Running Newsticker for the War in Ukraine

If an art museum burns up is that a form of living art? That couldn’t happen to a nicer country.

 

NPR
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This one includes some big news.
Ukraine Conflict Updates
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 10

Click here to read the full report.
Key Takeaways

• The Times reported that an unnamed US Defense source stated that the Pentagon is no longer insisting that Ukraine refrain from striking military targets in Russia given the ongoing Russian campaign of systematically destroying Ukrainian critical infrastructure.
• Russian forces conducted attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure using a higher number of Iranian-made drones than in previous weeks.
• Putin risks losing support from proxy leaders in Donetsk Oblast due to Russian forces’ failure to push Ukrainian forces out of artillery range of Donetsk City.
• Russian authorities are increasingly importing Chechen officials and forces to man administrative regimes of occupied areas.
• Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations toward Svatove, and Russian and Ukrainian forces conducted ground attacks near Kreminna.
• Russian forces continued attempts to advance toward Bakhmut and in the Avdiivka-Donetsk City area and to defend their positions in western Donetsk Oblast.
• Russian authorities plan to launch programs in Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories to prepare children for military service.
• Russian forces in occupied Donetsk Oblast are reportedly commandeering civilian utility equipment to construct defensive structures.

An unnamed US defense source told The Times that the Pentagon is no longer insisting that Ukraine should not strike military targets within Russia.[1] The source noted that the Pentagon has changed its perspective on this matter following the recent intensification of Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure over the last few months and that the Pentagon has become less concerned regarding the risk of escalation, including nuclear escalation, with Russia.[2] The Times suggested that this development is a “green light” for Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory.[3] Ukrainian commitments to Western partners previously stipulated that Ukraine had the right to use force to regain all its territory, including territory seized by Russia in 2014.[4] The US has previously not made an effort to prevent Ukraine from striking legitimate military targets located on sovereign Ukrainian territory, and the alleged statement made by the undisclosed US source is an extension of the previous policy. International law allows Ukrainian forces to strike legitimate targets even in Russian territory, especially targets from which Russian forces are launching attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. . . .

Ukrainian and Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in the direction of Svatove on December 10. Luhansk Oblast Head Serhiy Haidai stated that Ukrainian forces are getting closer to Svatove.[22] A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces unsuccessfully tried to attack the Synkivka-Lyman line (50km northwest of Svatove) and that Russian forces repelled a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group near Dachne (3km west of Svatove).[23] Another Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces periodically attack in the vicinity of the R-66 highway near Svatove, where they reportedly have had minor tactical success.[24] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian and Ukrainian forces are engaged in battles near Novoselivske (14km northwest of Svatove) and that Russian forces control most of the settlement.[25] Russian and social media sources claimed that Ukrainian forces struck Svatove and a Russian rear area in Novopskov (68km northeast of Svatove) with HIMARS rockets and heavy artillery.[26] . . .

Ukrainian and Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in the Kreminna area on December 10. Luhansk Oblast Head Serhiy Haidai stated that Ukrainian forces are also getting closer to Kreminna.[33] The Russian MoD claimed that Russian forces thwarted Ukrainian assaults in the direction of Chervonopopivka (6km northwest of Kreminna) and Dibrova (5km southwest of Kreminna).[34] A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces also conducted assaults near Ploshchanka and that fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces is ongoing along the Makiivka-Chervonopopivka line.[35] . . .

Ukrainian forces continued strikes against Russian military assets and concentration areas in southern Ukraine on December 10. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that a Ukrainian strike on a Russian concentration area in an unspecified location in Zaporizhia Oblast wounded up to 150 Russian personnel.[58] Ukrainian sources additionally confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck Russian military assets and command posts near Enerhodar, Molochansk, Tokmak, and Berdyansk, as well as a Buk-M3 air defense system near Vesele with western-provided weaponry.[59] . . .

 

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The world needs many more good Russians to counteract the Putinists.

 

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Settle It!

Putin: Maybe I'll adopt the American first strike strategy



'Russia could hit an adversarial nation with a significant number of hypersonic missiles in a matter of hours, destroying that country’s strategic response and command capabilities before they have a chance to fire back. The White House described Putin’s remarks as “saber rattling,”'

You think?

 

I doubt very much that he has that capability.

 

Let's do a thought experiment.

• We keep pushing him pretending that he does not have the largest nuclear arsenal on earth.
• One Nuke Blows Up A European City.

Now, if you could go back to now, what would you do differently to ensure an outcome without a nuked city?

 

We are not, and never can be, in a position to ensure any outcome.

 

Are you saying that we are powerless to make it more or less likely that Russia uses a nuke?

 

I'm saying we should not make ourselves hostage to our fears.

 

I don't light the wood burning stove in my house with gasoline because I'm hostage of my fear of the potential, but not certain consequences.

I'll remain hostage of this fear.

I carefully double check all my anchor points, harnesses and gear before I rock climb, because I'm hostage to my fear of the damage that could, but is not guaranteed to result in the event of an uncontrolled fall.

But, the interesting thing about your response is that it's no worse than what we are getting from the WH and Congress on this issue.

 

If we give in to intimidation we leave the initiative in the hands of the aggressor. Our proper response is to emphasize the power of our deterrent forces and make sure the aggressor understands we are ready to use them.

 

So, if Russia nukes a Ukrainian city, you want us to have a nuclear exchange with Russia?

 

...that isn't what he said....read his post again

 

Even if he has the numbers he is not completely insane and he knows we would react under Article 5 if he attacks a NATO country. Emphasis on “ ATO. OUNTRY.

 

In an interview a few months ago, retired General David Petraeus said that Russian use of a nuke in Ukraine would cause the U.S. to "erase" all Russian forces in Ukraine. He did not specify use of nuclear weapons, but he did not rule it out. That seems like a good answer to me.

 

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Which US cities are you good with losing in a nuclear exchange with Russia over Ukraine? And by what authority do you sacrifice the lives of those in that city?

https://www.msn.com › en-us › news › world › 67-billion-people-could-die-in-a-russia-vs-us-nuclear-war › ar-AA159s0e
6.7 Billion People Could Die in a Russia vs. U.S. Nuclear War

'5 Billion Dead in a U.S.-Russia Nuclear War An exchange between the US and Russia, while less likely, would be more catastrophic: an estimated 5 billion people would die worldwide.'

For what abstract concept would you risk sacrificing them?
By what legitimate authority would you assume that risk for them?