Military Madness > What Legacy media won't tell you about the Ukraine War

 

What I have been saying for years and legacy media would never suggest.

Ukraine a ‘gold mine’ for Western arms makers – Moscow

Russian UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia says Western arms supplies to Kiev benefit defense firms and just fuel the conflict further

Ukraine has become a lucrative opportunity for Western arms manufacturers, who profit from weapons supplies that prolong the conflict, Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia has claimed.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council briefing on Friday, Nebenzia accused NATO member states of exploiting the conflict in Ukraine to enrich their defense industries.

“It is well known that Ukraine has become a genuine gold mine for the military-industrial complex of the [US and UK] and their allies. But it is American companies that are profiting the most from the conflict,” he stressed.

The Russian diplomat alleged that Western countries are prioritizing economic gains over peace.

“According to the latest data, half of total arms sales in 2023 were processed by 41 US corporations out of the top 100. They received $317 billion, or 50% of global arms-sales revenues,” Nebenzia said.

The Russian UN representative cited a recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), noting that the combined revenues of the world’s 100 largest weapons manufacturers in 2023 reached $632 billion.

“It would be naive to expect that these unscrupulous traders, who have tasted the flavor of lucre, will give up riding this gravy train for the sake of those miserable Ukrainians,” he argued.

Nebenzia went on to suggest that Western military companies “often act in cahoots with the Kiev regime,” citing the example of 25 foreign lobby and consulting firms that began representing Ukraine’s interests free of charge after the conflict began. He specifically mentioned BGR Government Affairs, whose leadership has publicly advocated for increased military assistance to Kiev and which also represents Raytheon Company, a major US arms supplier. Nebenzia also alleged that the US military-industrial complex funds think tanks, whose conclusions are later cited by the media.

On Wednesday, the Defense Ministry in Moscow reported that Ukraine fired six US-donated ATACMS and four UK-made Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles, at the Kamensky chemical plant in Rostov Region in southern Russia. On Friday, in retaliation to the attack, the Russian military claimed it struck a Ukrainian command center and targeted installations of US-supplied Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems.

Russia has consistently stated that Western aid cannot prevent its forces from accomplishing the objectives of their military operation or alter the final outcome of the conflict. Moscow has argued that by supporting Kiev, they only prolong the conflict.

But, lives mean nothing to war industry oligarchs.

Military Madness > USA to put hypersonic missiles in Germany minutes from Moscow; Another Billion for Kiev as Dems race to spend war money; New German Chancellor could chamge everything

 

US beefing up missile deployment in Europe

Washington’s plans include stationing Dark Eagle hypersonic missiles, which are still in development, in Europe and Asia, according to information obtained by RT

FILE PHOTO: Dark Eagle Hypersonic missile deployed to Cape Canaveral for testing. ©  Wikipedia

The US is stepping up efforts to increase deployment of intermediate and short-range missiles, including stationing hypersonic weapons in Europe and Asia, according to information obtained by RT. Production and deployment of such systems in the US has reportedly been picking up pace in recent years.

Among the major weapons being developed is the multiple-launch rocket system Dark Typhon, which will be capable of firing Standard-6 missiles with a 500-km range and Tomahawk cruise missiles (2,400-km), as well as a hypersonic missile that is also still being developed. The system is expected to become operational by 2025.

During the NATO summit this past July, Washington and Berlin announced that Dark Typhoon would be stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany starting in 2026, a prospect that Russia slammed as an “escalatory action” given that it would place the missiles within range of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other major Russian cities. The Pentagon also reportedly plans to deploy the system on the Japanese island of Io by October of next year, which would put the missiles within 2.5 hours flight time of Russia’s Vladivostok.

Among Washington’s most ambitious projects is the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile, which is designed to hit critical land-based targets within a range of 5,500km with strike precision of 3-10 meters. While still being developed, the prototype has passed at least seven tests, four of them successfully.

READ MORE: Oreshnik missile deal a response to US move – Belarus military chief

According to the information obtained by RT, the US plans to start deploying the missiles in Japan by October 2025, which would put then within 8-10 minutes’ flight time from Vladivostok. By 2026, one rocket launcher equipped with 16 missiles is expected to be stationed in Wiesbaden, with a flight time to central Russia also estimated at 8-10 minutes.

Russia has long warned that the US military buildup and the deployment of nuclear-capable missiles will draw a proportionate response. Earlier this week, Russia and Belarus signed a security treaty, which, among other things cemented the deployment of Russia’s brand-new hypersonic ballistic Oreshnik missile systems in the neighboring country next year. The Russian military combat tested the Oreshnik last month, using it to strike a Ukrainian military industrial facility in Dnepropetrovsk with multiple warheads.

Washington unilaterally pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia back in 2019. Moscow also subsequently abandoned the treaty. Under the INF, both countries were prohibited from new deployments of ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500km.

Of course, that doesn't create a market for war industry madness

U.S. commits nearly $1B in weaponry to Ukraine

By Darryl Coote

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) speaks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in Ramstein, Germany, on September 6. On Saturday, Austin unveiled a nearly $1 billion weapons package for Ukraine. File Photo by Ronald Wittek/EPA-EFE

Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The United States has committed an additional $1 billion in lethal assistance for Ukraine as the Biden administration seeks to surge weapons to Kyiv ahead of an uncertain future for the embattled ally after the Trump administration takes office next month.

NATO, storefront for America's war industry, are having a fire sale before Trump takes over in Washington.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the package, valued at $988 million, Saturday during the Reagan National Defense Forum hosted in Simi Valley, Calif.

The package includes ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, which have proven effective in the war against Russia, as well as drones and equipment, components and spare parts to maintain, repair and overhaul artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles.

The assistance comes from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is a U.S. program to supply weapons to Ukraine via defense company contracts.

The package represents roughly half of the $2.21 billion remaining in the USAI fund.

Roughly $8 billion in Congressional-approved funds still remain available to the Biden administration, which has been the largest backer of Ukraine in its war against Russia.

The Biden administration is expect to keep surging weapons to Ukraine as the future of U.S. support for Kyiv is uncertain. The White House is to be handed over Jan. 20 to President-elect Donald Trump, who has criticized funding Ukraine and is widely expected to pursue a more nationalistic agenda than his predecessor.

He has also said he could end the nearly three-year-old war in 24 hours.

"We can continue to stand up to the Kremlin. Or we can let [Russian President Vladimir] Putin have his way -- and condemn our children and grandchildren to live in a world of chaos and conflict," Austin said Saturday.

This, of course, is exactly the opposite of the truth. Chaos and conflict are guaranteed under the NATO/American proxy war with Russia in Ukraine. Ukraine will be reduced to a Middle Ages economy thanks to the Western War Industry. But, at least they will get filthy rich!

"This administration has made its choice. And so has a bipartisan coalition in Congress. The next administration must make its own choice."

Saturday's announcement is the 22nd USAI package announced by the Niden administration.

Since the war began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the United States has committed more than $62 billion to Kyiv.

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Not only does America's War Industry have to worry about Trump, Germany might be heading for a Chancellor from the AfD. That would change everything.

German chancellor candidate calls for end to arming Kiev

Alice Weidel is the Alternative for Germany party’s first-ever nominee for head of the government

Alice Weidel speaks to reporters at an AfD convention in Berlin, Germany, December 7, 2024 ©  Getty Images / Maryam Majd

The co-leader of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Alice Weidel, has said that she will oppose any arms supplies to Ukraine if she succeeds Olaf Scholz as the country’s chancellor.

The AfD nominated Weidel as its candidate for the post on Saturday, in the party’s first bid for the chancellery in its 11-year history. It has steadily risen in popularity since its founding in 2013, and is currently Germany’s second-strongest political party.

Speaking to reporters after the nomination, Weidel promised to introduce drastic immigration restrictions, to roll back Scholz’s climate policies, and to cut off military aid to Ukraine.

”We want peace in Ukraine,” the 45-year-old said. “We do not want any arms supplies, we do not want any tanks, we do not want any missiles. We do not want Taurus for Ukraine, which would make Germany a party to the war,” she added, referring to a type of German-made cruise missile that would require German military personnel to be deployed to Ukraine to operate.

The AfD, Weidel declared, is a “peace party.”

Read more

 German opposition to demand EU exit – media

Scholz, along with his Green and Free Democrat coalition partners, overturned decades of foreign-policy pacifism in 2022 when they decided to supply weapons to the Ukrainian military.

Since then, Berlin has sent Kiev almost €17 billion ($17.9 billion) in military, economic, and humanitarian aid, according to government figures. Although initially reluctant to supply heavy weapons, Scholz has authorized the transfer to Ukraine of tanks, artillery guns, anti-air missiles, and armored vehicles.

Was there a little envelope with cash slid under  table there?

Before 2022, Germany relied on Russia for 55% of its supply of natural gas. Scholz’ decision to halt Russian energy imports, coupled with his government’s green policies, has led to soaring electricity costs, forcing some of the country’s manufacturing giants – including Volkswagen and BASF – to close plants and lay off workers.

Amid economic decline and disputes within his coalition, the Scholz government collapsed last month. The chancellor is expected to lose a confidence vote in parliament later this month, after which a snap election will likely be held in late February. His center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) is currently polling at around 15%, with the AfD at 18%, and the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at 32%.

Weidel has little chance of winning the chancellery. Even if the AfD were to emerge as the largest party in February, all of Germany’s other mainstream parties have ruled out entering a coalition with the right-wingers. After a string of regional election wins this year, 113 members of the 733-member Bundestag put forth a motion last month to ban the AfD as a “Nazi party” whose beliefs clash with the German constitution. Most of the lawmakers behind the proposal were Greens, joined by 31 members of the SPD and just six from the CDU.

And, how many from George Soros?

Military Madness > American boots on the ground in Ukraine

 

Deep State has decided to rush things in Ukraine as Trump has won the American election. They want to make sure some Americans are killed by Russians so they have an excuse to stay in Ukraine and even send over fighting troops. The more action, the more the inventory of war keeps moving. It's not enough that Trump will demand all NATO countries to devote 2% of GDP to NATO - which is the storefront for western (mostly American) arms manufacturers. Western war industry oligarch's greed has no bounds.

Tucker Carlson is in Moscow again to talk to Sergie Lavrov. He mentioned that the State Dept. has not talked to Moscow in two years as the Doomsday Clock counts down seconds to midnight, and American missiles have killed Russian soldiers in Russia, an act of war.

He also mentioned that he has been trying for two years to get an interview with Zelensky but Washington will not allow the Ukraine President to talk to him.

I will throw out a link to the interview when it is available.

US greenlights deployment of military contractors to fix weapons in Ukraine

Americas

Military contractors from the US will be sent to Ukraine in order to help maintain and repair Pentagon-provided weaponry, a US defense official said on Friday. 

The move is a significant policy shift in the final months of Joe Biden's administration that aims to aid Kyiv's fight against Russia. 

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Ukraine Proxy War > Russia regains about 40% of Kursk, Still advancing in Donetsk; Putin warns South Korea against arming Ukraine

 

Ukraine loses more than 40% of territory

it seized in Russia's Kursk region

Europe

Ukraine lost more than 40% of the territory in Russia's Kursk region that it captured in a surprise offensive in August with the Russians launching multiple counter-attacks, a senior source in Kyiv's army said. While the Kursk invasion caught Moscow unprepared, Russian forces are still steadily advancing in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

Issued on: 23/11/2024 - 15:05Modified: 23/11/2024 - 22:45

3 min

By:

NEWS WIRES

Video by:

Emmanuelle CHAZE

A Russian soldier fires from a howitzer towards a Ukrainian position in the Russian-Ukrainian border area in the Kursk

 region, Russia, in this photo taken from video released by the Russian Defence Ministry on October 28, 2024. 

© Russian Defence Ministry Press Service photo via AP

Ukraine has lost over 40% of the territory in Russia's Kursk region that it rapidly seized in a surprise incursion in August as Russian forces have mounted waves of counter-assaults, a senior Ukrainian military source said.

The source, who is on Ukraine's General Staff, said Russia had deployed some 59,000 troops to the Kursk region since Kyiv's forces swept in and advanced swiftly, catching Moscow unprepared 2-1/2 years into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"At most, we controlled about 1,376 square kilometres (531 square miles), now of course this territory is smaller. The enemy is increasing its counterattacks," the source said.

"Now we control approximately 800 square kilometres (309 square miles). We will hold this territory for as long as is militarily appropriate."

With the thrust into Kursk, Kyiv aimed to stem Russian attacks in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, force Russia to pull back forces gradually advancing in the east and give Kyiv extra leverage in any future peace negotiations.

But Russian forces are still advancing in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin's main objectives were to occupy the entire Donbas, which consists of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and oust Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region.

"For Putin, the most important thing is to push us out of the Kursk region. I am sure that he wants to push us out by January 20," Zelenskiy told media, referring to when Donald Trump will be inaugurated as U.S. president. "It is very important for him (Putin) to demonstrate that he is in control of the situation."

The source at the Ukrainian General Staff source reiterated that about 11,000 North Korean troops had arrived in the Kursk region in support of Russia, but that the bulk of their forces was still finalising their training.

The Russian Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the figures or descriptions given.

Moscow, which occupies about a fifth of Ukraine, has not confirmed or denied the presence of North Korean forces in Kursk region.

Russian advance in eastern Ukraine 

The General Staff source said the Kurakhove region was the most threatening for Kyiv now as Russian forces were advancing there at 200-300 metres (yards) a day and had managed to break through in some areas.

The town of Kurakhove is a stepping stone towards the logistical hub of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

Russia has about 575,000 troops fighting in Ukraine now, the source said, and aims to increase its forces to around 690,000.

Russia does not disclose numbers involved in its fighting. Reuters could not verify those figures.

Ukraine has sought to disrupt Russian logistics and supply chains by hitting Russian weapons and ammunition depots, airfields, and other military targets inside Russia.

After U.S. President Joe Biden allowed Kyiv to fire U.S.-supplied missiles at targets deep inside Russia, Ukraine last week fired U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia.

On Thursday, Russia launched a new medium-range ballistic missile into the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, in a likely warning to NATO.

Ukrainian officials are holding talks with the United States and Britain on new air defence systems capable of protecting Ukrainian cities and civilians from the new longer-range aerial threats.

The Ukrainian General Staff source said the military had implemented measures to bolster air defences over Kyiv and planned similar steps for Sumy in the north and Kharkiv in the northeast.

(Reuters) 

While not part of NATO yet, South Korea's War Industry wants to get in on the action.

Russia warns South Korea against

supplying weapons to Ukraine

By Thomas Maresca

Russia warned Seoul against sending weapons to Ukraine, state-run media reported Sunday. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has not ruled out lethal aid in response to North Korea sending troops to Russia. File Photo by Kremlin Pool/UPI | License Photo

SEOUL, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko issued a warning to South Korea against supplying lethal aid to Ukraine, saying that the move would "fully destroy relations" between the two countries.

"Seoul must realize that the possible use of South Korean weapons to kill Russian citizens will fully destroy relations between our countries," Rudenko told state news agency TASS Sunday. "Of course, we will respond in every way that we find necessary. It is unlikely that this will strengthen the security of the Republic of Korea itself."

The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea.

Seoul has provided humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine but has so far refrained from directly supplying weapons for Kyiv's defense against a Russian invasion that began in Feb. 2022.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said earlier this month, however, that Seoul would not rule out weapons support to Ukraine in the wake of North Korea deploying troops to Russia.

"As the North Korean military gains experience in modern warfare, it could become a serious problem for our security," Yoon said at a press conference on Nov. 7.

"So we will change the support level from the previous humanitarian nature depending on the degree of involvement of the North Korean military. We will not rule out weapons support to Ukraine," Yoon said.

Washington and Seoul estimate that roughly 11,000 North Korean troops have been dispatched to the Kursk region of southwest Russia, where Ukrainian forces have occupied hundreds of square miles since a surprise incursion in August.

The U.S. State Department has confirmed that the North's troops had begun combat operations, while a Ukrainian media report over the weekend claimed that 500 North Korean soldiers were killed in an attack using British missiles.

RBC Ukraine, citing defense news publisher Global Defense Corp., reported Saturday that the soldiers were killed "as a result of the Storm Shadow missile strike on the Kursk region."

South Korea's National Intelligence Service told lawmakers last week that the North Korean troops have been assigned to Russia's airborne brigade and marine corps and are undergoing training in tactics including the use of drones.

The NIS added that North Korea has sent additional long-range artillery systems to Russia, including 170mm self-propelled howitzers and 240mm multiple rocket launchers.

Moscow and Pyongyang have grown closer since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The two signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June, which includes a mutual defense clause that calls for mutual military assistance in the event either country is attacked.

South Korean officials have also raised concerns over Moscow sharing missile and nuclear technology with Pyongyang. Seoul's military intelligence said earlier this month that North Korea's new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile, test-fired on Oct. 31, may have been developed with Russian technical assistance.

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that North Korea could deploy up to 100,000 troops to aid Moscow in its war against Kyiv.

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Putin orders serial production of Oreshnik

hypersonic missile, warns it can be used again

By Don Jacobson

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) holds a meeting with the Defense Ministry leadership and representatives of the defense industry in Moscow on Friday. Putin announced he had ordered serial production of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile a day after it was used against a Ukrainian aerospace facility. Kremlin Pool Photo by Gavriil Grigorov/EPA-EFE

Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says the new Oreshnik hypersonic missile used against Ukraine this week will go into serial production and is "ready to be used" again if necessary.

Speaking on Friday during a televised meeting with members of his Security Council, defense industry officials and missile developers, the Russian leader said the Oreshnik cannot be stopped or intercepted and will be deployed as part of the country's Strategic Missile Forces.

"We need to launch serial production," he said, according to the state-run TASS news agency. "Let's say that the decision has been made that the system will go into serial production. Basically, it has already happened."

Putin added, "we have a stock of such systems ready to be used" if needed.

The comments came a day after the missile was "successfully" tested in a strike against a Ukrainian aerospace plant in the first use of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile by Russia during its 33-month-old invasion of its neighbor.

Russia's use of the missile follows Ukraine having fired U.S. and British long-range missiles this week after U.S. President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light to use Army Tactical Missile Systems to attack deeper within Russian territory.

The situation has resulted in greatly raised tensions. NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday as Russian leaders continued to make threats against the West, some with thinly veiled references to the use of nuclear arms.

In an address to the nation Thursday after the Oreshnik strike, Putin warned there would be "further tests of our advanced missile systems based on the threats to the security of the Russian Federation."

He added, "We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities, and in case of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and in mirror-like manner."

During Friday's Kremlin meeting, Strategic Missile Forces Commander Sergey Karakayev said the Oreshnik is capable of reaching targets across the European continent.

"Based on the tasks and the range of this weapon, it can hit targets across entire Europe, which sets it apart from other high-precision long-range weapons," he said, according to TASS.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev seemed to once again play the nuclear card Saturday in an interview with the Al Arabiya TV channel, accusing the United States and Britain of "joining" Ukraine in its fight to repel Russian invaders.

"If the escalation scenario continues to unfold, it won't be possible to exclude anything because NATO countries have in fact joined the conflict," he said.

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