The fratricide has begun in earnest. The question is who is the next czar?

I couldn't reach my Russia / Iran SME. I'm thinking she may have been summoned by the three letters to Langley and now can't be reached. I'm sure it is all hands on deck at this point.

It's on and the Chef is boiling.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is threatening to march on Moscow, declaring his troops will “destroy anything standing in their way”.

Russia declares ‘anti-terrorist operation’ as Wagner launches ‘armed rebellion’, Putin to speak shortly.

Live updates: Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin says military sites in Rostov-on-Don are under his group's control.

Wagner says troops have taken control of military facilities in key Russian city.

Russian military leaders urge Wagner boss to stop his 'march for justice' as Moscow beefs up security.

There likely won't be any winners in Russia's coup, but it will give Ukraine an opportunity to step up its attacks while Putin watches his back.

What comes out of the oven will be interesting.

It's all happening now.

There are tense scenes in Russia as Moscow locks down key sites following an armed rebellion by mercenary group Wagner.

Favourite comment on this by (must-read) Darth Putin:

"I’m beginning to think that giving a psychopath his own private army of criminals was not a good idea."

Twitter may not be good for much but a laugh these days but it is still very good for that. :^)

Edit: other goodies..

"2nd most powerful army in world
2nd most powerful army in Ukraine
2nd most powerful Russian army in Ukraine
2nd most powerful army in Russia"

"Day 485 of my 3 day war. Russia is invading Russia to free Russia from those who invaded Russia to free Russia from those who invaded Russia.
I remain a master strategist."

---

One chef who won't be able to cook Pootin's meals anymore
:-)

I think Putin made the biggest blunder of his life when invading Ukraine.

Now it returns back and hits himself for only his country of ruling.

The nuclear button becomes part of nature and therefore also our existence.

Each part of nature is having a separate function (or its) and here that of death part of such a thing.

Infinite consequence becomes nature for that of happening and therefore a Creator for making.

But also thinking that the West should not be bogged down in an internal conflict while still separate nations.

I do support Ukraine because they became invaded and also not being any Nazis.

Europe is only the whole world in miniature and here the nuclear button could still be pushed for next only being careful.

The coup maybe over, for now, but what will be the ramifications be now that the Russian people actually know what's been going on in PooTin's criminal war?

Is the Coup Against PooTin Over?

The Russian Almost Civil War of 2023 Is Over (For Now).

Wagner uprising is reckoning for PooTin’s rule.

The Coup Is Over, but PooTin Is in Trouble.

Prigozhin at least found a way to get away from the front lines with his skin intact (for now).

No mention as yet if the Ukrainians are making the most of the situation.

I watched former ambassador Bill Taylor of the US being interviewed on BBC.

Catch your breath for not being involved for only Idiosyncracy present instead.

Such a thing for only a bit sad when still not any trespassing for only overstepping.

Here just a point of note that if Putin enters the wrong border the button will be triggered.

Nothing more than that and he should understand.

If it all goes to pot over there, one serious concern is going to be WHO will control Russia's nuclear arsenal?

It seems that this was what stopped the rebellion.

Kremlin reportedly threatened Wagner families as soldiers marched to Moscow.

As little PooTin finally comes out of hiding (apparently he's pretty good at running away as well as his orcs).

PooTin tells rebellious Russian fighters to swear allegiance or leave for Belarus.

While rumours abound on where the Chef is, a couple say that he's in Belarus while others reckon that he's back at Rostov-on-Don, but it's likely not over yet.

Prigozhin Has Already Started Work on Brand New ‘Threat’.

And did they?

Did Wagner Rebels Capture Warheads at Russia's Secret Nuclear Facility?

Meanwhile the orcs are still slowly being pushed back.

Ukraine Claims Another Village as Russian Tank Losses Mount.

And apparently those Storm Shadows are pretty good.

Russian Air Defense System Spectacularly Fails Storm Shadow Test.

But don't be surprised if PooTin initiates a cleansing internal bloodbath.

It seems that this was what stopped the rebellion.

Kremlin reportedly threatened Wagner families as soldiers marched to Moscow.

It seems Prigozhin gained a lot military expertise in the years he commanded his Wagner killers in Syria, Africa, and Ukraine. He's able to identify in detail all the weaknesses and wrong decisions of Russia's MoD which resulted in the current situation... But he clearly is no bright strategist if he haven't thought about his mercenaries' families before. The FSB fully controls Russia's society and military. FSB agents aren't idiots. They certainly didn't want to replace Putin with Prigozhin, a criminal, thief, robber, and former long-term prisoner. This contradicts the deep inner moral convictions of every police officer or FSB agent, even in Russia. They detest people like Prigozhin.

It seems Prigozhin failed to convice major factions of the Russian elite before starting his riot. He's no strategist.

PooTin tells rebellious Russian fighters to swear allegiance or leave for Belarus.

So Wagner retreated to Belarus. All of them? Are some of them hiding in southern Russia, waiting for a phone call? In Belarus: Is Prigozhin blackmailing, buying or bribing Lukashenka now? There's an army, and army depots, weapons, ammunition, just like in Rostov on Don that Prigozhin just plundered. The triangle of weakness: Lukashenka, Prigozhin, Putin: Who is the puppet of whom now? Good material for a screenplay.

And did they?

Did Wagner Rebels Capture Warheads at Russia's Secret Nuclear Facility?

Doesn't matter, Prigozhin is not capable to use them. Hmmm, but he's a mercenary, a trader in the gold mining business in Africa, maybe diamonds and other "goods" too? He may have completed his latest procurement tour and wants to deliver the lucrative orders from Tehran.
[EDIT:] And another order from Minsk? Lukashenka had stupidly given his away in 1994.

As the little man, PooTin, tries his best to sound tough in front of the people, the top pen pusher of the old KGB (yes, he was no actual spy) has more problems.to worry about

Prigozhin is not the Kremlin's only problem. Meet the Russian partisans trying to help Ukraine win the war and bring PooTin down.

Prigozhin in Belarus, Lukashenko says, as PooTin praises Russian troops for averting 'civil war'.

Wagner's Coup Attempt Lands Russia in Legal Quagmire.

But his words don't ring true.

PooTin claims to have Paid $1 Billion to Wagner Group Before Mutiny.

And Lukashenko finally opens up.

How the 'masculine' talks that averted a siege on Moscow went down, according to PooTin's negotiator.

Though during the whole saga PooTin's orcs in this war are failing.

100,000 Dead or Wounded and Russia Might Lose Bakhmut to Ukraine.

PooTin's Ukraine war keeps yielding dividends, but not for him.

The race could be on to see who's the world's biggest loser is, Donny or PooTin.

Personally, I'm grateful for the fact that the Blonde Bimbo was not in office last year...
...& hoping he won't attain office next year.

Personally, I'm grateful for the fact that the Blonde Bimbo was not in office last year...
...& hoping he won't attain office next year.

Which begs the question of why Putin didn't launch the invasion when Blondie was in office. He put so much effort into Blondie. Is he eventually an indecisive procrastinator?

Oh no! 1 of our paper planes has been shot down.

Pro-PooTin military bloggers claim Australian-built cardboard drone was brought down inside Russia.


Oh bugger. ROFLMFAO!!!

Oh no! 1 of our paper planes has been shot down.

Pro-PooTin military bloggers claim Australian-built cardboard drone was brought down inside Russia.

Oh bugger. ROFLMFAO!!!

Perhaps the Ukrainians attacked a Russian decoy artillery battery and wanted the Russians to know that they knew.
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/myth-real-wooden-bombs-fool-allies.html

One very good rescue:


Ukrainians Entered First Town...


All very human despite the surrounding atrocities...

Stay safe folks!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Love this comment to that video.

When the Ukrainian war started, I confess I had doubts about Zelensky. Not about the man, I knew nothing about him. But I did wonder about his background, a former tv actor and all that. How would he perform as leader of the Ukrainian nation at a time of crisis? As it turned out, he's been brilliant. He never pretended to be a "war leader" and trusted his army and its commanders, but, at the same time, left no doubt that he was in charge. He's earned the respect of all Ukrainians as well as NATO leaders, even those who didn't really want to get too "involved," for various reason. Turkey's Erdogan is one of those. But from the day Joe Biden wanted to fly Zelensky out to safety during the first week of Putin's ill-fated run for Kyiv, but was rebuffed by Zelensky's now famous retort "I don't want a ride out, I need ammunition!" I knew Ukraine had just the man it needed. He's become a familiar sight, always wearing simple military-green t-shirts and pants, showing up in front-line locations as well as capitals around the world advocating Ukraine's case, pleading for material support. There's no doubt in my mind that if Ukraine can be thankful for one thing it's Zelensky being in the right place at the right time!