Tootfinder

Russia has intensified the nuclear rhetoric, but that does not mean that we are close to nuclear war. In this video I discuss why #Russia is unlikely to use nuclear weapons in #Ukraine. The short version is that it would make the situation even worse for Russia itself, and that it wouldn't le…

The argument for why Russia won't use nukes
Lately, there has been a resurgence in the nuclear threats from Russia after a period of more calm rhetoric. In this video I explain why it is unlikely that Russia will actually use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Too many people think of nukes as a kind of wonder weapon where

Russia – Ukraine war latest news and updates from the General Staff of Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/12/russia-ukraine-war.html

#russia declares Estonian PM Kaja Kallas a 'wanted' person. Are they preparing another “special military operation”?
https://www.dw.com/en/russia-declares-esto

Russia declares Estonian PM Kaja Kallas a 'wanted' person
The criminal charges reportedly relate to the destruction of Soviet-era monuments. Kaja Kallas has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine defending itself against the Russian invasion.

A US official says the OFAC is investigating several US and foreign companies for shipments of chips with military applications that ultimately end up in Russia (Bloomberg)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/20

US Treasury’s Sanctions Office Probes Companies Over Chips in Russia’s War
The Treasury’s sanctions office is investigating several US and foreign companies for shipments of chips with military applications that ultimately end up in Russia, according to a US official.

⚛️ Russia Leverages Its Nuclear Expertise in Africa
https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Nuclear-Power/Russia-Leverages-Its-Nuclear-Expertise-in-Africa.html

Russia Leverages Its Nuclear Expertise in Africa
Despite Western sanctions, Russia is leveraging its nuclear expertise to forge economic alliances in Africa, capitalizing on the continent's energy needs and ambitions for clean energy development.

#SouthAfrica has two potential kingmaker political parties that directly and formally support #Russia, despite its increasingly hot nuclear rhetoric.
So even a change in government away from the supposedly Russia-neutral ANC later this year will likely still see SA foreign policy in support of #StrangeloveRussia.
Phillip de Wet | Russia is going feral. 20% of South Africans apparently think it is the good guy
https://www.news24.com/news24/opinions/columnists/phillipdewet/phillip-de-wet-russia-is-going-feral-20-of-south-africans-apparently-think-it-is-the-good-guy-20240510

Georgia is on the verge of turning back to Russia   | The Hill
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4657043-georgia-is-on-the-verge-of-turning-back-to-russia/

Georgia is on the verge of turning back to Russia  
Authoritarianism may be in Georgia’s political future, and that is a scary thought.  

Russia – Ukraine war latest news and updates from the General Staff of Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/12/russia-ukraine-war.html

Boris Kagarlitsky ha scritto dal carcere una lettera aperta a sostegno di una campagna di solidarietŠ con i prigionieri politici di sinistra in Russia:
«Un numero significativo di coloro che sono dietro le sbarre per le loro convinzioni politiche appartiene a organizzazioni di sinistra. Socialisti, comunisti e anarchici, così come democratici di sinistra che non sono membri di alcun partito o organizzazione, sono costantemente vittime della macchina repressiva.
«Ogni caso ha le s…

Russia, Boris Kagarlitsky, solidarietà con i prigionieri politici di sinistra
Da una prigione russa, il sociologo Boris Kagarlitsky ha scritto questa lettera aperta a sostegno di un’ampia campagna di solidarietà con i prigionieri politici di sinistra in Russia.Lo stess…

“Russia has successfully relaunched its spy operations against the West after hundreds of its operatives were ejected following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to analysts. They warn that the Kremlin is using a network of proxies to infiltrate European nations and carry out a range of intelligence operations.”

Russia Steps Up Spy War on West
Analysts say Moscow is using proxies to infiltrate many European countries.

This is exactly my take on Russian influence operations in the west, facilitated by money. Except that I would expect the numbers to be much higher, as the ROI for Putin is considerable, eg the benefits they got just this year from preventing additional US aid to Ukraine.
https://

Russia Is Buying Politicians in Europe. Is It Happening Here Too?
A former CIA officer explains how a vast, pro-Putin corruption network uncovered in Europe is a warning sign for the U.S.

Patrushev was arguably the most powerful man in Russia after Putin so it will be interesting to see what happens to him...
#russia #patrushev #putin

Once again, Russia's strategy is to assume #Ukraine will run out of bullets before Russia runs out of soldiers.
And thanks to Russian assets Donald Trump and Speaker Johnson, it may work.
Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to world security, and should be treated as such.

The dishonest spending rhetoric that masks Trump’s Russia sympathies
What Trump says at his campaign rallies are things that he believes his base will enjoy.
The line about how NATO doesn’t pay its bills — a negative, dishonest framing — has been used for years as a way to shrug at the United States’ commitment to the alliance.
But now, even as members have improved relative to both metrics NATO establishes and even as Russia’s hostile ambitions are much more immediately …

Analysis | The dishonest spending rhetoric that masks Trump’s Russia sympathies
The former president’s stated willingness to throw NATO allies overboard is very obviously not actually about spending.

Fascinating look at a sprawling, likely Russian misinformation campaign that has been urging journalists to cover fake stories that are branded as coming from legit news organizations.
Why Is 404 Media Included in a Fake Netflix Trailer Made by Russia?
https://www.404media.co/why-is-404-media-included-in-a-fake-netflix-trailer-made-by-russia/

Putin’s Russia: first arrests under new anti-LGBT laws mark new era of repression - Global Comment https://globalcomment.com/putins-russia-first-arrests-under-new-anti-lgbt-laws-mark-new-era-of-repression/

Putin’s Russia: first arrests under new anti-LGBT laws mark new era of repression - Global Comment
Sergey Katsuba, University College Dublin Just over three decades after Russia decriminalised homosexuality in 1993, three people have been arrested and charged under the country’s harsh new anti-LGBT laws and could face ten years in prison for membership of an “extremist organisation”. The arrests are a clear indication of how Russia has come full circle

Russia attacks 106 infrastructure facilities in Ukraine in one day: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/12/russia-attacks-infrastructure.html

A US official says the OFAC is investigating several US and foreign companies for shipments of chips with military applications that ultimately end up in Russia (Bloomberg)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/20

US Treasury’s Sanctions Office Probes Companies Over Chips in Russia’s War
The Treasury’s sanctions office is investigating several US and foreign companies for shipments of chips with military applications that ultimately end up in Russia, according to a US official.

Russia declares Estonian PM Kaja Kallas a 'wanted' person | DW News - DW News
"The Kremlin says it placed her on the wanted list for taking hostile actions against Russia – and what it calls "the desecration of historical memory". Moscow has long criticized Estonia for removing Soviet-era monuments. Estonia's state secretary and Lithuania's culture minister are also on the list. Kallas has been a vocal support of Ukraine since Russia's invasion."…

Russia attacks 106 infrastructure facilities in Ukraine in one day: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/12/russia-attacks-infrastructure.html

Robert Reich on post.news: "In 2016 Trump invited Russia to hack his opponent’s emails. In 2024, he invited Russia to do “whatever they hell they want" in Europe. Trump is a dangerous stooge for Putin. He shouldn’t be let anywhere near the Oval Office again."
https://post.news/@/rbreich/…

Post Article
In 2016 Trump invited Russia to hack his opponent’s emails. In 2024, he invited Russia to do “whatever they hell they want" in Europe. Trump is a dangerous stooge for Putin. He shouldn’t be let anywhere near the Oval Office again.

🖐️ Report details how Russia obtains Starlink terminals for war in Ukraine
#russia

Report details how Russia obtains Starlink terminals for war in Ukraine
Russians buy from middlemen and "deliver SpaceX hardware to the front line."

General Staff: Russia has lost 484,030 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/13/general-staff-russia.html

It remains completely crazy that the US doesn't think it's a good idea that Ukraine strikes oil installations in Russia, while Russia keeps destroying civilian infrastructure like powerplants in Ukraine....
#Ukraine #USA

Russian missile, drone strike destroys Kyiv's largest power plant, damages two others - UPI.com
Russia unleashed mass aerial strikes against energy targets across Ukraine overnight knocking out one of the main power stations supplying Kyiv and damaging power infrastructure from Lviv and Odessa to Kharkiv.

General Staff: Russia has lost 482,290 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/12/general-staff-russia.html

France accuses Russia of a disinformation campaign in a key election year
https://apnews.com/article/france-russia-disinformation-campaign-websites-96de49e381cfa357fcd6d0e7d8ff1e48

"We must never take our freedom for granted"
The Mayor of the Norwegian border town located few kilometers from Russia highlighted unity against totalitarianism and fight for freedom in his speech on Liberation and Veterans Day.
https://thebare…

"We must never take our freedom for granted"
The Mayor of the Norwegian border town located few kilometers from Russia highlighted unity against totalitarianism and fight for freedom in his speech on Liberation and Veterans Day.

In 2017, Andrew Intrater donated $250,000 to Trump’s inauguration fund
and, a few months later, donated $35,000 to Trump’s reelection campaign.
Intrater is a cousin of Viktor Vekselberg, a Russian oligarch who was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 for his connections to Putin.
We know that oligarchs play an integral role in funding Russian influence operations.
One oligarch revealed to special counsel Robert Mueller that Putin held quarterly meetings with his oligarchs t…

Russia Is Buying Politicians in Europe. Is It Happening Here Too?
A former CIA officer explains how a vast, pro-Putin corruption network uncovered in Europe is a warning sign for the U.S.

General Staff: Russia has lost 452,760 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/13/general-staff-russia.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 426,870 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/general-staff-russia.html

Russia Seizes Country’s Largest Winemaker Amid Re-Nationalization Wave – RBC - The Moscow Times
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/04/11/russia-seizes-countrys-largest-winemaker-amid-re-nationalization-wav…

Russia Seizes Country’s Largest Winemaker Amid Re-Nationalization Wave – RBC
Russia has nationalized the country’s largest winemaker linked to an arrested billionaire whose business assets were confiscated earlier this year, the RBC news website reported Thursday, citing the tax service’s corporate database.

Vatican says Russia should take first steps toward negotiations with Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/12/vatican-says-russia.html

Russia, China, Iran start joint naval drill in Gulf of Oman: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/12/russia-china-iran.html

The good news for Ukraine is Russia will never be able to defend all it's refineries and similar installations against drone attacks, there are too many over a very large area. Also the attacks are good from a PR perspective, limited chance for civilian casualties, repairs will take time, spare parts are scarce etc
#Ukraine

Russia says it will not participate in Switzerland peace talks even if invited: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/russia-says-it.html

Ukraine will be outgunned by Russia 10 to 1 in weeks without US help, top Europe general says | AP News
https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-ammunition-military-b263dfaceef57fb2c1f74c53861734da

Ukraine will be outgunned by Russia 10 to 1 in weeks without US help, top Europe general says
The top general for U.S. forces in Europe has told Congress that Ukraine will be outgunned 10 to one by Russia within a matter of weeks if Congress does not find a way to approve sending more ammunition and weapons to Kyiv soon. The testimony on Wednesday from Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, head of U.S. European Command, and Celeste Wallander, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, comes as Congress enters a pivotal week for Ukraine. However, there’s no guarantee ai…

Russia claims 65 drones shot down over 6 regions overnight and morning: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/russia-claims-drones.html

Russia bans the entry of 2 Baltic PMs, other top officials: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/12/russia-bans-the.html

The good news for Ukraine is Russia will never be able to defend all it's refineries and similar installations against drone attacks, there are too many over a very large area. Also the attacks are good from a PR perspective, limited chance for civilian casualties, repairs will take time, spare parts are scarce etc
#Ukraine

Russia strikes Sumy Oblast, injuring 5 children, 1 adult: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/russia-strikes-sumy.html

Russia Wants to Next Winter Horrible for Us – Zelenskyy at the Local Councils Congress: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/13/russia-wants-to.html

Russia Prepares to Buy Petroleum in Kazakhstan, Attacks on Refineries Hit Hard: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/12/russia-prepares-to.html

Russia attacks 11 communities in Sumy Oblast: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/12/russia-attacks-communities.html

Russia claims killing 234 fighters while thwarting incursion from Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/russia-claims-killing.html

Russia attacks residential areas in Donetsk Oblast, killing 3: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/13/russia-attacks-residential.html

FT: Russia may be gearing up for large-scale offensive against Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/13/ft-russia-may.html

Russia Again Committed a Terrorist Attack. Does This Still Surprise Anyone? Daily Wrap-up: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/russia-again-committed.html

ISW: Russia deploying new Kh-69 cruise missile in escalating attacks on Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/13/isw-russia-deploying.html

Putin's Safe Space: Defeating Russia's Kharkiv Operation Requires Eliminating Russia's Sanctuary: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/13/putins-safe-space.html

Russian armed opposition forces launch armored incursion into Russia, take control of several villages in Kursk and Belgorod regions: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/12/russian-armed-opposition.html

Ukraine war latest: Russia launches large-scale attack, destroys critical energy infrastructure: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/11/ukraine-war-latest.html

Ukraine war latest: Russia producing 3 times more shells than US, Europe can provide to Ukraine, CNN says: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/11/ukraine-war-latest.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 481,030 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/11/general-staff-russia.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 450,890 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/11/general-staff-russia.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 424,980 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/11/general-staff-russia.html

Ukraine war latest: Russian anti-Kremlin militia break into Russia, claim to occupy villages: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/12/ukraine-war-latest.html

Media: Ukrainian drones attack 3 oil refineries in Russia, airfield in Voronezh Oblast: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/media-ukrainian-drones.html

Polish authorities detain and deport two Ukrainian journalists investigating Russia-Poland trade: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/polish-authorities-detain.html

What we know about ‘Siberian Battalion’ that reportedly crossed into Russia?: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/12/what-we-know.html

SBU detains spouse of former regional official, suspected of spying for Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/12/sbu-detains-spouse.html

Bloomberg: US sanctions office looks into chip supply companies over use in Russia's war: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/12/bloomberg-us-sanctions.html

“Concerned Russian Citizens Decided to Participate in Presidential Elections.” Interview with Freedom of Russia Legion Volunteer: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/concerned-russian-citizens.html

Russia, China, Iran to hold joint naval exercises in Gulf of Oman: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/11/russia-china-iran.html

CNN: Russia producing 3 times more shells than US, Europe can provide to Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/11/cnn-russia-producing.html

Russia claims capture of five villages in Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/11/russia-claims-capture.html

Russia must pay: Promote Ukraine demonstration demanding to seize frozen Russian assets: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/11/russia-must-pay.html

NATO VS Russia: Alliance is Preparing: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/11/nato-vs-russia.html

Russia claims to have captured 5 villages in Kharkiv region, Ukraine denies it: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/11/russia-claims-to.html

Russia shells 10 communities in Sumy Oblast: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/11/russia-shells-communities.html

Russia attacks 9 communities in Sumy Oblast: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/11/russia-attacks-communities.html

Russia attacks 9 communities in Sumy Oblast, killing 1, injuring 2: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/11/russia-attacks-communities.html

Flooding in Russia's Orenburg, Kurgan oblasts causes widespread destruction, mass evacuations: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/13/flooding-in-russias.html

Syrskyi: Russia's breakthrough attempt halted, situation in several sectors 'changing rapidly': https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/12/syrskyi-russias-breakthrough.html

Syrskyi: Russia's breakthrough attempt halted, situation in several sectors 'changing rapidly': https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/12/syrskyi-russias-breakthrough.html

Demand surges in Russia for counterfeit Ukrainian passports amid refugee status perks in the west: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/demand-surges-in.html

Food Blackmail — How Russia Turned Grain into a Weapon?: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/food-blackmail-how.html

Kharkiv Is the Main Target of Russia Now – Outages Are Critical in the City: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/11/kharkiv-is-the.html

The Invisible War: Ukraine, Russia locked in dizzying electronic warfare arms race shaping the battlefield: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/12/the-invisible-war.html

Fire reported at oil refinery in Russia's Ryazan Oblast: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/fire-reported-at.html

Syrskyi visits front line, says Russia failed to occupy new settlements: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/13/syrskyi-visits-front.html

Special Operation Strikes Back. Russia in the Heat of War. Daily Wrap-up: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/12/special-operation-strikes.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 424,060 troops in Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/10/general-staff-russia.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 479,710 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/10/general-staff-russia.html

Disturbing Number of Chemical Weapons Usage by Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/13/disturbing-number-of.html

Court in Russia rejects Google's appeal over $50 million fine related to Ukraine content: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/10/court-in-russia.html

Inside Ukraine’s Prisoner of War Negotiations with Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/12/inside-ukraines-prisoner.html

Inside Ukraine’s Prisoner of War Negotiations with Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/12/inside-ukraines-prisoner.html

Lukanov on Global Stability and Ukraine's Role in Defeating Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/13/lukanov-on-global.html

Germany Wants to Play a Major Role in Europe's Defence. What Is Russia's Reaction?: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/13/germany-wants-to.html

Asia Divided: Japan Supports Ukraine, While North Korea Sided with Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/12/asia-divided-japan.html

"Look at my beloved cat, it was burnt severely." Destruction in Vovchansk as Russia opens new front: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/13/look-at-my.html

The Counteroffensive: Inside Ukraine's prisoner of war negotiations with Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/13/the-counteroffensive-inside.html

Tajik foreign minister criticizes treatment of Moscow attack suspects, crackdown on Tajiks in Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/13/tajik-foreign-minister.html

Foreign Ministry summons Vatican diplomat following Pope's call for Ukraine to negotiate with Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/11/foreign-ministry-summons.html

Russia announces investigation into Ukrainian company Burisma, linked to Biden's son, for financing terrorism: https://benborges.xyz/2024/04/10/russia-announces-investigation.html

Day 748: Ukrainian drones target sites in nine Russian regions Ukrainian drones target sites in nine Russian regions. Fighters of the Freedom for Russia Legion cross the Russian border in tanks, conti Source : https://uacrisis.org/en/748

Kyiv: Russia uses new guided bombs in Myrnohrad attack: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/10/kyiv-russia-uses.html

Transnistria – will there be an escalation? The recent congress of deputies of all levels of Transnistria raised considerable fears about a new round of escalation of the conflict with Russia. There a Source : https://uacrisis.org/en/ukraine-in-flames-583

Military: Russia steps up use of poisonous chemicals in Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2024/03/10/military-russia-steps.html

Media claim Russia captures 4 border villages in Kharkiv Oblast, governor says no ground lost: https://benborges.xyz/2024/05/10/media-claim-russia.html