advance,
The Saker
To the Saker:
IMO there is an additional factor that comes into play with the Cauldrons.
The cauldrons are a test of how far the different sides are willing to go in this war. With each cauldron there is the temptation on the part of the Junta leadership to dig out and use bigger and more powerful weapons. The range of weapons allowed to them, is of course, monitered and controlled by the West.
For each increase in the power of the weapons used, Russia has responded in kind and presto the militia has had the ability to counter the new threat.
I believe that in this carefully played-out scheme there is a repeated message to the watching eyes of the Middle East, Armenia/Azerbaijan, and other potential trouble spots.
Every time the Ukrainian forces up the ante by using bigger missiles and bombs, Russia gives the militia an upgrade in the weapons it allows in. When mercenaries and special ops from outside countries start operating, then Russian special ops start operating. Remember the transport plane that was shot down all killed all those those “Ukrainian” army guys? Most were rumoured to be US/CIA special ops. So why was it that this one transport was hit – when at that time no others had been hit and for a week after none were hit? Why just that one?
This stand-off is a message to western forces in a really big range of countries right now. While Russia is not going in and getting directly involved in a war, they are declaring very loudly that the West should be sure Russian friends will be able to defend themselves.
http://en.itar-tass.com/world/746795
Saur Mogila liberated?
@Anunnaki:Saur Mogila liberated?
yes, I can confirm that. There is still a Ukie unit near it, but the hill itself is in Resistance hands.
Cheers,
The Saker
Wow the NAF is really rolling right now. The offensive was obviously well planned and prepared. Gubarev has stated that 1,000s of new volunteers will be armed in Mariupol and other cities. This means that partisans have pre-existing networks and equipment caches – and that more volunteers may arrive from the RF. Melitopol may be under threat. There’s something in the air in Kharkiv. New cauldrons may cut off as much as 1/2 of the punishers.
We are witnessing a great historical revolution in Novorussia, state of the art hybrid war conducted by the Russian Federation, and the perfect manipulation of the geopolitical moment in the project of the destruction of imperialism, capitalism and neofascism.
Excellent! Many thanks to you and your team! Vpieryod, Novorossiya!
The anonymous war expert (blitzkrieg etc) has me troubled with the thought of nukes. I gather they are pretty small nowadays, but I don’t know much about war.
I have to think, watching the video of the new commanders in the news conference today, that if someone nuked my hometown, as anonymous suggests could happen – then I would no longer confine myself to the borders of Novorossiya or even Ukraine in my fighting.
I would go to Washington, Langley, Tel Aviv and whatever part of Switzerland Kolomoisky’s hiding in to exact retribution. And probably not stop until I found the Rockefellers and Rothschilds.
Sooner or later, the working class has to take it to the ruling class. Historically, it’s always only ever been a matter of getting pushed far enough.
As they said in the news conference, be careful what you awaken. I hope some devil fiend somewhere in this world has enough sense of self-preservation not to push this thing too far.
Please pardon me if I’m way off base or out of line on all of this. That video on Ilovaisk finally got to me.
With the new southern front beginning to open up and large encirclements developing, what will the next US move be?
Nuclear false flag – Zaporizhzhia? Requiring an international response in a strategic location.
NATO is returning to the Black Sea.
It should be easy to fake an incident – the US probably already controls security at the facility.
A faked incident, blamed on NAF, this time executed exclusively by pros – unlike MH17.
From my feline perspective, the Ukrainian forces seem to be imitating the worst planned soviet offensive tactics of WWII (e.g. Operation Mars) – clumsy, inflexible meat grinders that are successful only when the fascists enjoy an overwhelming advantage in men, tanks, guns and airpower.
I am not a worshipper of the Heer, but the Novorussians seem to imitate the best Wehrmacht defensive tactics of that same time period, making up for material shortages with skilled shooting, maneuver, and defense in depth, along with a lot of ambushes.
I also have long wondered when the junta would run out of ammunition of all sorts, especially artillery. They fire indiscriminately, constantly, and with little fire discipline.
@Anonymous:the worst planned soviet offensive tactics of WWII (e.g. Operation Mars) – clumsy, inflexible meat grinders that (…) defensive tactics of that same time period, making up for material shortages with skilled shooting, maneuver, and defense in depth, along with a lot of ambushes.
These are all western propaganda myths. One can wonder why Hitler lost and Stalin won if that was the case. I recommend you begin with this reading:
http://sti.clemson.edu/publications-mainmenu-38/commentaries-mainmenu-211/doc_download/189-the-soviet-german-war-1941-1945-myths-and-realities-a-survey-essay
and/or this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Clz27nghIg
Cheers,
The Saker
I said “the worst-planned Soviet operations”. Not all of them. Some were brilliant, such as Bagration orbthe liberation of Crimea. Others were disastrous, such as the first incursion into Romania.
Regardless, one problem the Red Army had throughout WWII was an inflexible command structure, one that gave junior commanders very little discretion to change or abandon objectives or otherwise react to an unfolding situation as it arose.
That seems also to be the case in the Junta forces.
Anyway, i am no worshipper of the Wehrmacht, nor do I mistake them for supermen. They weren’t.
Very helpful explanation, Saker, thanks.
Regarding the birth of a nation, I hope you haven’t yet seen this photograph, as I’m sure you’ll enjoy it:
Novorussian militia put up signs on the border with #Russia reading “National border of the Republic of #Novorussia”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINSK SUMMIT PROGNOSIS
Alexander Mercouris
…Everyone acknowledges that there is not going to be a breakthrough. Here are some points:
1. The talks would not be happening were it not for:
(1) the junta’s losses in its military campaign in the Donbas;
(2) the gathering collapse of the Ukraine’s economy (see below on this page); and
(3) the recent sanctions debacle which has aggravated the economic crisis in Europe…
6. [of 8]…In my opinion what Putin will be insisting on in Minsk is…a return to what was agreed in Geneva on 17th April 2014, namely:
(1) an immediate unconditional ceasefire;
(2) constitutional negotiations between the parties;
with an implicit recognition that the result of (2) may go far beyond the federalisation proposal that was discussed back in the period February to Jun….
God help us all if the Ukies do build nuclear bombs. I hope Russia is watching that possibility closely!
(1) Putin’s Gambit.
Obviously Putin has refrained from getting directly involved in this conflict thus far – and wisely I would suggest.
I suspect he would like it to stay this way, and prefer to see a NovoRussian win generated by it’s own momentum. This may or may not (probably not) involve a march to Kiev.
Probably other forces would be required to achieve that end.
Personally I suspect Putin is sticking with the diplomatic game at the minute because there are simply too many variables up in the air in the next few months it is best not to provide a spark that propels the momentum of the other side in a direction against Russia.
Looking at the calendar shows me
September 4-5, 2014
NATO War Summit in Wales.
September 1-7, 2014
Supposedly we are going to get a look at a Preliminary Report into the crash of MH17 in the first week of September. I don’t expect much, but you can expect a Russian reaction if this report is a whitewash.
September 14, 2014
Swedish General Election. Will it favour pro-NATO or anti-NATO forces? Or is that already pre-ordained. I’m not sure, but any Russian aggression would no doubt spur anti-Russian sentiment pre-election.
September 14, 2014
St. Petersburg Election. Presumably “Putin’s man”, whoever that is, will win this. Putin wouldn’t want to do anything rash to threaten this
October 1, 2014
Jens Stoltenberg replaces Anders “Fogh of War” Rasmussen as the Head of NATO. Surely Stoltenberg will have to be an improvement on Rasmussen, and might have some ability to actually ratchet down the tensions between Russia/ The West if he is given a chance? If Russia intervenes before Stoltenberg is given the job that boxes Stoltenberg into a corner and allows him no room to argue for a rapprochement. One must hope Russia has been in Stoltenberg’s ear to try and get someone in a position of authority in the West who actually understands diplomacy! (Probably a forlorn hope, but we can all dream).
October 5, 2014 – Brazilian Presidential Election. As a potentially key ally in South America, any actions Russia takes in Ukraine prior to the Brazilian Presidential Election likely lead to harsh rhetoric in Brazil that could potentially seriously damage relations with Brazil, and by extension South America. Something best avoided by Russia as it courts Brazil and South America.
October 5, 2014
Bulgarian General Election. Surely the issue of South Stream is key here. Any overt Russian aggression in Ukraine before this election is likely to play into the hands of any Bulgarian party that is pro-American, pro-European Union, rather than any party that seeks a sensible policy of engagement with Russia. If Bulgaria can be brought onside with regards to South Stream, that greatly strengthens Russian relations with not only Bulgaria, but also Serbia, Hungary, Austria & Italy.
October 20, 2014
New Indonesian President Jokowi inaugurated. This is of a lesser importance in specific regards to Ukraine, but worth noting as Indonesia would be a great prize (The world’s 3rd largest democracy), if it can be persuaded to join the BRICS. Perhaps the BRIICS.
(2) Putin’s Gambit
October 26, 2014
Second Round of the Brazilian Presidential Election if required
October 26, 2014
Ukrainian Legislative Elections. Newly put on the agenda, but long expected. Any overt Russian aggression before these elections would obviously play directly into the hands of Ukrainian Nationalists/ Fascists and provoke a strong anti-Russian response at the elections which would legitimise continued Ukrainian war-mongering in Eastern Ukraine. This might well happen anyway, but any Russian aggression would guarantee it.
October 31, 2014
Jose Manuel Barroso steps down as head of the European Union to be replaced by Jean-Claude Juncker. Barroso is a well known Atlanticist in the Americans pocket. On the other hand, Jean-Claude Juncker is clearly Pro-European, and not so worried about America. Juncker would appear much more likely to cut a deal with Russia that fixed relations between Russia-EU, rather than tow the line from Washington or London. This was most evident in the UK’s utter opposition to Juncker’s appointment to this post. Juncker may be the guy Russia is actually waiting for, and they may have even told him they won’t intervene in Ukraine until he becomes Top Dog at the EU and they can cut a deal? Purely speculation, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
November 4, 2014
US Mid-Term Elections. Once again, any overt Russian aggression would play into the hands of anti-Russian rhetoric candidates in the US Mid-Terms. Much better to give them nothing of substance to pontificate about and keep Russian hands clean prior to these elections.
November 14-16, 2014
G-20 Leader’s meeting in Brisbane, Australia. All the world’s most important leaders will be here. Any Russian action that appears to undermine peace and security in Europe will be condemned largely and loudly by leaders at this meeting if it happens.
If Putin can keep Russian hands clean until mid November, he has a strong hand to argue to the likes of the BRICS, and also Germany, France, the EU and others, that it is not Russia that is fomenting trouble in Ukraine, but only in fact Russia that is trying to truly find a diplomatic solution to these problems.
Who knows what happens over the next 2 months in places like Iraq & Syria either. It appears the US/UK/NATO is about to get more heavily involved in conflict in these countries – this will also favour the Russian approach for peace above and beyond the US/UK/NATO strategy of airborne warfare.
If Putin can hold out until the G20 Leader’s Summit (and given events on the ground in Donbass this looks increasingly likely), I believe he will win the favour of a majority of World Leaders at this Summit for his approach. That will be a watershed moment in international relations and politics.
As I’ve outlined above, between now and the Leader’s Summit there are key elections in Sweden, St. Petersburg, Brazil, Bulgaria, Ukraine and the USA. 6 Key Elections in the next 12 weeks.
Putin must maintain his patience during this period. The other thing is, by mid-November, the gas shortage will be getting acute and Ukraine will be ever more likely to cut a deal favourable to Russia the closer we get to Winter.
After the G20 Leader’s Summit, I can’t see any more important elections until the following April 2015 (Finnish Election).
It is mid-November, in my view, when things will really start coming to a head between Russia/ Ukraine/ EU/ US.
Anonymous 23:53, Grieved
While a Doomsday Scenario for the Donbass is certainly not out of the realm of the possible, I don’t think it’s something Shell, Chevron, Monsanto, Cargill, Biden/Burisma, et. al. really want to have happen. After all, it might cut into their profits.
But yes, that ruined town… All these bombed-out buildings are somehow easier to look at. But oh, that ruined, desolated town. It’s the first non-human image, I think, that’s truly going to stay with me.
les,
Those are some very good points. The messages are loud and clear to the various Big Players but not reflected at all in the propaganda we get. And that set me to thinking about the role of public knowledge during wartime throughout history: I’m guessing that before literacy came into fashion, ordinary people only learned what they could get from the grapevine: not a lot of info necessarily but what there was most likely came from folks who were there. Then, reporters (print, photographs, radio, teevee), even if censored. Then embedded reporters and the poor journalists start dropping like flies. Now, nothing but the official party line plus, essentially, the new samizdat: alternative media online. And it just may be that the Empire is starting to lose control of the narrative. That could be a truly significant change, and maybe the beginning of the end.
Anonymous 01:04
“We are witnessing a great historical revolution in Novorussia, state of the art hybrid war conducted by the Russian Federation, and the perfect manipulation of the geopolitical moment in the project of the destruction of imperialism, capitalism and neofascism.”
I think you’re right! ;~) Perhaps the right combination of military, economic, political and legal efforts, both alone and in concert with others, has finally been found to begin bringing down the Empire? I sure hope so.
Saker,
I was not clear on what excatly a “Cauldron” was but your expanation cleared it up completely! Interesting reading too. You say it’s a simplfied version, would love to read the detailed version! Keep up the great work!
ZHedge has this beauty:
“In an effort to avoid unintentionally strengthening the Syrian government, the White House could seek to balance strikes against the Islamic State with attacks on Assad regime targets.”
I predicted this 2 years ago. USA would intervene either directly, or would shoehorn itself in via war on terror bullshit.
What’s the possibility of Syria officially requesting direct military operational assistance from Russia? That’s the only way to keep Obama’s vile mechanization from playing out, I’m afraid
I would also add, if the Ukraine situation starts being resolved, or if the situation deteriorates to a ‘hopeless’ point – Russia needs to start responding in kind.
Again, I would suggest not until mid-November. Give diplomacy a chance, but if it proves useless, Russia needs to start asking questions.
The Kiev Snipers, apparently trained in Poland would be a good start. Russia needs to demand a international investigation into the sniper shootings in Maidan.
http://www.voltairenet.org/article183373.html
If the West tries to refuse, no gas for you Warsaw!!
>>The political powers in Kiev order the commanders of the so-called “anti-terrorist operation” to show some results.<<
This typically means showing more dead and wounded, how else do you show you tried hard enough? Means really bad for the troopers.
thanks….i needed that….every time i would see the word “cauldon” i would envision the three witches in “macbeth”stirring the pot….chanting “double double toil and trouble fire burn and cauldrons bubble”….now how accurate is that!!!!even Shakespeare is kicking some ass!!!! thanks Saker!!
I’m sure 90% of us read Col. Cassad alongside the Saker
But here is further confirmation that The Resistance now commands the heights
Terribly poignant photo of the destruction of the obelisk.
A fitting reminder of Ukraine’s irredeemable fascism
http://cassad-eng.livejournal.com/72060.html
Anon 1:23
Ukraine will never run out of ammunition. War criminals Obama, Kerry and Fogh of War will replace everything
Only a general revolt will stop this. When conscripts refuse the call up
Winter is disaster for a destroyed Novorussiya. It will be a humanitarian nightmare for Putin
Gas for Peace is the only hope. America certainly doesn’t care about its own citizenry (cutting off water to Detroit citizens)
So why would they care if all of Europe freezes
I also have long wondered when the junta would run out of ammunition of all sorts, especially artillery. They fire indiscriminately, constantly, and with little fire discipline.
——
That is to make up for the fact that Uki conscripts only get 12 bullets to practice with their rifles in training before sent into battle
I had a good laugh at Saker’s response to Anon about “Blitzkrieg”. That was precious!
Sure, power plants leave a lot of nuclear waste, probably sufficient for some ‘dirty bombs’, but even in Hiroshima and Nagasaki lots of people survived decades after the bombing, although not without serious health problems. That would be the most stupid way to try to ‘cleanse the territory’ of unwanted people, without endangering the future owners and even Biden’s son enterprise in shale gas.
I’ve read somewhere months ago that trains with nuclear waste from European power plants were waiting on Polish-Ukrainian border, as Tymoshenko promised them to bury the waste somewhere near Chernobyl ( if she wins election); She didn’t and I wonder where that waste is now? Perhaps Taruta planned to bury it somewhere in his trenches on Russian border? But we would know by now, there’s enough Geiger meters around.
Ukraine can certainly nuke themselves more likely with the existing nuclear power plants in Chernobyl-like accidents, when the shortage of gas becomes more evident. But they cannot produce any viable nuclear bomb, unless their ‘israeli Kolomoisky friends’ help them with it. But it would be as silly, as cutting the branch one sits on. I know they are psychopathic murderous maniacs but not suicidal, yet.
So I’m looking forward to Novorussia total independence from the freaks! When I look at those videos and spirit of self-defense forces – it renews my hopes for the humanity!
“A lot of people are wondering what the deal is with the so-called “cauldrons” in which the Ukie forces seem to get surrounded over and over again. Are the Ukie generals simply stupid, or what is the deal?”
When I was a kid I had a friend whose little brother’s antics remind me of bandera nazi military tactics. He noticed a fan working, so he went over to it and stuck his finger into the whirling blades. Fortunately, they were soft plastic, so it didn’t chop his finger off. Just made him wail from the pain. About half an hour later, when he had calmed down, he walked up the fan and again stuck his finger in it. :D
On a serious note, I think the scum giving the junta army its marching orders are not trying primarily to conquer Novorossia, but terrorise the civilians instead. So the tactics and strategy they use is designed to maximise that terror. The ZPC/NWO mainly seems to want Russian response and don’t seem to care how they use up Ukrainian dupes in order to goad the Russians.
It’s not a military strategy at all, which the ZPC is pursuing in the Ukraine, but a political strategy of pure terror. That seems to be their basic strategy against independents now worldwide. I suspect they used their think tanks to study various scenarios and came to the conclusion that they cant fight any more, so they engage in terror to try and achieve their goals. It’s all about creating as much terror as possible and lie like hell through the Jewish owned western media. An elaborate bluff.
вот так
OT, somewhat, but good news:
China to Replace Google, Microsoft With Homegrown OS
http://en.ria.ru/society/20140825/192333372/China-to-Replace-Google-Microsoft-With-Homegrown-OS.html
“…”After concerns about US surveillance and a monopoly probe of Microsoft, there is some good news for China’s homegrown operating system (OS): a desktop version may be ready in October,” wrote Xinhua on August, 24.
As tensions between the US and China grows over cyber security issues, Beijing is seeking a way to become independent of imported systems like Microsoft’s Windows and Google’s Android. The new operating system is expected to first appear on desktops and later to be adapted for smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.
“China has more than a dozen mobile OS developers with no independent intellectual property rights because their research is based on Android,” said Ni Guangnan, Chinese Academy of Engineering representative, as cited by Xinhua.
Ni believes that a new homegrown operating system will replace the American software within one or two years. However, it will take about three or five years to supersede the imported mobile operating systems by OS developed by Chinese programmers.
Reuters emphasizes that about a year ago China banned government use of Microsoft’s Windows 8 due to security concerns and initiated an investigation against the IT giant accusing it of anti-trust violations.
Google Inc. as well came under attack from Chinese authorities, who pointed to the fact the software manufacturer “had too much control over China’s smartphone industry via Android mobile operating system,” notes Reuters.
The revelations made by Edward Snowden provoked even further tensions between Beijing and Washington, while a string of hacking cases exposed by China and the US has added fuel to the fire.
According to Ni, the ban imposed by Beijing on Windows 8 evidently triggered a rapid growth of the Chinese information technology sector and “opened the door to domestic OS developers.”
“Creating an environment that allows us to contend with Google, Apple and Microsoft – that is the key to success,” he said.
Still Ni admits that the project needs serious investment and further development.”
вот так
I am going to assume that nuking Novorussia, as Anon at 23:53 suggests, while a possibility is both a red line and not Empire’s desired outcome. An endless civil war to weaken both Russia and to a lesser extent the EU is what Empire wants.
I am curious why US satellite intel, which must be technically excellent, of resistance artillery, tanks and strategy has not prevailed.
But perhaps a Kiev win is not desirable until all the cities’ infrastructures are destroyed and ethnic cleansing complete?
Any thoughts?
FULL TRANSCRIPT – Putin speech in Minsk, Belarus, 26 August
Dear Saker.
We know that the “Militia” is dead (according with Zakharchenko in his video) and now the Novorussians have a “formal” army.
Well, as you say often, Ukies have more weapons, more troops (or cannon fodder, whatever), more everything but moral, do you consider a right step to convert militia in a formal army?
Formal army seems to me like a heavy pachyderm and hard to do fast movements as militiaman in small “guerrilla” group does.
Since I have no military skills nor knowledge in this area, am I very wrong?
If yes, could you explain the main differences between both?
And again, many, many thanks for the excellent work you do to keep us informed.
Cheers.
Speaking of cauldrons, Macbeth comes immediately to mind and more than just a little appropriate:
“Double, double toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
“For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble”
SECOND WITCH:
“By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes”
Paul Craig Roberts posted this today:
Guest Interview with former German Defense Ministry Official
August 26, 2014 | Categories: Guest Contributions | Tags: | Print This Article Print This Article
Former official of the German Ministry of Defense says the world has heard enough of
EU lies.
“People here in Germany are fed up with NATO lies.”
It is a 5 minute interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Y28LR3tyk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
@Anonymous 23:53
Blitzkrieg did not work in USSR in 41, and will not work now.
The rest of your post shows that you are a moron and will waste of time any answer.
War is not for the timid, I suppose, but I am more than a bit leary of the “opening” to Mariupol and the rather sudden turnaround in Resistance fortunes — as much as I hope it to be true.
Surely no one seriously underestimates the utter devious and malicious character of the US, who is advising and supporting Kiev.
Watch your backs, boys.
The chances of a false flag are now very high. I remember reading this blog just over a month ago when the Kiev Junta was on “the back foot” regarding the southern cauldron then MH17 incident happened.
One hundred Ukies seem to have raised the white flag somewhere in the South.
“”In the area of the settlement Kotelnikova negotiations surrendered 94 demoralized [Ukies],” he said at the headquarters of the army DND.
The grouping of the Ukrainian military, previously locked in Amvrosievka according to militias on Tuesday tried to escape from the environment in the South-West, but was dropped at the same position, having lost 50 men killed and wounded.”
http://dnr-news.com/dnr/2753-sdalas-v-plen-pervaya-sotnya.html
Why don’t you discuss the fact that Mr Poroshenko has dissolved the Ukrainian parliament? It seems to me highly significant, showing that the “Kiev government” is unmanageable.
@Grieved
suitcase nuke:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suitcase_nuke
Hardly a TOPOL-M, but it does make me wonder, a little, why there are vast amounts spent on ICBM’s / Subs etc when a squad of backpackers could presumably do most of the damage?
i don’t think it is smart to explain them ukies where they are wrong. left them in the dark. don’t explain to them what they have to do better in military terms?
Good work Saker. My support to the freedom fighters in Eastern Ukraïne. I an an ethnical Western european but disgusted by the western imperialism and disgusted by our dictatorship the eussr.
EU won’t be feeding Kiev with billions. Why not? 1) economic woes at home (try persuading the Greeks their tax euros should go to aiding thoroughly corrupt Ukraine politicos). 2) Euroskeptic movements’ electoral advances
The-demented-Swede-from-another-planet, Bildt, wants Donbass wiped out and then rebuilt with EU cash.
http://novorossia.today/main-news/markadomanis-the-european-union-isn-t-go.html
@Saker. You mentioned chess in this Post.
Although this content focuses on China’s strategic posture, given what I read here, one could equally substitute it with Russia.
Weiqi (Go) and Chess – Strategic Thinking versus Tactical Thinking
A bit of background on Weiqi: The game known in English as go, Igo in Japanese, Weiqi in Chinese, Baduk in Korean — is not just more difficult and subtle than chess. It may also be the world’s oldest surviving game of pure mental skill. As for the origin of the game of Weiqi, it is known to have been developed in China, but the dates are open to much speculation.
Although I am a “newbie” to the game of Weiqi, the differences between Chess and Weiqi quickly became clear to me. At the same time, those dissimilarities seemed to reflect as well the differing approaches to foreign policy and diplomacy of China and the United States.
Whereas Chess is, as one Grandmaster put it, “99% tactical”, Weiqi/GO is a game of strategy. Militarily, Chess is a single battle; Weiqi is a multi-front war. The former is conducted on an 8×8 board; the latter on one of 19×19 squares or 361 interstices. Chess is a game that relies entirely on the left hemisphere of our brain, the analytical function; Weiqi requires the employment of both left and right brain hemispheres – analytical and perception of spatial patterns respectively. Chess is designed for short term engagement and Weiqi for the long term. These features and how they relate to geopolitical theory will be readily apparent.
Object Of The Game
Chess: Checkmate Opposing King = Total Victory
Weiqi: Obtain Larger Territory = Greater “market share”
Brain Functions Used In Playing
Chess: Almost Entirely Analytical (left brain).
Weiqi: Fully utilizes/integrates analytic (left brain) and artistic/pattern recognition (right brain) functions. Intuitive analysis. One requiring multi-tasking.
Number of possible First Moves.
Chess: 20 White x 20 Black = 400.
Weiqi: 361 Black x 360 White = 129960, although symmetry reduces this number to an effective 32,490.
Estimated Number of Possible Board Configurations
Chess: 10 to the 120th power
Weiqi: Most believe that the correct figure is in the order of 10 to the 174th.
Military Analogy
Chess: A single battle.
Weiqi: An entire multi-front war.
The Nature of Play
Chess: Primarily tactical, with only a modest strategic component.
Weiqi: Profoundly strategic, but with incisive, complex, integral tactics.
While the United States, a Chess player, is tightly focused on the Iraqi/Middle East conflict, which it considers to be the key to world peace and a springboard for global American hegemony, the Chinese and Russians are playing Weiqi on the global game board; with long term goals and multi-front objectives. While other global interests and alliances burn, America fiddles in the Middle East.
Russia and China are waging a multi front, non-military war while the US is obsessed with extending its domain by threat, and military coercion; seemingly incapable of the multi tasking necessary to look after its global interests. The US is investing several hundred billion dollars in a war, which in the end will bring no benefit to the United States, only grief and increasing, unsustainable debt. In the meanwhile, the Chinese are accumulating trade surpluses.
It seems to me that Russia and China are following the basic principles and concepts of Weiqi;
Acquiring territory by isolating its opponent’s pieces, by finessing them, not using force and the assumption that removing the “King” or the opponents “pieces” will secure victory.
Engaging in a multi front effort: not narrowly concentrating and counting on a single objective to achieve its ends.
The US and the Ukies are using Chess as the basis of their strategy.
When the dust settles, seems oligarchs will control the region, or we will see true power of the people, for the people, and by the people. I’m guessing Strelkov was the later and Putin the former.
I can’t help but feel those DPR soldiers are akin to the Americans who fought the revolutionary war only to see bankers run the place within a few years.
Saker do you give any mind to this? If the DPR wins and holds any land, who really controls the resources in the end?
This is an online conference with a former surgeon of the Slavyansk hospital (he performed operations on Strelkov’s soldiers and left the town together with the retreating Militia). He now lives in Russia. He is the man pictured on the unforgettable blood-chilling photograph above, which has become one of the symbols of the war in Donbass, of the atrocities committed by the Ukrainian army, and of the irrepressible spirit of the people of Novorossiya.
http://slavyangrad.org/2014/08/25/the-view-from-an-operating-room/
Below you can find the original in Russian and a version in Italian:
http://www.ortodossiatorino.net/DocumentiSezDoc.php?cat_id=35&id=2890
Julian said About waitingvfor all the elections and conferences in the world before he comes to rescue the Russians in Donbass.
Then why not wait for another 14 years?? That will please his western partners more.can there be such a weaakling to lead the world or nation?
One of the best threads yet. Very clear explanations in several areas.
Can you imagine the effect on the Russians were there to be nuclear explosions so close to Moscow? I suspect within minutes Kiev would be flattened by a similar weapon.
The World would then recoil in horror.
Probably at bigger risk are the NPP in Ukraine. Just destroying the electricity pylons around them is enough to initiate a huge problem. Fortunately non are in the warzone.
JohninMK
@Vineyardsaker
These are all western propaganda myths. One can wonder why Hitler lost and Stalin won if that was the case.
Haven’t you heard? It was the weather and the mud that defeated Hitler in WW2.
A video showing the harsh treatment handed out by the militia to those who don’t want to fight.
http://www.nsfwyoutube.com/watch?v=qT4PYpn6jrs
The conflict between Russia/China and the West is moving to Syria. It appears that the US has conceded defeat i.e accepted Russian terms in Ukraine.
However, they want to exact revenge in Syria using the pretext of ISIS. US has said they will attack ISIS in Syria both from the air and on the ground and without Syria’s permission.
I hope Assad does not fall into this trap! US attacks on ISIS in Syria will be a replay of the R2P intervention in Libya. The target is Assad not ISIS.
The US is already prepping the ground. The UN accuses both the Syrian government and ISIS of committing atrocities. US attacks on ISIS will also target Syrian forces, in order to prevent their ‘atrocities’.
Syria and Russia must act fast to prevent US military intervention against any target in Syria.
First they must point out the hypocrisy of the US claiming that Russian humanitarian intervention in UKraine is invasion. While insisting on their right ot bomb Syria without its permission.
Second, Russia and China must, together, veto any UNSC resolution authorizing attacks in Syria.
Third, Syria must urgently request and Russia must send forces to Syria to confront ISIS. Russia must undertake the bombing of ISIS in Syria so that the US has not pretext to do so.
The removal of Assad i.e a massive defeat for Russia in the Middle East will be disastrous for Russia’s geopolitical prospects. This cannot be overstated.
The critical point of Russian geopolitical defense is now not Novorussia but Syria once again.
I hope Putin does not make the same mistake Medvedev make re Libya.
The conflict between Russia/China and the West is moving to Syria. It appears that the US has conceded defeat i.e accepted Russian terms in Ukraine.
However, they want to exact revenge in Syria using the pretext of ISIS. US has said they will attack ISIS in Syria both from the air and on the ground and without Syria’s permission.
I hope Assad does not fall into this trap! US attacks on ISIS in Syria will be a replay of the R2P intervention in Libya. The target is Assad not ISIS.
The US is already prepping the ground. The UN accuses both the Syrian government and ISIS of committing atrocities. US attacks on ISIS will also target Syrian forces, in order to prevent their ‘atrocities’.
Syria and Russia must act fast to prevent US military intervention against any target in Syria.
First they must point out the hypocrisy of the US claiming that Russian humanitarian intervention in UKraine is invasion. While insisting on their right ot bomb Syria without its permission.
Second, Russia and China must, together, veto any UNSC resolution authorizing attacks in Syria.
Third, Syria must urgently request and Russia must send forces to Syria to confront ISIS. Russia must undertake the bombing of ISIS in Syria so that the US has not pretext to do so.
The removal of Assad i.e a massive defeat for Russia in the Middle East will be disastrous for Russia’s geopolitical prospects. This cannot be overstated.
The critical point of Russian geopolitical defense is now not Novorussia but Syria once again.
I hope Putin does not make the same mistake Medvedev make re Libya.
BOT TAK is right: the Ukies are more concerned with provoking a Russian response than defeating the rebels. That’s why they have spend most of their time and effort shelling civilian areas in the Donbass. Western media covers for their blatant ethnic cleansing, but Russia media shows it, increasing outrage in Russia. Washington and Kiev have been gambling that Moscow will cave in to public pressure and invade the Donbass. But it hasn’t happened yet.
I also agree with Saker: this is a good moment for a rebel offensive. Even if an attack on Mariupol is ultimately unsuccessful, if the battle proves costly enough for Kiev, it could have a negative impact on morale in western Ukraine. Draft resistance in Transcarpathia, for example, is already on the rise. Remember the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam? That was widely cited as the moment Uncle Scam lost control of the narrative. This offensive could have a similar effect on Kiev.
Credible reports online are trending in the direction of a significant partisan presence in various oblasts augmenting the current NAF offensive – a presence that until now has remained largely underground.
All support to free Novorussia!
Why are the Novorossians able to keep the junta’s forces in the cauldrons, though? The surrounded forces have superior numbers, armor, and internal lines of communication and movement. So, why don’t they pick a spot on the boundary of the cauldron and just force their way out? That’s what tanks were originally developed to do: overrun dug in defenders.
Mr. Nora and I were sitting on the porch swing over coffee this morning still raving over Zakharchenko and Kononov, whom I just think of as “the guy with the eyes” who clearly understands English… ;~) They’re knowledgeable, principled, intelligent and well-educated, they see things clearly and are obviously quite comfortable stating their case and arguing their points directly, indirectly, succinctly and/or in detail, depending on the requirements of the situation. They would be most impressive indeed in a time of peace and yet they’re quite competent militarily as well.
And at first I was just lamenting the contrast between these men and any of the mental and moral cretins we’ve got in DC or anywhere else. But then I thought of Porochenko hightailing it out of that meeting yesterday with his tail between his legs, and Yats, who just looks about as principled as he is, and it hit me. Can anyone think of any person the AZ Empire has *ever* installed *anywhere* who can hold a candle against these two men? Of course not! Because intelligence and integrity are hardly included in the satrapy or congresscritter job descriptions — what we’re looking for instead is unquestioning compliance, a willingness to lie and a liking for bribes, plus of course a sufficient quantity and quality of skeletons in the closet to be easily controlled by the NSA et. al.
Google tells me there are 742.5 million souls in Europe as of 2013 and 313.9 million in the US as of a year earlier. Now let’s be generous and say there are still 3 million people (somehow) still breathing in the DPR. And men this fine rose to the top, in a time of crisis no less. Just think of what could be done elsewhere once people rid themselves of their oppressors and focus on the basics once again!
Here, of course, they’d have to turn off the teevee, stop blaming the other side in The Great American Culture Wars, and re-learn how to think. sigh. So right now I’m figuring we’re about the last place on earth it could happen, and wondering if we’d even recognize, much less appreciate, the qualities these men display
Seamus Padraig said…27 August, 2014 12:54
“Remember the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam?”
The “politicians” overruled Giap and friends and so the outcome was more nuanced.
It is generally unwise to base strategy on historical example – note I didn’t use the word analogy.
It is also noted in the paper that apart from Greeks, two battalions of Serbs and even 25 US citizens are fighting for “traditional human values” alongside militia in southeast Ukraine.
According to earlier reports, within the Vostok Battalion, DPR’s most prominent defense force, are volunteers from Spain, Italy, France, Spain, Canada, Russia and Poland.
http://en.voicesevas.ru/
The G I movement-hundreds of acts of resistance ranging from individual to collective actions, from passive resistance to sabotage, fragging and open mutiny-has raised the spector of mass rebellion in the military. The anti-war movement has mobilized and educated the majority of Americans. Despite overwhelming opposition to the war, the US has continued its genocidal attack on Indochina under the disguise of “Vietnamization” and troop withdrawals.
http://www.sirnosir.com/archives_and_resources/library/articles/gi_revolt.html
http://novorossia.today/novorossia-news/pavel-gubarev-the-inflow-of-volunteers-t.html
I believe Clive Maund has only written about precious metals until now but he is clearly joining the ranks of the doubters:http://www.clivemaund.com/article.php?art_id=3278
Legally, a nation can nuke its own territory, so this wouldn’t even represent a ‘war crime’.
===========================
I like the smell of idiocy in the morning…
Ixlan
Bravo. I wrote here months back about GO. I briefly stated the similar analysis. Yours is a complete and wonderful presentation for the folks here to learn and comprehend.
Indeed, from my studies of China and recent newbie studies of Putin and Russia, it is very clear that the Eurasians are using GO-thinking.
I’m not quite certain the Hegemon is ever playing Chess. Bombing and ethnic cleansing is so wild that it remains unclear there is anything like chess going on in their minds.
But I agree with the notion that Go is the non-Western mode. Even for the great Chess-minds of Russia, the superiority of GO as the game planning operating system will win in the end.
GO is a referenceI employ in my own espionage novels, so I have a strong affinity for it.
You straight-forward post was spot on.
@MK Noyo:
I read on Zero Hedge that Obama is considering bombing ISIS in Eastern Syria without permission.
But he doesn’t want to give Assad any tactical advantage so he will bomb gov’t positions as well
If that happens, esp. after Obama’s pathetic “we’re no. 1 speech” yesterday, then there can be no doubt that ISIS is and has always been an American/Israel joint sponsorship
If that is the case, Iran should invade Northern Iraq and drive them out ala what Putin should have done in May with the Uki fascists
BTW for a guy who jut came off a month of golfing. Obama looks old and haggard. Like any vampire, he is withering in the sun
The Ukraine Rope a Dope
Brad Cabana / Rock Solid Politics
27 August 2014
I like the vision ;-) :
At the time of this post there are 9 encircled formations of Ukraine troops with an estimated total strength of 20,000…the units now trapped, and the ones trapped prior to this and already eliminated, represent the entire core of Ukraine’s professional army…
…the NAF has moved in the South…including an amphibious landing just east of Mariupol on Ukraine’s south coast…
…With Ukraine’s entire rear exposed, including all the way to the capital Kiev, it will have no choice but to rapidly withdraw West…The NAF will…be free to advance in the centre and bypass (if still heavily defended) or capture Slavyansk and area moving directly to the City of Dnepropetrovsk on the Dnieper River – which is to become the new westerly border of a new Novorossyia (New Russia).
…Once the NAF capture and secure Melitopol, the Ukraine defences along the Crimea border are exposed from the rear. At that time the separatist region of Moldova, Transnistria, which houses Russian and “Transnistria Self-Defence Forces”, is likely to strike southward toward Odessa.…
All these moves combined mean a few things…Ukraine will cease to function as a country. Its already desperate financial position will be crippled by the loss of one half of the country – the most resource rich part. Thirdly it means that Ukraine will become landlocked and essentially a new “pocket – like” area. If NATO were to move into this area, they would be surrounded on three sides by Russia, Novorossyia, and Belarus. It would be indefensible. Therefore, Ukraine, or what’s left of it, turns into an economically barren no mans land between East and West…
It was mentioned in another threat and it is continue coming up with more and more evidence
From Uploader Xendrius:
“I noticed that the ‘death’ of Foley
made headlines on Swedish news,
and those good-for-nothing journalists
ACTUALLY BELIEVE THIS IS THE REAL
FOLEY, so I carefully analyzed the
footage, the interviews, and every
other piece of data, and concluded,
without any doubt, that the person
who is supposed to be beheaded, is
not James Foley.
Because they assume ‘Hey, if the US
government says it’s real, it’s real.’
It seems that they are using the
beheading video, to have ‘truther’
channels shut down. I have seen 2-3
channels shut down because of “breach
of community guidelines” for uploading
the full video. In other words, a trap.
Video (6 min):
100% FAKE: James Foley Beheading
http://www.ForbiddenKnowledgeTV.com/page/26634.html
– Alexandra
Interesting commentary given the map of bridges across the Dnieper river:
The Ukraine Rope a Dope
http://rocksolidpolitics.blogspot.com
John 97205 and Ixlan ‘s GO presentations converge.
Brad Cabana’s work demonstrates the strategy that involves not just the units and movement on the ground, but the “space” in the geo-political realm —nullification of Ukraine as a viable nation and the the “blocking” of NATO moving into the vacuum.
Putin through Novorossiya is taking Ukraine down and jamming an invisible wall in front of NATO.
He spoke of trade and commercial interests yesterday, saving one pithy comment at the very end of his speech at Minsk for the situation on the ground. He has made it impossible for the EU and Kiev to continue the notion that they could ever win against the will of Russia (and Novorossiya).
Brilliant! And he offered them a carrot. Join him in the construction of Eurasia as the next big marketplace. From Lisbon to Vladivostok.
Thank you, thank you, John 97205!!
I watched the YouTube video of the speech all the way through, tantalized but hoping somehow to miraculously absorb the content of it – at least it gave me the beautiful venue and comportment of the participants.
This will be a long read, but I am so appreciative – the best parts of the comments for me are the helpful translations into transcript. God bless you for taking the time to post this.
Lance,
The people are always stuck fighting the wars, but if you look behind the mythology on which we all have been raised, even the American Revolution was in large part a project of New England shipping oligarchs and slave-owning Southern landowners wishing to continue to import the slaves on which our entire economy depended.
Then check out both Shay’s Rebellion under the Articles of Confederation and the Whiskey Rebellion under the Constitution: both of them in the 18th century, “of the people” and put down by TPTB long before Andrew Jackson even had to fight “the Bank”. sigh. It’s a sobering view but the welfare of non-property-owners clearly was not on our Founding Fathers’ radar unless it happened to coincide with their own.
I’m a bit puzzled, though, as to the data upon which you rely when calling Putin a representative of oligarchical control. When it comes to of the people, by the people and for the people, I’d say both he and Strelkov fit all three, differing primarily in their visions as to how to accomplish what needs to be done (to the extent that we even know much more about Strelkov than his claims of zero interest in a political career).
Maedhros,
Omigosh! If anyone really wants to know what went on in Slavyansk and its environs, this is a terrific resource. It’s one man’s opinion and experience, but he saw and did an awful lot. And that iconic picture of him holding that dead little girl — I kept thinking that somehow wasn’t a fatherly look… But yes, it was a doctor sickened by all of the carnage and waste. oh oh oh God bless him and all the Donbass residents, current and former: how do you ever, ever make restitution for what has been done?
Anonymous,
I’m afraid I don’t really understand what you’re talking about. Who are you calling a weakling, and why? I’m assuming you’re referring to Putin but he has actually played this whole thing far more masterfully than any of the other players, up to and including professionals collecting legal documentation of the Junta’s many crimes. And just which Western partners might he be trying to please?
Annukaki, MK Noyo,
So the bottom line is, we’re going on our merry way and leaving the Junta high, dry and swinging slowly in the wind with large swathes of the Donbass a smouldering ruin? Uh, just like every other place we’ve R2P’d and helped find democracy?
This really is our responsibility as American citizens: they’re doing it in our name and we’re paying them to do it. There simply *has* to be a way to stop them. There simply has to be. And we really, really, really need to do something about it.
I would like to ask a maybe very ignorant question:
Does the term ‘cauldron’ encompass towns and villages enclosed within, and if so, are the enclosed citizens within those areas being shelled?
I noted in one of the interviews with defenders, that the question was asked whether they are firing at communities, and the answer was a definite ‘no’. But I would suppose that an encircling tactic must inevitably have some impact on communities caught within the ‘cauldron’.
For instance, in with the fleeing coup government sympathizers, would there not also be innocent civilians only wishing to escape the onslaught?
I’m not trying to be nasty here, only continuing to hope for a cessation of hostilities so that ordinary people may go back to living their lives in peace. It does seem difficult to continue to press for federation, in light of the clumsily continuing carnage on so many fronts – as in Africa, as in Syria, Iraq, Libya. It is truly horrible to contemplate. What can compel this to come to an end?
I will add to the calendar of events an election in a truly tiny but pivotal country, New Zealand, coming up in September. At http://thedailyblog.co.nz/ various discussions and town meetings are featured that highlight the possible impact of this election. New Zealand has a chance to escape its culpable role in US empirical machinations – whether it can do so is up to the voters at this point. I hope they give it a go.
Bradcabana has an excellent take on current military events on his blog.
…”I call this the “Left Hook”. Basically a very large flanking maneuver. Having sustained all the blows the Ukraine army could throw at it, the NAF is now countering an exhausted foe – hence the title “Rope a Dope”. With Ukraine’s entire rear exposed, including all the way to the capital Kiev, it will have no choice but to rapidly withdraw West, and re-position forces to its southern rear. That opens the door for the NAF to easily move West, and that is where the next move comes – the “right uppercut” if you will. The NAF will then be in position to move on Kharkiv city, and the oblast in general – in the North. It will be free to advance in the centre and bypass (if still heavily defended) or capture Slavyansk and area moving directly to the City of Dnepropetrovsk on the Dnieper River – which is to become the new westerly border of a new Novorossyia (New Russia).”
http://rocksolidpolitics.blogspot.ca/
Nard
@Nora @Anukkaki
It appears to me that the US just needs a mess in Ukraine. They don’t need a stable prosperous Ukraine in NATO/EU. They just need a Ukraine that presents constant problems to Russia. Right on its border.
If they leave a slow burning Ukraine. One that can be brought to flame, every now and then, to absorb Russian attention, resources and geopolitical capital, they will have succeeded.
So on to Syria. This is a tricky one for Russia. But I believe they have to intervene against ISIS. Either that or the US will bring Assad down along with ISIS.
As to whether Americans can stop any of this, don’t hold your breath. As you know the public here is completely subverted. By TV, advertising, commercialism, lack of education, the propaganda system and a predominant ‘i’ outlook. Iphone, Ipad, I want, I don’t know, I don’t care. Plus its football season.
There will be no maidans in America. The US imperial system will collapse from over extension abroad and infighting amongst the greedy elites at home.
John 97205. 15:13
The Ukrainians have been digging a large ditch up to 5m wide and 2,5m deep along the border with Transnistria. On 29 July, they moved a detachment of troops and armor to Zatoka, on the coast with the Sea of Azov. This guards access to the large estuary that almost reaches Transnistria. There are rumors of US troops in Moldova. A recent report states there are ~400 Russian troops in Transnistria, part of a long-established peace keeping mission, along with a large cache of Russian weapons dating back to the Soviet era.