There is a stunning contrast between the access given by the UK to the Israeli Embassy to influence prosecutions of anti-Genocide journalists and protestors, and the repudiation by the UK of United Nations querying such prosecutions. The UK has rebuked the UN for “outside interference”.
I cannot state enough how unusual it is for the UK to give direct access to the Israeli Embassy to the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service, in order for the Israeli government to influence the prosecution of UK citizens. This is not about extradition, in which case there may be treaty arrangements for direct contact between prosecutors. It is just not normal nor right for an Embassy to be involved with domestic prosecutions in this way.
This is one of a series of heavily redacted emails seen by the Guardian, Middle East Eye and lawyers for Palestine Action. They show the Israeli government being granted direct influence with UK police and prosecutors, to urge the prosecution of UK citizens protesting in the UK, against a genocide for which Israel stands accused at the International Court of Justice, with her leaders indicted before the International Criminal Court.
There is no British precedent for this situation and it is very much against international practice, although comparators may be found in influencing prosecution decisions in Vichy France or the Eastern European communist bloc by Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union – though there were instances of pushback even there. By contrast the UK system is openly influenced by the Israelis.
There is no reticence from the UK government in forwarding Israel influence. Although all released correspondence has been heavily redacted, it is plain that individual cases have been discussed with the Israelis, including those of Palestine Action.
The United Nations has written to the UK on the subject of its treatment both of pro-Palestinian protestors and journalists and the abuse of anti-terrorism legislation. It is almost certain that some of the same cases the UN cites are those the Israeli Embassy has been involved in. The contrast between the UK’s treatment of the Israelis and of the United Nations could scarcely be different. The Israelis are invited in, while the Starmer regime has repudiated the United Nations.
This is stunning hypocrisy. It is characterised as being in the interest of those being persecuted by the UK and Israel, to prevent “interference from international organisations” such as the United Nations. This is beyond the pen of Orwell or Kafka. You can imagine the authors sniggering as they wrote it.
But the truth is the exact opposite of the UK government line. Unlike the Israeli Embassy, the United Nations really does have a right to interfere. The Special Procedures mechanisms by which the United Nations approached the UK are a well-established part of international law, and the UK is a party to them. These are instituted by the Human Rights Council, and it has always been the position of the UK that all nations are subject to them.
In addition the UK is since 1971 a full party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which is monitored by the Human Rights Committee and to the provisions of which the UN Special Rapporteurs specifically referred in querying the UK’s actions in this matter.
So the Israel Embassy has no right to interfere, and the United Nations has a direct right to interfere; yet the UK has encouraged the illegitimate while repudiating the legitimate. This is a classic example of the way that Zionism has fundamentally poisoned public institutions in the UK, and also of the profound Zionist capture of New Labour.
Yesterday’s revelation that David Lammy has lied to parliament and the country about suspending trade talks with Israel, while UK “trade envoy” Lord Austin is actually there, should be no surprise.
The hypocrisy does not even end there. The UK has been the most vociferous of countries in weaponising the UN Special Procedures against its own designated enemies, such as Russia and China. For the UK now to repudiate these UN investigations as “interference” is precisely to adopt the position of those states it has long argued against.
I have no doubt that this has been duly noted by any dictatorship the UK may seek to criticise in future.
You will recall that I am among a number of journalists about whose detention under the Terrorism Act and the seizure of whose electronic equipment, and thus correspondence, the United Nations interrogate the UK. You can read the UK government reply in full here.
Since the UN wrote, there have been further high-profile arrests of journalists, including Sarah Wilkinson and Asa Winstanley. The basic UK response is that the UN should not interfere, but one point of detail the UK states is particularly worth noting. Detentions and confiscations such as mine under the Terrorism Act specifically do not require the police to have any “reasonable grounds of suspicion”.
What kind of state makes a point of empowering its police to act unreasonably?
But read this further from the UK government reply:
I was detained and my electronics seized under Section 7. That means the UK government is claiming that I was “concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”. Just digest that for a moment.
I might say that nothing in my questioning – which was roughly equally split between the subjects of Wikileaks and Palestine – related in any way to the potential commission of any acts of terrorism. Is the government really pretending that, in travelling home from an Assange campaign meeting in Iceland, they truly suspected I was preparing to commit terrorism? This is ludicrous.
It has often been noticed that despite Sarah Wilkinson, Asa Winstanley, Richard Medhurst, Johanna Ross, John Laughland, Vanessa Beeley, Kit Klarenberg, Ernest Moret, Richard Barnard, Tony Greenstein and Natalie Strecker all being swept up under the Terrorism Act in a campaign against journalists this last two years, there has never been a single mention in UK mainstream media of the UK’s arrest of journalists under the Terrorism Act.
Even following the United Nations intervention to question the UK on the arrest of journalists the UK did not mention it. Even the UK’s tiny number of licensed anti-genocide voices in the mainstream media, such as Owen Jones, have never mentioned it.
Yesterday Asa Winstanley won an important legal victory at the Old Bailey where a senior judge ruled that the police raid on his home and seizure of his equipment was unlawful. That is an important and rare legal victory, and I am tempted to attribute it partly to the turning of the tide of Establishment opinion against sacrificing all principles of law to the interests of Israel.
You may perhaps not be surprised to learn that this victory, too, has not been covered by the mainstream media. This conspiracy of silence over extreme abuse of police power against journalists is deeply troubling.
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We know UK PM Sir Keir is a paid-for tool of Israel, but he is also no doubt still bristling personally at the UN because of this..
UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese: Keir Starmer must be investigated over Gaza Genocide
https://t.co/1UeBYt5CNj
zoot
You know the old police adage:
‘ You do not have to say anything and anything you do say may be used in evidence against you.’
The evidence to be used against Starmer and many more conspirators in this vicious and vindictive
attack on Palestinians has already been taken on the TV – The Internet and in print.
All that is required are Court Cases.
That may take some time but it will happen eventually.
No doubt about that.
I hope so, Mark. The evidence, as you say, could not be clearer. These have been the most documented and confessed-to of crimes, as they actually happened. Encouragingly too, there is no statute of limitations on prosecutions for genocide and crimes against humanity.
I’m not optimistic because Blair still walks free …
Plus a great many more, lower down the ranks. Jack Straw for example, or those responsible for committing reprehensible acts in Afghanistan as described by Veteran’s Minister, Johnny Mercer MP that alluded to Special Forces soldiers shooting up families in their homes in the middle of the Night and then deliberately planting weapons to justify these atrocities. According to Mercer himself, when he questioned their Commanding Officer about these raids, he just shrugged his shoulders. The paperwork wasn’t available either. I guess there’s a whole catalogue of this stuff rolling back over the years, just not necessarily the “big names”.
And, for info.
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins now First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, was the person in charge of the SAS death squads in Afghanistan – the person that prevented investigations – Murder has it’s rewards in the MoD.
Starmer’s statement that the Occupation has the right to turn off the supply of water and electricity to Gaza is akin to saying that white skinheads have the right to bomb immigrants’ hostels, times about 10000.
This is even before we get to the military and intelligence support the British state is giving to the perpetrators of genocide.
Starmer wouldn’t have a leg to stand on, were he ever to be brought to the trial that this POS deserves.
His “Israel does have that right” statement is egregious even by the standards of his predecessors as British prime minister.
Ukraine “terrorist” attack on Russian airforce bases across Russia condemned as “terrorist” by Russian authorities.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cgrg7kelk45t
When will the Ukies (sic) learn that destroying Russian bombers is militarily futile?
And anyway “terrorist ” attacks on Russian air force bases are just wrong….
We can hope that Zelensky is man enough to apologize and resign before the peace talks start.
For a more balanced report – and entertaining comments – see https://www.rt.com/russia/618455-kiev-attacked-military-airfields-russia/
You’ll need a VPN if you live in Europe or (?) the USA.
GTFU and stop laughing about a war in which so many people have died on both sides – probably with a median age about half of yours.
“Ukraine “terrorist” attack on Russian airforce bases across Russia condemned as “terrorist” by Russian authorities.”
Well no, actually. What the BBC said was “Moscow said Ukraine carried out a “terrorist attack” in five regions but they were “repelled”. They didn’t mention airforce bases, they could have been referring to the actual terrorist attacks such as the rail overbridge that was blown down onto a train injuring and killing civilians including children.
I didn’t think the BBC was to be trusted in any shape or form.
The article in RT makes no mention on the railway sabotage.
Quote:- ” Military airfields across Russia have been attacked in a series of kamikaze drone strikes, the country’s Defense Ministry reported on Sunday, blaming the incidents on Kiev. Most of the strikes were successfully repelled, with some resulting in material damage, it added.
Airfields were targeted in the Murmansk Region in the country’s north, in Ivanovo and Ryazan regions in central Russia as well as in Irkutsk Region in Siberia and Amur Region in the Far East, the ministry said. All the attacks employed first-person view (PFV) kamikaze drones, with some of them being launched from territories in close proximity to the airfields, it stated.
Some of the culprits behind the attacks have been detained, the ministry said, without revealing the number of those arrested or their identities. The Russian military also said that the “Kiev regime” was ultimately responsible for the strikes, which they described as “terrorist attacks.” ”
It seems whoever carried out these drove truck loads of drones across Russia to within a close distance of the airfields without the Russian state security apparatus noticing. Either they’re not very good or they were in collaboration with the attackers. This could be an attack by dissidents within Russia or a ‘false flag’ intended to justify a further clampdown on personal freedoms.
Pears Morgaine
June 1, 2025 at 22:09
Pears Morgaine, fortunately it appears that the despicable terrorist attacks on the peaceful Russian air force bases were successfully intercepted by heroic Russian air force bombers that sacrificed themselves to protect the sacred concrete of the runways.
Since the attacks had absolutely no military value, then they must have been done for psychological reasons. OK that doesn’t make them “terrorist” attacks, but certainly in the same ball park. I also notice that you are keeping very quiet about the real terrorist attacks that happened at the same time. I suppose we mustn’t give people the idea that those saintly Ukranians would do anything like trying to kill ordinary women and children travelling by train.
Pears Morgaine
Al Jazeera reported the same as you.
2.5k miles is a long stretch for drones and the obvious thing is to be as close
as possible with your drones near each airfield.
By the way, there are many oligarchs and higher up politicians who think Putin is
not hitting hard enough.
If the revenge ‘ terror ‘ is not enough for the harder hitters then Kiev may be Oreshnicked.
Near on on the Duma.
A lot of provocation in order to get a worse response is common as a tactic I think.
Israel are probably pondering the same thing.
MR MARK CUTTS
June 1, 2025 at 22:23
Mark,
I hope that you are not suggesting that these despicable terrorist attacks might in any significant way have damaged the heroic Russian Air Force and in particular their bomber fleet?
Ah yes the Oreshnik, the latest Russian ‘wonder weapon’ that’s going to win the war in an afternoon. Previous ‘wonder weapons’ such as the Kinzhal having failed. Only it isn’t and it won’t. Putin admitted it was experimental which is why to date only one has been used. It’s actually an application of old technologies that have been put together in a different way. An expert at the University of Oslo suggested that it likely incorporates no more than 10% new components. Russia is believed to possess only a limited number of units, making regular deployment against Ukraine improbable.
Analysis of the attack on Dnipro suggests it’s accuracy is not great and suitable only for delivering nuclear warheads.
“By the way, there are many oligarchs and higher up politicians who think Putin is
not hitting hard enough.”
We can be sure that the initial Russian negotiating position in any armistice negotiations won’t include Kiev’s retention of this kind of capability.
Whether the attacks have scuppered the possibility of a ceasefire in the near future is another matter. Certainly when both sides in a war say something, it doesn’t make it true.
In most wars, you are expected to accept casualties. When it’s only a few destroyed aircraft, you even feel lucky. Russia must get ready for much worse.
To return to the initial topic discussed by our gracious host, it seems that the current situation is exactly the opposite: the UN rebukes the UK. No big surprise. The UK was an Empire in the 19th century, when none of us were even born.
“Ah yes the Oreshnik, the latest Russian ‘wonder weapon’ that’s going to win the war in an afternoon.”
Well yes it would, if it was used by a country prepared to use nuclear weapons. From where do you get the information that this would be Russia, apart from your own Russophobic fantasies? We all know which is the only country that has ever used nuclear weapons, after all.
In the TASS report on the statement by the Russian defence ministry, although the term “Kiev regime” is used the term “ultimately responsible” is not.
https://tass.com/defense/1966689
On the contrary they say the Kiev regime did it. That’s also what the Kiev regime itself says. Which is not to say there isn’t a question regarding who else might have been involved.
Certainly China is going to be concerned about the attacks on airfields in Amur and also Irkutsk, and we can assume that the Ukrainian side was aware of that.
But you may be disappointed if you think “art students” were involved, @Pears.
Yesterday there were many messages and videos on social networks, some were deleted as unconfirmed information. I’ll just tell you what I saw from this.
A bridge was blown up in the Bryansk region. It collapsed on a passenger train passing under the bridge. 97 people were injured. There are two children in the hospital, a 6-month-old baby and his brother, about 4 years old. Another bridge collapsed in the Kursk region, there were no casualties.
Five military airfields were planned to be attacked, in two the attack was successful. I watched a video from eyewitnesses: at a truck parking lot near a gas station, drones took off from one truck and flew to bomb the airfield.
There was also a video of a truck parked on the side of the road, looks like in another region. A person trying to get into it through the back door took a few steps inside and the truck exploded.
There was a video of the discovered body of the driver, who had been wanted since Thursday. The man was strangled, it was said about plastic zip ties on his neck.
The second round of Ru-Ukr negotiations in Istanbul starts today. The parties must present their projects for a peaceful settlement. News must come in just a few hours.
General Mike Flynn has a very interesting take on the Ukrainian Drone strike, If, Zelenskyy ordered this off his own bat, then this was wrong on so many issues, first and foremost conducting strikes against strategic targets with no coordination with the White House means we are no longer allies but co-belligerents flying blind. Zelenskyy is in effect trying to drag the US into war with a state with more nuclear weapons than the US. Then again if Trump was informed???
A Geopolitical Insult And Warning Sign
“So, it appears Zelenskyy gave the go ahead to attack parked Russian nuclear capable bombers without informing President Trump (if true that our President was not consulted nor informed, this isn’t simply a breach of protocol. It’s a geopolitical insult and a warning sign. If Ukraine is willing to conduct strikes with strategic consequences without notifying the White House, we are no longer allies with coordination issues we are co-belligerents flying blind).
Also given Senator “warmonger” Lindsey Graham’s and Senator “Da Nang Dick” Blumenthal’s recent visit [to Ukraine], this attack could appear as though it was sanctioned. I pray the Russians have better intelligence than that. IMHO, these two don’t have the sense or common sense to pull something like this off (there will have to be denials though).
FYI, Those bombers that were hit HAVE to be out in full view due to nuclear treaty obligations [So we can see whether they are armed with nuclear or conventional weapons]. Zelenskyy took advantage of that. For instance, they appear to have hidden the drones in containers and were driven on trucks near the airbase”. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2025-06-02/geopolitical-insult-and-warning-sign
https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/ukraines-unprecedented-operation
Above is a link to Simplicius’ blog with some video footage of the attacks on Russian airfields. It’s one of his occasional paid for posts but you can read some of it and see the video links.
Does anyone really believe that Zelenskyy did this off his own bat ?
Need to look for the UK, France, Germany connections.
This drone attack is a slap in our face, I hope a sobering one. It’s time to give up hopes for a peaceful settlement, it’s time to abandon hopes of living a more or less normal peaceful life here.
Putin really looks too naive, trying not to be a tough dictator inside the country and constantly declaring his readiness for negotiations for outside ears.
It’s probably time to let Medvedev steer the process, maybe he’ll do better. We need to declare a full-fledged martial law, with patrols and curfews, to remember the experience of WW2 for the civilian population. We’ll probably have to mobilize new soldiers here, too, which we managed to avoid by using contract soldiers so far. Perhaps, to implement some tougher plans, without looking back at the current peace talks.
It’s time to fight for real.
I heard that the attack was compared to Pearl Harbor. The Japanese and the Americans look like best friends today, I’m seriously thinking that maybe the recipe for peace is this simple? Maybe we should do as the Americans did, intern all Ukrainians living in Russia in camps, and drop a couple of nuclear bombs on Kiev and Lvov? Of course, we wouldn’t want to resort to this, because Japan is a distant island for the US, while Ukraine is literally right next door.
Anyway, the main lesson of this attack is that this war is being waged too relaxedly by Russia. Zelensky drew attention to this aspect, made it clearly obvious.
I’m not sure Ukraine was obliged to inform the US about this scheme, the US is only supplying munitions, they’re not a fully fledged ally as the US was with the UK from 1942. Certainly if I were Zelensky I would not have told Trump, the bloke can’t be trusted.
The Tu95 is used as a spy-plane and as a platform for delivering cruise missiles and glide bombs. It was no doubt this capability Ukraine had in mind. The aircraft had been moved back away from the border to put them out of range of the Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles. Damage to the aircraft is only one factor, the other is the resources Russia will have to divert to prevent such an attack happening again.
Please remember that Zelensky is funded by Kolnoyski, who employed Hunter Biden at his 26 bioweapons labs, who funded Zelensky’s television series, and is a dual national Ukrainian Israeli. This level of determination to ramp up the destruction of US and Europe is obviously not Trump, nor Europe, but the rogue nation which does not play by the rules that previously governed diplomacy and government.
We are being dragged into the scenario which Victoria Nuland outlined in 2012. Fuck Europe. And try and nullify Trump. And we are too scared to say boo to the invincible Israel.
Yes it was necessary to rebrand the ‘biolabs’ as ‘bioweaponslabs’. As if the US would trust such a sensitive and illegal activity to a foreign country.
“I’m not sure Ukraine was obliged to inform the US about this scheme, the US is only supplying munitions, ”
and intelligence, and satellite services, and the ability to operate the more complicated weapons, in fact everything except boots on the ground. Sure they not a “fully fledged ally, but, big deal, that’s just political flimflam and plausible deniability. Well, pretty implausible by now, although it seems that there are still a few who are gullible enough to be convinced by it.
“It’s time to give up hopes for a peaceful settlement, it’s time to abandon hopes of living a more or less normal peaceful life here.
Putin really looks too naive, trying not to be a tough dictator inside the country and constantly declaring his readiness for negotiations for outside ears.”
As far as I can make out, Tatyana, your reaction is precisely the result that was hoped for when this operation was launched. The best thing anyone can do in Russia is to ignore it, apart from giving the security services a roasting for letting it happen. Russia has lost three or four bombers which they weren’t using and are, by now, pretty obsolete. Britain used to lose more than that in one night during WWII, with all their aircrews. Militarily, it’s a pinprick. The object of the exercise was to rile the Russians, stoke bad feeling against Putin and derail the peace process. Don’t let them succeed in that.
Perhaps you are right, Bayard.
Today I came across a discussion among bloggers, where one of them writes to another with condemnation:
“I start my morning by reading enemy media because there’s optimism about Russia there. Unlike the Telegram channels of our military bloggers.
The most positive news about the Russian economy? In Bloomberg.
Want to listen to whining about how the Russians are ironing Kiev with missiles? The Guardian.
Even the German Foreign Minister is more confident in the invincibility of the Russian army than Russian military bloggers.
Somehow it turns out that enemy media and enemy propaganda sound more positive about Russia than your collective screams. It would be good to think in your free time – how did this happen.
And in order to somehow justify Russia’s failures, enemy media (where there are fakes and lies) have to refer to you.
There’s a term useful idiot…”
Of course you can’t call them bioweaponslabs!
The fact that they are supervised by the DTRA department of the US Defence Ministry is simply not worth paying attention to.
And also ignore Nuland’s testimony at Congress.
And the instructions signed by Ukrainian officials themselves, obliging personnel to report research results to the DTRA.
These are just random coincidences that sometimes happen, like with Hunter Biden’s laptop, and ultimately turn out to be Russian propaganda, right? By the way, wasn’t it Hunter who directed investments into both the Ukrainian bioweaponslabs and the one in Wuhan?
From an account i heard, the FPV UAVs were secreted within false ceilings in the lorries, then when in situ, the roofs were remotely opened and the drones flew off to their targets. All very 007, and supposedly took 18 months to plan and execute. The Ukies alleged all their operatives were back safe & sound before the op began, so it may be the drivers were unwittingly duped.
An interesting fact associated with the terrorist attacks on the Russian bombers 🙂
The bombers are required to be parked in the open so that they can be monitored by satellites as part of the arms control agreements.
Without this restriction the Ukrainian Nazi’s attacks would have been a none starter.
I assume everyone here have already seen this sick poll but in case you have not:
Poll: 82% of Jewish Israelis support to ethnically cleanse palestinians from Gaza, 47% agree that IDF should destroy/kill every palestinian when conquering a city in Gaza.
Link to un-blocked Haaretz link: https://archive.is/nNzq4
As John Mearshheimer recently put it: the israeli society have become nazi-like:
Video: https://x.com/battleforeurope/status/1926933420371845227
Still the outside world do nothing about this heinous regime and obviously heinous population.
Mind-boggling also to watch Syria being bombed by Israel every other day now and still the wicked leader of Syria wanting to make peace with Israel!? Similiar with the multiple arab FM’s that was supposed to visit the West Bank the other day but was blocked by Israel, still the arabs do nothing, letting Israel walk right over them like they are some submissive slaves.
From that piece in Haaretz:
“Twenty years ago, Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, the spiritual father of the ‘hilltop youth,’ sketched out his vision for destroying Israel’s democratic institutions and establishing Jewish supremacy.”
Seriously, what are they talking about? There is already Jewish supremacy in Palestine. “Israel” is its name. Palestinians who managed to remain after the terrorist mass expulsion of 1948 lived under official military occupation until 1966.
The poll is interesting though.
“Nearly half (47 percent) of respondents agreed that “when conquering an enemy city, the Israel Defense Forces should act as the Israelites did in Jericho under Joshua’s command – killing all its inhabitants.” Sixty-five percent said they believed in the existence of a modern-day incarnation of Amalek, the Israelite biblical enemy whom God commanded to wipe out in Deuteronomy 25:19. Among those believers, 93 percent said the commandment to erase Amalek’s memory remains relevant today.”
And the figure 47% supporting extermination rises to large majorities of religious Israeli Jews whether traditional, orthodox, or Haredi.
Incidentally, Haman who appears in the Purim story and who has been invoked by name by Netanyahu with reference to Gaza, is called a descendant of the king of the Amalekites. The sane response is of course “Why should any of that sh*t be relevant in any way today?” but those who wish to see an end to the occupation should be aware that this kind of insane idea that “it has always been in the non-Jews’ bones to want to kill us, so we should have no qualms about killing them first” is very much alive.
For all the intellectualism in the culture, that statement isn’t meant to be questioned, because that would mean questioning the veracity of the claim, whereas in fact the claim is only used as a rationalisation for the conclusion. Or to put it another way, this is psychosis.
We don’t need a poll to tell us that most “Israeli” Jews would agree with the statement that “If I were a Palestinian, I’d want to wipe Israel out”.
Change the last letter in “Haman” and what do you get?
Here’s another sickening poll, IMO, for you Jack, but a bit closer to home.
https://wingsoverscotland.com/a-butterfly-on-absinthe/#more-151450
This is just farcical, the new Syrian leader claim that “Israel and Syria share the same enemy” and that “only Trump could fix the region”.
“Syrian President Under Fire for Saying ‘We Share Common Enemies’ With Israel”
Link to Haaretz: https://archive.is/f04Qo#selection-677.0-685.49
Behind closed doors the Israelis must laugh their ass off regarding how imbecilic and appeasing the Arab world have become.
One has to give credit to Israel being able to sway 20+ arab nations to become more pro-israel, in the middle of a genocide against palestinian arabs.
Interesting Guardian piece re the “peace” talks in Istanbul.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jun/02/ukraine-russia-istanbul-talks-vladimir-putin-voldymyr-zelenskyy-latest-news-live?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-683dbafe8f08c0e8283a9ef9#block-683dbafe8f08c0e8283a9ef9
A quote: “Moscow has consistently rejected extended ceasefire proposals, arguing they would give Ukraine time to rearm and regroup at a time Russian forces are making battlefield advances.”
Sounds like Putin intends to continue the meat grinder approach…
It hasn’t worked well so far.
The Ukrainian attacks on Russian airbases were, despite denials from the usual sources, a triumph for the UA.
Russian military morale must be seriously affected.
JK Redux
No matter which side you are on it is recognised ( even on the BBC for goodness sake ) that Russia has occupied 20% of Ukraine.
And British/USA guided Zelensky and his mates think that Putin will say :
‘OK – you’re right have these Oblasts back.’
If that happened Putin may be executed on Telly.
It’s the denial ( despite the evidence ) that keep the believers going fighting down to the second last Ukranian.
Despite the view held – That’s an other one in the eye for Putin/Xi/Trump etc it will not change anything one bit.
And even if Netanyahu went things wouldn’t change in Palestine either.
Pears Morgaine
Definitely not into body counting or whether The Oreshniks are big in number but the Israelis and the US thought the iron Dome – David’s Sling etc was a deterrent to Iran.
The Iranians proved the point without breaking sweat or even putting explosives in most of those that got through.
This is the problem with the West and its media.
They are guessing and guessing that their bluffs won’t be called.
The Western MSM instead of going to Russia and Iran just to find things out prefer to live in their Imperialist mind set ( old or declining ) that they are sophisticated and Iran and The Russians are savage or dumb.
If any Oreshniks are fired and they haven’t got hundreds of them – they will be specifically targeted.
As a clue Poland has just elected a Right Wing Nationalist President and maybe that will relegate Poland to a less targeted threat, which means the UK is probably top of the list for Russia now.
These guessing bluffs ( including Trump’s Tariffs ) have backfired spectacularly and Trump definitely needs some new and better informed ‘ Advisors. ‘
Before the US become a non proxy user but has to join in by more direct means.
Invited – or un-invited.
“The Ukrainian attacks on Russian airbases were, despite denials from the usual sources, a triumph for the UA.”
A very British triumph: showy, but of very limited military value.
For people who actually live in Ukraine, the smarter ones at least, the Nato strikes on Russia (almost certainly another British wheeze) will have them holding their heads in the hands.
They know the strikes will only mean the loss of more of their land to Russia. And an end to peace talks. And a prolonging of the war that might end up killing them.
zoot
June 2, 2025 at 16:54
Zoot, what makes you say that the “Ukie” (sic) attack on Russian airbases was a British idea?
And of course what evidence is there for the claim that the attack “will only mean the loss of more of their land to Russia. And an end to peace talks?
After all, Putin’s maximalist demands mean peace = surrender.
An offer like the one made by Hitler that England rejected in 1940.
Another piece on the Ukrainian attacks.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/01/ukraine-drones-russia-nuclear-bombers-olenya-belaya-bases/?WT.mc_id=e_DM598221&WT.tsrc=email&etype=Edi_Edi_New_Reg&utmsource=email&utm_medium=Edi_Edi_New_Reg20250602&utm_campaign=DM598221
Despite being published in the right wing Telegraph it presents a coherent account of the attacks.
The presumed death of a man (referred to as Russian) who entered one of the shipping containers which then exploded is referred to.
A last post from me for now.
A response on Russian TV from a panel of pundits.
https://youtu.be/GzYm2abTtwQ?si=NGgex-G-Hz8GwLku
Most of them are indignant that Ukraine should attack Russian military targets. (The irony.)
One of the panellists argues for unrestrained attacks on the Zapad with nuclear weapons.
The host proposes that troops who upload battlefield vids to social media should be shot in front of their fellow soldiers – guaranteed to improve morale I suppose?
Sharks being jumped…
Meanwhile George Galloway is treating the railway sabotage as the worst terror attack since Beslan. He was, and remains, silent on Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
“Meanwhile George Galloway is treating the railway sabotage as the worst terror attack since Beslan. He was, and remains, silent on Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians.”
speaking as someone who has remained remarkably quiet about Ukranian attacks on Russian civilains. Pot-kettle.
Bayard
Also resolutey silent about Britain’s role in shredding the babies of Gaza.
Are you aware of that yourself?
“Also resolutey silent about Britain’s role in shredding the babies of Gaza. Are you aware of that yourself?”
Surely our brave boys wouldn’t have anything to do with that, and anyway, the Israelis are just defending themselves against terrorists who use civilians as human shields.
“And of course what evidence is there for the claim that the attack “will only mean the loss of more of their land to Russia. And an end to peace talks?”
Putin said so.
Johnny Conspiranoid
June 2, 2025 at 20:37
Johnny, you said in reply to my question “what evidence is there for …”
“Putin said so.”.
Well, if Putin said it, that’s good enough for me. /sarc
However, the “peace talks” are still in place aqfaik.
“Well, if Putin said it, that’s good enough for me. /sarc”
Why, who else are you waiting for confirmation from, God?
Bayard
June 3, 2025 at 07:43
Bayard.
You asked “who else are you waiting for confirmation from”.
Well not Putin. A serial liar (remember his repeated denials of intention to invade Ukraine up to that fateful morning in February 2022?).
Who knows what Putin is going to do better than Putin? There must be someone who you think does, do tell. Do they telepathy or is this some new mind-reading ray that has been kept secret up to now?
If Putin is a liar, that means that what he says can’t be trusted. That means no-one can trust him – it logically follows that if you can’t trust everything someone says, you can’t trust anything they say. That’s why people get divorced. What you are implying is that you can’t trust Putin, but you would trust someone else who has been told by someone else, who had a friend in Minsk, who had a friend in Pinsk, whose friend in Omsk had a friend in Tomsk with a friend in Ashmolinsk, who worked for the BBC, without having the slightest information about the reliability of any of the people through whom the news has run and despite the fact that the fons et origo of the information is still the liar, Putin.
Do try to think these things through, otherwise it does tend to look as if you put finger to keyboard without thinking and just let the Russophobia flow out.
”Zoot, what makes you say that the “Ukie” (sic) attack on Russian airbases was a British idea?”
Whoever planned the attacks it is highly likely that there was UK involvement given its previous assistance. This is reinforced by the Starmer regime announcing, within 24 hours of these attacks, its own plans for fighting WW3. That their main target is the RF is hardly denied. Starmer is promising to create a ‘lethal’ force, probably the only time in his life that adjective will appear in the same sentence as his name.
The illegal Zelinsky regime was quick to claim responsibility for the attacks on the airbases which can be seen as a legitimate target in war, albeit these planes were designed to carry nuclear weapons. You have to hope the fact that none were loaded was known to the attackers. As regards the two sabotage attacks on civilian overpasses, timed to bring down a passenger train in one case, Ukraine has remained silent.
david warriston
June 2, 2025 at 21:46
David, the Ukrainian Government is not “illegal”.
Under Ukrainian law, elections cannot be held while the country is at war, invaded and with some territory temporarily occupied.
Britain and the USSR didn’t hold elections during WW2 after all.
”Under Ukrainian law, elections cannot be held while the country is at war, invaded and with some territory temporarily occupied.”
Under Ukrainian law many of the opposition parties have been banned, prior to 2022. Under Ukrainian law it is not permitted to negotiate with Russia but that law seems to have been overlooked.
I’m not sure your description of territory ‘temporarily occupied’ will pass the test of time.
JK Redux
From the beloved Wikipedia:
‘ Presidential elections were held in Russia from 15 to 17 March 2024.[1][2][a] It was the eighth presidential election in the country. The incumbent president Vladimir Putin won with 88% of the vote, the highest percentage in a presidential election in post-Soviet Russia,[4] gaining a fifth term in what was widely viewed as a foregone conclusion.[5][6] He was inaugurated on 7 May 2024.[7][8] ‘
I suspect a good deal of Netanyahu – ism.
Or is it channeling Churchill?
Don’t we know there’s a war on?
Anyway – as all is fair in Love and War we carry on.
Whether the UK was involved or not but something has raised the UK to the top of
the Russian most attackable nation status.
This is becoming like a weird version of The Eurovision Song Contest.
Israel nearly won this year and the lad from Austria who won it, wants Israel banned from
future events.
Take’s all sorts to make a world.
“Israel nearly won this year and the lad from Austria who won it, wants Israel banned from
future events.”
He’s got a point: Israel is in Asia.
I agree that UK is involved. Zelensky bragged that this operation was prepared for 18 months, therefore, the Trump administration could not have participated.
Plus, Johnson’s role in undermining the Istanbul 2022 talks, and plus an interesting detail in the current negotiations. Today, the text of the Ukrainian peace settlement project is published in English and Ukrainian. The English version uses the words ‘background’ and ‘prerequisite’, and the Ukrainian uses the same Ukrainian word ‘предумова’ twice in this place.
I’ll link the scanned picture
https://pikabu.ru/story/memorandum_ukrainyi_pisali_anglichane_12798059
it would be cool if one of the native speakers looked at this and said is British or American English used in the text
This happens when translating from English to Ukrainian, it’s just that the target language does not have two words for shades of meaning, and the translator is not professional.
I think the latter is more likely, since few people in Ukraine speak Ukrainian. In this round of negotiations they didn’t bother with translators and simply spoke Russian.
The English translation comes across as having been done by machine. The reference to ‘ceasefire in the sky’ is odd. The usual expression would be ‘in the air’.
” few people in Ukraine speak Ukrainian ” did you mean to write that?
The only thing for sure is that it’s very poor English, let alone British or American. Presumably, it’s the other way around, it was first written in Russian, then translated into English by unqualified personnel. Not many people in either country speak fluent English, they should all come and spend some time in Scotland…
“Presumably, it’s the other way around, it was first written in Russian, then translated into English by unqualified personnel. ”
If that was the case, how would they know to translate the same Ukranian word differently in two places? How would they know that ‘предумова’ meant “background” in one place and “prerequisite” in another? It’s not as if the two English words are synonyms. That also militates against a machine translation. Also the sentence makes no sense in Ukranian: “as a necessary background and background for peace negotiations” or “as a necessary prerequisite and prerequisite for peace negotiations”. Why would you even write that? Obviously the sentence is trying to convey two different concepts, or they wouldn’t use two words joined by ‘and’. In no language will you achieve that using the same word twice. It has to have been translated badly into Ukranian.
Thanks for your comments, gentlemen.
Now I think that all of you are right. Looks like it was written in Russian ( thanks Melrose), then it was translated by machine (thanks Pears), into Ukrainian and English (thanks Bayard).
Hope I correctly used ‘gentlemen’, and in case there are ladies among you, my sincere apologies.
—
When an official in parliament says ‘опиздала’ instead of ‘запизнылася’, you can imagine the effort it takes from people to speak Ukrainian.
So, they used ‘in the sky’, well, they might have used ‘in heaven’ 🙂
“” few people in Ukraine speak Ukrainian ” did you mean to write that?”
Why not? Very few people in Eire speak Irish, yet Irish is the official language of the country.
The differences between Ukrainian and Russian are not that big. Many linguists even classify them as dialects of one language.
I’ve heard an opinion that the difference between certain dialects of German is greater than the difference between Russian and Ukrainian, but I cannot competently confirm this with my limited knowledge of German.
Russian and Ukrainian emerged from the same language not so long ago, in most cases we understand each other without any translators. Phonetically, in Ukrainian the fricative g sound stands out; then, the simplification of consonant combinations in function words and endings, which is perceived as careless articulation. Grammatically, Ukrainian has preserved the Vocative Case, which in modern Russian is perceived as archaic and is found only in fairy tales and prayers. In general, at the level of everyday perception, Ukrainian is very similar to the speech of elderly people from remote provincial regions.
In place of a certain sound of Old Russian language, modern Russian developed the vowel o, and Ukrainian developed a narrower and higher i sound. This causes funny situations, even Bulgakov described it this way:
“- He’s a bastard, – Turbin continued with hatred, – he himself doesn’t speak this damned language! Eh? The day before yesterday I asked that scoundrel, Doctor Kuritsky, he, if you please, forgot how to speak Russian since November of last year. He was Курицкий, and now he’s Курицький… So I ask him how to say ‘кот’ (*cat) in Ukrainian? He answers ‘кит’ (*whale). I ask, “And how to say whale?”
He stops, widens his eyes and says nothing. And now he doesn’t bow.”
It’s a bit confusing for a non-Russian ear, but I’ll try to explain. In Russian there is a word kot – for a cat, and a word kit for a whale.
In Ukrainian the word kit where Russian o is replaced by i, means a cat.
Since kit is reserved for cat and no further replacement is possible to quickly give an answer, it made Kuritsky angry. “He doesn’t bow” in modern time would be “he doesn’t greet me, doesn’t say hello”.
Well, about the surname, the character added ь a sign of softness of the consonant, which has no practical meaning and does not affect the pronunciation in any way in Russian. However, it gives a certain “foreignness” to the spelling, because In Ukrainian this sound has a palatalized (soft) version.
By the way, poor Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov, the author of The Master and Margarita, born in Kiev, in the family of a professor of the Kiev Theological Academy (and this is the oldest institution of the Orthodox Church) – is now declared an agent of Russian imperialism in Ukraine.
Monuments to him are being torn down, and hardly one can get his books in libraries any more. That is how the current Kiev regime is implanting Ukrainian nationalism and building a new national identity.
As for the church, the situation here is even more interesting. And the further it goes, the more curious it becomes. Curiouser and curiouser!
When the state of Kievan Rus was in existence, with its capital in Kiev (the mother of all Russian cities, btw!), the entire then united Russian people adopted Christianity as a state religion. Greek-style Christianity, Orthodoxy. The knyaz (*prince) at that time was Vladimir from the Rurik family (*Hrœrekr in ancient Scandinavian, ask me to write shortly about the Norman theory of the origin of the Russian state, if interested).
The state of Ukraine, under Poroshenko, has organized its own separate church. Today it takes away property from churches, and subordinates clerics. Those who are against this are persecuted, labelled Putin’s agents, and imprisoned.
The church, the keeper of history and traditions, the church who must unite people into one community, teach them to love each other and treat each other as brothers and sisters. I’m not religious, as an outside obserever I evaluate what is happening in Ukraine as hypocrisy, a defeat in the right to freedom of religion, and an abomination in general.
And I think that the government in Ukraine imposes its vision on people instead of responding to the demands of the population. This is definitely not democracy.
“It’s a bit confusing for a non-Russian ear, but I’ll try to explain. In Russian there is a word kot – for a cat, and a word kit for a whale.”
I once had to ask for a pin in South Africa and was given a pen. The South African accent shortens the “e” to more like an “i”. I gave the pen back and then asked if they had a needle.
Starmer continues to piss the UK tax payers money up the wall with the latest defence review.
Putting Britain on a war footing ready to battle Russia, moving towards the 3% of GDP figure mandated by the EU/USA..
His little coke addled brain has no idea of the strength of Russia’s forces or the absolute weaknesses of the UKs.
Whilst food banks increase, the NHS dies, thousands of young girls are groomed and raped and more and more immigrants overrun the country, Sir wooden top gives all the money to Ukraine, Israel and the USA. Free panties, coke and rent boys at No 10 whilst the rest of us despair.
Stevie Boy
June 2, 2025 at 18:09
Stevie, the “strength” of Russia’s forces is exhibited in its failure to make significant advances since the debacle of the initial invasion in 2022.
The hundreds of thousands of dead Russian troops are further evidence.
Not to mention the sudden reduction in the size of the Russian Air Force on the last few days.
”Stevie, the “strength” of Russia’s forces is exhibited in its failure to make significant advances since the debacle of the initial invasion in 2022.”
It was no debacle: ask the Azov battalion about what happened in Mariupol. The RF success in turning NATO’s military equipment into scrap metal can no longer be hidden as Starmer acknowledged today. Some of that expensive military gear has been exposed as inadequate for purpose although I doubt that can ever be acknowledged. The three stated aims of the RF at the outset (not the ones from Chatham House) are all on course.
”The hundreds of thousands of dead Russian troops are further evidence.”
These sound like figures from the ISW. According to Ukraine only around 40,000 Ukrainians have died in the conflict which means at present rates it can only be a matter of time before they declare total victory.
Mariupol fell three years ago after a protracted and bloody siege. Three months of continual bombardment that damaged or destroyed 90% of the residential buildings.
The three stated aims of the RF were de-militarisation, de-Nazification and an enforced neutrality. They’re as far from achieving any as they were three years ago.
If NATO and its equipment are crap why is Russia so afraid of it?
“If NATO and its equipment are crap why is Russia so afraid of it?”
What make you think Russia is afraid of it?
They went to war to prevent Ukraine from joining? Several commentators have claimed that having NATO on ther borders is a ‘red line’ etc etc.
in June 2014, following Maidan, neo- nazi Azovs were terrorising the local anti- Maidan movement but had their comeuppance in 2022 following their surrender at the destroyed Azovstal plant (evidently now to be redeveloped into a modern business park). That is de – nazification to some degree.
Meanwhile redevelopment of the city ostensively under the administration of the People’s Republic of Donetsk, a new region of the Russian Federation, has made rapid progress and is resulting in its repopulation.
Ukraine under Zelensky with the active support of a vengeful collective west will do all it can to make life as uncomfortable as it can for its defecting people but realistically can only prevent further progress by recapturing the city by force which will mean destruction of the current reconstruction.
The question then has to be asked what would be the point of all that and who could possibly benefit from it apart from the gloating satisfaction of having taken revenge on Russia?
Certainly not the people of Mariupol, particularly its children, whose schools incidentally have recently been hosting their first national (DPL) skipping championships. Let them skip on I say in peace.
Worth noting that at the time of the Azovstal plant liberation there were reported to be foreign military (NATO) officers hiding out at the steel plant. These would have been killed or captured by the liberators. This has been all hushed up.
” Worth noting that at the time of the Azovstal plant liberation there were reported to be foreign military (NATO) officers hiding out at the steel plant. These would have been killed or captured by the liberators. This has been all hushed up. ”
Or possibly like all the other reports of NATO officers being killed or captured in large numbers, from Aleppo to Kursk, it never happened. Just fantasy and propaganda.
Well having trashed Mariupol with high explosive the Russians have a duty to rebuild but they seem to be just chucking up cheap Soviet style high-rise toast racks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaPMr4urwDE
Pears Morgaine
What quality of homes do you think your country intends to build for the people of Gaza?
I had no idea the UK was under obligation to provide homes for Gazeans. That ought to be Israel’s responsibility.
It ought to be Britain’s too, both legally and morally.
“They went to war to prevent Ukraine from joining? ”
Perhaps you should learn to distinguish between the political and the military. War is the ultimate deterrent that one country threatens another country’s policies with. Sometimes they have to carry through with their threats. That’s what got Britain, needlessly, into the two world wars. Russia had decades to attack Finland “to prevent it joining NATO”, yet didn’t, ditto Sweden. Now what can the Ukranians have been doing differently to the Finns and the Swedes?
My suspicion is that this is just a drowning man clutching at a straw. A really cynical manoeuvre would be for him and Rachel from Accounts to declare an emergency where they have to borrow a vast amount of money to “rearm”. Money to be bunged at the incompetent arms makers, whereupon something like 50% will come back in assorted taxes. Wow, all of a sudden the books look healthy, they’ve turned around the economy and here are some goodies for you in the run up to the next election. Just don’t look where the money came from or ask how it’s ever going to be repaid. Meanwhile Russia and China, happy to sit back and watch the irrelevant West wither on the vine, are even happier watching it wither more quickly.
The truly incompetent nature of the UK defence contracts awards process means that all technology delivered to the UK armed forces is at least 10 to 25 years out of date. Remember that the British tanks used in Iraq were designed for fighting the evil Ruskies on the German plains. They were essentially useless in the sandy deserts of the ME.
By the time all Starmer’s unfunded plans are delivered the world will have changed. This happens time and time again, they never learn. Definition of stupidity: The MoD.
Not related to Israel, but instructive about UK defence policy, who runs BAE aand where Kings College Dept of War Studies fits in.
https://cnduk.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ADR-digital.pdf
Unfortunately, IMO, this alternative defence review is nothing of the sort. It is just more DIE, woke, nonsense that looks to replace military defence with foreign aid, disaster relief and climate nonsense. From my point of view that undermines some of the good analysis within. Yes, we know BAE is just a USA, MIC cutout as are most of the big defence companies now running the UKs defence agenda.
Defence reviews are never about defence, they are political tools addressing whatever lies are fashionable at the time. At this time, the fashionable lies are: Russia bad, China bad, Ukraine good, Israel good. So money will be thrown at these fantasies, nothing to do with defence. Any war with the badies would result in our destruction.
Anyway, that’s my opinion, others are available.
I see MI5 are getting a drubbing, who would have thought ?
“MI5 is facing fresh scrutiny in the case of a violent neo-Nazi agent after a High Court judge said he had “no confidence” in the Security Service’s account of how a senior officer gave false evidence.”
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0jdzngx2vo
re: Germany/GB
Today there is another “nice” case proving once again Craig’s warning that Gaza will be utilized to suppress free speech in general all over Europe :
As alternative news blog NACHDENKSEITEN is reporting:
“German government instrumentalizes Russia sanctions to crack down on critical Gaza reporting”
“In its latest sanctions package of May 20 against “Russian destabilizing activities,” the EU imposed far-reaching sanctions for the first time on the left-wing media portal Red and its editor-in-chief. The sanctions are justified by Red ‘s reporting on “violent demonstrations” in Germany against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Against this backdrop, NachDenkSeiten wanted to know whether the German government truly takes the position that, from now on, journalistic reporting on pro-Palestine protests “undermines stability and security in EU member states” and thus indirectly “supports actions by the government of the Russian Federation.” This is the literal “argumentation” in the justification for the sanctions.”
By Florian Warweg
https://archive.is/Hc9Qe
p.s. And because rearming is such a brilliant idea Britain now intends to increase its fleet of tactical attack submarines and build nuclear warheads. Good luck with all that!
again NACHDENKSEITEN:
“To ward off Russian aggression” – London announces massive expansion of submarine fleet and production of new nuclear warheads
By Ramon Schack
https://archive.is/zQZPb
Craig Mokhiber former director of the New York office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), tweeted the news yesterday evening as the UN General Assembly has a new President.
The United Nations was born in opposition to German war criminals. Today, it has elected a German war criminal to oversee its accelerating decline. 80 years later, the Reich takes its revenge with Annalena Baerbock as UNGA President, in the midst of a genocide that she has enthusiastically abetted. #Shame
“The blatant incompetence shown by former German Foreign Minister Annalena ‘360 degrees’ Baerbock has earned her a cushy new UN General Assembly post”
https://www.rt.com/news/618603-germany-baerbock-unga-failure/
In a rare burst of (vodka fueled?) honesty, Medvedev says Russia seeks victory, not compromise, in talks with Ukraine.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/medvedev-says-russia-seeks-victory-not-compromise-talks-with-ukraine-2025-06-03/
“The Istanbul talks are not for striking a compromise peace on someone else’s delusional terms but for ensuring our swift victory and the complete destruction of the neo-Nazi regime,” the hawkish deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council said on Telegram.
No great surprise but makes it even more difficult to defend the Putin regime’s good intentions.
Medvedev – in his customary manner – was commenting in a tweet on the short – sighted stupidity of the short term “triumphal” attack on the Russian military bases timed to coincide with the Istanbul talks, which only further proves just how more desperate and increasingly mad Ukraine and the collective west are becoming. Both parties should be negotiating a proper peace without playing silly games.
You quote point 2 which just for context is preceded by:
“To everyone who is anxious and awaiting retribution:
It’s natural to worry — that’s a trait of any normal person. Retribution is inevitable.
At the same time, keep in mind:
1. Our Army is actively advancing and will continue to do so. Everything that must be destroyed will be destroyed, and those who must be eliminated — will disappear”.
2 – as above.”
Crispa
June 3, 2025 at 13:45
Crispa, forgive me but that is just tankie Russophilia.
“Ukraine can’t win so they must surrender”? As it were.
Or even “I don’t want Ukraine to win so they must surrender”?
Not half as “tankie Russophiliac” as your “tankie Russophobia”, whatever “tankie” means. Your posts reflect the silly games attitude that Zelenski and his patrons are taking to the negotiations, which is why we are no where near a resolution and people continue to be needlessly killed.
Crispa
June 3, 2025 at 17:39
Crispa,
you know perfectly well what “tankie” means – uncritical regard and support for the USSR and its military in particular and by extension for its successor state, Russia.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tankie
https://www.dictionary.com/e/politics/tankie/
If the cap fits….
Could “tankie” also apply to uncritical regard and support for the USA and its military in particular and by extension for its vassal states (and their foreign policy).
Do you wish for a unipolar USA dominated world? The answer to that is not “well, I don’t want a China or Russia dominated unipolar world.”
I don’t want a world dominated by any one country or alliance of countries. USA stated doctrine is to not allow any rival to their dominance. Do you support 4% of the world’s population dominating all spheres?
“Could “tankie” also apply to uncritical regard and support for the USA and its military in particular and by extension for its vassal states (and their foreign policy)?”
No that’s Yank-licking and those who do it are Yank-lickers.
ET
June 3, 2025 at 18:05
ET, seriously.
You asked ” Could “tankie” also apply to uncritical regard and support for the USA and its military in particular and by extension for its vassal states (and their foreign policy).”
Not according to most online definitions but Hoo Nose (sic).
You asked ” Do you wish for a unipolar USA dominated world? The answer to that is not “well, I don’t want a China or Russia dominated unipolar world.”
Absolutely not. And that is not my position. I do think that if we are to have a unipolar world, the USA is the least bad choice. But still not a good one.
You asked “Do you support 4% of the world’s population dominating all spheres?”
Absolutely not.
My preference (for what it is worth) is for a multipolar world “dominated” by democracies, not autocracies.
Shits like Putin, Xi and maybe Modi have nothing to offer the world except lies and bluster.
Lula in Brazil is a much more encouraging example imo of a Southern Hemisphere leader.
The cult of democracy. Our God is the one true God. I hear the same from my own family. Russia is not a democracy, China is not a democracy. Yet, the so called shining examples of democracy, USA, UK, France, Germany all support the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Not just political support but material support, tactical support, intelligence support. Our host frequently points to the hypocrisy of our democracies. How are you so blinded to that JK? Your democracy isn’t. It’s a facade.
Does your definition of democracy include such things as government transparency, and accountability? Or does it end at a periodic election after which whomever was elected can do what they want? Does it include such notions as people are too stupid to understand the real issues?
Show me a truly functional democracy anywhere.
ET
June 3, 2025 at 19:26
ET
I completely agree that the West’s support for Israel’s war on Palestine is an abomination.
It seems based on the US policy that is I think very largely controlled by the Israel lobby in the US. I don’t say Jewish lobby as many Jewish people dissent from Netanyahu’s war.
But democracies often do the wrong thing. The US was neutral in ww2 till attacked by Japan. Sweden, Switzerland and Ireland stayed neutral. (Listing democracies only.)
And of course Britain and France fatally stayed neutral in the Spanish Civil War.
But better far than the Stalin, Mussolini, Mao and Hitler dictatorships.
Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler are long dead JK. Their regimes were ended.
“But democracies often do the wrong thing. ”
So, democracies can go to confession, admit their sins and have forgiveness bestowed upon them after they say three Hail Mary’s and and Our Farther? But if your not a democracy contrition is not allowed?
Only democracies have the right to absolution?
No true democracy has ever existed. As it is perceived to exist now it is akin to a religion. Our God is the only true God and He gave us Gaza. We can kill anyone in our way.
And you amplify that sentiment.
ET
June 3, 2025 at 20:21
ET
You said ” So, democracies can go to confession, admit their sins and have forgiveness bestowed upon them after they say three Hail Mary’s and and Our Farther? But if your not a democracy contrition is not allowed?”
Absolutely not.
But a flawed democracy is still imo better than an autocracy.
Are there any examples from history of autocracies reforming from within and voluntarily handing power back to the people?
While democracies at least have the potential for improvement.
What is your preferred form of government?
The concept of ‘democracy’ is heading in the same direction as did its predecessor as a pretext for colonialism: Christianity. Conrad’s Heart of Darkness exposed the latter in respect of the Belgian Congo and I would imagine some writer of comparable ability is writing something similar based on Gaza, that graveyard of the post WW2 international order.
Democracy will persist as a respectable belief, as Christianity does today; but its day is over and those who seek to retain power will be seeking a new religion to ‘morally’ justify their excesses. The ecological movement is certainly attracting interest and the German Green Party’s enthusiasm for waging war will have done it no harm whatsoever.
@JK redux
“And of course Britain and France fatally stayed neutral in the Spanish Civil War.”
What % of adult citizens have to have the vote in a country for the regime to be a democracy in your classification?
“The ecological movement is certainly attracting interest and the German Green Party’s enthusiasm for waging war will have done it no harm whatsoever.”
The German Greens were only in government for about five minutes before they sent the German airforce to take part in the war against Serbia. That was about 35 years ago. Their ideology has roots in Germany – it goes back to Hitler’s minister of agriculture, Richard Walther Darré in the 1930s. In its current form, Green in Germany was built up in the 1970s as a “smash the left, we’re all in this together” job. It deserved and still deserves nothing but contempt. Only a cretin thinks “There’s big trouble in society now. I’ve decided I’m going to do something about it. I’m going to vote for a colour.”
In British general elections, the Green vote went from 1.6% in 2017 to 2.6% in 2019 to 6.4% in 2024. Right now they are polling in the band 8%-11%.
What more proof do people want that democracy is a crock of sh*t?
ET
Gaza has been clarifying.
We know now that for western media and its parrots there is literally nothing that Biden, Starmer, von der Leyen et al could do to put themselves beyond the pale of humanity.
Could you imagine what they would be saying if the weaponry, surveillance and justification for the Genocide was being provided by “shits like Xi”?
“Are there any examples from history of autocracies reforming from within and voluntarily handing power back to the people?”
Are there any examples from history of democracies, outside ancient Greece? What we call “democracy” is no such thing and wouldn’t be recognised as such by the ancient Greeks. Indeed Aristotle specifically distinguished between democracy and our system, which he rightly called oligarchy. The only difference between what we call “democracy” and what we call “autocracy” is whether the oligarchs are visible in the governing process. Anyone who thinks the UK is a democracy should consider whether a country that has two heads of state, one of which is hereditary and the other of which is elected to do a different job by a tiny minority of the citizenry, can justifiably claim to be ruled by the people. Meanwhile in Russia their head of state is elected by a franchise of the whole country. Yet somehow the UK is supposed to be more democratic.
”Are there any examples from history of autocracies reforming from within and voluntarily handing power back to the people?”
The dissolution of the USSR in 1991 (regarded as an ‘autocracy’ in the west naturally) might be the example you are looking for. Multi party elections were then held, much to the delight of western commentators who welcomed Boris Yeltsin as President.
Not that anyone living here who lived through the 1990s will wish to be reminded. The reason for Vladimir Putin becoming President was largely revulsion at what took place in the following decade. By that time, most of the Oligarchs who had fleeced the nationalised industries had decamped to London, it being amongst the easiest place at the time to conceal looted money.
As several wise persons have explained, you can have either capitalism or democracy – but not both at the same time.
JK redux
“It seems based on the US policy that is I think very largely controlled by the Israel lobby in the US. I don’t say Jewish lobby as many Jewish people dissent from Netanyahu’s war.”
Oh dear what an admission. The world’s most powerful ‘Democracy’ has a policy dominated by the Israel Lobby? So in this case the world hegemon’s foreign policy (Democracy only for Americans and not anyone else) is actually determined by a foreign regime. And then there is this nonsense that it is Netanyahu’s war. It is not a war, which is a battle between two armies, here we have a deliberate genocide of civilians and you still talk of a war? Also over 80% of this “democratic” ethno-religious state believe in killing all Palestinians.
When will we learn to discard labels and look at actions? Neither US or Israel are democracies but they are labelled as such by those who have subverted democracy and its true meaning. Meanwhile the Chinese ‘dictators’ have raised 800,000 from poverty and developed the largest economy and a big industrial success which is now inviting the ‘democratic’ countries to wage a trade and even plan a real war with it.
Elsewhere: the alternative of a unipolar world dominated by US is not a unipolar world dominated by either China or Russia, which has never been a stated aim of either countries, but a multipolar world where everyone’s needs are considered.
And your so called democracies are so flawed that they are not recognisable as such.
“Absolutely not. And that is not my position. I do think that if we are to have a unipolar world, the USA is the least bad choice. But still not a good one.”
Ah, so you prefer to have as hegemon a country that has only not been at war for 13 of the 250 years of its existence. You like the idea of war, then, or is it just uncritical regard and support for the USA and its military in particular and by extension for its vassal states (and their foreign policy)?
“And of course Britain and France fatally stayed neutral in the Spanish Civil War.”
So you think that neigbouring countries intervening in civil wars is a good idea? (You may want to think carefully before answering this one?)
@ET
“Does your definition of democracy include such things as government transparency, and accountability? Or does it end at a periodic election after which whomever was elected can do what they want? Does it include such notions as people are too stupid to understand the real issues?
Show me a truly functional democracy anywhere.”
Good points.
The feeling in Mongolia, where the prime minister resigned earlier this week, seems most of all to be that parliament (in which some members are elected by district and others via party lists, but who cares?) equals f***ing bunch of thieves.
Unfortunately in Britain most “opposition” has been respectful of the legitimacy of parliament since… I dunno, maybe since the general strike of 1926.
“Show me a truly functional democracy anywhere.”
Anywhere that regularly lets its citizens decide matters in a referendum can reasonably claim to be a democracy, although Aristotle wouldn’t agree.
‘ Democracy ‘
‘ Freedom ‘
Don’t those words just make your heart fill with pride?
Recent Democracy consists of around 800 Military Bases ‘ strategically ‘ placed around the globe.
USA Branches everywhere.
Not sure how many Bases Russia has – neither China but, the US sure seems to have a use for them.
Yes Stalin was a Dictator and a paranoid Dictator with good reason and although his hero was Lenin his politics were not a good as Lenin’s.
He only operated in the East – the USA operates nearly everywhere because, that’s what you have to do to remain the Number 1 Imperialist after you have won the War and claim the reparations.
The fact that the US had the biggest surpluses the world may have ever seen and blew the hegemony and the money in 27 years should be a cautionary tale for any aspiring rising New Empire.
It seems to be something(s) that The Chinese have studied – both the end of The Soviet Union ( should have been another shoe in for the US that – but they blew that as well ) and the rise of The Chinese economy and the BRIC countries led by ‘ Peasants ‘ from China only shows a familiar hubris of the so called Civilised Countries.
Do you think Mrs Ming who lives in the small village, who’s son is high up in the Tech Industry cares about whether China has ‘ Democracy ‘ or PR?
As long as her son sends her the best bed she’s ever had and a sparkling new Washing Machine and so on she is only going to assess something by results.
The result is – her son is ‘doing well in Bejing ‘ he makes a lot of money and he sends me presents all the time.
Plus her village now has the electricity supply to run the new gadgets.
All that in 30 years.
Those are judgements made by ordinary people about the rise in their incomes whilst in the ‘ Democratic’ West we are ( as usual ) continuing to Rob Peter to pay Paul.
The trouble is is that Democracy has become unaffordable – the old bribes for power can’t be maintained and that is due to allowing the rich to get even richer and the poor to pay for the rise in their riches.
It’s all about results and in Trumpland and Europe we are witnessing the results of those neo -liberal economic choices.
Short of War the BRICS are the future and unstoppable.
The stoppers are proxy at the moment but it could get much more serious if the Civilised Democracies push on with their Uni – Polar aims.
If it goes off big it won’t matter whether you ‘ lived ‘ in a Democracy or a Dictatorship.
Hard to be quorate living in a cave.
Red or Blue.
@Mark – I’m not sure how high you mean when you say “high up”, but have you got some examples of very senior people in Chinese technology who hail from poor backgrounds, whether in the countryside or otherwise?
That’s probably as rare in China as it is in Britain.
Xi Jinping’s father was the guy behind the creation of special economic zones – a super-big honcho.
Brian Red
The thing is is that for the last 30 years University and technical education has and is free to all.
The example in question could have easily come from a village and been educated for free unlike
in The West.
The Chinese look upon that as an investment not a drain.
Let’s call it a Win Win for the lad and Win Win for his Mum too.
My main point is that no-one would care about what type of Democracy or Socialism
it is as long as it gets results.
Living standards and education have rocketed in China.
Not an accident – the two are linked.
Meanwhile in the Democratic West the results are before our very eyes as a result of letting the rich get
richer.
That’s why democracy has become unaffordable as a bribe to the electorate.
Hence the swing to the right.
Call them The Western Left Behind.
China has a plan – The West wants everything to be business as usual.
In the great tradition of Trickle Up economics.
The Chinese political system is based upon merit and tough educational standards and is very competitive, only the best rise to the top. Very unlike in the west where a geography degree and being buggered by the right people at public school suffices for the top jobs.
“How Does China Evaluate and Choose its Leaders? Understanding China’s University System”
https://www.bluemoonofshanghai.com/politics/3337/
MR MARK CUTTS, that is an interesting comment,and you are right about the Chinese experience, Professor Richard Wolff agrees with you by saying the ‘west’ cannot do anything about it short of nuclear war, then it is all over for everyone. The Professor goes on to say the Russian/Chinese alliance is as the French say mariage fait au ciel [a marriage made in heaven] these two leaders of the BRICS are unstoppable, as we will see in the years to come. https://www.bing.com/search?q=wests%20collosal%20failure%20%20prof%20r%20wolff%20youtube&pc=0P250&ptag=C999N55000A3F9E3214B9&form=PCF249&conlogo=CT3210127
Note that Starmer is bought and controlled by Israel who got rid of Corbin and have direct access to the Labour party and the police
And the MSM
And social media
Two aspects to these attacks in Russia.
The first is the drone attacks on Russia’s Strategic Nuclear Bomber fleet. This does nothing militarily to help Ukraine. These bombers were only out in the open as part of the START treaty with the US. So they can be visible to US satellites, and this is reciprocal with US bombers. Think about that for a moment… They exploited the treaty to attack Russia’s deterrence, deep inside Russia.
Larry Johnson says the chances this was a CIA/MI5/Mossad operation, executed by Ukrainians, is 100%. They are 100% behind it. So while this is not terrorism it is an insane provocation and is clearly designed to trigger a massive escalation. It seems about 7 planes were destroyed not 41 or whatever. There is obviously an accompanying propaganda campaign (as we are seeing on here as well). The response to this in Russia is very predictable and extremely serious. The people who planned this knew that and that is exactly why they have done it.
The second aspect is the bombing of bridges into the paths of oncoming trains one of which was a passenger train full of civilians, women kids. This aspect is clearly blatant terrorism. The death toll here was intended to be much higher IMHO. The driver of the train was very brave apparently and managed to slow the train down enough to save a lot of lives. He died. So the goal of this was clearly designed to again completely inflame the Russian public.
So you have this very grave attack on their Nuclear deterrence (as they see it) combined with a craven act of terrorism designed to kill potentially a hundred plus Russian civilians. Quite a cocktail they cooked up….
I said above how dangerous this period is and that desperate people will do desperate things. Well we are sure seeing it now. And this comes on the heels of the attempt to assassinate Putin.
No money for freezing OAPs but suddenly Two Tier has the funds to build 6 arms factories and invest heavily in the armed forces. Any doubt about who he really represents is long gone.
They are driving us all into a suicidal war.
Mac
June 4, 2025 at 08:18
Mac, you seem to believe every claim made by the Russian government.
Attacking Russian bombers is not an “insane provocation”, it is targeting aircraft which can be used to attack Ukraine.
Some supporters of Russia believe that Russia has impunity for its war against Ukraine.
Well as they say in the US, FAFO.
The attack on the railway bridge is a legitimate targeting of Russian infrastructure.
The spin about the heroic train driver and the hundreds of women and children on the train is just that, Russian propaganda.
It could be true but is likely to be a narrative designed to gain sympathy for poor brave Russia.
You didn’t mention the attack on the Kerch Bridge. It doesn’t suit your narrative?
Just a thought; friends of Russia here and elsewhere might be better occupied urging Putin to withdraw his forces from the sovereign territory of Ukraine, return the kidnapped children and enter into negotiations about reparations.
You seem to think it’s always lawful in war to attack a country’s infrastructure. FYI it isn’t.
Not that I think lawfare is going to have much effect in this war. It’s obvious the Kerch bridge is a target. I am a civilian and I would not like to cross it. Meanwhile there have not been widespread war crimes or crimes against humanity in this war, horrific though it is, as are ongoing every day against Palestine.
Brian Red
June 4, 2025 at 09:06
Brian, that’s interesting re attacking infrastructure.
Do you have in mind a particular category of infrastructure that is protected by the laws of war?
Obviously hospitals etc are protected and I expect explicitly civilian infrastructure like water treatment plants. Power plants?
“Do you have in mind a particular category of infrastructure that is protected by the laws of war?”
“Laws of war”? What are they, apart from the Melian dialogue?
It is quite easy though time consuming to compile what would be a a long list of acts of sabotage and terrorism committed by or on behalf of Ukraine against Russia, and which go back a long way to the agency of Bandera and his fellow Nationalists against the Soviet Union. The list could include the murder of Daria Dugan because of her journalism, the Crocus massacre and the recent attack on the Zaporizhzhia electricity sub- station. No mere narrative there.
As I understand it, Mac’s main point was that there is no long term military value in carrying out any of these stunts as they do nothing to change the situation on the battle front and only serve to firm up Russian resolve as reflected in Medvedev’s belligerent tweets.
The reality is that Ukraine can only regain their occupied territories by force and it is a long way from doing that at present despite having been given enough weaponry and aid over the last ten years to conquer the whole of Russia. There is nothing “tankie” in wanting our governments to cure themselves of their Russophobia and delusions, stop using their useless smart – ass diversionary tactics, grow up diplomatically and arrive at a mutually constructive outcome.
“Attacking Russian bombers is not an “insane provocation”, it is targeting aircraft which can be used to attack Ukraine.”
Anything could be used to “attack Ukraine”, every car, every motorcycle, every lorry. The point is, these bombers weren’t being used to attack Ukraine, and weren’t going to be because they would be sitting ducks. It was a provocation, pure and simple. The exercise had almost zero military value. Do you really think that the SBU are so stupid as to expend so many resources blowing up some semi-obsolete bombers as an attempt to slow down the Russian military?
“The attack on the railway bridge is a legitimate targeting of Russian infrastructure.”
Ah, so attacks on civilians are “legitimate targeting”, are they? Funny, you’ve never said that when Ukranian civilians have been killed. Tatyana could have been on that train and you wonder why she will no longer communicate with you.
Oh!
I don’t plan to die in the near future. I have elderly parents and a student son, and a husband whose health requires a special diet, and they all count on my support!
Add to the above my 2 cats.
if suddenly I don’t get in touch because I died (oh!) in another terrorist attack, please remember me. I’m Tatyana, I love the color blue. I live in Krasnodar, in the region where Ukrainian and Russian cultures mixed up.
My mother’s name is Olga, it’s a Russian adaptation of the Scandinavian name Helga.
My father’s name is Alexander, he was born 2 years after the end of the Great Patriotic War and was lucky to see his father ( my granddad) returned back home.
My son is named Yuri in honor of Yuri Gagarin, I gave birth to him on Cosmonautics Day, April 12.
Well, one of the cats has traditional Russian name Murka. And the second one was trained to respond to the name Alya, just to prevent my husband from calling her by the awful name Rreya, he chose for some truly weird reason.
—–
Neither of the above info is used for securing my personal data, so i share it willingly .
Given the consistency and frequency (volume and time) of the misinformation and disinformation they come out with, it is pretty obvious who the professional propagandists are on here. I would not reply to them either for that reason alone. Complete waste of time and effort.
These are the folk CM refers to at the bottom of his front page. “the Integrity Initiative, the 77th Brigade, Bellingcat, the Atlantic Council and hundreds of other warmongering propaganda operations”.
This site is obviously going to be a big target. And it shows.
” These bombers were only out in the open as part of the START treaty with the US. ”
Yes this has ‘gone viral’ but like a lot of things that go viral it’s completely untrue. There is no provision in START for this, nuclear bombers aren’t parked with missiles loaded and anyway the Russians suspended participation in START on 21st Feb 2023 so it’s irrelevant. The Tu95 and Tu22 aircraft destroyed and damaged aren’t exclusively used for delivering nuclear weapons, both have been used to launch cruise missiles and glide bombs against Ukraine.
Aside from the lost aircraft Russia will now have to divert resources to preventing a repeat. Like it our not they’ve left with a lot of egg on their face. As to CIA/MI5/Mossad involvement (why Mossad) there is no evidence either way except a belief by some that the Ukrainians are too stupid to have planned this by themselves. Really all the information needed is commercially available. Clear images of the airfields can be got from Google Earth.
No doubt the railways were attacked because they’re being used to supply Russian troops in Ukraine. The intention was to severe supply lines, not to kill civilians. Russia has attacked Ukraine’s railways and other infrastructure. The winter attacks on power stations were designed to force surrender by freezing out the civilian population. The armed services would not have been greatly affected, they have their own generators.
‘ sever supply lines ‘
To slap “egg on the Russian face” was the object of the attack. The 38 year old organiser – an ex- Maidan activist living and working in Russia for some years has reportedly been detained trying to flee into Kazakhstan. Secret service rather than military operator.
The train timed to pass under the exploding bridge just happened to be a passenger train Moscow to Klimovo, which is near the Belarus border and far away from the front lines. Hardly military connection and the lines have been quickly repaired anyway although the bridges need completely rebuilding. The railway line blown up near Melitopol recently might just affect the military logistics but that too has more the hallmarks of a nuisance attack.
“No doubt the railways were attacked because they’re being used to supply Russian troops in Ukraine. The intention was to severe supply lines, not to kill civilians.”
Funny how, whenever Ukranian civilains are killed as part of a Russian attack, it’s because “the Russians are just trying to kill civilians”, but when Russian civilans are injured in an Ukranian attack, that’s a legitimate military target, despite the fact that 1) the bridge was blown down in front of the train and 2) no Russian military men or munitions were involved. Again, out of all the railway bridges in the whole of the Russia bordering Ukraine, they just happened to choose that one and just happened to blow it up when a train was approaching. I look forward to you trying this line of argument in court. “Mr Morgaine, why did you punch Mr Smith, causing him serious injury?” “I didn’t punch him, I was punching the air and he just happened to put his face in the way. It was an unfortunate coincidence.”
Jeremy Corbyn has tabled a private member’s bill in the elected house of the British parliament, calling for a public inquiry into the British state’s military and other support for Zionist genocide in Gaza – crimes committed by both the previous Tory government and the current Labour one. He includes in his sights the sale of weapons and the provision of assistance from the British military base at Akrotiri in Cyprus.
He also mentions something I didn’t know. When he was leader of the Labour party he apologised on behalf of the party for the Labour government’s involvement in the 2003 war against Iraq.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/03/britain-gaza-inquiry-labour-iraq-war
Good luck with that Jeremy. As Raphael Behr points out in today’s Guardian, the two chief opponents of the Labour government possess alarming ideological affinities with the catastrophic Lettice Leef of a Tory leader. At the next election it may well be that the nation has to choose between Kemi Badenoch as a black Liz Truss, Nigel Farage as a male Liz Truss, and Keir Starmer as the political equivalent of a jockstrap whose elastic has gone
Do you remember what the prospect of a non-rightwing, non-zionist government did to our Raffa?
https://www.thejc.com/news/from-corbyn-to-brexit-uk-politics-gave-me-a-heart-attack-bvkvvbqb
I burn no candle for Raphael Behr or the organ he writes for – I hardly ever purchase the Guardian and only saw the musings I mentioned in my last post during an occasional visit to the relevant website ¦ I can but scoff at the regular begging popups. Whatever the political perspective of this journalist or his employer he is surely right to decry the invidious choice likely to be before the UK electorate at the next GE. For my part I voted for the Green party at the last election and would do so if such a poll were to be held now. Gaza was the issue, although I would be glad not to have voted Labour even if one could discount the manifold complicity in war crimes that is borne by Starmer and his government. I will support a black Truss, a male Truss and will neither lend nor look for support from a jockstrap gone in the elastic, real or figurative.
No, I was not suggesting you were a fan.
Just astounded though that in the summer of 2025 the Guardian is still deploying such a character to frame its readers thoughts: a fanatical zionist who claims Corbyn gave him a heart attack.
What is going on in this country when that is the leftmost arm of the mass media?
Possibly just possibly Jeremy Corbyn has learnt something since 1984-85 when during the miners’ strike he said the way forward for the struggle was to build towards a Labour victory in the next election.
I wonder whether he could put his Privy Council membership to use somehow.
He will surely agree that the prevention of genocide is justification for breaking a monarchist oath.
A comment on Moon of Alabama spoke about a speech by Rubio to some Zionist org suggesting that those who criticize Israel in social meda won´t get Visa or probably won´t be let into the country. (Actually Germany already did that as we know.)
But has anyone the actual news source on this?
The Neo-Nazi loving, Zionist adoring – British PM Starmer, is to waste million more of taxpayers cash aiding the Neo-Naz dictatorship in Ukraine, meanwhile living standards plummet in the UK – and prices on just about everything from food to fuel etc rockets.
“The UK has pledged to supply 100,000 new drones to Ukraine by April 2026, in addition to the 10,000 UAVs it sent last year. The announcement coincides with Britain’s newly unveiled Strategic Defense Review, which proposes steps to rearm its military in light of what it paints as a threat posed by Russia.
London has allocated £350 million ($470 million) from its £4.5 billion Ukraine military package to fund new drone deliveries to Kiev, according to a government statement on Wednesday. UK Defense Secretary John Healey is expected to detail the initiative at the upcoming Ukraine contact group meeting in Brussels.”
Maybe the British nazi party is gambling on the high probability that come 2026 nazi Ukraine will have fallen and they won’t have to deliver – not that ANY military programme has ever been delivered on time and on budget in the last 70 odd years.
Ukraine already makes one million drones a year and has plans to increase that tenfold. They’re also training tens of thousands of operators. They’re a, if not the, world leader in drone technology. If anything we should be buying drones from them.
It’s almost as if there’s another aim to British rearmament than assisting the Kiev government.
The UK currently spends 2.5% GDP on NATO defence, our Commander in Chief Kweir Starmer is being urged by the US to increase that figure to 5%. Trump’s NATO ambassador says allies must agree to 5% spend on defence and security ‘starting now’.
With his boots on the ground and planes in the air in Ukraine he will need more than that. John Mearsheimer probably the preeminent geostratigic thinker states that there is simply no evidence that Russia wants to invade the whole of Ukraine still less that they had the military or economic capacity to do so. These warmongering clowns like Starmer, Macron ans Merz are gaslighting their electorates. Their approval ratings have dropped through the floor. In the latest YouGov/Eurotrack poll of public approval or disapproval, only 12% of respondents approve of the Labour government’s policies and performance,
Trump’s NATO ambassador says allies must agree to 5% spend on defence and security ‘starting now’
Harry Law
June 4, 2025 at 16:47
Harry,
Russian defence spending is 7.1 per cent of GDP and 19 per cent of all Russian government spending according to https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2025/unprecedented-rise-global-military-expenditure-european-and-middle-east-spending-surges
So 3% or even 5% is modest in comparison.
Funny how the Russians weren’t marching up the Mall while British military spending was only 2.5%, eh? Anyway so nuclear deterrence doesn’t work, right?
If it was just Ukraine Russia was up against that might be fair comment unfortunately it is NATO against Russia.
The combined defense expenditure for members of NATO was approximately 1.47 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024, the highest NATO members have collectively spent on defense during the provided time period.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1293301/combined-defense-expenditures-nato/
Harry Law
June 4, 2025 at 17:32
Harry, why “unfortunately”?
Number 1. Ukraine is not in NATO, and according to Trump never will be.
2. The expansion of NATO to Russian border only several minutes missile flying time from Moscow in breach of assurances given that after Berlin was united, NATO would not move 1 inch further east [NATO LIED]
3. The US led coup in 2014 replaced the legitimate President with a new government [hand picked by Vicki Fuck the EU Nuland]
4. The four Oblasts plus Crimea have all had referendums in some cases with 90% votes in favour of Joining Russia. Then those regions applied to join the Russian Federation as they were entitled to do [self determination] the Russians then accepted them into the Russian Federation. They seceded legally and having done so were subjected to 8 years of bombardment causing the deaths of at least 14,000 people in the Dombas. These and other events have all been well documented. As Trump said this was a war that never should have happened, Biden and other Presidents were convinced that the key to European hegemony lay in incorporating Ukraine into NATO, against the advice of experts and Ambassadors who to a man warned this would be a fateful decision which would mean war. The US position was, Russia is weak, what are the going to do about it? Now we know and unless NATO are going to us nuclear weapons the Russians are winning and will win, whereas Europe will go down the tubes. Because the Russians regard this war as an existential threat [it is] even the proposed near one trillion euro package Europe is to spend on military equipment will not be enough.
Harry Law
June 4, 2025 at 18:17
Harry, taking your points in order.
Number 1. Ukraine is not in NATO, and according to Trump never will be.
A: Trump will be dead soon and doesn’t constrain future USA governments.
Number 2. The expansion of NATO to Russian border only several minutes missile flying time from Moscow in breach of assurances given that after Berlin was united, NATO would not move 1 inch further east [NATO LIED]
A: there was no commitment made by NATO. (Prove me wrong if you can.)
Number 3. The US led coup in 2014 replaced the legitimate President with a new government [hand picked by Vicki Fuck the EU Nuland]
A: The outgoing President bravely did a runner aided by Putin’s Spetsnaz – to Russia. Then the Verkhovna Rada declared the position vacant.
Number 4. The four Oblasts plus Crimea have all had referendums in some cases with 90% votes in favour of Joining Russia. Then those regions applied to join the Russian Federation as they were entitled to do [self determination] the Russians then accepted them into the Russian Federation. They seceded legally and having done so were subjected to 8 years of bombardment causing the deaths of at least 14,000 people in the Dombas. These and other events have all been well documented. As Trump said this was a war that never should have happened, Biden and other Presidents were convinced that the key to European hegemony lay in incorporating Ukraine into NATO, against the advice of experts and Ambassadors who to a man warned this would be a fateful decision which would mean war. The US position was, Russia is weak, what are the going to do about it? Now we know and unless NATO are going to us nuclear weapons the Russians are winning and will win, whereas Europe will go down the tubes. Because the Russians regard this war as an existential threat [it is] even the proposed near one trillion euro package Europe is to spend on military equipment will not be enough.
A: None of the referendums were supervised by the UN or OSCE. No siree. They were supervised by the Russian Army. No state (mebbe DPRK?) has recognized the results.
1/ Trump will be dead soon and doesn’t constrain future USA governments. Stoltenberg said if Ukraine drives Russia out then they can join NATO. Of course we are all dead in the end.
2/ On the eve of the SMO both Biden and Blinken said Ukraine will become a member of NATO. This was confirmed by Stoltenberg [for NATO] shortly afterwards.
3/ Yanukovych was hounded out of office, the leader of ‘right sector’ a coalition of right wing groups Dmytro Yarosh said the Russians miscalculated they did not realise that we would suddenly be able to hound Yanukovych out of office within days.
4/ When the Kosovo Liberation Army started its campaign to secede from Yugoslavia (as it was still called) the matter was taken to the ICJ by Yugoslavia (Serbia). They argued that, in international law, the right to secure borders meant that Kosovo did not have the right to secede. The Kosovan argument was that, in international law, the right to self-determination meant that Kosovo did have the right to secede The ICJ agreed that the two were contradictory and they would need to rule on which had precedence. They ruled that self-determination was more important than secure borders.
N.B. The administration of Kosovo declared independence without going to a referendum but the ICJ ruled that, since they were a regional government, they could be said to be expressing the will of the people of Kosovo.
Applying the, now, established principle to Ukraine would mean that Crimea had the right to secede and ask to join Russia (even if they hadn’t bothered with a referendum), and that Lugansk and Donetsk had the right to declare independence ……. and later to apply to join Russia.
This precedent was used by Putin against the US [to no avail] since the US and Germany had already made their minds up about the future of Kosovo.
Harry Law
Yes that’s a lot of money invested for what?
Putin’s bluffing – he was patient but he wasn’t.
Away from NATO into Asiatic NATO ( no acronym available for that at the moment) China needs to be attacked ( like Russia) and In the Middle east Iran is bluffing – so no dangers there).
Trump’s NATO – ish Tariffs are falling on their arse, so much for negotiation and friendly persuasion short of, cutting off nay sayer’s via The Swift Clearing System etc etc etc.
Some American wrote a best selling How To book years ago called;
‘ How to Win Friends and Influence People ‘
Perhaps all Americans ( and maybe Kier Starmer? ) should read it.
It was written in the Sixties so no-one can blame AI.
Next big seller; ‘ How to Utilise US Charm Offensives for Patriotic Benefits.’
Preface by Elon Musk.
Three theatres of War in the air for the US who had to leg it from The Taliban.
Apparently the same people are going to save The World from Communists and their followers.
Can’t wait to read it .
@JK Redux
“None of the referendums were supervised by the UN or OSCE. No siree. They were supervised by the Russian Army. No state (mebbe DPRK?) has recognized the results.”
Next you will be saying nobody can prove to the local Tory constituency association’s satisfaction that the Donbas miners were mostly Russian.
It was a good thing that the Russian army supervised the referendums. Somebody needed to protect polling stations from pro-Kiev fascist terrorists.
@Mark Cutts – I like your posts, but when you say “How to Win Friends and Influence People” was written in the 1960s I gotta comment that you should edit and check a bit more before posting. Dale Carnegie’s book with that title was published in 1936.
“Russian defence spending is 7.1 per cent of GDP and 19 per cent of all Russian government spending”
Russia’s military expenditure reached an estimated $149 billion in 2024, a 38 per cent increase from 2023 and double the level in 2015.
Most people have noticed by now that Russia is fighting a war, even if you haven’t. Your eyes obviously skated over this bit: “Russia’s military expenditure reached an estimated $149 billion in 2024, a 38 per cent increase from 2023 and double the level in 2015.” So in peace time Russia’s defence expenditure was around 3.5% of GDP. Although the British government yearns for war, Britain is not at war yet,
Bayard.
Yes for the MSM who are in War Zone mindset now of course, think it’s terrible that the relative Arms Spending of Russia is to the detriment of its beloved people ( as if they cared?) and should be spent on surrendering to NATO.
I hear that the spin off from all this technology is that Russians can now get Washing Machines- Fridges and all manner of material White Goods to freeze their Salmon and Cabbage in) whereas before they were cannibalising Washing Machines to make Missiles – quite a contradiction there.
Funny old world – no doubt about that.
Not sure where Caviar should be stored?
Never been able to afford it – due to Sanctions and of course – lack of money.
The problem with the old Soviet Union was that they manufactured a lot of War goods but non of the above.
That’s why the people did not defend Yeltsin’s Russia.
Selfish but true – ‘ What’s in it for me?’ – they asked – ‘ What is worth defending?’
or – What has The Soviet Union ever done for me?’
You can’t eat Statues or Warships.
They look nice but are all for show.
China appears to have learnt that lesson.
Yet again – results.
Meanwhile, “The US has privately warned Britain and France against recognising a Palestinian state at a UN conference – co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia – set for 17 to 20 June in New York, as both countries reportedly prepare to endorse statehood.”
https://thecradle.co/articles/us-pressures-london-paris-against-recognizing-palestinian-state-report
“The United States has vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and calling for removing restrictions on aid deliveries … The other 14 members voted in favor of the resolution”
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250605/us-vetoes-unsc-draft-resolution-calling-for-gaza-ceasefire-1122194134.html
The PR plays out to the obvious and foreseen conclusion.
“The UK and France will abandon previous plans to recognise a Palestinian state at an upcoming conference, according to diplomats.”
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-and-france-abandon-plans-recognise-palestinian-state-conference
The English government – and its undying support for the Neo-Nazi dictatorship in Ukraine, has brought us closer to an all-out conflict with Russia, than most people think. Its just a matter of time, before Russian military jets shootdown these eavesdropping spy planes – known as Rivet Joints.
https://www.declassifieduk.org/u-s-leak-british-spy-planes-dangerously-close-to-russia/
Hi, RoS, sorry for posting this as a reply, but I really think it fits here. Ladies and gentlemen, I translated a story by Peter Bormor for you. The source in Russian is
https://bormor.livejournal.com/748059.html
——–
– The ad says that you offer a quest, – the Half-Elf said to the burgomaster. – But it doesn’t explain what it’s all about. Could you clarify?
– It’s simple, – the burgomaster shrugged. – Do you see that hill over there? There’s a goblin with a grenade launcher sitting on it. And he periodically fires at the city. That’s the whole problem, actually.
– Yeah, I see. We need to kill the goblin…
– What are you saying!? Hush! Hush! – the burgomaster widened his eyes and waved his hands. – He must not be killed under any circumstances!
– Why? – the Dwarf was surprised. – He’s a goblin!
– Exactly! If we kill him, the world community will say that this is genocide, and that we are racists.
– So what? Let them say … whatever.
– And send in troops, – the burgomaster finished his thought gloomily.
-Hmm…- the Half-Elf sank into a reverie. – So, this bastard shoots at you with a grenade launcher, and you endure it and don’t dare fight back?
– We don’t, – the burgomaster shrugged his showlders. – Otherwise, they’ll call us aggressors.
– Okay, but what if, say, we don’t kill the goblin, but drive him away somewhere far away?
– From his hill? Impossible. Then they’ll call us occupiers.
– Catch him and take away the grenade launcher?
– Expropriators.
– Lock him up with the grenade launcher?.. Okay, okay, don’t answer, – the Half-Elf quickly said, when the burgomaster opened his mouth. – I understand. Indeed, an interesting case!
– So what do you want from us? – the Princess could not resist. – We can’t kill, we can’t disarm, we can’t catch and drive him away either, so what’s left? Re-educate? That’s not our field of expertise.
– No, please don’t say that… For such work we would call in a psychologist. By the way, the world community would accuse us of putting psychological pressure on.
– And of desecrating original traditions, – added the Dwarf, making a solemn bow. – Shooting people with a grenade launcher – that’s sacred for goblins!
– Exactly, – the burgomaster exclaimed joyfully, – you understand me.
– Well, what do you want from us? – the Princess butted in again.
– Deliver the parcel, – the burgomaster sighed.
– To whom? To the goblin?
– Well, yes. After all, there’s no food reserves there, on the hill. In an hour the goblin will get hungry, declare a truce and start negotiations. He does this every day. Demands that we bring him food, wine, weapons, sometimes else… And then, when he’s had his fill, he declares that the peace negotiations have reached a dead end and he is forced to resume fire. The world community sympathizes with him very much. They think that he is principled.
– And if you refuse to provide him with food and weapons…
– Then they will say that we’re…
– Okay, okay, we got it, – the Half-Elf waved his hands.
– …and they will bring in troops, – the burgomaster muttered.
– Okay, but why do you need us? They could have sent one of theirs to deliver the parcel.
– They already did. No one returned.
– What? The goblin killed them all?
– He claims that he doesn’t.
– Ah…
– And the world community believes him.
– Oh…
– And then they’ll say that we’re provocateurs. You see, it’s him, the goblin, who’s taking a peaceful initiative, it’s his gesture of goodwill. And if something goes wrong, it’s our fault obviously! And you… well, you’re kind of strangers, he might let you stay safe.
– Okay, – Half-Elf summed up. – If we put aside all the political chaff, then all we need to do is take the parcel from the customer and deliver it to the client, right? A regular postal quest. And everything else is just your problem. Right?
– That’s right, – the burgomaster confirmed, – so we’ve come to an agreement?
– Deal, – Half-Elf nodded. The burgomaster sighed with relief
– Can I ask a question? – the Princess raised her hand. – You are so afraid that the world community will call you aggressors, or militarists, or something even worse – and what does it call you now?
– Idiots, – the burgomaster answered sadly.
I get the point Tatyana – however eventually the Kremlin will have to make a choice – let the conflict continue – or find a way to end it – Ukraine and the EU doesn’t want to end it, and I think Trump might talk about ending it but actually doing something about it is another matter. As for the rest of the world excluding Nato and the EU, it might be a bit more sympathetic to Russia’s plight than the Kremlin might think.
Only Russia can end this conflict, the EU doesn’t want to – Britain certainly doesn’t want to – and neither does Zelensky, when I say end the conflict – I mean subdue Ukraine and cut-off outside supplies of weapons from the West.
That story could also apply to Israel, it being the goblin on the hill.
To quote Putin from April 2022 when addressing General Staff: There is no time limit to reach the goals of the “SMO”.
Always keep in mind that 27M got killed the last time. And considering that this idea that the West has the right to intrude whenever and in whatever form they consider fit is over 100 years old towards Soviet Russia, 3 years are nothing.
I am merely trying to put a – well – price tag on the value of national security of the Russian nation, which means the people.
The problem ist that in the West they completely lack the comparison to develop understanding lest appreciation for this kind of calculation.
In WWII the Western Allies (if we are nice and count in the French) altogether lost about 2M. Yugoslavia alone lost half that.
p.s. As a reminder of Arestovych´s insane predictions on TV from 2019 about war either 2021 or 2022 (I think Tatyana too quoted this in the past) see TC 3:39 in this otherwise also recommended talk with Jacques Baud and Glenn Diesen:
https://glenndiesen.substack.com/p/col-jacques-baud-russia-pursues-military
Republicofscotland
June 4, 2025 at 21:04
Ros
You say that Zelenskyy doesn’t want “to subdue Ukraine and cut-off outside supplies of weapons from the West”.
Well that’s a shocker right there.
The miserable bar steward has the gall to object to his country being “subdued”.
At least his “military” aren’t attacking Great Russia?
What’s that you say?
Blowing up bombers? Attacking bridges?
The man is a fiend. A war (sorry, Special Military Operation) criminal.
Nuke Kyiv Now. (Sorry, I should have said Nuke Kiev Now.).
You know that it makes sense and in a few weeks the deluded “Ukies” will come to their senses and thank you.
It is funny seeing Wingsoverscotalnd go through the five stages of grief over his denial of a genocide.
denial. let’s just ban every word referencing it and hope it goes away.
anger. let’s just ban everyone using the word Palestine or genocide.
bargaining, let’s just agree it is not important to people? who cares? lets all move on… meh.
depression, I’d say where where we are now…the genocide = biscuits article, the absolute nadir of wingsoverscotland. I’ve shat better.
and finally acceptance… some time to come.
Wings is over in Scotland.
Mac
Throughout the better late than never handwringing the MSM ( at least those in the know) are aware of what Israel’s next moves could be.
We are in the territory in the MSM as: ‘ Enough is Enough? ‘
The MSM has covered Israel’s backside on the basis of having the right to defend themselves and they fear having to justify even more of this ‘ right ‘ to their already alarmed readers and viewers.
Hard work is lying and if Israel does bomb – shoot – maim etc etc as usual the more so the MSM may stick its cowardly neck out.
But only so far as the US ( implicitly or explicitly ) allows them to do so.
They know their US parameters.
They will still go along with the Israelies come what may until their paper sales and viewing ratings drop like a stone.
Fortunately, ordinary people are on the whole honest – even on the Right.
Yes, he has surely ended himself. Even if he tries a complete 180 there are too many receipts from the past 20 months.
How can anyone be taken seriously railing against colonial subjection when they support the most genocidal settler colony of the modern age?
Here is another one, triggered by Corbyn shining a light on UK participation in the Gaza Genocide.
Aaron Bastani (of Novara Media) tells GB News that the UN definition of genocide is too expansive, and then tries to diminish Britain’s role in it.
https://x.com/lesthecroc/status/1930383455398809968
Aaron Bastani (of Novara Media) is in effect because the UK sends only a fraction of the weapons Germany or the US sends, therefore those UK sales don’t matter. This is a disgraceful cop out, the only conclusion that can be drawn from him is, carry on using those weapons since if we stopped supplying them, others would fill the shortfall.
The Judicial Review of arms sales to Israel has been concluded.. In their arguments to the court, lawyers from Al Haq and Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) presented a number of examples of war crimes committed in Gaza, including torture and the intentional targeting of vulnerable populations and essential infrastructure.
The government refutes the accusation, arguing that there is ‘no evidence’ of deliberate targeting and denying the existence of a genocide taking place.
https://newint.org/arms/2025/will-uk-government-have-stop-arms-sales-israel
The government argument makes no sense, Israeli government Ministers have gone on record claiming support for many war crimes and have done so consistently since Oct 7th 2023. (Including official state policy of no food or humanitarian supplies since March 2nd 2025.)
The Judges are faced with a no-brainer.
The British argument is basically, “If we don’t continue to fully support Israel, we’ll lose our Special Relationship with Amerika and we’ll be screwed!”
glenn_nl
Yes it’s showing off for when Uncle Sam calls.
‘ look what I made at school for you Uncle Donald.’
After Hegseth’s Fox News like grasp of history he waffled about an equal 5% of GDP on Defense ( deliberate spelling ) from the USA.
I wonder if he lapses into his former role and can’t help saying after his speeches:
‘ And let’s see what the weather’s doing? ‘
He’s a wonderful Christian too – like Jesus.
Basically he’s saying; we’ve done our bit – it’s your turn to pony up for your European Security Guarantees now.
More of a Fundraiser to take on China.
Brian Red
Yes I mistook a a film that was similar I think made in the Sixties based on it.
The 30’s – even further away from AI.
You know that Donald has never been a reader and only ‘watches ‘ Fox news
meaning he doesn’t read the straplines.
Alyson, re your comment https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2025/05/the-uk-rebukes-the-un-and-bows-to-the-israeli-embassy-over-terrorism-arrests-of-journalists/comment-page-2/#comment-1080210
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Today Trump responded to the attack on Russian strategic bombers, said that he had spoken to Putin on the phone and mentioned that Putin could facilitate negotiations on a nuclear deal with Iran.
And now I have a fairly coherent theory that can explain some of the oddities.
It’s in Israel’s interests for Iran not to have nuclear weapons. Russia is an ally of Iran and had positions in Syria. This is extremely disadvantageous for Israel, since they want to hold on to the illegally occupied Syrian Golan Heights. Israel also does not want Iran-allied armed forces in the region.
As for Ukraine and its internal conflict with pro-Russian regions, it lasted a long time and there were attempts to resolve it diplomatically through the Minsk agreements. Until the moment when Zelensky said at the Munich Conference that he wanted nuclear weapons for Ukraine. After that, there was a series of events with Russia-NATO projects and a request to guarantee Russia’s security, which could be disrupted by NATO’s military activities in Ukraine. We know that NATO simply rejected it and so the war began.
I’ve been asking questions about why so many people with Jewish roots are fanning this conflict; why a Jewish oligarch is taking Azov Nazis out on his plane; why the Israeli ambassador sees no reason to object to the glorification of Nazism in Ukraine; why Zelensky declared himself a Jew; why Blinken and Nuland had a whole squad of Jewish officials voting for the continuation of this war.
If we imagine that Israel’s policy is such as to threaten Russia with Ukraine’s nuclear status, since Russia does not influence Iran regarding the nuclear deal, then the role of Britain, the main promoter of Israeli interests on the European continent, will also become clear.
Actually, Trump’s son-in-law, an Orthodox Jew, is probably a conduit for Israeli interests in USA now.
Tatyana.
The iranian nuclear weapons story continually pushed by israel and its supporters is another WMD fake story with the aim by israel of getting the west to destroy Iran. For israel the reason is total supremacy in the ME through a greater israel. So far this has worked in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Iran is next on the list. Adelson’s USA and MI6 are the goyim tools used by the zionists to achieve greater israel.
Jews are, and have been, heavily involved in Ukraine, so I think your analysis is spot on.
https://www.globalresearch.ca/mi6-helped-hts-seize-syria/5889709
And, as I’ve said before, it’s time for Russia to take Odessa and neutralise Ukraine.
In essence Ukraine is a terrorist state holding its population hostage or brainwashing them.
Those who oppose are either silenced or killed.
What Western media report from Ukrainian sources – (they have zero independent reporting of their own – those who tried were silenced too or fired) – are almost entirely lies and fabrications of a scale I have never before encountered in my lifetime.
“War Is Peace. Freedom Is Slavery. Ignorance Is Strength.”
Sunday´s attacks concur in no way with international law or agreed on conduct and violate any treaty in question.
And Western governments and publics are lying and twisting reality in the most insane and best fascist tradition, just as Karl Rove instructed them when he made clear that per 2003 the US was now in the position to create her own reality.
That is exactly what is happening in Ukraine and the West this very moment.
How media and politics treat this latest incident is a stellar example.
p.s. Just assume Iraqis in 2003 as response to UK participating in the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” would have bombed 2 railroad bridges outside London killing dozens and injuring over 100. Who would have suggested those had not been terrorist attacks? And another attack destroy two B-52s on a base in Nevada. That would have triggered an “interesting” spectacle as response.
And Iraq posed zero danger to either country.
p.p.s.
Interview by Dialogue Works:
Ray McGovern and John Helmer: Putin at the ORESHNIK Moment
1 day ago
86 min.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQrQGI_Y6hc
AG
June 5, 2025 at 18:17
AG, forgive me but that’s just silly.
You said ” Sunday´s attacks concur in no way with international law or agreed on conduct and violate any treaty in question.”
Not true at all. Btw if you are concerned about the START Treaty, as of February 21, 2023, Russia suspended its participation in the treaty but stated it would continue to adhere to the numerical limits set by the agreement.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_START
Ukraine was invaded by Putin’s elves (Tatyana’s influence) and has a sovereign right to retaliate against military targets such as air force bases and bombers and also infrastructure like railway bridges and the infamous Kerch Bridge.
You’d prefer that Ukraine launched futile “meat assaults” like the noble Russian Army do?
JK Redux
Hard to say what is fair in Love and War but Alistair Crooke is a seasoned ex Diplomat
and generally if he says it is correct then I’ll bow to him and not Wikipedia.
Look him up on Judge Neopolitano’s Youtube videos.
He’s a well informed and informative person.
Definitely not a ‘ Tankie ‘ or ‘ Commie ‘
He says that under current rules that ALL planes of ALL Nuclear Armed nations have to be ‘ visible ‘ to make
sure that they are not armed.
MR MARK CUTTS
June 5, 2025 at 22:15
Mark,
an argument from authority is no argument at all.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_authority
I don’t give a rattling shite what retired Judge Neopolitano or Alistair Crooke say unless they can argue their case in writing.
What is Alistair Crooke’s argument for the illegality of the Ukrainian attack on the Russian airbases and bombers?
JK Redux
You sound a little tetchy.
Give me your name and address and I’ll get them to write to you.
Or ( for a change – if you can drag yourself away from AI Searches or Wikipedia?) just listen to what they say and if you agree you agree – if you don’t – you don’t.
I’m a Leftie and watch Conservative US Patriots on Youtube all the time but, if someone is right on certain things ( in my opinion of course ) then I will take note of what they say.
I think I know what authority means (in writing).
Now search Wikipedia for THE Truth or ask AI to define it.
Then try the same with FREEDOM.
Then try the same with DEMOCRACY.
Then try the same with International Rules.
Not a nice world at all but, I don’t want any wailing and cries of ‘ That’s not fair ‘ from the US or the UK et al if Russia makes its military reprisals.
The Kiev attacks today are not the reprisals for attacking the Russian Airbases.
It’s not fair in Gaza neither but, that’s how it is when you have a powerful country backing you.
The same doesn’t back Ukraine these days as much as it did and that’s not fair either.
No it isn’t – that’s the politics of looking after your own country over and above any where else.
Even at the expense of countries that you used to pretend to defend.
All the Ukranians have now is the EU to defend them – thereby going from bad to worse I’m afraid.
” He says that under current rules that ALL planes of ALL Nuclear Armed nations have to be ‘ visible ‘ to make sure that they are not armed. ”
Well he’s talking out of his arse then isn’t he? What rules? What treaty? India, Israel, Pakistan and North Korea aren’t even members of the Non-Proliferation Treaty besides which how can you tell from above what an aircraft might be carrying beneath it or in the bomb-bay?
On top of which Russia withdrew from the monitoring section of New START in February 2023. It’s no longer honouring its obligations.
https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2023-03/news/russia-suspends-new-start
Russia is also actively trying to camouflage it’s nuclear bombers. The tyres visible on the Ukrainian videos are there to fool AI sensors and they’ve also painted dummy aircraft on the ground.
https://en.defence-ua.com/analysis/year_later_pentagon_explains_whats_the_point_of_aircraft_drawings_and_tire_coatings_at_russian_military_airfields-11877.html
So if it’s law for all nuclear capable aircraft to be clearly on show, let’s hear some serious criticism of Russia for trying to conceal these aircraft and confusing observers with decoys; thought not.
Pears Morgaine
Gasp – you are telling us that countries cheat?
And here’s me thinking that rules always should obeyed.
A lot of Lawyerly stuff around at the moment whereas the Palestinians
(who aren’t cheating ) are being starved and the Ukranians ( who are most
definitely not cheating) are being attacked by cheaters of some repute – Russia.
Only they cheat.
The truth is that Russia has 20% of Ukraine ( by fair legal means or foul) and Ukraine wants to get
that 20% back.
The question is :
How do they do that?
Go to International Courts?
Ask Russia if they will hand back the 20%?
Or take it back by military means?
The last option is the only option they have.
All they need now is a plan and a Military capable of doing that.
The US was never going to die in a Nuke War (or any war come to that) for Ukraine.
The Europeans neither -despite all the bluster – so it’s down to the second last Ukrainian
now.
That seems to be the case in my opinion.
I think you will find that although Russia formally suspended its participation in START in 2023 it signed an agreement with the Biden administration to observe it to the letter at least until 2026.
This meant that the Russian strategic bombers that fell under START would remain above ground in open areas so that they could be amongst other things counted from satellite pictures in line with the agreement.
Trump’s envoy, Kellogg described Ukraine’s attack as high risk i.e. of a possible Russian nuclear response to the evident breaching of the START agreement by a USA proxy. How high the risk remains to be seen.
New START expires in early 2026.
Russia undertook to respect the limits on the number of warheads and delivery systems but withdrew from allowing any inspections. That would’ve included leaving the bombers outdoors had the treaty called for it.
https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/truth-or-fake/20250605-no-the-new-start-nuclear-deal-did-not-enable-ukraine-to-carry-out-the-spider-s-web-attack
JK redux
Nothing silly about attacks on WMDs. Too much at stake. I am sure we can agree on that. Regardless of how meaningful the attacks were.
New Start is being observed by both parties until 2026.
RU most likely could have protected their bombers by covering and disguising them from satellite surveillance.
I guess as part of good will they have chosen not to.
All this is noteworthy especially in the light of public comments made by US STRATCOM past fall that US still is convinced that it can win a nuclear war. Which is not the case of course.
And, no, none of the attacks were legitimate.
Eventually there is the nuclear doctrine.Those things are written for the very reason to preempt such stupid endeavours as Sunday´s attacks. And there is no reason to not consider the possibility those truck drivers were indeed killed. Western secret services are known to operate with terrorist groups such as ISIS applying ruthless methods. Russian intel e.g. is by now probably convinced the Crocus City attacks were another such covert operation coordinated by MI-6 who after all have had a long relationship with ISIS. Adding together the various pieces gives a pretty damnening picture.
And this is all happening along well known lines since the start of the Cold War with stay-behind groups in the tradition of Gladio, and permanent attempts of Western secret services to upset the USSR/Russia from the inside cooperating with fascists, who had been allies to Nazi Germany.
p.s. The attacks on the Kerch Bridge were terrorist in nature as well. That truck with the bomb e.g. last year (or was that 2023?) that was set off in the middle of the bridge (again, imagine Iraqis trying to blow up a similar structure in England). The truck was declared as humanitarian aid and as such first transported in a container delivery by ship via Georgia and Armenia to Crimea. Again a typically British modus operandi (also violating intern. law). Like the (grain) transporting ships in the Black Sea abused for terrorist attacks. It´s not being reported by classical media here but these things are taking place all the time.
AG
June 6, 2025 at 08:43
AG, you said “Nothing silly about attacks on WMDs”.
A bomber isn’t a WMD. The nuclear bomb/missile that it carries certainly is.
But of course even the Russian Air Force doesn’t leave aircraft with nuclear weapons installed sitting on airstrips. The nukes are carefully stored no doubt in underground bunkers.
“On August 8 2022 , the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Russia is suspending weapons inspections under New START due to the travel restrictions imposed on Russia by the United States in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.
https://www.nti.org/education-center/treaties-and-regimes/treaty-between-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-russian-federation-on-measures-for-the-further-reduction-and-limitation-of-strategic-offensive-arms/
And of course Ukraine isn’t a party to START treaties afaik so not bound by their terms.
You said “The attacks on the Kerch Bridge were terrorist in nature as well.”
I’d be interested to see an argument for that claim.
After all both parties in Putin’s War use drones and missiles to attack the counter party.
Ukraine generally attacks military and oil/gas installations while Russia often attacks civilian targets. The latter actions are certainly “terrorist” – reminiscent of the Nazi attacks on English civilian targets (the Blitz).
Again please don’t take this personally but I observe an underlying narrative in many posts on this subject. Essentially that “Great Russia” has impunity for all her actions – as a nuclear weapons state and due (?) to her role in WW2.
Needless to say I reject this narrative.
Perhaps Russia”s down grading the attacks to terrorist status rather than a ts of war gives Russia more wriggle room to avoid contravention of their own nuclear doctrine.
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2025/06/john-helmer-putin-hits-pause-button-on-oreshnik-level-retaliation-for-ukraine-strike-on-russian-nuclear-deterrence-assets.html
“You said “The attacks on the Kerch Bridge were terrorist in nature as well.”
I’d be interested to see an argument for that claim.”
What are the military advantages to Ukraine of damaging the Kerch Bridge?
“Again please don’t take this personally but I observe an underlying narrative in many posts on this subject..”
Far be it from me to argue about what you observe, however I can say that it appears that you are the only one that does so, or possibly one of only two who are subject to similar strange conclusions.
“Needless to say I reject this narrative.”
Why has the image of a straw man popped into my head?
Meanwhile you appear to have missed an opportunity to clear something up: in https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2025/05/the-uk-rebukes-the-un-and-bows-to-the-israeli-embassy-over-terrorism-arrests-of-journalists/comment-page-2/#comment-1080268 , you said,
“And of course Britain and France fatally stayed neutral in the Spanish Civil War.”
Which suggests you think that neigbouring countries intervening in civil wars is a good idea. Is this really the case? because it does look as if it was a very similar situation to Russia’s intervention into Ukraine’s civil war and I am sure you will like to explain just how the two cases are different.
Dear JK redux,
unfortunately I have become rather radical in my views.
After almost 4 years of reading and research about and triggered by this war and the geopolitics behind it and connected to it (including 20th cent. history) for many hours every single day I believe the Russian government is essentially right in everything they say and do. (Sometimes I make the joke the only thing I have not done is learn Russian.)
Which means we won´t agree on too many things, which is sad since none of us wants millions killed and a country destroyed.
I had started in 2021 with German and Western legacy media which I had been reading for decades.
And bit by bit over the course of these years since, I bumped into more and more inconsistencies in the reporting. Discovered lies and more lies. Mountain of lies. Thus I eventually had to change many of my coveted truths and what I regarded as knowledge, often based on scholarly studies. A process that has taken years and of course will be going on. But there is no going back. You cannot step back behind what you have once grasped.
If I say that Ukraine has so far lost 1.2-1.3M soldiers and Russia about 100-120k I will not find this anywhere among major Western media. Even though those same media for a short while did report that RU artillery, for instance, fired 10 times more artillery shells than the AFU. And every honest military person agreed that accordingly UKR casualties would be many times higher than RU.
If you watch the so-called liberal anchor Rachel Maddows on the now ridiculous MSNBC and how rejoiced she is about Ukrainians trying to push us to the brink of WWIII. How much hatred, how much dumbness must be lingering in that person? Has she no decency? No professional ethos? Well that is true for almost all German journalists too, one way or the other (I know some of them.)
If I look into news reports, into so-called correspondents´ testimonies I will see that 99 out of 100 of those stories by design paint Russians as utterly bad, sub-human, or incompetent, the villain. Even if I were siding with Ukraine the absoluteness by which this bias is manifesting itself should be noticeable to any person. But it isn´t. Instead it´s all insanity.
Germany has been built on the foundation to prevent the rise of another fascist state. This is part and parcel of everyday culture. And yet what do we have now? The Green Party of all parties (but the CDU, FDP, SPD too to different extent) regularly welcome fascist Neonazi Army commanders and ideologues from Ukraine in Berlin and elswehere. People who call Russian cockroaches, who call for the destruction of Russia and what not.
And those are the same strata who, were it possible, German leadership would want to provide with nuclear bombs to threaten and attack Russia if somehow possible without blowing up the world.
Germany would have zero qualms with a second genocide against Slavs in Russia.
I wouldn´t have believed this is possible until I saw Gaza.
As Craig wrote 1,5 years ago: We are the bad guys.
Since all these are not isolated cases. This is systemic and I fear endemic in German society, and Europe at large.
Historians spew hatred and racism againt Russians.
The entire intellectual apparatus of this country of 80M people has turned into a warmongering, cunning beast.
The duplicitous lies and embarrassing stupidity, incompetence, dishonesty and opportunism are shocking to the bone.
To this day countless government buildings, state and local level have 2 flags raised day and night: The flag of Ukraine and the flag of Israel.
Do Ukrainians commit war crimes too? Oh yes they do. You can bet your sweet life on it. But I read not a single word about that here. And if I were a naive reporter who wanted to bring that story guess what would happen.
As Noam Chomsky said already in 2022: The anti-RU propaganda now is worse than during WWII.
” In essence Ukraine is a terrorist state holding its population hostage or brainwashing them.
Those who oppose are either silenced or killed. ”
Evidence?
There are two similarities with the invasion of Iraq and Ukraine; both were illegal under international law, done solely for purposes of regime change, and neither country represented any threat to its neighbours.
Had Iraq carried out any terror attacks inside the UK or the US then the authorities would’ve pursued those responsible and some appropriate retaliation might’ve been carried out. Nobody would be seriously talking about using nuclear weapons, massive missile strikes on the civilian population or attacks on Iraq’s supporters which I believe included the Soviet Union.
What really lies behind all this is that Russia, like all bullies, doesn’t like it when their victim strikes back. Ukraine’s brilliantly planned and executed operation has been a major embarrassment, unable to do anything else the bully is crying ‘foul’.
Spider Web has similarities with SAS raids on German airfields in North Africa only using trucks and drones instead of jeeps and machine guns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN3slNIjVTk
“Had Iraq carried out any terror attacks inside the UK or the US then the authorities would’ve pursued those responsible and some appropriate retaliation might’ve been carried out. Nobody would be seriously talking about using nuclear weapons, massive missile strikes on the civilian population or attacks on Iraq’s supporters which I believe included the Soviet Union.”
Nobody is seriously talking about using nuclear weapons, massive missile strikes on the civilian population or attacks on Ukraine’s supporters as a result of the terrorist attacks on the railways, except a few keyboard warriors. I’m glad that you have come round to the idea that the attacks on the railways were terrorist attacks. Maybe you would like another opportunity to explain your reasoning behind your view that, when a Russian attack kills Ukranian civilians as well as military personnel, the civilians are the target and the military are the collateral damage, but when a Ukranian attack kills only civilians, the civilians are the collateral damage? Is this some law of nature of which most people are unaware? Does it have something to do with the essential “brutality” of the Russians?
Biggest attack of the war directed at Kharkiv.
Residential buildings and hospitals struck.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/30/russian-drone-attacks-on-kharkiv-east-ukraine-kill-two-and-injure-dozens
Ukraine attacks Russian civilians by blowing up a railway bridge in front of a train. The result: 97 were injured during the incident — 7 remain in serious condition, including 4 children.
Russia attacks 140 districts in Ukraine: this results in 35 people being hospitalised including five children. Whether any of these 35 were military is not stated, but we can assume that they were not all civilians as it would have said.
Please now explain why, in the first attack, the civilians were only collateral damage and in the second attack they were the primary target. I realise that you might not be able to do this and so, if you don’t reply, I will understand.
Arrest of BBC team by IDF at Syrian border:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603506/media
“Israeli Defense Forces detained, blindfolded, tied up and strip-searched at gunpoint seven members of a BBC Arabic crew as they approached the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, a BBC journalist said on Thursday.”
They threatened them if any photos were published.
Interesting concept. What would IDF do if for some insane reason Western media would send their so-called high-profile non-Arabic anchors to Gaza? Shoot them? Such act of “bravery” would be the only single reason to respect those TV reporters. But such folks prefer the hotel and the restaurant with politicians at the same table and sharing the same Learjet.
What did the Zionists threaten to do to them if their photos were published? Mr Kilani is British too.
Work here for both Lammy (protection of a British citizen abroad) and MI5 surely (possible threat by foreign state to murder someone on Britain)?
What’s the insurer’s advice? Incidentally who is the insurer? Someone in Daniel Bethlehem’s chambers might know.
You are closer to the source than I am. And are better informed on the BBC for sure.
I found it noteworthy because of the BBC being involved.
It appears someone did not stick to the rules to prevent such incidents which reveal the truth in unplanned ways. The exact nature of the threat was not mentioned I think…
I’m finding it difficult to think of a reason why anyone would get such trusted work with the BBC unless they were a certified poshboy-checked ar*ehole. The insurance policy for each of them is probably larger than the payment the employee receives.
MI6 have got themselves in trouble in Gaza before.
Can anyone confirm if the House of Commons has had a vote, excepting Jeremy Corbyn’s recent private members bill seeking a Public Enquiry into UK support for Israel ? Has the Commons had an opportunity to vote on the Gaza genocide either from October 2023 or following the initial ICJ hearing which then interim measures to prevent genocide (26/01/2024) ? I know the the SNP had one of their Opposition days dedicated to debating Gaza which they wanted to culminate with a vote calling for a ceasefire. This Opposition day was sabotaged by the Speaker commentators have claimed. Have there been any votes since February 2024 on the Gaza genocide since then ? If not then what a democracy we live in !
Mr Murray please be careful in trying to go to the US. You do not need to be detained by ICE and then deported. I would hate to see you in an El-Salvador prison !
No, there have been no subsequent votes by British MPs.
In February 2024 the Speaker allowed British MPs to dodge having to vote on the SNP motion, which called for an immediate ceasefire and described the attacks on Gaza as “collective punishment” .
He ignored all convention to allow them to vote instead for a Labour amendment to an SNP opposition day motion. British MPs overwhelmingly backed the amended motion which called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” and did not use the phrase collective punishment.
Across the board, the British media applauded Starmer’s intervention as responsible and condemned the wording of the SNP in as irresponsible.
Since then, almost 16 months ago, the Gaza holocaust has ground steadily on without another vote in the British Parliament, despite every member knowing the Genocide is being significantly abetted by the UK Government.
This poem is addressed in the first instance to my UK confrères.
End the Genocide: Écrasez l’Infame
We are Slaves,
Criminals, accomplices,
Accomplices to criminals.
Slaves to a slave of a slave who defied
his Master.
Slaves keep their Master. They earn
The Master’s keep, through labour.
We are Slaves,
Criminals, accomplices,
Accomplices to criminals.
Slaves to a slave of a slave who defied
his Master, and devoured the Old World.
Who pays for the feast and the fatted calf
The Slaves care for? Slaves have no say
on apportion. No representation. Look at the floor
or runaway, if you are not surveilled by your Overseer.
The May flowers are gone. June’s torment
and Genocide ripen.
We are Slaves,
Criminals, accomplices,
Accomplices to criminals.
Slaves to a slave of a slave who defied
his Master.
Palsied, forgetful, unsteady, the old Master
Barks demanding his daily foaming draft,
Tended, by the beguiling nurse who pours, pours,
The fresh crushed juice of fruit and berries, tart,
A recommended dose of “Aqua Vita”.
How provocatively she bends over.
We are Slaves,
Criminals, accomplices,
Accomplices to criminals.
Slaves to a slave of a slave who defied
his Master, now infirm of age, yet leering.
Breakfasting: Drinking the blood of babies
Whose severed limbs and heads are scattered
In the kitchen. The Master’s sharpened knives are dripping.
Masticating the shredded flesh of women
With bone powdered leavened bread.
We are Slaves,
Criminals, accomplices,
Accomplices to criminals.
Slaves to a slave of a slave who defied
his Master, whose nurse’s brother is the chef there.
The screams from the kitchen, disturb the house-slaves
Who tremble and half-faint, returning the dishes.
Who pays for all this? The nurse and chef
Live together rent free. They are paid.
We are Slaves,
Criminals, accomplices,
Accomplices to criminals.
Slaves to a slave of a slave who defied
his Master.
Slave to a slave what will raise us?
To defy our slave-master’s Slave-Master ?
Veto their claim to overrule us,
Jubilation, Manumission can’t harm us.
Necessity’s harness, resisting their weakness,
To topple his vote is your greatness !
Nice Work X
Thanks Brian. I appreciate that.
Best wishes.
@Stevie Boy
@Jack
“Here’s another sickening poll, IMO, for you Jack, but a bit closer to home.
https://wingsoverscotland.com/a-butterfly-on-absinthe/#more-151450 ”
Labour may have won yesterday’s Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, but as usual the journalists and other commenters have been swarming like a herd. First they said Reform were going to smash it (possibly because traffic lights in Larkhall had already changed to red, amber, and blue), and then, once the result came in, they said everybody else was styooopid for thinking Reform were going to smash it.
But acktchooerly…
… a reasonably accurate summary of the changes in voteshare in the constituency is that Reform took 2/3 of the Tory vote and 1/3 of the SNP vote, while Labour stood still. And if something close to that is repeated in next year’s Scottish general election, then it WILL be a question of SNP versus Reform, with Labour in third place. Which of course would be an excellent result for Reform.
But then what? An arrangement between SNP and Lab? Or could it be an arrangement between SNP and Reform? After all, they both think Nationalism’s where it’s at. But it’s not very “changey” to go into coalition with an already governing party that many want to see the back of.
To my mind another example of the political stupidity of the average British voter. As Labour are the current government and given what they are doing it’s hard to fathom why anyone would vote for them.
However, OTOH, the turnout was only 44.1% and the top three got roughly 30% each or 13% of the overall electorate. Hardly big cheese !
https://wingsoverscotland.com/the-jokers/#more-151569
“Tory leader says the quiet part out loud, admitting that both Israel and Ukraine are fighting for the West”
https://www.jonathan-cook.net/2025-06-02/badenoch-britain-gaza-proxy-war/