TheOldGuy @TheOldGuy@qoto.org

Tucker Carlson mat get sanctioned for his trip to Russia and the Putin interview.

https://t.me/liveukraine_media/17988

The front as of the end of the day on 7 February 2024 - DeepState

▶️ Bilomoskovsky, Siversky and Bilhorodsky sections - no changes.

▶️ Svatove section - the enemy is pulling up reserves for a potential attack in the area of Tabaivka, it is likely that one of the strikes will be in the rear of our grouping in Kotlyarivka and Kyslivka. To the east of Terny and Yampolivka, the fighting is characterised by swings. The Defence Forces are inflicting significant damage on the advancing enemy units.

▶️ Bakhmut direction - fighting continues near Bilohorivka (L). There was an attempt by the enemy to gain tactical success with columns of 20 weapons and military equipment. Katsaps were advancing on Ivanivske, the situation is being clarified. Katsaps are trying to hold their positions near the gas distribution station (Horlivka) at any cost.

▶️ Avdiivka section - there were enemy attempts to advance near Stepove, but they were unsuccessful. The situation in Avdiivka itself is critical and chaotic. The enemy continues to advance in the private sector along Nezalezhnosti and Sapronova streets. In the area of the railway bridge, the katsaps have partial success and are storming the positions in the dachas in the direction of the stele at the entrance and the motor depot. Katsaps actively climbed the road, but suffered losses and retreated. The situation is similar in the area of the State Fiscal Service. In the south of the city, the enemy is so fanatical that they are surrounded and holding a circular defence. Fighting continues in Pervomayske and near Nevelske. Katsaps are storming the eastern part of Heorhiivka and the Pobeda area. Unfortunately, the enemy has entered the outer houses of Novomykhailivka, it is unknown whether they managed to drive it out.

▶️ The situation in the Berdiansk sector remains unchanged.

▶️ Zaporizhzhya sector - the area around Robotyne and Kamyanka has been clarified.

▶️ Tavriya sector - the contact line in Krynky has been updated, the enemy has been pushed back a little from the buildings.

🗂 Analytical note. The situation in Avdiivka is traditionally the most difficult. The private sector is in chaos and the IAF is not ready to fight in urban areas. Unfortunately, fires caused by strategic miscalculations have to be extinguished with human lives. It should be understood that the Katsaps have not yet deployed their main forces in the area, so the question is how to stop them. The enemy's latest moves are designed to finally kill the logistics to old Avdiivka. So far, at the cost of extraordinary efforts, the 110th Brigade has managed to hold the eastern front, which has not changed much. "There is no place for the living here" - this is what the locals say about the city

At a press conference alongside his Portuguese counterpart, João Gomes Cravinho, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, expressed Ukraine's expectation for the European Union to expedite the supply of artillery shells. Kuleba emphasized the urgency of this matter, highlighting the concrete understanding between Ukraine and the EU regarding the necessary steps to increase the supply promptly.

"We discussed the ways in which the European Union can increase the supply of artillery shells to Ukraine in the required quantity. There is a concrete understanding of what and how to do. We welcome the active position of the European Union in the search for these solutions and sincerely hope that they will be successful," Kuleba stated.

He also underscored the significance of this decision for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines, emphasizing their anticipation and
gratitude toward every European country willing to assist in ensuring the expedient delivery of artillery shells.

"I can immediately say that the Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines are waiting for
this decision and will be grateful to every European country that will help ensure that as many artillery shells as possible reach Ukraine in the shortest possible time," Kuleba concluded.

The US Senate adjourned Wednesday evening still in search of two more Republicans who will vote for a stand-alone bill for U.S. assistance to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.

The chamber will now hold a procedural vote Thursday on a $95 billion national security package with money for the three U.S. allies.

“We will recess until tomorrow and give our Republican colleagues the night to figure themselves out,” said Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat.

At least eight Senate Republicans indicated they were prepared to advance the foreign aid without the border deal, a remarkable reversal from prior GOP demands to include immigration policies.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was among the Republicans on board with the aid.

“If America fails to stand with our partners on the front lines in Europe and the Middle East, we will shred our credibility with friends in the Indo-Pacific,” Mr. McConnell said.

Some Republicans were seeking amendment votes on illegal immigration, despite hours earlier voting against the border deal.

Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, Republicans’ chief negotiator for the border provisions, borrowed a talking point from Democrats to accuse his GOP colleagues of playing election-year politics with a
contentious policy.

The foreign aid bill would still need final approval, if advanced on Thursday. That could come as soon as later this week before the Senate embarks on a two-week
recess.

But even if it clears the upper chamber, it would still need to pass in the Republican-
controlled House of Representatives.

A lot of people want Donnie on trial

https://www.palmerreport.com/analysis/these-numbers-are-ugly-for-donald-trump/54424/

District 3 in New York.

https://www.palmerreport.com/analysis/this-one-is-becoming-more-crucial-than-ever/54413/

🔴 IDF: Armed terrorist cells thwarted and numerous weapons located by IDF troops as operations in the Gaza Strip continue

IDF ground troops are continuing to coordinate with the IAF and Israeli Navy in targeted raids on terrorist sites and strikes against terrorist targets throughout the Gaza Strip.

IDF troops from the Paratroopers Brigade killed dozens of terrorists in Khan Yunis over the past 24 hours. In one incident, the troops encountered an armed terrorist cell and thwarted it. The soldiers also located large quantities of weapons including AK-47 rifles, grenades, and explosive devices.

Furthermore, IDF troops operating in western Khan Yunis encountered three armed terrorists who launched anti-tank missiles at them. The troops killed the terrorists along with several other terror operatives in close-quarters combat. In parallel, IDF soldiers conducted targeted raids on a compound used for combat, where they killed a number of terrorists and located weapons and tunnel shafts.

During another activity in Khan Yunis, IDF troops identified a terrorist in the area. Coordinating with the IAF, the troops targeted and eliminated the terrorist in an aircraft strike. Subsequently, three additional terror operatives were identified in the vicinity and were killed in a strike.

In addition, IDF troops killed a number of terrorists and located weapons and documents belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization.

Attached is a video of the IDF strikes in the Gaza Strip: https://bit.ly/49h54qS

Attached is a video of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip: https://bit.ly/3SKUa7f

Attached are photos from IDF activity in the Gaza Strip: https://IDFANC.activetrail.biz/anc0702202486542684521

🇮🇱 @israel_report

🟠 Iranian-Backed Houthi Terrorists conduct Multiple Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Attacks in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden:

On Feb. 6, from approximately 1:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Arabian Standard Time) Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Three of the ASBMs were attempting to hit MV Star Nasia, a Marshall Island-flagged, Greek owned-and-operated bulk carrier transiting the Gulf of Aden. At approximately 3:20 a.m., MV Star Nasia reported an explosion near the ship causing minor damage but no injuries. At 2 p.m. another missile impacted the water near the ship with no effect. At 4:30 p.m., USS Laboon (DDG 58), operating near MV Star Nasia, intercepted and shot down a third anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthis. MV Star Nasia remains seaworthy and is continuing toward its destination.

The remaining three ASBMs were likely targeting MV Morning Tide, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned cargo ship operating in the Southern Red Sea. The three missiles impacted the water near the ship without effect. MV Morning Tide is continuing its journey and is reporting no injuries or damage.

🇮🇱 @israel_report

Nicaragua has filed a new case at the International Court of Justice against Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Canada for their support of Israel through arms.

Much like South Africa, Nicaragua is trying to whitewash its human rights issues by pretending to care for Palestinians.
I'm here to remind you that:

1. During 2017, there were widespread and violent demonstrations against the government of President Daniel Ortega, as a result of these demonstrations, about 300 people were killed and about 500 people were imprisoned. About 60,000 citizens fled the country fearing the measures of the authorities

2. The government has waged a relentless campaign against independent media and journalists, employing harassment, censorship, and the outright revocation of legal statuses to silence critical voices.

3. Political prisoners in Nicaragua are subjected to ill-treatment and torture, showcasing the government's disdain for human dignity.

4. The judiciary in Nicaragua operates as a puppet of the ruling party, undermining the rule of law and the impartial protection of human rights.

5. The government has systematically targeted NGOs and civil society groups, employing legal mechanisms to throttle their operations.

6. Indigenous communities have been subjected to land invasions, violence, and neglect by the government, threatening their survival, culture, and access to natural resources.

A historic first. Unionized college sports

https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich/p/improbable-signs-of-union-ferment?r=70k1h&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Robert Reich

https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich/p/what-kind-of-presidential-candidate?r=70k1h&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

⚔️ Operational information as of 18.00 on 07.02.2024 regarding the Russian invasion

❗️ The main summary:

➡️ At the beginning of the day, the enemy carried out several strikes on the territory of Ukraine, using various means of air attack: attack UAVs, cruise, ballistic and anti-aircraft guided missiles. In total, 64 means of air attack of the enemy were used: 20 attack UAVs of the "Shahed-136/131" type, 29 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles, 4 Kh-22 cruise missiles, 3 Kalibr sea-based cruise missiles , 3 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 5 S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles. As a result of combat operations, 44 air targets were destroyed by the firepower of the Air Force and the Defense Forces: 26 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles; 3 Kalibr cruise missiles; 15 attack UAVs of the "Shahed-136/131" type.

➡️ During the day, 80 combat clashes took place. Information on the total number of airstrikes and shelling from rocket launcher systems is being clarified.

➡️ In the Kupyan direction, our defenders repelled 3 attacks near Synkivka, Ivanivka, Kharkiv region, where the enemy tried to break through the defense of our troops.

➡️ In the Lyman direction, our soldiers repulsed 7 attacks near Bilogorivka, Luhansk region, and Terni, Torsky, Donetsk region.

➡️ In the direction of Bakhmut, the Defense Forces repelled 5 attacks in the areas of Ivanivske and Klishchiivka settlements of the Donetsk region.

➡️ In the Avdiivka direction, our defenders repelled 25 attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka and another 9 attacks near Nevelsky, Donetsk region.

➡️ In the Mariinsky direction, the Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in Krasnohorivka, Georgiivka, Pobieda and Novomykhailivka districts of Donetsk region. Here, the enemy tried to improve the tactical position 20 times.

➡️ The enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions in the Shakhtarsky direction.

➡️ In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Defense Forces repelled 2 attacks west of Verbovoy and Robotiny in the Zaporizhzhia region.

➡️ In the area of responsibility of the "Odesa" anti-aircraft missile defense system in the Kherson direction, the enemy does not give up its intention to knock out Ukrainian units from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnieper. Thus, during the day, 3 unsuccessful attempts to storm the positions of our troops were made.

🔥 During the day, the aviation of the Defense Forces struck 6 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment of the enemy.

🔥 Units of missile forces struck 3 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment and 2 warehouses of enemy ammunition.

Support the Armed Forces! Let's win together!✊
Glory to Ukraine!🇺🇦

AFU

🇺🇦@ukraine_report🇺🇦🔱

Russian Oil refinery losses.
Update from @ukraine_report

Novoshakhtynskyi, which became the first refinery to be hit in June 2022

Ilsky oil refinery in southern Russia May 5 2023

Afipskyi Krasnodar 29 October 2023

Ryazan 19 January 2024

Novatek energy company oil refinery in Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea. January 21 2024

Yaroslav 29 January 2024 drones taken down by defence

Rosneft’s refinery in Tuapse on the Black Sea. January 25 2024

Lukoil oil refinery Volgograd. February 3 2024

If small drones with no more than 5 kilograms of explosives managed to reach Ust-Luga, which is 620 miles from Ukrainian territory, this means there are a total of eighteen Russian refineries with a combined
capacity of 3.5 million barrels per day (more than half the Russian total) that are possible targets.

Small drones like those used in Ust-Luga can damage not just pipelines, but also compressors, valves, control units, and other pieces of equipment that are tricky to replace because of sanctions.

🇺🇦@ukraine_report🇺🇦🔱Liz

The import of Russian gas into the Czech Republic has sharply increased. It already accounts for more than 60% of supplies — Novinky. cz.

In 2023, the Czech Republic managed to radically reduce gas imports from Russia compared to 2022, to 2% of total imports in the first ten months. However, the situation has changed rapidly since November.

In early December, Russian gas imports to the Czech Republic resumed through the Lanžhot station on the border with Slovakia.

In January, imports of Russian gas reached about 62% of total imports, according to data from NET4GAS and the Czech Statistical Office (CSO).

"The data for November and December are shocking, when the share of Russian gas in total imports rose sharply to 26% and 58%, respectively," says Jiří Pour, an economist at UniCredit Bank.

An informed source told journalists that such a rapid increase could be due to the fact that the gas was stored in Ukrainian storage facilities and is now being imported to the Czech Republic.

However, Pour does not believe that the transit or resale of Russian gas to other countries could have changed the statistics this much.

"Firstly, because the vast majority of imported gas goes to the Czech Republic. Moreover, NET4GAS data for January show that the tendency of gas imports from Russia is not only maintained but also intensified.

This means that Czech imports of natural gas, which improved Russia's balance of payments by almost 8 billion Czech crowns ($344 million) in the last quarter of last year, added an estimated 3 billion Czech crowns ($129 million) to this amount in January," the economist added.

Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela confirmed the growth of imports from October 2023.

The consequences that a Russian victory would entail. OPINION RUSI

The missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, as well as the persistent work of the Russian special services to undermine support for Ukraine in NATO and EU countries – carried out with the help of numerous agents of influence including politicians, journalists and experts in these countries – are both designed to degrade the will to continue the fight.

Ukraine stands fast. In the West, however, both public attitudes and the attitudes of ruling elites are putting at risk the volume of military-technical assistance to Ukraine. The failure of the US government to secure approval from Congress to finance aid to Ukraine for 2024 is an example of the success of Russian efforts.

Assessing the consequences of a complete or even partial victory for Russia: For Ukraine, the consequences are pretty clear. Putin does not hide his genocidal intentions to destroy Ukraine as an independent state and Ukrainians as a separate people.

Increase of refugees
Although the threat to the civilian population remains, Ukrainians prefer to stay in their country, and are even returning. Of the 8 million Ukrainians who fled the war in 2022, only about 4 million remain in Europe. But such a situation is extremely fragile, and depends directly on the provision of aid to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Turning Ukraine into a new Syria:
Even a short-term loss of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's ability to deter Russian aggression will inevitably upend the current equilibrium. Ukrainians will undoubtedly continue the struggle even then, but it will increasingly turn into an irregular insurgent war, it will be practically impossible to keep large territories under Ukrainian control, and even more so to protect the civilian population. Just look at Syria to imagine the nature of such a war. The methodical use of airstrikes and the destruction of resisting cities would not leave Ukraine with much of a chance even in the medium term.

The consequence for the West and especially for the US as the leader of the free world would be no less catastrophic.

Russia fighting US and NATO is the widely spread perception not only in Russia but also in other autocratic states and countries across the Global South. Thus, any situation that can be passed off by Russia as a victory – that is, any achievements resulting from its aggression – will be seen by these countries as a direct defeat of the West and especially the US.

China, Iran and North Korea increasing military growth without the US's image as the leading military power. The Global South will seek special relationships with these countries, displacing the US as an international security broker. This would further undermine the US position and also limit access to their markets, as well as the ability to obtain strategic materials from them.

Forget NATO.
The unwillingness of the US to provide Ukraine with enough weapons to win the war with Russia, even without raising troop at a low cost, calls into question the US’s readiness to protect individual NATO countries from aggression.

The withdrawal of the US from Europe, the principal goal of first the Soviets and now Russia, would immediately be capitalised upon by Russia and China. For the US, the loss of Europe equals losing the status of leader of the free world. Together with the loss of European markets, it would mean the inevitable end of the era of US politics, military and economical dominance.

Read all

@freerussia_report

🕯️ One of Ukraine's strongest men, world and European powerlifting champion Oleksandr Bilokon, died in the war, — Youth and Sports Committee.

In 2017, 26-year-old Oleksandr was working in the Kobzov circus and was a third-grade disabled person. Despite this, the athlete managed to lift a weight of 15.7 tonnes by 47 cm, of which 13.3 tonnes was the weight of the truck and the rest was the weight of people.

In 2020, Oleksandr Bilokon became a master of sports in heroic games. In the same year, the athlete took first place in the finals for the title of "The Strongest Man of Ukraine 2020" in the 95 kg weight category.

In 2021, the Strongman First League Finals 2021 took place in Bila Tserkva at the Trudovi Rezervy Stadium, where seven of the strongest men from all over Ukraine competed in the final competition of the season. It was Oleksandr who set the Ukrainian record for truck pulling.

Oleksandr joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the spring of 2023.

May he rest in peace...

The Clock Is Ticking As Ukraine Destroys More Russian Vehicles, Faster. - Forbes

On each of 705 days since Russia widened its war on Ukraine, Russian forces on average have lost—destroyed, abandoned or captured—19 tanks, fighting vehicles, howitzers or other heavy weapons.

On Saturday, they lost at least 54. Another 16 were damaged. It was one of the worst days of the war for Moscow.

Open-source analyst Andrew Perpetua, who tallies vehicles losses and publishes a daily list, noted the tragic record on Sunday, after adding up Saturday’s losses. “It’s the most I've ever found in a day,” he wrote.

Ukrainian losses were light: nine vehicles destroyed, abandoned or captured and other 21 damaged.

Worse for the Russians, their losses included 16 tanks and a staggering 29 fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, while Ukraine’s losses mostly were trucks and civilian vehicles the military apparently was using for supply runs. The Ukrainians lost two tanks and a single APC.

The obvious question is whether this loss-rate is sustainable for the Kremlin. The obvious answer is: no. As production of new armored vehicles continues to lag, the Russians still mostly ride in older Cold War-vintage vehicles they’ve pulled out of long-term storage. And these reserves are finite.

So far this year the Russians are losing more and more vehicles, faster than ever. For example the monthly loss-rate for BMPs is approaching 400 (while production of new BMPs remained steady at 30- 40/month).
Five times the rate observed in 2022 and 2023. At the current rate, Russia doesn’t have a two-year reserve of fighting vehicles, but maybe a six-month reserve. The uptick
in losses—to levels that are far beyond sustainable for Russian forces—also is evident among tanks and APCs

Read more

@freerussia_report

They knocked down the early warning plane. It didn't get an early warning

https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukraine-s-air-forces-destroy-a-50-aircraft-making-history-50390021.html

Presidents 1 through 44 did not mind not having total immunity. President 46 has no problem with it. Only President IQ 45 has a problem with it.

https://www.palmerreport.com/analysis/donald-trump-is-out-of-gas-8/54422/

Warren Buffet's son gave 500 million to Ukraine. Only 7 COUNTRIES have given more.

https://omaha.com/news/local/friend-of-ukraine-warren-buffetts-son-provides-500-million-in-humanitarian-aid/article_7f51e7ea-c051-11ee-8e8f-d7189cf2c604.html