RUNNING UPDATES ON THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE - 19.04.2023
Including geopolitical issues affecting the balance of power in the ongoing end game war to establish our common future, a closely monitored prison planet or tolerance for diverse modes of governance.
THE ROAD TO THE ULTIMATE CONCLUSION OF WORLD WAR III RUNS THROUGH HERE.
*** RUSSIA USING MEGABOMBS TO BLUNT UKRAINIAN OFFENSIVE ***
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“Ukraine. What is the truth...?
Why won’t western media tell both sides…?”
***
VIRTUALLY UNREPORTED ATROCITY IN LUGANSK, 2nd JUNE 2014
A lot has been said about atrocities in the western media claimed to have been perpetrated by the Russians, for example at Bucha and Mariupol among others. These assertions are conveyed on the say so of the Ukrainian authorities. How willing though are western news broadcasters to convey atrocities attributed to the Ukrainians? The following will I think provide the answer.
If anyone wonders if they are receiving accurate coverage of the conflict in Ukraine I would suggest watching the video below of an event which occurred on the 2nd of June 2014 and ask themselves if they recall hearing about it on any mainstream media news channel at the time.
The video is harrowing to watch. The bodies (five women and three men) are real. Yet across western media there was only one single news report that occurred a day later. This was from CNN and occurred only because a CNN team happened to be nearby at the time of the atrocity and so the network could hardly ignore it as all others so obviously did.
The video below shows the unvarnished truth that was not considered newsworthy in western mainstream news.
THE SINGLE WESTERN MSM REPORT ON THE LUGANSK ATROCITY, 3rd JUNE 2014
The video at the CNN link below is the crime scene sanitised by CNN, though played straight with honest reporting on the scene not playing things to Kiev’s tune.
(There was a time early in the war in the Donbass when CNN were not afraid to contradict the Ukrainian regime in Kiev.) Watch because it's the first and last time you will see this.
5 women and 3 men died, all civilians.
Air attack on pro-Russian separatists in Luhansk kills 8, stuns residents.
…………
Lead feature:
ALEXANDER MERCOURIS of THE DURAN
Russia Repels Zaporozhzhye Attacks; Saudi FM Meets Assad, Russia Brazil Affirm Strategic Partnership.
BRIAN BERLETIC of THE NEW ATLAS
Ukraine's Offensive: Taking Territory vs. the War of Attrition.
LEVAN GUDADZE
Zelensky on the front line, Conflict within the EU, US arming Taiwan, BRICS ahead of G7...
ALEX CHRISTOFOROU of THE DURAN
Borrell, China needs to behave. Ukraine, the longest day. Zaporizhzhia NPP mystery solved. U/1
THE DURAN
Green party success, Germany shuts down nuclear power plants.
GARLAND NIXON
WARRIOR UPDATE 26 WITH SCOTT RITTER - RUSSIA/CHINA MILITARY ALLIANCE? (A Rokfin Exclusive).
IS RUSSIA AND CHINA A MILITARY ALLIANCE?
GEOPOLITICAL ECONOMY REPORT w/ BEN NORTON
Europe admits 'world becoming more multipolar', Western imperialism declining.
Morning briefing of the Ministry of Defense of Russia (April 19, 2023)
ShanghaiEye魔都眼
China, Russia DMs meet in Moscow with focus on military cooperation, safeguarding core interests.
Beijing criticizes US for spying on UN officials and violating obligations as host country of UNHQ.
Beijing slams hegemonic G7, stresses need to respect differences and jointly build shared future.
REDACTED
Did the Pentagon just FOOL everyone with this fake document leak story? | Redacted News.
GEORGE GALLOWAY
Slim pickings for formerly fat Mike on the campaign trail.
iEARLGREY
Putin Visits Donbass. Leopard 2 Knocked Out IN POLAND. BY UKRAINE. EC Dismisses Toxic Grain Claim.
KIM IVERSEN
Sy Hersh: Zelensky And His Generals Embezzled Over $400 In U.S. Taxpayer Money.
ANTIWAR NEWS WITH DAVE LECAMP
Biden Preparing Order to Limit Investment in China, US Slams Lula Over Ukraine Comments, and More...
GONZALO LIRA
2023.04.19 Avoiding Thucydides Trap?
HINDUSTAN TIMES
Russia threatens to arm North Korea if South sends weapons to Ukraine | Watch:
'Everything wiped out': Ferocious Russian onslaught shakes Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut | Watch:
Putin's 'secret' mission in Baltic? Russian 'ghost ship' operations rattle Nordic nations | Report.
BREAKING POINTS
Brazil's President CALLS OUT Biden For Encouraging War In Ukraine.
BORZZIKMAN
Russia began to use the Most Powerful Modernized High-Explosive Bombs FAB-500 & FAB-1500 in Ukraine.
TELESUR ENGLISH
Venezuela and Russia share the principle of equality and respect, says Venezuelan FM.
TFIGlobal News
Mercosur is finally ditching the EU for China and it's a good decision.
HINDUSTAN TIMES
'BrahMos Only For Friendly Countries': CEO on booming demand for Indian-Russian missile.
Saudi and UAE snub U.S.-led West; Arab Nations continue to buy cheap Russian oil | Report.
ACTIVISM MUNICH
Does US Militarism advance Global Security & Peace? With Prof. David Vine.
JACKSON HINKLE
Ukraine BOMBS Christians During Orthodox Easter Service.
Ukraine CEDING Territory To POLAND For Military Assistance?
I should have seen this coming...
MILITARY TV
Russia jamming U.S. smart bombs in Ukraine War.
UNHERD
Martin Gurri: The Pentagon leak is only the beginning.
TARA READE
Dmitry Polyanskiy | Putin Taking the Lead on the UN Security Council
SCHILLER INSTITUTE
New Paradigm? OR...New World War?
THROUGH THE EYES OF...
WHAT DUDA THINKS ABOUT PEACE? A NEW CHANGE IN PL GOV PLAN IN A CASE OF WAR? TOO MUCH GRAIN IN POLAND?
GERALD CELENTE
WAR WITH CHINA, WHO WILL WIN?
AFSHIN RATTANSI’S GOING UNDERGROUND
US Threats Accelerating Global De-Dollarisation, US Unlikely to Win War Against China’-Carl Zha.
China Has Given Up on Trying to Work With The USA-Carl Zha.
iCHONGQING
Live Stream China Welcomes Back It's Tourist | Michele Ponte.
ASIA QUICKTAKE
Not only China but Japan!60% Foreign Holders Sell U.S. Debt! Japanese Insurers Sell off U.S. Bonds!
BREAKTHROUGH NEWS
Houthis and Saudis Shake Hands in Yemen: End of World's Worst Humanitarian Crisis?
REDACTED
China Alert: US sends EMERGENCY "troops" to Taiwan, as more DoD documents leak | Redacted News Live.
FIRSTPOST
Bangladesh Is Bypassing The US Dollar And Using Yuan. Here’s Why.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
JEFFREY SACHS: DIPLOMACY IS FAILING
Article published by Russia Today (RT) - 19th April 2023:
Kremlin reveals details of Putin’s surprise visit to troops.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov also explained why the country’s top military officials had not accompanied the president.
President Vladimir Putin’s unannounced trip to command posts and Russian troops in Kherson Region and the Lugansk People’s Republic took place on Monday, his spokesman has confirmed. Top military officials took part remotely in working meetings with the Russian leader, Dmitry Peskov added.
The Kremlin spokesperson provided new details about the visit, which was first reported on Tuesday morning, in response to multiple questions by journalists.
There was previously some confusion about the date of the inspection, as Putin mentioned Easter while presenting troops with an Orthodox icon. Orthodox Christians marked the holy day last Sunday, but Putin’s remark that Easter was “ongoing” was a reference to a wider celebration that is traditionally observed for 40 days, Peskov explained.
The spokesman also discussed the absences of Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and the chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, in the footage of Putin’s visit. Both officials joined the president via video link as he chaired working meetings at the military headquarters, Peskov explained.
“It’s hardly appropriate for the commander-in-chief, the minister of defense, and the chief of the General Staff to gather in one place and present such a temptation for the enemy. And, of course, this is a big risk,” the Kremlin spokesman added.
Peskov declined to comment on whether Putin was satisfied with the state of the troops in the two regions, which joined Russia following referendums last year. Inspecting troops is “a routine job of the commander-in-chief,” the presidential spokesman remarked, adding that reporting details about military affairs was the prerogative of the Defense Ministry.
However, Peskov did identify the icon which Putin had brought with him as a gift, explaining that the president had two copies from the original, ‘Savior not made by hands’ – one for soldiers in each region that he visited. The original icon was presented by Russian Emperor Alexander III to his war minister, Pyotr Vannovsky, and is due to be sent to the main cathedral of the Russian military, Peskov said.
Vannovsky was credited by Peskov for leading the ministry during the “active formation and development of our armed forces.” The Kiev-born commander and statesman headed the Russian War Ministry between 1881 and 1898. He later served as public education minister for several months, after the previous incumbent of the office was assassinated by a revolutionary gunman.
MAPPING/ANALYSIS CHANNELS
* Updates will be added here as and when they become available.
MILITARY SUMMARY UPDATE
Western Bakhmut Is Blocked. The Ukrainians Left Spirne. Military Summary And Analysis 2023.04.19
Ukrainians launched a counteroffensive on Zaporozhye. Military Summary And Analysis 2023.04.19
NWE WAR REPORTS UPDATE
No update posted so far today
DEFENSE POLITICS ASIA UPDATE
No update posted so far today
DPA WAR UPDATE
No update posted so far today
THETI MAPPING UPDATE
WAR UPDATE: Precision STRIKES On Bakhmut.
BALKAN MAPPING UPDATE
Bakhmut Front Update [19 April 2023]
PROJECT GREAT UPDATE
No update posted so far today
MILITARY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS UPDATE
Battlefield Sudan To the Victor the Spoils.
RYBAR UPDATE
Rybar Daily Digest of the Special Military Operation: April 18, 2023
M MAPPING UPDATE
Russian Forces Reaches The Military Base In Northern Bakhmut:Day 419 [19 April 2023 ]
FREE RUSSIA CHANNEL UPDATE
No update posted so far today
HISTORY OF MAKUS ENG
No update posted so far today
WEEB UNION UPDATE
Bakhmut Decisive Battle Nearing | Front Update 19/04/23.
Ukrainian Control of Bakhmut Is Down To 10% | Front Update 18/04/23.
Detailed situation reports can be found on a daily basis concerning events in Ukraine over the past 24 hours at the ‘A SKEPTIC’ Substack account:
Link to 'A SKEPTIC' Substack channel.
***
SUPPORTING SCOTT RITTER
I've been listening to Scott Ritter describe how things are for him and I suspect have been for him for quite some time now.
He has been doing a LOT of unpaid work with a great many interview requests coming in that he has been ready and willing to agree to. But the work where receives some pay for have suffered due to this, being left until the wee small hours of the night to complete work on.
Scott, I think you will agree, has been one of the most influential voices out there on Russia and Ukraine.
I was moved by Scott's words to take an annual subscription to his Substack account that he runs in coordination with his colleague on 'U.S. Tour of Duty', Jeff Norman. This is the main way that Scott recommends to help him with finances with which to upgrade his delivery of comment on Russia and Ukraine, via a better microphone etc. and perhaps the creation of a recording studio in his basement to create a more professional and impressive look. To invest in these things he would like to be sure that this has a viable financial future.
Would you also like to help by subscribing at one of the various levels to Scott's Substack account? I hope so. If so the link is here:
Below you'll find the edited part of the video where Scott talks of his commitments to get the facts out on events in Ukraine and of the finances that would come in handy to enhance their delivery:
***
VICTORY BELONGS TO RUSSIA: IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME
Each day that passes makes a conclusive Russian victory in the Donbass and beyond more certain. As Russia bolsters her forces, and weaponry, those of Ukraine decrease. Russian forces gain ready access to rest and recuperation as troop numbers increase. The increasingly exhausted and demoralised Ukrainian troops have an ever decreasing prospect of such respite. This situation is likely to bring them to complete breakdown as Russia unleashes the firepower of the more modern and advanced weaponry that is arriving with the newly mobilised Russian troops.
The various Ukrainian offensives are now weak when confronted by the reinforced Russian lines. A few futile efforts achieve quite miserable results before fire reigns down on the Ukrainian troops and they are forced back to their starting positions.
And now, all this being said, we have arrived at the wet, and later, freezing conditions where these pathetic Ukrainian forces will be subject to myriad forms of abject misery with death and injury all around them while they lie sodden or frozen, abandoned to their fate by Kiev.
The pitiable young and old of Ukraine have been frogmarched to their deaths as cannon-fodder while the bestial elites of the collective West urge their "president" to add more to their number there at the gates of Hell and their doom. We must feel for the majority of them as they are not the Nazis we revile, in most part they are decent men, fathers, sons, brothers, husband and uncles, who no doubt saw through the coup of 2014 for what it was. But sadly, their fate seems sealed.
Nothing will stop Russia now. Every factor favours them. Victory will be Russia's. In Donbass and beyond and in due course across the world.
Victory belongs to Russia: It is now only a matter of time.
UPDATES TO BE ADDED HERE AS AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
UPDATES TO BE ADDED HERE AS AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS
THE BULL AND THE BULLDOG VS. THE BEAR AND THE DRAGON
Empires rise and fall. The western empire rose, had its day for three hundred years and appears, short of some miracle or economic/military war, about to be eclipsed.
The American bull along with its British sidekick, the bulldog decided in recent years to wage war against the Russian bear and Chinese dragon.
Exactly when the decision was made is debatable but for my money the final factor (no matter what other economic factors and statements were already factored in) was 9/11.
In the hours after the attacks on the USA it is certain that the most important and fateful decisions for our world were made by the tiniest percentage of its population ever. Those decisions underpin every geopolitical event and media focus from that day to this. The events now occurring in the Ukraine are part and parcel of decisions made at meetings in Washington in September of 2001. They follow on from those in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen predicated upon the perceived need of the USA, UK and their allies to insure U.S. security and global dominance in perpetuity and a general agreement to do whatever it takes to gain this.
Such decisions made at such a level and with such a level of desperate, convinced emotion attached and with such a degree of agreement at every elite level across an entire series of allies are so fixed as to be virtually impossible to be undone or even questioned without the greatest resistance possible. This means that the entire enterprise has been on automatic pilot from the end of the final meeting after 9/11 to reach agreement on what steps must be taken, until now and into the future. Countermanding the protocols set at that time appears utterly impossible as to do this is perceived as an unconscionable and unimaginable lessening of the USA’s security.
So this is where we stand in my view. The West (USA, UK plus their allies) are determined to eliminate all traces of resistance to the continued global hegemony enjoyed by them for virtually all of the last three hundred years. There is no Plan B that I can conceive of. No compromising (as they see it) of the security of the western alliance. For them it MUST survive as the preeminent arbiter of all… though comprising only 15% of the world’s population within their nations.
An empire does not fall without a struggle. It will fight to the death to maintain itself. It will strike out and take others into itself as it did with Ukraine. It will do all in its power to enhance its power still further and lessen the power of those it perceives as its enemies for rising to resist it.
These two factors are united within the West’s resolve. Nine Eleven which made them resolve to dominate the world entirely and alone. And the exacerbating factors of China rising economically and threatening to lessen the West’s influence and thence its ability to dominate and dominate to the extent it fervently wishes to (as agreed after 9/11). These two factors have generated the great energy and reckless behaviour we have seen in recent years of regime change wars along with the thoughtless desire to push Russia into a corner and connect in ever closer fashion with China.
As to the bear and the dragon, they have been seeking to rise economically rather than spread any particular ideology. Indeed both have embraced western capitalism to varying degrees. Putin was first to say that a multipolar world was to be sought, not a continuance of the unipolar world run by the western powers. China surged forward in economic strength and began seeing its geopolitical influence grow in tandem. Neither has displayed any great love of waging wars of conquest. Russia involved itself in Syria much to the dismay of the western powers and agreed to Crimea becoming (once again) part of Russia, it decided it could not look away as the Russian-speaking people of eastern Ukraine asked for assistance. But neither Russia nor China has appeared ready to take the military course of action taken again and again by the West and its allies in the last two decades. As far as I can see both Russia and China have been concerned solely in geopolitical terms with raising the levels of their economies and preserving the national security of their borders.
Now Russia has intervened in Ukraine militarily due to the final factor mentioned above and the political and media elites have enthusiastically encouraged a view of that in quite different terms which is accepted by the vast majority of western populations. A view completely absent of any Russian viewpoint or any sympathy for it.
However, despite the West being virtually united in condemnation of Russia over Ukraine it is my own view that this will not be crucial regarding the greater war between the Bull and Bulldog vs. the Bear and Dragon, what will be crucial are the facts on the ground in Ukraine and the ultimate outcome… leading one way or another to an absolute benefit for whoever wins out. As Professor John Mearsheimer has recently said, that is likely to be the side with the greater resolve. He favoured Russia in this, however, the resolve on both sides and for the reasons I have given, is at levels never before experienced on this planet.