NEWS OF THE DAY:

#UKRAINE HONOURS MURDERED JOURNALIST: Today at 12 PM in central #Kyiv, a public funeral was held for Victoria Roshchyna, a Ukrainian journalist who died in #Russian captivity.

HOW #RUSSIA TRAFFICKS UKRAINIAN KIDS: Authorities in Russian-occupied #Ukraine have set up an online platform that displays abducted #Ukrainian children in a searchable catalog, allowing users to filter them by physical features such as eye or hair color.

https://x.com/MykolaKuleba/status/1953418682710868476

#armut #bürgergeld #grundsicherung #ukraine
„Und gleichzeitig werde "dieselbe Summe, die man jährlich für das Bürgergeld ausgibt, aufgewendet, um damit in den nächsten vier Jahren Unternehmen zu entlasten beim sogenannten Investitionsbooster, den der Bundestag vor Kurzem beschlossen hat - nämlich auch 46 Milliarden Euro. Und ich finde, es ist wirklich die Frage: Geht es tatsächlich den Armen zu gut und den Reichen zu schlecht? Oder ist es nicht genau umgekehrt
⬇️

#Musk ordered shutdown of Starlink satellite service as #Ukraine retook territory from #Russia www.reuters.com/investigatio...

The Chosen One
Imagine my surprise when that house was singled out by a light ray. Did the Universe want to say something to me this way? Who knows. A #ThrowbackThursday back in #Ukraine over 10 years ago.

#landscape #LandscapePhotography #mountains #AntonGorlinPhotos #art #MastoArt #nature #naturephotography #photo #photography

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Ukrainian Carpathians from height. A shady valley with lit ridges and a single house singled out by a circular light ray.

Why #Putin keeps making the same #Ukraine mistakes https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-putin-keeps-making-same-ukraine-mistakes #strategy

#UkrainianCyberAlliance and #BlackOwl team up to hack manufacturer of #Russian military #drones, sources say.

#Gaskar Group, #Russian designer of drones plaguing #Ukraine​’s skies, is in utter disarray. Or, at least, so says Ukrainian military intelligence.

Hacker groups teamed up to steal and delete 57 TB of critical data and backups, preventing the company from operating, we’re told. In #SBBlogwatch, we peer through the fog of war.

@TheFuturumGroup @TechstrongGroup @SecurityBlvd: https://securityboulevard.com/2025/07/ukraine-hacks-russian-drone-maker-gaskar-richixbw/

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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (caricature)

At least in #Poland all the time I hear otherwise reasonable people who say “let’s make a deal with #Russia with US as a guarantor”.

This is easily dismissed as a trivial naivety, but why doesn’t it work? Because Russia never honors any agreements with parties it considers weaker. Russian elites largely follow code of ethics originating from organised crime, similar to Italian Omertà.[^1] In this system you’re either a “man”, whose word can be relied upon, or a “loser” (Russian: лох), who can be exploited in any way, including deception. And, as a matter of fact, not exploiting a “loser” and holding a word given to him is a honor offense for the “man” himself. Putin often directly or indirectly refers to the criminal “code of ethics” in his public speeches, and occasionally uses terms from the criminal jargon (Russian: феня). Russian popular culture in response started to popularize and idealize it, even in TV series.[^2]

Lesson about “making deals with Russia” had been hard learned by many countries. In 1945 in Yalta[^3] leaders of USA and UK made a deal with Stalin where in Soviet-liberated #Poland there would be democratic elections under international supervision. What Soviet did was first mass-arrests[^4], then entirely falsified referendum[^5] and then falsified elections[^6], which sealed Poland’s fate as a Soviet colony for the next 42 years.

From recent history, #Ukraine had written security assurances from Russia in Budapest Memorandum[^7], guaranteed by US and UK, and also mutual friendship treaty with Russia signed in 1997.[^8] In 2014 Russia walked upon both of them as if they never existed. Even more recently, the ceasefires agreed in 2015-2019 Minsk Agreements were violated by Russia on the next day they were signed - Russians simply never stopped their offensives. As an added bonus, all that time Russia allso pretended it’s not Russian armed forces conducting these attacks.[^9]

That’s exclusively because in Russian thinking you are allowed to sign any agreement and promise anything to the other party but you’re not expected to deliver, as long as you consider them “losers”. This is what Russia did - in Yalta, Budapest and Minsk they made promises because US and UK wanted them and it helped push Russian political goals. But they never intended to honour them for even a minute.

That’s why “making deals with Russia” alone won’t work as long as their enforcement relies exclusively on international law, which - no need to explain - Russia also consider for “losers”.

You can of course make a successful deal with Russia if it’s supported by hard reciprocal measures, such as anti-tank trenches, mine fields or drones and rockets targeted at Russian military installations. But anything signed exclusively on paper won’t hold.

[^1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omert%C3%A0

[^2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boy%27s_Word:_Blood_on_the_Asphalt

[^3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yalta_Conference

[^4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August%C3%B3w_roundup

[^5]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1946_Polish_people%27s_referendum

[^6]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947_Polish_parliamentary_election

[^7]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum

[^8]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian%E2%80%93Ukrainian_Friendship_Treaty

[^9]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk_agreements

The #State Dept began firing >1,350 #US based employees Friday as the #Trump admin goes ahead with an unprecedented overhaul of its #DiplomaticCorps, undermining US ability to defend & promote interests abroad.

The #layoffs, which affect 1,107 #CivilService & 246 #ForeignService officers in the US, come as the US faces multiple global #crises: #Russia's war in #Ukraine, the #Gaza conflict, & the #MiddleEast on edge due to tensions between #Israel & #Iran.

#SoftPower
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/state-department-says-it-will-fire-more-than-1350-workers-trumps-shake-up-2025-07-11/

"#Russia seizes $50 billion in assets as #economy shifts during war in #Ukraine, research shows"

Russia's economy is in trouble

#Putin cannot reassess. He is stuck

#SunkCostFallacy has him staring into the abyss of economic destitution and the political fallout

The profound mistake of Russia's #ethnofascist #imperialism compounds daily with extraordinarily debilitating implications for the future of Russia

A wish:

That Putin lives long enough to reap what he sows

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/fortress-russia-has-confiscated-50-billion-assets-over-three-years-kommersant-2025-07-09/

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Russia seizes $50 billion in assets as economy shifts during war in Ukraine, research shows By Guy Faulconbridge July 10, 20254:59 PM EDTUpdated 4 hours ago Item 1 of 2 A woman walks along a bridge, with the Moscow City business centre and the Kremlin wall seen in the background, on a sunny day in Moscow, Russia, February 24, 2025. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/File Photo [1/2]A woman walks along a bridge, with the Moscow City business centre and the Kremlin wall seen in the background, on a sunny day in Moscow, Russia, February 24, 2025. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Summary Companies 'Fortress Russia' uses host of mechanisms to take major assets Some foreign businesses snared by confrontation with West Some domestic businesses also face nationalisation, report says Russia says it has weathered Western attempt to sink its economy

Here's what we're reading today:

The U.S. State Department confirmed the resumption of military aid to #Ukraine, according to White House.

Trump's administration will consider providing additional defensive weapons to Ukraine, including another #Patriot air defence system.

https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-july-8-2025/

5 men were convicted for setting a #London warehouse with humanitarian aid for #Ukraine alight.

This is the 1st time British citizens have been sentenced for acting under the direction of a banned Russian terrorist group.

#Russia continues to direct sabotage attacks across Europe.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/08/three-men-found-guilty-over-london-arson-attack-on-ukraine-linked-firms

#China Wants #Ukraine to Bleed https://open.substack.com/pub/mickryan/p/china-wants-ukraine-to-bleed?r=av250&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

How close is the EU to quitting russian energy?

The bloc’s russian energy habits in charts

In 2024, the EU spent an estimated €21.9 billion on russian fossil fuels imports – just 1% less than the previous year. To put that into perspective: the amount exceeds the €18.7 billion in financial aid the #EU provided to #Ukraine in the same year.

https://www.euractiv.com/section/eet/news/how-close-is-the-eu-to-quitting-russian-energy/

Dutch military intelligence says Russia uses banned chemical weapons in Ukraine

The #Netherlands & #Germany intelligence agencies have gathered evidence of widespread Russian use of banned #ChemicalWeapons in #Ukraine, including dropping a choking agent from drones to drive soldiers out of trenches to be shot.

"The main conclusion is that we can confirm #Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons," Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said Friday.

#WarCrimes
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-use-chemical-weapons-against-ukraine-widespread-dutch-defence-minister-2025-07-04/

⚡️'Disingenuous' Hegseth paused Ukraine weapons despite Pentagon finding aid wouldn't hurt US readiness, NBC reports.

A senior military review had concluded that while some munitions stockpiles, including precision weapons, were low, they had not fallen below critical thresholds, according to NBC. Still, U.S.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth opted to stop the shipment. This is reportedly his third such move since February.
#AureFreePress #News #press #headline #Ukraine #Russia #Putin #EU #NATO

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Pete Hegseth

Ukrainians in Ireland, unite

russia does not want peace

russia continues to invade, kill civilians, shell #Ukraine cities and destroy us mentally.

Join the rally in the center of #Dublin on Sunday, June 29, at 15:00.

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The image is a poster with a black background and a silhouette of Ukraine filled with red missile shapes pointing towards it. The text on the poster reads "UKRAINE IS STILL UNDER ATTACK" in white and red. At the top, it mentions an event at "The Spire" in Dublin on the 29th of June 2025 from 15:00 to 16:00. The hashtag "#RUSSIAISATERRORISTSTATE" is repeated at the bottom of the poster. The overall theme of the poster appears to be a protest or awareness event regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

I Fought in #Ukraine and Here’s Why FPV #Drones Kind of Suck https://warontherocks.com/2025/06/i-fought-in-ukraine-and-heres-why-fpv-drones-kind-of-suck/

Vladimir Milov, a Russian politician and economist, told about the shortage of financial resources in Russia and noted that the Russian military-industrial complex is "already operating at the limit of its capabilities".

What's needed is to significantly increase financial pressure on Russia now. Not in 2026 or 2027 – today. This is critical for Europe's security.
#AureFreePress #News #press #headline #Ukraine #Russia #Putin #EU #NATO

Khrystyna danced her prom waltz while holding her fallen father's military jacket.

Her father was a soldier who was killed defending #Ukraine from russia. On the most important day of her school life, she honoured his memory by holding him close through his uniform

United 24 Media / Instagram

Victory and justice for #Ukraine

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The image features a design with a blue background. At the top, there is a phrase in English that reads "STRENGTH THROUGH ADVERSITY." In the center of the image, there is a white square with a yellow border. Inside this square is a black Tryzub, the Ukrainian coat of arms, which resembles a trident. Below the square, there is a phrase written in both Latin and Cyrillic script: "SLAVA UKRAINI" and "СЛАВА УКРАЇНІ," which translates to "Glory to Ukraine" in English. The overall design is simple yet striking, with the use of bold colors and clear, legible text.

Der #fossileWahnsinn der Finanzierung der #Ressourcenfluch - Tyranneien #Russland, #Iran, #Katar usw. geht weiter, hier in einer Überschrift von @hollsteinm verdichtet: "Trotz #Ukraine- Krieg
#EU importiert seit Kriegsbeginn russisches #Gas für 32,7 Milliarden Euro"."

Sagt es weiter: Erneuerbare sind #Friedensenergien, dienen dem Schutz der #Mitwelt und der #Mitmenschen. #Solarpunk #Frieden https://www.stern.de/politik/eu-bezieht-russisches-gas-in-milliardenhoehe---trotz-krieg-35802722.html

Karkiv, #Ukraine high school graduation photo taken in the ruins of her high school.

Cr: Artly Snuff

🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦

Back in 1999, Putin insisted Russia doesn’t want Crimea and warned that redrawing international borders would be a disaster.
#AureFreePress #News #press #headline #Ukraine #Russia #Putin #EU #NATO

~ White House Quietly
Pressures Senate to Water Down Russia Sanctions ~

#USPol #Russia #Ukraine #trump

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A news article features Senator Lindsey Graham speaking to reporters in a government building. He appears to be discussing proposed changes to Russia sanctions legislation. Multiple journalists are capturing the moment with their smartphones. The background includes ornate architectural details. Image caption: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) has said he plans to make at least some changes to his Russia-sanctions bill. PHOTO: J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/ASSOCIATED PRESS White House Quietly Pressures Senate to Water Down Russia Sanctions: Trump administration officials urge Sen. Lindsey Graham to weaken legislation By Lindsay Wise and Alexander Ward Updated Jun 06, 2025 12:31 p.m. ET https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-russia-sanctions-senate-dea1f81d Accessed: 6 June 2025 at 1338 EST

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WASHINGTON-The Trump administration is trying to get Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) to significantly weaken his Russia-sanctions bill while the White House seeks to patch up its relationship with Moscow instead of punishing it for the continued invasion of Ukraine. A key provision in the legislation, backed by more than 80 senators, is the imposition of sanctions on key Russian officials and sectors, as well as penalties for countries that do business with Moscow. That, President Trump fears, could harm his goal of reviving relations between the U.S. and Russia even as he seeks to end the war in Ukraine. Over the past weeks, White House and other administration officials have quietly contacted Graham's office, urging him to water down his bill, namely by inserting waivers that would allow Trump to choose who or what gets sanctioned, https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-russia-sanctions-senate-dea1f81d Accessed: 6 June 2025 at 1338 EST

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Over the past weeks, White House and other administration officials have quietly contacted Graham's office, urging him to water down his bill, namely by inserting waivers that would allow Trump to choose who or what gets sanctioned, congressional aides said. Another way to weaken the legislation would be to turn the word "shall" into "may" wherever it appears in the bill's text, removing the mandatory nature of the prescribed reprimands, congressional aides said. Any administration asks for changes to high-profile bills, often seeking language that gives the president more authority to make decisions instead of having foreign-policy actions thrust upon them. But removing the mandatory nature of the sanctions would render Graham's bill toothless, the staffers said, noting that Trump already has the ability to impose sanctions at will. https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-russia-sanctions-senate-dea1f81d Accessed: 6 June 2025 at 1338 EST

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Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.), the lead Democratic co-sponsor on Graham's bill, confirmed the private negotiations with the White House but declined to comment on their substance. "We're moving ahead and the White House is included in our conversations," he said. A White House official said the Constitution "vests the president with the authority to conduct diplomacy with foreign nations. Any sanction package must provide complete flexibility for the president to continue to pursue his desired foreign policy." https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-russia-sanctions-senate-dea1f81d Accessed: 6 June 2025 at 1338 EST

A compilation of strikes by Ukrainian FPV drones on Russian aircraft, including the A-50, Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, An-12, and Il-78, at various airbases during Operation "Spiderweb" on June 1.
#AureFreePress #News #press #headline #Ukraine #Russia #Putin #EU #NATO #Zelensky #war #Breaking #BreakingNews

The Ramifications of #Ukraine’s #Drone Attack - https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2025/06/the-ramifications-of-ukraines-drone-attack.html " If $35K in drones (117 drones times an estimated $300 per drone) can destroy $7B in Russian bombers and other long-range aircraft, why would anyone build more of those planes?" #war

#Zelensky on #OperationSpiderweb:

"The delegation behaved more calmly than before.
But the arrogance... well, it is what it is.
These arrogant people acted a bit more modestly.
Maybe a few more events like this are needed so that everyone will start behaving like decent human beings."

#Ukraine's struggle is a facet of the world's fight against rising #fascism

#Russia and others need to learn due humility

It's our fight too, domestic and international

Note the only methods they understand