Day 1656 War in Ukraine

 Huge respect for Angelina Jolie who visited Kharkiv, only 35 km from the front lines and that gets bombarded ALL the time! Her son was there to do some boxing with Ukrainian troops.

Aw, THAT doesn't seem right! A family gets bombed, the 11-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter die, but the mother is in critical condition and the grandmother survives!

During his visit to Ukraine, Jared Kushner criticized the Biden Administration for never having conducted face-to-face diplomacy with Putin in Moscow. Assessments of their diplomatic visits to Moscow and Kyiv are assessed to have accomplished nothing. Well, that's not 100% true, the visits resulted in a few days of no bombing, so they weren't a TOTAL waste!

Former Georgian Prosecutor General gathers some like-minded fellows and goes off to fight against Ukraine.

China's Vice Premier visits Vladivostok, before which China informed Ukraine and requested that the city not be bombed while he was there. Ukraine agreed.

Kaja Kallas of the European Union warns of Russian hybrid warfare.

Germany hardens its sites against drone attacks in response to drone attack on Liepzig Airport. Russia takes diplomatic measures against Germany for its reaction.

“When asked why US diesel prices were up, the US Energy Secretary blamed strikes on Russian refineries and didn't mention Iran or Hormuz.” In other words, the government “blamed the victim” and condemned Ukraine for defending itself while not mentioning Trump's role in inflated prices.

Estimates are that Russia can sustain current combat tempo for another two years.

Ukraine's Prosecutor General resigns. Likely because of corruption scandals.

Russia to improve their Iskander missiles.

Entertainment in Kyiv shut down unless crowds can immediate access to shelters.

Russia uses gas generators to survive power outages. Ukraine hits sources of gs.

Two shopping malls hit, one Ukrainian, one Russian. Russia hits tobacco factory.

Ukraine eliminates Lyman Salient. 152 square kilometers regained.

Russia claims that as soon as “Nazis” are all gotten rid of, there can be peace. Note: When Russians say “Nazi,” they are not referring to, say, Germany's AfD Party, they just use it as a general, catch-all term for anyone who opposed them.

Russian woman brings a gun to a gas line to make sure nobody cuts in line.

https://balloon-juice.com/2026/09/07/war-for-ukraine-day-1656-the-plot-thins/

Day 1655 War in Ukraine

At this point, Russians just don't care any more. It is a war crime to attack an obviously-civilian building. Russians took this short clip ***themselves*** because they know that no one will take action!

Zelenskyy sums up the Witkoff-Kushner visit to Kyiv/; “It seems that the war will continue into the winter.” Lot of work to accomplish nothing meaningful.

Witkoff's praise for Putin created bad feelings in Ukraine.

National security advisors from the UK, France and Germany were also there.

German Chancellor Merz accuses Russia of attacking Liepzig Airport. Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov says “THIS IS WAR!” No action follows.

Italy will be ready to test new air defense system by end of year.

Pope makes very nice statements, but it's clear that he doesn't point to any sort of solution to the war.

Priorities: “First, Trump will listen to Witkoff and Kushner. After that, he plans to call Putin, and only then Zelensky.”

Witkoff relates that he's had eight meetings with Putin and none with Zelenskyy. Why do he and Kushner go to Moscow first? “We needed to hear where [Putin] stood.” So Witkoff needed a NINTH meeting to see where Putin stood?!?!

Jared Kushner: “Trump has a track record of doing impossible things.” Funny, nothing comes to mind. Can't recall Trump ever ***accomplishing*** a single “impossible” thing. “The last administration didn’t go to Russia.” Wasn't any point. Putin wanted total victory. Still does. Nothing to negotiate.

Putin appears to have delusions of imminent victory.

Good ol' capitalist competition! “Zelensky says 67 Ukrainian companies are working on ways to intercept jet-powered drones. Three to five of the projects have already shown results ...”

Ukraine figures legalizing the porn industry could bring in $25 million a year.

“Russia may launch a prolonged campaign of attacks on Kyiv's energy, water, and heating systems this winter “

Mourning a small family that was wiped out in Russia attack.

Lots of Russian stuff blowing up.

https://balloon-juice.com/2026/09/06/war-for-ukraine-day-1655-i-lounge-corrected-they-actually-showed-up/

Day 1653 War in Ukraine

 “Russia is Starving the Occupied Town of Oleshky. Ukrainians trapped in the occupied Kherson region are desperately begging for help online.”

First Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, a real estate lawyer and Trump's son-in-law, go to Moscow several times. They FINALLY promise to go to Kyiv! But wait! They're going to Moscow as the first leg of their trip? What? Absolutely baffling! Oh and Witkoff wants to fly in. Erm, is he aware that there has been no civil aviation in Ukraine for the last five years? When a whole set of European leaders went to Kyiv for a big celebration/meeting, they all took a train. They didn't ASK Russia not to bomb them! They simply put it out that they were going. They DARED Russia to launch a strike when they were there! They all came back in fine shape.

Russia struck the headquarters of the SBU. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has ordered “an appropriate, tangible response.”

Russian activist receives pardon in Georgia and is given time get to a third country.

Britain criticizes Georgia for democratic backsliding.

A British academic considers Witkoff to be hopelessly out of his depth.

“WP: Kremlin perceives US calls for peace as weakness and increases shelling of Ukraine.”

A sea drone can carry 18 anti-Shahed interceptors.

The effects on Kyiv residents of the continual bombing of the city. Includes 20 minute film.

Russia attacks seafood warehouse, a high-rise, a public bus and the Epicenter.

Russian stuff blowing up.

https://balloon-juice.com/2026/09/04/war-for-ukraine-day-1653-i-wouldnt-hold-my-breath/

Day 1649 War in Ukraine

Please note that one of the countries the US SHOULD get along with is Canada! We're not getting along with them AT ALL! But seriously, Trump did this a few times in both his first and second term. He does a major favor for an authoritarian and...nothing! He just does a unilateral, free of charge favor for the other guy and then gets nothing in return.

Young Georgian political prisoner was 18 when he was jailed. Almost two years later, he's free.

“Grey Zone” attacks likely launched from Russia, but they're hard to prove.

France to supply four frigates to Sweden.

Senator Kennedy performs his usual hayseed yokel act but says a lot of sensible stuff about relation with Russia.

Hmm, Defense Minister Federov talked with Elon Musk and reported to Zelemskyy that Musk was ready to let Ukraine use his Starlink system to hit Russian targets. Turns out Musk did NOT mean that AFTER Zelenskyy told Trump that he did! No wonder Federov is on the outs with Zelenskyy!

Hilarious story of how Musk lost a fight with two Pop-Tarts and a toaster!

Missiles fired at Kyiv and other spots.

Air defense systems and Russian supply trucks targeted deep in the enemy's rear.

Putin fears being killed by fellow Russians if he does not at least take the Donbas. He comes up with an interesting metaphor, orcas (killer whales) attacking and eating polar bears (there's no evidence that this happens in nature). Putin swore to take revenge for the Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries and Wildberries.

https://balloon-juice.com/2026/08/31/war-for-ukraine-day-1649-the-next-russian-ballistic-missile-attack-is-underway/

Day 1646 War in Ukraine

Russia's now aiming their drones and missiles at Ukrainian supermarkets. They're deliberately trying to increase civilian casualties by striking in the middle of the day.

Russians are now doing attacks spaced throughout the day so that there's no safe time to go about daily life.

Russian spokesperson Peskov lies when he says Russia is limiting its targets to “military infrastructure.” He says that stories of Russia killing civilians are just "Western media scare stories.”

Trump says he had “a good talk with Putin.” Well okay. That settles that, I guess.

Yeah, the Wall St. Journal produces a headline that makes the two sides sound more equal then they are.

In heavy rain and with road construction, Georgians continue to protest.

Marika Mikiashvili regards Georgia as a “failed autocracy.” When the government condemns someone, people embrace them and don't fear government reprisals.

Russians flood into Georgia, fearing a mobilization that will draft still more people.

China helps Ukraine with hundreds of diesel generators

Did CIA Director Ratcliffe fear a Russian attack? European NATO members find zero evidence that Russia was preparing an attack.

Saudis and Germans together have 5k Patriot missiles. One would think they could spare a few for Ukraine.

Yesterday, Kyiv had 13 air raid alerts over 14 hours.

Ukraine's economy was expected to grow by 1.3%. Now it's expected to only grow by 0.5%.

Russians strike a local mall, a UNICEF humanitarian warehouse, highways, gas stations and a World War II memorial.

“Russia is planning to produce 10,000 cheap Dan-T missiles with a 135 kg warhead to intensify mass strikes“

Heh! Ukrainians conduct "Crimean Switch Off." by hitting energy nodes.

A 24-year-old woman bombed a Russian serviceman, fled to Turkey and was returned to Russia.

A strategic bomber is damaged by a Ukrainian strike. They're irreplaceable as Russia doesn't produce them anymore.

https://balloon-juice.com/2026/08/28/war-for-ukraine-day-1646-russia-continues-to-escalate-its-strike-tempo-against-ukrainian-civilians-civilian-targets/

Day 1642 War in Ukraine

Coalition of the Willing gathers in Kyiv. European heads of state pose together. Where are Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, heck, where are America's two envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner? The blogger describes the absence of the last two as owing to they're being “chickenshit cowards.” Mmm, I dunno. I suspect it's because Russia (The two envoys have been to Moscow at least five times, to Kyiv: never) offers better parties, high-end vodka, really pretty hookers, psychedelic drugs, etc.

24 August is Ukraine's Independence Day. Zelenskyy gives lengthy dpeech. Nation puts out a 1½ hour video,

Video of Coalition of the Willing meeting runs almost 40 minutes.

Georgians march with extreme,y large Ukrainian flag.

Prime Minister of Georgia wishes Ukraine a happy Independence Day. Marika Mikiashvili interprets this as meaning Ukraine is winning!

Britain will share assembly information on their Storm Shadow cruise missile with Ukraine and France.

Finland's President reports that Russians were 65% opposed to the war in Ukraine, the destruction of Wildberries raises that the 75%.

The Coalition of the Willing will hold joint military exercises in Poland in October and November of this year.

Pictures of Ukraine's Independence Day! It's their 35^th anniversary.

10 POWs heading home!

Parade done with unmanned equipment.

Fedorov wants elections. A good idea, but wouldn't all that time and attention be better spent winning the war?

Ukrainians civilians and emergency First Responder vehicles being attacked.

Russian Ozon logistics hub comes under Ukrainian fire.

https://balloon-juice.com/2026/08/24/war-for-ukraine-day-1642-ukrainian-independence-day/

 

Piece from World Beyond War

  

Hmm. Yeah. I have a bit of problem with this. Why would Europe wish to be “heavily militarized?” Well, Putin has been supporting nostalgia for the Soviet Union since at least 2000 and declared in 2006 that the demise of the Soviet Union was “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the [20th] century.” How does one reverse that “catastrophe?” That's easy, expand Russia to include all of the Soviet Union's old territories! Please keep in mind that the three Baltic States used to be part of the Soviet Union and are now part of NATO. So sure, in a vacuum, demilitarizing Europe would be a great idea. But the intelligence agencies of countries close to Russia tell us that they feel they have very strong reasons to believe that Russia wishes to expand. It doesn't help, of course, that the US President appears to be on Russia's side.