TheOldGuy @TheOldGuy@qoto.org
I am a Democrat who supports Ukraine in their battle against The Russian Z fascist invaders.
I am a 73 year old Covid hermit who
lives on 10 acres in a sparsely populated area of the Ozarks. I heat with wood that is leftover by the lumber industry. When cutting oak for lumber only the trunk is used.
The largest town is population 2992. The county is 13k people scattered over 713 square miles.
Joined Dec 2022
Rest in Peace Brave Paratrooper
🕯️Oleksandr Baklykov, Mayor of the city of Lebedyn in Sumy Region, was killed while performing a combat mission. He served in the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
He was joining the Armed Forces on September 2022.
“There are no former paratroopers. And for me, an experienced paratrooper, it’s incredibly painful to bury our children who die for Ukraine, for each of us,”
he wrote then.
As of April 2024, Olha Skrypnyk, head of the board of the Crimean human rights group, reports that Russia is holding at least 18 journalists captive. Skrypnyk notes that they have identified 98 officials of the occupation administration involved in the persecution of journalists, including Russian judges, prosecutors, and representatives of the FSB.
"Russia persists in unlawfully detaining civilian journalists, falsely accusing them of terrorism. Currently, we know of at least 18 journalists imprisoned, who are being denied medical care," Skrypnyk stated during the Second Black Sea Security Conference.
She further explains that following the occupation of the Kherson region in 2022, Russian military personnel abducted journalists from Kherson, transported them to Crimea, and charged them with collaborating with the Ukrainian military.
Subsequently, after the occupation of Crimea, the number of media outlets on the peninsula decreased by 12 times. The remaining media outlets operate solely in the interests of the occupation administration.
"According to occupation 'legislation,' since 2015, only 232 media outlets have been registered in Crimea. Prior to the occupation, over three thousand media outlets were active on the peninsula. It's evident that all of them operate under the control and funding of the occupiers, avoiding coverage of problematic issues and neglecting to report on the suppression of freedom of speech or violations of the rights of Crimean residents," added the human rights activist.
Rebekah Jones - Whistleblower
As of April 2024, Olha Skrypnyk, head of the board of the Crimean human rights group, reports that Russia is holding at least 18 journalists captive. Skrypnyk notes that they have identified 98 officials of the occupation administration involved in the persecution of journalists, including Russian judges, prosecutors, and representatives of the FSB.
"Russia persists in unlawfully detaining civilian journalists, falsely accusing them of terrorism. Currently, we know of at least 18 journalists imprisoned, who are being denied medical care," Skrypnyk stated during the Second Black Sea Security Conference.
She further explains that following the occupation of the Kherson region in 2022, Russian military personnel abducted journalists from Kherson, transported them to Crimea, and charged them with collaborating with the Ukrainian military.
Subsequently, after the occupation of Crimea, the number of media outlets on the peninsula decreased by 12 times. The remaining media outlets operate solely in the interests of the occupation administration.
"According to occupation 'legislation,' since 2015, only 232 media outlets have been registered in Crimea. Prior to the occupation, over three thousand media outlets were active on the peninsula. It's evident that all of them operate under the control and funding of the occupiers, avoiding coverage of problematic issues and neglecting to report on the suppression of freedom of speech or violations of the rights of Crimean residents," added the human rights activist.
As of April 2024, Olha Skrypnyk, head of the board of the Crimean human rights group, reports that Russia is holding at least 18 journalists captive. Skrypnyk notes that they have identified 98 officials of the occupation administration involved in the persecution of journalists, including Russian judges, prosecutors, and representatives of the FSB.
"Russia persists in unlawfully detaining civilian journalists, falsely accusing them of terrorism. Currently, we know of at least 18 journalists imprisoned, who are being denied medical care," Skrypnyk stated during the Second Black Sea Security Conference.
She further explains that following the occupation of the Kherson region in 2022, Russian military personnel abducted journalists from Kherson, transported them to Crimea, and charged them with collaborating with the Ukrainian military.
Subsequently, after the occupation of Crimea, the number of media outlets on the peninsula decreased by 12 times. The remaining media outlets operate solely in the interests of the occupation administration.
"According to occupation 'legislation,' since 2015, only 232 media outlets have been registered in Crimea. Prior to the occupation, over three thousand media outlets were active on the peninsula. It's evident that all of them operate under the control and funding of the occupiers, avoiding coverage of problematic issues and neglecting to report on the suppression of freedom of speech or violations of the rights of Crimean residents," added the human rights activist.
Feng Yujun, a professor at Peking University and Deputy Dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, believes that Russia’s defeat in the ongoing war with Ukraine is inevitable. In an analysis for The Economist, he outlined several reasons for this assessment.
Yujun argues that Russia’s struggle in the war stems from its failure to recover from the significant deindustrialization it underwent after the collapse of the USSR. Additionally, he highlights the information cocoon surrounding Russian decision-making, particularly due to Putin’s prolonged tenure in power.
Despite Russia’s nuclear capabilities, Yujun asserts that its eventual withdrawal from all occupied Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, is inevitable. He credits Ukraine’s resilience and unity in resisting Russian aggression for dispelling the myth of Russia’s military invincibility.
Regarding China’s relationship with Russia, Yujun notes instability, influenced by recent events. China’s stance has shifted from unconditional support to a more traditional stance of non-alignment, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third parties.
Yujun suggests that without significant changes in Russia’s political system and ideology, the conflict may stagnate or escalate further. He warns against the possibility of a Korean-style ceasefire, as Russia continues to attack Ukrainian positions and infrastructure, potentially leading to more conflicts in the future.
FROM THE ANALYST
TO THE BRINK BUT NOT BEYOND
Israel has been under immense pressure to show restraint. They used the phrase ‘we will act at a time and place that suits us’.
That means not yet and maybe, just maybe, never. But it’s an open ended double sided statement. Filled with strategic ambiguity and menace but also signalling a de-escalation for now.
Britain admitted its aircraft did bring down Iranian drones after all.
The sophisticated and highly capable defence system Iron Dome proved itself worthy of the name. Ukraine must only look on in awe, wishing that it had such a system for itself.
One of the interesting technical aspects of this attack was that several of the ballistic missiles were intercepted in space. That must have been THAAD, the American made Terminal High Altitude Aerospace Defence system and its Arrow-3 missiles. The first time that’s ever been used in combat.
The problem is that Israel keeps stealing the news feed while Ukraine suffers. It’s not acceptable that it gets ignored so easily.
@ukrainejournal
Ukraine and Slovakia have signed a Memorandum on enhanced cooperation in the nuclear industry.
The memorandum outlines plans to strengthen collaboration in the field of nuclear energy, focusing on the development of small modular reactors and the exchange of experience in operating nuclear installations and diversifying fuel sources.
Additionally, the parties agreed to cooperate on investment activities in the energy sector and the operation of energy systems in both countries. This includes leveraging Ukraine’s expertise in using alternative nuclear fuel at nuclear power plants.
@ukrainejournal
Ukraine and Slovakia have signed a Memorandum on enhanced cooperation in the nuclear industry.
The memorandum outlines plans to strengthen collaboration in the field of nuclear energy, focusing on the development of small modular reactors and the exchange of experience in operating nuclear installations and diversifying fuel sources.
Additionally, the parties agreed to cooperate on investment activities in the energy sector and the operation of energy systems in both countries. This includes leveraging Ukraine’s expertise in using alternative nuclear fuel at nuclear power plants.
@ukrainejournal
Ukraine Journal member, Michael in Germany, used his own salary to pay for a generator for Ukraine. He was motivated to act fast when he heard about ruzzians attacking infrastructure again.
Here is a translation of what they say in their thank you video 👆
»We would like to thank our friend of the unit, Mr. Michael from Germany! He helped us with the generator. Now we can be supplied again and work effectively! Glory to Ukraine!
Thank you, Michael!«
This proves we can all make a difference in Ukraine!
As Ukrainian soldiers say, if it weren't for private funds, we would have lost the war already!
Dianna
@ukrainejournal
The entire world witnessed allied action in the skies above Israel and neighboring countries. It demonstrated how truly effective unity in defending against terror can be when it is based on sufficient political will. Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Jordan acted together and with maximum efficiency. Together, they prevented terror from prevailing. And they are working together, and in coordination with others, to prevent further escalation.
Israel is not a NATO member, so no action, such as triggering Article 5, was required. And no one was dragged into the war. They simply contributed to the protection of human life.
"Shaheds" in the skies above Ukraine sound identical to those over the Middle East. The impact of ballistic missiles, if they are not intercepted, is the same everywhere. European skies could have received the same level of protection long ago if Ukraine had received similar full support from its partners in intercepting drones and missiles. Terror must be defeated completely and everywhere, not more in some places and less in others.
I thank everyone in the world, every leader and state, who truly assists us with air defense and missiles necessary to protect our skies, as well as training our pilots on F-16s. All of this already works and will continue to work to save lives. However, we can now see how unity can work truly hundred percent, and how almost a hundred percent of “Shaheds” and missiles can be intercepted. We will discuss it with our partners.
@ukrainejournal
Other news from the world:
❗️ Very sensitive content. In Sydney, Australia, a man attacked a Christian priest with a knife.
The attack happened during a service at the Assyrian Orthodox Church in Wakeley. The service was broadcast on YouTube, so the moment of the attack was caught on video. The attacker was detained, but before that he managed to injure three more people. The priest received multiple stab wounds to the head, another man has several lacerations, and two men have cuts on their hands.
▪️On April 13, there was already a knife attack in Sydney — an unknown person attacked visitors to a shopping center. Then six people died, and the attacker was shot dead by the police. Initially, the police do not believe that it was a terrorist attack.
Statistically Christians are the most persecuted in the world.
@ukrainejournal
The British Air Force cannot help Ukraine shoot down Russian drones and missiles, as it did with Israel during the attack of Iran.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Britain, David Cameron, answered the question of the LBC journalist that this would mean a direct clash between NATO and Russian forces and the expansion of the war in Europe.
According to him, the use of fighter jets "is not necessarily the best way to shoot down missiles and drones, because air defense systems are more effective." He emphasized that Ukraine has a great need for Patriot systems.
@ukrainejournal
The US is attempting to thwart a russian project aimed at extracting liquefied natural gas in the Arctic, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Liquefied gas has swiftly become one of the world’s foremost energy sources, sparking tensions between russia and the United States.
This competition is most pronounced in russia’s arctic north, where a massive new offshore liquefied natural gas facility, a pivotal endeavor for russian exploration president vladimir putin, is under construction.
To impede the initiative, known as Arctic LNG-2, the US has deployed a barrage of sanctions. These measures have hindered russia’s acquisition of the specialized, immense tankers required for gas transportation and have complicated efforts to construct alternative vessels domestically.
“Our objective is to ensure that the Arctic LNG-2 project does not come to fruition,” stated US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy, Jeffrey Payette, during a conference in Switzerland.
Putin aims to more than triple LNG exports in the coming years. His objective: to attract additional funds to finance the conflict in Ukraine and to offset the decline in russia’s traditional gas pipeline export business.
The US may escalate pressure due to russia’s limited dominance in the LNG market, making blockades less risky compared to oil markets, according to Maria Shagina, a sanctions researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
“Ruzzia had ambitious plans, but these were thwarted by the invasion of Ukraine. Ruzzia will face limitations in LNG development, as well as challenges in securing contracts, funding, and technology,” said Jason Fir of Poten & Partners, a shipping and brokerage firm.
@ukrainejournal
"Ukrainian naval drones have no analogues in the West and can reach almost any point in the Black Sea," SBU spokesperson Artem Dekhtyarenko said.
The drones are invisible to Russian detection systems and are valued at $215.000 a piece. The latest Sea Baby naval drone can carry almost a ton of explosives and has a range of 1000km.
I am a Democrat who supports Ukraine in their battle against The Russian Z fascist invaders.
I am a 73 year old Covid hermit who
lives on 10 acres in a sparsely populated area of the Ozarks. I heat with wood that is leftover by the lumber industry. When cutting oak for lumber only the trunk is used.
The largest town is population 2992. The county is 13k people scattered over 713 square miles.
Joined Dec 2022
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