Here we go again-Ukraine once again

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Russia has once again gathered evidence showing it was UK diver which sabotaged the Nord Stream pipelines.

Russia Blames UK Navy For ‘Terror Attack’ On Nord Stream Pipelines; British MoD Calls It ‘Russian Distraction’

Russia has accused the UK of Nord Stream explosions in September this year, claiming the specialists from the British Royal Navy helped the Ukrainian military blow up the Nord Stream gas pipelines.

“According to available information, representatives of this unit of the British Navy took part in the planning, provision, and implementation of a terrorist attack in the Baltic Sea on September 26 this year – blowing up the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement on October 29.

Russia and the US-led Western countries have been pointing fingers at each other over the explosions of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea that carry gas from Russia to Europe.

As EurAsian Times reported earlier, NATO countries led by the US claim that Russia could have been behind the explosions, but they have refrained from making any official remark.

The cause was “apparent sabotage,” said Jake Sullivan, America’s national security adviser. It was “deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible,” declared NATO.

Even Sweden, under whose economic zone the explosions took place, after concluding its investigations of the incident, only stated its “suspicions of gross sabotage” without naming any country for sabotage.

Now Moscow has squarely accused the UK of blowing up the gas pipelines by alleging the involvement of British Navy Specialists in the “planning, provision and implementation” of the attack.

The UK, on its part, denied the accusations leveled by Russia, saying they were designed as a distraction from Russia’s military failures in Ukraine.

“To detract from their disastrous handling of the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Ministry of Defence is resorting to peddling false claims of an epic scale,” it said. “This invented story says more about arguments going on inside the Russian government than it does about the West,” the UK Ministry of Defense said.

Russia’s accusations were a part of its official statement relating to a massive drone attack carried out by Ukraine on the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol, damaging at least two Russian warships.

Massive Attack On Sevastopol

According to the Russian defense ministry, 16 drones were involved in the Sevastapol attack, including nine unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and seven autonomous maritime drones.

The governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, said that the attack on Sevastopol and the Black Sea Fleet was the biggest since the beginning of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.

The Russian Ministry said that the British specialists from the same unit involved in Nord Stream gas explosions also directed Ukrainian drone attacks on ships of the Russian Black Sea fleet in Crimea earlier on October 29.

“The preparation of this terrorist act and the training of military personnel of the Ukrainian 73rd Special Center for Maritime Operations were carried out under the guidance of British specialists located in the city of Ochakiv, Mykolaiv region of Ukraine,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The Russian Ministry claimed to have destroyed all nine UAVs and seven unmanned marine vehicles and reported minor damage to Ivan Golubets minesweeper of the Black Sea Fleet.

In addition to the Ivan Golubets minesweeper, OSINT reports based on the videos of the attack suggest the Ukrainian Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) filled with explosives also managed to hit a Project 11356R frigate (presumably Admiral Makarov).
https://eurasiantimes.com/russia-bla...lines-british/

[Jimbuna]

Next year, 43% of state budget will be allocated to army and security. INFOGRAPHICS

The draft law on the State Budget for 2023 is aimed at Ukraine’s victory in the war started against it by Russia.

This was reported by the head of the government, Denys Shmyhal, Censor.NET informs.

"The state budget for 2023 has been adopted! Do everything to bring victory closer. It was with this philosophy that we formed this budget. The priority of the 2023 budget is to ensure our victory. Therefore, we are directing 43% of all funds to the army and security of Ukraine. This is more than 1 trillion UAH A huge amount that will allow us to provide our heroes at the front with what they need.

The second priority will be social security. Pensions, assistance to internally displaced persons, subsidies, medicine, and education. In total, this is more than 30% of budget expenditures," the Prime Minister said.

According to Shmyhal, the budget provides for the creation of the Fund for the Liquidation of the Consequences of Russia's Armed Aggression. Its resource will be UAH 35 billion. We are sending UAH 16 billion to support business through the Entrepreneurship Development Fund.

"Despite the war, the Government does not plan to raise taxes. Instead, we are reducing expenditures on the state apparatus by more than UAH 10 billion. The country's own revenues next year will amount to UAH 1.3 trillion. Instead, expenditures are twice as large - UAH 2.6 trillion. We expect to close the deficit of 38 billion dollars mainly thanks to the support of our international partners. In particular, the European Union, the United States, and the IMF," the Prime Minister concluded. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3378140

[Jimbuna]

Ukraine will not participate in G20 summit if Putin is there, - Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes that his position remains unchanged, and Ukraine will not participate in the G20 summit in Bali if Russian Federation president Putin is there.

He stated this at a joint briefing with the President of Greece, Kateryna Sakellaropoulou, in Kyiv, Censor.NET reports with reference to Ukrinform.

"I do not follow the participation of others in the G20 summit. My personal position and the position of Ukraine was that if the leader of the Russian Federation will participate, then Ukraine will not participate. Let's see how it will be in the future," the head of state said.

Zelensky reminded that he had a telephone conversation with the President of Indonesia that day, and before that, there were several conversations and the visit of the Indonesian leader to Ukraine in the spring.

"In any case, we were invited again today. We'll see again - there are a few days left," said the President. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3378141

Switzerland did not allow Germany to transfer ammunition for "Gepard" to Ukraine

The Swiss government did not give its consent for the transfer to Ukraine of ammunition for the "Gepard" anti-aircraft tanks, which Germany once purchased from Bern.

This is reported by Reuters, Censor.NET informs.

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht last month asked the government in Bern to allow the delivery of 12,400 Swiss-made munitions for Gepard anti-aircraft guns, which Berlin has already supplied to Ukraine to help in its war with Russia. However, Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin gave the same response as the Swiss government in June, when it rejected an earlier request.

"According to the principle of equal treatment in the right to neutrality, Switzerland cannot agree to a request to transfer military equipment of Swiss origin to Ukraine while the latter is participating in an international armed conflict," the government said.

Therefore, Switzerland emphasized that it will not change its position regarding the re-export of its ammunition, equipment, or weapons.

"Since the legal situation remains unchanged, agreement on the transfer of Swiss military equipment by Germany to Ukraine is still impossible," the agency added. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3378151

[Jimbuna]

If Russia uses nuclear weapons, it will cease to exist as state, - Zelensky

If Russia uses nuclear weapons, it will not exist.

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky at a joint briefing with the President of Greece, Kateryna Sakellaropoulou, Censor.NET reports with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.

"If this happens, "the world we live in will no longer exist. It will be a completely different world. But a state that will use nuclear weapons will definitely not exist," he said.

"And it will not only be a question of someone responding to nuclear strikes, but the question will be in the state itself. They will not hold back their state or political positions in the middle of the state. They will understand the revolutionary processes in the middle of it," Zelensky added.

According to the head of state, he does not take it seriously.

"Although looking at the steps taken by the military and political leadership of Russia on our land, these steps cannot be called adequate or really military either," he said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3378154

Russian occupiers shelled terminal of Chinese corporation in port of Mykolaiv - 17 thousand tons of oil were destroyed, - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Russian Federation launched a missile attack on a terminal leased by a Chinese corporation, as a result of which 17,000 tons of sunflower oil were destroyed.

As reported by Censor.NET, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleh Nikolenko, announced this on Facebook.

"The Russian Federation launched a missile attack on a terminal leased by a Chinese corporation in the Mykolaiv seaport, as a result of which 17,000 tons of sunflower oil worth $26 million were destroyed. Another terminal owned by China is under threat of attack," Nikolenko said.

According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs constantly draws the attention of the international community to Russia's purposeful destruction of agricultural terminals in Ukraine as part of the Kremlin's strategy to undermine global food security.

"The shelling of the Chinese terminal in the port of Mykolaiv once again confirms the importance of intensifying efforts on the part of Beijing to end Russia's war against Ukraine. We call on the Chinese side to demand from Moscow an immediate end to attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure to protect, including the property of Chinese enterprises," Nikolenko urged. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3378167

Armed Forces of Ukraine have every opportunity to liberate Kherson, - Austin

The United States has no doubts that the Ukrainian forces have enough strength and means to restore control over the territories on the right bank of the Dnipro River, directly in the city of Kherson.

As Censor.NET informs, with reference to Ukrinform, US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin said this on Thursday during a press conference at the Pentagon.

"As for the issue of whether the Ukrainians can take the territories that remain (under the control of the occupiers - ed.) on the west bank of the Dnieper in Kherson, I certainly believe that they can do this," the US Defense Minister emphasized.

However, more important, according to him, is the confidence of the Ukrainians themselves that they have all the opportunities to liberate their own territories.

"We have seen how they have implemented very methodical and effective efforts to regain their sovereign territory. I think you will see how they will continue their onslaught until they gain a foothold in the territories on the west bank of the river," the US defense minister noted. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3378178

[Rockstar]

Unconfirmed: people driving around Kherson city, are reporting all roadblocks, and soldiers are gone. Flags are taken down from governement buildings. Defensive positions north of the city are abbandoned

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Unconfirmed: people driving around Kherson city, are reporting all roadblocks, and soldiers are gone. Flags are taken down from governement buildings. Defensive positions north of the city are abbandoned

[Rockstar]

Yes it could be, but not sure why Russians would destroy the dam. My understanding is Kherson metro area would not be affected by flooding and Crimea would lose its primary water source. Russia is already on everyone’s sheet list and I figure not wanting to make global opinion of them any worse that it is already.

But then I never thought they would invade Ukraine either. So there’s no doubt my opinion above could be just as wrong.

[mapuc]

Or UA forces moves in and then Russia nuke the city-Kherson

Markus

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by mapuc

Or UA forces moves in and then Russia nuke the city-Kherson

Markus

That thought crossed my mind too.

[Rockstar]

Russia’s Kherson retreat plan ‘well advanced,’ says Western official

Russian collaborators also say troops are likely to retreat across the Dnipro River, but the Ukrainian military is wary of ‘tricks.’

https://www.politico.eu/article/russ...tern-official/

LONDON — Russia has prepared the groundwork for withdrawing its troops from Kherson, the largest Ukrainian city its forces have occupied since the February invasion, a Western official said.

In the last couple of weeks, the Ukrainian army has made “spectacular” advances in its campaign to regain territory occupied by the Russians, who have been forced to move to a more defensive position and are “critically short of munitions,” the official said Thursday.

Russia is now believed to have temporarily bolstered its forces near Kherson to cover a retreat to the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, and has also ordered civilians to evacuate from occupied areas on the western bank.

“We are confident in our previous warnings that the prospects of Russian military withdrawal from their Kherson bridgehead,” the official said. “Planning is almost certainly well advanced.”

Kirill Stremousov, the deputy head of Kherson’s Moscow-installed administration, told Russian state television on Thursday that Russian troops could move across the Dnipro in the coming days.

“Most likely, our units, our troops will go to the left bank part of the Kherson region,” he said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also struck an upbeat note on impending Ukrainian advances.

“On the issue of whether or not the Ukrainians can take the remaining territory on the west side of the Dnieper river in Kherson, I certainly believe that they have the capability to do that,” Austin told a press conference. “Most importantly, the Ukrainians believe they have the capability to do that. We have seen them engage in a very methodical but effective effort to take back their sovereign territory.”

Rumors about a potential Russian withdrawal from Kherson city swirled around Thursday after pictures were posted on social media platforms showing the Russian flag was missing from the main administrative building in the city. However, footage on the Telegram channel showed Russian flags flying from other official buildings.

There is some caution about those reports from Ukrainian authorities.

Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern military command, said it could be a Russian “trick.”

“This may be a provocation in order to create the impression that settlements have been abandoned, that it is safe to enter them,” she told Ukrainian television. “Considering the fact that they have been preparing for street battles for a long time, the way they position their units, we are aware of the planned tactics and should not be in a hurry to rejoice.”

The Western official cautioned that any decision to retreat “is more about Russians making long-term strategic decisions about where is best to defend in order to be effective, maintain their own munitions supplies, maintain their troop levels and set themselves for the winter.

“I think in their judgement, they have decided that Kherson city is not worth fighting for, that that natural defensive barrier of the river is extremely valuable to them.”

Kherson Oblast is one of four Ukrainian regions illegally annexed last month by Russia following sham referendums.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to present any withdrawal as an evacuation rather than a retreat. Russian special forces might continue to operate on the western bank of the river even after a withdrawal, the official warned.

In Kherson, “it’s likely that most echelons of [Russian] command have now withdrawn across the river, leaving demoralized and leaderless men to face Ukrainian assaults,” the official added.

Any retreat would be likely to trigger another uptick in criticism of Putin’s leadership from Russian nationalists and could affect his credibility, the official added.

A Russian withdrawal from Kherson would bolster moral in Kyiv and across Ukraine. However Ukrainian forces are unlikely to be able this winter to retake the Crimean Peninsula, occupied by Russian troops since 2014 and also illegally annexed.

The weather is about to turn rainier and frostier, which will likely slow down the fighting, and the Ukrainians would still have to cross the Dnipro and face a well-fortified Russian defensive line on their way to Crimea, the official said.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Yes it could be, but not sure why Russians would destroy the dam. My understanding is Kherson metro area would not be affected by flooding and Crimea would lose its primary water source.

The map here - as just one of many sources to give you an illustration. https://twitter.com/rybar_en/status/1583144840283697152

And here:
https://cornucopia.se/2022/10/worst-...vka-dam-break/

Russia is already on everyone’s sheet list

Is it? India, Brazil both with Bolsonaro or Lula, China, Indonesia, Iran, Latin America, even Israel, South Africa, refuse to confront them, and countries with over 65% of globla population refuse to confront hem, often even siding with them. The western cause is a minority cause in this war. Not even all European countries have clearly distanced themselves. Even many Republicans want to reduce support to Ukraine.

and I figure not wanting to make global opinion of them any worse that it is already.

They do not care and nenver did, clearly to be seen in the hate dripping inhumane comments their agitaors spread, as well as in the notoriuous war crimes they commit.

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

Total combat losses of Russian Federation since beginning of war - about 74,840 people (+840 per day), 1,450 UAVs, 2,750 tanks, 1,772 artillery systems, 5,580 armored vehicles. INFOGRAPHICS

The Russian occupiers, who invaded the territory of Ukraine, continue to suffer losses. As of the morning of November 4, the loss of enemy personnel are approximately 74,840.

This is reported by Censor.NET with reference to the press center of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As noted, 840 occupiers and 28 armored vehicles per day are "not a record, but powerful." The enemy suffered the greatest losses in the Lyman and Avdiivka directions.

According to the General Staff, the total combat losses of the enemy from 24/02 to 04/11 are approximately:

personnel - about 74,840 (+840) people were liquidated
tanks - 2750 (+16) units,
armored combat vehicles - 5580 (+28) units,
artillery systems - 1772 (+17) units,
MLRS - 391 (+1) units,
air defense equipment - 201 (+3) units,
aircraft - 277 (+0) units,
helicopters - 258 (+0) units,
UAV of operational-tactical level - 1450 (+8),
cruise missiles - 397 (+0),
ships/boats - 16 (+0) units,
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 4174 (+12) units,
special equipment - 155 (+1). Source: https://censor.net/en/n3378232

[Jimbuna]

Scholz at meeting with Xi Jinping: Russia’s war against Ukraine creates many problems for world order

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to Spiegel.

During the meeting with Xi Jinping, Scholz turned his attention to the war.

"I want to emphasize Russia's war against Ukraine, which creates many problems for our rules-based world order," the Chancellor of Germany said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3378254