Russian Army’s Use of Donkeys in Ukraine Underscores a Staggering Equipment Shortage

Pro-war blogger Kirill Fedorov claimed that the Defense Ministry had sent a donkey to his unit due to a shortage of vehicles. More evidence of Russian soldiers using donkeys, horses and even camels to transport supplies emerged soon after.

Lieutenant General Viktor Sobolev, a member of the Russian State Duma’s Defense Committee, said the army’s use of pack animals was a “normal” practice.

[...] in recent months, there have been increasing cases of Russian soldiers launching assaults on Ukrainian positions in ordinary civilian cars.

[...] Russia has lost over 15,000 pieces of military hardware since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022, including more than 3,700 tanks and roughly 8,000 armored vehicles. The number of destroyed civilian vehicles is even higher.

Pro-Russian Candidate Declared Winner in Abkhazia’s Presidential Race

Pro-Russian politician Badra Gunba was declared the winner of the runoff presidential election in the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia, officials said Sunday.

Abkhazia is recognised by most of the world as Georgian territory but has been under de facto Russian control since a brief 2008 war between Georgia and Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Gunba, saying the Abkhazian people had expressed their "free popular will."

Abkhazia has been gripped by tension since November, when protesters ousted pro-Kremlin president Aslan Bzhania over a Russian investment bill that critics argued would lead to uncontrolled development in the Black Sea region.

Bzhania was the third Abkhazian leader to resign due to protests since 2014.

Tbilisi denounced the election as an illegal and blatant violation of its sovereignty.

Abkhaz separatists expelled tens of thousands of Georgians from the region during and after a war spurred by the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.

There could also be peace, progress, freedom, and democracy in Ukraine, like in beautiful Abkhazia, if only these stubborn Ukrainians would elect smart leaders who understand and share the admiration and love of Russians towards the warm, subtropical Black Sea region. Instead, they elect poorly dressed, unshaven, and unsuccessful former actors, with bad manners towards true presidents. What a pity!

Orthodox church from Arkhangelsk oblast propagating anti-abortion law:

zashchiti menya - YA - zashchitit' tebya
SEGODNYA - smogu - ZAVTRA

#LeptaZaZhizhn'
Abort - eto ubiystvo

Protect me - I - protect you
TODAY - can - TOMORROW

#AContributionToLife
Abortion - this is murder

Former NATO commanders have revealed PooTin will invade another three countries if we don’t act now.

And all will be enabled by delusional Donny.

Enabled by us, reckless Europeans. Who should be responsible for upholding security and peace in Europe? First of all, ourselves!!! This concept was lost sometime in 2001...2005 when we began to fight global wars against terrorism. Btw.: EU membership also contains military assistance obligations that go beyond NATO article 5 (Eurocrats enshrined it in treaties, without caring about the necessary military capacity,.. well... it's "NATO"..., just like an invisible protective shield from StarTrek).

The Baltics were only admitted to NATO pro forma due to their constant pressure (Western Europeans even mocked their 'baseless fears' of the cuddly Russian bear back then). Like Iceland they are incapable to defend their sovereignty against an determined adversary. No deterrent NATO force was built up in order not to provoke Russia. The 1997 NATO-Russia Founding act ruled out permanently forward deployed NATO troops.

Baltic states have no air forces. Just since 2004 their airspace has been guarded by a few temporarily deployed NATO jets (6 month rotation) ("Baltic Air Policing"). Combat air patrol, in case Putin....? Uuhh... The whole German Air Force's inventory contains missiles for two or three days of military conflict; after that: reorders from small-scale industry. (NATO demand: 30 days). Brits? France? It wouldn't surprise me, the (formerly non-aligned) Finns and Swedes have the largest reserves in Europe.

The temporarily deployed NATO brigades (without permanent barracks, without weapons or ammunition depots, maintenance, ...) are meant as a 'tripwire' that will make sure a few thousand NATO troops end up as Russian POWs when they conquest the Baltics within a few days. Putin broke the NATO-RUssia act at least since 2009 with frequent large-scale maneuvers. The West adhered to this treaty until 2022.

Since Trump gave up Ukraine, the US guarantee for the Baltics (former Soviet territory) becomes more than dubious. What capabilities for amphibious operations from the sea can Europeans provide to fend off a Russian attack? I'm afraid none at all.

I cannot see that my government perceives a credible threat to the Baltics. After all, it is "NATO" territory, secured, don't worry... Some idiots even argue the cheapest protection for Ukraine would be joining NATO, then peace would be assured automaticly. Our leaders have lost awareness for military strategic thinking. It's outside their world view.

Peace is the norm. Soldiers, military endagers peace. That is how large circles think here.

I was going to say in the Cafe where I posted about this wondering if the captain of the cargo ship was Russian, but it was in the Cafe.

Cargo ship captain arrested after tanker crash in UK is a Russian national.

The captain of a cargo ship who was arrested after the vessel crashed into a tanker in the North Sea was a Russian national, it has emerged.

The Solong smashed into the Stena Immaculate — a tanker carrying jet fuel for the US military — on Monday, sparking massive blazes on both vessels.

The incident unfolded just off the east coast of northern England, sparking an emergency response and concerns of environmental damage.

On Tuesday, a 59-year-old man, later revealed to be the Solong's captain, was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence and manslaughter.

British police say he remains in custody while detectives continue their investigation into the incident.......

Can one imagine a captain like that making a deal? You crash your ship at high speed into a U.S. flagged tanker transporting jet fuel for the Navy. Your career is over. Possibly a few years in prison. But when you get home, a bank account with $5M ... $10M awaits you for retirement.

A new phase in the Russia-Ukraine war?

Putin now wears military camouflage (he never served in the Soviet Army, but instead became a Chekist after graduating from law studies). Never seen him doing that before.

http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/76446
or here:
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cgj5w6veqw6t

The Führer had at least an Iron Cross medal from WWI, which he wore on his mock uniform.

Have not seen any more about this so IMHO it could be possible propaganda.

Explosion Rocks Putin's Limousine in Moscow
Last updated
7 hours ago

An explosion involving a limousine from Russian President Vladimir Putin's official fleet occurred in Moscow near the FSB headquarters. The vehicle, identified as an Aurus Senat, caught fire, prompting widespread speculation about an assassination attempt. No confirmation has been made regarding the cause of the explosion or any injuries. Reports indicate heightened security measures around Putin, reflecting concerns over potential threats.

This story is a summary of posts on X and may evolve over time. Grok can make mistakes, verify its outputs.

Have not seen any more about this so IMHO it could be possible propaganda.

Explosion Rocks Putin's Limousine in Moscow
Last updated
7 hours ago

An explosion involving a limousine from Russian President Vladimir Putin's official fleet occurred in Moscow near the FSB headquarters. The vehicle, identified as an Aurus Senat, caught fire, prompting widespread speculation about an assassination attempt. No confirmation has been made regarding the cause of the explosion or any injuries. Reports indicate heightened security measures around Putin, reflecting concerns over potential threats.

This story is a summary of posts on X and may evolve over time. Grok can make mistakes, verify its outputs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhVaW1DI7Ic

It doesn't take but a screwdriver to loosen a hose clamp and get a puddle of liquid on things that are hot.

It doesn't take but a screwdriver to loosen a hose clamp and get a puddle of liquid on things that are hot.

I would assume that such special vehicles, potentially carrying Putin, are guarded 24/7 by ultra-loyal, well-paid personnel, so that no one approaches it with a screwdriver...

Can you imagine that someone in the US could manipulate "The Beast" without being immediately shot by the Secret Service?

It doesn't take but a screwdriver to loosen a hose clamp and get a puddle of liquid on things that are hot.

I would assume that such special vehicles, potentially carrying Putin, are guarded 24/7 by ultra-loyal, well-paid personnel, so that no one approaches it with a screwdriver...

Can you imagine that someone in the US could manipulate "The Beast" without being immediately shot by the Secret Service?

Yes. Car parks are like that. So are service places.

How Trump’s Backfiring Trade War Could Crash Putin’s Economy

[...] Brent crude is now at just $63, while Urals, Russia’s key export blend, plunged to almost $50 per barrel. This is far below what the Kremlin needs to break even, delivering a severe blow to an already fragile economy. These rock-bottom prices threaten Russia’s strapped budget and all but guarantee another devaluation of the ruble in the coming months.

[...] The Moscow Exchange sank 2% yesterday, marking its 14th consecutive day of losses - its longest losing streak since Russia’s 1998 debt default . Russian stocks remain largely off-limits for foreign investors due to ongoing sanctions, though there was a brief window of interest during the early days of the current Putin-Trump alliance.

Meanwhile, the prospect of a ceasefire in Ukraine becomes increasingly remote. As Russia’s economic outlook darkens, Putin is unlikely to pivot towards peace talks or negotiations. His regime, already under siege from economic instability, will not entertain concessions in Ukraine. Rather than pursuing diplomacy, Putin will likely dig in his heels, further entrenching Russia’s isolation from the West.

[...] With oil prices sinking, sanctions intact, and global pressure mounting, Putin’s ambitions of reintegration into the international community are fading fast. What once seemed like an opportunity for Russia to break free from its isolation has turned into another painful reminder of the Kremlin’s failures. [...]

The irony of the Trump administration unintentionally sinking the Russian economy through sheer incompetence might be the most fitting punchline to his absurd trade war.

[...] In the end, Putin’s economic ambitions may be crushed. Not by the sanctions, but by Trump’s chaotic blunders.

Putin announces three-day Russian ceasefire in Ukraine from 8 May

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire for the war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin said the ceasefire would run from the morning of 8 May until 11 May - which coincides with victory celebrations to mark the end of World War Two.

In a statement on Monday, the Kremlin said Putin declared the ceasefire "based on humanitarian considerations".

"In the event of violations of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian side, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will give an adequate and effective response.

"The Russian side once again declares its readiness for peace talks without preconditions, aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, and constructive interaction with international partners."

Ukraine should agree and stop fighting between 8th and 11th May.

Instead they should send a large, impressive honorary squadron of drones to participate in the 80th WWII victory parade at Red Square, Moscow on May 9th which will release a thick smoke screen there, colored light blue and yellow... Because it was the 1st Ukrainian Front (army group) and 1st+2nd Belarusian Front that broke the Nazi resistance in Berlin in May 1945. Therefore, Ukrainians must absolutely participate prominently in this parade.

The timid civilized world has found nothing with which to oppose the onslaught of a sudden revival of barefaced barbarity, other than concessions and smiles.

Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008), Soviet writer, Gulag inmate, outcast, Nobel laureate.

Well that's 1 lot that won't be reporting back to PooTin anytime soon.

Bulgarian spies nabbed for feeding information to Russia facing jail time in the UK.

It was as though it came straight from a spy novel.

There was a beautician, a love triangle and a mixed-martial-arts fighter.

The operations were run out of a dilapidated guesthouse in a British seaside town.

Children's toys, car keys, water bottles and even a pair of glasses were used to hide covert surveillance devices.

There were fake identities purporting to be those of accredited journalists, UN ambassadors, law enforcement officers and health workers.

Some of the uniforms sourced to help the spies get into buildings undetected included those for paramedics and couriers from DHL, Uber, Deliveroo and Pizza Express.

But this isn't a gripping espionage thriller.

This is a story of a sophisticated spy ring, which was working on behalf of the Russian government.........

Seems Russia has to build more trainlines for domestic transport as the Russian airspace becomes increasingly congested leaving passengers stranded:

Largest-Ever Ukrainian Drone Attack Paralyzes Russian Airports, Stranding Thousands of Passengers

Amid the air assault, civil aviation authorities grounded flights at Moscow’s Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky airports, as well as in the cities of Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, Yaroslavl, Kazan and others, warning of possible cancellations.

Major airlines, including Aeroflot, Pobeda and S7, told passengers to expect disruptions as they canceled hundreds of flights for Tuesday and Wednesday. S7 promised to issue a full refund for passengers with canceled flights or exchange tickets for other flights if there are available seats.

In Siberia, transportation authorities said more than 4,000 passengers were stranded at airports in 10 cities. Many of the disruptions were caused by flights arriving late due to air restrictions at Moscow airports.

Russia’s Association of Tour Operators later on Wednesday said at least 60,000 passengers were impacted by flight delays and cancellations as of Wednesday afternoon.

“Due to the peculiarities of airlines’ schedule planning, these delays and cancellations will not be the end of it: planes that did not arrive at their destination on time will be late for other flights as well,” the organization was quoted as saying by Kommersant.

The closures came as Chinese President Xi Jinping was expected to arrive in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin, as well as to attend the May 9 Victory Day parade on Red Square. According to the exiled news outlet Agentstvo, foreign officials often fly into Vnukovo airport during official visits to Russia.

A Planned Economy in Modern Russia? It Didn't Work Last Time and Won't Work Today

The Kremlin seems to be preparing to introduce state-mandated prices for food. Or at least some foodstuffs. Of course, for the benefit of the population. The effects of the government's own policies came to a boil when the price of potatoes in stores reached 120-130 rubles ($1.46-$1.58) per kilogram.

[...] We Russians have been in this position before. It was not even 40 years ago that we endured endless queues, coupons and “sausage trains” to buy goods in Moscow. Now, of course, we have a market economy. That does not preclude shop counters being divided between goods with state and private prices. [...]

Market prices will soar, just like how meat from a Soviet store was at first four times cheaper than meat from the open market, then ten times. The state audit office will be so busy catching price gougers that a separate state Planning Committee — like Gosplan — will have to be resurrected because there is simply not enough food to supply at state prices. The Kremlin will say there is no other way to deal with producers that cannot cope with demand, but insist on charging the public ever higher prices. Wherever this committee goes, destruction will follow.

But the most interesting thing is [...] economists are not the only ones who understand this. So does the government. They know they have engineered the current crisis through their own actions. But they are unable to do anything about it.

Imagine what will happen when officials order farmers to sell their goods at a low mandatory price, without any schemes to reduce their initial costs. I do not want to scare you, but even if we do not reach the stage where the government starts requisitioning grain, nobody in Russia will escape the consequences of a planned economy.

Russia’s Birth Rate Plunges to 200-Year Low

Some regions saw even sharper drops. Births fell by 18.7% in Arkhangelsk, 19.4% in the republic of Karelia, 18.6% in the Oryol region, 21.6% in Kostroma and 26.6% in Smolensk.

According to demographer Alexei Raksha, the first quarter of 2025 likely saw the lowest number of births since the early 1800s, with February marking the lowest monthly figure in over 200 years. Based on preliminary registry office data, he estimated that 95,000 to 96,000 children were born in March, bringing the total for the first quarter to around 293,000-294,000.

Nationwide, deaths outnumbered births by an average of 1.6 to 1. In some regions, the gap was even wider: in Kaluga and Ivanovo, twice as many people died as were born; in Vladimir and Belgorod, the ratio was three to one.

By 2046, the country’s population could fall to 138.8 million under Rosstat’s baseline forecast — or to just 130 million in a more pessimistic scenario, roughly equal to the size of the Russian Empire in 1897.

This sharp decrease could significantly reshape Russia’s demographics. By the early 2040s, the number of children and teenagers is projected to fall by 26%, to just 20 million. Their share of the population would drop from 18.5% today to 14.2%. Meanwhile, the proportion of elderly Russians is expected to grow from 24.5% today to nearly 27% by 2046.