Regardless of who came up with it, that is an excellent quote. For everyone who knows the history of warfare, they know exactly what 'soviet-style army' means, with all its implications and insults.
Phillips, you have very helpfully given us a thorough update on the troubling story of Fedorov's firing. Thank you so much.
It's unfortunate that Zelenskyy has been involved in cronyism and corruption. Of course, he grew up when the so-called 'Russian system' of doing business was the norm.
Fedorov is younger, and more a man of the post-Russian democratic era. Personally, I find him brilliant.
A leader who wants to improve the well-being of his troops! Imagine that! Even for no other reason, if I were one of his troops, I'd follow him anywhere.
The generational shift is fascinating. Those Ukrainians who are off the Maidan generation do seem different (though to be fair I know many older Ukrainians who also want a democratic and non-corrupt future
Of course we knew about Zelensky's corruption from the Pandora papers in 2021 - if it wasn't obvious already. His comments, however, had been the basis upon which the Professor has based probably about a quarter of his updates upon since then.
Your life must be so empty, that you need to come here and be so damn negative. You have my pity adrian. No one should endure loneliness and misery. Perhaps if you attempted to get along with the rest of the kids you might become part of this community in a positive way. Perhaps these will help:
Thanks for the links. I'm not lonely - I just get up an hour earlier than the rest of my lovely family on Sunday mornings. I'm very happy - I love them and they love me - that's why I don't want them dying in a f***ing nuclear winter - which is a non-zero possible outcome from all your demented chickenhawkery. I'm astonished that you lot can be so blythly dismissive of that - never occurred to me that that might be because you see this as a support group rather than a place for serious geopolitical discussion
, but you live and learn. Please pass response on to Herr Donut if you see him.
"Of course we knew about Zelensky's corruption..."
Perhaps some day you'd like to post a treatise on Putin's corruption for us. We can notify Substack in advance so they'll have plenty of disk space available. Or is that a subject you have no interest in and would rather brush off with some glib and ultimately self-revealing comment?
Thanks for this analysis! Oleksandr Syrskyi is the type of leader that gets you Soviet style ground warfare we've seen in the first years of this war. Heavy fighting for some treelines and villages. This was incredibly depicted in the famous documentary '2000 metres to Andriivka'. The movie made a huge impact, but it also made clear this isn't the way forward in this war. Otoh, you have leaders like Fedorov, who prioritized drone collective and who's been one of the leading voices behind the Freya initiative, to build a Ukrainian/European alternative for the Patriot missile. The Freya is build with the help of nine European countries, with the Netherlands contributing with the Destinus company from Hengelo. June this year, Fedorov visited the company, which also builds the Ruta cruise missiles (https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/06/22/european-company-says-it-has-built-this-engine-entirely-in-house-now-it-can-help-arm-ukraine-at-scale/). So Ukraine has got to ask itself the question: what wins modern wars: generals focused on high cost, low reward warfare or leaders that forge strategic coalitions and build for the future.
You say nothing about the European effort to build a replacement for the Patriot. Why isn’t that major news, even more important than the on-again-off-again, possible-but-who-knows-whether-it-will-happen of Kiev’s eventually (or not) building Patriots under license?
Many thanks for this very clear exposition of the current crisis of government in Ukraine.
It is axiomatic that a good manager will nurture "a system where strong commanders and leaders are allowed to develop rather than being suppressed, written off, sent away, reprimanded and held back" as Fedorov most eloquently put it.
In this respect the top manager, Zelensky, has often been found wanting although as a democratically elected president, he does listen to public opinion and showed it last year when he backtracked over his clumsy attempt to throttle Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies.
Will he do the same this time, reinstate Fedorov and remove Syrsky if their conflict can't be resolved ? Ukrainian law says that the positions of foreign minister and defence minister have to be approved by parliament. As the Rada is now in recess until mid-August, Zelensky has ample time to work things out, not least in his own mind, and hopefully end up by doing what is clearly in the best interests of his country.
Through this conflict and its spectacular fallout, we are also witnessing a (final ?) parting of the ways between an old bureaucratic, authoritarian and soviet style regime and a more transparent, responsive and digitally driven form of government (let's not forget that Fedorov was a highly successful minister for digital transformation) from which many countries in Europe, not least my own, France, can learn a great deal.
Phillips, and Community, unrelated to this post, I want to tell you that I’m so glad I found you on Substack- I’m not even sure how. I really appreciate your insight, your analysis, and your very intelligent and informative commentary. Well worth the minimal cost of my subscription, so thank you very much
I was introduced to Dr. O'Brien through my subscription to Adam Kinzginer's Substack. I am so grateful myself. I look forward to Dr. O'Brien's articles and podcasts.
I'm currently reading 'War and Power' and it is one of the best books on the subject I've come across. Not that I read a lot of books on warfare, but I was enticed after reading this blog for a while. It's very readable (unlike, I'm told, some of the denser and more academic books that PO'B has written which I might try to tackle later.)
I understand you must prioritize Phillips. I do hope you have queued up your thoughts on the "Magyar naval battle" in Azov and Black Sea. Operation “MoLoChKa”
What is it, like 170+ vessels immobilized (by intention not sunken) in less than two weeks? Rubikon drone crews being redirected to defend shadow fleet tankers? Etc.
I would be surprised if allied nation leaders did not fill up Zelensky inbox with WTFs after firing Fedorov. He seemed to get on really well with both defence ministers and defence industry.
I'll have a lot of updates to catch up after coming back. As I won't be reading while over there, unless, of course, the Ukrainians capture Sevastopol or Moscow.
Yes, something like that. Although I understand they actually walked through the forest. 20 km over 24 hours, since it was deep snow, and they weren't following even any trails, let alone roads.
Also, got a hotel half a mile from John Frostbrug. I hope it's not a bridge too far for walking.
There's a little bit WWI in there - as in watching the Last Post at the Menin Gate.
" I plan to drive (in reverse) the route of Kampfgruppe Peiper..."
Off-topic story:
My father worked with a guy ('Harry')who lived near Boston but had to visit relatives in Worcester, MA (back in the 1950s). While driving out there - around 45 miles / 72 km - the transmission in his car started grinding. On top of that it started snowing. When he pulled into the destination the transmission stripped a vital gear and all that was left was reverse.
When it came time to leave it was close to a blizzard. Everything was closed and there were no cabs or public transportation. Harry really needed to get home so he drove the entire way back in reverse gear, his head out the window, in heavy snowfall. Harry had emigrated from Poland in the late 40s and said, "I survived Majdanek (work camp), I can handle a little snow storm."
Said Lenin right before the Tsar was overthrown (a few weeks before that he was telling Swiss Social-Democrats that he might not live long enough to see the revolution - contrary to popular belief, he had nothing to do with the fall of Russian monarchy and rather overthrew the new republican government months later).
We really don't know what may happen. Military collapse happens first gradually, then suddenly (to paraphrase Hemingway about bankruptcy). Imagine going to Paris in early summer of 1918 during the last Kaiserschlacht offensive, when the French government was preparing to flee. Try telling them that in the Fall entire Alsace would be under French control. The General Staff would be completely incredulous, as they were not even planning any offensives in that direction, and preparing an offensive took months.
E.g. we have no idea what effect the recent attacks on Wildberries warehouses will have. Likely not much. But a lot of third party sellers lost their inventories, and many of them have bank loans, which now won't be paid. Banks are already in a precarious state, as they were pressured to lend to weapons manufacturers at artificially low interest rates (allowing the government to hide the true scale of war spending). And ordinary Russians already distrust banks (for good reasons), so a bank run is always a possibility. Will a financial crash happen soon? Likely not. Can we rule it out? No.
And then there are supply problems of troops in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, plus inadequate air defense. Will a slow Ukrainian push south of Zaporizhzia turn into a breakthrough? Not likely. Can we rule it out? No.
Fedorov saying that army need to work with intelligent people, is IMO him saying a modern army consists of people acting rationally, serving in loyalty to the people, not just loyal to the nearest briber-in-rank in the vertical chain of corruption.
“The interesting thing shown by these attacks is that Ukraine is more and more edging over to a broader interpretation of what is a legitimate target of war.”
I’m not convinced on this; I think that in order for this interpretation to be convincing, arguments would need to be presented to rule out these other alternative potential explanations:
• Maybe, as a result of Ukrainian attacks on Russian military logistics, Russia is now increasingly using "Wildberries" to work around shortages of military logistic capacity?
• Maybe Russian military logistics has been using "Wildberries" since a long time, but Ukraine has only recently become aware of them playing a crucial role?
• Maybe the "Wildberries" warehouses have been on Ukraine’s target list since a long time, but other targets were considered to have higher priority; but now, with many of the higher-priority targets already having been destroyed or at least sufficiently-damaged-for-now, and Ukraine’s increasing capabilities for making long-range attacks, now also such not-quite-highest-priority targets can be attacked?
In any case, for what it’s worth, here‘s what Zelenskyy said about these attacks: "These are Russian logistics facilities, specifically warehouses used to supply war materiel: navigation equipment, components for drone production, and other supplies for the Russian army." (Source: https://kyivindependent.com/oil-depot-in-moscow-oblast-reportedly-struck-by-ukrainian-drones/ )
Profiteering by selling gear to Russian soldiers who have to equip themselves. That has been reported on in the past and is evident. Also note you dont get a fire like that merely from a bonfire of durable goods. That warehouse was storing diesel fuel, or fertilizer or vast amounts of some other petrochemical.
Good point about “selling gear to Russian soldiers who have to equip themselves”. When the typical way for Russian soldiers to receive equipment that is essential for fighting against Ukraine is by means of ordering that equipment from "Wildberries", that definitely makes "Wildberries" as much a legitimate military target as any other form of military logistics is also a legitimate military target.
The German plant is producing a few missiles - but for Germany, the Dutch and one or two others at first. It can only produce PAC-2 missiles and all the launchers & radars will be made elsewhere. it won't be nearly enough for Ukraine - but they don't care - they're doing this for their own defence which they may need once the last Ukrainian is reached.
It also shows the power of the people. Incredible when the post-soviet fog still hangs over Ukraine somewhat. I think, once Ukraine wins and this up and coming generation that never knew the Soviets, Ukraine is going to be one dynamic country. Really, it already is. Imagine this innovation and growth with peace. Reminds me of a country just after Pearl Harbour that decided to join the world after getting attacked and just turned on the innovation and industry buttons.
My first entry into reading about the 2022 invasion was through Illia Ponomarenko's news reports and Twitter (pre-X) updates. He's 34 and brings his youth into his writing. From that and other compatriots and the memes floating around I thought Ukraine sounded like a pretty progressive country. (Prior to that I knew nothing about it.)
As I followed along I grew more and more impressed with how they were holding off Russia, who has stomped any reputation of modern/liberal inclinations into the ground. But now that the gloss is off I'm also discovering Ukraine's troubling soviet past (which was imposed on them, not voted into place) as well as the messiness with the Banderite affair. But overall, what I've seen and read so far indicates they can have a bright future ahead if they can get past this period of strife.
Yeah, I used to follow and read his tweets, then articles when he posted them on Twitter. I'm the same. Unfortunately, what I know about modern Ukraine I learned from the war. I did study WW 2 a lot in university and had some prior knowledge about Ukraine, but I admit, not all of it was true. I even remember posting once that russia had an historical right to Crimea, based on my limited knowledge. I did say that it should have been dealt with through negotiations and not by violating borders. I was wrong and quickly admitted that. I should have known better. It's one thing having a history degree taught me was to check not only for facts, but from different points of view to see what the general consensus is. I was lazy in my early days. But to be clear. I never advocated for russia a la adrian. Nor for violence or war and was against anything liddle putin did. I just remember thinking they may have had an historical claim. Oh boy, do I feel regretful about actually posting that on twitter to @angrystaffer
Yep, amazing that we are witnessing something that younger generations will ask about. Now if only Zelensky could stop stepping on a rake occasionally. No one is perfect, but you know...
I was wondering if, with a difficult decision, he bows to the pressures of the stronger entrenched inner cabal, but then he actually uses the outraged public opinion to allow him to make the better decision. That is very cunning and risky leadership, but it might be a reasonable path in the Ukrainian political environment with powerful inner factions by a man who straddles both camps. Do I give him too much credit? He is not stupid, nor is Federov, who is on his team.
Thank you Prof . I do hope that Zelensky backs the young reformers and gets rid of the Old guard holding modernisation of the military back. Reinstating Federov would be good.
Also if Zelensky is worried about Federov’s popularity it would be wise to keep him close not push him out to form a rival power base.
I thought Denys Davydov, on his YouTube channel yesterday, said it best. "You can't defeat a large soviet-style army with a small soviet-style army."
Pretty sure he borrowed that quote. Totally agree however! I’ve never seen him so upset.
Regardless of who came up with it, that is an excellent quote. For everyone who knows the history of warfare, they know exactly what 'soviet-style army' means, with all its implications and insults.
Phillips, you have very helpfully given us a thorough update on the troubling story of Fedorov's firing. Thank you so much.
It's unfortunate that Zelenskyy has been involved in cronyism and corruption. Of course, he grew up when the so-called 'Russian system' of doing business was the norm.
Fedorov is younger, and more a man of the post-Russian democratic era. Personally, I find him brilliant.
A leader who wants to improve the well-being of his troops! Imagine that! Even for no other reason, if I were one of his troops, I'd follow him anywhere.
The generational shift is fascinating. Those Ukrainians who are off the Maidan generation do seem different (though to be fair I know many older Ukrainians who also want a democratic and non-corrupt future
The whole episode shows the difficulty in trying to move a society away from its all too recent past.
Of course we knew about Zelensky's corruption from the Pandora papers in 2021 - if it wasn't obvious already. His comments, however, had been the basis upon which the Professor has based probably about a quarter of his updates upon since then.
Ah Adrian--you can take Zelensky as a descriptor of Ukrainian policy, while acknowledging his faults as a war leader. They are not incompatible
Come, come, now, Phillips!
This is the Internet! We don't do nuance!
I heard that Zelensky once failed to stop and pet a puppy... Clearly, he's a monster and must resign immediately!
Lol!
Yes this is the internet where previously published articles can still be found Articles like the Professor's weekly update 173...
Your life must be so empty, that you need to come here and be so damn negative. You have my pity adrian. No one should endure loneliness and misery. Perhaps if you attempted to get along with the rest of the kids you might become part of this community in a positive way. Perhaps these will help:
https://www.self.com/story/how-to-be-more-positive
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/how-to-achieve-a-positive-attitude
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-be-more-positive-6499974
I wish you luck. We are here for you adrian
Thanks for the links. I'm not lonely - I just get up an hour earlier than the rest of my lovely family on Sunday mornings. I'm very happy - I love them and they love me - that's why I don't want them dying in a f***ing nuclear winter - which is a non-zero possible outcome from all your demented chickenhawkery. I'm astonished that you lot can be so blythly dismissive of that - never occurred to me that that might be because you see this as a support group rather than a place for serious geopolitical discussion
, but you live and learn. Please pass response on to Herr Donut if you see him.
"Of course we knew about Zelensky's corruption..."
Perhaps some day you'd like to post a treatise on Putin's corruption for us. We can notify Substack in advance so they'll have plenty of disk space available. Or is that a subject you have no interest in and would rather brush off with some glib and ultimately self-revealing comment?
Thanks for this analysis! Oleksandr Syrskyi is the type of leader that gets you Soviet style ground warfare we've seen in the first years of this war. Heavy fighting for some treelines and villages. This was incredibly depicted in the famous documentary '2000 metres to Andriivka'. The movie made a huge impact, but it also made clear this isn't the way forward in this war. Otoh, you have leaders like Fedorov, who prioritized drone collective and who's been one of the leading voices behind the Freya initiative, to build a Ukrainian/European alternative for the Patriot missile. The Freya is build with the help of nine European countries, with the Netherlands contributing with the Destinus company from Hengelo. June this year, Fedorov visited the company, which also builds the Ruta cruise missiles (https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/06/22/european-company-says-it-has-built-this-engine-entirely-in-house-now-it-can-help-arm-ukraine-at-scale/). So Ukraine has got to ask itself the question: what wins modern wars: generals focused on high cost, low reward warfare or leaders that forge strategic coalitions and build for the future.
Yep, preserving soldiers lives is more important than any place on the map.
You say nothing about the European effort to build a replacement for the Patriot. Why isn’t that major news, even more important than the on-again-off-again, possible-but-who-knows-whether-it-will-happen of Kiev’s eventually (or not) building Patriots under license?
I wish people would include Canada in this.
Many thanks for this very clear exposition of the current crisis of government in Ukraine.
It is axiomatic that a good manager will nurture "a system where strong commanders and leaders are allowed to develop rather than being suppressed, written off, sent away, reprimanded and held back" as Fedorov most eloquently put it.
In this respect the top manager, Zelensky, has often been found wanting although as a democratically elected president, he does listen to public opinion and showed it last year when he backtracked over his clumsy attempt to throttle Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies.
Will he do the same this time, reinstate Fedorov and remove Syrsky if their conflict can't be resolved ? Ukrainian law says that the positions of foreign minister and defence minister have to be approved by parliament. As the Rada is now in recess until mid-August, Zelensky has ample time to work things out, not least in his own mind, and hopefully end up by doing what is clearly in the best interests of his country.
Through this conflict and its spectacular fallout, we are also witnessing a (final ?) parting of the ways between an old bureaucratic, authoritarian and soviet style regime and a more transparent, responsive and digitally driven form of government (let's not forget that Fedorov was a highly successful minister for digital transformation) from which many countries in Europe, not least my own, France, can learn a great deal.
The next few days will tell us alot Philip. I dont want to assume all will work out well until we absolutely know.
Thank you so much for providing this clarity.
My pleasure N, glad you found it useful.
Phillips, and Community, unrelated to this post, I want to tell you that I’m so glad I found you on Substack- I’m not even sure how. I really appreciate your insight, your analysis, and your very intelligent and informative commentary. Well worth the minimal cost of my subscription, so thank you very much
Thats a very nice thing to hear Peter--thanks.
I was introduced to Dr. O'Brien through my subscription to Adam Kinzginer's Substack. I am so grateful myself. I look forward to Dr. O'Brien's articles and podcasts.
I'm currently reading 'War and Power' and it is one of the best books on the subject I've come across. Not that I read a lot of books on warfare, but I was enticed after reading this blog for a while. It's very readable (unlike, I'm told, some of the denser and more academic books that PO'B has written which I might try to tackle later.)
I understand you must prioritize Phillips. I do hope you have queued up your thoughts on the "Magyar naval battle" in Azov and Black Sea. Operation “MoLoChKa”
What is it, like 170+ vessels immobilized (by intention not sunken) in less than two weeks? Rubikon drone crews being redirected to defend shadow fleet tankers? Etc.
Looking forward to your analysis.
Covered that a little last weekend--will get back to it next weekend Im sure.
It's brilliant and indeed deserves some more attention.
agree
I would be surprised if allied nation leaders did not fill up Zelensky inbox with WTFs after firing Fedorov. He seemed to get on really well with both defence ministers and defence industry.
It would be interesting to see if Ukraine's closest partners passed on messages in private.
This will be my last comment in a month. On Thursday we'll leave on vacation. Among other things, I plan to drive (in reverse) the route of Kampfgruppe Peiper (perhaps singing the Panzerlied but substituting "unser Panzer" for "unser Wagen"), checking whether they left any Bengal Tigers behind (I have a feeling we'll find some: https://www.google.com/maps/@50.4102107,5.8461866,3a,75y,198.83h,79.97t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sH-opBujBEOiLlmW-6GyxPA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.clients6.google.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D10.034456937295587%26panoid%3DH-opBujBEOiLlmW-6GyxPA%26yaw%3D198.83341208404548!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D).
I'll have a lot of updates to catch up after coming back. As I won't be reading while over there, unless, of course, the Ukrainians capture Sevastopol or Moscow.
Splendid trip--if you are doing it in reverse does that mean when Peiper ran out of fuel and had to walk back....?
;)
Yes, something like that. Although I understand they actually walked through the forest. 20 km over 24 hours, since it was deep snow, and they weren't following even any trails, let alone roads.
Also, got a hotel half a mile from John Frostbrug. I hope it's not a bridge too far for walking.
There's a little bit WWI in there - as in watching the Last Post at the Menin Gate.
Sounds ideal--really.
Enjoy your vacation!!!
I’ll be looking forward to reading your comments again when you get back!
" I plan to drive (in reverse) the route of Kampfgruppe Peiper..."
Off-topic story:
My father worked with a guy ('Harry')who lived near Boston but had to visit relatives in Worcester, MA (back in the 1950s). While driving out there - around 45 miles / 72 km - the transmission in his car started grinding. On top of that it started snowing. When he pulled into the destination the transmission stripped a vital gear and all that was left was reverse.
When it came time to leave it was close to a blizzard. Everything was closed and there were no cabs or public transportation. Harry really needed to get home so he drove the entire way back in reverse gear, his head out the window, in heavy snowfall. Harry had emigrated from Poland in the late 40s and said, "I survived Majdanek (work camp), I can handle a little snow storm."
"I'll have a lot of updates to catch up after coming back."
Don't worry about it - I'm sure nothing big will happen in Ukraine or Russia while you're gone.
Said Lenin right before the Tsar was overthrown (a few weeks before that he was telling Swiss Social-Democrats that he might not live long enough to see the revolution - contrary to popular belief, he had nothing to do with the fall of Russian monarchy and rather overthrew the new republican government months later).
We really don't know what may happen. Military collapse happens first gradually, then suddenly (to paraphrase Hemingway about bankruptcy). Imagine going to Paris in early summer of 1918 during the last Kaiserschlacht offensive, when the French government was preparing to flee. Try telling them that in the Fall entire Alsace would be under French control. The General Staff would be completely incredulous, as they were not even planning any offensives in that direction, and preparing an offensive took months.
E.g. we have no idea what effect the recent attacks on Wildberries warehouses will have. Likely not much. But a lot of third party sellers lost their inventories, and many of them have bank loans, which now won't be paid. Banks are already in a precarious state, as they were pressured to lend to weapons manufacturers at artificially low interest rates (allowing the government to hide the true scale of war spending). And ordinary Russians already distrust banks (for good reasons), so a bank run is always a possibility. Will a financial crash happen soon? Likely not. Can we rule it out? No.
And then there are supply problems of troops in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, plus inadequate air defense. Will a slow Ukrainian push south of Zaporizhzia turn into a breakthrough? Not likely. Can we rule it out? No.
I think we need a reminder of why Zaluzhny was ousted. Were he still in office, would there still have been the same tensions with Fedorov?
Zaluzhny might also have wanted a break. I doubt there would have been the same tensions though.
A break from what? And why was he ousted?
And is he too in the old school / meatgrinder plus corruption camp to some extent ?
Fedorov saying that army need to work with intelligent people, is IMO him saying a modern army consists of people acting rationally, serving in loyalty to the people, not just loyal to the nearest briber-in-rank in the vertical chain of corruption.
Yep--it is obvious in some ways, but it is so important that it is said outloud by senior people.
Re the attacks on "Wildberries":
“The interesting thing shown by these attacks is that Ukraine is more and more edging over to a broader interpretation of what is a legitimate target of war.”
I’m not convinced on this; I think that in order for this interpretation to be convincing, arguments would need to be presented to rule out these other alternative potential explanations:
• Maybe, as a result of Ukrainian attacks on Russian military logistics, Russia is now increasingly using "Wildberries" to work around shortages of military logistic capacity?
• Maybe Russian military logistics has been using "Wildberries" since a long time, but Ukraine has only recently become aware of them playing a crucial role?
• Maybe the "Wildberries" warehouses have been on Ukraine’s target list since a long time, but other targets were considered to have higher priority; but now, with many of the higher-priority targets already having been destroyed or at least sufficiently-damaged-for-now, and Ukraine’s increasing capabilities for making long-range attacks, now also such not-quite-highest-priority targets can be attacked?
In any case, for what it’s worth, here‘s what Zelenskyy said about these attacks: "These are Russian logistics facilities, specifically warehouses used to supply war materiel: navigation equipment, components for drone production, and other supplies for the Russian army." (Source: https://kyivindependent.com/oil-depot-in-moscow-oblast-reportedly-struck-by-ukrainian-drones/ )
Profiteering by selling gear to Russian soldiers who have to equip themselves. That has been reported on in the past and is evident. Also note you dont get a fire like that merely from a bonfire of durable goods. That warehouse was storing diesel fuel, or fertilizer or vast amounts of some other petrochemical.
Good point about “selling gear to Russian soldiers who have to equip themselves”. When the typical way for Russian soldiers to receive equipment that is essential for fighting against Ukraine is by means of ordering that equipment from "Wildberries", that definitely makes "Wildberries" as much a legitimate military target as any other form of military logistics is also a legitimate military target.
I think the attack on the Wild Berries warehouses is a "two-fer":
- Ukraine destroys drone components and other gear the russian military can order
- It further angers the russian civilians who can't get their purchases and blame Moscow
The russian people are learning:
Nothing is safe from Ukraine's "long range sanctions" while russia wages war against Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini!
We'll see a real "broader interpretation" when the oligarches' mansions get a visit from Ukranian drones!
Germany has a Patriot production line wich already produces for Ukraine.
Increasing production there would be the fastest way to manifest the ukrainian license, I guess.
These are only PAC-2s, from what I understand, and not really what Ukraine needs. I also do not know what Germany has agreed about resale.
The German plant is producing a few missiles - but for Germany, the Dutch and one or two others at first. It can only produce PAC-2 missiles and all the launchers & radars will be made elsewhere. it won't be nearly enough for Ukraine - but they don't care - they're doing this for their own defence which they may need once the last Ukrainian is reached.
"they're doing this for their own defence which they may need once the last Ukrainian is reached."
Defense against WHO, Adrian? Come on, say it.
Agree. But in a way, Zelensky's definitely not listening, only reacting to public outrage. That's a problem.
Indeed it is--but at least it shows the power of Ukrainian civil society. Contrast that to Russia...
Or the US.
Yep, well said!
Indeed, such huge demonstrations, in wartime, are a very encouraging sign of the health of Ukrainian democracy. No OMON or Rosgvardia here...
It also shows the power of the people. Incredible when the post-soviet fog still hangs over Ukraine somewhat. I think, once Ukraine wins and this up and coming generation that never knew the Soviets, Ukraine is going to be one dynamic country. Really, it already is. Imagine this innovation and growth with peace. Reminds me of a country just after Pearl Harbour that decided to join the world after getting attacked and just turned on the innovation and industry buttons.
My first entry into reading about the 2022 invasion was through Illia Ponomarenko's news reports and Twitter (pre-X) updates. He's 34 and brings his youth into his writing. From that and other compatriots and the memes floating around I thought Ukraine sounded like a pretty progressive country. (Prior to that I knew nothing about it.)
As I followed along I grew more and more impressed with how they were holding off Russia, who has stomped any reputation of modern/liberal inclinations into the ground. But now that the gloss is off I'm also discovering Ukraine's troubling soviet past (which was imposed on them, not voted into place) as well as the messiness with the Banderite affair. But overall, what I've seen and read so far indicates they can have a bright future ahead if they can get past this period of strife.
Yeah, I used to follow and read his tweets, then articles when he posted them on Twitter. I'm the same. Unfortunately, what I know about modern Ukraine I learned from the war. I did study WW 2 a lot in university and had some prior knowledge about Ukraine, but I admit, not all of it was true. I even remember posting once that russia had an historical right to Crimea, based on my limited knowledge. I did say that it should have been dealt with through negotiations and not by violating borders. I was wrong and quickly admitted that. I should have known better. It's one thing having a history degree taught me was to check not only for facts, but from different points of view to see what the general consensus is. I was lazy in my early days. But to be clear. I never advocated for russia a la adrian. Nor for violence or war and was against anything liddle putin did. I just remember thinking they may have had an historical claim. Oh boy, do I feel regretful about actually posting that on twitter to @angrystaffer
Hear, hear!!
Yep, amazing that we are witnessing something that younger generations will ask about. Now if only Zelensky could stop stepping on a rake occasionally. No one is perfect, but you know...
I was wondering if, with a difficult decision, he bows to the pressures of the stronger entrenched inner cabal, but then he actually uses the outraged public opinion to allow him to make the better decision. That is very cunning and risky leadership, but it might be a reasonable path in the Ukrainian political environment with powerful inner factions by a man who straddles both camps. Do I give him too much credit? He is not stupid, nor is Federov, who is on his team.
Thanks for clear thinking Phillips. Before your piece I am sure I'm not alone in having been deeply confused!
Glad that it helped!
Thank you Prof . I do hope that Zelensky backs the young reformers and gets rid of the Old guard holding modernisation of the military back. Reinstating Federov would be good.
Also if Zelensky is worried about Federov’s popularity it would be wise to keep him close not push him out to form a rival power base.
A la Kyrylo Budanov