Carolus Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Surely this is just another step in the BRICS masterplan of global dedollerisation /s 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbindc Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 48 minutes ago, Battlefront.com said: The run on the banks should be fun to watch. Russia has managed to hold their banking system together throughout the 2014 and 2022 shocks, but the last time this came up I remember several economists speculating that they had pushed and pulled various control levers about as much as they could. I think we're going to find out one way or another if that's the case. Steve Russia is effectively switching to the yuan from this point forwards. I would put this down as not decisive in and of itself but more just another stress on an already heavily loaded system. And of course, effectively Russia becoming a Chinese economic satellite. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Canadian Cat Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 1 hour ago, billbindc said: Russia is effectively switching to the yuan from this point forwards. I totally get what you are saying. Trade with China is done in Yuan and that is going to be dominant for a long time going forward. Notice however that Russian citizens reaction was to line up to buy USD. Some of them will be asking their grand parents what it was like during soviet times using USD to buy everyday things. I'm not sure if this qualifies as run on the banks. Looks more like a flight to hard currency. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan/california Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Quote https://www.reddit.com/r/DroneCombat/comments/1dewpa8/ua_42nd_mechanized_brigades_perun_drone_team_used/ UA 42nd Mechanized Brigade's "Perun" drone team used FPV strike drones to destroy Russian construction/engineering equipment, burning heavy trucks, excavators, and other vehicles. Published June 13, 2024 An excellent demonstration of what we we were talking about just a day or to ago. Russian engineering units getting shredded while trying to build fortifications within drone range. Hydraulic fluid burns, who new? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan/california Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Quote https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/china-taiwan-weekly-update-june-13-2024 China The United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom published a joint bulletin detailing how the People’s Republic of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is recruiting current and former Western-trained fighter pilots and associated personnel to train their respective PLA counterparts.[19] The bulletin warned that the PLA is continuing its efforts to recruit current and former personnel from NATO and Western countries to enhance its air operations while also gaining insight into Western aerial tactics, techniques, and procedures. It noted that while the most sought-after personnel were fighter pilots, the PLA has also targeted flight engineers, air operations center staff, and technical experts for recruitment. The bulletin warned the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) and PLA Navy (PLAN) are actively recruiting Western personnel through private companies across the globe in Africa, the Middle East, and China. It also warned that providing unauthorized training or expertise can face civil or criminal penalties under the US Arms Export Act. The five countries that published the bulletin have reported cases of PLA efforts to recruit their military aviation personnel during the last two years. In October 2022, the UK Ministry of Defense announced up to 30 former Royal Air Force pilots had trained PLA aviators with compensation reported as high as USD 270,000.[20] In October 2022, New Zealand’s Ministry of Defense told the Financial Times that four former pilots were employed by a now US-sanctioned South African flight school that reportedly has trained PLA pilots.[21] The Australian Ministry of Defense also launched an investigation in 2022 into reports that Australian pilots had accepted training roles for the PLA.[22] An unspecified PRC Embassy spokesperson in the United States declined to comment on the bulletin, but stated that “some US officials have been quick to accuse China and smear the normal exchanges and cooperation between China and the US.”[23] If only there was somewhere else that veteran air force personnel might be profitably employed. Anybody have any suggestions? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan/california Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Quote https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-12-2024 Ukrainian forces may be conducting an effort aimed at degrading Russian air defenses, which, if successful, could enable Ukraine to more effectively leverage manned fixed-wing airpower in the long run. The Ukrainian General Staff reported on June 12 that Ukrainian forces targeted one S-300 air defense battery and two S-400 air defense batteries near occupied Belbek and Sevastopol, Crimea overnight on June 11 to 12.[1] The Ukrainian General Staff reported that the strikes destroyed at least two S-300/S-400 Russian air defense radar systems and caused secondary ammunition detonations, and that the Ukrainian military is clarifying battle damage. Geolocated imagery published on June 12 shows damaged and destroyed Russian S-300 assets north of occupied Yevpatoria and a destroyed Russian S-400 radar system south of occupied Dzhankoy, supporting the Ukrainian General Staff's June 10 report about strikes against Russian air defense assets in these areas.[2] Some Russian sources speculated that Ukrainian forces used ATACMS in the June 11 to 12 strike, although ISW is unable to confirm which systems Ukrainian forces used.[3] Founder of the Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) "Kraken" Regiment Kostyantyn Nemichev confirmed on June 12 that Ukrainian forces used HIMARS to destroy four Russian S-300 systems in Belgorod Oblast on an unspecified date, and Ukrainian outlet Suspilne referred to Nemichev's statements as the first official Ukrainian confirmation of strikes against a Russian S-300 battery in Belgorod Oblast on June 1 or 2.[4] Ukrainian forces’ destruction of the Russian air defense systems in Belgorod Oblast reportedly prompted the Russian command to deploy air defense assets from Crimea to Belgorod Oblast in early June 2024, reportedly degrading Russian air defense coverage around Crimea.[5] GUR Spokesperson Andriy Yusov also clarified on June 12 that Ukrainian drone strikes against the Akhtubinsk Airfield in Astrakhan Oblast between June 7 and 8 damaged two Russian Su-57 fighter aircraft instead of just one aircraft as previously reported.[6] S-300/S-400 air defense systems and Su-57 fighters are significant Russian air defense and aviation assets that deny Ukraine the ability to fly aircraft near the front and support Russian offensive operations in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces may seek to actively degrade Russian air defenses before Ukraine receives a significant number of aircraft in order to set conditions for Ukraine’s future use of manned fixed-wing airpower closer to frontline areas. Ukrainian forces may be attempting to degrade Russian air defenses ahead of anticipated F-16 fighter jet deliveries to Ukraine, which reportedly will begin in small quantities in summer and fall 2024. Ukrainian forces may be able to eventually work towards a concept of operations that combines fixed-wing airpower to support ground operations if the Ukrainian military receives a sufficient number of fighter jets, Western partners train enough trained pilots, and if Ukraine succeeds in degrading Russian air defense capabilities. Western officials have indicated that Ukraine will continue to face material and training constraints, which will likely prevent Ukraine from leveraging fixed-wing airpower at scale in 2024. Ukrainian and Western officials have previously indicated that it will take significant time to adequately train enough Ukrainian pilots and equip Ukrainian forces with the roughly at least 150 F-16s necessary to gain the air superiority necessary to support ground operations.[7] Ukrainian officials have also identified their envisioned use of F-16s and other fixed-wing aircraft to constrain Russian aviation operations, and Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Ilya Yevlash noted that only two F-16 squadrons, roughly 18 aircraft, would be enough to significantly impact the situation in the Ukrainian airspace.[8] These restraints should not fundamentally constrain Ukraine’s ability to leverage airpower at scale in the long run, however, should Ukraine’s Western partners lean into supporting Ukraine’s air domain and deep strike capabilities. ISW's take on Ukraines campaign against Russian air defenses. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cesmonkey Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 But still, only non-lethal aid: https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/ugoda-pro-pidtrimku-ukrayini-ta-spivrobitnictvo-mizh-ukrayin-91481 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Battlefront.com Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 2 hours ago, billbindc said: Russia is effectively switching to the yuan from this point forwards. I would put this down as not decisive in and of itself but more just another stress on an already heavily loaded system. And of course, effectively Russia becoming a Chinese economic satellite. It's definitely a bad deal for Russia. As one of the articles I linked to pointed out, the Chinese are well known for manipulating their currency and also forcing the Russians into unfavorable contract terms based on that. Agreed it's not decisive in and of itself, but if this is the last stress the system can take before collapsing then we might be having a different assessment of it! Steve 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poesel Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 5 minutes ago, Battlefront.com said: It's definitely a bad deal for Russia. As one of the articles I linked to pointed out, the Chinese are well known for manipulating their currency and also forcing the Russians into unfavorable contract terms based on that. Agreed it's not decisive in and of itself, but if this is the last stress the system can take before collapsing then we might be having a different assessment of it! Steve How much yuan does Russia have? Could it bind the ruble to the yuan and support it? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan/california Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Quote https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/modern-war-institute/id1079958510?i=1000658888549 Long interview with the commander of U.S. brigade that was to target of more Shaheed class drones than the rest of the U.S. Army combined. A lot of technical details. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmouredTopHat Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 A really interesting read up on the S-500 system. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbindc Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Of interest: https://puck.news/will-putin-root-for-trump-again-in-2024-election/ I'm particularly interested in the mismatch between what is being said in Saint Petersburg and the actual military strategy in Ukraine which is very clearly aimed at keeping an offensive foot down on the increasingly watered down gas of the Russian military in the hopes that when/if Trump comes in Ukraine is Sudeten-ed. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongLeftFlank Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 (edited) 4 hours ago, billbindc said: Russia is effectively switching to the yuan from this point forwards. I would put this down as not decisive in and of itself but more just another stress on an already heavily loaded system. And of course, effectively Russia becoming a Chinese economic satellite. Wu hu! and the Chinese get a boatload of fossil fuels and minerals in exchange for Xi's confetti. Exactly NOBODY* wants to hold RMB/CNY, or will do so, unless they have no other choice.... since that bumwad is only redeemable in, wait for it, more Chinese goods and services. * and that would include 100% of the mainland Chinese population, who since 2020 has been trying to get any foothold at all in overseas assets denominated in pretty much any reliable foreign currency, and even some less than reliable ones like BTC and naira. ...But the house of cards seems to keep standing, somehow.... And like Chanos, I've long given up trying to frontrun that particular Collapse. Edited June 13 by LongLeftFlank 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holien Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Made me smile.. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sburke Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Kyrgyzstan banks halt Russian transfers amid Western sanctions (msn.com) New Western sanctions on Russia came into effect on Thursday morning. As a result, Russian companies are practically cut off from easy access to euros and dollars. The new settlement currency in Russia has become the Chinese yuan. The Bank of Russia emphasized in its communiqué that the role of the US dollar and euro in the Russian market has consistently declined over the past two years. This is due to redirecting trade flows to the East and changing the settlement currency to rubles, yuans, and other currencies of countries friendly to Russia. According to data from the Russian central bank, in May, the yuan's share in turnover on the Moscow stock exchange was 54%, making it the main currency in stock trading. Sanctions imposed by the United States have also caused problems for Russian banks. According to media reports, Rosbank is facing severe difficulties – its website has stopped functioning, and clients cannot log into their accounts. Similar problems also affect other Russian banks, blocking access for their clients due to insufficient liquidity to withdraw their money. A blow from an ally On Thursday, Kyrgyz RSK Bank, the second largest lender in the country, announced that it is temporarily suspending money transfers due to technical problems. Kyrgyzkommertsbank and Kompanion Bank made similar announcements. Meanwhile, Kyrgyz Mbank announced that restrictions on ruble conversion have been introduced due to exchange rate volatility and possible sharp fluctuations in the currency market. Additionally, as reported by The Moscow Times, ruble-denominated customer accounts are safe. Bai-Tushum and DemirBank made the same decision. Kyrgyzstan, part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that brings together certain Commonwealth of Independent States countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Tajikistan), suspended the acceptance of Russian Mir payment cards in April. This was also a result of complying with sanctions imposed by the USA. In April, the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) emphasized that Russia perceives Kyrgyzstan as a critical ally in Central Asia. This is evidenced by the fact that last autumn after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Vladimir Putin's arrest, the Kremlin leader traveled to Bishkek. At the same time, the Kyrgyz authorities show sympathy for Russia's authoritarian plans. Despite political contacts, Bishkek has economically moved closer to Beijing. China has replaced Russia as Kyrgyzstan's primary source of foreign direct investment (FDI). Chinese FDI in 2023 amounted to 220.8 million USD, nearly 28% of the total FDI—798.2 million USD. The total value of Russian FDI amounted to 147.4 million USD, while Kazakhstan was the third largest foreign investor in Kyrgyzstan last year, with an amount of 67.3 million USD. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harmon Rabb Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Quote UK announces 50 new sanctions designations and specifications to degrade Putin’s war machine, in co-ordinated action with G7 partners to support Ukraine. New targets include ships in Putin’s shadow fleet, institutions at the heart of Russia’s financial system and suppliers supporting Russia’s military production. These new sanctions, announced while the Prime Minister attends the G7 Leaders Summit in Italy, will bear down on Russia’s ability to fund and equip its war machine and show the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine. Today’s action includes the UK’s first sanctions targeting vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet, used by Russia to circumvent UK and G7 sanctions and continue unfettered trade in Russian oil. As part of its enduring commitment to the region, the UK has today committed to providing £242m in bilateral assistance to Ukraine, to support immediate humanitarian, energy and stabilisation needs, and is also working with counterparts to agree a mechanism to bring forward the extraordinary profits stemming from immobilized Russian sovereign assets to the benefit of Ukraine. Russia’s oil exports are Putin’s most critical revenue source for funding his illegal war in Ukraine. Tax on oil production collected by the Kremlin in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion roubles, or 31% of Russia’s total federal revenues. Today’s sanctions aim to disrupt and increase the costs of Russia’s efforts to bypass UK and G7 sanctions through its shadow fleet. These new sanctions also target suppliers of munitions, machine tools, microelectronics, and logistics to Russia’s military, including entities based in China, Israel, Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye, along with ships which transport military goods from North Korea to Russia. In addition, this new package cracks down on institutions at the heart of Russia’s financial system, including the Moscow Stock Exchange. This action is taken in coordination with the US, which designated the Moscow Stock Exchange on 12 June. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: The UK will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in its fight for freedom. Today we are once more ramping up economic pressure through sanctions to bear down on Russia’s ability to fund its war machine. Putin must lose, and cutting off his ability to fund a prolonged conflict is absolutely vital. Foreign Secretary, David Cameron said: UK sanctions are starving Putin of the revenue he desperately needs to fund his war chest and making it harder to supply his war machine. We will continue to work alongside our partners to increase economic pressure and demonstrate that the UK and the G7 will stand by Ukraine in this fight. So far, sanctions have deprived Russia of over $400bn worth of assets and revenues since February 2022. That’s equivalent to four more years of funding for the invasion. The UK has sanctioned over 2,000 individuals and entities under our Russia sanctions regime. This includes 29 banks accounting for over 90% of the Russian banking sector and over 130 oligarchs and family members who had a combined net worth around £147 billion at the time of the invasion. Over £20 billion of UK-Russia bilateral trade (2021 figures) is now under full or partial sanction. There has been a 99% fall in Russian imports into the UK, and a 73% fall in UK exports to Russia. More information A full list of those sanctioned today is as follows. 48 designations and ship specifications made under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019: Four vessels in Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’: OCEAN AMZ (IMO 9394935) CANIS POWER (IMO 9289520) ROBON (IMO 9144782) NS LAGUNA (IMO 9339325) Two vessels which have shipped weapons to Russia: LADY R (IMO 9161003) ANGARA (IMO 9179842) Six entities operating in or supporting the Russian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector: MURMANSK LNG LLC SMART LNG LLC NOVATEK MURMANSK LLC RUSCHEMALLIANCE LLC RED BOX ENERGY SERVICES PTE LTD (entity based in Singapore) EKO SHIPPING LLC One insurer INGOSSTRAKH INSURANCE COMPANY One ship manager ONE MOON MARINE SERVICES LLC Two entities involved in the Russian civil nuclear sector: JSC RUSATOM ARCTIC INNOVATION HUB LLC Four entities and one individual connected to Russia’s financial system: PUBLIC JOINT STOCK COMPANY MOSCOW EXCHANGE GROUP PJSC SPB EXCHANGE JOINT STOCK COMPANY NATIONAL SETTLEMENT DEPOSITRY CENTRAL COUNTERPARTY NATIONAL CLEARING CENTRE YURI OLEGOVICH DENISOV Twenty-one suppliers of munitions, machine tools, microelectronics, logistics or other supplies to the Russian military-industrial complex: TAMBOV POWDER PLANT KAZAN STATE GOVT GUNPOWDER PLANT BINA GROUP LLC FEDERAL STATE ENTERPRISE KAMENSKY COMBINE SONATEK LLC KOMPANIYA AMG JSC MECHANICAL PLANT “MECHPLANT” VOLGA-DNEPR MACHINE BUILDING PLANT ARSENAL BOSFOR AVRASYA (entity based in Türkiye) EGETIR OTOMOTIV (entity based in Türkiye) SINO MACHINERY CO., LTD (entity based in China) HENGSHUI YUANCHEM (entity based in China) HENGSHUI HESHUO CELLULOSE CO., LTD (entity based in China) WUHAN TONGSHENG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD (entity based in China) HENGBANGWEI ELECTRONICS LTD (entity based in China) TEXEL FCG TECH 2100 LTD (entity based in Israel) MARKS BLATS LLC INTER STYLE PLUS (entity based in Kyrgyzstan) VNIIR PROGRESS NPO MRTZ Six individuals or entities who have benefited since the invasion in key sectors for the Russian state: IVAN VLADIMIROVICH TAVRIN AVET VLADIMIROVICH MIRAKYAN DENIS VLADIMIROVICH FROLOV ARMEN MERUZHANOVICH SARKISYAN FEDERAL STATE UNITARY ENTERPRISE CENTRAL ORDER OF THE RED BANNER SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AUTOMOBILE AND AUTOMOTIVE ENGINES INSTITUTE NAMI YAKUB SALMANOVICH ZAKRIEV Two designations made under the Central African Republic (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 of entities linked to Wagner Group: DIAMVILLE WOOD INTERNATIONAL GROUP SARLU Note on ship specification: Ships specified under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 are prohibited from entering a port in the UK, may be given a movement or a port entry direction, can be detained, and will be refused permission to register on the UK Ship Register or have its existing registration terminated. In addition, the Oil Price Cap exception is not applicable to services in relation to specified ships, or to the supply or delivery of Russian oil or oil products in specified ships. The Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation has published guidance on the Russian Oil Services ban. Limited exceptions apply and licences may be granted for specified ships, as set out in Part 7 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. As set out in the general election guidance, international business continues as normal during the period of the general election. The announcements made by the Government at the G7 conform to that guidance, which also makes clear that essential business must be allowed to continue. In line with established convention, the Opposition have been consulted on the announcements. Source: New UK sanctions to crack down on Putin's war machine (gov.uk) Great job United Kingdom. By the way I like how all of these additional sanctions are being announced when the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is happening. You know that time of year when Putin likes talking about how great the Russian economy is doing. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongLeftFlank Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 11 hours ago, The_Capt said: But perfection goeth before pride…(see what I did there?) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Capt Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 48 minutes ago, LongLeftFlank said: 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongLeftFlank Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 (edited) 27 minutes ago, The_Capt said: Prebendary "Chopper" Harris And Anathema shall be upon them All: Manichees, Antinomaeans, Thomasites, and likewise upon Malapropists, Numismatics and Philatelists. Edited June 13 by LongLeftFlank 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris talpas Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 12 minutes ago, LongLeftFlank said: And Anathema shall be upon them All: Manichees, Antinomaeans, Thomasites, and likewise upon Malapropists, Numismatics and Philatelists. Yes those Philatelists should be stamped out 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbindc Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 2 minutes ago, chris talpas said: Yes those Philatelists should be stamped out "And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Peng to be born?" 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongLeftFlank Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 1 minute ago, billbindc said: "And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Peng to be born?" ...Well I did also invoke the Python ex Machina, which on this board customarily closes the OTB (off topic banter). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Capt Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 4 minutes ago, billbindc said: "And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Peng to be born?" We will not have the “P” word used in this house! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris talpas Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 (edited) 5 minutes ago, The_Capt said: We will not have the “P” word used in this house! I’ve watched enough Stranger Things to know not to breach the cosmic fabric. Was only meant as harmless pun. Edited June 14 by chris talpas Removed video 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshoot Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 (edited) 3 hours ago, Harmon Rabb said: Great job United Kingdom. The UK will have a general election on July 4 and likely a change of government. The Labour party, which will likely form the government, have just released their manifesto which includes ongoing support for Ukraine ( https://labour.org.uk/updates/stories/labours-defence-policy-how-we-will-provide-strong-national-defence-for-britain/ ) Quote Labour’s commitment to supporting Ukraine Labour has an iron-clad commitment to support Ukraine. We will fast-track military support and work with the Government in Kyiv to isolate Russia diplomatically and boost Ukraine’s industrial production. We will also work to create a clear path to NATO membership for Ukraine. We need better value for public money spent on procurement. So, we will appoint a National Armament Director to provide better oversight and strategic leadership. We will align procurement across all five defence domains – space, cyber, land, sea and air – to cut waste and duplication. And we will deliver a defence industrial strategy, directing investment to British industry, reinforcing national resilience and strengthening our economy. And really, eight posts in a row that are all OT? There are certain involuntary muscular movements which no amount of self-control can prevent. Edited June 14 by Offshoot 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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