Forwarded from Russia Wire
⚡️⚡️Key updates on Russia and #UkraineCrisis as on December 30
🎁🌲Putin’s NY gift
In the beginning of Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, the government has closed access to nearly all the important data on the Russian economy. However just two days before the New Year, which is traditionally associated with grand celebrations in Russia and former Soviet countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing military and law enforcement officials taking part in the “SMO” not to disclose their (and their spouses and children’s) earnings and assets owned. The decree also removes the ban on receiving gifts and rewards from individuals or legal entities, if those “are gifts of a humanitarian nature." The new rule will be applicable as long as the “SMO” is on.
The last paragraph of the decree ("w") also says that during the period of the “SMO”, the information on income, expenses and property assets provided by civil servants in accordance with the law "On Combating Corruption" will not be made public in the media or uploaded online. While it is not clear whether this is only applicable to the military and law enforcement officials, or all civil servants, the move tends to effectively end the anti-corruption practices initiated over a decade years back (since 2009, more than 1.5 million civil servants were filing income declarations every year).
All this is happening at the time of war, when billions are sent to the frontline, both in cash, goods and weapons!
🇷🇺📱Made in Russia
Russia’s tech giants VK, Yandex, Sberbank and Rostelecom are planning to establish a company that will develop a new mobile operating system (OS) based on Android platform and will be able to replace Google Mobile Services (GMS), Kommersant has learned.
Experts note that the Android-based OS will be in demand among Russians due to compatibility with a large number of applications. The Aurora OS, promoted by Rostelecom, is rather intended for the public sector and corporations with high security requirements, while the new company will focus on consumer-end solution.
Having decided to support the development of a new Android-based OS, Russian government is actually following Huawei's path, the publication notes. After loosing its partnership with Google in 2018 due to US sanctions, the Chinese major started developing the Harmony OS based on open Android, the AppGallery app store and the Huawei Mobile Service (HMS) platform.
💸💸When the rich loose too
Russia’s richest people collectively lost $46.6 billion on Feb. 24, when Vladimir Putin ordered troops invade Ukraine, Bloomberg found out. In short order, authorities in the European Union, UK and US target Russia’s “oligarchs” and their companies with sanctions that make it next-to-impossible for the business tycoons to keep control of their assets in the West, the agency wrote. The 500 richest people in the world as a whole have lost almost $1.4 trillion over the year. Earlier, Forbes Ukraine reported that
Ukraine’s 20 richest people lost around $20 billion from February 2022 — from more than $40 billion to $22.5 billion.
🇺🇸🇺🇦GOP’s Ukraine problem
Politico highlights the role Ukraine crisis played in the internal division within the Republican party. The GOP’s Ukraine divide is so resonant because it’s here and now and because it neatly cleaves much of the party’s old and new guard,” the publication notes.
Politico quoted Carrie Filipetti, who runs the non-partisan Vandenberg Coalition, who noted that the group’s research found Trump voters far more supportive of increased defense spending to confront China or would agree to use force to prevent a nuclear Iran, but when it comes to Ukraine, GOP voters have less appetite for sending additional money and weaponry to Kyiv.
This was the last regular morning update in 2022. Stay tuned!
👉 Follow t.me/russiawire for daily updates, analytics and ground reportage from Russia, Donbass, and the neighbourhood.
🎁🌲Putin’s NY gift
In the beginning of Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, the government has closed access to nearly all the important data on the Russian economy. However just two days before the New Year, which is traditionally associated with grand celebrations in Russia and former Soviet countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing military and law enforcement officials taking part in the “SMO” not to disclose their (and their spouses and children’s) earnings and assets owned. The decree also removes the ban on receiving gifts and rewards from individuals or legal entities, if those “are gifts of a humanitarian nature." The new rule will be applicable as long as the “SMO” is on.
The last paragraph of the decree ("w") also says that during the period of the “SMO”, the information on income, expenses and property assets provided by civil servants in accordance with the law "On Combating Corruption" will not be made public in the media or uploaded online. While it is not clear whether this is only applicable to the military and law enforcement officials, or all civil servants, the move tends to effectively end the anti-corruption practices initiated over a decade years back (since 2009, more than 1.5 million civil servants were filing income declarations every year).
All this is happening at the time of war, when billions are sent to the frontline, both in cash, goods and weapons!
🇷🇺📱Made in Russia
Russia’s tech giants VK, Yandex, Sberbank and Rostelecom are planning to establish a company that will develop a new mobile operating system (OS) based on Android platform and will be able to replace Google Mobile Services (GMS), Kommersant has learned.
Experts note that the Android-based OS will be in demand among Russians due to compatibility with a large number of applications. The Aurora OS, promoted by Rostelecom, is rather intended for the public sector and corporations with high security requirements, while the new company will focus on consumer-end solution.
Having decided to support the development of a new Android-based OS, Russian government is actually following Huawei's path, the publication notes. After loosing its partnership with Google in 2018 due to US sanctions, the Chinese major started developing the Harmony OS based on open Android, the AppGallery app store and the Huawei Mobile Service (HMS) platform.
💸💸When the rich loose too
Russia’s richest people collectively lost $46.6 billion on Feb. 24, when Vladimir Putin ordered troops invade Ukraine, Bloomberg found out. In short order, authorities in the European Union, UK and US target Russia’s “oligarchs” and their companies with sanctions that make it next-to-impossible for the business tycoons to keep control of their assets in the West, the agency wrote. The 500 richest people in the world as a whole have lost almost $1.4 trillion over the year. Earlier, Forbes Ukraine reported that
Ukraine’s 20 richest people lost around $20 billion from February 2022 — from more than $40 billion to $22.5 billion.
🇺🇸🇺🇦GOP’s Ukraine problem
Politico highlights the role Ukraine crisis played in the internal division within the Republican party. The GOP’s Ukraine divide is so resonant because it’s here and now and because it neatly cleaves much of the party’s old and new guard,” the publication notes.
Politico quoted Carrie Filipetti, who runs the non-partisan Vandenberg Coalition, who noted that the group’s research found Trump voters far more supportive of increased defense spending to confront China or would agree to use force to prevent a nuclear Iran, but when it comes to Ukraine, GOP voters have less appetite for sending additional money and weaponry to Kyiv.
This was the last regular morning update in 2022. Stay tuned!
👉 Follow t.me/russiawire for daily updates, analytics and ground reportage from Russia, Donbass, and the neighbourhood.
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A monument to Maxim Gorky has been torn down in Dnipro
What the writer had done to displease the city authorities is unknown.
💥Source: ANNA-NEWS
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
What the writer had done to displease the city authorities is unknown.
💥Source: ANNA-NEWS
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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Forwarded from Archived.
To me, this is a symbolic picture.
Soldiers, going to defend the country, pass by their ancestors who've done their duty in the past wars, and now it's the current generation's turn to prove themselves capable of handling this crisis.. because when they're buried, it'll be their grandchildren going to war to defend this very grave and soil.
@MediterraneanMan
Soldiers, going to defend the country, pass by their ancestors who've done their duty in the past wars, and now it's the current generation's turn to prove themselves capable of handling this crisis.. because when they're buried, it'll be their grandchildren going to war to defend this very grave and soil.
@MediterraneanMan
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❗️The Armed Forces of Ukraine struck with an anti-aircraft missile again
This time it hit Belarus, eyewitnesses and local residents report.
A 5B55 anti-aircraft missile from the Ukrainian armed forces' S-300 SAM system fell near the rural town of Gorbakha in the Brest region.
This was already the third inadvertent strike on the territory of neighbouring countries.
The previous two hit tractor drivers in Poland and a vineyard in Moldova .
No jokes about tractor drivers.
💥Source: ANNA-NEWS
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
This time it hit Belarus, eyewitnesses and local residents report.
A 5B55 anti-aircraft missile from the Ukrainian armed forces' S-300 SAM system fell near the rural town of Gorbakha in the Brest region.
This was already the third inadvertent strike on the territory of neighbouring countries.
The previous two hit tractor drivers in Poland and a vineyard in Moldova .
No jokes about tractor drivers.
💥Source: ANNA-NEWS
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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🔞 FSB: A Ukrainian special forces group was liquidated during an attempt to break into the Bryansk region 🔞
The militants were eliminated; they were armed with German SIG Sauer submachine guns and four bombs with a total explosive yield of 40 kg in TNT equivalent.
💥Source: Операция Z: Военкоры Русской Весны
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
The militants were eliminated; they were armed with German SIG Sauer submachine guns and four bombs with a total explosive yield of 40 kg in TNT equivalent.
💥Source: Операция Z: Военкоры Русской Весны
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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Ukrainian servicemen trying to work out how to hide a NATO armoured vehicle in a shed
A whole new level of logistical challenges in the 21st century.
Video: @milinfolive
💥Source: ANNA-NEWS
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
A whole new level of logistical challenges in the 21st century.
Video: @milinfolive
💥Source: ANNA-NEWS
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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🇺🇸🇺🇦The head of the US PMC Mozart Group which fights on the side of Ukrainian Armed Forces said that Ukrainians killed surrendered soldiers and committed "atrocities".
According to Andrew Milburn, Ukraine is a "corrupt society" led by "fucked up" people.
The interview took place in an informal atmosphere with alcohol, so the American was unconstrained in his expressions.
Earlier, in an interview with Newsweek, Milburn said that the AFU suffered heavy losses and had problems with troop replenishment. He said that conscripts were often sent to the front line without proper training.
💥Source: MediaKiller
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
According to Andrew Milburn, Ukraine is a "corrupt society" led by "fucked up" people.
The interview took place in an informal atmosphere with alcohol, so the American was unconstrained in his expressions.
Earlier, in an interview with Newsweek, Milburn said that the AFU suffered heavy losses and had problems with troop replenishment. He said that conscripts were often sent to the front line without proper training.
💥Source: MediaKiller
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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All Ukraine's oligarchs have grown poorer because of Russia. Zelensky promised de-oligarchisation of Ukraine but it's Putin who's fulfilling it.
All these people deserve to have their fortunes reduced to zero.
💥Source: Дмитрий Василец
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
All these people deserve to have their fortunes reduced to zero.
💥Source: Дмитрий Василец
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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I have a relative in Israel who is a wild supporter of Ukraine. We haven't spoken for a long time, but I suspect he doesn't care much, in a negative way, about the visit to the promised land of the Russian-banned Azov either.
The argument that all their seized bases are literally crawling with Nazi symbols, as well as the fact that I watched the most fanatical figures in 14-15 years volunteering there from inside the far-right movement (all sorts of things happened in my youth), do not have an effect. As a rule, Jews loyal to Ukraine cite Zelensky's Jewishness as a reason and turn a blind eye to the rest.
However, there are things that are very hard to turn a blind eye to. There is such a place in Kiev as Babi Yar - a tract where during the Second World War mass executions of civilians, mostly Jews and Gypsies, took place. To reach it from the right bank, you have to cross Roman Shukhevich and Stepan Bandera avenues, named so in 2016 when the nationalists came to power.
The first mentioned above, head of the OUN-UPA, was involved in the mass shootings of Jews and Poles in western Ukraine. The second did the same, he assisted the Germans in punitive operations, helped organize terror in the occupied territories, until his masters shook him for his exorbitant independence and big appetite.
What normal Jew would tolerate a street in their honor leading to Babi Yar? Zelensky is a schlemiel, a traitor to his culture, a Nazi henchman. And no normal Jew can sympathize for the sake of any political agenda. What a shame and a disgrace.
💥Source: Военкор Глеб Эрвье | Z
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
The argument that all their seized bases are literally crawling with Nazi symbols, as well as the fact that I watched the most fanatical figures in 14-15 years volunteering there from inside the far-right movement (all sorts of things happened in my youth), do not have an effect. As a rule, Jews loyal to Ukraine cite Zelensky's Jewishness as a reason and turn a blind eye to the rest.
However, there are things that are very hard to turn a blind eye to. There is such a place in Kiev as Babi Yar - a tract where during the Second World War mass executions of civilians, mostly Jews and Gypsies, took place. To reach it from the right bank, you have to cross Roman Shukhevich and Stepan Bandera avenues, named so in 2016 when the nationalists came to power.
The first mentioned above, head of the OUN-UPA, was involved in the mass shootings of Jews and Poles in western Ukraine. The second did the same, he assisted the Germans in punitive operations, helped organize terror in the occupied territories, until his masters shook him for his exorbitant independence and big appetite.
What normal Jew would tolerate a street in their honor leading to Babi Yar? Zelensky is a schlemiel, a traitor to his culture, a Nazi henchman. And no normal Jew can sympathize for the sake of any political agenda. What a shame and a disgrace.
💥Source: Военкор Глеб Эрвье | Z
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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TURN OF 2022: SCOTT RITTER TAKES A LOOK BACK
The year 2022 is almost a thing of the past, but one event from that year will also determine the future: The war in the Ukraine. U.S. military expert Scott Ritter analyzes this turning point in the great Gegenpol-Review of the Year. Ritter explains how it could come to this and ventures a look into the new year 2023.
💥Source: Scott Ritter
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
The year 2022 is almost a thing of the past, but one event from that year will also determine the future: The war in the Ukraine. U.S. military expert Scott Ritter analyzes this turning point in the great Gegenpol-Review of the Year. Ritter explains how it could come to this and ventures a look into the new year 2023.
💥Source: Scott Ritter
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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The End of the Age of Sanctions?
Sanctions have long been the United States' favored diplomatic weapon, but the era of their dominance is coming to an end, writes Foreign Affairs.
According to the article, Russia and China have already scored at least one victory against them.
Washington increasingly relies on sanctions, but many of the affected countries have begun to strengthen their economies against such restrictions. Three developments in the last decade have convinced them of this need.
▪️ In 2012, the United States cut Iran off from SWIFT to isolate the country financially. Other U.S. competitors wondered if they would be next.
▪️ In 2014, Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia, prompting Moscow to make economic autonomy its top priority.
▪️ In 2017, Washington launched a trade war with Beijing. By restricting exports of its semiconductor know-how to China, the U.S. made it clear to all its adversaries that their access to critical technology could also be restricted.
These three episodes contributed to the emergence of a new phenomenon: organized resistance to sanctions.
▪️ Transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The largest transactions in local currencies take place between China, Russia, and India.
▪️ Development of own payment systems.
▪️ Digital currency. China already has experience with the digital yuan. It is protected from sanctions because the United States is unable to restrict the use of a virtual coin issued by another country's central bank.
Taken together, these innovations increasingly allow countries to conduct transactions through sanctions-protected channels, showing increasing independence from the United States.
In response, the author of the article suggests the creation of a special international organization dedicated to improving the effectiveness of sanctions, which he believes may be the only remedy for sanctions resistance.
💥Source: Node of time RUS
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
Sanctions have long been the United States' favored diplomatic weapon, but the era of their dominance is coming to an end, writes Foreign Affairs.
According to the article, Russia and China have already scored at least one victory against them.
Washington increasingly relies on sanctions, but many of the affected countries have begun to strengthen their economies against such restrictions. Three developments in the last decade have convinced them of this need.
▪️ In 2012, the United States cut Iran off from SWIFT to isolate the country financially. Other U.S. competitors wondered if they would be next.
▪️ In 2014, Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia, prompting Moscow to make economic autonomy its top priority.
▪️ In 2017, Washington launched a trade war with Beijing. By restricting exports of its semiconductor know-how to China, the U.S. made it clear to all its adversaries that their access to critical technology could also be restricted.
These three episodes contributed to the emergence of a new phenomenon: organized resistance to sanctions.
▪️ Transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The largest transactions in local currencies take place between China, Russia, and India.
▪️ Development of own payment systems.
▪️ Digital currency. China already has experience with the digital yuan. It is protected from sanctions because the United States is unable to restrict the use of a virtual coin issued by another country's central bank.
Taken together, these innovations increasingly allow countries to conduct transactions through sanctions-protected channels, showing increasing independence from the United States.
In response, the author of the article suggests the creation of a special international organization dedicated to improving the effectiveness of sanctions, which he believes may be the only remedy for sanctions resistance.
💥Source: Node of time RUS
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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The Ukrainian Armed Forces received a batch of Panthera T6 armored vehicles.
These vehicles have already been painted in pixel camouflage similar to that of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
▪️Who gave the armored vehicles to the Ukrainian army is a "mystery".
▪️It is known that the Panthera T6 is produced in the United Arab Emirates by Minerva Special Purpose Vehicles.
▪️Similar armored vehicles (a newer version) have already been used by the jihadists from the pro-Turkish Ahrar al-Sham group in Syria.
▪️Some of those vehicles got hit in the summer of 2019 in Idlib province, which was captured in the footage of our report.
"Hmmm, who could have given those ...?" -🪳
Characteristics of the Emirati armored vehicles are here.
💥Source: ANNA-NEWS
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
These vehicles have already been painted in pixel camouflage similar to that of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
▪️Who gave the armored vehicles to the Ukrainian army is a "mystery".
▪️It is known that the Panthera T6 is produced in the United Arab Emirates by Minerva Special Purpose Vehicles.
▪️Similar armored vehicles (a newer version) have already been used by the jihadists from the pro-Turkish Ahrar al-Sham group in Syria.
▪️Some of those vehicles got hit in the summer of 2019 in Idlib province, which was captured in the footage of our report.
"Hmmm, who could have given those ...?" -
💥Source: ANNA-NEWS
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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Christmas is no reason to drop your guard. Especially when fighting the coalition. And the AdG doesn't doze off - the original Christmas greetings to the burghers is proving that.
AdG's Santa Claus tells you the fairy tale of an evil government hobgoblin who sends presents for German kids to Independent Ukraine, having only a candle heater left for the freezing poor ones.
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
AdG's Santa Claus tells you the fairy tale of an evil government hobgoblin who sends presents for German kids to Independent Ukraine, having only a candle heater left for the freezing poor ones.
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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Forwarded from Russia Wire
‼️Russian MOD has officially confirmed the attack on the troops hosted in Makiivka, a satellite town of Donetsk, on January 1. The ministry said 63 people have died as a result of HIMARS strike by Ukrainian military.
Earlier, Ukraine's MOD said as many as 400 Russians were killed there "as a result of 'careless handling of heating devices” while many media reports cited even larger numbers.
Some local reporters from Donetsk, however, said citing their sources on the ground that not only Makiivka but a settlement near Shakhtersk, another satellite town of Donetsk, was attacked last night, possible killing at least 50 servicemen who were placed in a building of a former kindergaten.
Earlier, Ukraine's MOD said as many as 400 Russians were killed there "as a result of 'careless handling of heating devices” while many media reports cited even larger numbers.
Some local reporters from Donetsk, however, said citing their sources on the ground that not only Makiivka but a settlement near Shakhtersk, another satellite town of Donetsk, was attacked last night, possible killing at least 50 servicemen who were placed in a building of a former kindergaten.
Telegram
MoD Russia
⚡️ Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine (2 January 2023)
📄 Part 2 (read Part 1)
💥 Air defence facilities have shot down 15 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Shipilovka, Liman, Kremennaya, Ploshchanka…
📄 Part 2 (read Part 1)
💥 Air defence facilities have shot down 15 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Shipilovka, Liman, Kremennaya, Ploshchanka…
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The Storm of the Seas: Why the Admiral Gorshkov with Zircons will be the most dangerous opponent for surface ships.
The frigate "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Vasily Gorshkov" sails for its first exercises at sea after being refitted. Polar night has long reigned on the 69th parallel north. But you can see the world's first ship-based hypersonic missiles of the Zircon type ready for launch in their containers.
That's why the frigate is now getting more attention from so many countries around the world, following statements by President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu at a recent Russian Defence Ministry meeting. This sea voyage is the final test of all the ship's systems and crew before the main test - the upcoming long-distance voyage in January that will put the Zircons to the test.
"The ship is armed with cruise missiles, including long-range and hypersonic Zircon missiles. That, of course, brings with it some responsibility. There is no excitement, but also no doubt that all tasks will be properly fulfilled," said Oleg Gladkiy, commander of the Northern Fleet's Zircon missile ship unit.
The Zircons' exact capabilities are still secret and will not be disclosed. But even the approximate parameters of these missiles are already out of competition. Their flight speed is 8 times faster than the speed of sound, which is about 9.5 thousand kilometres per hour, and their range is up to 1000 kilometres.
💥Source: Zvezdanews
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
The frigate "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Vasily Gorshkov" sails for its first exercises at sea after being refitted. Polar night has long reigned on the 69th parallel north. But you can see the world's first ship-based hypersonic missiles of the Zircon type ready for launch in their containers.
That's why the frigate is now getting more attention from so many countries around the world, following statements by President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu at a recent Russian Defence Ministry meeting. This sea voyage is the final test of all the ship's systems and crew before the main test - the upcoming long-distance voyage in January that will put the Zircons to the test.
"The ship is armed with cruise missiles, including long-range and hypersonic Zircon missiles. That, of course, brings with it some responsibility. There is no excitement, but also no doubt that all tasks will be properly fulfilled," said Oleg Gladkiy, commander of the Northern Fleet's Zircon missile ship unit.
The Zircons' exact capabilities are still secret and will not be disclosed. But even the approximate parameters of these missiles are already out of competition. Their flight speed is 8 times faster than the speed of sound, which is about 9.5 thousand kilometres per hour, and their range is up to 1000 kilometres.
💥Source: Zvezdanews
💥Our channel: Node of Time EN
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