WAR trouble brewing again in ukraine

danielboon

TB Fanatic
looks like russia is not too happy
Kremlin says Turkish drones risk destabilising situation in east Ukraine
Reuters





2 minute read
MOSCOW, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday that its fears about Turkey's decision to sell strike drones to Ukraine were being realised and that the Turkish drones risked destabilising the situation in eastern Ukraine.
 

Grumphau

Veteran Member
It remains unclear how far the escalation will go this time. Troops are uncovered on all sides. In the video: Part 1:Ukraine relocated tanks direction of the Donbass . Part 2: LDVR moves technology to the dividing line. Part 3: Russia moves Iskander systems south. View: https://twitter.com/EndGameWW3/status/1453771755559038983
:siren: :siren: :siren: :siren:

That's not a great translation. I'll take a shot:

"It remains unclear how far the escalation will go this time. Troops are moving openly on all sides. In the video: Part 1:Ukraine relocated tanks direction Donbass . Part 2: LDVR moves equipment* to the dividing line. Part 3: Russia moves Iskander systems south"

*They used "Technik" here which does mean "technology" but I think it's a mistranslation from a Slavic language to German, which was then transferred on to English.
 

northern watch

TB Fanatic
1635468055461.png

FCyxV-LVQAYeoph
 

Zagdid

Veteran Member

Russian coal supply to Ukraine halts amid deepening energy crisis
Author: Aura Sabadus 2021/11/01

LONDON (ICIS)--Ukraine is pinning its hope on nuclear generation to meet winter demand as the country stopped receiving coal supply from Russia on Monday, according to the country’s energy committee.

Russia stopped coal supplies to Ukraine on Monday just as gas transit through the country fell to 57 million cubic metres (mcm), or half of its daily contracted volumes. Daily electricity imports from Russia and Belarus have also stopped.
Market sources interviewed by ICIS said the country was under “immense pressure” to align politically and added that in case of a harsh winter, its only hope would be domestic nuclear generation which accounts for 52.1% of demand.

According to a social media post by Andriy Gerus, chairman of the energy committee in the Ukrainian parliament, Russia had suspended thermal coal supplies to Ukraine from 1 November.

Supplies had been decreasing throughout the year.

As of the beginning of October, there were only 614,000 tonnes in stocks, four times lower than over the same period last year. This meant that 17 thermal power plants and combined-heat power plants could not operate due to the lack of fuel, according to DTEK reports seen by ICIS. DTEK is one of the main buyers of coal in Ukraine.

Ukrainian coal reserves have been falling throughout the year amid a combination of rising thermal production and electricity exports to premium European markets, falling domestic reserves and lower Russian imports.

Stocks had increased by 715,000 tonnes by the end of October but were still some two million tonnes lower than the planned reserves approved by the government.

According to the government, the shortfall could be met by an increase in locally produced coal as well as imports form Poland and Kazakhstan. Market sources told ICIS it may be difficult to import coal from Kazakhstan because rail carriages required to export volumes to Ukraine were needed for exports to China.

Ukraine may need to buy coal from Donbas and Luhansk, potentially putting it in the difficult position of having to buy coal from separatist authorities it has been fighting since 2014.

The coal supply crisis comes at a time when Ukraine faces reduced gas supplies. The country stopped buying natural gas directly from Russia following its occupation of Crimea.

It has been transiting 109 million cubic metres (mcm)/day of Russian gas to Europe under a five-year contract and has been able to secure volumes in reverse from neighbouring European markets. However, transit volumes through Ukraine have been decreasing since October and fell further to 57mcm/day from 1 November.

Under the terms of the contract, Russia pays for the capacity even if it underuses it. Meanwhile, daily capacity auctions with Belarus and Russia had stopped, according to a source close to the matter, following the verdict of a Ukrainian court in the final week of October. ICIS has not yet seen details of the court verdict.
 

Zagdid

Veteran Member

Ukraine was left without electricity from Russia and Belarus after the ban on imports was lifted
By Cornelius Chandler November 1, 2021

In Ukraine, on November 1, the ban on the import of electricity from Russia and Belarus ends, but so far no supplies are expected. Formally, there are no obstacles to this, although the Ukrainian authorities have threatened to extend the restrictions on supplies until 2023. However, this never happened.

Moreover, at the end of October, within the framework of the Ukrenergo auction, eight companies immediately bought out the available capacity of 2,200 MW to import electricity from Russia and Belarus. In particular, the Ukrainian Energoatom purchased 885 of the 900 available MW of interstate power transmission lines for the supply of Belarusian electricity.

But the possibility of implementing these quotas is in limbo, since auctions for the sale of electricity to Ukraine have been canceled in Russia and Belarus.

According to the head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy and Housing and Utilities Andriy Gerus, for this reason, there will be no electricity imports from November 1.

“There will be no electricity imports from the Russian Federation since November 1, Inter RAO announced an auction for the sale of electricity on October 20, but on October 21 the corresponding auction was canceled. Also, from November 1, there will be no electricity imports from Belarus, the corresponding auctions for the sale of electricity have been canceled, ”the deputy wrote in his Telegram channel.

He also noted that there were no guaranteed coal reserves in the warehouses of seven Ukrainian thermal power plants (TPPs). Gerus stressed that in total there are about 675 thousand tons of coal in the warehouses of thermal power plants and thermal power plants – according to the schedule of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, it should be over 2.9 million tons on the eve of the winter period.

Why does Ukraine need Russian-Belarusian energy
According to Strana, the issue of electricity supplies from Russia and Belarus was actively discussed in Ukraine, despite criticism from the authorities for possible purchases from unfriendly states. This decision is considered necessary to relieve tension from the Ukrainian electricity market, which is faced with a shortage of energy resources.

The main problem for Ukraine is observed with coal due to the rise in prices in the world, which caused low purchases from Ukrainian companies, as well as the stoppage of coal supplies from Russia, which was caused by an increase in domestic demand in the winter. The lack of coal leads to problems in the operation of thermal power plants, and the rapid rise in gas prices in Europe affects thermal power plants.

As a result, on the eve of the winter period, Ukraine finds itself in difficult conditions, which could be solved by the import of electricity from Russia and Belarus. According to Strana’s sources in the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, these supplies can cover about 20% of consumption in the local market.

Despite such prospects, the Ukrainian authorities do not abandon their negative rhetoric against Moscow and Minsk, which a number of Ukrainian media outlets consider as a possible reason for refusing to import electricity. Kiev often explains the problems with certain energy resources by Russia’s actions. In particular, Kiev attributed the rise in gas prices in Europe to Moscow’s attempt to push the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline faster.

Ukrainian officials and politicians regard the project itself as a threat to the country, fearing an interruption in the transit of Russian gas through the territory of the state and even an “invasion of Russia.” According to the head of Naftogaz Ukrainy, Yuriy Vitrenko, the commissioning of Nord Stream 2 would supposedly relieve Russia of some kind of deterrent, thereby making Ukraine more vulnerable.

“[Если] there will be no physical transit [газа] through Ukraine, this increases the chances of a full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine with all its consequences “,

– Vitrenko announced in an interview with the Financial Times.

Why there is no import from Moscow and Minsk
Experts interviewed by Gazeta.Ru have different opinions on the possible refusal of Russia and Belarus to import electricity to Ukraine. For example, Vladimir Bruter, an expert at the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Research, is sure that there is hardly any official position of the parties on this matter.

“Delivery auctions are optional in this case. The Ukrainian media are trying to change the situation somewhat, saying what they wanted, while others do not. But Russia and Belarus did not officially speak out on this matter. These deliveries will be provided if the parties agree to this. There are no obstacles for this, ”the expert said.

At the same time, the head of the Ukrainian Institute for Policy Analysis and Management Ruslan Bortnik noted that there is no benefit for Kiev itself in the purchase of Russian and Belarusian electricity due to the political factor.
“From a political point of view, these supplies are very toxic for the Ukrainian authorities. Any supply of Russian or Belarusian electricity leads to the fact that Kiev is accused of unpatriotism, surrender of national interests and financing the budgets of “aggressor states,” the expert added.

At the same time, according to Bortnik, the refusal to supply electricity to Ukraine from Belarus and Russia can be regarded as an attempt at blackmail.

“Refusal to supply is an attempt to blackmail each other. Probably, Belarus is ready to supply electricity to Ukraine, but they want an official appeal to make it look like a step by Kiev towards admitting its political mistakes. It is unlikely that there will be any normal dialogue in this part, but there is no urgent need for electricity in the coming weeks, ”the expert emphasized.

Does Ukraine face an energy crisis?
Despite the lack of the required amount of coal for the full functioning of TPPs, we must not forget that the country’s energy system also includes hydroelectric power plants, nuclear power plants and other types of power plants that are not dependent on this resource.

From the point of view of Vladimir Bruter from the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Research, at the moment the weather in Ukraine is quite warm, so there are no problems at all.

“Subsequently, somewhere closer to December, some difficulties will appear. Probably, in such conditions, they will return to this topic (supplies from Russia and Belarus. – “Gazeta.Ru”) or will try to buy [энергоресурсы] somewhere else, ”the expert added.

Ruslan Bortnik from the Ukrainian Institute for Policy Analysis and Management agrees with this. According to him,
Ukraine has left the possibility of buying Belarusian or Russian electricity in the most extreme case, if the system is on the verge of some kind of energy collapse.

“While this is far enough away, Ukraine does not freeze and there is no major energy crisis in the country. Key energy sources will last at least until January, but then the situation may worsen, therefore, just in case, such an opportunity is left (purchase of energy from Russia and Belarus). The situation is difficult and hitting the pockets of the elites tied to energy resources, but much farther from the blackout than in 2014-2015, “the expert summed up.
 

northern watch

TB Fanatic
Republicans Urge Biden To Send US Troops To Ukraine To "Deter Russian Invasion"

BY TYLER DURDEN
ZERO HEDGE
SUNDAY, NOV 07, 2021 - 08:45 AM

Despite days ago Ukraine's government expressly denying earlier reports in The Washington Post and CNN of a new major Russian troop build-up along the Russia-Ukraine border, a pair of Republican lawmakers are urging the White House to immediately ramp up weapons sales to Kiev. They are citing the threat of "invasion" by Russian forces.

"With the recent massing of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border, we urge your administration to take immediate and swift action to provide support to Ukraine in the form of intelligence and weapons," representatives Mike Rogers and Mike Turner wrote in a letter first reported on by DefenseNews Friday.


Via Reuters


Further alarming is that the Congressmen are leading calls for a beefed up American military presence in Ukraine and in the Black Sea region, which is site of recent dangerous intercept encounters between US and Russian aircraft.

"We also urge your administration to deploy a US military presence in the Black Sea to deter a Russian invasion," the letter stated. "Additionally, we urge you to immediately consider an appropriate US military presence and posture in the region and to initiate appropriate intelligence sharing activities between the US and Ukraine to prevent the situation from escalating further."

It appears the pair of Russia hawks are urging such escalatory action literally based on fake news, given as Reuters detailed this week, the government of Ukraine denied the reported Russian troop build-up, and the Pentagon did not confirm it either while downplaying the possibility:

"As of November 1, 2021, an additional transfer of Russian units, weapons and military equipment to the state border of Ukraine was not recorded," the Ukrainian defense ministry said in a statement.
In Washington, the Pentagon said it was aware of public reports about "unusual activity".
"We're certainly monitoring the region closely as we always do so and as we've said before, any escalatory or aggressive actions will be of great concern to the United States," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said
.
Rogers is a ranking member House Armed Services Committee, while Rep. Turner sits on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee.

After Ukraine's initial denial of a threatening troop build-up on the border, Ukraine's defense ministry later on Wednesday said that some 90,000 Russian troops have a presence "not far from the border". Kiev also cited ongoing Moscow support to pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region. It remains that whenever Russia's military moves large amounts of troops within its own sovereign country the media and congressional hawks typically hype it as "the Russians are coming!"

Republicans Urge Biden To Send US Troops To Ukraine To "Deter Russian Invasion" | ZeroHedge
 

vestige

Deceased
Republicans Urge Biden To Send US Troops To Ukraine To "Deter Russian Invasion"

BY TYLER DURDEN
ZERO HEDGE
SUNDAY, NOV 07, 2021 - 08:45 AM

Despite days ago Ukraine's government expressly denying earlier reports in The Washington Post and CNN of a new major Russian troop build-up along the Russia-Ukraine border, a pair of Republican lawmakers are urging the White House to immediately ramp up weapons sales to Kiev. They are citing the threat of "invasion" by Russian forces.

"With the recent massing of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border, we urge your administration to take immediate and swift action to provide support to Ukraine in the form of intelligence and weapons," representatives Mike Rogers and Mike Turner wrote in a letter first reported on by DefenseNews Friday.


Via Reuters


Further alarming is that the Congressmen are leading calls for a beefed up American military presence in Ukraine and in the Black Sea region, which is site of recent dangerous intercept encounters between US and Russian aircraft.

"We also urge your administration to deploy a US military presence in the Black Sea to deter a Russian invasion," the letter stated. "Additionally, we urge you to immediately consider an appropriate US military presence and posture in the region and to initiate appropriate intelligence sharing activities between the US and Ukraine to prevent the situation from escalating further."

It appears the pair of Russia hawks are urging such escalatory action literally based on fake news, given as Reuters detailed this week, the government of Ukraine denied the reported Russian troop build-up, and the Pentagon did not confirm it either while downplaying the possibility:


Rogers is a ranking member House Armed Services Committee, while Rep. Turner sits on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee.

After Ukraine's initial denial of a threatening troop build-up on the border, Ukraine's defense ministry later on Wednesday said that some 90,000 Russian troops have a presence "not far from the border". Kiev also cited ongoing Moscow support to pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region. It remains that whenever Russia's military moves large amounts of troops within its own sovereign country the media and congressional hawks typically hype it as "the Russians are coming!"

Republicans Urge Biden To Send US Troops To Ukraine To "Deter Russian Invasion" | ZeroHedge
F*** Ukraine!

We have our own invasion on the southern border.

Send troops there.

Can I get a witness?
 
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