There have been numerous pronouncements over the past few days that a peace deal is closer than it has been before. Maybe I’m just a cynic, but it’s all bullshit to me.
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🇺🇸🇺🇦 Despite the positive rhetoric, it appears Ukraine and the US are still quite far from a comprehensive agreement, - The Guardian.
Disagreements persist over the future status of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, as well as key issues such as the future operation of ZNPP.
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— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) December 15, 2025 at 11:52 AM
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One of the reasons for the sliding oil price is supposedly a potential peace in Ukraine. It appears the entire world has gone mad. Is it really only a few of us here, we who have followed Russia for a long time, who understand there will be no peace with Russia?
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— Anders Östlund (@andersostlund.bsky.social) December 16, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Blowing up this place would surely improve air quality in Smolensk.
An update from Kupiansk.
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Ukraine’s counteroffensive continues in Kupiansk. ISW reports Ukrainian troops have blocked Russian reinforcements, liberated settlements, and forced drone crews to retreat across the Oskil River, as Russian sources admit deteriorating conditions.
euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/16/i...
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— Euromaidan Press (@euromaidanpress.bsky.social) December 16, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Russia has rejected German Chancellor Merz’s call for a Christmas truce.
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Germany's Chancellor called for a Christmas truce - a chance to show a desire for peace.
Of course The Kremlin won't hear of any such nonsense!
Putin's mouthpiece Peskov: "We want peace, we don't want a truce to give Ukraine a break and prepare for the continuation of the war."
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— Tim White (@twmcltd.bsky.social) December 16, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Here’s a video breaking down how Ukraine hit the Russian sub at Novorossiysk.
And here is a video in which Syrskyi explains the strategy behind Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region — to relieve the pressure Russia was applying all across the rest of the front lines.
Russia says there was no damage to the submarine. Nothing to see here.
How pathetic is it that the Russians have to raise money from private sources to buy body bags?
They want to raise enough to buy 1,000 bags, which would cover a day or two of Russian losses.
I find it hard to believe Russia would station this many troops in Belarus and keep them supplied when their units in Ukraine are starving for men and equipment.
A Russian drone struck a high-rise building in Odesa but failed to detonate.
This drone did explode when it hit a building in Zaporizhzhia.
Russia had earlier attacked a horse club in Kherson. Now it has bombed horses in Zaporizhzhia.
Russia is putting military personnel on shadow fleet tankers.
Another 1,150 Russians plus nine tanks and 1 submarine.
That 40k number is high. It would mean more than 1,300 dead every day.
Support for increasing aid to Ukraine is higher in the U.S. and Canada than in parts of Europe.
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Europe is divided on Ukraine. North America is not.
According to a new Politico poll, 46% of Germans and 37% of French respondents lean toward reducing support for Ukraine.
A majority in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom favor maintaining aid.
Opponents often argue👇
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— Meanwhile in Ukraine (@meanwhileua.bsky.social) December 16, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Pete Hegseth would not approve.
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They’re still standing. Still fighting. Still smiling.
Brave Ukrainian women are defending their country with the kind of strength the world rarely gets to witness. Not for glory — for freedom, for their families, for the right to live without terror.
HEROES. 💙💛
Slava Ukraine! Heroyam Slava!🇺🇦
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— Meanwhile in Ukraine (@meanwhileua.bsky.social) December 16, 2025 at 5:20 AM
The thing about the state of drone warfare in this war is that the vast majority of drones fired from both sides are shot down or otherwise fail to reach their targets. But if you send 200 drones at a time, 10% (or 20 drones) get through and can cause considerable damage.
Let’s check in on the Russian economy.
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The State Duma of Russia has informed Russians to prepare for a “near-total” stop on income growth. Deputy Chairman Kaplan Panesh projects real income growth will approximately 1-2%, however, with the announcement of the VAT increase of 2%, incomes will be flat to negative for most Russians. Russian
— Dale (@dalejohn.bsky.social) December 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
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There is so much going on with the Russian economy that it is hard to keep up. This is the latest I can provide so bear with me.
Steel production has declined to 66.5 mn tons in 2025, previous production in was 70.7 in 2024, and 75.8 in 2023 in Russia, consumption is expected to decline to 38.9 mn
— Dale (@dalejohn.bsky.social) December 16, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Coal reserves at the Yurginskaya thermal power station in the Kemerovo region are reported to only be enough for a couple of days, based on the current consumption rate. Employees at the power station claim that coal delivery was mostly a mixture of clay and soil, that had coal crumbs placed over it. One worker stated, “It’s all frozen, and its practically impossible to burn such fuel”.
Funding for Russia’s research and development (R&D) has fallen to its lowest level since the start of the war (Andrei Klepach, chief economist at VEB). Currently less than 1% of Russia’s GDP was allocated in 2024, lower than in the 1990s. That was when the country was dealing with the fall of the Soviet Union, hyperinflation and the collapse of entire sectors from their economy collapse at that time.In the region of Nevsky Proppekt; cafes, salons and shops are closing at a rapid rate.
One resident remarked, “Everywhere you look, you see empty storefronts and ‘closed signs’”. This is because of a sharp increase on taxes and rental rates and a decline in consumer spending.
Give thanks for all the death and misery Russia has given you.
Don’t worry. Here comes the cavalry to save the day. It’s the Charge of the Blight Brigade.
The International Chess Federation disgraces itself.
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🤬 Russian media is abuzz with excitement, reporting that the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has allowed Russian chess players to compete in international competitions under the Russian flag.
A vote at Sunday’s FIDE General Assembly — 61 in favor, 51 against — delivered a checkmate on morals.
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— Natalka (@natalkakyiv.bsky.social) December 14, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Putin plans a Special Military Operation to oust Santa Claus from the North Pole, seize his workshops and force the elves to speak Russian.
Santa has already been forced to seek asylum in Ukraine.
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In a Kyiv shopping center, a very special Santa makes the rounds & welcomes visitors.
Yevdokhim, a Ukrainian war veteran with titanium prostheses, brings smiles, laughter & holiday cheer to children.
His warmth & jokes help kids believe in Christmas magic and a brighter future.
📹: tytanovi_rehab
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— Euromaidan Press (@euromaidanpress.bsky.social) December 15, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Combat cats need attention too.
