Ukraine Invasion: Part 56

[MagicFox]

The (free) world has gone mad. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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It will be interesting to see what happens if he dies. If his malign influence will gradually evaporate, or if others (Vance, his children) will carry on.

The deep trust that many in the West had in the US leadership may have been broken, but I think that a more friendly US leadership will be welcomed by everyone in the West. Except perhaps Orban.

Either way at least we will see now if Europe is willing to stand more on its own two feet and work with the US as an equal.

Ah, unfortunately I don't think Trump IS the malign influence (despite being personally malicious). I think he's just the showman who's been brought in to sell it to the people.

Steve Bannon doesn't have the special sauce to take that job vacancy himself.

So a narcissistic, grandiose grifter who wants to destroy anyone who's ever made him feel bad, and who could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and have people still follow him, is a perfect piece of casting.

But he's very far from being the brains, idealogue or logistician of the operation. Even last time around, Bannon or one of that mob was muttering that Trump wasn't the soul of Trumpism...

I think that Trump is atrocious, but Europe doesn’t have clean hands here. Every US president since JFK has begged Europe to bear a more proportional share of the defense burden to no effect. It’s taken a rupture like this for Europe to actually do something about the problem, which has rather ironically given all of those presidents what they wanted.

The whole world will be safer when Europe is more self sufficient militarily.

Agree @MissConductUS but the world will be far safer once Trump is out of office. This is nothing like diplomacy, support or anything that could reasonably be predicted. We all knew that Trump wouldn’t support Ukraine in the way that Biden did, but this is another level. And with a nephew in the US airforce, I fear for his safety under Trump.

Yes the one thing I agree with the 🍊 on is Europe should have been paying more, although of course the US has enjoyed the power and dominance of paying such a high proportion

I don't think its fair to tar all of Europe with the same brush, some of us have been keeping up our defence all along (i.e. those of us on the Eastern border!)

I’m still firmly on the camp of the US enjoyed being the dominant power in the West. It reaped the benefits of having a hegemony over defence but whined about Europe not paying its way when it didn’t suit them. Europe may not have ‘clean hands’ but that doesn’t make Trump’s actions ok. They can’t have your cake and eat it.

And I’m sorry but I don’t think destroying the Western alliance is in any way made up for by forcing your allies in Europe to spend more.

Re Falklands, We're going off at a tangent but have to say "ummm" to that claim, ....

With regard to provision of Sidewinders it wasn't so much a production issue,, it was a case of permission being given to allow the Task Force to ship out with the newly delivered 9Ls which were assigned for use in the European theatre.
As a result our bunkers at our secret airbase were left holding 9Gs longer than was planned.

Coming up to date - agree with the Patriot comment...doubt there are many rounds left anywhere available to buy.

I'm afraid I agree with @Igotjelly

Especially as Trump and his sort seem to be dancing to Russia's tune. The independent governance of the US looks to be in serious question now for the first time in 250 years.

There was that Russian (probably) led SM campaign for Texas to secede from the US. I think that bears watching - I bet we've not seen the last of it.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Trump: 'I think we have a deal (kyivindependent.com/trump-i-think-we-have-a-deal-with-both-russia-ukraine/) with both,' Russia, Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 23 he believes a deal between Russia and Ukraine to end Russia's war has been reached.
"I think we have a deal with both, I hope they do it," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

⚡️US envoy Witkoff to meet Putin (kyivindependent.com/us-envoy-witkoff-to-meet-putin-in-moscow-on-april-25-media-reports/) in Moscow on April 25, media reports.

⚡️Zelensky 'moving in the wrong direction' (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-moving-in-the-wrong-direction-on-peace-talks-white-house-claims/) on peace talks, White House claims.

⚡️Kyiv targeted (kyivindependent.com/explosions-heard-in-kyiv-amid-russian-missile-attack/) in mass Russian missile, drone attack.

⚡️ 'Ukraine ready to negotiate, but not surrender (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-ready-to-negotiate-but-not-surrender-deputy-pm-says-amid-disrupted-peace-talks/),' Deputy PM says amid strained peace efforts.

⚡️ Zelensky arrives (https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-arrives-in-south-africa-to-meet-president-ramaphosa/) in South Africa to meet President Ramaphosa.

⚡️ Update: Zelensky (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-arrives-in-south-africa-to-meet-president-ramaphosa/) to cut South Africa trip short after Russian aerial strike on Ukraine.

⚡️Trump says he may meet (https://kyivindependent.com/trump-suggests-he-may-meet-putin-shortly/) Putin 'shortly' after May Middle East visit [in May]

⚡️ Rubio, Witkoff reportedly (kyivindependent.com/rubio-witkoff-reportedly-clash-over-easing-russia-sanctions-trump-admin-denies/) clash over easing Russia sanctions; Trump admin denies.
The Trump administration officials are debating the possibility of lifting sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and other energy assets as part of peace efforts in Ukraine, Politico reported on April 23, citing five undisclosed sources.

⚡️ Syrian leader signals (kyivindependent.com/russia-refused-to-extradite-assad-syrian-leader-says/) continued military ties with Russia, despite rejected Assad extradition.

Ukraine has no great options if US recognizes Crimea as Russian (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-has-no-great-options-if-us-recognizes-crimea-as-russian/)

⚡️Kremlin spokesperson reiterates (kyivindependent.com/moscow-repeats-peace-terms-demands-land-neutrality-from-ukraine/) demands for Ukraine to give up territory in exchange for end to war.

⚡️Ukraine insists (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-insists-on-unconditional-ceasefire-at-downgraded-london-peace-talks/) on unconditional ceasefire at London peace talks.

⚡️Ukraine, US to start working on free trade zone (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-us-to-start-working-on-free-trade-zone-shmyhal-says/), Shmyhal says.
According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the parties also discussed "important political aspects" of the long-debated future minerals deal between Kyiv and Washington.

⚡️Ukrainian drone strike hits Russian drone factory (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drone-strike-hits-russian-uav-factory-over-1-000-km-621-miles-from-border-ukraines-military-say/) over 1,000 kilometers from border, military claims.
The strike, carried out by Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces in coordination with other branches of the military, targeted a plant in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, the General Staff said.

⚡️'Groundless accusations, political manipulations' — China reacts (kyivindependent.com/groundless-accusations-political-manipulation-china-reacts-to-its-ambassadors-summons-to-ukraines-fm/) to Ukraine summoning its envoy.

⚡️Media identifies (kyivindependent.com/over-1-500-foreign-mercenaries-from-48-countries-join-russian-military-media-reports/) over 1,500 foreign mercenaries from 48 countries Russia recruited for war in Ukraine.

⚡️EU considers (kyivindependent.com/eu-considers-ways-to-ban-new-russian-gas-contracts-reuters-reports/) ways to ban new Russian gas contracts, Reuters reports.
The European Commission is exploring options to legally prohibit EU companies from signing new contracts for the supply of Russian fossil fuels, Reuters reported on April 22, citing an unnamed senior EU official.

⚡️ ‘There are not enough (kyivindependent.com/we-need-to-be-one-step-ahead-putin-admits-gaps-in-russian-weapons-manufacturing/)’ — Putin admits gaps in Russian weapons manufacturing.
Despite significantly ramping up weapons production last year, Russia's armed forces are still missing key military equipment, Putin said.

'Dangerous and cruel' — Trump's reported Crimea proposal sparks horror among Ukraine's lawmakers
(kyivindependent.com/dangerous-and-cruel-trumps-reported-crimea-proposal-sparks-horror-among-ukraines-lawmakers/)
Reports that the U.S. could formally give de jure recognition to Russia's control over Crimea have landed like a bombshell in Kyiv, with lawmakers unanimous in their opposition to such a move, as well as issuing grave warnings about its potential consequences.

⚡️Trump says (kyivindependent.com/trump-says-nobody-is-asking-ukraine-to-recognize-crimea-as-russian/) 'nobody is asking' Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian.
"Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" U.S. President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

⚡️Ukraine brings back body (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-brings-back-body-of-journalist-viktoriia-roshchyna/) of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna tortured in Russian captivity, official says.

⚡️Update: 8 killed (kyivindependent.com/explosions-heard-in-kyiv-amid-russian-missile-attack/), 63 injured in large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv.

⚡️Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-against-ukraine-kill-injure-over-past-day-6/) against Ukraine kill 13, injure at least 97 over past day.

Ukrainian forces downed 64 out of the 145 Shahed-type and other drones, as well as 48 out of the 70 missiles, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬

⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA - APR 24, 2025
■ Most engagements in >2 weeks but casualties below average
■ Land-based equipment losses below avg but drone losses well above it
■ Heavy 🇷🇺 strikes (not incl. last night's attacks as this is for the previous day)

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️Ukraine must withdraw its troops from all four regions to end the war, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
He specified the regions as Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.

Russia does not want Europe at the peace negotiating table, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the French publication Le Point.
“There is nothing to negotiate with it. Europe is not independent and wants war, not peace,” Peskov stated.

🗺 France stated that European countries believe any peace agreement to end the war launched by Russia must include respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The comment followed remarks by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who said both Ukraine and Russia would need to “give up some of the territory they currently possess.”

Ultimately, Ukraine must decide its own future. We will never abandon Ukraine, said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” in London.

Russia is not opposed to U.S. control over Gazprom’s gas pipeline running through Ukraine to Europe, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Le Point.
According to Reuters, this provision appears in the draft agreement on rare earth metals between Ukraine and the United States.
“If the new owner is ready to sign a transit contract with Gazprom, then why not? This is a purely commercial issue, and we have never politicized it.
Gazprom will, of course, consider it. We are open to negotiations on Russian gas and are aware that some European countries still want to buy it,” Peskov said.

Kharkiv was attacked 24 times overnight, including 14 strikes by enemy UAVs and 10 missile strikes, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.
The attack damaged multi-storey residential buildings, a city clinic, a school, private farms, industrial facilities, and a hotel complex. One person was hospitalized.

Two children from the same family were killed in the Russian attack on Kyiv.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Russia is waging an intelligence war against the West – cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation are just the beginning.
Here’s how it must respond now, says an American intelligence insider.
www.kyivpost.com/videos/51334

‘Willing to Let Putin (www.kyivpost.com/post/51304) Off the Hook’? Trump regime guts war crimes effort: ditches key coordinator, pauses kid-snatching tracker, and draws up sanctions to lift.

Zelensky reposted a 2018 statement by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which reads:
“The United States reaffirms as policy its refusal to recognize the Kremin's claims of sovereignty over territory seized by force.”

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇺🇦🇺🇸 The London talks collapsed due to Ukraine’s refusal to cede territory to Russia, according to The Washington Post.
The report states that Washington was also displeased with Kyiv’s position to first discuss a full ceasefire before addressing any other terms.

⚡️ Ukrainian Air Defense Repels Massive Combined Attack, Kyiv the Main Target
Here’s what was intercepted:
🔵7 Iskander-M / KN-23 ballistic missiles
🔵31 Kh-101 cruise missiles
🔵6 Kalibr cruise missiles
🔵4 guided air-to-surface missiles (Kh-59 / Kh-69)
🔵64 Shahed strike UAVs
An additional 68 decoy drones lost tracking.
In total, Russia launched 215 aerial threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles, guided air-launched missiles, and strike drones.

“People Are Being Buried Right by the Roads, Among the Houses” — Volunteer Shows How Killed Civilians Are Buried in Frontline Pokrovsk
“This is the reality of Pokrovsk, Donbas. Shakhtarskyi neighborhood. People are being buried right by the roads, among residential buildings. In recent weeks, the number of civilian cemeteries in the city has grown,” wrote the volunteer known as “Yana Skhidna,” who published the footage.
t.me/liveukraine_media/30763

Three years ago, a Russian missile hit the “Tiras” apartment building in Odesa, killing eight people — including 3-month-old Kira Glodan, her mother Valeriia, and grandmother Liudmyla.
Following the tragedy, Kira’s father, Yurii Glodan, joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In November 2023, it was reported that he had been killed in combat.
Eternal memory to all victims of Russian aggression.

⚠️ Warning: Contains sensitive content (18+)
Olena Zelenska responded to the Russian attack by publishing a photo of a woman trapped under the rubble of her own home.
“We are all this woman. We are all on the bus in Marhanets. We are in the Sumy trolleybus. We are on the playground in Kryvyi Rih. In the homes and on the streets of Kyiv, Kharkiv region, Dnipro region, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy region, Khmelnytskyi region, Zhytomyr region — in our own homes.”
The First Lady also commented on the peace initiatives being proposed to Ukraine, questioning:
“Why do they want to discuss this with the bloodied victims, and not with those who are killing us?”

Quite true. It's not a uniformly distributed problem.

I think that's because those countries further away from Russia managed to deceive themselves into thinking that, in the event of war, they would be safe.

I never said that Trump's actions were okay. I called them atrocious.

If we were happy to buy hegemony by paying for Europe's defense, the issue would not have been a sore point in our relations for over 60 years. It has also been consistent across every administration, both liberal and conservative.

I think Europeans consistently underestimate the level of resentment over the imbalance and how radioactive the issue has become on this side of the pond. The defense laggards in Europe look to us like the couple that habitually shows up for dinner with another couple at a posh restaurant in their Range Rover, only to discover when the bill comes that they've somehow forgotten their wallet yet again.

And it's not just the money. It's also the idea that if the Russians started a war, it's fine for kids from Indiana and Texas to die defending Europe while European troops make the same sacrifice in much lower numbers. American troops who deployed to Europe were the target of antiwar protests that told them to go home, so not much appreciation for putting their lives on the line either.

Equally though when the rest of the world has stood up to defend/fight for the US, it hasn’t been recognised. Loss of lives, and billions spent, dismissed as random countries etc. which is bloody insulting and caused huge divides in UK politics for decades.

News today as well that the US won’t authorise Germany sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

It honestly feels like Ukraine is now fighting two fronts, Russia and the US.

This

I think this direct discussion has been coming a long time, but I hope we can get through it.

I do think that the US should acknowledge that Ukraine supported the US in the invasion of Afghanistan and even lost lives, when it wasn't their war and Ukraine is so tiny compared to the US.

It also cannot be forgotten that the US guarenteed Ukrainian independence and that guarentee has been broken. There has been a lot of support but not enough to fulfill the promise.

Whether or not that guarentee should have been made can be argued about, but the fact is that it was made. It should be fulfilled. US leaders should not be bouncing their foot up and down on Ukraine's head in the mud.

And I know, we all know, @MissConductUS, that you hate what Trump has done, like so many millions of Americans. What's happening now is utterly heart-and-soul breaking.

I do genuinely wonder when the US will move from being an unreliable ally under MAGA to being an outright adversary. I suspect it’s closer than we might like to think. I also worry about the narrative of needing to get through the next 4 years. MAGA mentality isn’t going anywhere, Trump’s just the current iteration. It feels clear that even amongst otherwise reasonable Americans there is a distaste for Europe. Perhaps not the outright hatred we see from Vance etc but they definitely don’t see us as an equal partner.

In fairness, we haven't been. I think that we, collectively, all the countries of Europe, have just not pulled together enough to be.

It would be a lot better if the EU -had- paid its way defensively, and if the US had acknowledged that actually the EU has supported it, specially individual states. Plus the US (and UK) have made some spectacular mistakes. No WMD were found in Iraq, and between 150,000 - 1m excess deaths occurred. This, and the utter mess of the way the aftermath was handled has led to a fractured and disastrously badly run country and more resentment towards the West.

Any justification given for US not agreeing to Germany sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine?

The refusal to sell American missiles was presumed to be because the US needs to preserve those so what is the excuse in this case?

Putin wouldn't like it.