Posted on 02/24/2024 5:59:01 AM PST by SpeedyInTexas
The Kremlin is attempting to leverage the visit of Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) CEO Kirill Dmitriev to the United States to spread Kremlin narratives in the US information space. Dmitriev gave interviews to CNN, Fox News, and US journalist Lara Logan on October 24 and 25 during his visit to the United States.[1] Dmitriev’s visit comes against the backdrop of recent US sanctions against Russian oil, the reported US authorization of Ukrainian Storm Shadow missile strikes into Russia, and the ongoing debate about the provision of US Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.[2] The Kremlin's deployment of Dmitriev to conduct a press tour within the United States indicates that Russia is concerned about the impact of these US policies. Kremlin officials have in recent weeks attempted to downplay the effects of Western sanctions on the Russian economy and the battlefield effects of Ukrainian long-range strikes — narratives that Dmitriev repeated in his interviews on October 24 and 25.[3]
Dmitriev effectively acknowledged that Ukraine has made compromises in its negotiating position while reaffirming that Russia's maximalist demands from 2021 and 2022 remain unchanged. Dmitriev acknowledged that Ukraine has altered its negotiating position and offered compromises by agreeing to a ceasefire along the current line.[4] Dmitriev said that Russia wants a “final solution” to the war to prevent its resumption — paralleling language that Kremlin officials have used to talk about Russia's demand that any peace settlement address the alleged “root causes” of the war. Dmitriev also said that the United States needs to take Russia's “national interest” into account when discussing peace in Ukraine; that NATO expansion poses an “existential threat to Russian security;” and that a settlement must take account of Russia's need to protect Russian-speakers living in eastern Ukraine.[5] Dmitriev’s statements paraphrase the Kremlin's so-called “root causes” of the war, which Russian officials have repeatedly defined as NATO's eastward expansion and Ukraine's alleged discrimination against Russian speakers.[6] The Kremlin uses this “root causes” narrative to demand the replacement of the current Ukrainian government with a Russian puppet government, Ukraine's commitment to neutrality, and the revocation of NATO's Open Door Policy.[7] Dmitriev’s and other Kremlin officials’ statements are references to long-standing Russian demands of NATO and Ukraine dating back to December 2021 and February 2022.[8]
Dmitriev also implicitly reiterated Russian President Vladimir Putin's rejection of Trump's call for a ceasefire along the current front line. Dmitriev claimed that Ukraine can break a ceasefire and that Ukraine could use it for rearmament and preparation to continue the war — the standard Russian excuse for refusing to accept a ceasefire.[9] Dmitriev claimed that the August 2025 US-Russia summit in Alaska was not about just a ceasefire but about finding a final solution to the war to prevent its resumption. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other senior Kremlin officials have repeated statements as recently as October 21 about how Russia has not changed its position since the August 2025 Alaska summit and rejects a ceasefire that “leads nowhere” and does not resolve the alleged “root causes” of the war.[10] Dmitriev notably did not directly use the “root causes” phrasing or explicitly list Russia's demands of Ukraine and the West in his interviews with US media outlets. The Kremlin appears to be adapting its informational efforts targeting the United States in the wake of reports that the Trump administration cancelled in-person meetings between US and Russian officials, including the planned summit in Budapest between Trump and Putin, after the Kremlin demonstrated its continued insistence on all of its longstanding demands.[11] Dmitriev’s statements, however, are indeed a reiteration of Russia's maximalist demands and disinterest in negotiations that amount to anything less than Ukraine's full capitulation.[12]
Dmitriev attempted to appeal to what he perceives to be Trump administration interests in order to distract from Dmitriev’s statements, which demonstrate Russia's continued unwillingness to engage in good-faith negotiations to end the war.
Russian State Duma deputies continue to publicly state that Russia has not changed its maximalist demands — contradicting Dmitriev’s attempts to obfuscate his reiteration of unchanged Russia's demands in his interviews with US media outlets. Russian State Duma International Affairs Committee First Deputy Head Alexei Chepa claimed on October 24 that Russia's position “remains unchanged” and attempted to blame Ukraine and Europe for stalling the negotiations process.[14] Chepa claimed that Russia is interested in eliminating the “root causes” of the war. Russian State Duma Defense Committee Deputy Chairman Alexei Zhuravlyov claimed on October 24 that US provisions of weapons to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia have no effect.[15] Such Kremlin statements from Duma deputies that are largely for domestic audiences continue to show that Putin remains committed to ensuring that the Russian population is primed to support his continuation of the war rather than softening Russia's demands.
Dmitriev heavily promoted US-Russian economic cooperation while subtly alluding to Russia's status as a nuclear power. Dmitriev claimed that there is still “potential for economic cooperation” between Russia and the United States, but only if the United States is “respectful” of Russia's interests.[16] Dmitriev reiterated Russia‘s proposal for the construction of a tunnel connecting Russia and the United States through the Bering Strait using US businessman Elon Musk's technology.[17] Dmitriev claimed that economic relations can be the ‘foundation of a “peaceful relationship” between the United States and Russia.[18] Dmitriev claimed that economic cooperation is possible after the countries overcome their “political difficulties” — that is, US President Donald Trump's refusal to capitulate to Russia's maximalist demands.[19] Dmitriev is promoting joint economic projects to incentivize the United States to end the war quickly on Russia's terms. Dmitriev’s talk of economic cooperation is an effort to posture Russia as cooperative and willing to work with the United States on a peace settlement and beyond, as the Trump administration has recently assessed Russia to be the impediment to peace negotiations.
Dmitriev’s comments about economic projects contained implied threats that Russia will escalate military actions if the U.S. does not concede to Russia's unchanging demands. Dmitriev repeatedly stated in the interviews that he does not have a military background and that he is merely representing Russia's economic interests in the United States.[20] Dmitriev claimed that the “security of the whole world” depends on peaceful relations between the United States and Russia, and that the Trump administration is aware of the risks of military escalation and that the “complete annihilation of humanity” is close.[21] Dmitriev’s comments are allusions to Russia's nuclear capabilities. Dmitriev is attempting to use oblique threats to push Trump to concede to Russia's demands out of fear of escalation.
The British and French-led Coalition of the Willing met on October 24 in the UK to discuss further support for Ukraine and to put pressure on Russia.[22] UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on October 24 that the Coalition of the Willing agreed on a new five-point plan to support Ukraine, which includes measures to remove Russian oil and gasoline from global markets; unlock billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to financially support Ukraine; increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin by providing Ukraine with long range weapons; and continue to work as a coalition on further security guarantees for Ukraine.[23]
Russian forces are making gains near Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad (directly east of Pokrovsk) that are significant but likely do not portend the imminent collapse of Ukrainian defenses in the area. Geolocated footage published on October 24 indicates that Russian forces recently seized Kozatske and Promin (both east of Pokrovsk) and advanced in eastern and southeastern Myrnohrad.[24] Ukrainian military sources operating near Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad told Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda in an article published on October 24 that small Russian groups are infiltrating Myrnohrad from the south and that Russian forces seized Krasnyi Lyman (north of Myrnohrad).[25] A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces have not consolidated positions within Myrnohrad and that the large number of Ukrainian drones is complicating Russian attempts to concentrate infantry near Myrnohrad.[26] A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced southeast of Myrnohrad.[27] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces, including elements of the 9th Motorized Rifle Brigade (51st Combined Arms Army [CAA], formerly 1st Donetsk People's Republic Army Corps [DNR AC], Southern Military District [SMD]) seized Rodynske (north of Pokrovsk).[28] A Russian milblogger claimed that most of Rodynske is a contested “gray zone.”[29]
Russian forces reportedly continue to infiltrate Pokrovsk. Sources told Ukrainska Pravda that at least 250 Russian soldiers are in Pokrovsk, where they are engaging in firefights with Ukrainian forces.[30] The sources noted that Russian forces are particularly targeting Ukrainian drone operators — likely as part of efforts to set battlefield conditions for further Russian advances in the area. The sources stated that Russian forces re-entered Pokrovsk in mid-August 2025 following Ukrainian clearing missions in the town in July 2025. Ukrainska Pravda reported that Russian forces have established “staging areas” near the railway within Pokrovsk, between Pokrovsk and Hryshyne (just northwest of Pokrovsk), and along the Dachenske-Novopavlivka-Hnativka line (southeast of Pokrovsk). Ukrainska Pravda reported that Russian fiber optic drones are surveilling all Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) in the area. Ukrainska Pravda's sources noted that Ukrainian forces maintain positions south of Pokrovsk. A spokesperson of a Ukrainian brigade operating in the Pokrovsk direction reported that Russian forces are “seeping” into Pokrovsk in groups of two to three.[31] The spokesperson stated that Russian forces are taking advantage of weather conditions that complicate Ukrainian drone operations, such as rain, to evacuate killed and wounded personnel. A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces are penetrating northern Pokrovsk from the central and western areas.[32]
Ukrainian and Russian sources continued to discuss the interspersal of forces on the front near Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad. Ukrainska Pravda's sources noted that some Ukrainian positions are located “between Russian lines.”[33] Russian milbloggers similarly claimed that both sides’ positions are intermingled in contested “gray zones” such that it is difficult to determine the exact contours of the front line.[34] Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported on October 24 that Ukrainian forces recently pushed the limited number of Russian forces in Myrnohrad back from the eastern and northern outskirts of the town and that Russian forces were struggling to hold positions in eastern Rodynske and in Krasnyi Lyman.[35] Mashovets’ reporting on October 24 contrasts with Ukrainska Pravda's reporting and Russian milblogger claims on October 25 about Myrnohrad, Rodynske, and Krasnyi Lyman – further highlighting the way that Russian and Ukrainian forces are occupying non-contiguous, intermingled positions in and near Pokrovsk.[36]
Russian forces are employing infiltration tactics in other areas of the front line for informational effects. The Ukrainian 16th Army Corps reported on October 25 that Russian forces used infiltration tactics to break into Bolohivka (southeast of Velykyi Burluk) with forces numbering up to 200 personnel operating in small groups.[37] The corps noted that Russian forces recently published footage showing Russian troops holding flags in the settlement but reported that Ukrainian forces maintain control over Bolohivka. Geolocated footage published on October 24 shows Ukrainian forces striking Russian forces in southeastern Kostyantynivka.[38] Additional geolocated footage published on October 25 shows Russian servicemembers holding a Russian flag in northern Kurylivka (southeast of Kupyansk).[39] ISW assesses that Russian forces conducted infiltration missions into Kostyantynivka and Kurylivka and that these infiltration missions did not change the forward edge of the battle area (FEBA) at this time. Russian infiltration missions into Pokrovsk, where Russian forces are specifically targeting Ukrainian drone operators, appear to have the tactical purpose of setting conditions for further Russian advances. Recent Russian infiltration missions into Bolohivka, Kurylivka, and Kostyantynivka, in contrast, likely aim to further Kremlin informational efforts to exaggerate the Russian rate of advance. Russia has increasingly relied on footage showing Russian flag raisings to claim advances in areas where Russian forces conducted small group infiltration missions and did not establish enduring positions.[40] Russian authorities have used these alleged gains to support false Russian narratives of sweeping advances, such as in Kupyansk.[41] These narratives support the wider Kremlin effort to falsely portray a Russian victory in Ukraine as inevitable, such that Ukraine and the West should concede to Russia's demands now.[42]
A Ukrainian brigade operating in the Druzhkivka direction reported on October 25 that Russian forces conducted a reinforced platoon-sized mechanized assault consisting of five armored vehicles attacking toward Volodymyrivka (southwest of Druzhkivka) from Novotoretske (southwest of Volodymyrivka).[43] The brigade reported that Russian forces relied on weather conditions hindering Ukrainian drone operations to conduct the attack, but that as many as three vehicles got stuck in swampy terrain, after which Russian infantry disembarked into the water. The brigade reported that Ukrainian forces disabled or destroyed all five of the vehicles. Geolocated footage from the Ukrainian brigade shows three Russian armored personnel carriers (APCs) stuck in the Kazennyi Torets River southwest of Volodymyrivka.[44] The geolocated footage also shows a fourth partially submerged vehicle in the river and a damaged APC within Novotoretske.[45] An open-source analyst on X (formerly Twitter) reported that Ukrainian forces destroyed at least 16 vehicles in the area, suggesting that the reinforced platoon-sized mechanized assault was only one wave of a larger attack.[46] ISW will continue to monitor reports with more details about the mechanized assault.
ISW continues to assess that Russian forces are increasing the frequency of mechanized assaults in Ukraine to take advantage of rainy and foggy weather conditions that complicate Ukrainian drone operations.[47] The Ventusky weather radar recorded rainfall near Volodymyrivka on the morning of October 25, and ISW previously noted that the lingering dampness and poor conditions that immediately follow rainfall likely degrade Ukrainian drone capabilities for several hours.[48] The spokesperson of a Ukrainian brigade operating in the Pokrovsk direction reported on October 25 that weather conditions like rain are temporarily complicating Ukrainian drone operations and that Russian forces are trying to exploit this fact to evacuate wounded and killed servicemembers from the battlefield.[49] The spokesperson of a Ukrainian brigade operating in the Lyman direction similarly reported on October 25 that Russian forces recently waited for bad weather conditions when Ukrainian forces reduced their drone activity before conducting a mechanized assault in the area.[50]
The October 25 attack near Volodymyrivka is the latest in Russia's renewed efforts in the past weeks to conduct mechanized assaults in the area. Russian forces conducted an at least reinforced company-sized mechanized assault near Pankivka (immediately west of Volodymyrivka) around October 6; a reinforced battalion-sized mechanized assault south of Shakhove (immediately north of Volodymyrivka) and Volodymyrivka on October 9; a reinforced company-sized mechanized assault near Shakhove on October 13; and a reduced battalion-sized Russian mechanized assault toward Volodymyrivka and Shakhove on October 16.[51] Geolocated evidence indicated that only the October 9 attack resulted in a Russian advance.[52] Russian forces continue to suffer vehicle losses that are disproportionately high compared to the limited gains —if any — that these Russian mechanized assaults are achieving. Russia's current practice of leveraging weather conditions to suppress the effects of Ukrainian drone strikes against mechanized activity appears insufficient, as Ukrainian forces have still been able to largely stop the mechanized attacks and prevent significant Russian advances. Russian mechanized assaults, however, may allow Russian forces to dismount infantry closer to Ukrainian positions to conduct subsequent infiltration missions.
Russian aircraft may have violated Japanese airspace on October 24. Reuters reported on October 24 that Japan scrambled jets on October 24 to monitor Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers that flew along the edge of Japanese airspace along its western coast over the Sea of Japan.[53] The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) reported that Russia flew two Tu-95 bombers escorted by two Su-35 fighter jets toward Japan's Sado Island before turning northwards.[54] Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi stated on October 24 that Russia conducts daily military operations around Japan.[55] Japanese Prime Minister Sana Takaichi had pledged to accelerate Japan's defense buildup just hours before the incident. The Russian MoD acknowledged on October 24 that unspecified “foreign countries” escorted its jets during a “routine” flight patrol over alleged neutral waters.[56]
Ukraine's European allies continue to provide military aid to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on October 24 that France will provide Ukraine with additional Aster missiles and new Mirage aircraft in the coming days and that the UK will accelerate the delivery of over 5,000 multi-purpose missiles to Ukraine.[57] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on October 25 that Ukraine expects Sweden to begin delivering its promised 150 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine in early 2026.[58]
more + maps https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-25-2025/
Italian Senator @CarloCalenda left Jeffrey Sachs literally speechless and shocked by calling him a liar and a propagandist.
It happened on Prime Time Italian television. Priceless 🤩
[ENG SUB]
https://x.com/Ander_Bruckes/status/1981710482257100805
Part 2
https://x.com/Ander_Bruckes/status/1981710728735387913
Behold the "Green" future they promised: powerful German industry completely enslaved to Chinese supply chains. Our globalist elites systematically hollowed out the West, trading our industrial sovereignty for cheap parts from a geopolitical rival. They wanted us dependent. Now, the masters in Beijing are simply tightening the leash.
The so-called “engine of Europe” is coughing up smoke. Germany’s economy isn’t just slowing - it’s unraveling.
The hospitality sector, once the soft cushion of the Mittelstand, just posted catastrophic summer numbers: real turnover down 3.5% in August, even in peak holiday season.
The party’s over - restaurants, hotels, caterers all sinking in unison.
Behind the scenes, the industrial heart that powered postwar Germany has lost a quarter of its output since 2018.
Factories closing, firms fleeing, 270,000 manufacturing jobs gone in just over a year. The private sector shrinks; the bureaucracy swells by 50,000 new state jobs.
1.3 million private-sector jobs erased. Insolvencies up 27% in hospitality alone. The country’s on track for 25,000 corporate collapses this year - €60 billion in economic wreckage.
Berlin’s fix? Cut restaurant VAT back to 7%. A symbolic band-aid on a corpse.
Germany’s problem isn’t inflation - it’s exhaustion. Too many taxes, too much red tape, too little faith.
The beer’s still cold, but the optimism’s gone flat.
Oh look at the third row - isn’t that the box that houses the trolls on this thread?
Кремлевская табакерка
Regarding the reduction of payments to contract soldiers, sources in the Kremlin told us that a number of governors and heads of regions are submitting proposals to equalize payments when concluding contracts with the Ministry of Defense. The possibility of reducing one-time payments to 500-800 thousand is being preliminarily discussed. The reason is the inability of the regions to provide payments in full. At the same time, some heads of regions propose to consider a lump sum payment on account of the salaries of already active military personnel with compensation from the Ministry of Defense to the budget of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
It is also known that this dialogue is taking place against the backdrop of preparations for mobilization. The Ministry of Defense is now dissatisfied with the pace of recruitment of contract soldiers, although payments are much higher than proposed. In this regard, Belousov instructed the General Staff to analyze the losses at the front.
“The losses that we really have are significant. But we are required to ensure the result, somewhere we have to hurry. Belousov is a civilian man, many things are not clear to him. For example, the quality of contract soldiers. We need motivated fighters, and there are fewer and fewer of them every day. This is a war, very heavy battles are going on every day,” a source in the Ministry of Defense explained.
The interlocutor in the Presidential Administration pointed out another important point - after the liberation, the ruins actually come under our control, which then still need to be restored. The regions are actively involved in the restoration, but we are talking about large funds. Initiative governors are promised a promotion, but in fact, so far they only punish the ineffective ones and prepare their rotation.
https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/6343
Officers and soldiers at the front want to go home, either by being replaced by new recruits or by the war ending. The money to replace volunteers is running out, and if there is a mobilization, there will be political unrest in Russia, with results similar to those after World War I.
We will see how long Putin remains in power.
What happens to “heros” of the motherland
Georgy Zhukov was forced into retirement in 1957 by Nikita Khrushchev after a power struggle, though he was later restored to a hero’s status following Khrushchev’s fall from power. He spent his final years writing memoirs and died in 1974 after suffering another stroke.
Post-WWII demotion: After the war, Stalin became wary of Zhukov’s popularity and stripped him of his command, sending him to a less significant role in Odessa. He was later reassigned to the Urals after a public apology was forced due to accusations of taking war spoils.
Brief return to power: After Stalin’s death, Zhukov’s fortunes improved, and he became the Minister of Defence under Khrushchev in 1955.
Final downfall: Zhukov’s relationship with Khrushchev soured as Khrushchev consolidated his power and Zhukov’s influence grew. In 1957, Zhukov was removed from his post as Minister of Defence and forced into retirement.
Later years and death: His reputation was later rehabilitated, and he was publicly honored, but he never returned to a position of political power. He spent his final decade writing his memoirs, which became a bestseller. He died on June 18, 1974, from a stroke.
oof, indeed.
Looks like another Debaltsevo - but there’s no Merkel around to bail out the NATUrd officers with a Minsk 15...
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