Ukraine Invasion: Part 55

[MagicFox]

We're on 55. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 That last one went quickly!

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I appreciate all the points made here but just want to point out that @MissConductUS's contributions are valued, informed and have been part of the backbone of the threads. It's so good to have the US perspective from her too. I just don't want her to become the target of (well-deserved) anger with Trump

Hear hear.

Ditto @MagicFox we’ve all benefited and learned a lot from @MissConductUS‘s cogent, informed and balanced contributions.

Agreed.

I do disagree on some views about the US's role in the world but @MissConductUS 's knowledge and calmness has been invaluable. Unmissably helpful. Also, she is in the same position as UK people were with Brexit; people saw the ... unfortunate consequences ... but still love their country deeply.

Long time lurker here chipping in to agree with the sentiments. I really appreciate these threads and all the long time contributors. It's my main source of balanced info (from about thread 25) as the news (uk) can be hit and miss depending what else is going on. Lots of thanks

I fundamentally disagree on some policies but agree.

I agree, value everyone’s contributions and although we might disagree on some areas, it’s good to test your own thinking sometimes

This!

Editted: although it has to be said, fundamentally this thread is pro-Ukraine and people who aren't do get a hard time. Partly because it's very hard to tell the difference between the people who think differently or who have unfortunately absorbed some pro-Russian propaganda, and the ones who are from the troll farms. There have been quite a lot of those over the years, some pretty well confirmed by Mumsnet.

Thanks for this. It’s honestly been a challenge for me to post here recently because of the understandable strong feelings about Trump bleeding over into generalized hostility towards the U.S. I try to take a step back and not overreact. If someone quotes me and responds in a way that strikes me as condescending or disrespectful I just ignore it.

I stay because I value the diversity of opinions and perspectives here, and because I think my perspective as an American with moderate political views and my experience as a former U.S. Army officer adds something that’s needed. I also think that I’ve more than proven over the last two years that I am strongly pro Ukraine, pro NATO and a great admirer of the U.K. So feel free to disagree with me, but please do so politely and respectfully.

Thank you @MissConductUS. I can’t wait until normal service resumes and I can return to your glorious country.

@MissConductUS I appreciate your posts I've been dipping in and out of these threads for a long time but I'm not a regular contributor now.
I appreciate all the amazing posts that keep me informed thanks to all posters with their fingers on the pulse.
Having said that trumps shock and awe policy is working. It's like a teen not wanting to regulate phone use after lots of chats and eventually you say "enough, it's coming to me.

What was the speech something about a continent of 500 million asking the USA of 200 million to defend them against Russia a country of 50 million?

My no are out but you get the gist.

I don't believe for one second that trump loves putin.

Which he's shown today.

He's shaking the malaise awake.

As an aside this sums up everything we know about Trump, coming42.livejournal.com/479179.html

"He turns being artless into an art form; he is a Picasso of pettiness; a Shakespeare of shit. His faults are fractal: even his flaws have flaws, and so on ad infinitum. God knows there have always been stupid people in the world, and plenty of nasty people too. But rarely has stupidity been so nasty, or nastiness so stupid. He makes Nixon look trustworthy and George W look smart. In fact, if Frankenstein decided to make a monster assembled entirely from human flaws – he would make a Trump.

And a remorseful Doctor Frankenstein would clutch out big clumpfuls of hair and scream in anguish: ‘My God… what… have… I… created?' If being a twat was a TV show, Trump would be the boxed set."

Savage😂

@MissConductUS I would also like to express my thanks for your expertise through the years. I can understand why you may be feeling attacked, nerves are high and your president is taking a wrecking ball to relationships.

Your posts actually seem to give me maybe more of a flavour of how things are in your neck of the woods. My impression from your questions, and ever so slight subtle change in tone, are making me think that Trumps propaganda, the MAGA machine, has increased its output since the election. It seems as though you are less certain about things you used to be sure of. Please don't think this is an attack, it is a concern for your wellbeing and I may be off track, it could be you have had a hard time on here lately.

I just wanted to say I value your input.

Harsh 😂

@Llttledrummergirl, thanks for your kind words and concern. I wasn’t aware of my change in tone, but you and others may see it more clearly since I lack your external perspective. I’m doing okay, all things considered.

I don’t think Trump and company have ramped up the propaganda. I think his visibility has risen since he took office because of the almost manic pace of his actions putting his policies into action. By the way, I am not unaffected by what’s happening. My daughter is a Federal civil service employee, and there’s a good chance she’ll lose her job in the cutbacks that are underway.

I am a bit astounded that he has found a way to convince the major European powers to address their long running under investment in defense. Every American president since JFK has beaten their head against that wall to no effect. Even Obama, who was hugely popular in Europe, was politely ignored on this issue. It’s almost miraculous that Trump has found a way to do it, and both the U.S. and Europe will be more secure as a result.

Delurking to express appreciation to all the regular contributors to these threads over the years, and to @MissConductUS in particular.

@MissConductUS sorry to hear your dd's job could be affected. Fingers crossed DOGE stays in its box. So much uncertainty for Americans too. Hope she is ok.

Please do continue to hang out with us. Your calm analysis is reassuring. I feel you strive to find the silver lining amongst the orange explosions and give us hope even when emotions are running high.

It is a great result that Europe is finally awakening from its sclerotic slumber to prioritise defence spending. It is simply crazy not to for so long that it was normalised. It is not ideal to be caught flatfooted but better late that never. Europe has much to learn from the pluck, tenacity and ingenuity of Ukraine. We must continue to support our friends.

I worry about the pledges for increased defence spending because we have to realise all those agreeing to the increases are politicians beholden to their electorate who will not wish to see tax or borrowing increases or public service cuts to finance this.

Given Labour in the UK are eyeing up benefit cuts to partially finance the new defence reality then you can see increased defence spending being uncomfortbale at least amongst some. It is also easy to cut defence budgets without being noticed unless you are at war. I wonder how much of the European rhetoric will be turned into reality over the breadth of time?

There are already voices saying we are increasing defence spending not for some hypothetical unrealistic attack on the UK but to find a European defence force that may be called into action in Lithuania and Estonia. You may therefore over time have an increase in the voices saying richer European nations are subsidising the poorer Eastern European nations.

I disagree with these views but they may start to fester over the course of time.

What is it importance is that NATO meets and resets or reconfirms it's purpose and assuaged the fears of Eastern Europe. It is these Eastern European countries that were part of the Soviet bloc that need protection .

@mids2019

Given Labour in the UK are eyeing up benefit cuts to partially finance the new defence reality then you can see increased defence spending being uncomfortbale at least amongst some. It is also easy to cut defence budgets without being noticed unless you are at war. I wonder how much of the European rhetoric will be turned into reality over the breadth of time

The politicians are going to need watching…

ATM it’s all summits and pronouncements but reality will bite when, taking the UK as an example, the Treasury start deciding what the UK Ministry of Defence can actually spend. There’s a danger then any small % increases will be swallowed up by inflation or on new contracts for existing functions.

I’ll be more convinced UK/Europe is actually headed in the right direction when I hear of equipment orders actually being placed, units stood up etc, and TBH that needs to start happening pretty quickly if there is going to be an improvement in the situation inside a decade….

I’m worried now we’re going to start getting lots of announcements about future spending and summits/working groups on strategies..blah, blah….that really won”t cut it.

BTW needless to say I’m fully aligned with the messages of support/well wishes for @MissConductUS .

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Ukraine considers Kursk withdrawal amid fears of encirclement (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-considers-kursk-withdrawal-amid-fears-of-encirclement-of-10-000-troops-telegraph-reports/) of 10,000 troops, Telegraph reports.
Ukraine's forces are considering a withdrawal from Kursk, with 10,000 Ukrainian troops at risk of encirclement after Russia broke through key defense lines and disrupted supply chains, The Telegraph reported on March 8.

⚡️Putin might consider conditional truce (kyivindependent.com/conditional-truce-being-considered-by-putin-bloomberg-reports/) in Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.
The Kremlin insists on organizing the framework of a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. This includes deciding what countries would take part in a peacekeeping force, a person familiar with the topic told Bloomberg.

⚡️ US shares intelligence with Ukraine for defense (kyivindependent.com/us-continuing-to-share-some-intelligence-with-ukraine-solely-for-defense-purposes-cnn-reports/), not for attacks on Russian troops, CNN reports.
The U.S. continues to share some intelligence with Ukraine to assist with defense operations, but not for attacks on Russian troops, CNN reported on March 7, citing two anonymous defense officials.

⚡️Discussions with Trump team currently 'most intensive work (kyivindependent.com/discussions-with-trump-team-currently-most-intensive-work-to-date-zelensky-says/) to date,' Zelensky says.

Belarus Weekly: Belarus, Russia ratify security pact (kyivindependent.com/belarus-weekly-belarus-russia-ratify-security-pact-expanding-nuclear-umbrella-military-integration/), expanding nuclear umbrella, military integration
Belarus and Russia ratified the Union State Security Pact, expanding the nuclear umbrella and military integration

⚡️Poland to introduce (kyivindependent.com/poland-to-introduce-large-scale-military-training-for-all-adult-males-pm-tusk-announces/) large-scale military training for all adult males, PM Tusk announces.

⚡️Ukraine signs LNG deal (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-signs-lng-deal-with-polands-orlen-amid-russian-attacks/) with Poland’s Orlen amid Russian attacks.

⚡️Ukraine’s DTEK gas production facilities shut down (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-dtek-gas-production-facilities-shut-down-after-russian-attack/) after Russian attack.
Ukrainian energy company DTEK's gas production facilities in Poltava Oblast were attacked by Russia on the morning of March 7, forcing them to hal

⚡️'Slovakia is Europe' — thousands of protestors (kyivindependent.com/slovakia-is-europe-thousands-of-protestors-take-to-the-streets-against-ficos-pro-kremlin-agenda/) take to the streets against Fico's pro-Kremlin agenda.

⚡️Trump accuses (kyivindependent.com/trump-accuses-kyiv-of-being-more-difficult-to-deal-with-says-russia-bombing-the-hell-out-of-ukraine/) Ukraine of being 'more difficult to deal with' than Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump finds it more difficult to deal with Kyiv than with Moscow, despite the fact that "Russia is bombing the hell out of Ukraine," he said during a White House briefing on March 7.

⚡️[Some] Republicans urge (kyivindependent.com/republicans-call-on-trump-to/) Trump to resume military, intelligence assistance to Ukraine.
Some Republican lawmakers warned that a too long pause in military aid could have a devastating effect on Ukraine's combat capabilities and undermine its leverage in talks with Moscow.

Trump's increasing support for Russia leaves Zelensky with fewer options (kyivindependent.com/what-options-does-zelensky-have-as-relations-with-us-hit-record-low/) to secure U.S. backing
As Washington continues to pressure Kyiv into submission, President Volodymyr Zelensky stands at a painful crossroads — agree to U.S. demands or chart a course without Washington, pinning Ukraine's hopes for survival on Europe alone.
Neither option seems reassuring for Ukraine.

⚡️Voice of America correspondent Ostap Yarysh fired following DOGE review (kyivindependent.com/voice-of-america-correspondent-ostap-yarysh-fired-in-doge-crackdown/).
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, Ostap Yarysh, who joined VOA's Ukrainian service in 2019, has focused on covering U.S. military assistance to Ukraine.

⚡️ Ukraine destroys 2 diesel trains in Russia (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-destroys-two-trains-in-russia-military-intelligence-source-claims/), military intelligence source say.

Russia’s history of violating ceasefire agreements (kyivindependent.com/neglecting-security-guarantees-trump-fast-tracking-efforts-to-persuade-ukraine-to-ceasefire-with-russia/)in Ukraine

⚡️Update: 11 killed, 30 injured in Russian attack (kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-dobropillia-in-donetsk-oblast-kills-4-injures-18/) on Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast.

⚡️Russian national who killed two Ukrainian soldiers in Germany sentenced (kyivindependent.com/russian-national-who-killed-two-ukrainian-soldiers-in-germany-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment/) to life imprisonment.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE - MAR 8, 2025
■ Fewest casualties this year so far while engagements stay above average
■ Landbased equipment losses slightly above the 7-day average
■ 1st major missile strike of 2025 & most missiles intercepted
■ Improved strike ratio

Starmer has been encouraging. However...

I found it sad that in the last UK election one knew from the exit polls that there was going to be a Labour government, but waking up the next day it slowly became clear that it was Tories again. Just not Rishi who never had the penny pinching outlook of Reeves. More Coalition era austerity glee in a new guise. I don't support any political party and am a mix of pragmatism and cynicism in my outlook. I grew up around so many ideologues, that I have reacted by thinking 'let's get on with doing something good' is a decent starting point. The straightjacket that Starmer/Reeves imposed is their creation. When it comes to increased defence spending, I'll wait and see.

Dipping into Russian sites, they are awash with Women's Day March 8th posts and images (including Putin surrounded by women). Clara Zetkin, viewed as a foundational figure for The Day in Russia, features a lot. A German Marxist who took a SPD - Spartacist - KPD path. Her discussions with Lenin are worth exploring if that's your thing. Every substantial town in the DDR apparently had to have a street named after her.

Turning back to the invasion of Ukraine, I think it is always worth checking out what the Russians are actually saying (and they often say little through official channels). I'll post a link in the next message to a round up for 8th March. They are excited about what is going on south of Sudzha. The map they lead with in the link is appearing in many places.

Not posting the link in this post as it is a dotRu link and Mumsnet puts a freeze on anything like that, presumably due to the PutinBots.

There's a lot of generally gleeful Trump related posts but his comment on how hard Russia had hit Ukraine has shifted the tone of some a bit.

Know your enemy.

Roundup for 8th March from the vizitnlo site:

https://vizitnlo.ru/08-03-2025-kurskaya-oblast-v-okruzhenie-popalo-bolee-4000-soldat-vsu-vozmozhnosti-vyhoda-net-karta-boevyh-dejstvij-na-ukraine-segodnya-video/

This might get blocked / reviewed. It is an aggregation of current positions and events as reported in Russia.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Foreign Minister Sybiha had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Rubio ahead of the planned talks between Ukraine and the United States in Saudi Arabia.

The US government is exploring the possibility of easing sanctions on Russia’s energy sector if Moscow agrees to end the war in Ukraine, Reuters reports.
At the same time, the agency’s sources “made it clear” that this should not be seen as a sign that the US will lift sanctions without concessions from Russia.

Poland should aim to acquire nuclear weapons and strengthen its defenses, said Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Ukrainian aviation carried out strikes with high-precision aerial bombs on buildings housing concentrations of Russian Armed Forces personnel in the Pokrovsk direction.

On the night of March 8, debris from an enemy drone fell on a private enterprise in Zaporizhzhia, sparking a large-scale fire covering 400 square meters.
Rescuers reported that the fire engulfed the welding shop and auxiliary buildings.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

An overnight Russian attack killed at least 12 civilians in eastern Ukraine, just days before peace talks in Saudi Arabia between US and Ukrainian negotiators.
www.kyivpost.com/post/48500

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Dubinsky went from journalist to lawmaker whose political career has been marred by a series of accusations from authorities – including alleged ties to Russia’s GRU. https://www.kyivpost.com/post/48492