Sergei Naryshkin is head of Russian foreign intelligence (SVR). Which means he receives all the bad news before anyone else, including the President. So he had more insight from the assessments he received into the likely blowback from waging war against Ukraine. Whether he was even consulted beforehand is an open question. Ashen faced and … Continue reading Brickbats Tossed at Foreign Intelligence Chief Naryshkin

Under the Montreux Convention of 1936 Turkey, a member of NATO, has the right to close the straits between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean (the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus) to incoming military shipping in the event of war. It was requested to do so by Ukraine when Putin invaded, using the navy to blockade … Continue reading Turkey Closes the Dardanelles to the Russian Navy

Only a few days ago Russian financier Andrei Movchan was breezily dismissive of sanctions, having seen what British Prime Minister Boris Johnson served up as hors d'oeuvres. He evidently thought he was safe. Now he sees through the glass darkly with Russia's future as "Venezuela with Missiles". Others have been more specific. All goods about … Continue reading Financial and Economic Sanctions Begin to Bite With the Shock of More to Come

It has taken its time, but NATO is finally pulling together as it had not done before. All of its air space is now closed to Russian traffic. In acts of solidarity the Dutch and the Germans are also sending 200 and 500 anti-aircraft stinger missiles respectively to bolster Ukrainian resistance. The Italians have given … Continue reading Russia is Increasingly Isolated Front and Back

The Orwellian description of the war of aggression as a special military operation has had some difficulty finding acceptance. Today some five hours ago Roskomnadzor has threatened those newspapers calling Putin's murderous escapade against Ukraine a war, which they have officially been forbidden from doing. And one hour ago the Ministry of Defence repeated the … Continue reading The Kremlin Cracks Down on the Press

As the antiwar protests are reported in Novaya gazeta, a stark reminder of an age-old truth came from the editorial in Nezavisimaya gazeta. The text offers much more, as under Soviet rule, between the lines. Entitled "War. Causes and Consequences. Outcome Uncertain", it certainly won't please the president. Indeed, it could be described as passive … Continue reading Prepare Two Coffins: One for the Enemy and One for Yourself

The hardline newspaper Vzglyad today looks at Ukrainian special forces, which may matter a great deal if the Russians intend to occupy the country for any length of time. Formalised in 2016, they now amount to some 15,000 men, making up in quantity what they lack in quality from hasty training, according to the Russians. … Continue reading Covert Operations in Ukraine

The entire operation launched against Ukraine was accomplished in a barrage of deceit. Yet the Russian military have forgotten to toe the line and describe what has been going on in remarkable detail. On Zvezda, deep state tv, the military have proudly announced the destruction of 74 targets within Ukraine's military infrastructure, including eleven air … Continue reading The Kremlin Clumsily Tries to Conceal the Truth

At 5.30 am Moscow time President Putin announced "a special military operation" that is supposedly designed to disarm Ukraine by destroying airfields, command, control and communications, which was preceded yesterday by cyber warfare and the evacuation of the Russian embassy in the capital, where diplomatic staff were seen outside burning files. The Russians also closed … Continue reading Putin Invades Ukraine: Opening Pandora’s Box?

It makes sense. While the adversary is threatening war in one theatre, he cannot concentrate on what takes place around the periphery. In this case deep state tv informed us tonight that on 15 February Defence Minister Shoigu had to fly out to Damascus. The reason why was that the British and the Americans were … Continue reading The US and UK Stir Unrest in Syria