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Amir Tsarfati:

Venezuela from the Russian perspective

It is difficult to overstate the level of frustration across Russian social media over the American move in Venezuela. There is hardly a single Russian military blogger who has not addressed it. The reaction on the Russian side revolves around two main axes.

The first axis is dominated by frustration that, once again, Russian systems – especially Russian air-defense systems – were caught completely unprepared. Russian commentators complain that, once again, their allies proved incompetent and unable to properly operate the equipment they were given, making Russian hardware appear ineffective.
Added to this is concern over the geopolitical consequences: the Maduro regime was seen as a close ally of the Kremlin – and that ally is now gone. Another fear frequently raised is that once infrastructure is restored, the United States could impose a global oil price ceiling of roughly $50 per barrel due to its control over production in Venezuela.

The second axis is captured by the most common phrase circulating on Russian Telegram over the past week:
а что так можно?
“So… you can actually do that?”

Despite everything mentioned above, most of the Russian frustration stems from the fact that the Americans succeeded precisely where the Russians failed. Anger over the successful arrest of Maduro is almost always accompanied by sharp criticism of the Kremlin’s actions at the start of the war and Russia’s failed attempt to seize Kyiv.

In the image: a modern Russian-made Buk air-defense system in Venezuela after receiving American “treatment”.

(David Lisovtsev)

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced administrative action against Sen. Mark Kelly that will result in a reduction of his military retirement rank and pay, citing seditious public conduct that undermined military discipline.

In a statement posted to X, Hegseth said the department has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings against Kelly, a retired Navy captain who continues to receive a military pension. The action follows a video released roughly six weeks ago by Kelly and five other members of Congress that the department characterized as reckless and damaging to good order within the armed forces.

Under the process, initiated pursuant to federal law, Kelly’s retired grade could be lowered, triggering a corresponding reduction in retirement benefits. Hegseth also issued a formal Letter of Censure outlining a pattern of misconduct. The censure will be placed permanently in Kelly’s official military personnel file.

Kelly’s conduct violated Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and he has been formally notified of the proceedings. He has 30 days to submit a response. The Department of War said the retirement grade review is expected to be completed within 45 days.

https://badlandsmedia.tv/hegseth-moves-to-reduce-mark-kellys-military-retirement-over-seditious-conduct/

@CorneliaDiNunzio

🚨 HOLY CRAP. Trump UN Ambassador Mike Waltz just EVISCERATED the UN globalists to their FACES for defending Maduro

“If the United Nations confers LEGITIMACY on an illegitimate narco-terrorist...WHAT KIND OF ORGANIZATION IS THIS?!” 💯

“We should note that over 50 countries, many nations, including the European Union, including a number of Latin American countries in the region, and of course the United States, again over 50 countries rejected the legitimacy of Maduro’s re-election following the disputed 2024 elections and do not, DO NOT recognize him as Venezuela’s legitimately elected president!”

BOOM 🫳🎤 - I MIN

- Eric Daugherty

https://x.com/ericldaugh/status/2008209659635642506?

https://truthsocial.com/@CorneliaDiNunzio/115843492816068236