Day 1394 War in Ukraine

Russia pays pretty much nothing to launch strikes in Europe. Europe, on the other hand, pays an enormous price to try and stop the Russian strikes. They drain European resources. Some nations are reacting well to the Russian threat. Not everyone, though.

For a country without a navy, Ukraine is seriously kicking Russia's butt at sea! They just took down another tanker AND a general!

Another shadow fleet tanker ht, this time n the Mediterranean. Interestingly, Ukraine hits then when they're empty, probably to prevent spills.

Georgian protester imprisoned for seven months for refusing to appear before a parliamentary inquiry. He promptly joined the regular protests.

Speaker of the Georgian parliament compares EU representative to the Soviets for trying to “abolish our [Georgia's] sovereignty!”

Hmm. Russian drone lands in rural Turkey.

Russian shadow fleet tankers also engaged in spying on European countries.

Like President Trump, SecState Rubio doesn’t appear to have any idea WHY Ukraine and Russia are fighting. As Trump has described the situation, it’s like two young boys fighting on the playground. Nothing needs to be understood, it simply needs to be broken up.

Rubio demonstrates the same blindness to the coming conflict that isolationist Americans showed in the late 1930s.

If Trump and Rubio were to simply read and comprehend what Reuters has written about Putin’s goals and objectives, they might take a very different course of action.

Russia has used chemical agents at least 12k times since the all-out war began in 2022.

Ukraine strikes a Russian patrol boat. Also oil drilling platforms in the Caspian Sea.

Russia strikes port infrastructure in Odesa. Russia uses a cluster bomb on a bridge between Ukraine and Moldova, which only harms civilians and not the bridge itself.

“The russians have opened ticket sales for the Mariupol Drama Theater — the same place they bombed in 2022 w/ hundreds of people inside.”

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/12/19/war-for-ukraine-day-1394-ukraine-which-does-not-have-a-navy-is-destroying-russia-through-naval-warfare/

 

Day 1393 War in Ukraine

Traveling on a road covered n anti-drone nets.

Putin threatens Belgium for using Russian financial assets to support Ukraine.

Putin declares that Russia's mission is to “liberate its historic lands.” How anyone can read that and think that Russia is ready to negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine is just completely nuts.

Zelenskyy repeats that Putin is quite serious about overrunning Ukraine.

With NATO disabled due to US non-compliance and the EU not being built for NATO-like responsibilities, Europe has had difficulty responding in an effective manner.

Kate from Kharkv wonders what the US will do if Russia “makes peace” and then attacks again.

Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, stands solidly with the people of Georgia.

Georgian government wants to “reform” education. “Not a reform, a robbery” declares Hans Gutbrod.

Georgia sends 34,600 second-hand cars to Russia.

EU Council identifies and sanctions 41 vessels as being part of Russia's shadow fleet.

STING interceptors proving to be effective in bringing down jet-powered Shahed drones.

Ukraine's NAFO engaging in fun fundraising ideas!

Ukrainian power substation completely destroyed.

Ukraine hits airfield in occupied Crimea, costs Russia hundreds of millions of dollars worth of equipment.

Russian shadow fleet tanker sunk.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/12/18/war-for-ukraine-day-1393-europe-is-well-past-its-time-of-choosing/

Day 1392 War in Ukraine

Keeping food “refrigerated” with the power being out in Odesa. Resident of Kharkiv do this too.

Huh! There’s actually a law against recognizing Russia’s “illegal annexation” of parts of Ukraine. This creates an interesting conflict with what Trump wants to do today.

“Russia rejects Christmas truce as U.S. ramps up peace push“

Again, Putin makes it quite clear that he won’t settle for anything short of victory.

With laws against blocking the pavement, Georgian protesters are back on Rustaveli Avenue. Protesters are ignoring the law that says to get permission to hold protests.

Mariam Pirashvili, a woman who picks up trash at the protests, is honored with a cappella singing.

Czechs deliver public transportation vehicles to Kharkiv.

Sweden has detected Russian military personnel on Russia’s “shadow fleet” ships.

Poland is again producing land mines after the Cold War ended.

Will the US impose new sanctions on Russia? The blogger doubts it.

“Moscow has ruled out accepting a peace offer in which NATO troops would be stationed in Ukraine.” Meaning ***when*** Russia re-starts the war, they don’t want any foreign troops getting in the way.

US legislation that would require a US response in the event of Russia restarting the war would help, but Trump is likely to simply ignore it.

Drone surveillance of the ruins of Kupyansk.

Ukrainian forces regain ground near Pokrovsk.

“In Russia, Radomir Kurtić, a representative of the Serbian defense company Jugoimport SDPR, died ‘under suspicious circumstances.’"

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/12/17/war-for-ukraine-day-1392-breaking-the-law-breaking-the-law/

 

Day 1389 War in Ukraine

An examination of Russia’s death cult, a culture of glorious death. Blogger feels that Russia has a “victory frenzy.”

Latest word on the negotiations between the US and Ukraine. “On Donbas: ‘We stand where we stand’” sounds like Russia keeps all of its ill-gotten territorial gains.

“Since not all support Ukraine’s NATO membership, the compromise option is bilateral security guarantees.” Certainly nowhere near as good as NATO membership.

Zelenskyy would still like something similar to NATO’s Article 5 assurance that a Russian attack would activate a mutual protection response. Washington has yet to respond to that. Russia of course, would object to any real guarantees.

This is good. “the Trump administration may be willing to provide Congress-approved NATO-like security guarantees.”

“Ushakov stressed that Moscow is determined to stand its ground on territorial issues.” Meaning Russia wants to hold on to all of the territory it currently occupies.

Big problem is getting Senate approval for a treaty to protect Ukraine. Senate hasn’t passed a treaty in forever and it’s highly doubtful they can. Ukraine is just making do the best it can.

Is there any hope for peace? Yes, but only if Russia is defeated unconditionally.

Georgia protesters object to Kherson’s “Human Safari,” where Russian drones make the city close to unlivable.

Hungary claims that seizing Russia’s frozen assets would amount to declaration of war against Russia. Polish Prime Minister claims that Hungary’s Prime Minister has earned his “Order of Lenin.”

Russia has recruited 18k soldiers from 128 countries by taking advantage of economic distress.

Ukrainian General Staff announced many hits on military targets in Russia and occupied territory. Russia hit a supermarket, “timed precisely for when civilians shop.” Yes, there was a “double tap” where a rescuer was wounded.

Odesa’s energy infrastructure hit again. No power being produced.

Russia claims the Turkish ship it hit was carrying generators for Ukraine’s “shadow energy fleet.” It was actually carrying tomatoes and vegetables.

Russian plane splits into two pieces before crashing.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/12/14/war-for-ukraine-day-1389-berlin/

 

Day 1387 War in Ukraine

 

Zelenskyy gives his daily address from Kupyansk, a city very close to the front line.

Blogger feels both Trump and Putin have confused ideas about spheres of influence. Putin wants the US to stay out of his sphere in Eastern Europe, but feels free to chat with Venezuela’s Maduro and expresses solidarity and support. There are 120 Russian troops training Venezuelans.

Several speeches by Zelenskyy and the First Lady of Ukraine.

The sidewalk-only protests in Georgia are going energetically!

Russia committing hybrid warfare in Norway.

Russia upgrades drones by using European SIM cards.

Detailed description of Europe using Russian assets of €210 billion to help Ukraine. Also how Europe is keeping those assets from Trump.

Hungarian dictator bemoans the loss of democracy within the EU.

Inside maneuvers on US side.

Russians are cooperating with Putin to maintain a violent dictatorship over neighboring countries.

Russians attempt flanking maneuver at Pokrovsk “with dozens of vehicles.”. Didn't work.

Risk of encirclement near Pokrovsk.

Another oil platform n Caspian Sea hit.

Turkish vessel in Odesa hit by Russians. Erdogan and Putin had met hours previously.

Russia attacked a sports complex while children were training there. Fortunately, all children and teachers escaped.

Major Russian weapons and ammunition plant on fire.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/12/12/war-for-ukraine-day-1387-putin-does-not-recognize-anyone-elses-sphere-of-influence-and-near-abroad/

Day 1385 War in Ukraine

 

Russian copper miners, who are complaining they haven’t been paid for the second month in a row. “According to Rosstat, as of October, the total amount of overdue wage arrears in the country reached 2.156 billion rubles”

Yowza! Ukraine send 400 drones into Russia!

Knowing full well that Putin has rejected most of Trump’s “peace” plan, Ukraine tries to demonstrate its seriousness by discussing the plan anyway. One very positive aspect of the proposed peace plan is that Ukraine would at least get to join the EU in 2027.

Can the US make credible security guarantees? Ehh, Trump’s latest National Security Strategy contradicts that idea.

Ukraine has accepted six of Trump’s six proposed peace plans. Russia has accepted none.

Trump wonders aloud why Ukraine won’t hold elections during wartime. 1. They’ve been in a state of “Martial Law” since February 2022. 2. It would divert valuable time, money and resources that Ukraine needs to fight the war.

Trump admits he’s been extremely cheap in supporting Ukraine.

Now Georgia’s ruling party wants to make protesting on the sidewalk illegal!

Britain WOULD be a threat to Russia IF it could make up its mind to be!

Denmark’s intelligence service has labeled the US as a “potential security concern.”

Russian shadow fleet tanker struck by sea drones. Interesting, they struck when the ship was apparently empty, likely out of environmental concerns.

Russian propaganda video.

In Russian occupied Mariupol, the drama theater where 600 civilians were taking shelter and lost their lives, is being reopened.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/12/10/war-for-ukraine-day-1385-a-20-point-proposal-emerges/

Day 1383 War in Ukraine

 

If Trump was at all serious about peace between Ukraine & Russia, he’d have a serious and meaningful answer to this question.

Zelenskyy has NO intention of giving up ANY territory under Trump’s “peace” plan. Also, Europe must play an active role in any plan. “- Security guarantees must be approved by the U.S. Congress.” It matter to Ukraine HOW the war ends!

Trump claimed yesterday that Putin was fine with his “peace” plan. Nope! Putin wants “radical changes” to the plan.

Blogger claims Russia wants to roll the EU and NATO back to their pre-1992 borders. Trump wants to sideline Europe. Not gonna happen!

Trump is required by law to supply Ukraine. Unfortunately, he doesn't feel he has to comply with ***any*** law and the Republican-led Congress is unlikely to make him. “We are in fully post-constitutional US. There is no republic left. There is only the revolutionary Trump/MAGA movement ...”

Georgia: “Demonstrators are holding a protest march on Rustaveli Avenue, on the sidewalk.“

The ruling party in Georgia is insisting that protesters must give five days notice of any planned protest. Protesters are confident they can ignore this.

Georgia plays a key role in permitting Russia to evade sanctions.

Czechs are test-marketing their new Narwhal cruise missile by giving copies to Ukraine. They'll us its performance there as part of their sales campaign.

Belgium has been nervous about being too exposed is using seized Russian money. Germany is comfortable offering assistance. Will the rest of Europe be? Ehh, we'll see.

Fairly sensible stuff from Don Jr.

“Alexander Gabuev, a well-known expert on Russian foreign policy and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia and Eurasia Center in Berlin,” is convinced that Russia may find it impossible to continue fighting Ukraine in a year or so, but no, Russia is by NO means likely to call it quits on Ukraine any time soon.

Putin calls up reservists. Huh! Funny, I thought Trump was convinced Putin wanted peace!

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/12/08/war-for-ukraine-day-1383-sumy-is-darkened/

Day 1380 War in Ukraine

Putin and India’s Modi are clearly allies who hold Trump in contempt.

When Georgian authorities forbade protesters from wearing medical masks, they were also using chemicals dating from World War I on the protesters! “Camite,” or bromobenzyl cyanide, was apparently mixed into the water cannons that were used to disperse protesters. Five days after the BBC revealed this, Georgian authorities are still “investigating.”

Sounds as though the Prime Minister of Belgium was threatened by Russia to take a pro-Russian stance on the war with Russia over Ukraine.

Whuuh?!?! “Russia exports over a third of its oil in Western tankers – mostly to India and China” Why? Why is this still being done almost four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion?

US provided Ukraine with pretty much no direct support in 2025.

US lobbied to not support Ukraine getting Russian frozen money because the money was needed to support a peace deal? Wha-a-at?!?!

Blogger repeats his evaluation of Trump’s National Security Strategy. Very bombastic and often has little contact with reality. Very sad: “The sections about US soft power are just silly at this point. We don’t have any soft power left because Trump let Musk and his minions…”

Russia’s trade with India has been growing over the past several years.

On this day in 1994, the Budapest Memorandum was signed. It turned into a worthless scrap of paper in 2014, when Russia invaded Crimea.

Kyiv got its Christmas tree up! Odesa has its Christmas lights up as well.

Short film of Ukrainian drones slipping past anti-drone protections.

Stuff blowing up in Chechnya.

Russian stuff, especially oil refineries, blowing up.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/12/05/war-for-ukraine-day-1380-all-of-ukraine-was-under-alert-for-russian-missile-strikes-earlier-this-evening/

 

Day 1378 War in Ukraine

Allegations that Ukrainian children abducted by Russians are further sent on to North Korea.

Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner (Husband to Trump’s daughter Ivanka) spend five hours in a meeting in Russia. They got the impression Putin would like to end the war. Of course he would, but under what conditions? Blogger says Witkoff and Kushner are both really good at laundering money for criminals.

“Georgian Dream’s self-proclaimed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze CONFIRMED” that, yes indeed, the BBC’s claims are correct. A chemical WAS used on protesters.

Europe willing to spend $1 billion for weapons for Ukraine. Europe wants to get Ukraine $90 billion over the next two years.

Turkey starts to break off from Russian oil by diversifying its supply.

Romania is the strangest “ally.” They had a Russian drone overflying them, their jets nudged it into Ukrainian territory so that it could kill Ukrainians. Now Ukraine allegedly lost a sea drone (Ukraine denies it) and Romania can’t be bothered to call them and say “What would you like to do with it?”

Sabotage operations in Russian-occupied territory were rare in 2023 & 2024. Now they’re happening again.

Read a number of times about drone operators collected in a building and the building getting destroyed. Seems being Russian drone operator is a REALLY unsafe job!

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/12/03/war-for-ukraine-day-1378-one-of-these-things-is-not-like-the-other/

 

Day 1373 Wae in Ukraine

Russian shadow fleet oil tanker ablaze in the Black sea.

The Head of the Presidential Office was found by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau to be corrupt. He was fired immediately.

“Czech foundation drops Flamingo missile donation amid corruption probes”

One tears ago today, Georgia’s Prime Minister halted Georgia’s talks to access the EU. That immediately cost Georgia’s government the trust of the people and led to protests ta continue to this day.

Trump made a speech to Israel’s Knesset where he admitted that his envoy, Steve Witkoff, was hopelessly poorly informed and was essentially a blank slate that Putin could write whatever he wanted on. “Steve had no idea about Russia, had no idea about Putin,” Trump recalled.

Ukraine conclude “’Trump is like a weather vane. Whoever blows in his ear today, that’s the direction he turns,’ the aide told me.”

And yes, absolutely positively yes to this. “Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill were outraged to find this suggestion in the 28-point plan. They pointed out that such an outcome would set a dangerous precedent by rewarding the aggressor.”

Witkoff, Jared and Vance pressed for a wildly unacceptable “deal” that no Ukrainian leader could possibly agree to.

Ukraine has suffered at least 150k casualties.

Ukraine’s unmanned systems blowing up lots of Russian stuff.

Ukraine erects anti-drone nets. The Russian counter to that is to equip their FPV drone with thermite so that they can burn through the nets.

Ukraine hits Saky airfield and a battery storage warehouse.

Russian ICBM missile test fails.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/11/28/war-for-ukraine-day-1373-the-yermak-has-hit-the-fan/

 

Michael McFaul's memories

Former Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul seen her speaking with President Obama back in the day. Saw quite a few comments on Xitter criticizing McFaul for an allegedly weak response to Russia invading and occupying Crimea, Ukraine. There's a strong argument for the US to have immediately waged war in response. But let's give this some thought. 

1. For two nuclear powers to have fought a war might not have been a great idea.

2. We had just pulled the last troops out of Iraq by the end of 2011. We still had troops in Afghanistan. 

3.  Ukraine was not a member of NATO. The US had no legal obligation to defend it. 

4. Most critically I think, the Republican Senate had gone so overboard on using the filibuster, Obama might have had a difficult time rallying the country. For any bill to pass the Senate had to be approved by at least 60-40. It's pretty much impossible to fight a war when you must have a supermajority in the Senate to get anything done. 
 

BREAKING: Philadelphia Passes City Council Resolution!!!

 

***MEDIA RELEASE*** BREAKING: Philadelphia Passes City Council Resolution Calling for Divestment from Nuclear Weapons November 20, 2025 Media Liaison: David Gibson, peacehome.campaigns@gmail.com PHILADELPHIA, PA, US –  Today, Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke’s (At Large) resolution calling on the City of Philadelphia Board of Pensions and Retirement to consider divestment from nuclear weapons passed City Council. The resolution urges the City to weigh the threat that nuclear weapons pose to all of humanity and our environment in light of the Trump administration’s decision to restart testing of nuclear weapons and proposal to build a nuclear-powered submarine right here in Philadelphia. It calls on the City of Philadelphia Board of Pensions and Retirement to invest in what our residents need such as safe and healthy homes, affordable transit, working utilities, and childcare, rather than weapons that threaten life on our planet. The resolution was championed by the Divest Philly from the War Machine Coalition. Founded in 2019, the Divest Philly from the War Machine Coalition consists of 29 organizations raising awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons and advocating for the City of Philadelphia to divest the Pension Fund from nuclear weapons.  “It is a moral obligation for the City of Philadelphia to invest in what our residents need,” said Councilmember O’Rourke, of the goal behind the resolution. “Such as safe and healthy homes, affordable transit, working utilities, childcare, and more, rather than weapons that threaten life on our planet.” “This is a huge step forward in this grassroots campaign to compel the Pension Board to divest from these weapons of Mass Destruction,” said David Gibson, Co-Coordinator for Peace, Justice, Sustainability NOW! (PJSN). “We are grateful for all the Council members who voted for this resolution and their brave service to the people of the City of Philadelphia and beyond. Everywhere we go residents of the City agree with us and sign our statement calling for divestment from nuclear weapons. With the passage of this resolution, we expect to receive a positive response from the Pension Board regarding screening out nuclear weapons from the portfolio.” “The Greater Philadelphia Branch of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has advocated for nuclear abolition for nearly 80 years,” said Tina Shelton, Chair of Greater Philadelphia Branch of WILPF. “We currently see an increased emphasis on the false dialogue that we do not have resources for human needs. In fact, according to Reaching Critical Will, a report on the UN meetings for disarmament, there has been record-high military spending and military solutions are being prioritized over social and economic justice. This step towards moral investments that weigh the impact of nuclear threat on all Philadelphia residents and beyond is celebrated as way to live up to Philadelphia’s obligations as a member of Mayors for Peace (joined in 1985) and show other US cities that investing in a nuclear-free world is the financially wise decision in addition to being moral and just.” "We should all celebrate the long, hard, and ongoing work of people in Philadelphia to allow retirees' who have contributed careers to the betterment of the world to not have to depend for their incomes on the sale of nuclear weapons. The global and multifarious movement to reduce and eliminate the risk of apocalyptic war is strengthened by every successful divestment -- advancing the arrival of that day when investment in weapons of mass destruction will be the exception rather than the norm,” said David Swanson, Executive Director of World BEYOND War. "The Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition is grateful for the resolution passed by Council today urging the Pension Board to divest from nuclear weapon components and systems manufacturing,” said Stan Shapiro, member of the Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition. “These death dealing instruments have no place in a pension fund whose purpose is to support human life, not end it. In our view, however, nuclear divestment should not be followed by reinvestment into other questionable instruments that do nothing for the people of our City. Instead, the Board should re-invest money coming out of instruments of war into financially prudent projects right here in Philadelphia that advance the interests and needs of the people of our City." "The Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP) has participated in the Divest Philadelphia from the War Machine Coalition since it was founded in 2019," said Chris Robinson, a member of GPOP. "One of the Green Party's Four Pillars is peace, so we give hearty support to every effort for disarmament." Jean Haskell, member of Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia, issued the following statement: “Thank you Councilmember O'Rourke for introducing the resolution calling on the City Pension Fund to consider divesting from nuclear weapons. Thank you, City Council members, for supporting this resolution today. For 20 years, the Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia has called on local and national legislators to support efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons. For 20 years we have described the horror that a nuclear war would bring to our citizens and our planet. Most recently, we have called on legislators to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), a treaty that was signed and ratified by 122 nations, none of which actually possess nuclear weapons. The United States was the first country in the world to drop a nuclear type bomb. We believe it is now time for our country to lead the way to ridding the world of nuclear weapons and the enormous threat they impose. We applaud City Council for taking this important step today.” ###