Ukraine Invasion: Part 54

[MagicFox]

We're on 54. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦
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It’s absolutely criminal

I thought Musk had already made that threat a year or more ago?

He's wrong when he says that most of the weapons sent to Ukraine would never have been used in a conflict. He doesn't site a source, but it's rubbish. If it was true, we would have seen high failure rates on everything from Javelin missiles to artillery shells. We did not.

Most of the Bradley's came from US armor units in Germany and Texas,

@MissConductUS

Thanks for the comment/info…as I’m sure you know Tim Snyder is extremely good/highly respected in his field but I did wonder if he was drifting out of his lane in places.

That's a problem with social media. When something like that gets repeated often enough, even serious people take it as a given.

If something isn't fit for combat and can't be refurbed and brought up to specifications or us unsafe, it is decommissioned.

There are a lot of armor commanders who were deeply unhappy at losing their Brads.

@notimagain I think I found the nugget of news that led to this widespread misunderstanding:

Equipment for Ukraine drawn from Kuwait wasn’t combat-ready, IG says

During the inspector general’s audit of that pre-positioned stock area, the fifth of seven such locations around the world, “we identified issues that resulted in unanticipated maintenance, repairs, and extended leadtimes to ensure the readiness of the military equipment selected to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” the May 23 report stated.

All six of the M777 howitzers and 25 of 29 M1167 High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles were not “mission ready” and required repairs before U.S. European Command could send the equipment to Ukraine.

I'm sure the depot commander wound up being transferred to the Aleutian Islands and demoted to garbage control officer.

What seems to have been lost in the noise of social media is that the equipment was repaired before it was sent to Ukraine.

If that artilery shell was near expiry anyway then you do save the costs of decommissioning it (though presumably old stockpiles have mostly been worked through by now). You also save on social security and the various hidden costs of unemployment.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-22-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed on February 22 that US and Russian officials are planning to meet within the next two weeks in an unspecified third country about bilateral relations.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Kupyansk, Chasiv Yar, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove.
• Russian forces continue to deploy wounded and medically unfit soldiers to the frontline in an effort to address personnel shortages.

I have read so much about all this now that I honestly can’t remember what I saw this suggested, but deploying the Royal Family for a bit of soft power diplomacy with Trump might go a long way.

Ukraine has been hit with the largest overnight assault of the war. Clearly Putin is desperate for peace 🤨

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Trump announces next round (kyivindependent.com/trump-announces-next-round-of-ukraine-peace-talks-in-riyadh-on-feb-25/) of Ukraine peace talks in Riyadh on Feb 25.
Trump said a new phase of ceasefire negotiations between American and Russian delegations aimed to stop Russia's war against Ukraine would take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 25.

⚡️Trump team could strike a deal to end war 'this week,' (kyivindependent.com/trump-team-could-strike-a-deal-on-ending-war-this-week-white-house-says/) White House says.

⚡️Russia launches (kyivindependent.com/russia-launches-largest-drone-attack-since-start-of-full-scale-invasion/) largest drone attack since start of full-scale invasion.
Russia launched its largest single drone attack overnight since the start of the full-scale invasion with 267 drones entering Ukrainian airspace, Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said on Feb. 23.
Ukraine’s air defense shot down 138 drones while 119 decoy drones were lost.

⚡️EU considers confiscating part of Russia’s frozen $280 billion (kyivindependent.com/eu-considers-confiscating-part-of-russias-frozen-280-billion-bloomberg-reports/), Bloomberg reports.
The European Union is discussing how to seize Russia’s frozen central bank assets to provide financial and military aid to Ukraine, as concerns grow that the United States may scale back its support.
The EU, along with the Group of Seven and Australia, has already frozen approximately $280 billion in Russian central bank assets, primarily held by the Belgium-based clearing house Euroclear.

As Trump and Moscow align their vision, battle to stabilize Donetsk front rests on a knife edge (kyivindependent.com/as-trump-and-moscow-align-their-vision-battle-to-stabilize-donetsk-front-rests-on-a-knife-edge/)
On the geopolitical front, the last frosty weeks of winter have brought with them chilling signs for Ukraine.
But as the world’s focus fixates on U.S. President Donald Trump and his alignment with Moscow’s war narrative, a desperate struggle to stabilize the Donetsk Oblast front line is continuing uninterrupted.

⚡️ Ukraine’s work on finalizing minerals deal to start on Feb. 24 (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-work-on-rare-earth-agreement-to-start-on-feb-24-parliament-speaker-says/), parliament speaker says.
The U.S. is reportedly looking to obtain an interest in 50% of Ukraine's natural resources through a joint investment fund as payback for its support for Kyiv.

⚡️US mineral deal offers no security guarantees (kyivindependent.com/us-mineral-deal-offers-no-security-guarantees-for-ukraine-nyt-reports/) for Ukraine, NYT reports.
The terms of the revised proposal are virtually the same as those of an earlier version rejected by President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a draft dated Feb. 21 seen by the New York Times (NYT.)
The agreement again demands 50% of revenues from Ukraine's natural resources through a joint investment fund. The new version adds that Ukraine should contribute to the fund until it reaches $500 billion — a figure U.S. President Donald Trump has cited in public remarks

⚡️Musk denies (kyivindependent.com/musk-denies-us-threat-to-cut-starlink-over-ukraine-minerals-deal/) US threat to cut Starlink over Ukraine minerals deal.

⚡️Ukraine expects further F-16 deliveries (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-expects-further-f-16-deliveries-from-the-netherlands-zelensky-says/) from the Netherlands, Zelensky says.

⚡️ Ukraine's SBU claims attack (kyivindependent.com/sbu-confirms-attack-on-russian-oil-pumping-station/) on Russian oil pumping station in Krasnodar Krai.

⚡️Russia exceeded mobilization (kyivindependent.com/russia-exceed-mobilization-goals-in-occupied-ukrainian-territories-last-year-official-says/) goals in occupied Ukrainian territories last year, official says.

⚡️ NATO to reportedly extend jet fuel pipeline to Czechia, Poland in case of war with Russia (kyivindependent.com/nato-to-reportedly-extend-jet-fuel-pipeline-to-czechia-and-poland/).
The current pipeline system of the alliance, dating back to the Cold War, ends in western Germany, Reuters reported.

⚡️ Fico says Zelensky 'needs this war, (kyivindependent.com/fico-says-zelensky-needs-this-war-justifies-russias-invasion-of-ukraine/)' justifies Russia's full-scale invasion.

⚡️Investigation names over 95,000 Russians (kyivindependent.com/investigation-names-over-95-000-russians-killed-in-ukraine/) killed in Ukraine.

⚡️Russian missile attack (kyivindependent.com/russian-missile-attack-in-kryvyi-rih-kills-1-injures-5/) in Kryvyi Rih kills 1, injures 5.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE - FEB 23, 2025
■ Casualties & engagements up between days (below average though)
■ Record 7-day equipment & drone losses
■ Fewest 🇷🇺 strikes in over 3 weeks, good strike ratio

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Estonia is handing over 10,000 artillery rounds and 750,000 food packages for the military to Ukraine.
Prime Minister Michal added that "Ukraine decides its own future" and that it "can always count on Estonia's support."

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the February 20 strike on the Novovelichkivska oil pumping station in the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation, which serves the Tikhoretsk—Novorossiysk-2 oil pipeline.

Media: NATO wants to expand fuel pipelines eastward in case of war.
Since the Cold War, there have been two fuel pipelines in NATO territory that extend to Germany, but neither reaches even the Soviet-controlled eastern Germany.
One pipeline is expected to be extended to the Czech Republic, the other to Poland, writes Spiegel. The option of connecting the pipeline systems is also being considered. The total construction cost in the Bundeswehr is estimated at 21 billion euros, and its full implementation could take 20-25 years.

The Inspector General of the German Armed Forces, Breuer, arrived in Ukraine on the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The parties discussed the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in weapons, ammunition, military and special equipment, as well as the training of the Ukrainian military.

Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez, days before his visit to Kyiv, spoke out in defense of a "just and lasting peace" for Ukraine, saying that "subduing the aggressor will not bring peace, but future and more serious aggressions."

Zelenskyy [...] had a conversation with the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.

A woman was killed and three others were injured in another shelling of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, on Saturday afternoon.
Seven apartment buildings, a gas pipeline, 12 garages, and a store were damaged in the city.

More than 100 tons of gold have disappeared from Putin’s “piggy bank” — the Russian National Welfare Fund — The Moscow Times.
Last year, gold reserves in the NWF decreased by 171.2 tons, although only 58.9 tons were officially announced for sale.
The Russian Ministry of Finance did not explain where the other 100 tons of precious metal went.
At the beginning of 2025, the Fund had 187.7 tons of gold left (at the beginning of last year — 358.9 tons). Over the year, the “gold reserve” decreased by 171.2 tons (48%).
Journalists learned that gold disappeared from the NWF almost every month during 2024.
For example, in March, the fund lost 23.2 tons, in May — 4.7 tons, in October — 8.5 tons. At the same time, the Ministry of Finance officially reported only one transaction — the sale of 58.9 tons of gold in December to cover the budget deficit.
In response to journalists’ requests, the ministries stated that the gold could have been converted into rubles and used to support Russian companies and strategic sectors of the economy.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlight

Zelensky is not ready to sign a minerals deal with the US, as it contains only unilateral obligations for Ukraine — Sky News [this is contrary to other reports]

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Trump told reporters at the White House that he has no plans to travel to Moscow for what Russia calls Victory Day on May 9.

Trump stated that Macron and Starmer “did nothing” to stop the war in Ukraine.
In an interview with Fox News, the U.S. president criticized the leaders of France and the United Kingdom for allegedly not spending enough money to support Kyiv.
According to Trump, “Europe is essentially giving nothing,” while Washington is “spending [its] treasures on some country that is very, very far away.”

🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇳 The Trump administration pressured Kyiv to withdraw its draft UN resolution on Russian aggression, The Washington Post reports. (www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/22/ukraine-war-un-resolution-trump/)
WP sources claim that Washington initially suggested Ukraine modify the draft resolution to “soften” its language. Later, the US introduced its own version and demanded that Ukraine withdraw its original draft, which had already been coordinated with allies.
According to a Ukrainian source cited by the media, the proposal “shocked” Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not to withdraw the existing resolution.

❗️The Pentagon refuted Trump’s claims about $350 billion spent on Ukraine.
According to the interagency oversight group responsible for reporting to Congress, since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the U.S. Congress has allocated around $183 billion to Ukraine.
Of that amount, the Pentagon confirmed that the U.S. has provided $65.9 billion in military aid to Ukraine. An additional $3.9 billion authorized by Congress for military assistance remains unspent

Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg is returning to the United States with Ukraine’s proposal regarding critical minerals.
This was reported by NV. Earlier, the outlet noted that Ukraine had received a new, tougher version of the agreement from the Americans, which proposed securing 100% ownership of a $500 billion future fund for the United States.
According to the proposal, Ukraine would contribute two-thirds of the fund through resource extraction revenues, while the US would provide one-third, which has already been supplied in the form of military aid. NV writes that Kyiv has reduced its proposal for the fund’s size to $100 billion and handed this version to Kellogg.
Meanwhile, other media outlets have also reported on the details:
▪️According to Ukrainian Pravda, the agreement envisions the creation of a fund in which the US would hold 100% of the financial interest, while Ukraine and America would jointly manage it.
The fund would facilitate doubling foreign investments in Ukraine for every dollar contributed. It would receive 50% of the revenues from Ukraine’s mineral and oil and gas resources for reinvestment into the Ukrainian economy. The agreement also mentions redirecting revenues from other Ukrainian sources.
Ukraine’s contributions would continue until the agreed fund size is reached, and the US might assume financial obligations to support Ukraine.
▪️The The New York Times reports that the new draft agreement contains provisions on revenues from the occupied territories in the event of their liberation. It is proposed that 66% of revenues from such territories will go to the fund.
▪️The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada stated that the Ukrainian government would start working seriously on finalizing the critical minerals and security guarantees agreement next week.

🇪🇺Bloomberg: EU Considers (www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-22/eu-seeks-ways-to-seize-part-of-russia-s-frozen-280-billion?srnd=homepage-europe) Ways to Use Russian Assets to Aid Ukraine
According to the publication, EU officials are discussing how these assets could be used as collateral by a future International Claims Commission, which would determine compensation for Ukraine. The assets could then be seized if Moscow refuses to pay reparations.
The value of the confiscated assets would be offset by Russia’s obligations to compensate for damages under a potential peace agreement, sources told Bloomberg on condition of anonymity.

🇨🇭🇺🇦 Switzerland does not rule out sending several hundred peacekeepers to Ukraine.
“We could probably deploy around 200 soldiers for a period of 9 to 12 months,” said Swiss Armed Forces Chief Thomas Süssli.
However, he emphasized that such a decision would need to be made by the parliament and government in response to an official request. For now, Süssli considers these plans purely hypothetical.

A rally in support of Ukraine has begun in Washington, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
🇪🇪A rally in support of Ukraine was held in Estonia's capital, Tallinn, Delfi reports
🇬🇧 "Hundreds, if not thousands of people" have gathered in London to voice their support for Ukraine, GB News reports.

>but deploying the Royal Family for a bit of soft power diplomacy with Trump might go a long way.

Best not to taint them.

Trump is an enemy. This is taking time to sink in.

The USA is no friend of 'The West'. It has gone rogue.

The internal Auto-Coup makes it no friend of democracy. The Tariffmania makes it no friend of market economies. The demeaning, ignorant threats to Ukraine make it no friend, to Ukraine of those who have supported Ukraine, just a bully wanting to be a puppetmaster. The Anschluss-ish mindset when it comes to nearby allies make it a would be expansionist imperial power.

At times interests might align, but be a 'friend' and you get bullied. Some are afraid to see the truth and some hope they can 'convince' a despot and his lapdogs that they are mistaken. It won't work. This is at the minimum a 4, 8, 12 or more year time out for Washington and decent company. Even if it 'ends' there is no going back to 'before'.

Five members of the Axis of Evil walk into a bar. One says 'Hi I'm Vladimir, I'm in Moscow, why did you make me invade you?' Another says 'I'm Alexander, I'm in Minsk and have a creepy child I hope will succeed me'. The third says 'I'm Xi Jinping, I like making things for you and live firing near Sydney'. The fourth says 'I'm Donald, I have a thing for Slavic women and have a creepy child I hope will succeed me after the Hillbilly'. The fifth says 'Hi I'm Kim, I like video games, purges and am the 3rd ruler of my hereditary kingdom'. Who is the odd one out?

Correct, it's Lukashenko, he doesn't have nuclear weapons.

Correct, it's Lukashenko, he's good at walking a tightrope and staying out of invasions.

We could offer to take back Harry

Can I admit here that I've contemplated offering them Andrew?

✅ This US administration wants a king.
✅ The Putin Principle is "once a colony, always a colony", so being ruled by a member of the UK royal family is quite right.
✅ The current president of the US is an actual sex offender who openly brags about it, so no objections on those lines.
✅ We get to get rid of Andrew.

Where's the bad?

BBC News headline: Zelensky says he is willing to give up presidency for peace or Nato membership.

To be honest I wouldn't blame him for taking the opportunity to walk away. Three years of this war would grind anyone down and the events of the last week must be the last straw.

https://united24media.com/latest-news/i-am-ready-to-step-down-zelenskyy-says-6148

“If peace for Ukraine requires it, and if it is necessary for me to leave my post, I am ready. Another option is exchanging it for NATO membership, if such conditions are proposed, so that this matter is resolved without prolonged discussion,” Zelenskyy stated.

I get this.

I have no doubt he would put country before himself. He has more honour in his little finger than the dictators of this world combined.

That man deserves the very best life can give him after the war.

Totally agree.

He could swap with General Valerii Zaluzhnyi as Ukraine ambassador to UK. Because selfishly I want Zel and his family in the UK.

I don’t think it will be anywhere near as simple as Zelenskyy stepping down though. That’s only going to work for the Kremlin if one of their handpicked candidates replaces him. Whatever happens the NATO carrot will keep being dangled but never actually given.

You are so right @WinterMorn

Agree, as the opposition in Ukraine have been saying if there was an election tomorrow the only person who would win would be Putin.