Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

Finally -

Jan 7 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will allow a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting countries doing business with Russia to move forward in Congress and it could be put to a vote as early as next week, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Wednesday.Graham said in a statement Trump had "greenlit" the legislation after the pair met on Wednesday.

Trump will allow Russia sanctions bill to advance in Congress, US Senator says | Reuters

It will still allow Trump to have final say if and when secondary sanctions apply.

He'll probably just use it as another tool to threaten countries. Like China, they buy Russian energy so he'll threaten to apply those congressional backed sanctions unless China sells them more rare earths etc... it will have **** all to do with bringing Putin to the table.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong. Yes TACO has the final say and yes his tariffs crusade was a load of hot air. The headline 500% tariffs I don't see happening. The bill will come with approval to apply sanctions on businesses and individuals. I suspect he will cherry pick who to apply them to but it's a baby step in the right direction.

Is there a model where Venezuelan oil could be offered to those who do not buy the Russian product? The problem is that Venezuelan production cannot be quickly ramped up.

✈️ A Russian Boeing 767 has sent a distress signal, the plane is flying from Dubai to Moscow

There are approximately 200 passengers on board the plane. As of now, the plane is circling near Dubai.

Oh dear, I't would be a shame if anything catastrophic were to happen…

I guess that aircraft spare parts via Belarus lifeline Krasnov threw them, hasn't got up to speed yet.

I don’t personally hope a passenger plane with for example kids on board crashes.. Russian or whatever

Those Sting interceptor drones are quite something. There are videos of them chasing down the jet powered Shaheds.

These are most likely the ones that are being jointly manufactured in the Uk and which will be supplied to NATO countries.

Thank you Redbull F1 team, who originated the planform the Sting is based on.

January 8, 2026 – A Palau-flagged Suezmax oil tanker, the Elbus, was damaged in a drone attack in the Black Sea off Turkey's Kastamonu province on Wednesday, maritime sources and reports confirm.

The vessel, reportedly en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk to load crude oil, was struck on its upper deck, resulting in visible damage and thick black smoke. No crew injuries or oil spills were reported, and the tanker was able to proceed to safety with assistance from the Turkish coastguard.

This marks the latest in a series of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting vessels linked to Russia's "shadow fleet" – aging tankers used to evade Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. Sources indicate this is the fifth such incident since November 2025.

No doubt Turkey will be complaining any minute.

Looks like someone in the EU finally found a pair… The Uk and France should send troops to help out.

Belgium will probably side with the US.

I think Russia is going to commit an atrocity in Ukraine to 'payback' America for stealing the tanker

When it comes down to it, drone combat is essentially air combat minaturised. Bigger quadcopter drones are microbombers and in some cases they act as drone motherships for smaller drones, FPV drones are like guided micromissiles. Ukraine with these stings is essentially developing AntiDrone defences with these to counter these longer range drones acting as smaller scale missiles.

Civilian damage, thankfully appears minimal at present, but still unknown

How can NATO let a missile of that magnitude fly within seconds of their border and blow it off like its nothing. Could have went to Krakow as quick as Lviv

The war continues, but the media is currently more focused elsewhere. Apparently a "peace plan" has been drawn up, now we're just waiting for the Russians to reject it as usual and Trump to complain that he's tired of both sides not wanting to compromise (though probably blaming the Ukrainians more)