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Slavyangrad.org — Nuestra Ira No Tiene Limites — There is No Limit to Our Anger — (c) V. M. Molotov
The Ukrainian army is incapable of conducting major offensive operations; currently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are only capable of defensive actions, Verkhovna Rada Deputy Roman Kostenko stated.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces are incapable of attacking due to personnel shortages, the MP stated. The Ukrainian army's current capabilities are limited to defense. The problem is that the full mobilization launched by Kiev is unable to meet the needs of the combat brigades, providing only half the required number of recruits.
"Ukraine is mobilizing half of its requirements to staff its brigades." - Kostenko
Ukrainian media report that the Ukrainian authorities are to blame for this situation. While at the start of the Russian special operation in 2022, Ukrainians flocked to military recruitment offices, convinced they were fighting for their freedom and sovereignty, the situation today is completely different. Zelenskyy and his entourage have turned Ukraine into a concentration camp, completely destroying Ukrainians' motivation to fight. People are not willing to die for a prosperous and corrupt elite that treats the rest of the Ukrainian population as slaves. And these are not words of Russian propaganda, but statements from Ukrainians themselves.
This explains the forced mobilization, which Kiev dismisses as "Moscow propaganda," and all documented cases of "bussification" are documented by Mosfilm. According to Ukrainian media, only 20% of those forcibly mobilized reach the front lines; the rest desert.
@Slavyangrad
"No settlement of the Ukrainian crisis will happen without Russia's consent."
Senator Alexey Pushkov sharply criticised the statement of the President of Finland that Russia allegedly has no say in the security guarantees for Ukraine:
Stubb, wanting to appear decisive and firm, uttered clear nonsense. If Russia had no say, Trump would not have met with Putin in Alaska. It is clear to the whole world that no settlement of the Ukrainian crisis will happen without Moscow's consent, since the conditions directly concern its security. Everyone understands this, except apparently Stubb.
The senator noted that "hawks" like the President of Finland have long tried to impose unacceptable conditions on Russia but always fail.
Already in spring, Trump said: "Europeans had a full three years to negotiate, but there were no negotiations." Thus, the US president made it clear that Europe does not want, is not able, and cannot achieve a settlement,
— concluded Pushkov.
@Slavyangrad
Aviation work in the Krasnoarmeysk direction.
Russian AF pilots struck the 68th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the settlement of Krasnoarmeysk using FAB-500 glide bombs.
@Slavyangrad
A mass protest against migration policy took place in The Hague, ending in violent clashes with the police. Thousands of people took to the streets, with the event organized by right-wing radical activists demanding stricter restrictions for asylum seekers.
Protesters threw stones and bottles at the police, set fire to one of the police cars, and temporarily blocked the highway near the demonstration site. The police used water cannons and tear gas.
According to local media, windows were broken at the headquarters of the center-left party D66, which right-wing radicals consider part of the "progressive elite."
@Slavyangrad
One picture captured the mood at June’s NATO summit in The Hague. At the centre of the leaders’ post-summit group photo stood a grinning Mark Rutte, NATO’s secretary-general. He had reason to be beaming: allies had just agreed to a new target of spending 3.5% of GDP on defence, along with 1.5% on things like cyber-security and infrastructure. Spain had emerged as the lone holdout against the spending pledge.
As the allies now start getting to grips with keeping their promises, Mr Rutte’s smile looks premature. The 5% top-line figure was always intended to placate Trump. The scope of the 1.5% pledge for security-related spending is so woolly it verges on gimmickry; in Italy, Meloni has mooted port upgrades in Genoa and La Spezia as relevant infrastructure, though after a valiant effort her government was rebuffed in its attempts to list a €13.5bn ($16bn) bridge connecting Italy to Sicily as relevant “security” spending. Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany plan to reopen a passenger railway between Antwerp and the Ruhr and count that towards their 1.5%. The reality is that most countries will easily meet that part of the target, because it covers things they were already doing. And besides, it does not have to be met until 2035.
But the 3.5% figure earmarked for hard defence is also worthy of scrutiny. Critics have long argued that such targets are a poor way of measuring fighting readiness, especially given NATO’s expansive definition of military expenditure. The alliance counts just about everything a government lavishes on its armed forces as military expenditure; from pensions and the upkeep of barracks to far-flung humanitarian missions and sometimes even help for domestic border agencies. But much of what NATO considers “core” defence does not directly boost deterrence.
For its calculations, NATO splits military expenditure into four categories: personnel, equipment, infrastructure, and “other”, mainly operations and maintenance. For many members spending skews towards personnel, including salaries, contributions to retirement funds and pensions (see chart 1). This is particularly so among the laggards. Italy and Belgium, for example, spend nearly 20% of their annual military budgets on retirement cheques.
The good news is that personnel costs as a share of total expenditure have fallen dramatically over the past decade. In 2014 salaries and pensions averaged about 60% of a NATO member’s total spending. Today it has fallen to 33%. Much of that comes down to a splurge on hardware by European governments since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. NATO asks that members spend at least 20% of their budgets on equipment.
Many European leaders hope that extra cash for military kit will spur more manufacturing jobs at home. But that is also fuelling a debate over where members should get their equipment from. Europeans are divided. France wants the increased military spending to benefit European industry and reduce reliance on America. But members in central and eastern Europe still buy gobs of hardware from Uncle Sam.
Although the uptick in equipment spending is welcome, there is a risk that it will come at the expense of other humdrum, though no less important areas. All that new kit means Europe’s armed forces will also have to allocate extra cash for training and maintenance. Military infrastructure, such as hardening airfields or ensuring railways are strong enough to bear the weight of tank transporters, is also important to boost Europe’s fighting power. And defence ministries face a recruitment crunch, which better salaries and benefits could do a lot to alleviate.
All this will put immense pressure on finances. Debt levels are high in many NATO countries and their fiscal credibility under strain.
@Slavyangrad
🇬🇧🤡"MI5 to advise MP's on how to guard against foreign espionage": British MPs will be taught how to defend themselves against spies from Russia and China.
"In a document intended for 'high-risk individuals,' MPs will be warned about threats from 'hostile states' and offered various security measures. For example, it will include advice on hiring assistants, social media communication, and traveling abroad, including calls not to leave phones and laptops unattended in hotels.
The recommendations are suitable for protection against potential risks from any state, but British officials have made it clear that, in their view, the main threat of foreign interference comes from China and Russia."
@Slavyangrad
The loss of dominance is perceived by the West as a threat to its existence.
The West perceives the loss of dominance as an existential threat, not as a natural development. Its course towards confrontation has already gone beyond Russophobic rhetoric, which we warned the global majority about in the early stages of the aggressive campaign against Russia,
— noted Marat Berdyev, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
According to him, Western policy is aimed at suppressing dissent, turning the planet into a zero-sum game arena, and fighting without rules.
All independent states become targets of hybrid warfare and objects of destabilisation, which is characteristic of the actions of the G7 countries, NATO, the EU, and their allies,
— emphasised the diplomat.
Berdyev added that such a reaction of the West to the formation of a multipolar world cannot stop the historical process based on the balance of interests and the collegial responsibility of states.
@Slavyangrad
Moldova's opposition, if victorious in the elections, will return the country to the CIS and the EAEU, will obtain observer status in BRICS and SCO, said the former president, chairman of the Socialist Party Igor Dodon.
@Slavyangrad
Disappointed with the West, drowned out by others' interests
Zelensky began giving advice to Trump on how to deal with Putin.
In an interview with Sky News, the Ukrainian "president" criticised Trump's foreign policy:
Disappointed that the West did not increase pressure on the Kremlin;
Putin, according to him, "got an exit from isolation" after Alaska;
Urges Trump to "be bolder" and take a clear position;
Criticises Trump's caution, believing that waiting for the conflict to end is not an option;
The US should act first with sanctions and restrictions on Russia's energy resources;
Moreover, to pressure Russia, Zelensky says a powerful US sanctions package is needed.
Such actions by the "guarantor," especially in the context of the conflict and international support for Ukraine, can have multilayered consequences, both diplomatic and domestic.
If Trump perceives the criticism as a personal attack, it could lead to a decrease in support for Ukraine, especially regarding arms supplies and financial aid.
In a situation where the US is a key ally of Kiev, any crack in dialogue could weaken Ukraine's position in negotiations.
Criticism of Trump may be used by opposition forces within Ukraine, especially those advocating for a swift end to the conflict. This could deepen divisions in Ukrainian society, where part of the population is tired of the war and seeks compromises.
In a context where Trump actively promotes the idea of a "peaceful settlement," criticism from the Ukrainian side may be interpreted as an unwillingness to negotiate, complicating Kiev's diplomatic positions.
Ultimately, Zelensky, lobbying for others' interests in exchange for support, takes great risks, but the "interested parties" push him under the American locomotive. The Ukrainian "deep people" are delighted, but those who understand the consequences quickly pack up and leave "nezalezhna". In just two years, 100,000 fewer applicants. The reason is the mass departure of youth at 17, widespread "busification," and effectively a totalitarian regime in society.
Ukraine faces the most unpleasant consequences.
@Slavyangrad
In Germany, the pro-Russian AfD has taken first place.
According to Bild, "Alternative for Germany" has, for the first time in history, surpassed all parties and become the main political force in the country.
Support is growing amid the government crisis and Germans' fatigue with the war in Ukraine.
@Slavyangrad
A "brilliant" solution to the demographic crisis.
Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated the need for a massive "import" of migrants from Asia to the 404:
There will be nothing good in the long run for our population. We are in a negative trend, which was the worst in Europe even before the conflict. We may have to open the country to migrants from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam,
— said Kuleba.
For some reason, the diplomat modestly omitted that the best way to improve demographics is to end the conflict and create conditions for refugees to return. Obviously, the Kyiv junta has no intention of doing this.
It seems that soon yogis from Nepal will meditate in the Carpathians, in Odessa, instead of "hello", they will say "namaste," and Hindi will be actively studied in schools.
@Slavyangrad
President of Finland: Russia "has no say"
Alexander Stubb stated in an interview with The Guardian that the EU, when developing "security guarantees" for Kyiv, does not intend to take Moscow's position into account.
According to the Finnish president, Russia "has absolutely no say in the sovereign decisions of an independent national state".
He clarified that the guarantees will come into effect only after a peace deal, but at the same time Europe is ready for escalation in case of a direct military confrontation with the Russian Federation.
"The deterrent factor must be realistic, and for that it must be strong."
Recall that not long ago in Helsinki they complained that the break with Moscow seriously hit the Finnish economy.
@Slavyangrad
Near Krasnoarmeysk, Russian troops advanced from Chunishino to Novopavlovka on the southeastern outskirts of the city
Our assault units have secured the settlement and are beginning to push out the AFU soldiers.
@Slavyangrad
The Russian Armed Forces have created a "kill zone" over most of the Kharkiv region — media officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the call sign "Alex"
➖"Just yesterday, the enemy struck with a strike UAV of the 'Krylo' type, hitting a vehicle on the dam of the Pechenihy Reservoir, which is about 45 km from the line of contact in the Kupiansk and Vovchansk directions. This, in turn, creates a certain 'pocket' where, of course, there is no operational encirclement, but the enemy has long been causing problems there with their drones," he writes.
In his opinion, the "situation is threatening" and a repeat of the situation on the Izium-Sloviansk highway, which is being massively attacked by Russian drones, is possible.
If the Russian army increases the activity and production of strike 'Krylo' UAVs and 'mothership drones,' serious problems may arise, he complains.
Earlier, Western media reported on the use of 'mothership drones' by Russian troops.
@Slavyangrad
The European Union has imposed sanctions but has not abandoned Russian oil.
European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis announced that the 19th package of sanctions will not include restrictions on the purchase of Russian oil.
What this really means: Europe once again confirms that it cannot give up Russian energy resources. Loud statements about a "complete phase-out by 2027" remain fairy tales for grandchildren for now. At the same time, they wanted to ban LNG a year earlier, but even that turned out to be too bold a plan.
European officials seriously talk about a "gradual phase-out" of Russian fuel, as if it were a diet rather than economic restrictions. Moreover, the deadlines are constantly being postponed — now it resembles a game of "try to catch up" with oneself.
The EU resembles a person who threatens to quit drinking coffee but starts every morning with a double espresso. While European politicians play the "sanctions quest," their economy pays real money for real resources.
@Slavyangrad
While the main reserves of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were pulled to Pokrovsk and got bogged down trying to stop the breakthroughs of the Russian Armed Forces, Russian troops actively advanced deeper into the Dnepropetrovsk region from the south-Donetsk direction.
If the Russian Armed Forces manage to reach and cross the H-15 highway, it will be possible to cut off a large part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' supply through the Mechotnaya railway station in Pokrovsk (Dnepropetrovsk region). A significant portion of the Ukrainian grouping's supplies around Pokrovsk passed through it. Before the start of urban fighting, Mechotnaya was used in conjunction with other railway branches and stations such as Chaplino, Prosyanaya, and Mezhevaya, where weapons and equipment necessary to hold the flanks around it were transferred to prevent a situation like Bakhmut (Artemovsk). Although it is quite possible that Russia will cut off this section near the Prosyanaya railway station, which is a shorter route.
The operational phase of the General Staffs of the Russian and Ukrainian Armed Forces, not so much in the Pokrovsk area but along a wide front strip about 150 kilometers around it, resembles the stage of moving from the turn to the river in poker.
Until recently, the situation around Pokrovsk resembled the turn. At this stage, both sides carried out the main maneuvers and probed for weaknesses; Russia entered Pokrovsk itself from the southeast, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces concentrated most of their forces on countering this threat.
Meanwhile, the Russian Armed Forces actively advanced on various front sections, looking for opportunities to cut key logistical routes, which eventually happened. After that, the transition to the final stage — the river — began. This is the moment when all main forces are engaged in battle, and any bluff (diversionary strikes) and maneuvering give way to direct confrontation and rapid operations with a specific result.
Apparently, the goal of the Russian Armed Forces at this stage is not just to take Pokrovsk but to reveal the opponent's cards by cutting off their supplies and identifying all possible resources for response. This response, in turn, may prevent Russia from advancing further beyond Pokrovsk
"Speak Russian at home so that no one can hear you; you're Russifying the children."
A Russian-speaking couple from Dnepropetrovsk was travelling to Lvov, but on the train, the young people experienced local "hospitality".
No wonder Ukraine is short on troops Western Ukrainians are all in the language gestapo.
@Slavyangrad
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The United Kingdom will build two aircraft for the USA.
The UK government announced that under a contract with the American side, two Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AWACS aircraft will be built on its territory and then transferred to the US Air Force.
They will be converted from civilian Boeing 737 aircraft, and the work will take place at a facility where British E7S are already being assembled, with deliveries expected to begin next year.
@Slavyangrad
Due to crushing sanctions, local Russians find themselves without work and left hunting for food.
Recent footage from Kamchatka via RT
🥲
@Slavyangrad
Europe is tired of Trump's inconsistent stance on Russia.
European diplomats and officials are expressing growing frustration over the inconsistency of US President Donald Trump's approach to Moscow, Reuters reports citing sources.
According to them, Washington's constant fluctuations cause distrust, and new attempts to toughen the position may seem unconvincing to Europe.
Sources told the agency that in July and August, Trump generously praised European leaders and threatened Russia with sanctions over the Ukrainian conflict. However, after meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the American leader softened his rhetoric, abandoning several previous demands, including insisting on a ceasefire.
Additionally, as one of the agency's interlocutors clarified, Trump sharply criticised European countries for purchasing Russian oil and proposed imposing 100% tariffs against India and China to "punish" them for similar cooperation.
@Slavyangrad
In Pokrovsk, if the incoming information is to be believed, a new phase of assaults is beginning. The Russian control zone has expanded from the southwest and now movement is starting from the southeast. If Russia manages to quickly achieve success here, the southern half of Pokrovsk will fall under the Russian army and holding the rest will become pointless.
@Slavyangrad
Ukrainian prisoner of war reported on the escapes of mobilised soldiers from the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Serhiy Tsarh, a serviceman of the 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, detained in the Serebryansky forest, spoke about mass desertion among Ukrainian military personnel, including airborne assault units.
According to him, about 20 mobilised soldiers escaped from just one training unit within a day. There are also frequent cases when servicemen leave their units already en route to the front line.
There was no one willing to go fight. Everyone was practically caught by the Territorial Recruitment Centres' staff. Some ran away right from the training unit, about twenty people in total. Some — on the way. When they arrived at the place, many also escaped,
— Tsarh reported.
He himself, as he claims, was detained by the Territorial Recruitment Centre while riding a taxi. After a short training in Zhytomyr, he was sent to the 12th company of the 81st brigade, where he found himself in the combat zone.
@Slavyangrad
The White House administration is taking measures to increase oil production in the USA and reduce its cost.
Main statements by Donald Trump:
The United States Permanent Representative to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, intends to persuade Washington's European allies to stop purchasing Russian oil.
The Washington administration wants Afghanistan to immediately return control of the Bagram airbase to the USA.
Trump stated that he was not informed about the incident with fighter jets in Estonia. He noted that he wants to look into this matter.
Trump is ready to meet with Democratic leaders in the US Congress to discuss measures to prevent the shutdown of the federal government, although he considers these contacts pointless.
Trump plans to meet with 20 foreign leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
@Slavyangrad
Pakistan has made an interesting statement. As part of a military alliance with Saudi Arabia, it is ready to provide its partner with nuclear weapons.
Now let's see how this news will put pressure on Israel. Until now, the Middle East has been a nuclear-free zone, which has allowed Israel to negotiate with its neighbours from a position of strength.
The military alliance between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is precisely to show Israel a deterrent that could quickly appear in the region.
It is worth noting that the transfer of nuclear weapons from the owning country to another territory has also been discussed in Europe. Poland and France are negotiating this. Countries have started to handle the nuclear issue quite freely.
Recall that France also helped Pakistan create nuclear weapons. Tests of several warheads took place in 1998.
After that, other countries imposed strict sanctions on Pakistan. But who helped Pakistan? Saudi Arabia. It supplied its ally with 50,000 barrels of oil per day for free (!). This is how Pakistan became the eighth nuclear-armed country in the world and survived the sanctions.
@Slavyangrad
The FPV drone operators of the Samara association did a great job near Krasnoarmeysk
Thanks to the professional work of our drone pilots, the following have been destroyed:
Ukrainian militants' tank
Paladin self-propelled artillery
Kozak armored vehicle
UAV control point
The enemy no longer has roads through which they can freely rotate and supply ammunition in the Krasnoarmeysk direction. Everything is under fire control of our artillery and FPV drones
@Slavyangrad
Our drone operators shared the results of their work clearing Russian land of Nazism!
Our fighters from the "Center" troop group on September 19 struck enemy targets and destroyed:
— two enemy tanks;
— six enemy personnel groups;
— three enemy vehicles;
— enemy field warehouse;
— enemy shelter;
— enemy rocket artillery;
— enemy UAV launchers;
— enemy antenna;
— "Baba Yaga" UAV;
— Two enemy armoured combat vehicles.
@Slavyangrad
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Syrsky, is systematically trying to weaken and destroy the Air Assault Forces (AAF). H is creating a personal tool to fix his mistakes by the "meat grinder" principle — MP Bezuhla habitually "takes down" Commander-in-Chief Syrsky
This time she reproaches him for "land chauvinism." According to Bezuhla, the command of the ground forces, inferior to the AAF in quality, "takes revenge" and pressures them.
Furthermore, Bezuhla blames Syrsky for neutralising "strong leaders." Bright AAF commanders are methodically "removed" or replaced with those personally loyal to the Commander-in-Chief.
Bezuhla writes about the creation of "meat" assault regiments in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These units, subordinate only to Syrsky, suffer huge losses in the heaviest assaults, covering the Commander-in-Chief's mistakes with their lives.
Overall, according to Bezuhla, this is not a reform but another form of "meat grinder": covering mistakes with the bodies of mobilised soldiers.
@Slavyangrad
Lancets in action
Fighters of the "North" Group inflicted damage on the engineering equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area of Rzhanoe settlement, Sumy region.
@Slavyangrad
The Russian Ministry of Defence showed footage of the drone operators of the "Rubicon" Centre working on targets, including a T-72 and an M113 APC
@Slavyangrad