Tag: ukraine

Systemic Corruption Doesn’t Give A Chance For Peace In Ukraine

Another huge scandal linked to embezzlement of budget funds in government procurement has broken out in Ukraine recently. On August 2, Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) exposed an organized criminal group created by “Servant of the People” party’s deputy Oleksii Kuznietsov and head of the State Administration of the Mukachevo District Serhiy Haidai. The group have been organizing purchases of overpriced FPV drones and electronic warfare systems for the National Guard of Ukraine.

According to investigation data, beside Kuznietsov and Haidai, a head of one of the Military-Civil Administrations, a unit commander of the National Guard, and representatives of company manufacturing drones were also involved in the huge corruption scheme. During 2024-2025, the criminals embezzled about $80 000 of money allocated for purchasing of defense goods. 30% from every government contract settled in their pockets. Now, all key persons of interest are taken into custody with the possibility of being out on bail. The head of the state Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the situation eloquently calling the fraud “absolutely immoral” and promised a “full and fair accountability” for the criminals. However, neither high-profile exposure of corrupt officials, nor passionate speeches of the president of the country haven’t been able to dispel the tension, that has accumulated over last several weeks, and exonerate the Kyiv authorities for Ukrainians and international public.

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Czech president calls for peace: ‘The surrender of territory would reflect the situation on the battlefield and represent the lesser evil’

In order to reach an agreement to end the war, Ukraine will probably have to give up territory, even if that would violate international law, said Czech President Petr Pavel in an interview published by the CTK news agency on Thursday.

“The surrender of territory would reflect the situation on the battlefield and represent the lesser evil, as opposed to continuing the war, which would result in numerous new casualties and material losses,” said the Czech leader.

He also acknowledged this may only end up being a temporary agreement.

“If peacekeeping forces were to be deployed to Ukraine under such a “temporary” agreement, the Czech Republic should also participate, because it has been an active participant in the peace process from the beginning,” he added.

“This would be more or less an acknowledgement of reality, because Russia has some regions firmly under its control. If we recognize that they are temporarily occupied, then we should call them that, and not Russian territories,” Pavel added.

According to the Czech president, any agreement regarding possible territorial changes is solely the right of Ukraine and Russia.

“I don’t dare to give an opinion on what the agreement on the territories should look like, this is really only a matter for Ukraine and Russia. It would not be good to give advice on what to hand over and what to leave. This is clearly outside our jurisdiction and competence,” the president explained.

Pavel believes that Western sanctions against Russia should have been more decisive and stronger from the beginning, which would have helped Ukraine defend itself more effectively, reducing human and material losses.

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Which Western Security Guarantees For Ukraine Might Be Acceptable To Putin?

He might hypothetically agree that the resumption of NATO’s present support for Ukraine (arms, intelligence, logistics, etc.) in the event of another conflict wouldn’t cross Russia’s red lines but he’s unlikely to compromise on the issue of Western troops in Ukraine once the present conflict ends.

Steve Witkoff’s claim that Putin allegedly agreed to the US offering Ukraine “Article 5-like protection” during the Anchorage Summit, which Trump repeated during his White House Summit with Zelensky and a handful of European leaders, raises the question of what form this could hypothetically take if true. Assuming for the sake of analysis that he did indeed agree to this, it’s important to clarify exactly what Article 5 entails. For starters, it doesn’t obligate allies to dispatch troops if one of them is attacked.

Per the North Atlantic Treaty, each member only has to take “such action as it deems necessary”, which could include “the use of armed forces” but doesn’t have to. As was explained earlier this year here, “Ukraine has arguably enjoyed the benefits of this principle for the past three years despite not being a NATO member since it’s received everything other than troops from the alliance.” Arms, intelligence, logistical, and other forms of support have already been provided to Ukraine in the spirit of Article 5.

It might therefore be the case that Putin agreed that such “Article 5-like protection” could be resumed in the event of another conflict without crossing Russia’s red lines. Although Russia objects to Ukraine’s remilitarization after the present conflict ends, it’s possible that it could agree to this too as part of a grand compromise in exchange for some of its other goals being met as explained here. What Russia doesn’t agree to, however, is the dispatch of Western troops to Ukraine after the present conflict ends.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova declared on the day of the White House Summit that “We reiterate our long-standing position of unequivocally rejecting any scenarios involving the deployment of NATO military contingents in Ukraine”. This position isn’t expected to change since one of the reasons behind the special operation is to stop NATO’s expansion inside Ukraine. Western boots on the ground there afterwards would therefore amount to the perceived failure of Russia’s primary goal.

This would especially be the case if they’re deployed along the Line of Contact, but their deployment west of the Dnieper in parallel with the creation of a demilitarized “Trans-Dnieper” region controlled by non-Western peacekeepers as proposed here could hypothetically be a compromise. That said, Russia would prefer for there to only be non-Western peacekeepers, if any at all. The deployment of foreign military forces, regardless of the country, could embolden Ukraine to stage false-flag provocations.

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Russian Forces Advance in Donetsk Capturing Three Villages

Russian forces have taken control of three settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The captured areas include Katerynivka, Volodymyrivka, and Rusyn Yar, which are part of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. This development occurred amid ongoing heavy combat in the eastern front.

The advances represent incremental progress in Russia’s military campaign in Donetsk Oblast. Troops are pushing toward key Ukrainian positions, including areas near Pokrovsk, a significant logistics center.

These gains follow the earlier seizure of Avdiivka in February 2024, which opened pathways for further operations northwest.

In the past week, Russia has claimed control over nine additional Ukrainian settlements. These include Kolodezi by the Western military group and Oleksandro-Shultyne along with another Katerynivka by the Southern group.

The Pokrovsk offensive, ongoing since July 2024, focuses on capturing this strategically vital city. Pokrovsk serves as a major supply hub with intersections of highways leading to Chasiv Yar and Kostiantynivka. Its railway station supports regional operations, making it a high-priority target for Russian forces.

Recent assessments show Russian units conducting attacks near Pokrovsk and surrounding areas like Rodynske and Krasnyi Lyman.

Geolocated footage confirms Ukrainian counterattacks in places such as Petrivka north of Pokrovsk. The situation remains fluid, with neither side fully securing initiative in the Dobropillya penetration.

Kostiantynivka, located about 20 miles from the newly captured villages, holds importance as part of Ukraine’s fortress belt in western Donetsk.

This network of fortified towns provides a defensive bulwark against further Russian incursions. Control of such areas aids in maintaining supply lines and logistical support for Ukrainian troops.

Artillery fire has damaged a major gas pipeline in the region, leading to the suspension of supplies to Kostiantynivka.

The Donetsk regional administration reported that operational pressure could no longer be maintained due to extensive damage. As a result, civilian evacuations from the town have commenced.

Shelling in Kostiantynivka has caused additional consequences, including injuries to at least one person. The attacks have disrupted essential services, exacerbating challenges for remaining residents. Restoration efforts for gas supply have been deemed unfeasible under current conditions.

Broader territorial shifts in Donetsk include Russian gains of 241 square miles between mid-July and mid-August 2025.

These advances highlight the concentration of Russian efforts in the area. Ukrainian forces continue to mount defenses and counteroperations to stabilize the front.

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Ukraine, NATO, & Europe Will NEVER Accept Peace with Russia – You Will See

I have to admit that what I have seen from the Western Press is nothing but absurd propaganda and complete ignorance of the concept of strategy. They love to say Trump failed after previously pushing for a ceasefire and threatening severe consequences for Russia if Putin did not stop the war. President Trump appeared to back off that demand. WHY? If I were Putin, there would be no way I would agree to a ceasefire because the last time that only opens a window to rearm Ukraine. These morons are complete idiots at best, may be able to play checkers, but certainly never chess. I do not see any intelligence commenting on any network with the slightest concept of strategy.

Trump offered a security guarantee, and Steve Witkoff had told CNN that Russia agreed to “Article 5-like” protections for Ukraine during Friday’s summit. This is precisely what I have been saying. Putin has been there since 1999, and he has shown ZERO interest in taking all of Europe. That is the NATO/NEOCON Bullshit that was true with Khruschev when it was a war of Communism vs Capitalism.

Every source I have says the same thing that Putin may be the most intelligent man on the world table. Even the declassified document from Bill Clinton, dated November 19, 1999, said the same thing.

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DNI Tulsi Gabbard Bars Intel Community from Sharing Classified Intelligence Regarding Ukraine Negotiations with Five Eyes Partners – And This Makes Perfect Sense

On Friday, CBS News reported that Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, banned US classified intelligence regarding the negotiations on Ukraine with Five Eyes partners.

The Five Eyes Alliance (FVEY) is an intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The organization has its origins traced back to World War II.

This information was leaked to CBS News by current intel operatives. They spoke under condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive national security matters.

They should be tossed out the door like the other dirty leakers in the intelligence community.

In 2018, The Gateway Pundit was the first to report that the Deep State was using foreigners to spy on then-candidate Trump in 2015 prior to the 2016 presidential election.  President Trump tweeted our report by Joe Hoft the following day and the fake-news mainstream media immediately attacked him for promoting what they called a “conspiracy theory.”

We later discovered more evidence in 2020 that we were 100% correct in our initial reporting.

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MI6 and CIA: Will Broken Bromance Lead to Divide on Ukraine?

“There is now a cooling of the relationship between the US and British governments, and particularly between the CIA and MI6,” retired CIA officer and State Department official Larry Johnson tells Sputnik.

What are the Signs?

The Observer raised concerns about Trump’s stance on US-UK intelligence cooperation and noted the rejection of veteran officer Tom Sylvester as CIA station chief in London. While the Observer did not name the CIA officer, the New York Times and The Telegraph named him on July 28 and August 1, respectively.

The British media concerns may stem from Sylvester’s role as “the primary liaison with MI6″ on Ukraine, Johnson notes.

On August 21, CBS revealed that DNI Tulsi Gabbard barred intelligence sharing on Russia-Ukraine talks with Five Eyes partners the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand from July 20.

In April, reports suggested some European insiders think Britain should reduce intel sharing with Washington.

“There is a change underway with respect to CIA activities in support of the war against Russia using Ukraine as a proxy,” says Johnson. “But I think there’s also another dimension to this: Donald Trump knows or should know that MI6 played a very active role in Russiagate.”

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1.7 Mln Losses Exposed After Russian Hackers Crack Ukrainian General Staff Database

The KillNet group hacked the Ukrainian general staff’s database containing information on 1.7 million killed and missing Ukrainian servicemen.

“We can confirm, of course,” a KillNet representative told Sputnik when asked if they indeed have proof of such losses.

The hackers also shared a number of photos of deceased Ukrainian soldiers, their passports and military IDs, death certificates, and tags.

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Systemic Corruption Doesn’t Give a Chance for Peace in Ukraine

Another huge scandal linked to embezzlement of budget funds in government procurement has broken out in Ukraine recently. On August 2, Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) exposed an organized criminal group created by “Servant of the People” party’s deputy Oleksii Kuznietsov and head of the State Administration of the Mukachevo District Serhiy Haidai. The group have been organizing purchases of overpriced FPV drones and electronic warfare systems for the National Guard of Ukraine. According to investigation data, beside Kuznietsov and Haidai, a head of one of the Military-Civil Administrations, a unit commander of the National Guard, and representatives of company manufacturing drones were also involved in the huge corruption scheme. During 2024-2025, the criminals embezzled about $80 000 of money allocated for purchasing of defense goods. 30% from every government contract settled in their pockets. Now, all key persons of interest are taken into custody with the possibility of being out on bail. The head of the state Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the situation eloquently calling the fraud “absolutely immoral” and promised a “full and fair accountability” for the criminals.

However, neither high-profile exposure of corrupt officials, nor passionate speeches of the president of the country haven’t been able to dispel the tension, that has accumulated over last several weeks, and exonerate the Kyiv authorities for Ukrainians and international public. The reason for this is recent attempts of authorities to discredit the Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies and restrict their independence which really destroyed civilians’ faith in Zelenskyy’s and his team’s commitment to the rule of law and authorities’ interest in fighting corruption in general. I’m talking about a set of planned and well-coordinated attacks of current authorities on SAPO and NABU which preceded the exposure of the Kuznietsov-Haidai group.  On June 21, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine (one month before the events the office of Prosecutor General was taken by Ruslan Kravchenko who is known for his loyalty to the Office of the President of Ukraine) and SBU conducted unauthorized searches in both agencies. As the result of the searches, several NABU detectives were taken into custody on suspicion of collaboration with Russia. This joint operation of the secret services and the Prosecutor General’s Office (cynically called by the implementers “special operation”) literally paralyzed the work of NABU and SAPO and created a formal reason for tightening the control over anti-corruption agencies. The reason the Kyiv authorities have been looking for a very long time. And not finding one, they created it themselves. Already on July 22, the Verkhovnaya Rada of Ukraine passed a new law which practically liquidated the independence of anti-corruption agencies and established full control over their work by the Prosecutor General’s Office. Later that night, the new law was quickly signed by the President Zelenskyy despite the will of Ukrainians.

Such an undisguised attempt to liquidate the anti-corruption agencies caused an immediate reaction from Ukrainians. Ukrainians openly stood against the culpable law: hundreds of people went to protests on the streets, and free Ukrainian media was full of critics and disapproval of Kyiv’s authorities. However, I hate to admit it, but Ukrainians wouldn’t stop the authorities’ arbitrariness by themselves without the help of Ukrainian allies. Only due to the fast interference and strong stand of European and American authorities which have made everything they could to stop Kyiv’s authorities’ treacherous actions. The process of liquidation of SAPO and NABU was reversed. As a result, on July 31, under pressure of Ukrainian and international public a new law was passed. It restored the independence of the anti-corruption agencies. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t hope that Kyiv’s authorities stop trying to destroy anti-corruption agencies.

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Ukraine Strikes Druzhba Pipeline for the THIRD TIME, Cutting Russian Oil Flow to Hungary and Slovakia – Orbán Complains Online and Trump Answers: ‘I Am Very Angry About It!’

Ukraine bites the hands that feed it.

As we reported three days ago, the Ukrainians have started attacking the Druzhba pipeline that transports Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia.

While strikes on energy infrastructure have become commonplace, this specific pipeline is the lifeline for the Hungarian and Slovak economies.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó took to X, and sais that the ‘strike against our energy security is outrageous and unacceptable!’

The Ukrainian FM Andrii Sybiha was ironic, and told his counterpart ‘You can now send your complaints—and threats—to your friends in Moscow’.

Szijjártó responded with fire, saying:

“Fact 1: Russia has supplied oil to Hungary for decades via the Druzhba pipeline. This is in Hungary’s interest.

Fact 2: Ukraine attacks this pipeline, and because of these Ukrainian strikes, oil supplies to Hungary are repeatedly cut off. This is against Hungary’s interest.

As Hungary’s Foreign Minister my mandate is clear: Hungary’s interest comes first. Period.

And let’s not forget: a significant part of Ukraine’s electricity comes from Hungary…”

Yes, you read it right: Ukraine disrupts the energy security of a country who sends electricity to make up for its destroyed infrastructure!

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