Ukraine’s maritime drones can now reach a Russian Navy base until now regarded as safe. When the drones (USVs) were used to attack Sevastopol on October 29 they resulted in a major shift in Russian Navy operations. The threat is regarded as so serious that new defenses were added in Sevastopol. And the Russian Navy, which early in the war dominated the Black Sea, barely leaves port. Now this threat has reached another major Russian Navy base at Novorossiysk.
Local Russian sources have reported that a Ukrainian ‘naval drone’ has struck the Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk at night. This is strategically important.
Novorossiysk is a major naval base and oil terminal on Russia’s Black Sea coast. At 420 miles (675 km) from Odesa, it is much further from Ukrainian held territory than Sevastopol. It has until now been regarded as out of range of Ukrainian attacks.
We have not yet been able to independent verify all of the details of the attack. However, the story has been reported in multiple local sources and a video has been shared. There are also reports that a spokesperson for the Russian oil company Transneft has denied the attack. And some Russian reports have now been removed. Despite this, Naval News regards it as plausible and credible and, at this time, believes that it did occur.
There's a discussion of the above article here:
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 1:33 am
by waitingtoconnect
How long until Hunter Biden means the house republicans block all further weapons to Ukraine I wonder.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 3:00 am
by gbasden
waitingtoconnect wrote: ↑Sat Nov 19, 2022 1:33 am
How long until Hunter Biden means the house republicans block all further weapons to Ukraine I wonder.
I certainly hope that the administration and congress accelerate weapons delivery to Ukraine while they have a majority.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 6:07 pm
by Carpet_pissr
waitingtoconnect wrote: ↑Sat Nov 19, 2022 1:33 am
How long until Hunter Biden means the house republicans block all further weapons to Ukraine I wonder.
Altogether, the Biden administration received Congressional approval for $40bn in aid for Ukraine for 2022 and has requested an additional $37.7bn for 2022. More than half of this aid has been earmarked for defense.
These sums pale into insignificance when set against a total US defense budget of $715bn for 2022. The assistance represents 5.6% of total US defense spending. ... US spending of 5.6% of its defense budget to destroy nearly half of Russia’s conventional military capability seems like an absolutely incredible investment. If we divide out the US defense budget to the threats it faces, Russia would perhaps be of the order of $100bn-150bn in spend-to-threat. So spending just $40bn a year, erodes a threat value of $100-150bn, a two-to-three time return.
...
Second, the war has served to destroy the myth that Russian military technology is somehow comparable to that of the US and West. Remember that Ukraine is using only upgraded second generation US technology but is consistently beating whatever Russia’s military can deploy. ... Note also that the war is also pushing NATO partners to quickly increase spending to the 2% of GDP and above target. Given the US’ technological advantage in defense equipment, a sizeable share of this additional military outlay will be spent on US equipment.
...
Third, the revelation that Russia’s defense industry is something of a Potemkin village also generates other strategic and diplomatic wins for the US.
...
Fourth, helping Ukraine beat Russia surely also sends a powerful signal to China that the US and its allies are strong and determined when challenged on issues of core importance.
...
Fifth, the war in Ukraine is encouraging and accelerating the energy transition in Europe, but also Europe’s diversification away from Russian energy.
For perspective, how much did the US spend to lose wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, countries that (while they did pose some threats) were never geopolitical rivals?
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 12:53 am
by Isgrimnur
I would be perfectly fine for China and Russia to be left to their own end of the world until they want to play nicely with others.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 1:13 am
by Kraken
If only they would stay there.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:37 am
by Defiant
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:39 am
by malchior
It doesn't even look like him so I actually thought perhaps it was for another official. It also doesn't escape my notice that this is in english. It's aimed at white supremacists *here* in the western world and probably where it has the most impact - in the United States.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:43 am
by El Guapo
malchior wrote: ↑Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:39 am
It doesn't even look like him so I actually thought perhaps it was for another official. It also doesn't escape my notice that this is in english. It's aimed at white supremacists *here* in the western world and probably where it has the most impact - in the United States.
The post is from the Russian embassy in the UK, which is probably why it is in English. But yes, possibly aimed at white supremacists in the west. I am also curious if there are any posts like this from other Russian embassies.
malchior wrote: ↑Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:39 am
It doesn't even look like him so I actually thought perhaps it was for another official. It also doesn't escape my notice that this is in english. It's aimed at white supremacists *here* in the western world and probably where it has the most impact - in the United States.
The post is from the Russian embassy in the UK, which is probably why it is in English.
This gets it backwards. They were targeting white supremacists in the west and chose the UK to release it.
But yes, possibly aimed at white supremacists in the west. I am also curious if there are any posts like this from other Russian embassies.
I can't see any other reason other than to target white supremacists. It isn't going to influence policy makers in the UK. Like at all.
malchior wrote: ↑Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:39 am
It doesn't even look like him so I actually thought perhaps it was for another official. It also doesn't escape my notice that this is in english. It's aimed at white supremacists *here* in the western world and probably where it has the most impact - in the United States.
The post is from the Russian embassy in the UK, which is probably why it is in English.
This gets it backwards. They were targeting white supremacists in the west and chose the UK to release it.
But yes, possibly aimed at white supremacists in the west. I am also curious if there are any posts like this from other Russian embassies.
I can't see any other reason other than to target white supremacists. It isn't going to influence policy makers in the UK. Like at all.
Do we know how centralized the structure is for Russian embassies? Obviously no one's going to want to post anything that displeases Moscow, but I'm not sure how much of the communications day to day in an embassy are driven by officials in Moscow vs. people in the embassies.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:56 am
by malchior
El Guapo wrote: ↑Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:53 amDo we know how centralized the structure is for Russian embassies? Obviously no one's going to want to post anything that displeases Moscow, but I'm not sure how much of the communications day to day in an embassy are driven by officials in Moscow vs. people in the embassies.
It's possible someone local did it but this smells like something their military propagandists thought up.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2022 11:35 am
by Defiant
Well, I looked at the twitter accounts for the Russian embassy to the US, France and Netherlands (assuming they're the genuine accounts) and didn't see a similar meme there.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:32 pm
by Kurth
Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 12:53 am
I would be perfectly fine for China and Russia to be left to their own end of the world until they want to play nicely with others.
On behalf of the global economy, can I point out that it might not be in anyone’s best interest to cut off 1.5B Chinese consumers?
Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 12:53 am
I would be perfectly fine for China and Russia to be left to their own end of the world until they want to play nicely with others.
On behalf of the global economy, can I point out that it might not be in anyone’s best interest to cut off 1.5B Chinese consumers?
Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 12:53 am
I would be perfectly fine for China and Russia to be left to their own end of the world until they want to play nicely with others.
On behalf of the global economy, can I point out that it might not be in anyone’s best interest to cut off 1.5B Chinese consumers?
I'm fine selling them butter, but no guns.
I don’t believe we sell much in the way of guns to China. It’s the butter we want to keep on selling!
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:52 pm
by Carpet_pissr
Kurth wrote: ↑Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:32 pm
But Russia? Who gives a fuck?
An alarming number of GOP Congress members, and at least a handful of Fox News personalities.
Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 12:53 am
I would be perfectly fine for China and Russia to be left to their own end of the world until they want to play nicely with others.
On behalf of the global economy, can I point out that it might not be in anyone’s best interest to cut off 1.5B Chinese consumers?
I'm fine selling them butter, but no guns.
I don’t believe we sell much in the way of guns to China. It’s the butter we want to keep on selling!
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2022 6:11 pm
by El Guapo
Also if we sell them tons of butter then they'll get just as overweight as us, limiting their ability to out-compete us.
Kurth wrote: ↑Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:32 pm
But Russia? Who gives a fuck?
An alarming number of GOP Congress members, and at least a handful of Fox News personalities.
Aye. Alarming but no longer surprising, if that's possible. Though some instances are surprising. I'm still trying to figure out why Shelby was part of the Russian Convoy on independence day 2018.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 10:03 pm
by malchior
Excellent. I think this is mostly for show but still it is inherently a moral action.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 10:20 pm
by Blackhawk
"I propose designating the European Parliament as a sponsor of idiocy," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram.
Wow, the Russians are really playing to their own tropes, aren't they?
The list prices of Starlink communications devices have nearly doubled in Ukraine, as mobile networks have started failing under Russia’s assault on the country’s electricity grid and increased demand for the SpaceX-manufactured satellite communication device.
Starlink terminals, which are made by Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, will increase in price to $700 for new Ukrainian consumers, according to the company’s website. This represents a rise from about $385 earlier this year, screenshots of past pricing data shared by users inside the country show.
The consumer cost of the monthly subscription to Starlink has fluctuated recently, dropping from about $100 to $60 on Ukraine’s Independence day on August 24 to “reflect local market conditions,” and will now rise to $75.
Prices have also soared in neighboring Poland, where many Ukrainians source Starlink to avoid problems with domestic mail delivery, but remained the same in Slovakia and most other European countries.
Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The list prices of Starlink communications devices have nearly doubled in Ukraine, as mobile networks have started failing under Russia’s assault on the country’s electricity grid and increased demand for the SpaceX-manufactured satellite communication device.
Starlink terminals, which are made by Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, will increase in price to $700 for new Ukrainian consumers, according to the company’s website. This represents a rise from about $385 earlier this year, screenshots of past pricing data shared by users inside the country show.
The consumer cost of the monthly subscription to Starlink has fluctuated recently, dropping from about $100 to $60 on Ukraine’s Independence day on August 24 to “reflect local market conditions,” and will now rise to $75.
Prices have also soared in neighboring Poland, where many Ukrainians source Starlink to avoid problems with domestic mail delivery, but remained the same in Slovakia and most other European countries.
Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Apparently, Musk plans to put 12K Starlink satellites in orbit. Looking forward to watching him build that out only to have the government nationalize it when his increasingly erratic behavior makes his control of Starlink a national security threat.
The list prices of Starlink communications devices have nearly doubled in Ukraine, as mobile networks have started failing under Russia’s assault on the country’s electricity grid and increased demand for the SpaceX-manufactured satellite communication device.
Starlink terminals, which are made by Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, will increase in price to $700 for new Ukrainian consumers, according to the company’s website. This represents a rise from about $385 earlier this year, screenshots of past pricing data shared by users inside the country show.
The consumer cost of the monthly subscription to Starlink has fluctuated recently, dropping from about $100 to $60 on Ukraine’s Independence day on August 24 to “reflect local market conditions,” and will now rise to $75.
Prices have also soared in neighboring Poland, where many Ukrainians source Starlink to avoid problems with domestic mail delivery, but remained the same in Slovakia and most other European countries.
Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Apparently, Musk plans to put 12K Starlink satellites in orbit. Looking forward to watching him build that out only to have the government nationalize it when his increasingly erratic behavior makes his control of Starlink a national security threat.
I hope that Biden has the stones to do that if and when necessary. I wouldn't rule out that he does...but I'm not totally sure. And if he does, not hard to imagine Musk getting a Trumpist judge to enjoin it for at least as long as it matters.
Of course, may well be in both Biden and Musk / Starlink's interests to come to an agreement on the pricing / Ukrainian access here, under partial threat of a nationalization.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 1:08 pm
by Defiant
Ukraine's embassy in Madrid received a parcel containing animal eyes on Friday, the latest in a series of similar "bloody packages" sent to its diplomatic missions across Europe, Ukrainian and Spanish officials said.
The bloody missives follow the reception of six letter bombs sent in the past week to addresses in Spain including Ukraine's embassy in Madrid, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the U.S. Embassy to Madrid, prompting Spain to step up security.
I wish Mush would get on one of his rockets and go be the first human to land on the surface of the sun.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 3:02 pm
by hepcat
He's smart though. He'd go at night.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 3:11 pm
by Isgrimnur
Get out of my head.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 3:20 pm
by coopasonic
hepcat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 02, 2022 3:02 pm
He's smart though. He'd go at night.
I... that...
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 7:50 pm
by Holman
Meanwhile in Russia: in all seriousness, pundits and experts on Russian state TV argue whether President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is the Antichrist or just a small demon.
Modernity is going great.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 1:57 am
by hitbyambulance
Holman wrote: ↑Fri Dec 02, 2022 7:50 pm
Modernity is going great.
a few years back i worked with an international group of coworkers and one time i mentioned my mom's upcoming liver transplant surgery. the Russian guy said i needed to go to this certain shrine of the Virgin Mary in the area and pray there, and my mom would be 'instantly' healed. all the other people at the table (mostly Islamic and Hindu) just kept absolutely silent while this guy went on and on about this for an uncomfortably long time.
i'm going to a Russian Orthodox church service on the eastside tomorrow at the insistence of a friend of mine - i'm going to be treating it as an anthropological excursion for my own sanity. i can't wait to see what kind of crazy i encounter there...
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 2:02 am
by LordMortis
hitbyambulance wrote: ↑Sun Dec 04, 2022 1:57 am
i'm going to a Russian Orthodox church service on the eastside tomorrow at the insistence of a friend of mine - i'm going to be treating it as an anthropological excursion for my own sanity. i can't wait to see what kind of crazy i encounter there...
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 10:05 am
by Smoove_B
hitbyambulance wrote: ↑Sun Dec 04, 2022 1:57 am
i'm going to a Russian Orthodox church service on the eastside tomorrow at the insistence of a friend of mine - i'm going to be treating it as an anthropological excursion for my own sanity. i can't wait to see what kind of crazy i encounter there...
Incense and standing. So much of both.
Re: Ukraine
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 12:45 pm
by Holman
In Russia the Orthodox Church has been co-opted by Putin as a vehicle for Putinist Nationalism. Priests routinely pray for the destruction of Ukraine and call for believers to join the armed forces, etc.
I wonder to what degree this affects Russian Orthodox practice in the US. I assume that US-based bishops and priests still require confirmation from Moscow and take guidance from the Patriarch there.
Interestingly, there's even an American branch of Orthodoxy, although it is no more affiliated with the Russian church than are the Orthodox churches in, say, Ukraine or Poland. (Although the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople is often considered to be the representative of worldwide Orthodoxy, his authority is nothing like a Pope's.)
hitbyambulance wrote: ↑Sun Dec 04, 2022 1:57 am
i'm going to a Russian Orthodox church service on the eastside tomorrow at the insistence of a friend of mine - i'm going to be treating it as an anthropological excursion for my own sanity. i can't wait to see what kind of crazy i encounter there...
well, that was unexpected - i am not sure what denomination this place was. yes, lots of standing, but it seemed to be much more ... contemporary evangelical than anything (stage lighting, projectors, cheesy powerballad gospel rock band, passion-porn crucificixion dramatization on the video screens during communion with the vacuum-wrapped Blood & Flesh Product™ communion, etc). i think this was a branch of some Christian brand franchise, but for the life of me, i can't remember what this church was called... it WAS half in Russian, and the pastor (another giveaway) only spoke Russian during his spiel. (all lyrics were in English and Russian on the projectors, and it seemed there were a lot of Russian-speaking immigrants who barely spoke English. all the people i met were just fine in my initial round of introductions. i was speaking to one of the congregation afterwards who said this whole approach is taken widely in Europe and that it feels 'familiar' to the immigrants. can this be true? i thought this was most certainly an American thing. still, i hope my friend doesn't disown me when i tell her i do not want to go back.
hitbyambulance wrote: ↑Sun Dec 04, 2022 1:57 am
i'm going to a Russian Orthodox church service on the eastside tomorrow at the insistence of a friend of mine - i'm going to be treating it as an anthropological excursion for my own sanity. i can't wait to see what kind of crazy i encounter there...
well, that was unexpected - i am not sure what denomination this place was. yes, lots of standing, but it seemed to be much more ... contemporary evangelical than anything (stage lighting, projectors, cheesy powerballad gospel rock band, passion-porn crucificixion dramatization on the video screens during communion with the vacuum-wrapped Blood & Flesh Product™ communion, etc). i think this was a branch of some Christian brand franchise, but for the life of me, i can't remember what this church was called... it WAS half in Russian, and the pastor (another giveaway) only spoke Russian during his spiel. (all lyrics were in English and Russian on the projectors, and it seemed there were a lot of Russian-speaking immigrants who barely spoke English.
Probably it wasn't a Russian Orthodox service. Those tend to be pretty traditional and ritually scripted. Maybe it was just another Evangelical megachurch, this one catering to Russian-speaking immigrants.
In my understanding, Orthodox worship includes music only of the traditional choir-and-organ variety. They'll have incense and chanting, but not projectors and gospel rock.
all the people i met were just fine in my initial round of introductions. i was speaking to one of the congregation afterwards who said this whole approach is taken widely in Europe and that it feels 'familiar' to the immigrants. can this be true? i thought this was most certainly an American thing. still, i hope my friend doesn't disown me when i tell her i do not want to go back.
It sounds like you're being proselytized. Watch your back.
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine executed its most brazen attack into Russian territory in the nine-month-old war on Monday, targeting two military bases hundreds of miles inside the country, using unmanned drones, according to the Russian Defense Ministry and a senior Ukrainian official.
The drones were launched from Ukrainian territory, and at least one of the strikes was made with the help of special forces close to the base who helped guide the drones to the target, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to convey sensitive information.
The strikes signaled a new willingness by Kyiv to take the fight to bases in the heart of Russia, raising the stakes in the war, and demonstrated for the first time Ukraine’s ability to attack at such long distances. Shortly after the attacks on the bases, Russia sent a barrage of missiles streaking toward Ukrainian cities.
As if it weren't already real, shit's getting really real, now.
