Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

why would it affect Russian oil prices?

Yes, indeed he does (sadly for all of us). I don't think this is good, regardless.

The Russian govt. comments on it so far have been careful, and not as harshly critical of the US, as one might have expected in the past.

Keeping Trump and the GOP "on side" with their pro-Russian policy towards Europe and Ukraine is far more critical and the higher goal. Russia's allies elsewhere will be left twist in the wind if needed.

Saw that already with Iran IMO - hardly a peep when it was attacked by Israel with US connivance, and then bombed by Trump. So long and thanks for all the Shaheds!

Sky said analysts believe Maduro lost the 2024 elections in a landslide. So in that context, maybe the public support his removal. But I also suspect they want the oil used primarily for the benefit of their country, not for other ones.

Venezuela is a member of OPEC so a client president would also be a US toehold within OPEC if its members recognised it.

Trump practically saying the US will run Venezuela and…. The oil. It’s all quite obvious they didn’t give a **** about the drugs. This is all about oil.

I am delighted to be proven wrong so quickly there. That’s a serious missile. Apart from the manpower situation, things seem to be getting better for Ukraine in some ways. As Russia’s ability to power its cities and army are degraded, General Winter no longer looks like such a reliable ally.

Most importantly, the missile is built around the reality that Russia’s strongest defensive tool is no longer air defense alone, but layered GPS jamming, and Narwhal is explicitly designed to keep flying when satellite navigation is degraded or denied.

As I see it Maduro is a criminal* that was extradited to the U.S. The means were a bit novel but sure something had to be done, lol.

*and not the president as he stole the election. Likewise with Putin, he is not the president of Russia.

Zelenskyy on Venezuela: If this is possible with dictators, the United States knows what to do next

😆

Another amazing one liner.

Update on Pokrovsk. Russia is trying to outflank the city on the northwest by taking Hryshyne.

Russia is involved in the military coup regime in Madagascar. Russia building a network of client states in central and western Africa, but this one is a large island east of Africa. Previously, pro-Russia military coups happened in Burkina Faso, CAR, Niger and Chad. Russia is particularly involved in resource-rich countries. CNN has reported over the years about Russian front-companies like Alrosa and its involvement in front companies in Sudan. AlRosa sells 30% of the worlds diamonds.

Diamville SAU is a Russia-linked diamond and gold trading company based in the Central African Republic, reportedly affiliated with the Russian Wagner Group (a private military organization). The U.S. Treasury placed Alrosa on its sanctions list in April 2022, designating it under its Russia sanctions regime and cutting it off from U.S. financial dealings.

The European Union added Alrosa and its CEO to its sanctions blacklist as part of broader bans on Russian diamonds and jewelry in 2024. Belgium resisted diamonds sanctions for 2 years.

In CAR, Russia effectively controls that countries diamond sector.

Regarding the coup regime in Chad, that country was an important source of uranium imports for France (about 12% of imports).

It's hard to imagine the US doesn't already know every nut and bolt in every Russian weapon to date.

Brent Crude now at $60.75, compared to $137 when the war started. It's fallen about $25 in the past year. Helps explain why Putin is considering sending reservists to Ukraine, as they can no longer afford the lavish payments to contracted soldiers.

Historically, reservists tend to be older (40s-50s according to The Moscow Times, and English language newspaper banned by Putin) and less experienced.

On 10 July 2024, Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office officially designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable organization” under Russian law. That means the outlet is effectively banned from operating inside Russia — Russian citizens or residents who work for, cooperate with, share, or donate to it risk criminal penalties, including potential prison time.

Czech opposition seeks to oust far-right speaker over anti-Ukraine rant

In a fiery New Year’s address posted on X, Tomio Okamura, leader of the anti-immigration Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, sharply criticized military support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s nearly four-year invasion. 

“You cannot use money that belongs to Czech pensioners, citizens with disabilities, and families with children to buy weapons and send them to wage a completely senseless war,” Okamura said. 

………………….

Following his remarks, which were sharply criticized by Ukrainian officials, Czech opposition parties announced on Friday that they would seek Okamura’s removal from the post of parliamentary speaker, arguing that his statements have tarnished the country’s international standing. 

Leaders from five opposition groups, including the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), Mayors and Independents (STAN), Pirates, Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL) and TOP 09, said they would begin collecting signatures next week to trigger a parliamentary vote on Okamura’s dismissal.  

Video of Finnish forces seizing an Orc ship.

I assume theres not much to stop chinese companies openly buying Venezuelan oil now , i mean with the yanks in charge all sanctions will be lifted , and probably production increased fairly quickly,

And even if the chinese dont buy the Venezuelan oil , someone else will - leaving other oil available for the chinese..

Ya, santy will deliver them next year. Its more likely that Trump sends them back to Putin

With this operation over swiftly Americans might launch an attack on Iran in conjunction with Israel. Iranian long range missile stockpiles won't have recovered, their air defence is in ruins and there's currently civilian unrest all over the country. If they were ever going to go in it'll be soon.

If they calculate Iran will rebuild their nuclear efforts deeper underground out of bunker buster range they'll probably go for it.