Ukraine strikes Russian oil hub as Zelenskyy says war is in 'a very important phase'

Two days after stepping down,Jens Stoltenberg, the outgoing NATO chief, did a complete 180 from his usual "We will do everything until Ukraine's victory" to state that Ukraine will have to give up territory for peace.

Hitting an oil depot will not change the outcome, sacrificing 15,000 of your best fighters to take some forest and farmland in Kursk will not change the outcome. On the 15th of October, NATO will give Ukraine the green light to hit targets in Russia, this will also not change the outcome. Just add to the death toll on both sides.

And they are back at it with more of the usual hybrid-PR-war-strategy. Wild claims from Kyiv, unfounded boasts about shootdowns of hypersonic missiles, Kursk is going well etc. But the Kerch bridge still stands while skating over the crumbling position on the Eastern Front.

And is it crumbling. AFU are losing positions across all sectors of the front and in unexpected, unpredictable directions, like a sandcastle being eroded by a rising tide. RFAF limited ground incursion will pick up steam as the Autumn campaign season rolls into the winter one.

Shout out to the main photo (and bottom one). Hail is one of those legacy systems that have adapted and proved themselves. Note counter drone attachments.

Good on them. There should be no more viable energy or economic structures left in European russia if that is the way the game is to be played.

Mr KiplingToday 07:11 am JST

Two days after stepping down,Jens Stoltenberg, the outgoing NATO chief, did a complete 180 from his usual "We will do everything until Ukraine's victory" to state that Ukraine will have to give up territory for peace.

As usual, the interpretation from the apologist is that a ceasefire is the same as surrendering territory. One does not follow from the other.

Hitting an oil depot will not change the outcome, sacrificing 15,000 of your best fighters to take some forest and farmland in Kursk will not change the outcome. On the 15th of October, NATO will give Ukraine the green light to hit targets in Russia, this will also not change the outcome. Just add to the death toll on both sides.

Ukraine is fighting for its independence. I hope the babushkas in russia have the same drive to sacrifice their sons for Putin's glory.

I just realised that this provides an insight into why Russia simps / vatniks and MAGA people are so similar: it's the "one day" mindset.

Russia hasn't subdued Ukraine yet? They will. One day. Just you wait.

Trump hasn't unveiled his plan yet? He will. One day. Just you wait.

Come to think of it, the evangelical nutters fit right in as well. Jesus hasn't returned to rapture me and my thirty-eight cousins yet? He will. One day. Just you wait.

The UK won’t be subservient to the USA. One day. lol

The UK won’t be subservient to the USA. One day. lol

As usual, irrelevant to the topic at hand.

Speaking of, what has the UK specifically contributed to the proxy war against Russia?

War against Russia, I like that. With the ability to spin things like that, you missed your calling as a politician.

Anyway, to answer the question, why not hear it from the UK itself?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-support-to-ukraine-factsheet/uk-support-to-ukraine-factsheet

Some choice excerpts:

Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine poses a serious threat to UK prosperity and security. We are proud to be a leading partner in providing vital support to Ukraine.

In total, the UK has committed £12.8 billion for Ukraine: £7.8 billion in military support and £5 billion in non-military support.  

we regularly use the UN Security Council to condemn Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and reaffirm that Russian disinformation and false accusations will not deter our steadfast support for Ukraine

we will sustain £3 billion a year in military aid until 2030 to 2031 and for as long as it takes (announced on 10 July 2024)

For all his faults, Boris Johnson was one of the earliest and most consistent supporters of Ukraine. That's about the one good thing you can say about the guy.

So you can now go back to simping for Putin - hard to tell whether it's him or Trump who provides the greater priapic response from you - knowing where the UK stands on the matter.

In total, the UK has committed £12.8 billion for Ukraine: £7.8 billion in military support and £5 billion in non-military support.  

And anyone who lives in the UK can see where this money could have been better spent. NHS falling apart, poisoned rivers, old people choosing to heat or eat.

A total waste of tax payers money. Much of which will be "disappeared" by corruption in Ukraine.

And anyone who lives in the UK can see where this money could have been better spent. NHS falling apart, poisoned rivers, old people choosing to heat or eat.

I know it makes you deeply unhappy that there are morally decent countries who are helping Ukraine, but the things you refer to have been going on since way before the UK started assisting Ukraine. They are mainly a result of 14 years of austerity politics under the previous government. That's why they were voted out in a landslide.

The UK is still one of the world's strongest economies - 6th right now, I think - so we can chip in a bit of cash to stop your idol Putin.

This phrase about " entering a key phase " gets rolled out every time there is a donor meeting coming up. Easier to ask for more $$ with " key phase ".

And the fact that there are still many countries willing to help should tell you where the moral compass is pointing. Conversely if Russia needs new gear, they have to go crying to North Korea and other crackpot countries.

I don't care about Russian win as much as I care about the need for ceasefire /peace between the two.

So why should that peace not be achieved by Ukraine forcing Russia to GTFO of their country?

Imagine your neighbour breaks into your house and steals your television, your computer, your entire media collection, and then steals your car on the way out. They do this on camera and don't deny having done it.

They then tell you that they will consider the matter closed if they can return your television and media collection but will keep the rest.

You seem to be the type who would meekly agree to such a deal. After all, the result will be peace, right?

> https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-support-to-ukraine-factsheet/uk-support-to-ukraine-factsheet

Some choice excerpts:

we will sustain £3 billion a year in military aid until 2030 to 2031 and for as long as it takes (announced on 10 July 2024)

In general, all the excerpts from the article are "brilliant", but this one - in particular. Prudent and decent Britain is going to fight in Ukraine... until what year??? Am I right???? Until 2031? And why not until 2131? Who's lost their mind? The Dude or the gov.uk? I think Poseidon will put Britain into its place before 2031.