Big bavovna times 3.
This CNN report says that Russia has been using gas in attacks against Ukraine.
The Ukrainians face relentless waves of Russian convict recruits, properly trained and equipped, backed by armor, and often – they believe – given a mix of drugs to bolster their attack. Ukrainian soldiers showed CNN drone footage of an injured Russian, his legs severed, yet a ghoulish smile on his face, seemingly oblivious to the pain.
Those fighting in besieged Ukrainian trenches say they now face another threat: the use of gas as a weapon. Nine incidents have been recorded in recent weeks in this area, one Ukrainian combat medic told CNN, in which a caustic and flammable gas had been dropped by drones onto Ukrainian lines, causing one fatality. The gas is used to cause panic and followed by conventional shelling or drone attacks, soldiers impacted said.
A Ukrainian intelligence official told CNN the substance deployed by the Russians was a form of CS gas.
CS gas, a riot control agent also known as tear gas, is a chemical compound that can render people temporarily unable to function by irritating the eyes, nose, mouth, lungs and skin, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The use of riot control agents in warfare is prohibited under the United Nations’ Chemical Weapons Convention.
This BBC report details how the ridiculous rumor about Zelenskyy buying two yachts has helped hold up congressional aid to Ukraine because — of course — Republicans in Congress will believe any conspiracy theory.
A website founded by a former US Marine who now lives in Russia has fuelled a rumour that Volodymyr Zelensky purchased two luxury yachts with American aid money.
Despite the false claim, the disinformation plot was successful. It took off online and was echoed by members of the US Congress making crucial decisions about military spending.
It was an incredible assertion - using two advisers as proxies, Mr Zelensky paid $75m (£59m) for two yachts.
But not only has the Ukrainian government flatly denied the story, the two ships in question have not even been sold.
That’s not Santa comin’ down the chimney.
It’s like the old Roach Motel ad — roaches check in, but they don’t check out.
Hopefully the body armor was made in North Korea.
A tour of Mariinka, another town destroyed by Russia.
It’s great that Ukrainian troops are so resourceful, but they shouldn’t have to do this.
There was a massive artillery barrage directed at Kherson.
I’d call it soupy.
Japan and the UAE step up.
Slovakia, unfortunately, steps on Ukraine.
Fico and Orban can fuck off. And when they get there, fuck off from there too. Then fuck off some more. Keep fucking off until they get back here. Then fuck off again.
Yes, but are they free range eggs?
They have real women in Russia. 😉
Russia’s “king of pop” is having a hard time buying luxury goods and services in Monaco and Dubai. It’s soooooooooooooo unfair. Boo hoo.
According to Kirkorov, his stylist received a call from a representative of the brand in Monaco and was informed that the Russian would no longer be served as a client. The singer was told that the decision was due to his support for the Putin regime and the continuation of the war against Ukraine.
Kirkorov tried to assure that he was "indifferent" to this isolation. However, he added that he still decided to check whether he was really on the brand's international stop list. Thus, he tried to buy a bag at a Balenciaga store in Dubai, but complained that he could not pay for the purchase because the cashier issued a ban on the sale.
Moreover, Kirkorov did not give up hope and called "his friend in the United States" and asked him to try to buy clothes from Balenciaga in his name. However, he was denied even there, as the French office sent a letter with the Russian artist's name on it and a ban on the sale of branded items.
Meanwhile, the proletariat is partying like it’s 1899.
The Bill O’Reilly of Russia.
Congratulations you are now cannon fodder a citizen of Russia.
And you new citizens need to remember — keep your mouth shut or you’ll get Navalnyed.
I’d say it’s doubtful that those 28 Nepalese are just allowed to go back home.
1/ Today, our channel InformNapalm published two interviews with #Nepalese citizens who fought on the side of #Russia against #Ukraine and were taken #prisoner. Each has their own story and experience. According to an internal document of the Russian army, which was distributed by Ukrainian hackers, after watching the first short videos with the captured Nepali, 28 Nepalese citizens cancelled their contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence and refused to fight. We hope that even more Nepalis will see the new videos and make the right decision not to go to war. Because Russian recruiters lure them with high salaries and sweet promises of safety. In reality, they become human shields for the Russian army. In just a few days, according to one of the captured Nepalese, 25 of his compatriots were killed in the war.
Graham Dale was a hero.
Graham Dale was killed in close-quarters fighting on December 9. He was at least the 10th former U.S. Marine killed in Ukraine, according to a list compiled by Task & Purpose of U.S. veterans who have died in Ukraine since 2022.
On Dec. 9, Dale and a team of Ukrainian troops left the safety of their defensive fortifications to prevent a Ukrainian position that was surrounded by Russian troops from falling, said U.S. Army veteran Ryan O’Leary, leads foreign volunteers in “Chosen Company,” which is attached to Ukraine’s 59th Motorized Brigade.
“Instead of retreating or hiding, he ran into the combat,” O’Leary told Task & Purpose. “Dale killed multiple enemy soldiers before being wounded. The enemy assault was stopped due to his actions, and those of the Ukrainians with him which prevented the line from collapsing.”
Dale was wounded in the fighting, O’Leary said. As he tried to get back under cover, he was hit again after a Russian drone dropped two munitions. His teammates had brought him back to safety and performed life-saving measures on him, but he died of his wounds.
And so was Ethan Hertwick.
This is dangerous work. These men and women don’t get nearly enough credit.
Some war poetry.
It’s got a good beat and you can dance to it.*
*Does anyone remember American Bandstand?
Happy Birthday in the trenches.
Merry Christmas from somewhere along the front.
Christmas in Avdiivka.