Russia-Ukraine war live: Ukraine detains informer accused of helping Russia plot attack on Zelenskiy, says security service

SBU security service says detained woman was gathering intelligence on Ukrainian president’s itinerary as he visited Mykolaiv region

the Guardian

"The shift to stand-off attacks—all Ukrainian jets except the Su-25s can fire munitions from beyond the range of most of #Russia’s ground-based air-defenses—greatly has boosted the life-expectancy of Ukrainian pilots."
#UkraineWar #Ukraine

The Ukrainian Air Force Lost 62 Planes In 2022. So Far In 2023, It Has Lost Just Seven.

Border policing is not going to cut it, this will get worse.

"The #SwedenDemocrats have staked out a position as an immigration-sceptical party claiming to stand up for traditional Swedish culture. The party is especially culturally dogmatic when it comes to #Islam, which senior figures including leader Jimmie Åkesson have frequently suggested is incompatible with 'Swedishness' " #NATO #Turkey

#Sweden struggles to handle the fallout from repeated #QuranBurning protests https://www.euronews.com/2023/08/08/sweden-struggles-to-handle-the-fallout-from-repeated-quran-burning-protests

Sweden struggles to handle the fallout from Quran-burning protests

A series of government-authorised protests have put questions of free speech and Swedish identity up for grabs, while the government warns national security is under threat.

euronews

"Elements of the political system are pushing #Islamaphobia, and pockets of the Swedish media have produced an 'extremely negative' stereotype of #Muslims.

He also finds himself explaining why the #Quran is so important for Muslims to baffled Swedes, who are used to living in one of the most secular societies."

Chocolates and a chat: A peaceful response to #QuranBurnings in #Sweden
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/counter-protests-quran-burning

Chocolates and a chat: A peaceful response to Quran burnings in Sweden

Muslims present at the burnings refuse to be provoked as they hand out chocolates and seek dialogue with onlookers.

Al Jazeera

"These latest assessments represent a marked change from the optimism at the start of the #counteroffensive. These officials say those expectations were 'unrealistic' and are now contributing to pressure on #Ukraine from some in the West to begin peace negotiations, including considering the possibility of territorial concessions."#UkraineWar

Western allies receive increasingly ‘sobering’ updates on Ukraine’s counteroffensive:‘This is the most difficult time of the war’
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/08/politics/ukraine-counteroffensive-us-briefings/index.html

Ukrainian special services have foiled an attempt by Russian #hackers to penetrate the Ukrainian armed forces’ combat information system, the #SBU security service said on Tuesday. #Ukraine #UkraineWar #Russia
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/aug/08/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-moscow-missile-attack-pokrovsk-injuries-deaths?page=with:block-64d24d838f088246c330746b#block-64d24d838f088246c330746b
Russia-Ukraine war live: Kyiv claims to have foiled Russian hacking of armed forces combat system

Ukrainian special service says it has ‘blocked the illegal actions of Russian hackers who tried to penetrate military networks’

the Guardian

"The #ruble has weakened by 23% against the #dollar so far this year, placing it among the three worst emerging-market performers with the #TurkishLira and the #ArgentinePeso.

The ruble was trading below 97 per dollar on Wednesday and is nearing 100 to the greenback, a level last seen during the first month after President Vladimir #Putin ordered the February 2022 invasion." #Russia #UkraineWar #Ukraine

Ruble Weakens Toward 100 Per Dollar for First Time in 16 Months
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ruble-weakens-toward-100-per-081721407.html

Yahooist Teil der Yahoo Markenfamilie

Why is there a pyrotechnics warehouse within the grounds of a critical optical devices manufacturing plant???
---
"The #Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant, referred to as 'ZOMZ' produces night vision devices and binoculars for the Russian military as part of #Russia’s defense conglomerate #Rostec." #ZagorskPlant #UkraineWar #Ukraine

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/08/09/powerful-blast-at-optical-plant-near-moscow-triggers-total-evacuation-a82098

Powerful Blast at Optical Plant Near Moscow Triggers ‘Total Evacuation’

Updated with new injury count.

The Moscow Times

A former #EuropeanCouncil President, #Tusk’s victory would see #Poland moving closer to European allies and reviving support for #Ukraine. His Civic Coalition (KO) party ran with Third Way and the New Left on separate tickets but with a shared commitment to restoring ties with #Europe. #EuropeanUnion

New era’: Tusk celebrates exit polls suggesting opposition win in Poland
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/16/new-era-tusk-celebrates-exit-polls-suggesting-opposition-win-in-poland?traffic_source=rss&utm_source=press.coop

‘New era’: Tusk celebrates exit polls suggesting opposition win in Poland

Poland should see official election results from Monday but exit polls suggest an end to eight years of nationalist rule

Al Jazeera

The final count showed #PiS had received 35.4% of the vote, while #CivicCoalition, led by #Tusk, a former prime minister and #EuropeanCouncil president, had 30.7%. With the centre-right #ThirdWay, on 14.4%, and leftwing #Lewica, on 8.6%, the three groupings should be able to put together a coalition that would form a comfortable majority in the 460-seat parliament. #DonaldTusk #Ukraine

#Poland election: votes counted as country awaits Tusk-led coalition
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/17/poland-election-votes-counted-tusk-coalition-law-justice-party?utm_source=press.coop

Poland election: Tusk urges president to allow for swift formation of government

Civic Coalition leader calls for ‘quick decisions’ after coalition of opposition groups win enough votes for parliamentary majority

The Guardian

The group brings together more than 160 intelligence units from around the world, including the US Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, to cooperate and share information on #MoneyLaundering, #TerroristFinancing and other related crimes. #Ukraine

#Russia Suspended From Global Financial Intelligence Group
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/russia-suspended-global-financial-intelligence-173808952.html

Yahooist Teil der Yahoo Markenfamilie

This is as good as done. Now it's Hungary's turn.

#Russia #Ukraine

#Turkey's president submits protocol for #Sweden's admission into #NATO to parliament for ratification
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/turkeys-president-submits-protocol-swedens-admission-nato-parliament-104221981

Turkey's president submits protocol for Sweden's admission into NATO to parliament for ratification

The office of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he has submitted a protocol for Sweden’s admission into NATO to Turkey’s parliament for ratification

ABC News

Newsflash: The #BankOfRussia has raised its key interest rate from 13% to 15%, a larger rise than expected.

Announcing the 200 basis point hike, the Bank of Russia says current inflationary pressures have significantly increased to a level above its expectations. #UkraineWar #Ukraine

#Russia hikes interest rates to 15% to battle inflation
https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2023/oct/27/natwest-grows-profits-and-admits-serious-failings-over-treatment-of-nigel-farage-business-live?page=with:block-653b91ca8f0880c248190818#block-653b91ca8f0880c248190818

Bank of Russia raises interest rates to 15% to fight inflation – business live

Russian central bank says current inflationary pressures have significantly increased to a level above its expectations

the Guardian

Two articles published this week give a stark assessment of #Ukraine’s prospects in its war with #Russia. One – by the commander in chief of the Ukrainian military – admits the battlefield has reached a stalemate and a long attritional war benefiting #Moscow beckons. The other portrays Ukrainian President Volodymyr #Zelensky as exhausted by the constant effort to cajole and persuade allies to keep the faith.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/03/world/ukraine-president-warns-long-attritional-war/index.html

The marines have secured a beachhead that could allow #Ukraine to reclaim more of the #Kherson region that lies between Ukrainian territory and #Crimea, seized by #Russia in 2014, a fillip for a counter-offensive showing few gains elsewhere, but only if they can find a way to bring armoured vehicles and heavy weapons across the wide river separating the two militaries.

Ukraine troops defend vital foothold on Russian-controlled #DniproRiver
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/03/ukraine-troops-defend-vital-foothold-on-russian-controlled-dnipro-river

Ukraine troops defend vital foothold on Russian-controlled Dnipro River

Beachhead established on occupied side of river could allow Kyiv forces to reclaim more of Kherson region

The Guardian

The conversations have included very broad outlines of what #Ukraine might need to give up to reach a deal, the officials said. Some of the talks, which officials described as delicate, took place last month during a meeting of representatives from more than 50 nations supporting Ukraine, including #NATO members, known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the officials said. #EU

U.S., European officials broach topic of #PeaceNegotiations with Ukraine, sources say
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/us-european-officials-broach-topic-peace-negotiations-ukraine-sources-rcna123628

U.S., European officials broach topic of peace negotiations with Ukraine, sources say

U.S. and European officials have begun quietly talking to the Ukrainian government about what possible peace negotiations with Russia might entail to end the war, according to one current senior U.S. official and one former senior U.S. official familiar with the discussions.

NBC News
Russia-Ukraine war live: Nato allies condemn Russia’s withdrawal from key cold war-era security treaty

Russia withdraws from treaty of conventional armed forces in Europe, which was aimed at preventing cold war rivals from massing forces at borders

the Guardian

#Moldova, a country of about 2.5 million people situated between #Romania and #Ukraine, wouldn’t usually earn much international attention, but its vulnerability to Russian meddling has put it firmly on the #EU’s enlargement radar.

Like Ukraine, Moldova believes its future security lies with the EU,

EU expected to start process of Ukraine and Moldova becoming member states | #EuropeanCommission | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/07/eu-expected-to-start-process-of-ukraine-and-moldova-becoming-member-states

EU expected to start process of Ukraine and Moldova becoming member states

Key report will be first official stocktake of progress of nations in aligning themselves with the bloc

The Guardian

In a 1,200-page report on future enlargement of the 27-member bloc, the #EU said talks should formally be launched once #Kyiv satisfied remaining conditions related to stepping up the fight against corruption, adopting a law on lobbying in line with EU standards and strengthening national minority safeguards.

#EuropeanCommission backs talks on #Ukraine and #Moldova EU membership | #EuropeanUnion | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/08/european-commission-endorses-membership-talks-with-ukraine-and-moldova

European Commission backs talks on Ukraine and Moldova EU membership

Negotiations with Kyiv should formally be launched when it fulfils conditions in areas such as fighting corruption, report says

The Guardian

#Ukraine #Israel

My Mastodon feed on the #UkraineWar has slowed to a bare trickle.

With World’s Attention Locked On Gaza, Ukrainian Soldiers Fear Being Forgotten - The Moscow Times
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/11/08/with-worlds-attention-locked-on-gaza-ukrainian-soldiers-fear-being-forgotten-a83033

With World’s Attention Locked On Gaza, Ukrainian Soldiers Fear Being Forgotten

ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION, Ukraine — Kaneki, a 24-year-old soldier attached to the Ukrainian Ground Forces’ Reco Kilo unit, sits behind the wheel of his pickup truck, taking a long drag on his cigarette.

The Moscow Times

A Russian missile damaged a Liberia-flagged civilian vessel entering a Black Sea port in #Odesa region, killing one and injuring four people including three #Filipinos, Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday.

#Ukraine says Russian missile hits civilian vessel in #BlackSea, injures 3 Filipinos
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/222278/ukraine-says-russian-missile-hits-civilian-vessel-in-black-sea-injures-3-filipinos?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=gallery

Ukraine says Russian missile hits civilian vessel in Black Sea, injures 3 Filipinos

A Russian missile damaged a Liberia-flagged civilian vessel entering a Black Sea port in Odesa region, killing one and injuring four people including three Filipinos, Ukrainian officials said

INQUIRER.net

“I mean #space, including high-orbit assets, and new prospective types of weapons that will ensure strategic security of both #Russia and the People's Republic of #China,” Putin said without elaboration. #Ukraine

Putin calls for closer Russia-China cooperation on military #satellites and prospective weapons - ABC News
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/top-chinese-military-official-visits-moscow-talks-expanding-104714262

Putin calls for closer Russia-China cooperation on military satellites and prospective weapons

Russian President Vladimir Putin has told a senior Chinese military official that Moscow and Beijing should expand their cooperation on military satellites and other prospective defense technologies

ABC News

Border defense? What border defense? 🙄

The #Ukraine conflict is overextending #Russia’s military and straining its ability to maintain secure defence of its borders, the #UK’s Ministry of Defence has said.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/09/russia-ukraine-war-live-troops-avdiivka-encirclement-zelenskiy-putin?page=with:block-654cc0b48f0898cc3cb04266#block-654cc0b48f0898cc3cb04266

Russia-Ukraine war live: overextended Russian military struggling to maintain border defences, says UK

UK Ministry of Defence says Russia diverting military resources away from border to help with war in Ukraine

the Guardian
War Mapper (@[email protected])

Attached: 4 images Ukraine update for the past week: Ukraine has retained previously captured positions on the Southern bank of the Dnipro and expanded its control within Krynky. South of Bakhmut, Ukraine has made advances around the rail line. West of Bakhmut, Russia has attacked along the edge of the Bohdanivka reservoir. Around Robotyne, Ukraine has captured positions on the Eastern flank of the salient.

Mastodon 🐘

#Czechoslovakia #Taiwan

The Czech and Taiwanese governments signed an agreement on Friday to work together to help reconstruction work in #Ukraine, with a senior Czech envoy praising #Taipei as a “great ally” despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/10/russia-ukraine-war-live-russia-intensifying-assault-on-avdiivka-says-ukraine-military?page=with:block-654df93e8f08a95ef07ebc87#block-654df93e8f08a95ef07ebc87

Russia-Ukraine war live: Russia intensifying assault on Avdiivka, says Ukraine military

Wet ground holding Russians back for now, says Ukrainian official; private abortion clinics in illegally occupied Crimea ‘voluntarily’ close

the Guardian

Russian judge Kirill Gevorgian, who joined the #UN’s International Court of Justice (#ICJ) in 2015, has failed to win reelection, leaving the court without a representative of #Russia or the #USSR for the first time since it began working in 1946. #Ukraine

https://meduza.io/en/news/2023/11/10/russia-loses-international-court-of-justice-seat-for-the-first-time-in-history

Russia loses International Court of Justice seat for the first time in history — Meduza

Russian judge Kirill Gevorgian, who joined the U.N.’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2015, has failed to win reelection, leaving the court without a representative of Russia or the USSR for the first time since it began working in 1946.

Meduza

Medics work in makeshift conditions, even while targeted by Russian bombs, to stabilise patients before they can be taken to hospitals

‘We save 98% of our patients’: inside a frontline Ukrainian field hospital | #Ukraine | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/13/im-focused-on-my-work-inside-a-frontline-ukrainian-field-hospital

‘We save 98% of our patients’: inside a frontline Ukrainian field hospital

Medics work in makeshift conditions, even while targeted by Russian bombs, to stabilise patients before they can be taken to hospitals

The Guardian
Major implications for #Ukraine, this is only the 2nd time in #UK's history that a former prime minister has become a member of the current Cabinet. Lord Cameron will have a lot of clout at home and internationally.

The last former #PrimeMinister to serve in one of his successor’s parliaments is believed to be Alex Douglas-Home, who served in #EdwardHeath’s government as foreign secretary six years after leaving Number 10. #Ukraine

How can #DavidCameron return as Foreign Secretary while not being an MP?
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/how-can-david-cameron-return-as-foreign-secretary-while-not-being-an-mp/ar-AA1jPKxU

MSN

Cameron posted on #X, formerly known as #Twitter: “We are facing a daunting set of international challenges, including the war in #Ukraine and the crisis in the #MiddlEast. At this time of profound global change, it has rarely been more important for this country to stand by our allies, strengthen our partnerships and make sure our voice is heard." #Israel

#DavidCameron returns to #UK government as foreign secretary | David Cameron | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/13/david-cameron-returns-to-uk-government-as-foreign-secretary

David Cameron returns to UK government as foreign secretary

Former PM makes surprise comeback as part of reshuffle in which Suella Braverman replaced by James Cleverly as home secretary

The Guardian
David Cameron appointed foreign secretary as James Cleverly confirmed as home secretary – UK politics live

Former PM will take seat in House of Lords; Suella Braverman says she will have ‘more to say in due course’

the Guardian

#XiJinping and #Biden expected to discuss #UkraineWar at #Apec meeting; #Germany says aid to #Ukraine will be ‘massively expanded’ in 2024

#RussiaUkraineWar at a glance: what we know on day 629 | Ukraine | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/14/russia-ukraine-war-at-a-glance-what-we-know-on-day-629

Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 629

Xi and Biden expected to discuss Ukraine war at Apec meeting; Germany says aid to Ukraine will be ‘massively expanded’ in 2024

The Guardian

With built-in radar and twin 35mm autocannons, the Gepard is the ideal mobile antidrone defense system. #DroneWar #Jordan

#US Secures 60 #Gepard Anti-Aircraft Systems for #Ukraine in $118 Million Deal - Militarnyi
https://mil.in.ua/en/news/u-s-secures-60-gepard-anti-aircraft-systems-for-ukraine-in-118-million-deal/U.S.

Russia-Ukraine war live: Germany says EU target of 1m pieces of ammunition for Ukraine will not be met

Boris Pistorius says ‘it is safe to assume’ goal will be missed as European defence ministers meet to discuss ongoing commitment to Ukraine

the Guardian

Ms Politkovskaya, an investigative reporter and vocal critic of #Russia's war in #Chechnya, was shot in a lift in her block of flats.

Her reporting for #NovayaGazeta newspaper won international renown for her dogged investigation of Russian abuses in Chechnya.

#AnnaPolitkovskaya: Russian convicted of journalist murder gets pardon fighting in #Ukraine - BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67414517?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA&utm_source=press.coop

image source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Politkovskaya

Anna Politkovskaya: Russian convicted of journalist murder gets pardon

An ex-police officer jailed for the 2006 murder of Anna Politkovskaya is freed after fighting in Ukraine.

BBC News

One of the world’s biggest accountancy firms helped #Russia’s “richest” #oligarch attempt to transfer £1bn in a public company on the day he was placed under #EUSanctions, leaked documents suggest. The disclosure raises serious questions about the role played by #PwC #Cyprus in a potential #SanctionsBreach.

#PriceWaterhouseCooper #Ukraine #UkraineWar #CyprusConfidential

PwC Cyprus moved £1bn for Russian tycoon on day he was put under sanctions | Business | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/14/pwc-cyprus-russian-tycoons-ukraine-invasion-sanctions

PwC Cyprus moved £1bn for Russian tycoon on day he was put under sanctions

Leaked files raise questions over timing of deal as government of Cyprus reveals ‘ongoing’ criminal investigation

The Guardian

The role of the blue-chip accountants #PwC Cyprus and other advisers in managing transactions as Vladimir #Putin’s forces launched their assault has emerged from #CyprusConfidential, a cache of 3.6m files leaked by an anonymous source to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (#ICIJ) and Germany’s Paper Trail Media. #Russia #UkraineWar

#Cyprus to clamp down as investigation reveals oligarchs moved assets after #Ukraine invasion
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/14/cyprus-to-clamp-down-as-investigation-reveals-oligarchs-moved-assets-after-ukraine-invasion

Cyprus to clamp down as investigation reveals oligarchs moved assets after Ukraine invasion

Biggest ever leak of financial data from Cyprus raises concerns over EU state’s role in managing Russian fortunes

The Guardian

The documents, and Seipel’s response, suggest the payments were for his work on a 2015 biography called #Putin: Inner Views of Power and a 2021 title, Putin’s Power: Why #Europe Needs #Russia, both originally written in German.

Seipel does not appear to have disclosed the payments to his publisher.

#CyprusConfidential #Ukraine

Top German journalist received €600,000 from Putin ally, leak reveals | #Germany
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/14/german-journalist-putin-hubert-seipel

Top German journalist received €600,000 from Putin ally, leak reveals

Influential author and broadcaster Hubert Seipel received financial support for his work on two books described by many as sympathetic to Russian president

The Guardian

The war in #Ukraine has backfired on #Russia in almost every conceivable way, from kickstarting #NATO expansion to affirming the Ukrainian national consciousness. If #Putin truly believes the future masters of #AI will be masters of the universe, the war’s closing of Russia’s narrow window to catch up in the field may be the most devastating consequence of all.

Putin Wants Russia to Win the #ArtificialIntelligence Race. Here’s Why it Won’t - The Moscow Times
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/11/14/putin-wants-russia-to-win-the-artificial-intelligence-race-heres-why-it-wont-a83103

Putin Wants Russia to Win the Artificial Intelligence Race. Here’s Why it Won’t

Opinion | “Whoever leads in AI will rule the world,” President Vladimir Putin declared at an address commencing the 2017 Russian school year.

The Moscow Times

@Norobiik Reminds me of the East German semiconductor project. They spent a huge amount of effort trying to catch up with the West in chips. Technically, they succeeded, matching the 1 Mbit DRAM which was the state of the art at the time.

They could not make them in sufficient quantity or with adequate quality to compete economically.

The Russians will at best copy Western AI efforts. They are not going to attract smart AI people from other countries, especially while under sanctions.

@mike805

Just look at how their vaunted lunar polar visit went, very sloppy execution.

I honestly think the Russian Federation will inevitably break up. They've poured and are still pouring any remaining resources in their invasion of Ukraine while their infrastructure while their economy and border security crumbles.

It's just a matter of time.