Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
ETA? distance between Black Sea and Kiev 1776 miles per Wikipedia--interesting distance.
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ALERT RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE - Consolidated Thread
- Thread starter danielboon
- Start date
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
appears the pictures of the jets taking off were not real--???
Hawkgirl_70
Veteran Member
Maybe they’re waiting for the weekend???
thompson
Certa Bonum Certamen
Ukrainian Capital Burning After Heavy Russian Cruise Missile Strikes | ZeroHedge
ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero
www.zerohedge.com
Ukrainian Capital Burning After Heavy Russian Cruise Missile Strikes
Thursday, Jun 05, 2025 - 06:32 PM
Update(1932ET): Overnight in Kyiv, emergency air sirens are ringing out, and there are reports of sections of the capital burning, after cruise missile strikes.
View: https://twitter.com/cym27s/status/1930763375975313546
View: https://twitter.com/Prokudin__/status/1930611757040509050
Did the big expected Russian retaliation for Ukraine's Sunday major drone strikes begin?
* * *
Russia says that President Putin is preparing to retaliate at 'a time of our choosing' for all the latest drone and 'terror attacks' - including the targeting of trains and bridges with explosives.
"Russia will respond to Ukraine's latest attacks as and when its military sees fit," the Kremlin said Thursday. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed what President Trump revealed of the Putin phone call Wednesday - that the Russian leader made clear that Moscow is obliged to retaliate.
Peskov, speaking of Putin's first televised address since the devastating Sunday drone attacks deep inside Russian territory said, "The president described the Kyiv regime as a terrorist regime, because it was the regime's leadership that consciously gave the order, the command, the order to blow up a passenger train."
"This is nothing other than terrorism at the state level. This is an important statement by the president," he added.
Putin had accused Ukraine's leadership of orchestrating a terrorist attack on trains carrying civilians in Russia’s Bryansk region, which left seven dead and dozens injured in the derailment of the train and collapse of the bridge due to planted explosives on Sunday. The operation appeared in parallel to the 'Operation Spinder's Web' drone attacks.
Putin asserted that Ukrainian political leadership was directly behind the strike.
He also made clear in the address that Ukraine's offer of a summit with Zelensky and an immediate ceasefire has been rejected. It marked a clear rhetorical escalation when compared to prior comments when he said:
As we reported earlier, the US Embassy in Kyiv has issued an updated security alert, warning all Americans who remain in Ukraine to be prepared to seek shelter and take emergency preparedness measures as major aerial attack could be imminent.
A senior NATO official who spoke to The Moscow Times agrees that significant retaliation is coming. "There will certainly be retaliatory actions that Russia will take. And there will be defensive things that Russia will do,” the official said.
"Russia hasn't seemed to need much excuse for pretty severe strikes so far. But I think Russia will use this to cover and justify additional, heavier strikes and stalling negotiations," the NATO source added. Mostly likely Russia will go after 'command HQ centers' - and important cities like Kiev and Odessa could see shock and awe level of bombings.
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
deleted-- thompson, you are a fast-draw! 
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Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
CNN:
By Victoria Butenko and Michael Rios, CNN
1 minute read
Updated 8:04 PM EDT, Thu June 5, 2025
Kyiv CNN —
Russian ballistic missiles and drones have been launched toward Ukraine from multiple directions, the Ukrainian Air Force said on Telegram Friday.
Fires caused by falling debris and drone strikes were reported in buildings across Kyiv, as Ukraine attempted to repel the Russian attack, the Head of Kyiv City Military Administration Tymur Tkachenko said. A CNN producer in the Kyiv region reported hearing at least two explosions.
Tkachenko accused Russia of hitting residential areas with the drone attack, saying a high-rise building the the Solomyansky district of Kyiv was damaged.
Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko also reported fires in the districts of Holosiivskyi and Darnytskyi of the Ukrainian capital.
Ukrainian air defense units have been activated in the Obolon area of Kyiv, Klitschko said on Telegram early Friday morning local time.
“The attack on the capital continues. Stay in shelters!” the mayor said.
The Russian missile attack on Ukraine comes days after Ukraine’s security service launched a series of daring, large-scale drone attacks deep inside Russia, striking airfields and hitting 41 Russian military aircraft.
On Tuesday, Ukraine also launched an attack on the Kerch Bridge, the only direct connection point between Russia and the annexed Crimean Peninsula, with 1,100 kilograms of explosives that had been planted underwater.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Russia launches aerial assault on Kyiv days after Ukraine’s audacious drone attack on bomber fleet
By Victoria Butenko and Michael Rios, CNN
1 minute read
Updated 8:04 PM EDT, Thu June 5, 2025
Kyiv CNN —
Russian ballistic missiles and drones have been launched toward Ukraine from multiple directions, the Ukrainian Air Force said on Telegram Friday.
Fires caused by falling debris and drone strikes were reported in buildings across Kyiv, as Ukraine attempted to repel the Russian attack, the Head of Kyiv City Military Administration Tymur Tkachenko said. A CNN producer in the Kyiv region reported hearing at least two explosions.
Tkachenko accused Russia of hitting residential areas with the drone attack, saying a high-rise building the the Solomyansky district of Kyiv was damaged.
Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko also reported fires in the districts of Holosiivskyi and Darnytskyi of the Ukrainian capital.
Ukrainian air defense units have been activated in the Obolon area of Kyiv, Klitschko said on Telegram early Friday morning local time.
“The attack on the capital continues. Stay in shelters!” the mayor said.
The Russian missile attack on Ukraine comes days after Ukraine’s security service launched a series of daring, large-scale drone attacks deep inside Russia, striking airfields and hitting 41 Russian military aircraft.
On Tuesday, Ukraine also launched an attack on the Kerch Bridge, the only direct connection point between Russia and the annexed Crimean Peninsula, with 1,100 kilograms of explosives that had been planted underwater.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
jward
passin' thru
Intelschizo
@Schizointel
59m
Russias Retaliation Strike is composed of the following
5x TU-95
2x TU-160
4x Ships
400~ OWA-UAVS
Likely strike payload from these platforms.
400~ OWA-UAV
24x Kalibr
64~ KH-101
Russia is likely targeting energy infrastructure again with a fire occuring near Kyiv CHP-5 one of the city’s key combined heat and power plants, which supplies both electricity and heating to large parts of the capital.
Ukraine is also striking Russia tonight with OWA-UAVS attacking Russian Airfields at Saratov, Engels, Ryazan and Iskander-M ballistic missiles storage in Bryansk airfield and damaging up to 3x TELS of the 26th Russian Missile Brigade. Ukraine Neptune Missiles launched at Sevastopol and OWA-UAVs towards Crimea.
@Schizointel
59m
Russias Retaliation Strike is composed of the following
5x TU-95
2x TU-160
4x Ships
400~ OWA-UAVS
Likely strike payload from these platforms.
400~ OWA-UAV
24x Kalibr
64~ KH-101
Russia is likely targeting energy infrastructure again with a fire occuring near Kyiv CHP-5 one of the city’s key combined heat and power plants, which supplies both electricity and heating to large parts of the capital.
Ukraine is also striking Russia tonight with OWA-UAVS attacking Russian Airfields at Saratov, Engels, Ryazan and Iskander-M ballistic missiles storage in Bryansk airfield and damaging up to 3x TELS of the 26th Russian Missile Brigade. Ukraine Neptune Missiles launched at Sevastopol and OWA-UAVs towards Crimea.
jward
passin' thru
GeoInsider
@InsiderGeo
4h
We now have Tu-95MS bombers taking off, though the exact number remains unclear. Additionally, there are four Russian ships in the Black Sea capable of carrying up to 28 Kalibr missile
Several drones have also been detected in Ukrainian airspace, with Ukraine expecting up to 400 drones tonight.
@InsiderGeo
4h
We now have Tu-95MS bombers taking off, though the exact number remains unclear. Additionally, there are four Russian ships in the Black Sea capable of carrying up to 28 Kalibr missile
Several drones have also been detected in Ukrainian airspace, with Ukraine expecting up to 400 drones tonight.
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
I don't understand why the MSM isn't giving this more coverage.
Here is all I could find from AP--
Thu, June 5, 2025 at 8:36 PM EDT
Updated 8:52 PM EDT, June 5, 2025
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine was under an ongoing Russian ballistic missile and drone attack early Friday that wounded at least three people, officials said.
Multiple explosions were heard in the capital, Kyiv, where falling debris sparked fires across several districts as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming targets, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Administration.
Three people were wounded, local officials said. They urged residents to seek shelter.
“Our air defense crews are doing everything possible. But we must protect one another — stay safe,” Tkachenko wrote on Telegram.
Authorities reported damage in several districts, and rescue workers were responding at multiple locations.
In Solomyanskyi district, a fire broke out on the 11th floor of a 16-story residential building. Emergency services evacuated three people from the apartment, and rescue operations were ongoing. Another fire broke out in a metal warehouse.
In northern Chernihiv region, a Shahed drone exploded near an apartment building, shattering windows and doors, according to regional military administration chief Dmytro Bryzhynskyi. He added that explosions from ballistic missiles were also recorded on the outskirts of the city.
apnews.com
Here is all I could find from AP--
Ukraine is under an ongoing missile and drone attack that has wounded at least three people, officials say
Associated PressThu, June 5, 2025 at 8:36 PM EDT
Updated 8:52 PM EDT, June 5, 2025
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine was under an ongoing Russian ballistic missile and drone attack early Friday that wounded at least three people, officials said.
Multiple explosions were heard in the capital, Kyiv, where falling debris sparked fires across several districts as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming targets, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Administration.
Three people were wounded, local officials said. They urged residents to seek shelter.
“Our air defense crews are doing everything possible. But we must protect one another — stay safe,” Tkachenko wrote on Telegram.
Authorities reported damage in several districts, and rescue workers were responding at multiple locations.
In Solomyanskyi district, a fire broke out on the 11th floor of a 16-story residential building. Emergency services evacuated three people from the apartment, and rescue operations were ongoing. Another fire broke out in a metal warehouse.
In northern Chernihiv region, a Shahed drone exploded near an apartment building, shattering windows and doors, according to regional military administration chief Dmytro Bryzhynskyi. He added that explosions from ballistic missiles were also recorded on the outskirts of the city.
Ukraine under ongoing Russian missile and drone attack that has wounded at least 3
Officials say Ukraine was under an ongoing Russian ballistic missile and drone attack early Friday that wounded at least three people.
apnews.com
Until someone pops up with a .375 H&H from a "grassy knoll....."
auxman
Deus vult...
Because this is not a ratings grab like the Trump-Musk feud...
jward
passin' thru
DD Geopolitics
@DD_Geopolitics
20m
Looks like one of the Patriot sites in Kiev got smoked by Iskander strikes during the earlier ballistic barrage.
rt 1m
View: https://twitter.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1930797497510920686
@DD_Geopolitics
20m
Looks like one of the Patriot sites in Kiev got smoked by Iskander strikes during the earlier ballistic barrage.
rt 1m
View: https://twitter.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1930797497510920686
jward
passin' thru
Sprinter Observer
@SprinterObserve
2h
The head of the Russian delegation at the negotiations in Istanbul, Vladimir Medinsky, informed the president about the Ukrainian side's attempt to extort funds for holding the next round of negotiations.
"Off camera, the Ukrainians have announced that they have no plans to meet again unless they receive a significant amount of money for it. This was a request from their leader — Zelensky."
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
GeoInsider
@InsiderGeo
·
2m
Missiles are no longer being recorded, though a few drones are still in Ukrainian airspace not many, though. Overall, the attack wasn’t particularly large probably around 40 missiles at most, along with a significant number of drones. There have been previous attacks with over 120 missiles, so this one would be considered small to medium in scale. The main targets appear to have been energy infrastructure. Some damage to civilian buildings has also been reported, mostly due to falling debris from drones.
View: View: https://twitter.com/InsiderGeo/status/1930803616283066493
Burrito
Veteran Member
"Worst of the night" filmed during the day.....
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
a poster on that site pointed out these appear to have been filmed in daylight.
wait-n-see
Veteran Member
WOW, this is serious!?! Zippy is actually trying to get Russia to pay him for continuing the talks with Russia?
Just WOW!
The Zippy government is so delusional that they:
- fully believe in the most ridiculous western propaganda
- and they actually think they have Russia by the short hairs
Repairman-Jack
Veteran Member
Yes, it is 5:39AM there right now..., post on X was almost an hour ago..."Worst of the night" filmed during the day.....
one4freedom
Veteran Member
Gateway Pundit has an article one this strike, posted an hour and a half ago. Still nothing on Breitbart nor Liberty Daily.
www.thegatewaypundit.com
KIEV ON FIRE: Massive Russian Missile and Drone Strike Is Targeting the Capital and Several Other Ukrainian Cities (VIDEOS) | The Gateway Pundit | by Paul Serran
Ever since Ukraine launched the drone attack on the airfields with drones assembled inside Russian territory, one thing is certain, and everybody knew that: there will be retaliation from Moscow.
www.thegatewaypundit.com
jward
passin' thru
GeoInsider
@InsiderGeo
1h
Missiles are no longer being recorded, though a few drones are still in Ukrainian airspace not many, though.
Overall, the attack wasn’t particularly large probably around 40 missiles at most, along with a significant number of drones.
There have been previous attacks with over 120 missiles, so this one would be considered small to medium in scale.
The main targets appear to have been energy infrastructure.
Some damage to civilian buildings has also been reported, mostly due to falling debris from drones.
@InsiderGeo
1h
Missiles are no longer being recorded, though a few drones are still in Ukrainian airspace not many, though.
Overall, the attack wasn’t particularly large probably around 40 missiles at most, along with a significant number of drones.
There have been previous attacks with over 120 missiles, so this one would be considered small to medium in scale.
The main targets appear to have been energy infrastructure.
Some damage to civilian buildings has also been reported, mostly due to falling debris from drones.
jward
passin' thru
Thanks, @one4freedomGateway Pundit has an article one this strike, posted an hour and a half ago. Still nothing on Breitbart nor Liberty Daily.
KIEV ON FIRE: Massive Russian Missile and Drone Strike Is Targeting the Capital and Several Other Ukrainian Cities (VIDEOS) | The Gateway Pundit | by Paul Serran
Ever since Ukraine launched the drone attack on the airfields with drones assembled inside Russian territory, one thing is certain, and everybody knew that: there will be retaliation from Moscow.
The article:
thegatewaypundit.com
KIEV ON FIRE: Massive Russian Missile and Drone Strike Is Targeting the Capital and Several other Ukrainian Cities
Kiev and many other cities are under attack from Russian missiles and drones, tonight.
Ever since Ukraine launched the drone attack on the airfields with drones assembled inside Russian territory, one thing is certain, and everybody knew that: there will be retaliation from Moscow.
When this expected retaliation will take place, and what format this will take is anyone’s guess.
Some MSM outlets are suggesting that it’s taking place tonight.
Nearly Midnight local time (5pm ET), evidences of a fierce attack started to appear, as Kiev sources reported preparations for a massive attack on the country.
Slavyangrad reported:
“Tu-95MS missile carriers take off from Olenya airfield.
Ships are leaving for the Black Sea. The maximum salvo is already 30 “Kalibr”.
Also, hundreds of attack drones, MiG-31K Kinzhal carriers and operational-tactical missile systems are ready for attack.”
Having said all that, Russian channels also remind us that Russian forces do a lot more fake attacks than real ones – ‘just to create more unpredictability and stress’.
Later, it’s been reported that Kalibr, Kinzhal, and Shkval missiles, as well Geran drones, are striking multiple targets around the country.
Kiev is burning.
CNN reports:
“Russian ballistic missiles and drones have been launched toward Ukraine from multiple directions, the Ukrainian Air Force said on Telegram Friday.
Fires caused by falling debris and drone strikes were reported in buildings across Kyiv, as Ukraine attempted to repel the Russian attack, the Head of Kyiv City Military Administration Tymur Tkachenko said. A CNN producer in the Kyiv region reported hearing at least two explosions.”
KIEV ON FIRE: Massive Russian Missile and Drone Strike Is Targeting the Capital and Several Other Ukrainian Cities (VIDEOS) | The Gateway Pundit | by Paul Serran
Ever since Ukraine launched the drone attack on the airfields with drones assembled inside Russian territory, one thing is certain, and everybody knew that: there will be retaliation from Moscow.
www.thegatewaypundit.com
jward
passin' thru
OSINTdefender
@sentdefender
1m
As a result of last night’s attack by Russia using drones, cruise, and ballistic missiles, damage was caused to the rail network in the Ukrainian capital, resulting in several closures and slight delays to commuter rail traffic this morning in Kyiv.
@sentdefender
1m
As a result of last night’s attack by Russia using drones, cruise, and ballistic missiles, damage was caused to the rail network in the Ukrainian capital, resulting in several closures and slight delays to commuter rail traffic this morning in Kyiv.
jward
passin' thru
O I don't think he believes any such thing; I think he was hired by the deep state to do a job, and is simply earning his coin.WOW, this is serious!?! Zippy is actually trying to get Russia to pay him for continuing the talks with Russia?
Just WOW!
The Zippy government is so delusional that they:
This war is one with surprise after surprise, eh?
- fully believe in the most ridiculous western propaganda
- and they actually think they have Russia by the short hairs
-The biggest surprise, I think, is that he and the other guilty party/rein holders haven't been torn limb to limb for having squandered the blood and bone o' their beloved sons and husbands.
Cedar Lake
Connecticut Yankee
Cruise missile strikes in Lutsk in Rivne Oblast. North of Lwow/Lviv.
DD Geopolitics
(you don‘t need Telegram to watch it)
DD Geopolitics
(you don‘t need Telegram to watch it)
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Yep, it was daylight, remember much of Europe is as far North or farther than the Canadian Maritimes. We are that far North in Ireland, and our home in Sweden was on the edge of the Arctic Circle.
Per search engine: Kyiv Sunrise Time June 6
On June 6th, 2025, the sunrise in Kyiv, Ukraine, will occur at 4 AM
Sunrise in Moscow was 3:48 am
Per search engine: Kyiv Sunrise Time June 6
On June 6th, 2025, the sunrise in Kyiv, Ukraine, will occur at 4 AM
Sunrise in Moscow was 3:48 am
| Sunrise Today: | 03:48↑ 45° Northeast |
|---|
Good summary of last night's attack - map in linked post.
My estimations regarding today's Russian missile attack on Ukraine:
10 Iskander-M ballistic missiles launched, 0 intercepted.
13 Kalibr cruise missiles launched, 2 intercepted.
4 Kh-101 cruise missiles launched, 1 intercepted.
1 Kh-31P launched, 0 intercepted.
27 missiles in total, 3 interceptions.
10.7% interception rate.
As for the targets/impacts:
Ballistic missiles:
4 Iskander-Ms targeted and impacted Chernihiv City.
3 Iskander-Ms targeted and impacted Kyiv/its surroundings.
2 Iskander-Ms targeted and impacted the area of Hadyach, Poltava Oblast.
1 Iskander-M targeted and impacted Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Cruise missiles:
3 Kh-101s targeted Lutsk City, 2 impacted.
1 Kh-101 targeted Ternopil City. 1 impacted.
4 Kalibrs targrted Lutsk City, 3 impacted.
4 Kalibrs targeted Ternopil City, 4 impacted.
1 Kalibr was shot down near Stryi, Lviv Oblast. Target is unknown.
3 Kalibrs targeted Ozerne Airbase, Zhytomyr Oblast. 3 impacted.
Anti-radar missiles:
1 Kh-31P targeted and impacted Tuzly, Odesa Oblast.
My estimations regarding today's Russian missile attack on Ukraine:
10 Iskander-M ballistic missiles launched, 0 intercepted.
13 Kalibr cruise missiles launched, 2 intercepted.
4 Kh-101 cruise missiles launched, 1 intercepted.
1 Kh-31P launched, 0 intercepted.
27 missiles in total, 3 interceptions.
10.7% interception rate.
As for the targets/impacts:
Ballistic missiles:
4 Iskander-Ms targeted and impacted Chernihiv City.
3 Iskander-Ms targeted and impacted Kyiv/its surroundings.
2 Iskander-Ms targeted and impacted the area of Hadyach, Poltava Oblast.
1 Iskander-M targeted and impacted Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Cruise missiles:
3 Kh-101s targeted Lutsk City, 2 impacted.
1 Kh-101 targeted Ternopil City. 1 impacted.
4 Kalibrs targrted Lutsk City, 3 impacted.
4 Kalibrs targeted Ternopil City, 4 impacted.
1 Kalibr was shot down near Stryi, Lviv Oblast. Target is unknown.
3 Kalibrs targeted Ozerne Airbase, Zhytomyr Oblast. 3 impacted.
Anti-radar missiles:
1 Kh-31P targeted and impacted Tuzly, Odesa Oblast.
wait-n-see
Veteran Member
Looks like this was just the warm up before the main event of the retaliation.
@@@
Russia is in No Rush to Retaliate
5 June 2025 by Larry C. Johnson
Russia’s response to Ukraine’s spate of terrorist attacks over the weekend is best captured by the phrase, “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” This means that revenge is often more satisfying or effective when it is delayed, carefully planned, and not acted on in the heat of emotion.
As I noted in my previous piece, Russia’s military doctrine vis-a-vis Ukraine has been, until now, described as a Special Military Operation. In response to the drone attacks on Russia’s strategic bomber bases, Putin has now characterized the military mission as a Counterterrorism Operation. When the Russian government states that it is treating Ukraine as a “counterterrorism operation,” it signifies a strategic shift in rhetoric, tactics and the legal framework, allowing for expanded military and domestic security measures. Most in the West forget that Russia fought a ten-year counterterrorism war in Chechnya, prevailing in the end by exterminating the threat posed by Salafist muslims.
Under Russian law, declaring a counterterrorism operation grants authorities the power to:
By framing its military actions as counterterrorism, Russia aims to escalate its use of military force: This means intensified military operations against Ukraine going forward. Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, today announced that Russia would no longer sit for negotiations with Ukraine about ending the war. Instead, Russia would confine its diplomatic efforts to “working delegations” that will address technical issues such as freeing POWS and returning the corpses of Ukrainian soldiers. No more Istanbul. That process is now kaput.
Ukraine’s attacks over the weekend have strengthened public support for destroying, via military means, the “terrorist” threat posed by Ukraine. I have heard from several Russian folks, as well as Pepe Escobar, that the anger towards Ukraine is widespread and that the overwhelming majority of Russian citizens are clamoring for a tough, devastating response. Putin and his generals are paying attention to the public sentiment and are now engaged in meticulous planning for launching massive strikes on Ukrainian assets implicated in these attacks. Putin made that point clearly and strongly to Donald Trump during their conversation on Wednesday. While Russia is not likely to strike outside the territorial boundaries of Ukraine, it will hit sites linked to foreign interests, which is likely to include British targets, still operating in Ukraine.
As night fell on the east coast in the United States, Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones at targets in Ternopol, Kiev, Lvov, Lutsk, Rovno and Khmelnitsky. A video from Kiev shows a Patriot battery launching at least four missiles in a failed attempt to intercept an Iskander missile. It appears that multiple Russian missiles exploded near the site of the Patriot battery. While these strikes represent a surge compared to the previous days, this is not the retaliation that Putin informed Trump was coming. The big strike is still in the planning process.
Today, I discussed these issues with Garland Nixon:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UP9H-RbePg
Run time - 52:02
May 5, 2025
@@@
Russia is in No Rush to Retaliate
5 June 2025 by Larry C. Johnson
Russia’s response to Ukraine’s spate of terrorist attacks over the weekend is best captured by the phrase, “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” This means that revenge is often more satisfying or effective when it is delayed, carefully planned, and not acted on in the heat of emotion.
As I noted in my previous piece, Russia’s military doctrine vis-a-vis Ukraine has been, until now, described as a Special Military Operation. In response to the drone attacks on Russia’s strategic bomber bases, Putin has now characterized the military mission as a Counterterrorism Operation. When the Russian government states that it is treating Ukraine as a “counterterrorism operation,” it signifies a strategic shift in rhetoric, tactics and the legal framework, allowing for expanded military and domestic security measures. Most in the West forget that Russia fought a ten-year counterterrorism war in Chechnya, prevailing in the end by exterminating the threat posed by Salafist muslims.
Under Russian law, declaring a counterterrorism operation grants authorities the power to:
- Restrict Movement: Impose curfews and control over civilian movement in designated areas.
- Control Communications: Monitor and limit media and personal communications.
- Conduct Searches: Carry out searches and detentions without standard judicial oversight.
By framing its military actions as counterterrorism, Russia aims to escalate its use of military force: This means intensified military operations against Ukraine going forward. Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, today announced that Russia would no longer sit for negotiations with Ukraine about ending the war. Instead, Russia would confine its diplomatic efforts to “working delegations” that will address technical issues such as freeing POWS and returning the corpses of Ukrainian soldiers. No more Istanbul. That process is now kaput.
Ukraine’s attacks over the weekend have strengthened public support for destroying, via military means, the “terrorist” threat posed by Ukraine. I have heard from several Russian folks, as well as Pepe Escobar, that the anger towards Ukraine is widespread and that the overwhelming majority of Russian citizens are clamoring for a tough, devastating response. Putin and his generals are paying attention to the public sentiment and are now engaged in meticulous planning for launching massive strikes on Ukrainian assets implicated in these attacks. Putin made that point clearly and strongly to Donald Trump during their conversation on Wednesday. While Russia is not likely to strike outside the territorial boundaries of Ukraine, it will hit sites linked to foreign interests, which is likely to include British targets, still operating in Ukraine.
As night fell on the east coast in the United States, Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones at targets in Ternopol, Kiev, Lvov, Lutsk, Rovno and Khmelnitsky. A video from Kiev shows a Patriot battery launching at least four missiles in a failed attempt to intercept an Iskander missile. It appears that multiple Russian missiles exploded near the site of the Patriot battery. While these strikes represent a surge compared to the previous days, this is not the retaliation that Putin informed Trump was coming. The big strike is still in the planning process.
Today, I discussed these issues with Garland Nixon:
LARRY C JOHNSON - UKRAINE/US/RUSSIA TALKS INCREASE AS NATO TERROR PROVOCATIONS EVOKE RESPONSE
Run time - 52:02
May 5, 2025
They don’t need to rush. That’s the thing. They are winning this war. They can pick and choose their targets. I don’t understand how any of Ukraines major transportation links with the West are still intact or how they have any aircraft left after 3 years of war. But Russia has a plan and are following it.