Day 1208 War in Ukraine

He was in a Russian concentration camp for three years.

Military solutions, how effective are they? Well, they may take awhile, but yes, there usually IS a military solution!

Massive drone attacks all across Ukraine.

Heart-wrenching! A girl dances at her prom with her father’s military jacket.

Ukraine’s First Couple visits Austria.

Owing to the MEGOBARI Act, Georgians call upon the US to pass it!

Trump claims that there wouldn’t be war in Ukraine if only Russia had been kept in the G8. Erm, Russia was kicked out of the G8 precisely because it had invaded Ukraine!

European aid now surpasses US aid .

“EU member states have paid Russia more than €200 billion for fuel since the beginning of the full-scale war “

Russia steps up attacks on energy infrastructure.

Russia returns Russian bodies along with Ukrainian ones.

JDAM strike on Russian base.

Multiple Shahed drones hit Ukrainian high-rise.

An examination of what used to be a city of 70k people “until Russia came to ‘liberate’ it.”

Ukraine deploys attack gliders.

Kaliningrad is getting nuclear facilities.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/16/war-for-ukraine-day-1208-another-long-night-of-russian-drones-missiles/

 

Day 1027 War in Ukraine

Georgian protesters burn Russian flag.

Five Ukrainian citizens die in Iranian strike on Israel.

Huh! Funny, the Russians attacked a US factory in Ukraine. But...but I thought the whole idea behind the minerals deal was Russia wouldn’t strike at US industries in Ukraine!

Basically, Trump/Netanyahu can’t really damage Iran’s nuclear program, but striking Iran will strengthen the radical Iranian Paydari Front.

Zelenskyy arrives in Canada for G7 Summit.

Georgians observe their 200^th day of continuous protest.

A Human Rights lawyer asserts that the case against Mzia Amaglobeli is trumped up.

Another 1,200 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers have been returned.

“Since early June, russia has launched around 2,800 drones, nearly 3,000 guided bombs, and 140 missiles against Ukraine, President Zelenskyy said.”

Of the 11k North Korean soldiers sent to help Russia, over 6k never came back. That includes “killed, wounded, or gone missing.” They’re keeping action limited to near Kursk.

“Russia is turning a civilian airport in occupied Crimea into a military drone hub.”

Under constant bombardment, Kharkiv is slowly dying.

Factory for Shahed drones hit.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/15/war-for-ukraine-day-1027-another-early-morning-drone-swarm/

 

Day 1205 War in Ukraine

“MiG-29 air strike on Russian base. Zaporizhzhia front.”

The Israeli strike on Iran may end up benefiting Ukraine as Iran has been supplying Russia with Shahed drones (Russia has its own Shahed factories at this point). It’s unclear what the effect might be, but it’s likely to end up helping Ukraine. It sldo msy make room for the Paydari Party, an extreme, no-compromise party.

Zelenskyy awards “Orders of the Golden Star to the families of fallen Heroes of Ukraine.”

Georgians call for victory to Ukraine & Georgia.

“Nika Gvaramia — Another opposition leader has been placed in pre-trial detention after refusing to pay bail in the case of refusing to appear before the Georgian Dream's investigation commission.”

18 opposition members have ben arrested for “insulting” Facebook posts.

Ukraine says no more negotiations with Russia until ceasefire takes place. Russian delegation is just demanding capitulation anyway.

Russian Su-25 jet shot down by another Su-25?

Ukrainian drone destroys pile of anti-tank mines.

HIMARS rockets hit a Russian convoy.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/13/war-for-ukraine-day-1205-indirect-effects/

 

Day 1201 War in Ukraine

Russian VNIIR plant produces a great deal of militarily-useful material and is about 1000km from the front. Video shows a drone diving into an already-burning building!

A new record! Russia launched 499 drones & missiles against Ukraine last night! In true heroism, Defense Forces intercepted 479 of them! While Russians hit things like a maternity hospital, Ukraine strikes jet planes parked at Russian airfields.

In Georgia, UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava’s husband was kidnapped and their three children threatened.

The Georgia Dream Party is getting rid of some sanctioned people, but can’t find good replacements.

Big Russia-Ukraine transfer of prisoners begins.

Drone enters building with Russian military vehicles, locates the gas tank on the biggest one and dives in!

Russia producing over 5k drones per month, a little over half of them armed, the rest decoys.

Ukrainian boxer challenges President Trump to live in Ukraine for a week.

In temporarily occupied Crimea, Russians are building concrete hangers for their jets.

Russian military targets on fire.

Errol Musk visits Moscow.

More Russian blown up and burning.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/09/war-for-ukraine-day-1201-russia-continues-its-nightly-bombardments/

 

Day 1199 War in Ukraine

Ukraine attacks military targets, Russia attacks civilians.

Massive bombing of Kharkiv.

President Zelenskyy takes strong exception to Trump saying Ukraine & Russia were “kids who are fighting in the park. Putin is a murderer who came to this park to kill the kids” More from ABC News interview.

Videos of speeches by First Lady Zelenska.

Russian Su-35 fighter jet downed. It costs £74million (over $100 million).

Russian drone operators building hit.

Russian Buk-M3 air defense system taken out.

Ukrainian 137th Territorial Defense Battalion uses homemade rocket launcher mounted on a civilian car to launch rockets.

Presentation of IRIS-T SLM air defense system. It took out eight cruise missiles in 30 seconds!

Butcher’s bill in Kharkiv.

Plant for coal enrichment that once employed thousands, sits empty now as war is too close by.

“Azot chemical plant, fascist Russia’s largest domestic producer of ammonia and nitrogen fertilizers” was hit and is burning.

Russia moves two “Tu-160 bombers to Anadyr — 6,600 km from Ukraine but only 660 km from the U.S.” to keep them safe from further strikes.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/07/war-for-ukraine-day-1199-putin-russia-continue-to-unload-on-kharkiv/

 

Day 1198 War in Ukraine

 

A “double-tap strike” is when a missile hits and then another missile hits the same spot later, killing first responders.

Many Ukrainian first responders killed and wounded in a “double-tap” strike.

“President Zelenskyy also addressed the International Summit of Cities and Regions ‘United for Peace and Security’”

Protesters in Georgia are charged $2k USD.

Georgia’s ruling party filed suit as protesters chanted a song containing swear words. They also sued over social media posts.

Britain feels trapped between Putin and Trump over Ukraine. Russia expert Fiona Hill comments.

Trump claims that Operation Spiderweb, which took out over 40 Russian strategic bombers, “gave Putin a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them” as though Russia hadn’t been regularly bombing Ukraine anyway. White House acts to water down Russian sanctions bill.

Ukraine gets a bit closer to EU membership, effective January of next year.

Russia has very ambitious plans for 2026.

Yowza! Map of aerial Russian attack on Ukraine.

Kharkiv enduring massive attack with around 50 explosions counted.

Meagan Mobbs is the daughter of Special Envoy Kellogg, says she gets “the strange feeling the Russians don't want peace"

Video of four Russian missile strikes.

Fire broke out at Engels Airfield. This is a major source of aviation fuel for Russia.

Damage assessment on earlier Ukrainian drone strike.

Bryansk airport hit with Ukrainian drones.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/06/war-for-ukraine-day-1198-the-russian-drone-swarms-in-the-small-hours-continue/

Day 1196 War in Ukraine

She’s referring to Mzia Amaglobeli - Georgia’s first female journalist political prisoner.

Special Envoy Kellogg is convinced that the US will apply new sanctions to Russia. Trump continues to claim that Russia would never have attacked Ukraine if he had been president in 2022, but “every time he says it, Russia attacks Ukraine.” Trump continues to express “delusional confidence.” Putin describes Ukrainian leaders as “terrorists.” and “Who negotiates with terrorists?”

Georgia cannot be a self-sustaining dictatorship. Outside id for them muse cease.

“Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, is calling on the U.S. and EU to respond as Georgian Dream moves to censor a critical TV channel through new amendments to the broadcasting law”

“49% of Georgia's population tend to trust the European Union, 37% tend toward distrust, and 14% says they don't know. “

Georgia has 60 political prisoners.

Netherlands pledges “€400 million package for maritime security, including 100+ fast vessels and 50+ sea drones.”

“The UK is investing £350m ($473m) this year to increase the supply of drones to Ukraine”

Russia trying hard to sway Moldova so that Transnistria can be reinforced with more troops.

Russia only has two A-50s (Russian AWACS) left. Not clear whether they’re operational.

Ukraine hacked into Russian plane manufacturer. The manufacturer had nothing secret as a back-up.

Trump talks to his good buddy Putin and assures us that Putin will retaliate for the attack on the “docked airplanes.” He also threatens Iran.

Russia extensively bombing Kharkiv and Sumy.

“North Korean 170-mm self-propelled artillery system ‘Koksan’” has been spotted near Ukraine.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/04/war-for-ukraine-day-1196-if-you-look-around-the-table-cant-tell-who-the-mark-is-youre-the-mark/

 

Day 1193 War in Ukraine

“Trump to Zelenskyy: ‘You don’t have the cards.’”

In a massive smuggling operation, drone parts are brought into Russia via wooden mobile cabins. The drones took off from the cabins and attacked four airbases, destroying irreplaceable aircraft. Russia loses over 40 aircraft, costing over $7 billion. 34% of their missile carriers are now disabled.

“...by spending months quietly emplacing containers of drones in delivery trucks and vans, will force the Russians to inspect every similar vehicle” That will cost lots and LOTS of $$$!!! Blogger considers the operation first rate.

Zelenskyy describes the operation in detail.

Georgians celebrate Ukraine’s mission against Russian airfields.

Elon Musk realizes drones are the future of warfare.

“New bomber production, like Tu-160, has been limited to just a few aircraft per decade.”

Ukraine prepared to deliver draft peace proposal.

29 years ago, Ukraine gave its last nuclear weapon to Russia. Kate from Kharkiv says: “No country in the future will follow Ukraine's steps.”

Ukraine has anti-Shahed interceptor drones.

Bridge collapses in Kursk region in the middle of a freight train crosses over. Another one in Bryansk region collapses as well.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/06/01/war-for-ukraine-day-1193-centers-of-gravity/

 

Day 1185 War in Ukraine

Very good question. ARE we ready to pick up where Ukraine leaves off? Is Europe?

Serious questions about Putin’s rationality and ability to discern reality. He seems to think that Russia must prove its Great Power credentials just as Catherine the Great did back in the 1700s. Trump is also delusional in that he thought a prisoner swap was a “truce, ceasefire, armistice or anything else.”

Police in Georgia are preparing for their Independence Day celebration on May 26.

Georgian regime is getting more violent with opposition politicians.

Georgian opposition is engaging in “guerrilla social resistance”

The US Defence Intelligence Agency puts out an assessment that makes it clear that negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine is futile.

The Department of Defense Press Secretary presents this weird idea that there’s no reporting footage on the war in Ukraine. The Secretary has always been pro-Russian.

Looks like Kharkiv is the next big target for a Russian ground offensive.

Lots of stuff blowing up, on Ukraine’s side, civilian targets, on Russia’s side, military targets.

Russians aren’t concerned with Ukraine’s “Nazism” or with defending the Donbas. They’re annoyed because Ukraine rejects the "Russian vision of the future" and the "Russian world." Ukraine does NOT see the two countries as one. It see two separate countries and does not wish to bring them together. .

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/05/24/war-for-ukraine-day-1185-russia-continues-its-combo-drone-missile-attacks/

Day 1179 War in Ukraine

 

Russia launches 273 drones against Ukraine. Man mourns his wife, killed in that attack.

Soviets brutally suppressed Crimean Tatars in 1944. Wonder if that’s why Crimea chose to stay in Ukraine by a relatively thin margin?

Putin believes that he’s playing a very strong hand of cards. He thinks Trump is on his side and that the greater population of Russia will allow him to grind down Ukraine. Blogger feels as he did three+ years ago, give Ukraine what it needs to win! “Putin and Russia are either stopped in Ukraine and pushed back within Russia’s borders or he will threaten all of the former states of the Soviet Union and then the rest of Europe.”

Face-to-face diplomacy between Ukraine & Russia. “the talks proved to be more mirage than breakthrough”

“Day 172 of protests in Georgia—where police officers followed orders, dragged protesters into special minibuses, beat them brutally, and sent over 300 to the hospital.“

Georgia protesters remember homophobic attacks on this date in 2013. The ruling Georgia Dream Party is firmly n the side of the homophobes.

Romania votes decisively against Russia/Trump backed candidate.

Russia detains a Greek oil tanker that was following the agreed-upon route.

“Over 12,000 buildings in Kharkiv have suffered varying degrees of destruction as a result of attacks by russia”

Kharkiv schoolkids perform an elegant prom waltz.

Russian drones can now strike targets 30km deep.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/05/18/war-for-ukraine-day-1179-putin-keeps-probing-for-mush/

Day 1170 War in Ukraine

Georgians celebrate Europe Day by blasting the EU anthem (“Ode To Joy,” part of Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, 1823).

Putin’s ceasefire proposal was just that. A proposal. Fighting continued.

Leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the UK were able to meet in Kyiv safely.

Russia and China appear to be getting along fine.

Blogger relates Russia’s revisionist history of World War II. He explains the term pobiedobesie, which translates as victory mania or victory fervor, explains Russia’s fanatical celebration of World War II.

In addition to usual broadcast, Zelenskyy also addressed the Joint European Force’s (JEF) member state’s summit.

Hmm, Georgians claiming their ancient heritage? A fellow climbed the statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali, who founded Tbilisi in the 5^th Century. Georgia’s Independence Day is May 26^th. Expect an even bigger demonstration then!

Hungarian spy network uncovered in Ukraine. Seems Hungary was promised Zakarpattia Oblast (province) as a reward. Hungary’s official position is to obtain “peace” by tossing Ukraine to the Russian bear to be chewed up.

France attributes cyber attack to Russia.

Poland to give 100 Oncilla armored vehicles to Ukraine.

Unmanned drone carrier can take up to 3k kilograms (6,600 pounds) of various types of weapons.

European countries direct that €1 billion of money from Russia’s assets be used to pay Ukraine to buy weapons from Ukrainians.

A look at Kupyansk.

Ukraine continues to have small foothold in Russia’s Kursk province.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/05/09/war-for-ukraine-day-1170-pobiedobesie/

 

Day 1167 War in Ukraine

A market where Russian consumers from Belgorod and Kursk came to shop is hit again, with much clothing and many toys destroyed.

Woo hoo! 205 more Ukrainian POWs brought home!

Georgians celebrate the passing of the MEGOBARI Act by marching to the US Embassy

“Friedrich Merz, who supports supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, has been elected Chancellor of Germany.”

Ukraine urged to accept US deportees. Ukraine has not done so.

Secretary of Defense Hegseth, in February, unilaterally and arbitrarily held back aid to Ukraine. After an Oval Office meeting at which a cut-off was not approved, aide to Hegseth urged him to cancel those shipments anyway. Blogger thinks the people behind this were “Koch natsec network and are genteel isolationists” and that likely caused them to be purged.

Ukrainians increasingly concerned about air defense as Russia increases pressure.

Three years into the war and the US is STILL not on a war footing!

Ukraine loses a fourth HIMARS launcher. Drone is guided by a miles-long optical cable.

Ukrainian has been compiling maps of Ukrainian drone assaults using Russian sources.Before, they were concentrate on Crimea, now Northwards.

“Tonight, Russia struck Zaporizhzhia with missiles. First responders are rescuing people from the rubble of their own homes” Kharkiv gets hit a number of times.

All four of Moscow’s main airports closed due to Ukrainian drone attack.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/05/06/war-for-ukraine-day-1167-205-ukrainian-pows-were-returned-today/

 

Day 1164 War in Ukraine

 

This uncrewed vessel fired an air-to-air missile that took down a $50 million jet, but as the vessel was not a suicide craft (it survived instead of blowing up on contact with the target), I guess you’re better off comparing the hourly cost of flying the jet to that of sailing the vessel. Still, a hugely disproportionate cost! Hilarious: The jet had taken off “on a mission to search for and destroy naval drones.”

Putin wants a short truce to coincide with a “World War II commemorations on May 9.” Zelenskyy says he’s not playing Putin’s game. At least a 30-day ceasefire would be serious.

In Georgia, traffic goes around women who hold up a long banner.

Judges hold a conference at the High School of Justice. Picketers shout their defiance at them.

World Press Freedom Day was May 3^rd. Georgia had absolutely nothing to celebrate on that day.

“The Mtavari Channel, a critical TV station that has exposed the truth hidden by propaganda for 6 years, has gone off the air.”

Trump claims that the US “did more than any other Country (sic), by far, in producing” victory in World War II over Germany. Ehh, if the Western or Eastern Fronts had been fighting by themselves, it certainly would have taken MUCH longer and would have been MUCH more expensive! Nah, the world was far better off with both the Western Allies and the Soviet Union pressing Germany from both sides.

Many Ukrainian cities on fire from drone attacks and damaged by glide bombs.

“With the direct strike of a glide bomb, Russia destroyed the State Emergency Service building in Kupyansk.”

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/05/03/war-for-ukraine-day-1164-ukraine-establishes-a-another-first-in-the-annals-of-war/

Day 1159 War in Ukraine

“Kyiv has quietly begun preparing to go it alone in anticipation of a US pullout, by increasing domestic arms production and intensifying talks with European allies about future assistance.“

Sergei Lavrov speaks of “Denazification “ for Ukraine. What does that mean? Essentially, taking out anyone who disagrees with Russia. He also wants recognition for the territories seized by force from Ukraine. There have been elections in these areas, but they were not internationally recognized as having been free and fair.

“GYLA has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of Mzia Amaglobeli “ Amaglobeli then appeared in court, where she lost her appeal and must remain in custody.

“A father and a son have been shot dead in Gori. A frequent occurrence in a rapidly Russifying Georgia.”

Major power outage in Portugal, Spain and parts of France.

Russia’s position on negotiations is that Russia considers: “international recognition” of its annexation of five Ukrainian regions to be an ‘imperative’ for any deal.” This would include a great deal of territory that Russia has not managed to conquer.

Blogger thinks Ukraine might survive Trump & the US walking away. It would require an effort from all non-US members, but it might be a do-able.

Wall St. Journal: “Russia is preparing for a military conflict with NATO after the war in Ukraine ends“ Russia is building bases opposite Finland.

Russia shells an agricultural enterprise, killing dozens of cattle.

Russia has officially released footage showing North Korean soldiers in combat.

Bombing and destruction in Russia.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/04/28/war-for-ukraine-day-1159-from-unconditionally-conditional-ceasefire-to-fake-ceasefire/

 

Day 1155 War n Ukraine

Russia is very energetically trying to kill as man Ukrainian civilians as possible. “Overnight, Russia launched a total of 214 targets. Seven Iskander ballistic missiles, 31 Х-101 cruise missiles, six Kalibr cruise missiles, 65 UAVs, and four Х-59/69 guided air missiles were shot down.”

Yep, gotta love the “Moscow’s not taking over the whole of Ukraine because Putin’s a nice guy” message. Blogger later examines this idea.

“Olena Zelenska emphasized that dialogue between Ukraine and the Republic of South Africa is mutually beneficial and enriching.”

Georgians strongly support Ukrainians.

On day 150 of protests Georgians will change their demand to the resignation of the government.

Nika Katsia railroaded into drug trafficking charge.

If visa liberalization is halted, the Fifth president of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, says that’s the fault of Georgian authorities.

United States is seriously short of munitions. We had many years of quick victories. The war in Ukraine showed that large stockpiles are still a good thing to have. But Washington’s ability to turn out munitions is seriously lacking. Biden’s NatSec team COULD have put the US on a war-time industrial footing. “they dithered and equivocated for three years”

Trump suggests rewarding aggression by validating what Russia conquered in Ukraine. This concerns allies around the world. Russia celebrates.

Russians used a North Korean KN-22 missile on Kyiv.

Russians lose almost entire battalion in ground offensive. No ground gained.

Rostov military airfield attacked.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/04/24/war-for-ukraine-day-1155-if-a-paper-tiger-roars-in-the-forest-does-anyone-notice-part-ii/

 

Day 1154 War in Ukraine

US-arranged peace talk collapses.

Focused air assault on Kharkiv. Ukraine launches a very large drone counter-attack in response.

US didn’t show up for the US-arranged negotiations. Of course Ukraine isn’t going to surrender any territory. What made US negotiators think they would? Sigh! “U.S. leader chiding Zelenskiy for refusing to recognize Russia’s occupation of Crimea.” Again, Trump failed to sit down with his negotiators beforehand. Very sensibly, Ukraine says they will not allow” Russia to “regroup and return with greater violence.”

“Leavitt: ‘In order to make a good deal, both sides have to walk away a little unhappy.’” But what does Russia give up?

Trump blames Obama for letting Russia take Crimea. Commenter quoted to suggest there’s some truth to that.

Russia repeats its call for Ukraine to withdraw completely from the four provinces it has allegedly annexed.

In Georgia, Albi Korzaia is accused of insulting an investigator. Korzaia repeats that the investigator is a “Russian and a traitor.”

Georgian reporter is fined GEL 20,000 (approximately €6,400).

Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov says “Russia sees Ukraine’s potential NATO membership as a direct threat to its security.“ Of course, without NATO membership, Russia can attack again. Russia considers Zelenskyy an illegitimate leader, so any agreement he signs is open to challenge. Blogger feels that the leak of the Russian claim to be bribing Trump is part of a plan to make Trump look weak and compromised.

“complete evaporation of a fully loaded Russian Grad MLRS”

Video of drone going inside a Russian armored vehicle.

https://balloon-juice.com/2025/04/23/war-for-ukraine-day-1154-if-a-paper-tiger-roars-in-the-forest-does-anyone-notice/

 

Response to Colonel Jacques Baud

There's no need for Colonel Baud to be confused about Putin's goals. Statements that Putin made in 2007 are quite clear. He wishes to reconstruct the Soviet Union. That means that once Ukraine is firmly in his possession, the Baltic States are next. 

I agree that Trump is quite vague about what the goals of both Putin and Zelenskyy are. According to Trump, anyone who engages in combat is a "sucker" and a "loser." He can't possibly broker a peace deal because he has no idea what the two sides are fighting about.

Is Russia trying to protect the people of the Donbas? This strikes me as highly implausible.  Putin uses both the soldiers of Russia and those of the Donbas as expendable cannon fodder, much as Robert E. Lee used Confederate soldiers. There has also been little or no reconstruction of war-damaged territories. 

Are you at all familiar with the "human safari" in Kherson? Drones continually circle over that Ukrainian city, picking of anyone seen walking. Public buses are attacked. Overall, Russian actions towards civilians in Ukraine are flat-out genocidal.  

You're of course familiar with the strike on Sumy that killed 35 people ? There were no military targets in the city, but the carnage was so bad ***even*** Trump felt obliged to comment on it! 

Nah, the way to make peace in Ukraine is to drive Russia back to Ukraine's 1991 borders. Nothing less will result in peace there.