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Kyiv claims battlefield gains as Russian gas shutdown hits Europe markets

47 Comments
By Tom Balmforth

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Ukrainian political theater all timed for the "donors" meeting on Sept 8. "Look! we are winning" When in reality they have taken a few kms of a Russian holding area at huge cost of men and materials.

Meanwhile back in the real world, the retreat in the Dombas continues at its slow and steady pace.

-12 ( +7 / -19 )

@kipling

they have taken a few kms of a Russian holding area at huge cost of men and materials.

and your source is ? The Moscow propaganda department ?

back in the real world

most normal people are hoping that Russia leaves Ukraine to live in peace, but no, not you.

9 ( +15 / -6 )

A tough winter to be sure. But I’m wagering that the will of Ukraine to resist and gradually turn the tide, and of Western democracies to continue to support it, is greater than that of Vlad “happy-feet” Putin or the average Russian “man on the street” who will probably start to wonder why Mini-me is something so irredeemably stupid.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Putin's approval rate is 80%. On a poll conducted by a US survey. Which western leader comes close to that.

Ukraine will is all very well but unfortunately for them they lack the firepower and resources to win. The west isn't going come to the rescue.

-9 ( +8 / -17 )

Zelensky is bombing his own villages, civilians and infrastructure. Even a NPP. How is he winning? Apart from over $30billion in unaudited cash for his government…cough…expenses.

-7 ( +8 / -15 )

When your country is invaded by a much larger neighbor, surviving this long is winning. Losing means your country ceases to exist.

Zelensky is bombing his own villages, civilians and infrastructure. Even a NPP. How is he winning? Apart from over $30billion in unaudited cash for his government…cough…expenses.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

after Russia kept its main gas pipeline to Germany shut

Russia now cut off gas to Germany (several days ago it was France) and now OPEC has agreed to cut output too.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/opec-agrees-cut-output-october-084713922.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Mr Kipling

Putin's approval rate is 80%. On a poll conducted by a US survey. Which western leader comes close to that.

Yep. it takes years of media control to achieve that.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Russia now cut off gas to Germany (several days ago it was France) and now OPEC has agreed to cut output too.

Russia is playing that hand sooner than I would have thought. Good. Rip the band-aid. This winter may be tough, but it will be the toughest one. Every winter after this one will be better.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

In the long run, Russia will be the loser when the EU countries secure alternative energy supplies.

No going back.

Russia is burning off excess natural gas near the Artic creating huge clouds of soot.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Following days of silence about their new offensive, Ukrainian officials posted an image online of three soldiers raising a flag over a town in Kherson province, a southern region occupied by Russia since the war's early days.

If Ukraine continues to keep the bridges closed, I don't see how Russia can win in Kherson. It seems quite likely that Ukraine will get this strategically critical city back.

I also see that the Russian ministry of defense has stopped saying that they are aiming for total Ukrainian defeat in the Kherson region.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Yes, OPEC made a small cut in supply (100k barrels/day) because oil prices are way down from their peak.

Russia now cut off gas to Germany (several days ago it was France) and now OPEC has agreed to cut output too.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Better start cutting down those trees before winter sets in.

Securing "alternate" energy supplies to meet EU demands (especially power generation), is easier said than done and won't be happening over night.

Also, Russia has numerous valuable resources other than coal, oil and natural gas.

So, start chopping now.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

Tom San - understood. As the old proverb goes, the best time to plant a tree is yesterday, the next best time is today.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

UChosePoorly - FYI, Russia accounts for 22 percent of the world's wood trade.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

"Problems with gas supply arose because of the sanctions imposed on our country by Western states

Russians and their Q/Z backers moaning about problems that may have come about because of sanctions should go back to step one and recall it was their Putin's decision to invade Ukraine and start a war that brought about the sanctions.

Maybe Russia and the world would be a lot better off after Putin calls his various armies back to Russia.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Tom san - good for them. There is plenty for the rest of us that doesn't come from Russia.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

I ike the part where Russia is now scouring hospitals and mental wards to fill out their ranks.

I guess the population of murderers, drug dealers and Chechens wasn't quite large enough to make up for losses from this patriotic "Special Military Operation"?

One wonders just how many young Russian men from the large urban centers are taking part?

I know a family previously based here in Japan who were desperate to get their draft-aged son anywhere on the planet but Russia to save him from conscription.

I gather that it is not an uncommon occurance.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Tom san - good for them. There is plenty for the rest of us that doesn't come from Russia.

Oh, yeah sure, but that's just the wood and lumber part.

Everyone knows about the coal, petroleum (plastics, resins?), LNG and wheat, by now.

But then, there's the iron ore, gold, platinum, aluminum, copper, diamonds, cobalt ore and lithium (EV's anyone?), etc. that Russia could "manipulate" to the disadvantage of the EU and elsewhere.

Also, what most folk overlook is the amount of chemical fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) Russia exports, so you might want to remember that when you wonder why you're paying more for your meat and veggies at the supermarket.

Brace yourself for hard and harder times looming ahead.

In good time, the EU will realize that Russia is no pushover.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

Tom San - I appreciate your concern, but we will be fine. It is far better to extricate ourselves from being dependent on aggressive autocrats sooner rather than later. Imagine if Europe had not been so dependent on Russian imports, how much better off they would be now.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

I don't think anyone is in denial that things are going to be difficult for a little while. I am certainly not. I feel that some short term pain is worth being independent of Russia in the longer term. In my personal life, I almost always sacrifice for the longer gain. Europe (and the US too!) would do well to do the same.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

In good time, the EU will realize that Russia is no pushover.

and should be shown more respect.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Imagine if Europe had not been so dependent on Russian imports, how much better off they would be now.

Yeah I mean if only someone had told them that back in 2018.

Oh wait.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

and should be shown more respect.

Respect is earned. You can't threaten someone into respecting you.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Respect is earned. You can't threaten someone into respecting you.

Governments respect strength. History has shown us that.

Not going down that street, anyways.

As AS has repeatedly stated before, what's going down between Ukraine and Russia is a vendetta, a feud.

Only fools get involved in vendettas and feuds.

Fools like the US, EU, Japan, etc.

My 2 cents.

You can take it or leave it.

I couldn't care less.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

And Putin's Russia has shown us that they are not as strong as everyone had thought. But time will tell. It always does.

Of course we should get involved in "feuds and vendettas" when innocents are concerned, though I disagree that I would call this invasion and land grab as just a pretty feud. By that token, one could also argue that the last world war was just a series of feuds and vendettas in Europe. I am glad that I live in a world where people and nations don't just roll over when we see someone acting antisocially. I wish we could do more.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Because the locals are all pro separatist.

With a turnout of 83.4% of eligible voters, 90.1% of the votes cast in Kherson Oblast affirmed Ukrainian independence in the national referendum of 1 December 1991.

https://soviethistory.msu.edu/1991-2/the-end-of-the-soviet-union/the-end-of-the-soviet-union-texts/ukrainian-independence-declaration/

in the 2020 local elections, those parties seen as pro-Russian/Euro-sceptic gained a total of just over 30% of all votes cast. That's a far cry from 'all'.

https://ukraine-elections.com.ua/en/election_data/region_result_page/144

When the free press is banned it means the government has something to hide.

Yes indeed. For some inexplicable reason they want to prevent any possibility of the orcs picking up vital tactical or strategic information, troop positions, numbers, movements, etc. I wonder why on earth they would want to do that.

Slava Ukraini!

6 ( +10 / -4 )

The west isn't going come to the rescue.

yes, we know you are wishing for this, but the west knows this is their greatest opportunity to be rid of Putin & have a peaceful Europe.

You can take it or leave it.

we’ll leave it thanks

Because the locals are all pro separatist.

false

Zelensky is bombing his own villages, civilians and infrastructure. Even a NPP.

false

4 ( +10 / -6 )

reality on the ground is some 180 degrees different anyway....

btw EU "leaders" wanted cut off their countries from russian oil and gas and yes-at least gas of off now/Northstream 1/-so I dont understand their "excitement" about.

they will just wear two seaeters in winter,will live in rooms with temperature 18c and will take cold quick showers so what is problem?

they will definitely "win" over Russia!/irony off/

i feel sorry about EU citizens walking to nowhere under their countries "leaderships"...

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Please do more for the "cause" at your own expense.

Those in support of Ukraine or Russia as a matter of fact, should pay a "war tax" and leave the rest of us out of it.

There are better ways to spend my hard earned tax money.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

Tom San - what an interesting system that would be in which ones tax dollars went only to the causes we wanted them to and to nothing else.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Tom San - what an interesting system that would be in which ones tax dollars went only to the causes we wanted them to and to nothing else.

It's food for thought.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

live in rooms with temperature 18c

Our thermostat is normally set to 18 degrees in winter. Mr. cleo sometimes ups it to 20, but I find that far too stuffy.

18 degrees is fine.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Everyone needs to calm down and not be so pessimistic. It's true Ukraine is running out of fighting age males but Brussels and Washington have a solution. From October 1 females of fighting age are going to be forcibly conscripted. Including pregnant women and mothers of young kids.

You all thought the talk of, "fighting Russia to the last Ukrainian" was a cliche. There isn't a shred of humor to be found in the ruling circles of Brussels and Washington. On a brighter note, a freezing winter with no gas might cool their fascist tendencies.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Axel

Everyone needs to calm down and not be so pessimistic. 

We're not. The fact that Russia is purchasing millions of shells and rockets from North Korea shows that global sanctions are having an effect on the Russian military’s supply lines.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

We're not. The fact that Russia is purchasing millions of shells and rockets from North Korea shows that global sanctions are having an effect on the Russian military’s supply lines.

Sanctions are working? Haven't heard that for a while. I wonder if they are going to work fast enough to stop Ukrainian women being conscripted and sent to the slaughter from October 1. To that end, it's good the sanctions hit Russian state is giving all Ukrainians in Russia very generous state aid. I think before the beginning of conscription from October 1 there are going to be about 10mil more Ukrainian women in Russia.

As for North Korea, now the Russians are buying shells from them? Are they the shells the 100k North Korean soldiers are going to be using whom the MSM told us are going to fight in Ukraine?

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

When your country is invaded by a much larger neighbor, surviving this long is winning. Losing means your country ceases to exist.

if think you are confused. Ukraine is destroying Ukraine. Russia doesn’t want Ukraine. Donbass wants independence, Crimea is Russia and when the USSR broke up, Ukraine promised to be neutral and not join NATO. So winning is just accepting reality and stop destroying your country and the whole world.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

So he has that in common with the majority of the Ukrainian population and at least 25% of the Ukrainian army.

This is so laughably provably false that it calls into question your basic cognition.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

wallaceToday  09:05 am JST

In the long run, Russia will be the loser when the EU countries secure alternative energy supplies.

No going back.

Russia is burning off excess natural gas near the Artic creating huge clouds of soot.

Burning natural gas creates soot.. wow.. just wow. haha

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Rodney

Crimea is Russia

No it isn't, Crimea and Donbass, both legally still part of Ukraine.

and when the USSR broke up, Ukraine promised to be neutral and not join NATO.

No it didn't.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Axel

As for North Korea, now the Russians are buying shells from them?

Yes. Which goes to show how desperate Putin is. The only reason the Kremlin should have to buy artillery shells or rockets from North Korea or anyone is because Putin has been unwilling or unable to mobilize the Russian economy for war at even the most basic level.

So Putin is scared to escalate to declaring a war is due to potential pushback at home. Putin's priorities obviously have him staying in power at home over winning the war in Ukraine.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Sanctions are working? Haven't heard that for a while.

We hear it every time Mad Vlad complains about the sanctions, claims they aren't working, claims they're the reason he can't pipe the gas, has a hissy fit about other countries shipping weapons to Ukraine.

Ukrainian women being conscripted and sent to the slaughter

Registration of females for military service in the case of war began last year. Hopefully the ladies will be successful in slaughtering many orcs.

Ukraine is destroying Ukraine. Russia doesn’t want Ukraine. Donbass wants independence, Crimea is Russia 

Seriously, do they pay you for this stuff?

Russia is flattening Ukrainian cities and raping Ukrainian women and little girls. Russia is shelling hospitals, schools, residential areas and, GHU, nuclear plants.

If Russia doesn't want Ukraine, they're concealing their intentions very very well.

Donbass will never be independent as long as Russia is in charge.

Crimea, like Donetsk and Luhansk, are part of Ukraine. Look at a map.

when the USSR broke up, Ukraine promised to be neutral and not join NATO.

There is no mention at all of NATO in the Belavezh Accords, the agreement signed by Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation at the breakup of the USSR, or in the Alma-Ata Protocol signed by these and the smaller republics a few days later. The only mention of neutrality is the parties will respect each other's efforts to achieve the status of a nuclear-free and/or neutral State.

There is also mention of mutual recognition of and respect for State sovereignty, the inalienable right to self-determination, the principles of equality and non-intervention in internal affairs, of abstention from the use of force and from economic or other means of applying pressure. Oops. Guess Putler never read that bit.

https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/?pdf=CDL(1994)054-e

1 ( +4 / -3 )

2020hindsights

The fact that Russia is purchasing millions of shells and rockets from North Korea

Wow, a new line in the "Russia is out of missiles / shells Weekly"? Can you share the source of this interesting intel?

@cleo

Hopefully the ladies will be successful in slaughtering many orcs

You think females will be more successful than men? Ukroorcs were unable to conquer the people of Donbass for eight years despite all their brutality.

Russia is flattening Ukrainian cities and raping Ukrainian women and little girls. Russia is shelling hospitals, schools, residential areas and, GHU, nuclear plants

Ukraine flattened Donbass cities, keeps doing it now, shelling hospitals, schools and residental areas, the nuclear plant. And stop retranslate the old stories about rapes, the author of these lies, Denisova, was fired for them, because even Ukroofficials understood these claims were too stupid.

Slava Ukraini!

WWII-era Ukrainian Nazi collaborators' slogan? "No fascism in Ukraine", sure.

Pobeda Donbassu!

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

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