This is the priority, not regime change in Moscow
Posted on 02/24/2024 5:59:01 AM PST by SpeedyInTexas
Make sure you wear winter boots while you're doing the kicking, Schatzi...
A quote worth remembering.
This is the priority, not regime change in Moscow
US President Donald Trump called for the United States to resume tests of its nuclear weapons, likely in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's ostentatious announcements of recent tests of Russian nuclear weapons. Trump stated on October 29 that the United States will start testing its nuclear weapons “on an equal basis” since other countries have been testing their weapons.[1] Trump's decision comes against the backdrop of recent Kremlin announcements about tests of the nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable Burevestnik missile and Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle, whose ability to deliver nuclear warheads the Kremlin has been highlighting.[2] Trump did not specify if the United States would test nuclear warheads or the delivery systems. Russian officials, however, largely claimed that the United States would begin testing nuclear warheads, alleging that Russia therefore would have a “free hand” to test its own nuclear warheads.[3] Russia tested the Burevestnik and Poseidon delivery systems without nuclear warheads, but Kremlin officials have been publicly talking about the devastating effects the Burevestnik and Poseidon warheads would generate, flaunting the systems as powerful “doomsday” weapons that have no equal and that should force the West to “bow down” to Putin.[4]
The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced a unilateral micro-ceasefire near Kupyansk and Pokrovsk but provided no clarity on the timing of the micro-ceasefire. The Russian MoD stated on October 30 that Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an order for a temporary ceasefire to allow journalists to enter and see Ukrainian forces whom Russian forces have allegedly encircled in Kupyansk, Pokrovsk, and Myrnohrad (east of Pokrovsk).[5] The Russian MoD claimed that the Russian military is willing to observe a five-to-six-hour ceasefire to ensure that journalists receive unimpeded entry and exit corridors to these towns, but that the ceasefire is contingent upon security guarantees for the journalists and Russian forces. ISW does not assess that Russian forces have encircled Kupyansk, Pokrovsk, or Myrnohrad at this time. Putin first offered such a micro-ceasefire on October 29, likely in part to claim that Russia is not the impediment to the peace process.[6] The Kremlin likely intends to use the discussion of this unilateral micro-ceasefire to highlight Russia's claimed gains in the Kupyansk and Pokrovsk directions and to falsely portray a Russian victory as inevitable. A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger notably acknowledged that the micro-ceasefire is part of a concerted Kremlin informational effort, commenting that the ceasefire is an “unusual step in the [Russian] information war.”[7]
Ukrainian military sources continued to provide details about the difficult situation in the Pokrovsk pocket. Ukrainian soldiers and commanders operating in the Pokrovsk direction continued to indicate that Russian infiltration missions and force accumulations are complicating Ukrainian assault and defense operations and efforts to control Russian movements within the Pokrovsk pocket.[8] The Ukrainian 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces reported that Russian forces are taking advantage of poor weather to resume infiltration tactics in the Pokrovsk direction to inflate the extent of Russian gains.[9] A Ukrainian brigade commander reported that heavy autumnal rains are preventing Russian forces from establishing logistics in Pokrovsk, however.[10] Both Ukrainian sources indicated that Russian drone operations are successfully interdicting Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) to and within Pokrovsk and to Myrnohrad.[11] A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed that drone operators of the Russian Rubikon Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies have established a drone equivalent of “air superiority” in the Pokrovsk direction.[12] The Ukrainian military sources reported that Russian forces, including drone operators, continue to dress as civilians – perfidy under international law – to conduct infiltration missions without detection.[13] An image from German outlet BILD shows a Russian soldier dressed as a civilian and wearing no military insignia in a high-rise building in Pokrovsk.[14] Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi visited Ukrainian commanders operating in the Pokrovsk direction and reported on October 30 that Russian claims of encircling Ukrainian forces within Pokrovsk or Myrnohrad are false.[15]
The Russian military command is currently prioritizing offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction, having reportedly concentrated 11,000 personnel for the Pokrovsk effort.[16] The Russian rate of advance in the area, however, remains slow even as Ukrainian forces face increasing challenges in defending the area. Ukrainian forces in the Pokrovsk direction have struggled with Russian infiltration missions and drone strikes against Ukrainian GLOCs for weeks, but continue to slow the pace of Russian advances, particularly on the eastern flank near Myrnohrad.[17] The rate of Russian advances in the Pokrovsk direction may change if some factor influencing Russia's offensive capabilities or Ukraine's defensive capabilities changes. The changing nature of drone warfare and the increasingly porous nature of the frontline in the Pokrovsk direction make it difficult to assess the degree of control that Russian or Ukrainian forces exert within and around Pokrovsk. ISW is therefore unprepared to offer any assessments or forecasts at this time about the rate at which Russian forces may collapse the Ukrainian pocket near Pokrovsk.
The Kremlin is activating plans to use active reservists to protect infrastructure in the Russian rear. Russian opposition outlet Astra reported on October 29 that authorities in Danilovsky Raion, Yaroslavl Oblast are advertising positions for “trained” Russian citizens to work in mobile fire teams that are protecting the Yaroslavl Oil Refinery from drone strikes.[18] Regional authorities are offering recruits 3,000 rubles (about $37) per month for serving in the reserve and 40,000 rubles (about $500) per month for participating in training, and the refinery is promising an additional 50,000 rubles (about $625) per month. Mobile fire team participants will undergo 15 days of training before embarking on a 45-day tour of duty. The advertisement notes that Russian authorities will not send the reservists to fight in Ukraine. Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Military Commissar Sergei Agafonov stated on October 24 that regional authorities have formed a Russian Combat Army Reserve (BARS) unit of reservists who have started to train on how to defend local factories from drone strikes.[19] Agafonov also highlighted that the BARS reservists will only serve in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast and will not deploy to Ukraine. A Russian milblogger claimed that authorities in Tambov Oblast are also recruiting reservists to protect local critical infrastructure from drones.[20] The Russian State Duma recently approved a bill allowing Russian authorities to recruit members of Russia's active reserve to protect critical infrastructure in Russia.[21] ISW continues to assess that the Kremlin is using the deployment of active reservists to protect critical infrastructure in the Russian rear to set conditions to mobilize active reservists for combat in the future, including in Ukraine, while also bolstering defense of the infrastructure.[22]
Karelia Republic Head Artur Parfenchikov stated on October 30 that the republic authorities are working to form “volunteer squads” from conscripts returning from their mandatory military service.[23] Parfenchikov stated that the volunteer squads would work with border guards along Karelia’s border with NATO member Finland. The Russian military conscripts men semi-annually, at which point the conscripts undergo training and typically serve for one year.[24] The conscripts become part of the Russian inactive reserve (also known as the “zapas”) following their training and service.[25] Russian authorities may be looking for ways to use members of the inactive reserve to protect the Russian rear, as they are doing with the mobile fire teams made up of active reservists. Inactive reservists guarding the border of the Karelia Republic would gain valuable knowledge to use in a possible future NATO-Russia war.
Russian forces conducted a large-scale series of missile and drone strikes including over 700 projectiles against Ukraine on the night of October 29 to 30. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 653 Shahed-type, Gerbera-type, and other drones – about 400 of which were Shahed-type drones – from the directions of Kursk and Oryol cities; Millerovo, Rostov Oblast; Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai; and occupied Cape Chauda, Crimea.[26] The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces also launched four Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles from Nizhny Novgorod Oblast; five Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles from Rostov Oblast; eight Kalibr cruise missiles from unspecified areas; two Iskander-K cruise missiles from Kursk and Voronezh oblasts; 30 Kh-101 cruise missiles from Saratov Oblast; two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles from Saratov Oblast; and one Kh-31P anti-radiation missile from the Black Sea. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Ukrainian forces shot down 623 of the 705 air targets, including 592 drones, seven Kalibr missiles, one Iskander-K missile, 21 Kh-101 missiles, and two Kh-59/69 missiles. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 16 missiles and 63 drones struck 20 locations and that downed drone and missile debris fell at 19 locations. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that three missiles were “lost in location,” likely referring to Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) interference. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russian forces struck residential infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia City, injuring five children.[27] Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces struck energy and residential infrastructure in Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Cherkasy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Sumy, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv oblasts.[28] Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, reported on October 30 that Russia struck DTEK thermal power plants (TPPs) in unspecified Ukrainian oblasts, seriously damaging TPP equipment during Russia's third massive strike against DTEK TPPs in October 2025.[29] The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command reported that it scrambled two fighter jets and an early warning aircraft in response to the overnight Russian strikes.[30]
Polish fighters intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea for the second time in three days. The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command reported that a pair of Polish MiG-29 fighters intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea before 0900 on October 30.[31] Polish fighters also intercepted a Russian Il-20 over the Baltic Sea on October 28.[32] The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command noted that the Russian aircraft in both instances were operating without registered flight plans or active transponders but did not violate Polish airspace.
Another night, another Russian refinery struck. Also, electrical and heating plants. Sub-zero nights start next week up North in the big oil hub of Novy Urengoy.
Kyiv Independent (31 Oct):
“Energy facilities in Russia’s Oryol, Vladimir, and Yaroslavl oblasts were attacked overnight on Oct. 31, according to Russian officials and Telegram channels.
The attacks reportedly targeted the Oryol thermal power plant (TPP), the region’s largest generating source of electricity and heat; the Vladimir electrical substation, a critical Russian energy hub; and the Novo-Yaroslavsky oil refinery, the largest refinery in northern Russia.”
Russians have been using their Tomahawk equivalent in Ukraine. This news now may be geared toward justifying Tomahawks.
Kyiv independent (31 Oct):
‘A Russian missile whose development pushed U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty back in 2019 has been fired at Ukraine on numerous occasions, Reuters reported on Oct. 31, citing Ukrainian officials.
Russia’s 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile, sometimes referred to as the Iskander K to distinguish it from Iskander M ballistic missiles, was recorded flying as far as 1,200 kilometers, according to unnamed Ukrainian officials cited by Reuters.”
French intelligence suspects that blood-red hands painted on a Holocaust memorial in Paris last year are part of a Russian destabilization campaign, Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on Oct. 30, citing court documents.
Three Bulgarians charged in the act have been brought to trial, while the fourth one — the alleged organizer of the group, Mircho Angelov — continues to evade custody. The news comes as Western officials raise alarm over escalating Moscow-backed hybrid operations, sabotage, and espionage across Europe.
Some 500 red hands were painted on the Wall of the Righteous last year, a memorial honoring people who aided Jews during the Nazi occupation. The incident was seen at the time in the context of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The case came amid several such incidents that took place in France in the past two years, including pig heads left at mosques or Stars of David painted on buildings, seen as an attempt to fuel tensions between local Jewish and Muslim communities.
Confidential notes by French domestic intelligence, partly cited during the court hearing this week, read that two of the suspects “received instructions in Russian from unknown individuals via the encrypted messaging app Telegram,” Politico reported. According to the documents, the act aligns with the modus operandi of hybrid operations, where individuals are hired by foreign intelligence services for specific tasks.
Luckily, Indicted War Criminal Little Pukin is investing heavily in the death of RuZZian men.
The fewer RuZZians in this world, the safer we will all be.
“Despite Costly Programs and an Intensified Family Values Campaign, Russian Women Aren’t Having More Children”
“Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said that “support for families” and stimulating birth rates were “the most important” of all of Russia’s national projects and strategic plans.
“Fatherhood and motherhood are happiness, and happiness should not be postponed,” Putin said at a meeting of the presidential council on Russia’s demographics.
Russian officials, who have repeatedly described its demographics and “very low” birth rate as a serious concern, are intensifying their efforts to encourage citizens to have more children.
Yet despite officials’ best efforts, experts say the current demographic situation in Russia should be viewed as a deep crisis.”
Russia’s curse, the burden of ALL top down decision making and execution. Heaven help the poor grunt who finds a faster way to load his machine gun and tries to share it with his fellow grunts. “HOW DARE YOU INTERFERE WITH YOUR TRAINER”S INSTRUCTIONS”, which is just what the instructor would hear if he tried to pass the new idea up the line of command.
Russia’s curse, the burden of ALL top down decision making and execution.
Their curse, as stated in Doctor Zhivago, is their cursed capacity for suffering.
I wonder what would have happened if a bright Nazi soldier had recommended improvements for shooting his machine gun to his fellow soldiers? Or would he have passed it on to his training officer, and then what?
fixed
“The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced a unilateral micro-ceasefire near Kupyansk and Pokrovsk but provided no clarity on the timing of the micro-ceasefire.”
Of course Russia would like a micro-ceasefire to give them a chance to move their gathering concentration of troops into the many buildings and the high rises not yet occupied in these “occupied” cities. Hopefully Ukraine is too smart to agree if they are not “persuaded” to accept that by bright minds in NATO and the current admin. Such bright minds did so well when they urged Ukraine in the past to plan and execute a major conventional offensive, which did NOT turn out well.
“The case came amid several such incidents that took place in France in the past two years, including pig heads left at mosques...”
Ah hah, now we know where the usuals came up with their pig head fake photos of Trump supporters and others. They are following directives from Russian “special services”, just as Alexandr Dugin describes in bullet points 21 for how these special services should be used in our country to undermine our greatness. A smooth MAGA move will be to catch them in the act. See link below, and then check the bullet points to see the steps Putin is following to try to rule Europe as Eurasia, as well as control the rest of the world:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundations_of_Geopolitics
#21 “* Russia should use its ‘SPECIAL SERVICES’ within the borders of the United States and Canada to fuel instability and separatism against neoliberal globalist Western hegemony, such as, for instance, provoke “Afro-American racists” to create severe backlash against the rotten political state of affairs in the current present-day system of the United States and Canada. Russia should “introduce geopolitical disorder into internal American activity, encouraging all kinds of separatism and ethnic, social, and racial conflicts, actively supporting all dissident movements – extremist, racist, and sectarian groups, thus destabilizing internal political processes in the U.S. It would also make sense simultaneously to support isolationist tendencies in American politics”.[9]”
Don’t let this man known as “Putin’s Brain” get away with causing trouble in our country. Any time you see a problem arising, look for the fingerprint of these Special Services. Don’t be duped by these sowers of discontent and evil acts.
The cursed capacity for suffering is indeed the burden suffered and survived by the people. But the curse of dictatorial TOP DOWN planning and execution is the curse of the ruling class including the elite military. That is what is going to be their ruin, when the people finally can suffer no more and try to do something.
Major grocery stores are closing, official reason Russians like mom and pop stores😂
—
Major grocery stores are closing, official reason New Yorkers like city-run stores😂
It is easier to punish or fine a small business for running out of products or playing games with rationing books, and stamps or other rathetioning devices. Probably that won’t be long in coming to the Russia near your troll office.
“the current demographic situation in Russia should be viewed as a deep crisis.””
On average, Russia’s fertility rate seems in the ball park with Europe’s and the USA, but the only demographics that are growing are Muslims and Mongols, which skew the average higher than it is for ethnic Russians and Orthodox Christians. Leningrad district saw the lowest fertility rate in Russia (0.89, when 2.00 is the breakeven replacement rate). Ethnic Russians are also migrating out of Russia at higher rates (disproportionally fertile working age people), further exacerbating the demographic decline of the Russians within Russia.
From the article you linked, on Russia’s demographic decline:
“The country’s total fertility rate — the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime — stands at around 1.41, according to the state statistics agency Rosstat.
This is below the level required for population replacement, meaning each new generation of Russian citizens is smaller than their parents’ generation...
...In general, Russia’s position mirrors broader global trends in declining fertility. The total fertility rate stood at 1.38 live births per woman in the EU in 2023, while in the United States it stood at 1.59 in 2024.
While the nationwide birth rate is declining, fertility levels can vary from region to region... The republic of Chechnya (2.7), the republic of Tuva (2.3), the Yamal-Nenets autonomous district (1.9), the republic of Altai (1.8) and the republic of Ingushetia (1.8) boast the highest birth rates in the country... high birth rates are largely driven by large families, more conservative cultural norms and the practice of Islam, experts said.
Raksha also noted that Tuva’s high birth rates are accompanied by another indicator: a large number of underage mothers. In 2023, the Far East republic recorded a Russia-wide record of 9.5 births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 17, Raksha said.
According to experts, 33 regions, mostly in the Central and Northwest Federal Districts (the ethnic Russians and Orthodox Christians), have very low fertility rates (below 1.3). The lowest fertility rates in 2024 were recorded in Leningrad region (0.89), Mordovia (0.99) and in the annexed city of Sevastopol (1.0).”
“Of course Russia would like a micro-ceasefire to give them a chance to move their gathering concentration of troops in”
Exactly.
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