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.” ###

 

Media Advisory November 18, 2025

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

November 18, 2025 Media Liaison: David Gibson, peacehome.campaigns@gmail.com

Philadelphia City Council to Vote on the City’s Nuclear Weapons Investments

Philadelphia, PA, US –  On Thursday, November 20, the Philadelphia City Council will vote on the City's nuclear weapons investments. A resolution introduced by Councilmember O’Rourke on November 13 urges the City of Philadelphia to make moral investments and 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 submarine right here in Philadelphia. Supporters of nuclear weapons divestment will gather on November 20 at City Hall prior to the vote under the banner of Divest Philly from the War Machine. 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. The City Council resolution calls on the City 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. Philadelphia residents consistently voice their support for moving City Pension funds away from nuclear weapons and Divest Philly coalition members are grateful to Councilmember O'Rourke for this important step towards Philadelphia becoming a nuclear-free zone. WHAT: City Council Meeting to vote on Philadelphia’s nuclear weapons investments WHEN: 10:00AM, Thursday, November 20, 2025. The City Council Meeting starts at 10:00AM; arrive by 9:40AM for media interviews before the meeting begins.  WHERE: Philadelphia City Hall, 1400 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107

###

Day 1360 War in Ukraine

US M134 Minigun looks pretty effective!

According to Zelenskyy, Russian forces have again failed to meet Putin’s deadlines for conquering Pokrovsk and Kupyanks. Ukrainians “continue to apply ‘long-range sanction’” (drones and missiles).

Blogger assesses the two sides, their strategies, advantages and disadvantages.

Zelenskyy has launched a Winter Support Program, where Ukrainians can support each other financially.

Georgian resistance is now the lengthiest peaceful, national resistance that we know of.

Ukrainian commenter looks at governments that are close to Russia and how compromised they are.

EU plans to be free of Russian gas in 2027, but in the meantime, imported 1.6% more than last year.

VP Vance says that talking to Putin was the right thing to do. So how did the meeting in Alaska benefit the US and/or Ukraine? It didn’t.

Description of being a civilian in a power plant that’s under attack.

Russia now aiming for food and pharmaceutical warehouses.

Lots of ground battles, going back and forth.

Major Russian producer of jet fuel bombed.

“The Novorossiysk strike destroyed three S-400 launchers and two radars at a military base”

Another oil refinery hit.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/11/15/war-for-ukraine-day-1360-another-long-night-early-morning-in-eastern-central-ukraine/

Day 1357 War in Ukraine

Uuh...whut?!?! Let’s please recall that Ukraine destroyed a third of Russia’s strategic bombers by getting trucks parked near airbases and launching drones from them.

“Jeffrey Epstein said in emails that he had been advising the Russian government on how to deal with Donald Trump”

Georgian protesters take to smaller streets now that Rustaveli Ave is blocked.

Britain working against Russian LNG transports next year b denying them insurance.

Drones seen flying over tank marshalling yard in France.

Serbia feels Europe is preparing for war with Russia and they’re stuck in the middle.

Sanctions are causing a fuel crisis in Bulgaria as Lukoil has many assets there.

Corruption remains a problem in Ukraine. Zelenskyy asks two Cabinet members to resign.

Film clip of Shahed drones being shot down.

Vary capable anti-drone weapon that uses AI soon to be deployed.

About 600 Russians died in the past two years from drunkenness, drugs, fighting, suicides and lack of sanitation leading to food poisoning.

15 Ukrainian civilians ran to a shelter and just escaped being caught in a building by a drone.

Ukraine’s Security Service has prevented many sabotage attacks in Kyiv.

Bloodthirsty Russian propagandists on TV.

“A high-rise sized geyser from a burst water main flooded rooftops in Novorossiysk, Russia.“

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/11/12/war-for-ukraine-day-1357-slow-news-wednesday/

Day 1356 War in Ukraine

Truly amazing! Trump Administration defends Russia and moves to water down defense of Ukraine.

It's the third anniversary of the liberation of Kherson.

Georgian protesters can't block Rustaveli Ave any more as police are blocking it. Heh! The protester complains that “officers won’t even let them cross at marked pedestrian crossings.” Well, yeah. Can't have protesters crossing the street and then sitting down in the middle of the crosswalk!

Mzia Amaghlobeli's sentence of two years is being appealed. She's arguing for no time, government is arguing for years more.

Sanctions dissuade India & China from buying Russian crude oil.

Romania will take over Lukoil facilities there due to sanctions on Russian oil..

Ukraine manufactures about four million drones a year, more than all the NATO countries combined.

Kherson was liberated three years ago today, the joy they felt then was tremendous, but the revenge the Russians took was awful!

Russian assault on Pokrovsk crushed.

According to Ukraine’s top military person, the “southeastern Zaporizhzhia region” has worsened.

The city of Vovchansk, like Avdiivka, is nothing but ruins. Makes it diffiult to hold it. The city of Myrnohrad is being wiped out by heavy bombs.

Sergei Lavrov says “denazification” of Ukraine is essential to any peace deal. What does the word mean? The “removal of anyone or anything that opposes Russia.”

Lots of Russian oil refineries getting clobbered.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/11/11/war-for-ukraine-day-1356-the-3rd-anniversary-of-the-liberation-of-kherson/