Posted on 02/24/2024 5:59:01 AM PST by SpeedyInTexas
“Merz failed the first vote and still got installed. This wasn’t democracy.”
That is a knowing lie on your part. You already knew that Metz was duly elected in the second round of voting, with 325 votes (316 needed). The normal democratic process was followed.
That repetition proves you to be a willing liar.
Truth is not a frequent ally of the Muscovians.
Ukrainian forces continued limited attacks across the international border near Tetkino and Novyi Put, Kursk Oblast. Russian milbloggers claimed on May 6 that Russian forces repelled the Ukrainian attacks near Novyi Put and Volfino (southwest of Glushkovo) and that fighting continued near the railway station in southern Tetkino (southwest of Glushkovo).[1] Several Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces seized up to two streets in southwestern Tetkino, but ISW has not observed confirmation of this claim.[2] Russian milbloggers claimed that elements of the Russian 83rd Airborne (VDV) Brigade, 217th VDV Regiment (98th VDV Division), and 56th VDV Regiment (7th VDV Division) are defending near Tetkino.[3]
Ukrainian forces also continued drone, air, and artillery strikes aimed at isolating Russian units in and near Tetkino. Geolocated footage published on May 6 shows Ukrainian forces conducting a Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guided munition strike on a Russian position in southwestern Tetkino, indicating that Russian forces maintain positions near the Tetkino Railway Station.[4] Russian milbloggers continued to claim that Ukrainian forces are conducting drone and artillery strikes against Russian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) to isolate Russian units near Tetkino.[5] A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian drones have interdicted and maintained fire control over an unspecified section of the 38K-040 Tetkino-Karyzh highway.[6] Russian milbloggers claimed on May 5 that Ukrainian forces destroyed a bridge over the Seim River between Zvannoye (northwest of Glushkovo) and Tetkino.[7]
Kremlin officials are continuing to leverage the mythos of the Soviet Union's role in the Second World War to form the basis of a new state ideology that will span generations and that Russia intends to leverage to justify a future military conflict against the West. Russian Security Council Secretary and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu published an op-ed in the official Russian government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta on May 6, arguing that military and political unity against a common enemy is Russia's only path to a strong and victorious future.[8] Shoigu repeatedly juxtaposed the Red Army's defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War (referred to as the Great Patriotic War in Russia) with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Shoigu extolled the Soviet State Defense Committee's (an executive governing body established following Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union) “strictly centralized framework” that ensured effective coordination and implementation of orders on the frontline and the home front. Shoigu stated that Russian public consciousness experienced a national identity crisis following the fall of the Soviet Union and underscored the importance of preserving and strengthening traditional Russian spiritual and moral values to resolve this crisis and form an unofficial Russian state ideology (the Russian constitution forbids the adoption of a formal state ideology).[9] Shoigu reiterated Russian narratives designed to justify Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and accused the collective West of preparing for a direct military conflict with Russia and seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia.
Russian officials also appear to be leveraging the story of the Second World War (referred to as the Great Patriotic War in Russia) to dismiss Russia's early failures in the war in Ukraine and present the false image that Russian victory in Ukraine is as inevitable as the Soviet triumph over Germany became at the end of World War II. Shoigu noted in the May 6 article that the Soviet Union made “mistakes” when planning for a war with Nazi Germany, including failing to properly equip and manage Soviet troops, and suffered from poor strategic planning and ineffective military doctrine.[17] Shoigu claimed that Nazi Germany was able to exploit these mistakes to make significant advances early in the war (to the gates of Moscow, in fact), but that the Soviet Union was able to improve its capabilities and mobilize society to support an eventual victory. Shoigu’s article notably ignores the role that the Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact, which Joseph Stalin used to seize the Baltic States and part of Poland while Adolf Hitler invaded the rest of Poland in 1939, played in Stalin's unwillingness to prepare for war with Nazi Germany. Shoigu’s comments are likely an attempt to use references to the Second World War to tacitly acknowledge the Russian military's shortcomings at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, for which Shoigu was to a considerable extent responsible as Defense Minister. Shoigu’s retelling of the Second World War mirrors Russia's unpreparedness for a long war at the start of the full-scale invasion and significant setbacks in 2022 when Ukraine forced the Russian military to withdraw from around Kyiv and from northern Ukraine and liberated significant swathes of territory in Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts. Shoigu is also attempting to draw parallels to the Second World War to frame the Russian military as having secured the permanent initiative on the battlefield and portray a Russian victory in Ukraine as inevitable to both the international community and the domestic Russian populace. Shoigu is likely attempting to draw on the mythos of the Second World War to signal to domestic audiences that Russian victory is near and requires united societal support, even though Russia has no significant battlefield successes to flaunt on Victory Day 2025.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-6-2025
Other preparations are more obvious. On May 5, practically all mobile networks in Russia were disrupted. Most complaints were heard from Moscow. And this is no coincidence. Russia apparently plans to block access to mobile networks and the Internet to protect the Victory Day parade in Moscow from possible attacks, which would apparently be coordinated using those public communications. Since rehearsals for the parade were already underway, the networks were blocked.
Moscow, especially Red Square, is famous for its electronic warfare systems, used even during periods of peace. For example, GPS navigation often does not work there. Russia can block all mobile communications in the center of its capital. This is, of course, to prevent spies, drones and other weapon systems from using them.
Meanwhile, some Ukrainian experts believe that something might go wrong in Russia's Victory Day parade, but it wouldn't be Ukraine's fault. There are some concerns that Russia might be planning some false-flag operations. For example, they could organize attacks against the parade and blame Ukraine for them. This could be in attempts to justify further attacks against Ukraine or to prove to the US that, allegedly, it is Ukraine that doesn't want peace.
Кремлевская табакерка
Putin to be protected by special cross, icon and blessed bulletproof vest on Victory Day
A source in the Kremlin close to Vladimir Putin told us about this. According to him, “many hope that the president will decide to be cautious and not come to the parade.” “You won't get it. Vladimir Vladimirovich is aware of all the threats, but measures will be taken to ensure that none of these threats come true,” the channel's source addressed ill-wishers. He noted that the Church has also taken measures to protect the president along with the special services. “Vladimir Vladimirovich will be very seriously protected at the parade. He will wear a blessed cross with his initials, a pectoral icon of St. Prince Vladimir, personally blessed by Patriarch Kirill, and a special bulletproof vest. It was also blessed by the patriarch. Some people may find this strange, but the stakes are too high, we cannot take risks,” Putin's ally said.
The AP [Presidential Administration] representative added that the president continues to pray fervently for the parade in Moscow on May 9 to go well. Church sources confirmed this information to us and said that they are “proud of the spiritual protection that they have established and created for Vladimir Vladimirovich.”
https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/5629
In Muscovite Russia, supernaturalism was a fundamental part of daily life.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/4219673/posts?page=15346#15346
Kadyrov is losing his chances to stay
The main topic of the day was Ramzan Kadyrov’s statement about his resignation. All the media outlets are carrying around quotes from the still head of Chechnya as if they were some kind of sensation. But, as usual, there is a nuance - we wrote about the fact that Kadyrov could be removed in the next two months, and also that the president received a request for his resignation, literally last week. Here is that very post.
What is interesting here is something else: what forced Kadyrov to go public with this information? According to our information, the head of the Presidential Administration Anton Vaino personally informed the head of Chechnya that the president was very unhappy with him and even angry at Kadyrov because of a number of his actions. After this, Kadyrov almost immediately called Viktor Zolotov. He advised Ramzan Akhmatovich to disappear from the media field for a while, but the head of Chechnya decided to go for broke.
“Kadyrov’s chances of staying have significantly decreased. And even a belated clarification of his words is unlikely to help,” - this is how the situation was commented in the Kremlin. The FSB stressed that the key point is to avoid a lot of bloodshed in the Caucasus and ensure a calm transfer of power.
The Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Urals Federal District, Artem Zhoga, believes that the SVO “will almost certainly end in the summer.” Several sources close to the politician told us this.
“Artem Vladimirovich said in the winter that the hot phase of the SVO in Ukraine would end in the spring. Everything was heading that way, but several unpredictable events happened. That's why the deadlines have shifted a little. Now, in personal conversations, Artem Vladimirovich constantly expresses confidence that the SVO will no longer exist in the fall, and that everything will end in the summer,” one of them said.
According to Zhoga, there are many reasons for such a quick end to military operations. Among them are the economic situation, the fatigue of a significant portion of the military, the need for partial demobilization , and the unpreparedness of some of the elites for the start of a new serious wave of mobilization .
Another significant reason, according to Zhoga’s associates, is “the fact that many influential people are unhappy with the situation in Russia.” “Drones are flying over Moscow and the region at any time of the day. Then missiles may start flying. We cannot even ensure a safe reception for foreign delegations. Preparations for Victory Day are taking place in an atmosphere of nervousness and even fear. Serious people simply understand that no one can guarantee them the protection of their lives, health and property. That is why many want to stop what is happening. And they will increasingly talk about their wishes to Vladimir Vladimirovich and his associates. And this is an important factor,” one of the sources explained.
“We are waiting for the end of the SVO in the summer and are preparing for the return of the military and veterans to civilian life. This is now the most important task for us,” another added. Interlocutors in the Kremlin declined to comment on Zhogi’s forecasts. But they emphasized that “they respect his opinion.”
https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/5632
It's the economy, stupid
Merz won because they installed him.
They cheated .
— Guard of the Night Watch MEGA-MAGA (@Spoocke007) May 6, 2025
Kadyrov is an ardent Putin loyalist and an important pillar of Putin‘s rule. There is probably nobody who holds as much as power in the Russian world as Kadyrov, except for Putin. His resignation probably caused due to his deteriorating health situation could cause a major chain reaction in Russia.
Many in the Russia media sphere and Russia altogether are almost entirely holding their breath. Russia is entering uncharted waters.
https://x.com/Tendar/status/1919870386755317881
Increased risk of instability in Chechnya and figths among the different groups.
https://x.com/MFA_Ukraine/status/1919789516518539775
30 s video
Percent of population (military and civilian) WW2. Ukraine lost 16.3% of its people
Putin's inner circle is worried. “Bad doubts are creeping in,” more internal enemies are emerging who want the SVO to end.
The attacks on Ukraine, including on Moscow, and their consequences have sharply and very quickly increased the number of potential internal enemies who want the SVO to end as quickly as possible under any conditions. Several sources in Vladimir Putin's inner circle told us about this.
“It is no secret that there are those who want the fighting to end, and as quickly as possible. The current situation, everything that is happening with the airports and so on, unfortunately, have sharply activated them. People who were true patriots just yesterday are now whispering that, they say, “everything needs to end”. Enemies and potential enemies have raised their heads and are starting to spread rumors that Vladimir Vladimirovich allegedly does not control the situation. What's next? Will someone again think about an assassination attempt on the president ? The situation, frankly speaking, is very alarming. But we will respond to the threats, and harshly,” noted one of the channel's interlocutors.
Another admitted that Vladimir Vladimirovich is, indeed, a little nervous. “The fact that we were unable to organize adequate, safe preparation for the Victory Day parade and protect its participants is, of course, a disgrace. That's what the president says. We need to find all the culprits. Including, seriously figure out why the military sent drones so close to Moscow. What are they even doing?” the source was indignant.
In his opinion, “it is important that Vladimir Vladimirovich protected himself, including with the help of icons and crosses”. “It's good that we are scaring the enemy with “Oreshnik” . But this will not solve all the problems. I expect strong public steps from our president. Some kind of statements, after which Russia will understand that everything is fine! Because some bad doubts are creeping in, they need to be stopped! And of course, it is necessary to deal with the enemies - external and internal,” our interlocutor added.
Third day in a row:
Wave of drones target Moscow again, prompting further airport closures
Kyiv Independent reports:
“May 7, becoming the latest in a wave of drone incursions targeting the Russian capital ahead of Victory Day celebrations...
...Earlier today, Ukrainian drones targeted the Bazalt plant in Krasnoarmeysk, Moscow Oblast, Russia’s primary manufacturer of munitions and weaponry for all branches of its military. Simultaneously, another strike hit the Splav plant in Tula, a city located about 180 kilometers (110 miles) south of Moscow.
The strikes, according to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), triggered heightened alert measures across Moscow Oblast, forcing Russian authorities to enact “Plan Cover,” a security protocol that includes grounding civilian air traffic.
Airports across Moscow and the surrounding oblast temporarily shut down, stranding thousands of passengers and forcing airlines to cancel or reroute hundreds of flights on May 7.
This latest wave of drones prompted renewed temporary airport closures across the region. Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency announced that flight operations were suspended from 7:15 p.m. local time at Domodedovo Airport, the biggest one in Moscow, as well as at Zhukovsky, and Kaluga airports, whose operations were suspended earlier.”
What a cluster it must be for Russian commercial aviation.
Denys Davydov, a Russian speaking commercial airline pilot, pointed out that the airports being closed were the big ones, with all the facilities, while the airports that had to accept the flights were small ones, that lacked adequate local hotel space, refueling capability, baggage handling, etc..
Passengers were often just left to sit in the planes overnight. This was the third night in a row for this chaos.
Municipal workers in Moscow seen today on apartment building roofs serving as drone spotters.
Kyiv Independent reports:
“German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to visit Ukraine soon as part of efforts to promote a long-term ceasefire with Russia, German broadcaster Tagesschau reported on May 7.
World leaders who confirmed their attendance of the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9. pic.twitter.com/np8tCawavw— Russian Embassy in Kenya/Посольство России в Кении (@russembkenya) May 6, 2025
The Ukrainian group Ziferblat that will go to Eurovision this year. pic.twitter.com/wZaC1ud0sh— Olga Bazova (@OlgaBazova) May 6, 2025
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