Day 1412 War in Ukraine

I can sort of, kind of understand from the bully's point of view, that people who are foolish deserve some sort of punishment, but yeesh! Gazeta Wyborcza wasn't just smacked around a bit, he was tortured to death!

Diplomatically, allies of Ukraine were concerned with security protocols for making sure the war doesn't just re-start after Russia is rested up.

France and Britain have agreed to send troops after agreement is signed. If there's no “tripwire” force in place, the Budapest Memorandum shows the dangers of just words.

Tatarigami recommends that Europe move troops to Greenland to deter Trump pulling off another Venezuela. Avoiding confrontation and war didn't work very well after the Russians invaded Crimea. In that case “peace” only lasted eight years.

Russian hybrid warfare is increasing against Finland.

In a district in Berlin, a power facility was set on fire. Repairs will take a while longer. Ukraine set up a “'Point of Resilience' in Berlin, a place where people can warm up, charge their devices, and have hot tea “

Very lengthy piece makes a good point, that Europe probably shouldn't just take Ukrainian drone tactics wholesale. Drones aren't quite the game-changer that tanks were as they can't take and hold territory, but we'll see.

Without technology imported from the West, Russian Arctic ports are getting hard to maintain.

https://balloon-juice.com/2026/01/06/war-for-ukraine-day-1412-the-coalition-of-the-willing-plus-jared/

 

Day 1411 War in Ukraine

Undersea cable in the Baltic Sea form a fairly extensive network. It's really hard to defend all of that from ships dragging their anchors.

Heh! The whole Moscow region is under a “no-fly” regime installed by Ukraine.

Very interesting to see the Russian reaction to Trump's invasion of Venezuela. Their idea is “Hey, let's reintroduce the old 19^th century idea of 'spheres of influence' where the US can do as it pleases in Latin America while Russia does what it pleases in the area that the old Soviet Union used to occupy!”

“Vatnik” is an Eastern Europe term meaning “supporter of Russian imperialism” usually against democratically-minded citizens of Eastern Europe and NATO. The difference between vatniks and MAGA? Ehh, not much. The blogger estimates the invasion of Greenland will come shortly before the US midterm election.

Polish leaders conclude that a defeat of Russia is the only route to peace.

Latest Ukrainian drone uses 97% Ukrainian parts.

Ukraine didn't fall the way Venezuela did because the Commander in Chief of the Army had a few hours of advance notice. Russia met a fully alerted and prepared force.

The story of how Kyrylo Budanov ended up where he is today.

Ukrainian F-16 pilots had to adapt their tactics to meet local conditions by flying much lower than Americans had trained them to. The estimated value of targets hit is about $20 billion.

Russia uses ballistic missiles on infrastructure.

Russians attack an American-owned sunflower oil plant. Kate from Kharkiv: “American businesses are security guarantee, they said.”

https://balloon-juice.com/2026/01/05/war-for-ukraine-day-1411-ukraine-has-finally-denied-flight-to-the-russians-over-moscow/

 

Protest against War with Venezuela!

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Rally opposed to war in Venezuela.

The invasion began Saturday night (January 2nd). By all appearances, the "kinetic phase" is now over. That is the actual firings of guns and the movements of troops.

How long will the occupation phase last? Ehh, good question. There are a few conflicting reports on that.

 

RLGardner.net

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/