OT subject but worth a main-stream read- OT News Feeds...

Gulfcoastguy

HeavyG said:

littlerascal56 said:

That is a huge nuclear plant.  Not sure if Russia understands what really happens when the core looses cooling and a meltdown (China syndrome) occurs.  This will not just affect the Ukraine region, but also Russia and much of Europe.  For many, many, many years to come. Some crazy $hit.

I'm pretty sure that Russia has an excellent understanding of the potential outcomes of a failing nuclear power plant - e.g. Chernobyl.

And just doesn’t care.

HeavyG

https://twitter.com/TrentTelenko/status/1558927722893672449

lousubcap

Monday Russia-Ukraine update:

"As fighting rages in the country’s south, concerns are mounting over the security of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. Much of the firepower of both countries has been directed at the Russian-occupied city of Kherson, and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is located only 60 miles north of the city. Over the weekend, Russia used land around the nuclear power station, which it seized from Ukraine in March, as a staging ground for attacks on Ukrainian positions. Andrew E. Kramer and Andrew Higgins report for the New York Times. 

The fighting around the nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia has accelerated the civilian exodus. About a thousand cars were backed up at a crossing point over the front line between Russian-controlled and Ukrainian-controlled territory, according to people interviewed on the Ukrainian side Sunday morning. The flow of people has increased as explosions have rocked the area around the nuclear plant, risking a catastrophic nuclear event. Andrew E. Cramer reports for the New York Times. 

The first U.N. shipment of Ukrainian grain to Africa departed yesterday. It is the first shipment specially chartered by the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) as part of an effort to direct much-needed grain to countries affected most by food shortages caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This shipment will eventually arrive in Ethiopia, which is on “the edge of famine,” according to Marianne Ward of the WFP. Michael Schwirtz reports for the New York Times. "

lousubcap

Tom Nichols from The Atlantic-worth a read:
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/08/the-new-era-of-political-violence-is-here/671146/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=atlantic-daily-newsletter&utm_content=20220815&utm_term=The Atlantic Daily

lousubcap

Tuesday Russia- Ukraine update:

"A major explosion rocked a Russian ammunition depot in Crimea this morning. This attack comes just a week after a Ukrainian strike on a Russian airbase that took out several fighter jets. A senior Ukrainian official told the New York Times that an elite Ukrainian military unit operating behind enemy lines was responsible for the explosion. The two consecutive attacks in Crimea have demonstrated that the peninsula, thought to be a Russian stronghold safe from Ukrainian attacks, is more vulnerable than first presumed. Michael Schwirtz reports for the New York Times.

U.N. Secretary General Guterres spoke with the Russian Defense Minister about the security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The meeting comes after weeks of explosions in close proximity to the plant, risking a meltdown after several days of shelling at the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. The U.N. also said it could help send in nuclear inspectors, if both sides agreed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has accused Russia of “nuclear blackmail” at the site,reiterating that claim in his nightly address on Monday. Carly Olson reports for the New York Times."

Edit for additional info:

"Location: Near the Ukrainian city of Dzhankoi, according to Mykhailo Podolyak, who is an advisor to Kyiv's President Volodymir Zelenskyy. Tuesday morning around Dzhankoi "began with explosions," Podolyak tweeted, and added this derisive reminder: "Crimea of normal country is about the Black Sea, mountains, recreation and tourism, but Crimea occupied by Russians is about warehouses explosions and high risk of death for invaders and thieves." Then, appropriating a line from Kremlin propaganda, he added that the explosions can be seen as "Demilitarization in action."

Another of Zelenskyy's advisors, Andriy Yermak, took a similar tone, tweeting, "The Ukrainian Armed Forces continue the filigree 'demilitarization' operation to fully rid our land of Russian invaders. Our soldiers are the best sponsors of a good mood."

Russia's military says the attacks were "sabotage" and not accidents, unlike Moscow alleged after last week's series of explosions that rocked the Saki airbase in occupied Crimea, destroying at least eight Russian aircraft. "Power lines, power plants, railway tracks, and residential buildings" were destroyed in Tuesday's explosions, Russia's defense ministry said in a statement. "

lousubcap

A great Tom Nichols article:
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/08/the-stakes-in-ukraine-have-not-changed/671159/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=atlantic-daily-newsletter&utm_content=20220816&utm_term=The Atlantic Daily

lousubcap

How Germany is working around gas supply issues from Russia:
https://gcaptain.com/germany-secures-gas-supply-via-floating-lng-units/?subscriber=true&goal=0_f50174ef03-bfbe98ebcd-170052525&mc_cid=bfbe98ebcd&mc_eid=10465e83ed  

lousubcap

Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Ukraine accused Russia of launching a cyber attack against its nuclear power agency.The attack on the agency’s website failed, Ukrainian officials said. Energoatom said Tuesday night that the hacking efforts did not “significantly affect” the company’s official site. While the attack did not appear to impact Ukraine’s power grid, the state energy company that oversees the country’s nuclear plants described it as “unprecedented.” The Washington Post reports

Top U.S. national security officials told President Biden in an Oval Office briefing in October 2021 that Russian President Vladimir Putin was putting pieces in place for a massive assault on Ukraine. “The U.S. intelligence community had penetrated multiple points of Russia’s political leadership, spying apparatus and military, from senior levels to the front lines, according to U.S. officials.” Shane Harris, Karen DeYoung, Isabelle Khurshudyan, Ashley Parker and Liz Sly provide the first of a series of articles on the buildup to the assault, in the Washington Post. Shane Harris, Karen DeYoung, Isabelle Khurshudyan offer five takeaways.

The United States will spend more than $68 million to ship 150,000 metric tons of Ukrainian wheat for the World Food Program. This represents the largest export deal since the start of the war and since grain was allowed to move freely out of the country in July. This comes after a string of other shipments out of the Black Sea to nations struggling with food insecurity. The shipments have raised hopes that the Black Sea grain corridor can meet the U.N.’s goal of alleviating a global hunger crisis caused in part by the invasion. William Mauldin and Jared Malsin report for the Wall Street Journal "

lousubcap

More today (Weds) on Russia-Ukraine:

"At least one Ukrainian official is suggesting the Crimean bridge could be destroyed soon because, as one key presidential advisor in Kyiv, Mykhailo Podolyak, tweeted Wednesday, "this bridge is an illegal object, permission for the construction of which was not given by Ukraine. It harms the peninsula's ecology and therefore must be dismantled. Not important how—voluntary or not."

"Our strategy is to destroy the logistics, the supply lines and the ammunition depots and other objects of military infrastructure," Podolyak told The Guardian on Tuesday. "It's creating a chaos within their own forces," he added. 

On the bright side, five more ships of grain are expected to depart Ukraine's Chornomorsk port city soon, Reuters reports from Kyiv, which would add to the 24 ships that have left "Ukrainian ports so far during the 17 days of the grain corridor operation" brokered by the United Nations, Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey. "

lousubcap

Tom Nichols is on a roll.  Worth the read regarding Liz Cheney's concession speech:
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/08/can-gop-voters-handle-the-truth/671178/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=atlantic-daily-newsletter&utm_content=20220817&utm_term=The Atlantic Daily  

kl8ton

https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/kent-county-jail-counselor-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-inmate/

I find this to be a little comical.  As a subcontractor to the jail, her access was revoked. . . to the jail. . . that she is currently in, serving time.

AnothaStolenGenrator

kl8ton said:

https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/kent-county-jail-counselor-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-inmate/

I find this to be a little comical.  As a subcontractor to the jail, her access was revoked. . . to the jail. . . that she is currently in, serving time.

I guess she can check out any time she wants but she can never leave.

Legume

AnothaStolenGenrator said:

kl8ton said:

https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/kent-county-jail-counselor-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-inmate/

I find this to be a little comical.  As a subcontractor to the jail, her access was revoked. . . to the jail. . . that she is currently in, serving time.

I guess she can check out any time she wants but she can never leave.

lousubcap

Thursday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Six civilians were killed in a Russian missile strike on Kharkiv. The strike comes as the Russian advance around Kharkiv has stalled. Ukrainian officials said at least six civilians were killed and another sixteen were wounded, warning that the number was likely to rise. Russia has not made any major territorial advances since early July when it captured the city of Lysychansk, securing the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine. Marc Santora reports for the New York Times. 

Ukraine’s attacks into Crimea reveal its latest defense strategy. Ukraine’s defense minister stated that Ukrainian forces plan to attack key military targets deep inside Russian-occupied territory in order to undermine Russia’s ability to hold the front lines ahead of an eventual Ukrainian counteroffensive to reclaim territory. Recent Ukrainian attacks on an airfield and arms depot is the most recent demonstration of the new strategy. For the first time since the attacks, the Ukrainian government publicly claimed responsibility for the string of attacks. Liz Sly, John Hudson and David L. Stern report for the Washington Post.  

U.N. Secretary General António Guterres arrived in Ukraine on Wednesday to review progress on the grain deal that ended a blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. Guterres is scheduled to meet Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkey President Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday in the western city of Lviv. Then the secretary general will head towards the Black Sea port of Odessa on Friday to assess grain movement. Cassandra Vinograd reports for the New York Times. "

Edit for additional info:

"It's day 176 of Vladimir Putin's invasion of democratic Ukraine, and the past 30 days of fighting seem to have settled into a bit of a stalemate along lines that don't appear to have moved much since July. Russia's military is still lobbing missiles and artillery and carrying out airstrikes across Ukraine, including around the Sumy oblast, as well as Kharkiv (where at least 10 were killed in overnight shelling, according to the BBC), Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Zaporizhzhia, and elsewhere, according to Kyiv's military.

Russian forces tried numerous separate assaults Wednesday, but allegedly none of them were "successful," so the troops withdrew, said Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Shtupun. Those included an offensive "in the Mykolaivka-Vyimka direction," as well as from Volodymyrivka, Pokrovske, Klynove, Semihirya, Holmivskyi, Lozove, and Yehorivka. 

For Ukraine's President Volodymir Zelenskyy, today's visit by the UN chief was dominated by "Russia's nuclear blackmail at the Zaporizhzhia" Nuclear Power Plant, which Russian forces have occupied since early March—and more recently have threatened to redirect eastward toward Russia. 

"This deliberate terror on the part of the aggressor can have global catastrophic consequences," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. "Therefore, the UN must ensure the security of this strategic object, its demilitarization and complete liberation from Russian troops." (Zelenskyy didn't have as much to say about his visit with Turkish President Recep Erdogan, but you can read over his post-visit message, also via Telegram, here.)

BTW: Russian officials dismissed the UN's request for a "demilitarized zone" around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facilities, claiming to do so "would make the power station even more vulnerable," according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Ivan Nechayev. "

AnothaStolenGenrator

http://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1560547114345762822?s=20&t=bmihaly82dBWuhZFZkv-0A

lousubcap

Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Ukraine warned yesterday that Russia was planning a “large-scale terrorist attack” on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Ukrainian officials said Moscow would seek to blame the attack on Kyiv, and State Department spokesman Ned Price said such a false flag operation is the “Russian playbook — accuse others of what you have done or what you intend to do.” The Washington Post reports. 

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres met with Zelenskyy and Turkish leader Erdogan yesterday to discuss the war in Ukraine. The discussions focused on the diplomatic paths to ending the conflict as well as the conditions surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The Washington Post reports."

lousubcap

A good read regarding the Trump raid from The Atlantic:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/the-classified-files-scandal-is-the-most-trumpy-scandal-of-all/ar-AA10S1V0  

lousubcap

Monday Russia-Ukraine update:

"The U.S., Britain, France and Germany have stressed the need to ensure the safety of nuclear installations threatened by the conflict in Ukraine. Following a phone call yesterday, the leaders of the four countries urged military restraint around the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in southern Ukraine, where renewed fighting has led to fears of disaster worse than that in Chernobyl in 1986. The leaders also welcomed a deal - approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday - to allow U.N. inspectors to visit the plant at a future date. Henri Astier reports for BBC News. 

Russia fired rockets at towns to the west of Europe's largest nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine early today. Overnight Russian rocket salvoes into Nikopol, across the Dnipro from Russian-occupied Enerhodar where the Zaporizhzhia plant is situated, regional Governor Valentyn Reznichenko wrote on Telegram. Ukraine also reported a Russian missile strike on Voznesensk, to the southwest and not far from the country’s second-largest atomic power station. Pavel Polityuk reports for Reuters. "

And this article regarding a new US arms aid package:

https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2022/08/more-ukraine-weaps/376080/

lousubcap

Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"American intelligence agencies believe Russia is likely to increase its efforts to attack civilian infrastructure and government buildings in Ukraine. Yesterday, the U.S. government declassified an intelligence warning to ensure that concerns about the threat reached a broad audience. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv then issued a security alert and once more urged American citizens to leave Ukraine. “The Department of State has information that Russia is stepping up efforts to launch strikes against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and government facilities in the coming days,” the alert said. Julian E. Barnes and Jeffrey Gettleman report for the New York Times. 

The Pentagon is sending new weapons and equipment to Ukraine that will better prepare its military to fight Russian troops at closer ranges. This potentially signals that Kyiv and its backers see an opportunity to retake lost grounds after weeks of grinding artillery duels along front lines. Ukrainian officials have been openly discussing an offensive on the Russian-held strategic port city of Kherson, but there is little evidence along the front lines that Ukraine is prepared to execute an operation that would require large numbers of troops, armored vehicles and powerful close-range weapons to overcome the numerically superior Russian military. The latest package appears to be a first step toward addressing some of the shortfalls in the weaponry Ukrainian forces would need to launch a counterattack, particularly across mined areas in the approach to well-entrenched Russian positions. Alex Horton reports for the Washington Post. 

The U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency meeting today at the request of Russia to discuss the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, where nearby fighting has raised the risk of a nuclear accident. Russia is expected to base its argument on a letter its mission to the United Nations circulated among Council members last week. In the letter, Russia made the claim without evidence that Ukraine was attacking the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, and that the U.S. and Ukraine were planning to cause a minor accident at the nuclear plant and blame Russia. The U.S. and Ukraine have denied those allegations as baseless and accused Russia of spreading disinformation. Farnaz Fassihi reports for the New York Times. "

lousubcap

Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"The U.S. plans to announce an additional roughly $3 billion in aid to train and equip Ukrainian forces to fight for years to come, U.S. officials have said. This marks a shift in U.S. security assistance towards a longer-term campaign that will likely keep more American military troops in Europe into the future. The package, which is expected to be announced today, will fund contracts for drones, weapons and other equipment that may not see the battlefront for a year or two, officials said. Unlike most previous packages, the new funding is largely aimed at helping Ukraine secure its medium- to long-term defense posture, according to officials familiar with the matter.  AP reports. 

Russia and its proxies in eastern Ukraine would be committing war crimes if they go ahead with show trials of prisoners of war, the U.N. said yesterday.Officials in the U.N. human rights office were reacting to photos and videos that have emerged of giant metal cages being built on the stage of the philharmonic theater in apparent preparation for the trials. “We are very concerned about the manner in which this is being done,” said Ravina Shamdasani, the spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for human rights. “Apparently the idea is to restrain the prisoners of war during proceedings in these cages. This is not acceptable.” The U.N. also urged Moscow to allow independent observers to access the detainees. The New York Times reports. 

The U.N. nuclear agency renewed its request yesterday to assess the safety and security at Europe’s largest nuclear plant in southeastern Ukraine. U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo announced at the start of an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant that Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, requested to send an I.A.E.A. mission “to carry out essential safety, security and safeguard activities at the site.” Grossi said in a statement that “the mission is expected to take place within the next few days if ongoing negotiations succeed.” Edith M. Lederer reports for AP. "

lousubcap

Thursday Russia-Ukraine update:

"A Russian missile attack killed 22 civilians and set a passenger train on fire in eastern Ukraine on the country’s Independence Day, according to officials in Kyiv.

There have been 473 verified attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine since Russia invaded six months ago, which have killed nearly 100 people, according to the World Health Organization.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the slowing pace of Moscow’s military campaign was deliberate and aimed at reducing civilian casualties. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russian forces of war crimes and targeting civilians, charges Moscow rejects."

lousubcap

More Thursday Russia-Ukraine info:
"Putin needs a bigger army. Six months after his initial botched invasion of democratic Ukraine, Russian autocratic President Vladimir Putin has just signed a decree expanding the Kremlin's military by 137,000. The new order, which goes into effect at the start of the calendar year, will raise the total number of uniformed Russian forces to over 1,150,000 troops, according to Dmitri Alperovitch, who shared a copy of the decree on Twitter on Thursday. 

Putin "is planning for the long war," Alperovitch warned, hours after Putin's motorcade was spotted speeding toward the Kremlin late Wednesday evening for an apparent rare meeting with his advisors.  

Russia's "maximalist" war aims have not changed, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday, according to the latest analysis from the Institute for the Study of War. And those initial aims included deposing Ukraine's leadership in Kyiv, including its democratically-elected Jewish President Volodymir Zelenskyy, whom Putin claimed is a "Nazi." Shoigu himself on Wednesday repeated the line Putin has said publicly to his fellow countrymen, claiming the invasion—they call it a "special military operation"—"is going according to plan, all tasks will be completed."

Big picture: "The frontlines have remained remarkably static since Ukraine began fielding HIMARS in early July, with almost no Russian gains since," writes Ukraine-watcher Nathan Ruser, who has produced some of the most detailed maps of the conflict since its initial days in late February. See his latest update on Twitter, here. "

Legume

Thanks for posting these Frank, I appreciate how succinct they are with links to dig further when I have that itch.

lousubcap

Hard to believe it has been six months of the Russia-Ukraine war.  As long as my sources keep putting out the info I will endeavor to continue to offer the updates.  Thanks-

dbCooper

Legume said:

Thanks for posting these Frank, I appreciate how succinct they are with links to dig further when I have that itch.

@lousubcap

Add myself to those that appreciate your posts on this subject.

lousubcap

Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant was disconnected from the nation’s power grid yesterday leading to large-scale power outages in nearly all Russian-occupied cities of Southern Ukraine. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was still able to generate power to meet its own needs and to keep essential systems working safely, according to the Ukrainian energy agency, Energoatom. The director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, said yesterday afternoon that the episode underscored the extreme danger at the plant, where shelling has damaged power lines and other infrastructure. Marc Santora reports for the New York Times. "

And a link about the possible way ahead for Ukraine:
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2022/08/ukraines-strikes-are-setting-stage-rough-russian-winter/376360/

lousubcap

Not war related but insight into the evolving nature of sports offerings across the various platforms:
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2022/08/sports-streaming-makes-losers-us-all/671231/?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email 

lousubcap

Live NASA stream of the Artemis launch to happen around 8:30 AM,EDT-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21X5lGlDOfg
Edit:  Launch has been scrubbed for today.  

lousubcap

Monday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russia is moving to reinforce its stalled assault on Ukraine, supporting a new offensive in the eastern part of the country  and reinforcing against a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south. Experts at the Institute for the Study of War, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., have suggested that these new volunteer battalions will not shift the military balance in Ukraine, despite their advanced modern weaponry. Matthew Luxmoore reports for the Wall Street Journal.

North Korea is considering sending workers to disputed regions in eastern Ukraine. Pyongyang wants to provide laborers in the Russia-controlled regions of eastern Ukraine—Donetsk and Luhansk—giving North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s regime a much-needed source of overseas income. Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to provide allies with advanced weapons and military equipment, just as North Korea is pursuing new assets like hypersonic missiles. The tightening Moscow-Pyongyang alliance extends to the highest levels. Earlier this month, the leaders of Russia and North Korea exchanged letters, according to state media in Pyongyang. The Wall Street Journal reports.

A team from the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency heads to inspect the Zaporizhzhia facility after weeks of talks. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has dispatched a team to assess the plant after periodic shelling caused concerns of fire, hydrogen leaks, and sputtering of radioactive substances. Negotiations to access the site have dragged on for weeks, with Moscow reportedly insisting that inspectors travel through Russian territory to access the plant. Ukraine objected to that because it would have underscored Russian control over the facility, which provides 20 percent of Ukraine’s electricity. The U.N. team is expected to arrive at the plant later this week. The New York Times reports.

Russia and Ukraine continue to blame each other for shelling near the Zaporizhzhia Power Plant. Periodic shelling near the plant has led to concerns of fire, hydrogen leaks, and sputtering of radioactive substances. The U.N. atomic energy agency is trying to send a team to inspect and secure the plant. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has stated that it is essential for IAEA representatives to get to the plant as soon as possible and to help keep it “under permanent Ukrainian control.” The Associated Press reports. "

lousubcap

Here's a list of all the weapons and related assistance the US has supplied to Ukraine so far-
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/3597492-heres-every-weapon-us-has-supplied-to-ukraine-with-13-billion/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&SToverlay=2002c2d9-c344-4bbb-8610-e5794efcfa7d