Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Massive air attack continues in Ukraine

"Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported a threat of the Russian forces using
ballistic missiles and Shahed drones in several regions of
Ukraine. The Air Force urges citizens to be especially attentive in Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, Poltava and Kharkiv oblasts. Group of assault UAVs in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. The likely direction is Starokostiantyniv.
Several groups [of drones - ed] in Kirovohrad Oblast are heading towards Uman.
There are also several groups in Poltava Oblast, heading towards Kremenchuk." Pravada

Zelensky Feels Betrayed by His Allies and Faces Challenges Within Ukraine

"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's growing frustrations with his allies are laid
bare. The weight of a war that shows no signs of resolution, coupled with dwindling international support, has left the leader grappling with a multitude of challenges. The promise of
American aid seems to be fizzling out, sparking concerns over the country's capability to sustain its war efforts. Another source suggests Zelensky feels a deep sense of betrayal from the Western allies he once counted on." MS

Iran's exiled crown prince calls out Biden's weak policies, says Islamic regime 'emboldened'

"The exiled crown prince of
Iran called out the Biden administration's weak policies after Iran's president issued an ominous warning that Israel's actions in Gaza "may force everyone to act."
"The [Iranian] regime… is trying to push the envelope, trying to see whether they can take advantage of a weakness, which currently seems to be the case. That's why they've become emboldened every time the West hesitates or doesn't apply the necessary pressure, as it should have, to at least contain this," Reza Pahlavi told FOX News'." FOX

Poll: Most Russians would not support ending invasion if it meant returning occupied territories to Ukraine

"According to the survey, only 34% of
Russians would support President Vladimir Putin if he decided to end the invasion and return occupied territories to Ukraine....70% of respondents said they would support Putin’s decision to end the invasion of Ukraine, without the caveat about returning territories. When asked if they personally support the actions of the Russian military in Ukraine, 76% of respondents replied "definitely" or "most likely" yes, a figure that has remained relatively stable over the past year of polling." KI

Yemen's Houthis enter Mideast fray

"Yemen's Houthis have waded into the Israel-Hamas war raging more than 1,000 miles from
their seat of power in Sanaa, declaring they had fired drones and missiles at
Israel in attacks that highlight the regional risks of the conflict." MS

Attack on shipyard near Odesa: Number of casualties rises

"Russian forces launched a missile strike on a shipyard in the Odesa region causing
destruction and injuries.

Additionally, the attack triggered a fire, which was promptly extinguished by rescue teams. The administrative building and equipment of the facility were also damaged.: RBC

Russians launch mass shelling in Kherson: Reports of damage and injuries

"Russians occupiers covered the Tsentralnyi district of Kherson with massive fire, as a result
of which one person was injured, destruction also occurred, according to the head of the Kherson City Military Administration, Roman Mrochko.

As a result of the attack, warehouses were destroyed, and about 10 cars were damaged." MS

Top Zelenskyy Adviser Admits the Truth About Corruption in Ukraine: 'People Are Stealing Like There's No Tomorrow'

"Pople at the highest levels of Ukraine’s government are lining their pockets with cash as U.S. taxpayers prepare to fund yet another year of that nation's war against Russia, an adviser to
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Time magazine published a lengthy story about reporter Simon Shuster's recent visit to the war-torn country..... people at the top are “stealing” like there is no tomorrow and Ukraine's president faces pressure to root out corruption as its allies continue to give the country everything it asks for.
The reporter also spoke to an adviser who said that in spite of some internal housecleaning in the Zelensky Cabinet, theft is rampant. “But when I made this point to a top presidential adviser in early October, he asked me to turn off my audio recorder so he could speak more freely. ‘Simon, you’re mistaken,’ he says. ‘People are stealing like there’s no tomorrow.'" the adviser told Shuster that people behind the corruption did not “feel any fear” about facing consequences for misusing government funds as Ukraine relies on international aid." BNN

Israeli military jets strike Gaza camp, says Hamas commander killed

"Israeli airstrikes hit a densely populated refugee camp in the Gaza
Strip, killing a
Hamas commander." MS

Bolivia's government breaks diplomatic ties with Israel

"Bolivia's government said it had broken diplomatic ties with Israel due to its attacks on the
Gaza Strip, while neighbors Colombia and Chile recalled their ambassadors to the Middle Eastern nation for consultations." MS

Wildfires erupt in southern Lebanon, civil defence blames Israeli shells

"Firefighters in Lebanon were battling wildfires that Lebanese civil defense said had been
sparked by
Israeli shelling, with the flames visible for miles as darkness fell.
The fires started around 1700 GMT and were caused by Israeli shells containing white phosphorous being launched across the border." AP

Blinken’s son dresses up as Zelensky for Halloween

"
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised quite a few eyebrows, after choosing to dress his kids up in “pro-Ukrainian” costumes to attend President Joe Biden’s traditional White House Halloween party......Their daughter, meanwhile, was dressed in a blue dress with a yellow shawl, apparently meant to resemble a Ukrainian flag." RT

India-Qatar ties strained by 'spy' death sentences

"Days after a Qatari court sentenced eight Indian naval veterans to death, India's External

Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the men's families in New Delhi and promised that the government would make "all efforts" to help release them.....The veteran officers had worked for Al Dahra, a private Gulf-based company....the men — who had been arrested in Doha in August 2022 — were accused of spying for a "third country," while The Times of
India said "various reports claimed they were accused of spying for Israel."..."While the specific charges were never disclosed publicly, their confinement in solitary cells hinted at possible security related offences," an intelligence official told DW on condition of anonymity." DW

Pro-Palestine supporters storm US hearing on $100 billion aid for Israel

"Pro-Palestine protesters interrupted and were dragged out screaming from a US government
hearing on a $105billion request for aid for
Israel, Ukraine and more security matters." Metro

North Korea's closure of Africa embassies a sign of economic hardships

"North Korea's recent closing of its diplomatic missions in Angola and Uganda was a sign that
the reclusive country is struggling to make money overseas because of international sanctions....Pyongyang's state media outlet KCNA said its ambassadors paid "farewell" visits to
Angolan and Ugandan leaders last week, and local media in both African countries reported the shutdown of the North's embassies there." Reuters

Japan says Russian helicopter violated country's airspace

"A Russian helicopter likely violated Japanese airspace according to Kyodo News.
According to preliminary data, the helicopter was spotted in the airspace over the waters near the Nemuro Peninsula on the eastern side of Hokkaido at approximately 12:44 local time." MS

Exclusive satellite footage sparks concern over Russian nuclear weapons

".....satellite imagery of Belarus from the start of September has captured covert radiological
warfare exercises by an alliance of post-soviet states, provoking concern among analysts that
Russia is committed to hosting nuclear weapons in Belarusian territory.
The intra-day imagery, gathered by geospatial intelligence company BlackSky and then independently verified by specialist defense services company Preligens, exposes the radioactive decontamination of a formation of military vehicles at Bretsky Training Ground, near the borders with both Poland and Ukraine, as part of Exercise Barrier, an exercise intended to prepare ground forces for combat operations in a hazardously irradiated environment." GlobalData

China deletes Israel from online maps

"Internet users in China are expressing bewilderment that Israel’s name no longer appears on
major online digital maps from Baidu and Alibaba."
AP

Explosion rocks Russian explosives plant

"An explosion occurred at the Ural military-industrial plant for the production of explosives,
one of the largest in
Russia, located in Solikamsk. The Solikamsk Ural plant is one of the largest military-industrial plants in the Russian Federation, and is a part of the Rostec state corporation. Explosive materials and industrial explosives, including powder for small arms and projectiles, are manufactured there." Pravada

Russian troops lock down occupied Kreminna amid search for Ukrainian Special Forces

"Russians in Kreminna were conducting counterintelligence activities, checking the
documents of the civilian population, and searching private houses and farm buildings, even ditches...
Russians launched the operation as they believed Ukrainian Special Forces had infiltrated the town....it was reported that the Russians were deporting the residents of Berezove, Luhansk Oblast, to set up a military camp under the guise of an evacuation." Pravada

Plane targeted at Dagestan airport struck again by mob after diversion

"A plane was targeted at an airport in Dagestan by an anti-Semitic mob who demanded to see passengers' passports yesterday.
Israeli passengers onboard flight WZ4728 from Tel Aviv were caught in chaos at Makhachkala airport in the Russian republic after people stormed the airstrip." MS

Israeli Ground Troops Rescue Hostage, After Mossad Chief's Secretive Trip To Qatar

"Axios has revealed that the head of Mossad, David Barnea, made a secretive weekend trip to
Qatar where he met with senior Qatari officials as part of mediation efforts to secure the release of Israeli and foreign hostages.
According to the latest update, over 235 are in Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) captivity, and Qatar remains the chief third party communicating with both Tel Aviv and Hamas. But Israeli officials have described that the ground offensive was launched after it became clear that the talks had born no fruit. Barnea was in Doha as the ground invasion kicked off and progressed....Israel Defense Forces (IDF) made the unexpected announcement that one hostage, a military member who had been taken on Oct.7, has been rescued alive from the battlefield.....Hamas has also announced it is engaged in "heavy fighting… with the invading occupation force", after the IDF confirmed more Israeli troops have been surged into the Strip. It appears the warring sides are in some locales engaged in building-to-building and door-to-door fighting in the dense urban zone." ZH

Russians bombard Sumy Oblast with mortars and artillery

"Russians have fired 16 times at the border areas and settlements of Sumy Oblast over the past
day, using mortars and artillery, and dropped five bombs......Krasnopillia hromada was subjected to mortar attacks from the territory of the
Russian Federation....Mortar attacks and artillery shelling were recorded in Bilopillia hromada....The Russians dropped bombs on Shalyhyne hromada. There were also artillery attacks." Pravada

Russians damaged thermal power plant in Donetsk Oblast last night, people left without power

"
Russian forces have attacked one of DTEK's thermal power plants in the frontline area of Donetsk Oblast, leaving one of the settlements there without electricity." Pravada

Drones target Iraq's Ain al-Asad airbase

"Two armed drones targeted Iraq’s Ain al-Asad airbase, which hosts U.S forces and other
international forces in western I
raq....A group called the "Islamic resistance in Iraq" has endorsed the attack.....four Katyusha rockets were fired at Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base but it was not clear if the attacks caused damage or casualties." Reuters

China plans to take 'hack-proof' quantum satellite technology to new heights

"China is planning new, cutting-edge quantum communications satellites. The satellite can
generate random but entangled pairs of photons, thus creating secret keys, which are distributed to two separate ground stations with detectors to measure the polarization of the incoming photons. Placing new quantum satellites in higher orbits, similar to those of GPS satellites, means they will have a greater view of Earth below than does Micius, which orbits at around 310 miles (500 km) above our planet, and will be visible to ground stations for longer periods of time. It also means
Chinese scientists and engineers will need to be able to transmit the quantum keys accurately over much greater distances." Space.com

Israel says it shot down ‘aerial target’ near Red Sea city of Eilat

"The Israeli military says it has shot down an approaching “aerial target” outside Israeli
airspace, near the Red Sea city of Eilat, as regional tensions rise amid the Israel-Gaza war. The incident triggered air raid sirens in the popular tourist resort and sent residents running for shelter." MS

Monday, October 30, 2023

Combination Weapon: ‘FrankenSAM’ aims to “save” Ukraine

"U.S. is producing so-called FrankenSAM systems to address vulnerabilities in Ukrainian air
defense.....These systems combine modern Western weapon systems with Soviet equipment from past eras. The “New York Times” reports that
Ukraine urgently needs additional air defense systems to protect its power supply during the winter from potential Russian attacks. Various variations of such combinations have been tested at military bases in the U.S. in recent months and are set to be delivered to Ukraine this fall." MS

Russian forces hit Zaporizhzhia suburb with ballistic missiles: Social infrastructure facility destroyed

"Russian troops have launched a missile attack on the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia destroying a
social infrastructure facility."
Pravada

US Seeks Zelensky Replacement Amid Concerns

"United States is actively engaged in a thorough exploration of potential candidates for
Ukraine's presidency. This quest is driven by growing concerns regarding the effectiveness of the current Ukrainian government. Mykola Azarov, the former Ukrainian Prime Minister, provided a candid and revealing interview to Izvestia, illuminating the complex dynamics involved in this process. Despite these efforts, the U.S. administration has yet to witness tangible results in Ukraine. Azarov hinted at ongoing deliberations within key American institutions, such as the State Department, National Security Council, and President Joe Biden's administration, which are likely engaged in the intricate process of assessing and selecting potential candidates." MS

Attack on shipyard near Odesa



"
Russian missile strike on a shipyard in the Odesa region .... employees of the facility suffered injuries of varying severity as a result of the enemy attack." MS

U.S. plans NUCLEAR bomb 24 times more powerful than Hiroshima

"The Pentagon plans to create a new B61-13 nuclear bomb, 24 times more powerful than the
one dropped on Hiroshima. This comes as
China aims to double its nuclear warhead count by 2030. The bomb is designed for aircraft, including the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, and will be more accurate thanks to a tail kit." MS

Russia grants occupied lands in Luhansk Oblast to its subject Tatarstan

"Kremlin has placed the Sievierodonetsk-Lysychansk-Rubizhne agglomeration under the complete control of its federal subject, the Republic of Tatarstan. Along with activities aimed at altering their national identity, digital competitions (a combination of virtual gaming environments and real physical games) were also held there. The children may be recruited to drone control units on the battlefield later on."
Pravda

Turkey's Erdogan laments loss of Ottoman Empire at pro-Palestinian rally

"During a massive rally in Istanbul in support of Palestinians over the weekend, Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lamented the loss of the
Ottoman Empire, vowing that his country must "never allow new Gazas to emerge again," a report says.
Erdogan compared cities in Greece, Macedonia, Syria, Iraq and Gaza to ones in Turkey, saying that they were "an inseparable part of the homeland’s territory," according to Abdullah Bozkurt, a journalist and director of the Nordic Research & Monitoring Network.
"A century ago, for this nation and this country, Gaza was what Adana is," Erdogan reportedly said.
"They separated us from all these lands that are as much a part of us as our blood, our life, and our love," he continued." FOX

Shani Louk Beheaded by Hamas

"Shani Louk, a 22-year-old German national believed to be among Hamas' hostages, was
beheaded by the militants after being taken to Gaza, according to
Israel's President Isaac Herzog.
For about three weeks since
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, the fate of the young tattoo artist had been unknown.
Her family had recognized her in a video circulating on social media showing a half-naked, unconscious woman being paraded by
Hamas fighters in the back of a pick-up truck. The woman's face wasn't visible, but Louk's family said they identified her by her leg tattoos. Now, Louk's family said that they were informed by Israeli authorities of the 22-year-old's death. While the family didn't specify how or when Louk died, Herzog said the woman was beheaded after the October 7 attack.
"I am truly sorry to report that we have now received news that Shani Nicole Louk has been confirmed murdered and dead. Her skull was found," Herzog told the
German daily newspaper Bild.
"This means that these barbaric, sadistic animals simply chopped off her head as they attacked, tortured and killed Israelis. It is a great tragedy and I extend my deepest condolences to her family," he continued." Newsweek

Sunday, October 29, 2023

10 Nigerian Navy warships conclude military exercise in Gulf of Guinea

"10 Nigerian Navy warships have returned to base after a military exercise in the nation’s
waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
The warships are
Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Sagbama, NNS Nwamba, NNS Ibeno, NNS Dorina, NNS Gongola, NNS Ikene, NNS Badagry, NNS Oji, NNS Ose and NNS Okpoku....after the warships berthed in Onne, Rivers, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Adm. Umar Chugali said the operation code-named ‘Exercise Sea Guardian’ was a huge success." YSV

Airport closed in southern Russia after people pour onto runway

"An airport in the southern
Russian city of Makhachkala was closed after a group of people poured onto the runway, the Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsia said.
Media reports from the area said demonstrators denouncing Israel's actions in Gaza had thronged the airport." MS

Canadian special forces members on the ground in Israel

"Canadian special forces members are in Israel helping Canada's embassy there with
"contingency planning,"......Defense Minister Bill Blair said 300 CAF members are now in the region."
CBC

IDF strikes Hezbollah as rockets launched toward northern Israel

"IDF struck several Hezbollah terrorist cells and infrastructure in southern Lebanon on Sunday
after a number of rockets were fired toward northern
Israel throughout the day.... three rockets were fired from 
Lebanotoward Rosh Pina and nearby areas, just east of Safed." MS

Hamas ambush Israel from tunnels near Gaza border

"Hamas gunmen ambushed Israeli troops from tunnels near the Gaza border after ground
forces entered the strip....several
Hamas terrorists had been killed and others were wounded after they launched an attack from a tunnel near Erez in the northern Gaza Strip." MS

Fighter jets scramble to intercept aircraft flying too close to Joe Biden's Delaware home

"Aerospace Defense Command fighter craft and helicopter sprung into action when a civilian
aircraft flew into restricted airspace over
President Joe Biden's Delaware home.
The president is staying there this weekend as he takes time out away from Washington.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) jets shot flares to flag down the craft which may have been visible to those on the ground.
The Secret Service said the response was simply "a precaution."
In a statement, it said: "Assets were scrambled to intercept and the civilian aircraft safely landed at a nearby airport.
"There were no impacts to the protectee's movements as a result of this incident and agents from the US Secret Service are investigating in coordination with the FAA." MS

Ukraine's military destroys convoy as Russians try breaking through defences near Krasnohorivka

"Ground Forces of Ukraine's Armed Forces have released a video of how they destroyed a
column of the
Russians trying to break through the Ukrainian defenses in Donetsk Oblast." MS

Russian Troops Thwart Assaults, Eliminating 14 Drones and Key Artillery

"Russian troops fend off multiple incursions, taking down 14 drones. Astafyev elaborated that
their
Russian contingents countered three major offensives by opposing assault teams, inflicting significant personnel and equipment losses in regions such as Krasnoye, Kurdyumovka, and Kleshcheyevka. Moreover, the group neutralized 14 enemy drones near Vesyoloye and Spornoye, along with eight HIMARS MLRS projectiles." MS

Ukraine’s plan to build an army of killer robots to defeat Russia

"Ukraine’s youngest government minister is building an army of killer robots and hopes to
find his country’s answer to
English engineer Barnes Wallis to help defeat Russia. “You know war starts with one level of technology and ends with a totally different level of technology,” he told the Sunday Telegraph from his office in Kyiv.
While Wallis helped Britain produce weapons like the bouncing bomb during the Second World War, Mr Federov isn’t pinning his hopes on the creation of a wonder weapon. The latest of his projects is the creation of an “Army of Robots” to carry out tasks that Ukrainian soldiers would often have to risk their lives to do." MS

Ukraine reports nearly 70 combat clashes in past day

"Over the past 24 hours, nearly about 70 combat engagements between Ukraine’s Defense
Forces and
Russian invaders were reported in different directions of the front line." Ukrin

Russian partisans reveal coordinates of new plant producing missiles in Russia

"Atesh resistance movement have reported that they have discovered a missile production facility in the city of Chelyabinsk in
Russia, and also provided coordinates. The number of employees at the plant has increased from 10,000 to 17,000." Pravada

Russia launches overnight missile attack on Poltava Oblast

"This is not the first time the
Russian army has attacked the town of Myrhorod." UVNY

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Deputy Chief of Ukraine's National Police suspended while criminal investigation into him is ongoing

"Deputy Chief of
Ukraine’s National Police Dmytro Tyshlek will be suspended from his duties for the duration of the criminal investigation launched at his request following a journalistic investigation..a Ukrainian investigative reporting outlet, has found that as of this summer, Tyshlek’s wife has not gotten rid of her Russian passport, and Tyshlek himself has been spotted driving cars and staying in properties belonging to a leader of a Russian criminal gang." Pravada

US 'preparing to blast enemy satellites out of space' with futuristic space fighter jet

"The US is 'preparing' to blast enemy satellites out of space, a new painting has revealed. The
futuristic intercept vehicle has historic links to the X-20 Dyna-Soar, the first
U.S. space plane design, with its low-wing delta shape and vertical winglets. The bay doors of the intercept vehicle are opening as the space plane moves into position and prepares to defend the friendly satellite." MS

China continues remote-sensing buildup with new launch of Yaogan satellites

"China is continuing to launch trios of classified remote-sensing satellites to low Earth orbit.
A Long March 2D rocket lifted off into the night sky above the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest
China. State media outlet China Daily described the spacecraft as remote-sensing satellites tasked with observing, surveying and measuring objects on land or at sea as well as monitoring weather. Western observers believe Yaogan satellites to be for at least partly military purposes. The wider series includes optical, radar and electronic intelligence gathering satellites." Space.com