Russian Foreign Ministry Statement on Response to Anti-Russian Sanctions Decisions of the European Union

The sanctions policy of the European Union towards Russia goes beyond all boundaries. After the start of a special military operation in Ukraine, Brussels massively and arbitrarily subjected Russian citizens and domestic companies to unilateral restrictions. Ignoring all applicable international legal norms, they post their personal data in the public domain. On the go, they invent absurd extra-legal "criteria" for further replenishment of this list.

In trying to portray our country as the culprit of a systemic European security crisis, Brussels European officials refuse to admit that over the years they have condoned the strengthening of Russophobic and neo-Nazi sentiment in Ukraine, its militarization and integration into NATO efforts to contain Russia militarily. Despite our repeated appeals, they indulged the sabotage by the Kiev regime of the Minsk “Package of Measures” and the strangulation of Russian-speaking people in Ukraine. They turned a blind eye to the systematic extermination of civilians in Donbass.

Now, instead of drawing lessons from what happened, in Brussels, out of inertia, they are following a dead end path of introducing restrictive measures against Russia. Moreover, they are trying to involve other sovereign countries in these senseless and illegitimate efforts from the international legal point of view, which are fraught with a further escalation of tension in Europe and the world, contrary to their national interests. They are subjected to unprecedented pressure and blackmail.

As in the case of other manifestations of the “hybrid war” declared by the West against Russia, Russian citizens and Russian-speaking residents of foreign countries, as well as the leading companies of our country, the EU’s calculation is obvious - to force us to retreat from our vital interests. All this is part of the policy of the collective West to contain Russia, attempts to subordinate its development to the goal of restoring its undivided global dominance, to deny our country the provision of its own security, the protection of national interests and the right to build an independent and creative agenda on the world stage.

The events of recent weeks prove that these efforts are futile.

By its actions, the European Union not only leads to a dead end in relations with Russia, but also endangers the well-being and security of its own citizens, as well as the stability of the global financial and economic system.

In response to the massive unilateral sanctions of the European Union, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, which is basic for international law, the Russian side has significantly expanded the list of representatives of EU member states and European structures, which, in accordance with the Federal Law "On the procedure for leaving the Russian Federation and entering the Russian Federation" from August 15, 1996 No. 114-FZ entry into the territory of our country is prohibited.

The restrictions apply to the top leadership of the European Union, incl. a number of European commissioners and heads of EU military structures, as well as the vast majority of deputies of the European Parliament promoting anti-Russian policies. The response Russian "blacklist" also includes high-ranking officials, including representatives of the governments and parliaments of some EU member states, as well as public figures and media workers who are personally responsible for promoting illegal anti-Russian sanctions, inciting Russophobic sentiments, infringing on the rights and freedoms of the Russian-speaking population.

The corresponding note verbale of the Russian Foreign Ministry, informing about this step, was submitted to the EU Delegation in Moscow.

We reaffirm that any hostile actions on the part of the EU and its member states will continue to be inevitably met with a harsh response.

The Ukrainian De-Nazification Operation - 9 Metres!

A little more information has come out about the missile strike on the NATO mercenary forward base at Yarovorsky. The base was struck by at most eight caliber missiles, which were used to take out the barracks, command facilities and weapons stores. There was however one other component in the strike that was not mentioned in the initial reports - a single Iskander ballistic missile was used to take out the concrete 'nuclear bunker' at the site where strategic weapons were stored. NATO had expected that subterranean weapons store, sunk nine metres below the ground encased in reinforced concrete, would be safe from any Russian strike, but they were very wrong. No wonder there is panic in Washington and NATO.

When surviving mercenaries starting reporting the strike in the days afterwards, they invariably talked of 'thousands' of casualties. I put this down to exaggeration and the fog of war. Initial reports were of a few hundred casualties, but the number has quietly increasing. We won't the truth of the matter until after the war is over, but I now believe the numbers are actually on the higher side and included a large number of NATO officers.

The results of similar missile strikes on barracks and troop agglomerations have been devastating. The footage below is from a TOR-1 thermobaric weapon strike on a Ukrainian bunker. Thermobaric weapons were developed especially to annihilate troops in fortified positions. The fireball created by the explosive is so intense that it consumes all the oxygen in the surrounding area, with the resulting shock wave bursting soldier's lungs.


Mariupol

Mariupol is nearing the end game. DPR and Chechen special forces began a clearing operation in Mariupol on Friday 25th March 2022. The nazi Azov Battalion hold outs were given to midnight to surrender. No quarter would be given after that time. Some units fought to their destruction but others dropped their uniforms and attempted to slip away among the evacuating civilians. Most were caught, identified by their tattoos or reported by the civilians they were using as cover. Azov's treatment of Mariupol's residents has been so appalling that there is no love lost on them. The house to house search is exposing many horrors of torture and murder on a mass scale. Destruction within the city is terrible, in part due to the Russian's having to fight street by street, but also because Azov have carved a swathe of destruction in their wake, blowing up buildings and infrastructure as they go.

As clearing Mariupol involves house to house searching, it has gone very slowly. There is little coherent defence left as the Azov units have retreated into the vast Azovstahl steelworks. There is an ongoing debate whether to proceed with a clearing operation, with its attendent casualties, or simply annihilate the entire complex with stand-off weapons.

Interestingly, a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down attempting a landing at night at the Azovstahl works. This was obviously an attempt to evacuate a high value target from the doomed garrison. Someone is worried.

Nikolaev will be next for libertation after the Mariupol operation is completed. Ukrainian troops have pinned around the city outskirts for some time now and these are being reduced with Caliber missiles and MRLS. Within the city itself, a Caliber missile destroyed the regional administration building from where the city's defence was being coordinated. The missile strike was captured on the buildings own surveillance camera.

The result is devastation.

In all other theatres positional warfare is now largely over and the process of reducing the encircled troops continues to grind on. On 29th March 2022, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced that there would be a reduction in offensive operations in the area of Kiev and Chernigov. This was immediately seized on commentators in the west as proof that the Russian campaign is nearing collapse. This is moronic wishful thinking by idiots who don't understand the Russian strategy - pin down Ukrainian forces in the cities and on the battlefield and defeat them in detail. We are now at that point. Mariupol will cleared shortly and troops will move north to Nikolaev. Some units around Kiev and Chernigov will be repositioned to the south east to block the large Ukrainian force pinned down on the Donestk frontline, so that it can be destroyed. Russia's moves are calculated and rational.

There's lots of political and economic news to cover and this post has been delayed for days due to other commitments, so I will stop here and start a new post. In the meantime, I recommend B from Moon of Alabama's analysis of the Russian position. https://www.moonofalabama.org/2022/03/ukraine-sit-rep-part-ii-of-russias-military-operation-unfolds.html#more

Vladimir Putin's Executive Order regarding sales of gas in rubles

1. The Government of the Russian Federation, together with the Bank of Russia and the public joint-stock company Gazprom, are to implement a set of measures to change the currency of payment for natural gas supplies to the countries of the European Union and other countries that have introduced restrictive measures against citizens of the Russian Federation and Russian legal entities, for Russian ruble.
Report - March 31, 2022, then monthly.
Responsible: Mishustin M.V., Nabiullina E.S., Miller A.B.

2. For the purpose of implementing paragraph 1 of this list of instructions, the Government of the Russian Federation shall approve a directive to the representatives of the Russian Federation on the Board of Directors of Public Joint Stock Company Gazprom on amending existing contracts for the supply of natural gas in terms of changing the currency of payment under such contracts to the Russian ruble, with maintaining the supply volumes, prices and pricing principles established by the contracts.
Deadline - March 31, 2022
Responsible: Mishustin M.V.

3. The Bank of Russia, together with the Government of the Russian Federation, shall ensure the possibility of making payments that secure payment for natural gas under contracts converted to payment for supplies in the Russian ruble in accordance with paragraph 1 of this order, including the purchase of Russian rubles by natural gas buyers in the domestic foreign exchange market. Deadline - March 31, 2022
Responsible: Nabiullina E.S., Mishustin M.V.

Update 30 March 2022

As was predicted, Russia is formalizing the pricing of sale of resources in rubles and gold. Pavel Zavalny, Chairman of the Energy Committee of the State Duma, stated at a press conference at the Rossiya Segodnya MIA multimedia center:

“If they want to buy, let them pay either in hard currency, and this is gold for us, or pay as it is convenient for us, this is the national currency. As for friendly countries, China or Turkey, which are not involved in the sanctions pressure. We have been proposing to China for a long time to switch to settlements in national currencies for rubles and yuan. With Turkey, it will be lira and rubles. The set of currencies can be different and this is normal practice. You can also trade bitcoins. The question arises, why should we trade for this currency? In fact, then this currency turns into candy wrappers for us. And we must supply real material resources, while not being able to get paid for them.”

Immediately following Putin's announcement, the ruble gained against the dollar.

And on the reopening of the Moscow stock exchange, suspended since the Ukrainian operation, strong performance.

Ukraine Special Operation Update by General Sergei Rudskoy 25 March 2022

Speech of the Head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy

Source: https://eng.mil.ru/en/special_operation/news/more.htm?id=12414735@egNews

In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief since February 24 this year. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are conducting a special military operation.

Its main goal is to provide assistance to the people of the Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics, who have been subjected to genocide by the Kiev regime for 8 years.

It was impossible to achieve this goal by political means. Kiev has publicly refused to implement the Minsk agreements. The Ukrainian leadership twice in 2014 and 2015 tried to solve the so-called Donbass problem by military means, was defeated, but did not change its plans on resolving conflict by force in the East of the country. According to reliable data, the Armed Forces of Ukraine were completing the preparation of a military operation to take control of the territory of the people's republics.

In these conditions, it was possible to help the Donetsk and Lugansk republics only by providing them with military assistance. Which Russia has done.

There were two possible courses of action.

The first is to limit the territory to only the DPR and the LPR within the administrative borders of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, which is enshrined in the constitutions of the republics. But then we would be faced with constant feeding by the Ukrainian authorities of the grouping involved in the so-called joint force operation.

Therefore, the second option was chosen, which provides for actions throughout the territory of Ukraine with the implementation of measures for its demilitarization and denazification.

The course of the operation confirmed the validity of this decision.

It is conducted by the General Staff in strict accordance with the approved plan.

The tasks are carried out taking into account minimizing losses among personnel and minimizing damage to civilians.

With the beginning of a special military operation, air supremacy was won during the first two days.

Offensive actions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are carried out in various directions.

As a result, Russian troops blocked Kiev, Kharkov, Chernigov, Sumy and Nikolaev. Kherson and most of the Zaporozhye region are under full control.

The public and individual experts are wondering what we are doing in the area of blocked Ukrainian cities.

These actions are carried out with the aim of causing such damage to military infrastructure, equipment, personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the results of which allow not only to shackle their forces and do not give them the opportunity to strengthen their grouping in the Donbass, but also will not allow them to do so until the Russian army completely liberates the territories of the DPR and LPR.

Initially, we did not plan to storm them in order to prevent destruction and minimize losses among personnel and civilians.

And although we do not rule out such a possibility, however, as individual groups complete their tasks, and they are being solved successfully, our forces and means will concentrate on the main thing - the complete liberation of Donbass.

Significant territories of the Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics have also been liberated. The people's militia has taken control of 276 settlements that were previously under the control of the Ukrainian army and the national battalions.

Demilitarization of Ukraine is achieved both by high-precision strikes on military infrastructure facilities, locations of formations and military units, airfields, control points, arsenals and warehouses of weapons and military equipment, and by the actions of troops to defeat opposing enemy grouppings.

Currently, the Ukrainian air forces and the air defence system have been almost completely destroyed. The naval forces of the country ceased to exist.

16 main military airfields were defeated, from which combat sorties of the AFU aviation were carried out. 39 storage bases and arsenals were destroyed, which contained up to 70% of all stocks of military equipment, materiel and fuel, as well as more than 1 million 54 thousand tons of ammunition.

All 24 formations of the Land Forces that existed before the start of the operation suffered significant losses. Ukraine has no organized reserves left.

Losses are replenished at the expense of mobilized persons and personnel of the territorial defence forces who do not have the necessary training, which increases the risk of large losses.

At the time of the start of the special military operation, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with the National Guard, numbered 260 thousand 200 servicemen. During the month of hostilities, their losses amounted to about 30 thousand people, including more than 14 thousand - irretrievable and about 16 thousand - sanitary.

Of the 2,416 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles that were in combat on February 24, 1,587 units were destroyed; 636 units out of 1,509 field artillery guns and mortars; 163 out of 535 MLRS; 112 out of 152 aircraft, 75 out of 149 helicopters; 36 Bayraktar TB2 UAVs - 35;

180 out of 148 S-300 and Buk M1 air defence systems; 300 out of 117 radars for various purposes.

The AFU continue to use high-powered weapons indiscriminately against towns in Donbass. An example of this is the strikes by the Tochka-U missile system on the civilian population of Donetsk and Makeyevka.

In this regard, they are the primary targets.

As of today, 7 Tochka-U launchers have been destroyed, and 85% of missiles are in arsenals and in the air. This significantly limited Ukraine's capabilities for their combat use.

Since the beginning of hostilities, the Western countries have supplied the Kiev regime with 109 field artillery guns, 3,800 anti-tank weapons, including Javelin, Milan, Konkurs, NLAW ATGM, M-72, Panzerfaust-3, 897 Stinger and Igla MANPADS.

We consider it a vast mistake for Western countries to supply weapons to Kiev. This delays the conflict, increases the number of victims and will not be able to influence the outcome of the operation.

The real purpose of such supplies is not to support Ukraine, but to drag it into a long-term military conflict "to the last Ukrainian."

We are closely monitoring the statements of the military and political leadership of individual countries about their intention to supply aircraft and air defence systems to Ukraine. In case of implementation - we will not leave it without attention.

We also hear assurances from NATO leaders about non-interference in the conflict. At the same time, some member states of the North Atlantic Alliance propose to close the airspace over Ukraine. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will immediately respond accordingly to such attempts.

In order to prevent the restoration of weapons and military equipment of the AFU that have received combat damage, the Russian Armed Forces are disabling repair enterprises, arsenals, storage bases, logistics warehouses with high-precision weapons.

At the moment, 30 key enterprises of the military-industrial complex have been hit by cruise missiles X-101, Kalibr, Iskander, and the Kinzhal aviation complex, which carried out repairs of 68% of weapons and equipment disabled during combat operations.

Russian modern weaponry has proven to be highly accurate, reliable and capable of operational use.

I would like to emphasize that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation do not strike at civilian infrastructure facilities, including the destruction of bridges across rivers.

127 bridges were destroyed in the area of military operations. All of them were blown up by Ukrainian nationalists in order to deter the advance of our troops.

Another example of recklessness is the mining of approaches to the ports of Odessa, Ochakov, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny, where over 400 anchor mines of obsolete types are installed.

At least 10 mines have broken anchor and are drifting in the western part of the Black Sea, which poses a real threat to warships and civilian vessels.

The rampant crime, looting and marauding and civilian deaths have been caused by the Ukrainian regime's massive uncontrolled distribution of tens of thousands of small arms to the civilian population, including to criminals released from prisons. The situation will only get worse in the future.

The course of hostilities, the testimonies of civilians who left the blockaded settlements and captured Ukrainian servicemen show that today the AFU's ability to resist is based on fear of reprisals by neo-Nazis. Their representatives are embedded in all military units.

The mainstay of the Kiev regime are nationalist formations such as Azov, Aidar, Right Sector and others recognized in Russia as terrorist organizations. In Mariupol alone, they include more than 7 thousand militants who are fighting under the guise of civilians, using them as a "human shield".

The militants of the Azov battalion drive women and children out of the basements, threatening them with weapons, and send them towards the advancing units of the DPR in order to hinder the advance of the people's militia. This has become a common practice for them.

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, on the contrary, seek to avoid unnecessary losses. Before the start of the offensive, the AFU units are invited to leave the combat area and move along with equipment and weapons to the point of permanent deployment. Not to resist when the offensive begins and those who lay down their arms are guaranteed safety.

Civilians caught in a war zone are always advised to stay in their homes.

Humanitarian corridors are being organized in all cities to get the population out of the area of hostilities, and their security is also maintained.

Humanitarian corridors are being created in all towns to allow people to leave the area where the fighting is taking place, and their security is being maintained.

In addition, at the initiative of the Ukrainian leadership, the country has become a home to 6,595 foreign mercenaries and terrorists from 62 states.

They are not subject to the rules of war and will be ruthlessly destroyed.

Today, the number of foreign mercenaries is declining. This was facilitated by high-precision strikes on their bases and training camps. On March 13, more than 200 militants were killed and more than 400 wounded in Starichi and at the Yavorovskii training ground alone.

I note that not a single foreign mercenary has arrived in Ukraine in the last seven days. On the contrary, there has been an outflow. Within a week, 285 fighters escaped into Poland, Hungary and Romania, I hope without Stingers and Javelins.

Previous experience has shown that man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) and ATGMs are spreading out fairly quickly, along with the mercenaries who return home.

In general, the main objectives of the first phase of the operation have been achieved. The combat capabilities of Ukraine's Armed Forces have been significantly reduced, which allows us, once again, to concentrate our main efforts on achieving the main goal - the liberation of Donbass.

In eight years, in the area of the so-called "joint forces operation", a defence belt has been prepared that is deeply echeloned and well-fortified in engineering terms, consisting of a system of monolithic, long-term concrete structures.

In this regard, in order to minimise casualties among the troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics, the conduct of offensive operations is preceded by a heavy fire attack on the enemy's strongholds and their reserves.

At the beginning of the special military operation, the LPR and DPR people's militias were confronted by a group of 59,300 people comprising the most combat-ready units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard and nationalist formations.

As a result, Ukraine's security forces in the OOS zone lost about 16,000 people, or 26% of their total strength as of 24 February this year.

More than 7,000 of them were irrecoverable losses.

Replacing losses is prevented by isolating the Ukrainian grouping of troops in Donbass, taking control of railway stations and key road routes with firepower.

The supply of missiles and ammunition, fuel and food to Ukrainian forces has been almost completely halted.

The field depots of missile and artillery weapons and ammunition, as well as fuel located directly in the area of the Joint Forces Operation are being hit. To date, 32 facilities have been destroyed, or 61% of the total.

All weapons and military equipment, including foreign-made, seized by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation during the special military operation are handed over to the People's Republics. Already 113 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 138 Javelin and 67 NLAW grenade launchers and other trophy weapons have been handed over.

Units of the People's Militia of the Lugansk People's Republic have liberated 93% of the republic's territory.

Fighting is currently taking place on the outskirts of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk.

The People's Militia of the Donetsk People's Rupublic controls 54% of the territory. The liberation of Mariupol continues.

Units of the Russian Armed Forces together with the People's Militia of the Donetsk People's Republic are conducting an offensive to liberate settlements to the west of Donetsk.

Unfortunately, there are casualties among our comrades-in-arms during the special military operation. As of today, 1,351 servicemen have been killed and 3,825 wounded.

All family support solutions will be taken over by the state, raising children up to higher education, full repayment of loans, housing solutions.

We receive a large number of appeals from Russian citizens wishing to take part in the special military operation to liberate Ukraine from Nazism.

In addition, more than 23,000 foreigners from 37 countries have expressed their willingness to fight on the side of the people's republics. We offered the leadership of the LPR and DPR to accept this assistance, but they said they would defend their land themselves.

They have enough power and resources.

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will continue to conduct a planned special military operation until the tasks set by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief have been completed.

The Ukrainian De-Nazification Operation - Politcs and Economics

While the fireworks have been distracting, there is a lot happening behind the scenes in the political sphere. Heroic Ukrainian puppet president Volodymr Zelensky has continued his characteristic policy of veering from "not one step back" fighting to the last man, to virtually capitulating to Russia's demands. I have not bothered to report anything he has said as it would be pointless. The man is an actor. He stands in front of the green-screen and says whatever the director demands. Sometimes, through his coke fueled despair, he almost admits the truth, but what is that worth? Nothing really. It was interesting to note that in the first few days of the war US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, stated that the US has a contingency plan in the event Zelensky was assassinated. At the time Zelensky was already in Poland, safe from Russian bombs. He must have felt very reassured. With friends like these....


Former US Ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, demonstrated the kind of strategic thinking that has led the United States to this nadir. It is this kind of delusional nonsense that passes for strategy among the US and western elite. They may believe that they represent humanity's best and brightest, but they are little more than low grade morons. Honestly. Do you really think the Russians' are so stupid to go on supplying gas and resources to countries that refuse to pay? Really? I mean, you're stating it publicly, on Twitter (was there ever a more apt name for a social network?). Russian's can read too you know.

Not that McFaul's nonsense had anything at all to do with it, but.....Russia last night made one of the most significant geopolitical announcements of this era. From now on, all Russian gas exports must be paid for in ruble. https://stolzuntermenschen.blogspot.com/2022/03/vladimir-putins-executive-order.html

“Both the US and the EU have basically defaulted on their obligations to Russia. And now everyone in the world knows that obligations in dollars and euros may not be fulfilled. ... It is quite obvious that in this regard, it makes no sense for us to supply our goods to both the EU and the USA and receive payment in dollars, euros and a number of other currencies. Therefore, I have decided to implement in the shortest possible time a set of measures to transfer payments for our natural gas supplied to unfriendly countries to Russian rubles,”, President Vladmir Putin announced.

https://www.moonofalabama.org/2022/03/more-sanctions-on-russia-will-destroy-europe.html#more

Other strategic exports are bound to follow. I had expected a move like this from the beginning of the crisis, anticipating that Russia may have even begun demanding payment in gold. Payment in gold however would have quickly bankrupted several western economies, who have long sold off their own gold reserves or placed them in the hands of 'honest brokers' like the Bank of England or the Federal Reserve. Australia's own gold reserve was shipped to Bank of England decades ago and has never been satisfactorily audited since. The Reserve Bank of Australia refuses to release any details of the 2013 audit because it “would, or could be reasonably expected to, cause damage to the relationship between the RBA and the BoE.” So, nothing to see there. RBA denies any intention to conduct a proper physical audit of Australia's gold reserves as it is satisfied with the assurances that the gold is still there. A scandal to cover in another post. https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/australias-gold-at-the-bank-of-england-rt-com/  A scramble for gold would result in a sharp uplift in the gold price, destroying the value of western fiat currencies (as predicted by anyone with a modicum of economic understanding, ie, not economists).

Requiring payment in ruble will cause Europe some degree of pain, given that exchanges have been sanctioned, but is not impossible, and the external demand for ruble will help supress inflation within Russia. All previous attempts to break the US dollar stranglehold on internation trade have met with a sharp US military response. The Iraq War of 2003 was sparked by Saddam Hussein move to sell Iraqi oil in Euros. The Libyan invasion was also prompted by Muamar Ghaddafi's move to sell oil in Euros and his attempt to float the idea of gold backed Dinar. Neither of those countries were capable of resisting US military might, but Russia and China can. Both have been trading in their domestic currencies for some time, demonstating that it is possible. More countries around the world are moving in this direction. Iran is onboard. Saudi Arabia is in discussions. Moving international trade outside the US dollar zone offers tangible benefits that are self evident now that the US is exposed as a paper tiger (note - the US remains a powerful nuclear armed state so the risk of military intervention remains very real. Countries that intend to trade with Russia and China in local currencies directly would be well advised to formalise some form of treaties or mutual defence agreements with those countries in order to protect them against the US attempting to make an example of them).

In light of the seizure of Russia's US$300 billion foreign currency reserves in the US, Russia has declared the US Federal Reserve to be in default of its obligations. In addition, France announced the seizure of Russia's European reserves of 22 billion Euro. This opens the door for Russia to nationalize US and European businesses operating within Russia as compensation. Impacted businesses would be directed back to the Fed or the European Central Bank to sort out the matter. This is a particulary dangerous situation for several major French concerns who have been encouraged to continue doing business in Russia as pulling out of the important Russian market would have been financially catastrophic. They will not be happy if the actions of their government throws them under the bus. Parry and thrust. For every action there is an equal and oppostite reaction. To quote the ever succinct Russian foreign minister, Serge Lavrov, “Russia will not put forward initiatives to improve relations with the west. Let’s see how they themselves get out of the impasse into which they have driven themselves.” https://sputniknews.com/20220323/wests-move-to-freeze-russian-reserves-signals-its-defaulting-on-obligations-before-moscow-putin-1094117649.html

The tone deaf and senile Biden regime continues to insult and offend China with its demands that the Chinese concede to US sanctions on Russia. China never responds well to threats and the result of the Biden - Xi virtual conference was the Chinese further reinforcing their public commitment to their security partner. The Chinese also added a barb to their statement by noting that the US has so far failed to fulfil any of the commitments it made during the last round of negotiations with China. "Not Agreement Capable." The idiotic grandstanding and talking down to 'orientals' (and basically everyone) only accelerates the disintergration of the US as a world power.

People worry about the New World Order our western leaders seem so determined to force upon us, but just have a look at these people. They are universally idiots and narcicists. They cannot plan or implement anything. Their grand designs are simply the fantasies of imbeciles and revanchist dreams of former Nazis. The only thing they have over us is the threat of violence. But the truth remains that there are more of 'us' than there are of 'them.' Eventually, when this crisis comes to a head and our 'rulers' announce a suspension of our natural, legal rights, seizure of our land and property, 'for the greater good', do you really think we the people will simply say "Okay"? No, there will be torches. There will be pitchforks. And there will be heads on spikes.

News from the Battlefront

DPR forces announce that they have now cleared 75% of Mariupol. While the Azov battalions have pledged (and been pledged) to keep fighting to the last, the numbers of active fighters has been notably declining as soldiers drop their uniforms and attempt to slip out with the evacuating civilians. Where pockets of Azov resistance remains, they put up a fierce fight as they know what awaits them. There have been many instances of Azov fighters leaving stay behind snipers as they retreat to shoot down civilians fleeing the fighting. Russian and DPR forces have given a last ultimatum to the remaining Azov fighters to surrender by midnight tonight (local time). No prisoners will be taken from tomorrow

In the areas east of the contact line pocket (former LDPR front-line), fighting continues as the Russians work on the fortified Ukrainian lines with heavy MRLS and hypersonics. During the past eight years of the conflict, the Ukrainians have built networks of concrete bunkers, trenches and ammunition stores. The troops there were offered the opportunity to leave. They didn't, so....

Around Nikolaev, the Russians continue smashing the Ukrainian positions with Calibers. There is no sense wasting manpower. The nut will crack.

The long promised assault on Odessa still has not arrived, but the Russians have begun striking military stongpoints outside the city with sea launched missiles.

In the port of Berdyansk, one of the Russian supply ships unloading munitions and stores caught fire and exploded at the dockside. Nearby ships managed to pull away from the dock.

The condition of the supply ship, either the "Saratov" or the "Orsk", is unknown. These two supply ships were built in the 1960s and have been very active in recent years on the supply run from Sevastopol to Tartus, in Syrian.

Update 25th March 2022 - the ship was the Saratov. It has been stated that the dock was hit by a Toscha-U ballistic missile. The Toscha-U was intercepted by Russian anti-missile missile but the falling components set fire to the ammunition and stores on the dockside. The fire spread to the Saratov, which was subsequently scuttled where she was tied up to prevent the fire spreading further and risking an enormous explosion.

The Ukrainian De-Nazification Operation - Lies versus Hard Reality

The new phase of Russia's Ukrainian operation has the western media and commentators reeling. Russia's resort to its hypersonic arsenal and heavy weapons is cited as evidence that Russia has exhausted its supply of tanks, artillery and conventional weaponry. The Institute of the Study of War (ISW), a US group which publishes Ukrainian propaganda from Facebook glossed up as military analysis, claims that Russia has lost hundreds of tanks, trucks and APCs, expended more than 75% of its entire ammunition stockpile, that Russia industry is incapable of replacing the loss, has lost more than 10,000 soldiers killed, operates mobile crematoria to destroy soldiers bodies, and is about to initiate conscription of 17-18 year olds to backfill losses. They have assessed that Russia has failed to achieve all of its strategic objectives and will soon be facing internal collapse. It's utter nonsense, but I'm pretty sure they are very well funded.

Has no one in the west actually observed the Russian military exercises that NATO constantly complained about? The mass movements of entire armies to and from the battlefield in a matter of days, where NATO and the US take months? Russia's logistical excellence is second bar none. Russia is conducting the Ukrainian operation with only a very small force, considering the overall size of its army. Most of the Russian armed forces remain at their normal stations, on alert for provocations in other quarters. Traditional military logic suggests that the attacking force should be four times the size the defending force. Russia is conducting this operation with forces quarter the size of the defending force. Why would they do this? Because Russia specialises in combined arms warfare and has a very clear military strategy backed by clear political goals. Russia needs to conduct this operation for its national security, but it also needs to live with Ukraine in peace after the conflict is over. For this reason it did not conduct 'the American way of war' - carpet bombing everything and driving over the rubble. Russia's campaign has been a methodical exercise in manouver and application of force.

So, hypersonics. Why not? These are new weapons in the arsenal and what better way to test them other than in combat. They also send a clear message, one that has been heard in NATO and Washington where much scurrying is occurring. Let's have look at what Russia's weapons can do.

Firstly, the problem in Kiev. After losses in pitched battles around the city, Ukrainian forces withdrew much of their armour into the city. Here a MRLS is working on Russian positions from one of the main roads in the city. After firing, the MRLS would be withdrawn to a new position so as to avoid counterfire.

I spy with my little drone eye, some MRLS hiding under cover.

Russian drones observe the fire and follow the MRLS to their base in the undercover carpark at Retroville. Retroville was not an active shopping centre, having been abandoned for some time, so the eight casualties reported in the western media were not innocent shoppers buying a new toaster. Hypersonics follow and...a very large stockpile of ammunition burns long into the night.

High precision strikes like this are lauded in the western press when the US does it to sleeping Afghan villagers, but in Ukraine....

Another interesting example of Russian firepower. Here is the result of a strike by TOR-1 heavy flamethrower MRLS against Azov postions inside the Azovstahl steel plant, Mariupol. No western military has experienced the impact of these weapons systems in a combat situation.

Against such weaponry - and the realisation that the US is about to lose its gamble in Ukraine - western media can only lie.

This is not a 'crashed' Khinzal. Khinzals travel at 10 times the speed of sound and cannot be intercepted by any western anti-aircraft system, but then most people don't know what they're talking about or looking at anyway, so why not just lie? This is a Toscha-U ballistic missle of the type Ukraine has been firing into Donetsk city loaded with cluster munitions because... killing moscals is what they do. This example was shot down by Russian anti-missile systems.

Speaking of which, here a Ukrainian Toscha-U complex fires two missiles towards Beograd in Russia. The missiles are intercepted and, with certainty, Russian drones would be scouring the area for the culprits.

More Ukrainian propaganda lies"

Brave Ukrainian firefighters "Glory to the Heroes!"

Are actually Australian firefighters photographed during the major bushfires here in 2019.

The Ukrainian Tik Tok influencer photographed in a "hospital bombing"...

Shows up on the breadline...

The Ukrainian De-Nazification Operation - Hypersonics

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced publicly over the weekend that its arsenal of hypersonic and 6th generation weaponry would be deployed against aggregations of forces and weapons stores. After wreaking havoc on the mercenary forward base at Yarovorsky the Russians turned their attention to the mercenary camp at Ovruch in the Zhytomyr region. That strike took out more than 100 soldiers and mercenaries. Next on the target list was the training and logistics camp at Novaya Lubomirka in the Rivne region. The results were similar - annihilation, destruction and chaos.


In Kiev, the Ukrainian forces had withdrawn their heavy artillery to Retroville shopping centre complex, from where they continued to shell Russian positions from cover. After observation by Russian drones, the entire centre was reduced to ruins. Explosing ammunition stored at the shopping centre would light up the city throughout the night.

As in the Syrian war, the Russians seem intent on demonstrating the reach of their precision weaponry from all quarters. Khinzals have be dropped from aircraft (if they were at all...it's difficult to tell for certain). From ships in the Black Sea, Caliber missiles destroyed the Nizhyn repair planet, where Ukrainian equipment was being repaired. From patrol boats in the Caspian Sea, calibers were used to destroy the fuel storage base at Nikolaev.

On the frontline, heavy MRLS systems, such as the TOS1 thermobaric 'flamethrower' are working on Ukrainian positions. Basedon on reports from surrendering Ukrainian troops, supplies of food and munitions are exhausted, command is in chaos and morale is collapsing.

The Zelensky regime doesn't care about its soldiers and seems content to let them die in the field if it prolongs the war. Conditions in Mariupol are rather desperate for the civilians trapped there and with the Ukrainian defences collapsing, the Russians proposed a ceasefire to allow the Ukrainian troops to withdraw. Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Irina Vereshchuk declared "The armed forces of Ukraine in Mariupol will not lay down their arms and leave the city. There can be no talk of any surrenders and laying down of arms. We have already reported this to the Russian side." The Azov defenders are destroying as much of the city's infrastructure as they can before they are destroyed.


The Ukrainian defenders of the port city of Berdyansk, west of Mariupol, surrendered the city to the Russians, leaving its important port and infrastructure intact. The Russians have shipped in equipment and a garrison.

In other news, the Kherson canal has now filled and water is finally flowing again into the Crimea. The Ukrainians had blocked the canal in 2015.

Sanction Costs to Airlines

The costs of long haul flights having to go around Russian airspace are significant. Adding an extra 3 hours to a flight increases fuel costs by an exta $16,000 for an Airbus SE A350-900. With fuel prices rising, costs will only spiral upwards.