The Ukraine Crisis Part 2 . The Battle for the Donbas

In yet another blow to vladimir putin's evil, insidious plans, it seems that there's been some sort of a breakthrough with the Swedish/Turkish-relations at the NATO summit in Vilnius earlier tonight. Sweden and Türkiye seem to have reached an agreement regarding Sweden's NATO accession, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the president of Türkiye has now promised that their parliament will begin to ratify Sweden's NATO bid as soon as possible. What this means is that pretty soon now Sweden is in.

This also leaves Hungary with no other choice but to ratify, since they have absolutely no leverage whatsoever that they could use to prolong this charade any further.

Grattis, Sverige, och välkommen till NATO.

https://thehill.com/newsletters/eve...-chief-says-turkey-agrees-to-back-sweden-bid/

Turkey agrees to Sweden’s NATO membership, as leaders gather in Vilnius

 

In Vilnius, it was also agreed that after the war ends, Ukraine can seek NATO membership, and that Ukraine doesn't have to go trough MAP, or the Membership Action Plan. Obviously, since they've already demonstrated in an actual war that they are a capable, qualified member candidate, who has over the past year now received so much NATO-hardware.

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_216977.htm?selectedLocale=en

 

Some already speculate that the Wagner rebel, Yevgeny Prigozhin, could be dead already:

Wagner rebel Prigozhin is either dead or in one of Putin's gulags, says ex US general says | Daily Mail Online

We shall see.

 

The Kerch Bridge to Crimea has been hit again:

Ukraine claims responsibility for new attack on key Crimea bridge | CNN

 

belarusian helicopters violate Polish (a.k.a NATO) airspace.

Poland rushes troops to border, Belarus denies helicopter violation

Poland accuses Belarus of violating its airspace – DW – 08/02/2023

This comes after days of belarus taunting the Poles.

The Ukrainians take the fight to Moscow AGAIN:

Drone hits tower housing Russian ministries for second time in three days

Russia accuses Ukraine of striking same Moscow building that was hit by drone days ago

 

Ukraine gains foothold on Dnipro’s left bank in Kherson Oblast:

Ukraine gains foothold on Dnipro’s left bank in Kherson Oblast, confirms Deputy DM

Village of Urozhaine liberated in a notable breach to russia's southern defense line:

Ukraine liberates another key village in southeast

Somebody is helping russia to breach sanctions. Foreign, sanctioned computer chips found from the remains of rus missiles manufactured earlier this year:

Freshly-made Russian Kh-101 missiles contain about 30 foreign chips| Espreso

The russian rouble is on track to become toilet paper:

Russian rouble falls to levels seen at start of Ukraine invasion

 

Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has been killed in a plane crash. The plane carrying him was presumably shot down with a missile operated by the russian ministry of defense. This happens just 2 months after Prigozhin's short-lived mutiny against moscow in June. Another founding member of Wagner, Dmitry Utkin, was also killed.

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was on plane that crashed, Russian aviation agency says

Yevgeny Prigozhin onboard plane in fatal crash, says Russia

Ukraine liberates Robotyne in a demonstration that the counteroffensive is not a wasted effort.

Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Has Broken Through Robotyne

Ukraine achieves ‘very significant’ breakthrough in Russian defences

Ukraine strikes a deal with Sweden to manufacture Swedish made CV90 APCs under license.

Ukraine, Sweden sign 'statement of intent' to start joint production of CV90 armored vehicles

Zelensky is also wishing to make a similar deal with Finland for the Sisu brand APCs.

Zelensky tells Orpo Ukraine wants Finnish APC production as Finland's PM visits Kyiv

The Netherlands and Denmark will give F-16 warplanes to Ukraine, but Ukrainian pilots and mechanics must first complete a 6 months training program.

Netherlands and Denmark to donate up to 61 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

Zelensky Thanks Denmark for Pledging F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine

 

Prigozhin's dead at last. Now will Wagner group take revenge for the murder of their leaders?

Putin needs to watch his back now more than ever. These guys are not some opposition politicians. But it's likely Putin will just buy them off with the fortune he's stealing from Prigozin.

 

Norway joins The Netherlands and Denmark in pledging F-16 fighter planes to Ukraine.

US sets date to train Ukrainian F-16 pilots as Norway pledges jets

Yevgeny Prigozhin's crashed airplane most likely had a bomb planted inside by putin's men. A missile is no longer seen as the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, putin tries to pretend he cares.

Bomb likely the cause of explosion that downed Wagner leader Prigozhin's plane, US officials say

Some even believe that Prigozhin faked his death.

Prigozhin lives! Kremlin battles rumors Wagner chief faked his death

 

Several military targets in western russia have been hit by the largest drone strike to date. 4 Il-76 heavy transport aircrafts have been confirmed destroyed at a russian airbase in Pskov, near the border of NATO member Estonia , but belarussian sources suggest the russians may have lost as many as 7 of them.

Ukrainian drones attack Russian airport in large-scale raids on six regions

Russians swear revenge. Propagandist Vladimir Solovyov suggests that if the attack on Pskov was carried out from Estonia, the country should be attacked in retaliation.

Why Russia is so alarmed by Ukraine's big drone raid

 

It was just a matter of time, before China would take advantage of russia's weakness resulting from this war.

Under new map, China claims Russian island - The Economic Times

Russia breaks silence over China map claiming its territory

It seems russia must now taste its own medicine, when their neighbor suddenly decides to re-imagine maps and borderlines on a whim.

 

russia drone bombs Ukrainian targets uncomfortably close to NATO member Romania's border.

Russia launches drone strike on Ukrainian port near border with Romania in three-hour barrage that risked provoking a global food crisis and dragging NATO into war | Daily Mail Online

Ukraine breaches russia's first defense line in Zaporizhzhia as well.

‘Everything is ahead of us’: Ukraine breaks Russian stronghold’s first line of defence

Also:

 

russia is having difficulties producing enough missiles to keep the special bullshit operation going.

Russian soldiers have problems with missile and tyre production − ISW

Russia has a missile problem

NATO member Romania admits that pieces of a russian attack drone landed on their side of the border. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg announces that this is not viewed as a deliberate attack against Romania or NATO.

NATO country admits Russian drone debris landed on its territory

NATO: No Sign Drone Debris In Romania Was Result Of 'Intentional Attack By Russia'

russian human traffickers have attempted to recruit young Cuban men as fighters/mercenaries to the Ukrainian front. Cuba has arrested 17.

Cuba arrests 17 over alleged recruitment of Cubans to fight for Russia in Ukraine

United States is finally sending depleted uranium rounds to Ukraine. russia objects of course, but fuck them, right?

Ukraine war: US to arm Kyiv with depleted uranium tank shells

A fire in a russian factory that provides microchips for russia's missiles.

Major blaze rages through Russian weapons tech factory in blow for Putin

The Royal Air Force steps up its efforts to protect the Black Sea grain shipments.

RAF swarms over Black Sea to stop Putin's thugs seizing crucial shipments

 

There are reports coming in, that russia cannot supply enough fuel for domestic consumption.

Crimea is running out of gas

If this is true, it could be that the russians might soon get a little hungry. According to the russian minister of agriculture, Dmitry Patrushev, russia could be facing a critical shortage of diesel and gasoline for their farming sector, despite being a major oil producer, leaving their farming equipment without necessary fuels and lubricants to operate them.

Russian farm minister says fuel shortages threaten harvest and sowing - Interfax

Putin's agriculture minister warns: crop failure due to fuel shortages - News Directory 3

Although there seem to be signs that the oil companies would be willing to step up and hook the farmers up with up to even 500,000 tonnes of fuel. Time will tell.

Oil cos promise farmers sufficient diesel fuel - Russian govt

Ukraine’s military intelligence claims that the “Boika Towers” oil and gas drilling platforms near the coast of Crimea, have been recaptured, along with some useful equipment.

Major win for Ukraine as they regain control over key resource after years

Russia cannot meet arms delivery commitments because of war, Indian Air Force says

Russia cannot meet arms delivery commitments because of war, Indian Air Force says

Brazil's president Lula takes back his guarantee that Putin wouldn't be arrested if Putin arrives to G20 summit in Brazil.

Lula: Brazil's judiciary to decide on Putin's arrest at G20 summit

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/c...cktracks-on-putins-safety-at-next-g20-in-rio/

War blogger Gennadiy Dubovoy dies.

Russian military blogger killed in car accident in occupied Donetsk

US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller: "Putin is ‘begging’ Kim Jong Un for weapons"

US threatens sanctions if North Korea sells arms to Russia

US says Putin is 'begging' for help from North Korea's Kim Jong Un

 

Ukraine successfully bombards the Sevastopol port in Crimea, claims that "a submarine and a landing ship were likely damaged beyond repair".

Ukraine says Russian naval vessels badly damaged in Crimea attack

Ukraine obliterates two Russian military vessels in Crimea missile attack

Ukrainian missiles strike Russia’s Black Sea fleet in Crimea

So it seems russia is now losing in naval warfare against a country that doesn't have a navy. Meanwhile, two delusional, out-of-touch mass murderers had a meeting in the russian far east. russia is likely to trade space tech and food for north-korean ammunition.

Putin and North Korea's Kim discuss military matters, Ukraine war and satellites

Fighting is escalating near Marinka and Avdiivka.

Situation in Marinka and Avdiivka escalates, Russians are on offensive – Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister

And a certain russian propagandist is having a bad day.

 

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is in a coma. Condition said to be critical.

Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov who is a close Putin ally is critically ill and fighting for life, says Ukrainian intelligence amid reports 46-year-old is in a coma | Daily Mail Online

Military intelligence: Chechen warlord Kadyrov in critical condition

Putin's attack dog right-hand man 'critically ill in coma' after mystery illness

Finland, Poland and the Baltic countries ban russian cars from entering their territories.

Following Baltics, Finland and Poland ban Russian cars from entry

Poland bans entry of cars with Russian licence plates | Notes From Poland

Ukrainians wreck a russian S-400 Triumf missile system in Crimea.

Ukraine says Russian missile defence destroyed in Crimea, 2 warships hit

 

Generals injured and killed in strike on russian navy's Black Sea HQ. Joe Biden also authorizes sending ATACMS missiles to Ukraine (link 3, NBC News).

Ukraine: ‘Senior’ Russian naval officers among ‘dozens’ killed in Black Sea HQ strike

Ukraine claims senior Russian navy officers killed, injured in Crimea missile strike

Senior leadership among those killed in strike on Russia's Black Sea Fleet, Ukraine says

The Ukrainian armed forces have penetrated russia's defensive lines further in Zaporizhzhia says Ukrainian Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi.

General: Ukraine troops broke through near Zaporizhzhia’s Verbove, advances further

Ukrainian Armed Forces break through Russian defence in Verbove

sergei lavrov continues to be a ****.

‘Empire of lies’: Russia’s Lavrov rails against the West in UN address

russia's personnel and equipment losses thus far: