The Sunday attack near the Ukrainian-Polish border brings the war in Ukraine closer to Europe. And it shows that Russia is willing and able to escalate its aggression. Russian red lines can no longer be mocked. (translated)
Russia has targeted the Polish border. A few days ago, Polish Prime Minister Tusk warned that he expected Russian attacks on border crossings between Poland and Ukraine. Last night, a gas station near the Jahodyn crossing was hit. It is a Russian signal for both sides of the border. (translated)
Latvia cannot impose a destructive tariff on the transit of Russian grain. However, the Baltic States want to ban Russians from using their ports. And this will be a significant problem for Moscow. The Baltic should at least partially compensate for the blocked Black Sea. (translated)
Latvia cannot impose a devastating tariff on the transit of Russian grain. However, the Baltic countries want to cut off the use of their ports. And this will be a significant problem for Moscow. The Baltic Sea was supposed to partially compensate for the blocked Black Sea. (translated)
The viewership of Russian propagandists is declining. And Russian television is losing the trust of viewers. At the same time, however, since the beginning of this year, the number of Russians who would prefer peace talks instead of continuing the war is decreasing (59% of respondents, Levada Center). (translated)
Yesterday's warning from Zelensky had an impact. Turkish carriers temporarily suspended flights to Russia due to the escalation of the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. This involves flights from Pegasus and Turkish Airlines not only to/from Moscow and St. Petersburg but also from Samara or Ufa. (translated)
Now the West relies on a Ukrainian victory. But even in this case, there is not much discussion on what this victory realistically looks like and how it should affect Russian society. Will stopping the conflict be considered a victory? Then there will be no renewal of Russian society. (translated)
And now the border with the EU. Russian drones hit the border crossing between Ukraine and Romania Orlovka–Isaccea at night. The border goes through the Danube there. It is, again, an important crossing for Ukrainian export/import. It significantly shortens the route to the Balkans and Turkey. (translated)
A month ago, I wrote here about how the Russian aggression against Ukraine is indirectly affecting the Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský. These are empty shelves in Metro in Kryvyi Rih. Russia is deliberately attacking the warehouses of retail chains, including Western ones. Source TG channel Svoj Kryvyj Rih. (translated)
But there are a few things related to Ukraine and August 1968. Ukrainian participants in the invasion are officially war veterans. They receive additional pensions from the state. If I were a dezo-leader, I would be shouting that the evil EU is actually paying former Ukrainian occupiers. (translated)
Russian drones attacked the road border crossing Vynohradivka – Vulcănești between Ukraine and Moldova at night. This is the third attack on Ukrainian-Moldovan crossings in the last week. Why is Russia attacking such unusual targets? I wrote about that for Lidovky. (translated)
Ukrainian truth writes that the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Kyrylo Budanov, may be involved in a (new) old corruption scandal that is currently shaking Ukraine. He can withstand it, but the suspicions come at the most inconvenient time. (translated)
After a month, there is again a shortage of gasoline in Moscow. Some gas stations are closed again. (translated)
Vladimir Putin saw the end of Russia. He irritated the Japanese and provoked the Europeans. The recent visit of the Russian president to the Sakhalin region (and the Kurils) was more than interesting. I would really believe Putin that the Russians will detain European vessels. (translated)
A monitoring mission referring to Russian authorities states that in July, 79 Russian civilians lost their lives, and 601 were injured. In the first 7 months of this year, Ukrainian attacks are reported to have claimed the lives of 329 Russian civilians. (translated)
The UN human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine reports that in July, at least 437 civilians lost their lives in Ukraine due to Russian aggression, and another 2,610 people were injured. In the first 7 months of this year, the war has claimed the lives of 1,839 Ukrainian civilians. (translated)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited a Russian stronghold. Over the weekend, he was in Serbia. Kyiv and Belgrade are united not only by their efforts to join the EU. To Moscow's displeasure, it is also the ammunition initiative or, now, the river Danube, which is extremely important for Ukrainian exports. (translated)
I wouldn't rule out that this is just the beginning of a campaign to eliminate Yabloko. The party is not a threat to the Kremlin by itself. But it introduces topics into the public space that are not tolerated by the Russian regime: peace, freedom, a life without fear. (translated)
Russian authorities found that some candidates from Yabloko received some financial support from abroad. However, Yabloko was formally disqualified for the illegal use of foreign intellectual property. Such trifles often initiate more serious processes in Russia. (translated)
The Russian Supreme Court excluded the opposition party Yabloko from the September elections to the State Duma. This can mean two things. The mood in society has unsettled the Kremlin. Yabloko would not have turned the elections in its favor, but the party's anti-war rhetoric would deepen the "bad mood." 1/4 (translated)