How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get?

[Grigb]

And Now for Something Completely Different. I translated Girkin description of the events in 2014. I added relevant photos and videos.

Part 1

Quote

Today I will tell you about two "reliable sources of the most reasonable accusations against the traitor Strelkov" [Girkin was declared traitor by various LDNR groups for various internal reasons] - about two mayor of Slavyansk - Ukrainian and "people's", with whom I was unlucky to meet in life and who "innocently suffered" from me personally. These are Nelly Shtepa and Vyacheslav Ponomarev.

At the same time, I will describe EXCLUSIVELY my experience of communicating with them, without referring to anyone and without transmitting any information / rumors about these characters heard from anyone.

So, the first thing I saw was V.Ponomarev. I'll start with him.

The meeting with Ponomarev took place by the side of the road somewhere relatively close to Slavyansk at the moment when our group was moving towards the city to take it under control. Our guide, Pavel "Mad" (now deceased - he fell in the battles for the DPR as a company commander relatively shortly before the start of the so-called SMO), called people from Slavyansk who were supposed to meet us. People (if I'm not mistaken, two people) drove up in a passenger car. One of them was just Ponomarev, who introduced himself as a retired Navy midshipman and the "People's Mayor" of Slavyansk. At that time, I could not make any impression about him, but - relying on intuition - I moved with the deceased "Chamomile"[ nicknme of RU fighter] to a passenger car driven by the "People's Mayor" himself. We went to Slavyansk ahead, as the cargo van of the Novaya Pochta [van marked UKR Mail with RU fighters] and the passenger car that followed it were supposed to arrive next (the van had to stop every 20 minutes so that the packed fighters inside would not suffocate).
On the way, Ponomarev, talking to me, constantly dialed people on the phone, told them that "it has begun" and urged them to gather at Villa Maria in the premises of the "Cossack headquarters" (while Ponomarev himself had nothing to do with local Cossacks).

Upon arrival at the villa, Chamomile and I watched for a while as people gradually gathered. The vast majority arrived without any weapons and equipment, only a few came with clubs, bats and (a few) with hunting weapons. When more than one and a half hundred (approximately) people gathered, Ponomarev spoke to them and declared that "we are starting an uprising." Most of the participants of the meeting did not show enthusiasm, many reacted to his statement with obvious skepticism. They even approached us with "Chamomile" with advice - "put away your weapons" (we were in uniform, in balaclavas and with machine guns/pistols). Nova Poshta, meanwhile, was delayed. I was informed that 2 employees of the local "state security" (a specialized police unit) [Not SWAT, a policemen but with responsibility for guarding something] arrived at the "villa". When I went outside, I saw two policemen armed with pistols talking to Ponomarev in raised tones. Ponomarev himself was armed with a Stechkin pistol (as it turned out later - a training pistol taken earlier from the Donetsk SBU armory). Together with "Chamomile" we "took [them] under the barrels" (we didn't have to shoot), disarmed and handcuffed both policemen. As far as I remember, someone from the locals helped us.

The main group was still delayed, and the local head of the "sovereign guard" [the unit two policemen belonged] arrived at the villa and began loudly demanding the immediate release of employees, threatening the audience with all sorts of punishments. "Chamomile" on my command, with a well-placed blow to the solar plexus, sent the officer "out" and also handcuffed him (a small supply of which we prudently had with us). This event caused an approving revival among the gathered activists. And just at that time, a van finally arrived, from where our "boiled" fighters fell out in a crowd.

Immediately after landing, I demanded from Ponomarev (there were no other leaders at that time) an urgent seizure of the local police department (which I considered as the primary goal on the basis of which the Ukrainian authorities could organize resistance). Ponomarev agreed, but promised that he would be able to persuade the policemen to surrender (or go over to our side) voluntarily - because he has "good connections".

Arriving at the police building, I ordered our machine gunners to cordon it off, taking aim at the windows, and myself, together with Ponomarev, approached the central entrance, at which a group of several dozen (50-70 people) local activists crowded. The iron doors were locked, all the windows were tightly closed. Ponomarev called the lieutenant colonel [out] from the building by phone, with whom he began negotiations. I stood by and watched. After a couple of minutes, it became clear to me that there would be no result of the negotiations "from the word at all" [completely] - the officer frankly "dragged his time" and - at the same time - rather aggressively demanded "[everybody] to go home." At the same time, several men from the crowd (employees in civilian clothes, or agents) provided him with moral and even physical support, pushing our activists away. And when the lieutenant colonel interrupted the negotiations and tried to go into the building and I ordered him to be detained, these plainclothes officers tried to protect him. I had to shoot in the air. But even this did not completely break the resistance.

After the situation cleared up, I completely took matters into my own hands and gave an order to Ponomarev to immediately get and bring a UAZ "tablet" car [UAZ-452 medic van] with a cable to the building, which I decided (according to Grozny's experience) to pull off rather flimsy grilles from the windows of the first floor in order to get into the building (we had no explosives at all, not a gram, as there were no special devices for opening armor doors).

Slavyansk policy department assault 12 04 2014

While waiting for the car, both our and ukro-activists continued to arrive at the department, including the head of the city administration, Nelly Shtepa, in the crowd.

I had to put some of our fighters and some of the activists in pairs in a cordon (I did not want to shoot at unarmed civilians in any way, and it was impossible to allow even a few, but aggressive "supporters of Ukraine" to break through to the department - it could disrupt the assault). At the same time, Shtepa changed her "official position" at least three times during the 20-30 minutes while this confrontation lasted. She ended up  (after the storming of the department had already ended with success) chanting loudly, leading the crowd: "Ras-si-ya! Ras-si-ya!" [Russia! Russia!]

Nelya Shtepa about the invaders of the Slavic city police department

Further events were described and told many times. After the capture of the Department of Internal Affairs, Ponomarev and "Mad" in my presence together distributed weapons from the armory of the department to local activists. Already at this stage it became clear that there are at least three organized groups (including one "Cossack") and two of them do not intend to obey Ponomarev in any way, but are ready to obey me. At the same time, at that moment he ordered to issue only pistols, hunting weapons, "confiscation", etc., leaving all AK of all modifications with him for further organized distribution.

Nevertheless, "by right of first acquaintance" and on the basis of his own active desire (and this was very much in that uncertain situation), it was Ponomarev who at that time became the main "civil assistant" of the emerging Slaviansk garrison. He proclaimed himself the "People's Mayor" on the first day, but he really started his duties as mayor only a few days later - after he and several other local activists reported to me that Shtepa (left as mayor in the first days) was negotiating with representatives of the Ukrainian authorities - personally and on the phone, during which she expresses her readiness to "contribute to the liberation of the city [from RU]" and even promises to "let the military into the mayor's office." After that, I ordered Shtepa to be removed, arrested and isolated in her own mayor's office (equipped with a bathroom and a rest room), disconnecting communications with the outside world. And Ponomarev offered to take control into his own hands, allowing him to assemble the appropriate people's assembly to approve this action. Which I later greatly regretted, but at the moment I had no choice - representatives of the "local elites" were hiding together and waiting, no one was in a hurry to openly support the uprising, despite the clearly expressed support of the majority of the urban population.

Edited July 18, 2022 by Grigb

[womble]

16 minutes ago, Grigb said:

Ponomarev, who introduced himself as a retired Navy midshipman

Maybe the rank of midshipman means something different in the navies of the former USSR's successor states, or maybe it's a blemish on the translation, but in RN terms, retiring as a midshipman is not an indicator of a legacy of military glory.

19 minutes ago, Grigb said:

no one was in a hurry to openly support the uprising, despite the clearly expressed support of the majority of the urban population.

Is the bolded bit Girkin's little fantasy, or was there some sort of reliable plebiscite prior to these actions? 

[Huba]

Putin went all in already. I thought he will keep the gas flowing till the winter, and threaten to cut it when it's most needed. My take is that he needs this EU pressure on Ukraine sooner than later and want the Germans to feel the pain ASAP. It's going to get interesting... 

 

Edited July 18, 2022 by Huba

[Grigb]

6 minutes ago, womble said:

Maybe the rank of midshipman means something different in the navies of the former USSR's successor states, or maybe it's a blemish on the translation, but in RN terms, retiring as a midshipman is not an indicator of a legacy of military glory.

Probably my translation mistake (not a navy guy). RU Michman is - Within NATO forces, the rank is rated as OR-8 and is equivalent to Warrant officer class 2 or Senior chief petty officer in English speaking navies.

 

6 minutes ago, womble said:

Is the bolded bit Girkin's little fantasy, or was there some sort of reliable plebiscite prior to these actions? 

It was just his biased opinion. In reality he had 2 local authority figures "who represented public". First, Ponomarev who was simply bandit and wanted to rob but to stay under UKR government. The second, Shtepa was old drunkard woman who basically wanted her region to be left alone and who betrayed Girkin at the first opportunity. 

Girkin succeeded only because UKR were not psychologically ready that their brothers would attack them. In part 2 you will see that even after the start of "rebellion" local collaborator authorities were still thinking about living in UKR.

[acrashb]

18 minutes ago, Huba said:

Putin went all in already. I thought he will keep the gas flowing till the winter, and threaten to cut it when it's most needed. My take is that he needs this EU pressure on Ukraine sooner than later and want the Germans to feel the pain ASAP. It's going to get interesting... 

So much for Canada returning the turbine - it was shipped July 17, although as I read news reports it has to pass through Germany before going to Russia.

So, Russia lied about why Germany was getting so little gas, and we fell for it again.  Lucy and the football.

Putin is doing this now because because he got the turbine in motion yesterday, and if he waits until winter the reservoirs, or whatever stores gas, will be full which reduces the value of any gas threats.  Right now the gas reservoirs are very low.  So by shutting it off now he is proactively crippling German industry and setting the public up for a cold and dark winter.

Edited July 18, 2022 by acrashb

[Grigb]

Girkin description of events 2014 Part 2

 

Quote

Ponomarev and Shtepa, part 2
In the first weeks of my stay in Slavyansk, I had enough to do with organizing the militia, conducting operations to expand the uprising and opposing the Ukrainian special services, the Nazis and the military, whose forces around Slavyansk and the rest of the cities taken under control were continuously increasing.

Therefore, I tried to "get away" from any questions on the "civil part" as much as possible, shifting them to local activists. I tried not to control the civil authorities at all, if the issues did not concern the organization of defense. But - as the siege ring shrank (with all the ensuing consequences) - it was necessary to intervene more and more often. In particular, because my expectations that a capable people's government will be organized in Donetsk, which will be able to establish a "vertical" [of Power] and control local authorities (including in Slavyansk) have not come true. Donetsk was engaged in "the devil knows what" (mainly - intrigues inside the building of the "OGA" [Regional Authority Building] and "division of inherited assets [among themselves]") and could not establish its own full-fledged power even in the capital of the proclaimed DPR until the very beginning of July. In such a situation, the local "people's authorities" also went "who to the forest, who for firewood." [in random directions] Moreover, Borodai's

"official statements", etc., were superimposed [on everything] that "Donetsk is striving for the federalization of Ukraine" (that is, Kiev still remained the "legitimate center of the state" for the DPR authorities).
For example, the same Ponomarev one day (I don't remember exactly when) "stunned me with a blue eye" [suddenly and without warning] that "he applied to Kiev for permission to create a "People's Militia" within the framework of the law on "Territorial defense" and that he received a positive response and was "appointed head of this people's militia".. I didn't even know what to say to him, and he was obviously waiting for some kind of answer from me... As a result, I simply "took note" of this message, rightly believing that since all armed units are under my real command, then the "people's mayor" can be represented by anyone and anything he wants - it does not play any role.

By that time, however, my continuously growing irritation with Ponomarev had almost reached a critical point. Taking advantage of the fact that I myself did not seek publicity and regular communication with journalists (and until April 26 I was generally "anonymous"), "Slavik" [Shortened first name] turned to the full breadth of his fraudulent nature [broke really bad].

He regularly gave "press conferences" at which (having previously smoked "weed") he told absolutely incredible data about "dozens of destroyed Nazis", constantly "shot down" all new planes and helicopters, "burned tanks and armored vehicles.".. And he did it almost every day. But I was still ready to endure all this. Until reliable information began to arrive that within the framework of this very "people's militia" Ponomarev created his own armed unit (numbering about 30 people), subordinate only to him and (without any coordination with me) "taxed" taxi drivers, markets, etc. in Slavyansk and the surrounding area.

That's what I couldn't stand any more. By my order, the commandant's platoon under the command of "Balu" [RU fighter] simultaneously occupied the city administration building, disarmed Ponomarev's guards, transferring all weapons to the warehouse of the RAV garrison [previously UKR military base].

But even then Ponomarev remained acting mayor - I had no one to replace him. Up to the moment when the insolent Slavik again bought weapons somewhere, re-armed his guards and proceeded to conduct direct criminal actions.

It was like this: starting from the end of May in Slavyansk, the internal order was maintained by three structures at once, linked to the garrison headquarters (i.e., to me). Firstly, a voluntary local militia, armed with "anything" and consisting of people who supported the people's power, but for some reason were not ready to join the ranks of combat units [who would be] serving everywhere "where they would be sent", [they] served at stationary checkpoints inside the city. Secondly, a commandant's platoon patrolled inside the city, together with which the local state militia served (in agreement with its leadership), which was given limited powers to maintain order in protecting against crime. As a rule, the night patrols involved two armed (automatic rifles or carbines of the SCS) militia, and 1-2 police officers, one of whom was armed with a pistol. At night, such patrols were distributed by districts.

I don't remember exactly the date (in June), when early in the morning I was informed about an attack by a group of looters on a private household, during which an elderly female housekeeper was seriously wounded by a bullet in the leg. The patrol that arrived at the scene managed to detain the bandits and... They turned out to be from Ponomarev's security. As part of the proceedings, it turned out that Ponomarev organized night robberies of rich households of Gypsy criminal figures who had escaped from Slavyansk. But that night, going to the next "case", the bandits simply "went the wrong way", climbing into the house of a wealthy Russian family who had also fled.
Ponomarev was immediately arrested on my orders and put in a separate room in the headquarters (the building of the city branch of the SBU). I remember perfectly well - he silently cried big tears every time - passing through the yard - I met him walking the prescribed time under escort. First, I wanted to convene a tribunal... But then they start calling me on the topic: "it is not necessary to touch Ponomarev, he is a media personality, it will damage prestige, etc." Borodai called from Donetsk.. and not only him... "Affectionate and talkative Slavik", it turns out, managed to please many. Perhaps he even "shared" with someone.

So Ponomarev stayed under arrest until our evacuation, and when I left the encirclement, I ordered to take him with me. Moreover, his son continued to lead the civil engineering and construction platoon until the end of the siege. In Donetsk, Slava disappeared somewhere, and I had neither the time nor the desire to control his location as well.

But as for Shtepa, she was still sitting in her office until the "liberation" of Slavyansk by the Ukrainians. I remembered her in detail only once: when Oksana Skoda [collaborator with complicated interests], who was put there for "suspicious interest" in military affairs and the use of "hot drinks" (in violation of a categorical order), made the company of Shtepa. Apparently, by collusion, the ladies "went on hunger strike", demanding their release. What "Balu" reported to me.

In response, I ordered to convey (close to the text) to the ladies that: "If they are so kind that they will die themselves, then I will not be upset at all." The "hunger strike" was stopped on the same day, less than a day had passed... When leaving Slavyansk, I ordered them not to take them with me, but they should not lock the office door - let them do what they want. Then I met Oksana Skoda a couple of times in Moscow - in 2014-2015. [That's] All.

From this description we can see that RU basically used criminals and useful idiots who thought about nothing more but federalization of eastern regions until it was too late.   

Edited July 18, 2022 by Grigb

[FancyCat]

Isn't it just one supplier? 

 

 

[Huba]

26 minutes ago, acrashb said:

So much for Canada returning the turbine - it was shipped July 17, although as I read news reports it has to pass through Germany before going to Russia.

So, Russia lied about why Germany was getting so little gas, and we fell for it again.  Lucy and the football.

Putin is doing this now because because he got the turbine in motion yesterday, and if he waits until winter the reservoirs, or whatever stores gas, will be full which reduces the value of any gas threats.  Right now the gas reservoirs are very low.  So by shutting it off now he is proactively crippling German industry and setting the public up for a cold and dark winter.

There comes a moment when you have to say "enough!" instead of pretending it's raining while somebody spits in your face. Possibly follow it by a nice punch in the jaw. It might be bad for business in the short term, but in long it makes it less likely anybody will mess with you in the future. 

In other words, RU should suffer severe consequences messing with German energy security. No Scholzing around, serious retaliation. Any other response they'll see as weakness. I'm sure there's plenty of political capital to be made by accepting the confrontation and fighting back, even in Germany. 

Edited July 18, 2022 by Huba

[Beleg85]

Perhaps it was already here...You remember this SU-34 that supposedly hit the ground in Alchevsk? Well, it seems it was in fact Russian air defence commemorating downing of MH17 by shooting down its own plane. A worthy and noble feat.

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1548962354595069958

 

1 hour ago, Grigb said:

Now you understand why Girkin and Murz have been raving mad for several weeks. But you forget three main ingredients that make all problems go away. Cocaine, stripers, and RU TV channel.

Real friends of every Russian politician/oligarch/high commander(?). Common soldiers need to limit to vodka.

But being real, it seems they really plan major holding actions on Kharkiv front and perhaps north of Kyiv. I hope Ukrainians will not get distracted by them.

7 minutes ago, Grigb said:

From this description we can see that RU basically used criminals and useful idiots who thought about nothing more but federalization of eastern regions until it was too late.   

Whole begginings of LDPR "patriot" movement frankly looks like cheap, Benny Hill version of IRA.

Edited July 18, 2022 by Beleg85

[Battlefront.com]

30 minutes ago, acrashb said:

So much for Canada returning the turbine - it was shipped July 17, although as I read news reports it has to pass through Germany before going to Russia.

So, Russia lied about why Germany was getting so little gas, and we fell for it again.  Lucy and the football.

Putin is doing this now because because he got the turbine in motion yesterday, and if he waits until winter the reservoirs, or whatever stores gas, will be full which reduces the value of any gas threats.  Right now the gas reservoirs are very low.  So by shutting it off now he is proactively crippling German industry and setting the public up for a cold and dark winter.

My gut take on this is Putin thought that the turbine would not be returned and that would allow him to blame the shutting off on sanctions.  But his bluff (so to speak) was called when the turbine was cleared through the sanctions.  This left Putin no choice but to go with a different excuse to shut off the gas.

Steve

[holoween]

29 minutes ago, acrashb said:

So, Russia lied about why Germany was getting so little gas, and we fell for it again.  Lucy and the football.

Putin is doing this now because because he got the turbine in motion yesterday, and if he waits until winter the reservoirs, or whatever stores gas, will be full which reduces the value of any gas threats.  Right now the gas reservoirs are very low.  So by shutting it off now he is proactively crippling German industry and setting the public up for a cold and dark winter.

I dont know anyone who bought the technical issue excuse. But making an exception for a single turbine that russia cant use otherwise wouldnt help them much but basically forces them to either send more gas to fill our reserves or officially cut off the gas as has been expected.

[womble]

44 minutes ago, Huba said:

Putin went all in already. I thought he will keep the gas flowing till the winter, and threaten to cut it when it's most needed. My take is that he needs this EU pressure on Ukraine sooner than later and want the Germans to feel the pain ASAP. It's going to get interesting... 

 

Is there a source other than Visegrad24 for this. He's talked bovine excrement before, in an apparent attempt to scare Germans.

 

[Battlefront.com]

2 minutes ago, womble said:

Is there a source other than Visegrad24 for this. He's talked bovine excrement before, in an apparent attempt to scare Germans.

 

Yup, it's legit.  Several reputable news agencies reporting the same thing:

https://www.ibtimes.com/exclusive-russias-gazprom-tells-europe-gas-halt-beyond-its-control-3577590

Steve

[Beleg85]

9 minutes ago, Huba said:

There comes a moment when you have to say "enough!" instead of pretending it's raining while somebody spits in your face. Possibly follow it by a nice punch in the jaw. It might be bad for business in the short term, but in long it makes it less likely anybody will mess with you in the future. 

In other words, RU should suffer severe consequences messing with German energy security. No Scholzing around, serious retaliation. Any other response they'll see as weakness. I'm sure there's plenty of political capital to be made by accepting the confrontation and fighting back, even in Germany. 

Keeping my fingers crossed our neighours will come to the same conclusion. Pendulum seem to to be swinging in right direction for some time already, German society is slowly accepting the risks judging by recent polls. Part of political and business class is still hamletizing but even they seem to get used to new reality.

7 minutes ago, womble said:

Is there a source other than Visegrad24 for this. He's talked bovine excrement before, in an apparent attempt to scare Germans.

I thinksource was Reuters.

[akd]

T-90M? Looks like the extended bustle is perfect for stubborn tankriders who refuse to dismount. 

 

 

Edited July 18, 2022 by akd

[Grigb]

Civilian "Girkin" (Nesmyan) counted fresh local graves

Quote

I was at the Anapa cemetery today. A separate section has been allocated for the dead servicemen in the special operation. Plus, in places, fresh graves with flags of the airborne Forces and military intelligence with a bat (there is an airborne unit in Anapa). Offhand - about 15-20 graves.

The city has a population of 100 thousand. If we extrapolate to the population of the country, it turns out that there are about 22-25 thousand such fresh graves in the country. Approximately.

But there are no losses.

 

[Battlefront.com]

1 hour ago, Grigb said:

And Now for Something Completely Different. I translated Girkin description of the events in 2014. I added relevant photos and videos.

Part 1

Oh, that was an interesting read!  It's amazing how much information we knew at the time about what was going on.  Most of what Girkin talked about here was known to us at the time.  BTW, anybody know what happened to Ponomarev after he was "arrested" by DPR?  What a disappointing example of our species.

Steve

[Grigb]

Civilian "Girkin" (Nesmyan) believes that Gazprome bluffs but to force Germany to move to Nord Stream 2

Quote

The force majeure announced by Gazprom so far, as can be judged, concerns only one unnamed "large consumer" in Europe. Most likely, Germany. Gas continues to flow through Ukraine and through the Turkish Stream pipeline. Apparently, this is an attempt to go all-in and force the Germans to agree to the operation of the Nord Stream-2. After that, it will be possible to launch the Nord Stream and again monitor Europe's reaction — whether it will agree that Russia will suddenly start supplying more than planned.

 

[Grigb]

11 minutes ago, Battlefront.com said:

Oh, that was an interesting read!  It's amazing how much information we knew at the time about what was going on.  Most of what Girkin talked about here was known to us at the time.  BTW, anybody know what happened to Ponomarev after he was "arrested" by DPR?  What a disappointing example of our species.

Steve

I only read he was released in Donetsk and then escaped to RU. 

[Battlefront.com]

38 minutes ago, Grigb said:

Girkin description of events 2014 Part 2

 

 

I believe the two "bandits" that Girkin mentions are the ones he ordered executed using some arcane Tzarist laws for guidance.  Not surprisingly Girkin didn't mention this.

The most interesting thing about this trip down Girkin's memory lane is that it verifies (as if it were needed) that there were domestic Ukrainians organized and ready for insurrection.  Most certainly organized by FSB and/or GRU.  However, the one who "wore the pants" was Girkin and he was a direct tool of the Russian government.  So, as we already know, whatever talk there is of "separatists" it has to be mentioned that they were always direct tools of the Russian Federation, not true separatists.

Steve

[Battlefront.com]

1 minute ago, Grigb said:

I only read he was released in Donetsk and then escaped to RU. 

Thanks.  I was wondering if he might be in an unmarked grave during the "house keeping" phase after the cease fire started.

Steve

[danfrodo]

48 minutes ago, Huba said:

There comes a moment when you have to say "enough!" instead of pretending it's raining while somebody spits in your face. Possibly follow it by a nice punch in the jaw. It might be bad for business in the short term, but in long it makes it less likely anybody will mess with you in the future. 

In other words, RU should suffer severe consequences messing with German energy security. No Scholzing around, serious retaliation. Any other response they'll see as weakness. I'm sure there's plenty of political capital to be made by accepting the confrontation and fighting back, even in Germany. 

what consequences could Germany apply?  Send more weapons to Ukraine?  

In the short term there will be a nasty shock to energy market and prices, which Putin hopes will turn public opinion his way.  In the longer term, Germany and EU will find different oil suppliers and speed up alternative energy assets.  But in the short term Putin loses some money but causes big headaches to allies of Ukraine. 

[sburke]

15 minutes ago, danfrodo said:

what consequences could Germany apply?  Send more weapons to Ukraine?  

In the short term there will be a nasty shock to energy market and prices, which Putin hopes will turn public opinion his way.  In the longer term, Germany and EU will find different oil suppliers and speed up alternative energy assets.  But in the short term Putin loses some money but causes big headaches to allies of Ukraine. 

Tanks, more artillery.  Fk just open the faucet and send everything they have.  Tell Putin "no gas?  No reason to worry anymore then about the weapons we send." 

[Huba]

ATACMS or aircraft? 

 

[Battlefront.com]

Shutting off gas to Germany is a sign of utter desperation by Russia.  It confirms what we've been saying since 2014, which is energy is just about the only point of leverage it has against Europe.  It shows how pathetic Russia's economic strength really is because a country of Russia's size should have lots of things for Europe to be worried about.  Contrast Russia's situation with China's.  If China shut the US off from manufactured exports the entire US economy would collapse within a few months.  China's would also, but that's a separate issue.

Russia really is nothing more than a mafia controlled gas station in the hinterlands of Europe.

Steve