Tag: ukraine

Trump Backs Off Promise To Sanction Russia, Issues Ultimatum To NATO

President Trump’s prior two week deadline where he vowed to make a big decision on Russia has come and gone. He’s now backing off the prior threat to impose heightened sanctions on Russia, including secondary sanctions which would seek to punish its trading partners, particularly China and India.

There’s been no peace agreement, and the latest out of both Russian and Ukrainian leaders suggests negotiations are effectively dead at this point, as Moscow forces keep advancing in the east village by village. There’s been little to no momentum from the Alaska summit with Putin.

On Saturday Trump made clear in a long Truth Social post that he’s backing off pulling the trigger on new sanctions, and listed things NATO members would have to do for it to happen. He set some new standards which are very unlikely to met by all NATO countries – or rather a significant ultimatum. 

All NATO countries must stop buying oil from Russia and in parallel agree to sweeping tariffs on China, Trump explained Saturday, throwing down the gauntlet. 

“I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA,” Trump wrote Social Saturday morning.

He described his words as a letter to America’s allies and to the world: “As you know, NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking,” he continued.

“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip,” Trump’s ‘letter’ continues. He then made his position clear that tariffs on China would “be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR.”

China and India are of course at this moment the two biggest importers of Russian oil, in that order, but what’s less well known is that NATO member Turkey is the third largest. Ironically, Turkey maintains the second largest military in NATO, next to the United States.

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European Warmongers Angry That Trump Did Not Buy Into the ‘Drone Attack in Poland’ – But Polls Show That Polish Population Believes it was Ukrainian False Flag!

Trump is not into the current escalation hoax by Ukraine and the EU.

Three days ago, we reported on the Russian Gerbera decoy drones that flew into Polish airspace and ‘were shot down’, generating a fake panic in all the European warmongers who tried to rally global outrage against the ‘attack’.

We have talked about how the Gerberas decoy are meant to provide cheap, false targets to exhaust the Ukrainian air defenses – that already have so few surface-to-air missiles – and they do not carry any explosive payload.

US President Donald J. Trump at first put out an ambiguous post, as you can read in ‘Here We Go!’: Trump Weighs In on Russian Drones Allegedly Downed in Polish Airspace.

But soon, as better intelligence was presented to him, he seemed not to care anymore.

Sure enough, the pro-Ukrainians will argue that Trump is fooled by bad, bad Putin and his disinformation agents.

But you know who else was not buying the hoax? The People of Poland, as a poll reveals that 38% are convinced that Ukraine sent them as a false flag, and as many as 66% believe in explanations other than ‘the Russians are responsible’.

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GOING DOWN: Ukrainian Sources Confirm That Russian Forces Advancing on Kupyansk Are Using Underground Pipeline to Move Troops and Equipment 

The war continues on the air, on land, on the black sea… and beneath the ground.

A few days ago, the Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said what everyone already knows: the peace process between Russia and Ukraine is completely stopped.

In the meantime, Russian forces continue to apply pressure all over the front, with the undermanned and under-equipped Ukrainian defenses doing their best to stop them.

In the northern Kharkov region, the critical stronghold and railway hub of Kupyansk is at play now, with Russian troops preparing to cross the Oskol River, while increased pressure is applied to the defender positions to the north of the city.

But the most distinctive part of the offensive operations so far is the fact that Russian forces have once again used a tunnel to advance deep into enemy positions.

The first time this tactic was used in this war was in Donetsk city of Avdeevka, the second time near Sudzha during the liberation of the Kursk region, and now, Russians have laid an entire underground artery starting from Pervyi Lyman.

Attackers move along the pipeline on electric scooters and stretchers.

The underground tunnel includes rest areas and supply points, because the journey to Kupyansk takes about four days (!).

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NATO Announces “Eastern Sentry” to “Bolster Eastern Flank” While Germany Adding 100,000 Additional Troops to Meet NATO “Targets” Against “Russian Aggression”

A “confidential paper” reviewed by Reuters in an exclusive report shows that  Germany “needs to add 100,000 active troops” to its current ranks, estimated at around 62,000.  The increase is attributed to a NATO target to bolster troops amidst “the growing threat of Russian aggression.”

According to Reuters, Army Chief Alfons Mais wrote to the Chief of the Defence Staff Carsten Breuer saying, “It is imperative for the army to become sufficiently ready for war by 2029 and provide the capabilities Germany pledged (to NATO) by 2035.”

Germany plans to add 45,000 troops by 2029 and then, again, add 45,000 more in 2035.  Additionally, it will add 10,000 troops for territorial defense, according to reporting from Modern Diplomacy.

Notably, Germany has not yet even met its 2018 goal of 203,000 troops, falling about 20,000 troops short of that number.

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Putin deploys his strategic nuclear bombers as UN warns world is ‘staring into the abyss of WW3’ and UK prepares to help Nato fortify its eastern front against Russian attack

Vladimir Putin has deployed strategic nuclear bombers as the UN warns the world is ‘staring into the abyss of a Third World War’ – and the UK prepares to help fortify Nato‘s eastern front against Russian attack. 

The Russian president has launched the Tu-22M3 aircrafts in a renewed show of aggression – which the UN security council warned could escalate into global conflict. 

Footage shows Kremlin long-range aviation forces carrying out an air strike on a ‘simulated’ enemy, with the aim of ‘disrupting the control system and destroying critical objects’. 

Bastion complexes from the Russian archipelago of Franz Josef Land, which lies in the Arctic Ocean, struck the target in the Arctic with Onyx missiles as part of a drill. 

And just today, Putin taunted the West again by deploying hulking nuclear-capable Iskander missile launchers close to Russia’s border with Poland.  

It comes after the Kremlin flew attack drones into Polish airspace earlier this week which it had to shoot down on Tuesday night with the help of its Nato allies. 

Poland closed its border with Belarus as the UN security council was warned of the dire risk of a new world war. 

Nato was forced to urgently strengthen its eastern defences – efforts the UK will join. 

Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte said on Friday military activity under ‘Eastern Sentry’ would start in the coming days and involve assets from the UK, as well as allies including France and Germany. 

‘In addition to more traditional military capabilities, this effort will also feature elements designed to address the particular challenges associated with the use of drones,’ Mr Rutte said.

The operation will bolster Nato’s posture and add flexibility to its approach, he said.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: ‘The UK is fully committed to playing our part in Nato’s Eastern Sentry following the reckless and dangerous airspace violations by Russia.

‘We will provide further detail on the UK Armed Forces contribution soon.’

Putin’s deployment of nuclear bombers comes as part of its four-day Zapad-2025 exercises – annual drills in the Arctic, Belarus and Russia to test the defensive readiness of the Union State, the alliance between the latter two nations. 

They are seen as a challenge to Nato in all three locations. 

The war games will also see troops drill the use of nuclear missiles from the West’s doorstep in Belarus, Russia’s authoritarian neighbour. 

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The Five Most Likely Outcomes From The Russian Drone Incursion Into Poland

NATO forces directly intercepted Russian drones for the first time since the special operation began after some of them veered into Poland earlier this week, with this unprecedented incident arguably being due to NATO jamming as explained here.

Some commentators on both sides think that this might lead to World War III, but that’s a far-fetched scenario since NATO isn’t expected to kinetically respond by bombing Russia (even just Kaliningrad) and/or Belarus. The five most likely outcomes are actually that:

* The “EU Defense Line” Becomes A “Drone Wall”

The “Baltic Defense Line” and Poland’s “East Shield”, which are collectively known as the “EU Defense Line” that functions as the new Iron Curtain, might soon be outfitted with cutting-edge anti-drone capabilities as suggested by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She spoke about creating an “Eastern Flank Watch” that would also become a “drone wall”, which the Baltic States have wanted for a while, and it makes sense to expand this program in both directions to Poland and Finland.

* Poland Expands Its Military Influence In The Baltics

As the most populous and prosperous formerly communist country in Central Europe, which has already built the third-largest army in NATO, Poland could easily expand its military influence over the region on the pretext of “defending against Russia”. New President Karol Nawrocki implied over the summer that the “Three Seas Initiative” would be the means towards this end and even declared during his latest trip to Lithuania that “we are responsible for entire region of Central Europe, including the Baltic States”.

* The US Expands Its Military Presence In Poland

Poland has been asking for more US troops for years, and Trump seemed willing to satisfy this request when he said during Nawrocki’s visit last month that “We’ll put more there if they want.” That might be what he had in mind when he tweeted “Here we go!” on Wednesday. As was assessed earlier this year, “Poland Is Once Again Poised To Become The US’ Top Partner” and “Trump Is Unlikely To Pull All US Troops Out Of Central Europe Or Abandon NATO’s Article 5”, so this is within the realm of possibility.

* Poland Host Elements Of A NATO Sky Shield…

Less likely but nonetheless still possible is that Poland hosts elements of a NATO Sky Shield, whether for protecting the bloc’s eastern flank and/or extending this umbrella into Western Ukraine, the latter of which aligns with a proposed security guarantee. The 10,000 US troops in Poland might reassure it that Russia would be deterred from deliberately targeting these assets, not to mention if even more are deployed, but public opinion might keep this shield centered on Poland instead of shared with Ukraine.

* …But That’s As Far As Its Response Will Go

Regardless of whatever happens with the aforesaid scenario, Poland won’t go any further by deploying troops to Ukraine for example, which Nawrocki ruled out. Despite occasional speculation, Poland has no revanchist plans since it doesn’t want to be responsible for millions of ultra-nationalist Ukrainians, who could also wage a terrorist insurgency against its troops. It’s already exploring the lease of land and ports to recoup its aid and even profit so there’s no need to take such risks, including a hot war with Russia.

All in all, Poland is expected to avoid the trap of mission creep after last week’s incident, having already concluded some time ago that the potential benefits of escalating its involvement in the Ukrainian Conflict even further than it already has aren’t worth the risks.

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U.S. places $11 million bounty on Ukrainian ransomware mastermind — Tymoshchuk allegedly stole $18 billion from large companies over 3 years

The United States has placed an $11 million bounty on Volodymyr Tymoshchuk, a Ukrainian man wanted for his involvement with a string of ransomware cybercrimes. Tymoshchuk faces severe federal charges for his part in reportedly masterminding the theft of a combined $18 billion over a three year period.

Tymoshchuk is accused of being the kingpin behind the MegaCortex, LockerGoga, and Nefilim attacks, a string of attacks that were active from Dec. 2018 to Oct. 2021. The MegaCortex attack, which we covered in 2019, changes the Windows passwords and encrypts the files of a host computer, threatening to make sensitive files public if the ransom went unpaid.

“Tymoshchuk is a serial ransomware criminal who targeted blue-chip American companies, health care institutions, and large foreign industrial firms,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. in a statement from the Justice Department. One of the highest-profile thefts linked to Tymoshchuk and LockerGoga was the attack on Norsk Hydro, a renewable energy company based in Norway. The attack on Norsk caused a reported $81 million in damages as all of its 170 sites were impacted at some level.

Nocella continued, “For a time, the defendant stayed ahead of law enforcement by deploying new strains of malicious software when his old ones were decrypted. Today’s charges reflect international coordination to unmask and charge a dangerous and pervasive ransomware actor who can no longer remain anonymous.”

Tymoshchuk is alleged to have run the LockerGoga and MegaCortex offensives from July 2019 and June 2020, at which point the two ransomware viruses went largely dark. From then on, Tymoshchuk is accused of having helped to engineer and administrate the Nefilim ransomware strain, selling access to it to attackers in exchange for 20% of the ransomed funds received from each successful attack.

An unsealed indictment, archived by The Register, lists a number of unnamed victim companies from across the United States and Europe. Tymoshchuk is on the hook for seven total charges relating to intentional damage to a private computer and threatening to disclose private information. If found guilty Tymoshchuk faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

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Mexican cartel was taught drone warfare in Ukraine – media

A powerful Mexican drug cartel has acquired advanced drone warfare skills in Ukraine, the Milenio newspaper reported on Monday.

Moscow has long argued that the Ukraine conflict fuels global instability by spreading weapons and fostering reckless behavior by Kiev in pursuit of its war aims. Foreign fighters have become a key part of Ukraine’s military strategy as authorities face resistance to conscription at home.

Milenio examined propaganda materials released by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a major criminal group based in western Mexico, including footage showing a drone-armed hit squad operating with apparent military discipline and tactical expertise. Experts cited by the paper said the group’s methods and armaments bore similarities to battlefield practices in the Ukraine conflict.

Mexican intelligence believes CJNG members received training in drone and urban warfare tactics in Ukraine, sources in the Jalisco state government told Milenio.

The report highlighted the cartel’s use of specific equipment, including DJI Matrice 300 RTK drones commonly employed in the Ukraine conflict. The quadcopter aircraft, marketed for civilian use, can carry payloads of up to 3kg, operate at night, and fly long distances.

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Ukraine Runs Low On Air Defense Munitions-Expect Another Z Trip To DC?

It’s time for another Zelenskiy trip to Washington to demand weapons the American military needs to defend the homeland.

The question is — will Trump give them to Kyiv? Or put America first?

Recently, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth released information that after the Middle East ’12 Day War’, the U.S. had used up 25% of its reserve of air defense munitions.

Ukraine is running low on air defence munitions as the Pentagon slows arms deliveries following a June review of US military aid.

The slowdown comes amid intensified Russian missile and drone attacks, including the largest aerial assault since the full-scale invasion, killing civilians and targeting key infrastructure, reports FT.

Officials warn Ukraine’s air defence systems could soon face critical shortages if attacks continue. 

US shipments of Patriot interceptors, Stingers, NASAMS missiles, Hellfires, and precision artillery shells have all been delayed.

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Tucker Carlson DEMOLISHES Mark Cuban After the Liberal Billionaire Offers a Silly Reason Why “We” Should Continue Sending Money to Ukraine

Liberal billionaire Mark Cuban suffered an epic humiliation at the hands of Tucker Carlson during a recent debate, which exposed his self-serving and hypocritical attitude regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Carlson and Cuban faced off at the “All In” summit, which was held in Los Angeles from Saturday to Monday. The two discussed a variety of topics, including AI job displacement, the Epstein files, and antisemitism.

The debate, however, took a bad turn for Cuban when one of the hosts asked him if he thought ‘we’ (Americans) should continue sending money to Ukraine. After admitting he did not have a good answer, Cuban eventually brought up his Ukrainian ancestry on his grandparents’ side as a reason why.

Carlson quickly interjected and asked Cuban how much money he had sent to Ukraine. When Cuban said ‘none,’ Carlson left him speechless by asking what the billionaire meant by “we.”

Things got even worse for Cuban when he offered his reason for refusing to send Ukraine a single dime despite his ties to the country. Carlson scolded Cuban on his hypocrisy and pointed out that what he was advocating for was the opposite of charity.

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