Последние сообщения

61

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« Последний ответ от US7IGN Июля 24, 2026, 05:15:46 pm »

The Ukrainian military will receive its own neural network called "Marichka". It was created on the ChatGPT principle, it will reduce the time for commanders to make decisions. https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/ukrayinsku-shi-sistemu-marichka-prezentuvali-1784741519.html It sounds good, but from my experience using AI LLMs, the results can be terrible and cost real human lives.

russian attacks on civilian cargo ships have effectively halted traffic through the Ukrainian Black Sea shipping corridor. No ships have passed through the Ukrainian Black Sea shipping corridor since July 22. The halt came during the harvest season, when seaborne exports are particularly important for the Ukrainian economy and the global food market. Ukraine has called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on July 27. https://kurs.com.ua/novost/1471251-rossija-zablokirovala-morskoi-koridor-kiev-sozivaet-srochnoe-zasedanie-oon

If Ukrainian farmers, unable to store their grain, also lose the ability to sell it, they will go bankrupt next year and there will be no one to grow wheat. Grain prices in Ukraine have already fallen sharply.

Ukrainian drones, on the other hand, continue to set fire to warehouses with Chinese goods in russia. I don't think the russians will be very sad about the absence of Chinese junk, but apparently all the other targets are too difficult for Ukrainian drones and burn poorly. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c36de9n4pxpo

One of the few truly significant strikes was on a plant that produces military products, such as aircraft components and air defense systems, but it appears to have been hit by some Western missile. Avitek is part of the Almaz-Antey concern and produces aviation equipment, anti-aircraft guided missiles and other products for the russian defense industry. The plant is under US sanctions. The plant in the city of Kirov is located in central russia, about 800 km northeast of Moscow and 1,000 km from the Ukrainian border. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cn0n4l3l3jwo

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that secret negotiations between Germany and russia took place in the Azerbaijani capital. According to media reports, the unofficial German delegation consisted of former chief of staff of Angela Merkel Ronald Pofall, as well as former head of the state of Brandenburg Matthias Platzek. On the russian side, there were head of the russian presidential council for civil society and human rights Valery Fadeev, as well as Viktor Zubkov, chairman of the board of directors of Gazprom. https://zn.ua/ukr/POLITICS/ukrajina-ofitsijno-prokomentuvala-zustrich-rf-ta-nimechchini-v-azerbajdzhani.html

Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine will try to discuss new proposals for peace talks with the American side in the near future and is going to fly to the United States to meet with Trump. At the same time, he said that russia will intensify shelling, is ready to escalate, will try to block grain corridors, and is also likely preparing additional mobilization and expansion of the war. He also acknowledged problems with the country's preparation for winter. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cx2m5kk45z6o

62

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« Последний ответ от US7IGN Июля 24, 2026, 04:04:08 pm »

The situation on mobilization is rather Byzantine*, and now another bizarre turn with Zelensky firing Syrskyi and Fedorov apparently being invited to return in some capacity. I wonder if there really is an explanation for what Zelenky does, no matter how unsavory, or if he just throws darts at a board to make decisions.

This is not the first and not the last case when the state turned its poorest citizens into cannon fodder. Project 100,000, also known as McNamara's 100,000, McNamara's Folly, McNamara's Morons, and McNamara's Misfits, was a controversial 1960s program by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to recruit soldiers who would previously have been below military mental or medical standards. Project 100,000 was initiated by Defense Secretary Robert McNamara in October 1966 to meet the escalating workforce requirements of the U.S. government's involvement in the Vietnam War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_100,000

Mobilization in Ukraine cannot stop, because the front needs replenishment every day. At the same time, reports of possible violations of citizens' rights during the work of the mobilization centers cause a sharp reaction from society and require verification. Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Gnatov said in an interview that the General Staff will check the Ombudsman's statistics on violations of citizens' rights during mobilization. Andriy Gnatov will contact his office to obtain official data and find out what the published estimates are based on. "We call up a little more than a thousand citizens of Ukraine for military service every day for mobilization. I very much doubt that there are a thousand reports of violations of citizens' rights and freedoms every day," said the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. https://24tv.ua/mobilizatsiya-ukrayini-ne-mozhe-zupinitisya-andriy-gnatov-poyasniv_n3109956

Well, quite honestly, and the figure of a little more than 1,000 per day does not sound too high, but we must bear in mind that there are other figures that must be considered in the aggregate. In Ukraine, mortality is four times higher than the birth rate. In the first half of 2026, 73,292 children were born in Ukraine, while the number of deaths reached 259,853 people. Compared to the same period in 2025, the number of newborns decreased by 16%. If we compare it with the first half of 2021, the figure almost halved - then 133,457 children were born in six months. Currently, an average of about 12 thousand children are born in Ukraine every month. For comparison, ten years ago this figure was about 32 thousand per month. Boys make up 51% of the total number of newborns, girls - 49%. https://ua.news/ua/ukraine/v-ukrayini-smertnist-u-chotiri-razi-perevishchuie-narodzhuvanist-opendatabot

63

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« Последний ответ от US7IGN Июля 24, 2026, 03:55:04 pm »

now another bizarre turn with Zelensky firing Syrskyi and Fedorov apparently being invited to return in some capacity. I wonder if there really is an explanation for what Zelenky does, no matter how unsavory, or if he just throws darts at a board to make decisions.

Some people here are also trying to convince me that these are just manifestations of grandiose stupidity, but I see that all events fit into a fairly clear logic. One can imagine how the power of the military elite, led by Syrsky, who turned out to be a fairly smart and cunning politician, has grown. He began his rapid career under the previous president Poroshenko, eliminating all competitors and building a rigid hierarchy in the army under him. Apparently, there were signs of an immediate threat of a change of power by force, so Zelensky and his loyal associates could organize a show with the dismissal and a pretended conflict with Fedorov, who, together with Budanov, had always demonstrated support and loyalty to Zelensky. This also confirms Fedorov's statements that he would not agree to any position except for the Minister of Defense https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce97nm53pgxo , to which Zelensky, supposedly under pressure from the public and ridiculous cardboard protests, will agree after a certain time. So, by eliminating competitors and returning control of the army to themselves, they will be able to continue to hold power. Of course, arranging such a thing seriously undermines the country's defense capabilities and is certainly a great gift to Russia. But this is not the only gift to it that is made with their own hands.

A series of loud explosions were heard in Kyiv this afternoon. There are casualties as a result of approximately 10 ballistic missiles hitting the capital. russia also launched a missile strike on the Kyiv region, killing at least 10 people and wounding over 100. The tragedy occurred at a training ground near Kyiv during a military event where weapons and air defense manufacturers were demonstrating their products. It is noteworthy that the non-staff advisor to the President on the development of defense technology almost immediately posted on social media that he and his team were not injured, but later wrote that he was not there and was not going to go there. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/czxqnd0g2zwo

Obviously, now the authorities will pretend that they knew nothing about this and demand to appoint and punish the guilty by finding scapegoats, preferably among the dead. My level of trust in the BBC has also plummeted due to their selective approach to what to publish, which distorts the reflection of the real situation.

64

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« Последний ответ от N0TZU Июля 23, 2026, 08:14:28 am »

A lawyer yes, but boring? NO.

The situation on mobilization is rather Byzantine*, and now another bizarre turn with Zelensky firing Syrskyi and Fedorov apparently being invited to return in some capacity. I wonder if there really is an explanation for what Zelenky does, no matter how unsavory, or if he just throws darts at a board to make decisions.

We have a guy here who seems to do that. It seldom produces desirable results.

( *- I learned today that there was Byzantine influence in the Kyivan Rus a thousand years ago.)

Im sorry to hear that the situation in Poland is causing Maryna and Kate to consider alternatives, having invested so much effort there. Hopefully the passions will abate soon and they can remain.

65

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« Последний ответ от US7IGN Июля 22, 2026, 09:09:08 am »

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country's army commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. It comes just days after the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Syrskyi defended his record in a farewell address, writing on Telegram: "An army that was fighting a difficult defensive campaign two years ago is now on the offensive." "I am handing over to my successor an army that is not only holding the line but is advancing... I sincerely hope this offensive will continue."
Syrskyi was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, who is a popular, battle-hardened general. "I will work responsibly, with full focus, and with respect for the people who are defending our country today," Drapatyi said on Facebook.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyvl35z3917o
https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/mykhailo-drapatyi/33809316.html

Drapaty is certainly one of the best officers in the Ukrainian army, but a political position of army commander-in-chief also requires other qualities. In my opinion, the main problem for Drapaty and anyone else in his place will be Zelensky. And since Drapaty was unable to stay in the post of commander of the ground forces (I don’t know whether it was due to incompetence or because he didn’t work well with Syrsky), he will be able to please Zelensky only on the condition of complete loyalty and obedience, without gaining excessive popularity and without creating a threat to this Zelensky. After all, this could have been the real reason for the removal of both Fedorov and Syrsky - no one can compete with Zelensky. And this is what allowed Budanov to remain in the top, but publicly looking like an inconspicuous official in the office.

Instead, there are enough naive people in Ukraine who sincerely believe that the people decide something, including through cardboard protests. I would like to see how long a protest calling for Zelensky to leave or against the busification would last.

Meanwhile, russia is no longer willing to return some occupied territories to Ukraine as part of any deal to end the war and plans to retain them as buffer zones, according to people close to the Kremlin. putin has abandoned territorial concessions because russia views increasingly confrontational statements from the US as evidence that informal understandings reached at his Alaska summit with President Donald Trump have collapsed, the people said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-22/kremlin-hardens-demands-on-occupied-land-in-ukraine-blaming-us

The Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert (Magyar) Brovdi, has called on NATO member states to urgently create their own unmanned systems forces and implement a five-step strategic plan to protect their borders. He warned that within a year, russia could increase its attack drone launches to 1,000 units per day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DA7EXbf_d4

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Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« Последний ответ от US7IGN Июля 21, 2026, 10:44:35 am »

I see that the awful mobilization process in Ukraine is finally getting some attention in western news https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7k5ngde3vo�

You may consider me a boring lawyer, but the problems of mobilization begin with a misunderstanding of it. According to the Law of Ukraine "On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization" https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/3543-12#Text , mobilization is a set of measures carried out with the aim of systematically transferring the national economy, the activities of state authorities, other state bodies, local self-government bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations to functioning in conditions of a special period, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, other military formations, civil defense forces to the organization and staff of wartime. That is, replenishing the army with soldiers is only part of this process. Instead, everyone uses this word to refer to the process of supplying men to the army. But it is also regulated in detail by legislation, which does not give anyone the right to kidnap people, deprive them of their freedom, beat and kill them. Those notification groups (that's what they are officially called) that do all this are only allowed by law to check people's documents and hand them summonses to appear at mobilization centers. Only in case of violation of such a requirement does the police have the right to detain people and bring them to justice. So the so-called busification has as much in common as consensual sex with rape. Technically the same process and even the same result, but in one case it is a crime. But as they say, the army doesn't need criminals to sit in prison, it needs soldiers to go to the front, justifying breaking the law.

Instead, this is precisely what undermines the legitimacy of the state, which citizens are supposed to protect, since it is impossible to expect citizens to comply with laws when they see that the state itself is violating them. And there are no simple solutions. Zelensky once again stated that he would deal with mobilization issues, and I am sure that this will be done in the worst possible way. Even the previous time, he gave Fedorov the task of solving the mobilization problem, although according to current legislation, this does not fall under the competence of the Ministry of Defense at all. The organization and operation of mobilization centers are attributed to the competence of the Commander-in-Chief (Syrsky) and his General Staff, as well as the President of Ukraine himself as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The Ministry of Defense can only ensure the purchase of buses and handcuffs at the request of the military. After all, the idea of ​​luring people into the army with contracts has failed again. Which, among other things, Fedorov is accused of. Instead, the Office of the President believes that the contractual option should be the basic one. https://www.dsnews.ua/ukr/politics/u-zelenskogo-skazali-kogda-vozmutsya-za-problemu-mobilizacii-20072026-463820

Well, when you're dealing with fraudsters, don't listen to what they say—watch what they do.

Up to 90% of mobilization cases in Ukraine have recently been accompanied by human rights violations, and some of these violations can be easily eliminated, said in an interview with "Live News" the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Lubinets. He suggested that mobilization center employees not hide their identity and not violate the law. https://zn.ua/ukr/UKRAINE/90-vipadkiv-mobilizatsiji-vidbuvajutsja-z-porushennjam-prav-ljudini-lubinets.html

How simple it turns out to solve the problem - just not violate the law!

Recently, a colleague asked me for advice trying to help a person in a difficult situation. I do not specialize in either military or criminal law, but to understand the situation, a legal education is not needed at all. The man was removed from military registration more than 10 years ago and his mobilization center even made a note about it in his paper document. But for some reason, the mobilization center did not make a record about it in the electronic register of military conscripts. During a meeting with representatives of another mobilization center in another region, he was captured and only thanks to a bribe given to someone by his relatives, this man was released and since then he has been hiding somewhere. During this time (one day), he was illegally registered at this mobilization center, given a formal medical examination, mobilized, and sent to a military unit. This became known after his lawyer started making inquiries to the mobilization centers to find out how this was possible and to obtain documents for an appeal in court. The biggest surprise for us was when we saw documents from the military unit in which he supposedly "stayed for one day and left for some other unit", but on the basis of supposedly "his" report he was paid a bonus in the amount of 650 official salaries.

It is clear that he physically could not do this and these are signs of more than one criminal offense committed by the military. But as soon as he files a complaint with the police, his complaint will most likely be buried in the bureaucracy, but he will go behind bars as a deserter on the same day. And maybe even die under unknown circumstances - I have also heard of such cases from my colleagues. So this may shed light on why so many people are on the run and are not being actively searched for, because while such a person is hiding, someone is getting money for him. I would not be surprised if later it turns out that he will receive a couple of medals and heroically die in battle "on paper" or desert, which will allow the unit to close the issue of his absence in the event of an inspection. In this case, the lawyer is faced with the question of how to help such a person without causing even more harm.

It is also extremely difficult and time-consuming to achieve justice in court, especially when it comes to the interests of the state, on whose side the courts usually take, regardless of whose side the law is on.

Ukrainian media outlets Ukrainska Pravda, Suspilne, Schemy (Radio Liberty), hromadske, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, NV, Bihus.Info and Toronto Television united in the “Initiative 143” and simultaneously published the text of an anti-corruption investigation into 143 real estate properties of the brother of the director of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

This investigation was prepared jointly by journalists from “Slidstvo.Info” and the “Anti-Corruption Center”, but on July 6, the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv banned “Slidstvo.Info”, “Anti-Corruption Center” and journalist Alina Stryzhak from publishing a number of information regarding the property of the brother of the director of the SBI before the journalistic investigation was published.

This ban caused a public outcry and statements from Ukrainian and international organizations. In support of their colleagues, a number of media outlets have united in the “Initiative 143” (according to the number of real estate properties of the businessman, which are mentioned in the investigation). https://www.slidstvo.info/news/initsiatyva-143-visim-providnykh-ukrainskykh-media-opublikuvaly-rozsliduvannia-slidstva-info-ta-tspk-zaboronene-pecherskym-sudom/

But when there are so many informational injections around, people will forget about it the next day, watching another media battle between the minister and the general.

Maryna and Kate returned to Poland and they also face uncertainty regarding their future status and the attitude of Poles towards Ukrainians. Kate may have to look for a university in another country for further studies. At least her knowledge of English allows her to consider options with studies in this language.

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Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« Последний ответ от US7IGN Июля 21, 2026, 08:51:55 am »

I agree it seems illogical if the goal is to quickly force an end to the war with Ukraine ceding the eastern areas Putin wants. But I suspect that he  sees continued war as his best option to remain in power, and possibly retain his head as well. Similar in some ways to Netanyahu in Israel, who benefits by endless conflict because it delays his criminal prosecution and likely loss of his Knesset majority.

Edit- as of July 17 2026, Netanyahu’s coalition could no longer agree and the Knesset voted to dissolve with elections in October.

I meant that russia could disrupt key energy and communications in Ukraine and win a complete victory. Maybe they plan to do it in the winter.

As for Netanyahu, I've been seeing this analogy for quite some time. I guess that's what democracy is all about. That's why I'm afraid that Trump could use a war in Iran or somewhere else as an excuse to declare martial law and cancel the election.

The latest events in Ukraine tell me that the internal struggle has become more important for some than the war with russia. I would like to think that the story of the resignation of the cabinet was staged by Zelensky in collusion with Fedorov in order to remove Syrsky, who, together with other generals, received too much money and power, although not as popular as his predecessor Zaluzhny. In favor of this theory is the fact that the demand to remove Syrsky is contained in the cardboards held by the protesters. Although from the outside, everything looks like a sacrifice by the Minister of Defense in favor of the Commander-in-Chief, at the same time, the search for a replacement for Syrsky is being actively discussed. It is also indicative that Zelensky is personally trying to lead the army, which reminds me of an artist who, at the end of the war, finally believed in his genius on the basis of total distrust of everyone around him. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/czxqr5yypdqo
https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/drapatyy-horbatiuk-apostol-navishcho-zelenskyy-zibrav-komanduvachiv-zsu-3130865.html

Later, Fedorov declared his loyalty to the president, and Budanov also voiced his support, trying to calm society and talking about a quick resolution to the situation.

The main question in this situation is: what benefits and harm are all these statesmen causing Ukraine through their actions? It seems we’re seeing an example of how, in a critical situation, you won’t rise to the level of your expectations, but will fall to the level of your preparation. In fact, there are many questions about Fedorov and his qualifications, not to mention the one who pretends to be the president. At the same time, replacing Syrsky, for all his shortcomings, with a more loyal military man could further worsen the situation. I also heard the opinion that the russians attack not when they are ready, but when they sense the weakness of the victim.

68

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« Последний ответ от N0TZU Июля 21, 2026, 03:33:04 am »

I see that the awful mobilization process in Ukraine is finally getting some attention in western news https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7k5ngde3vo�

69

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« Последний ответ от N0TZU Июля 20, 2026, 06:26:36 pm »

Thank God that neither my friends nor my family were affected by this attack. It seems like this is a new record for the number of ballistic missiles used and their hits, respectively. Although I still don't understand what the point is in spending them on destroying factories and warehouses, because even this amount would be enough to destroy the entire energy system and half of the important bridges in Ukraine.

Perhaps the russians need a long war, not a quick victory, but this war has already turned russia into China's junior partner, completely dependent on it. https://www.wsj.com/world/x-putin-junior-partner-df611b88

Yes thank God you’re all okay.

I agree it seems illogical if the goal is to quickly force an end to the war with Ukraine ceding the eastern areas Putin wants. But I suspect that he  sees continued war as his best option to remain in power, and possibly retain his head as well. Similar in some ways to Netanyahu in Israel, who benefits by endless conflict because it delays his criminal prosecution and likely loss of his Knesset majority.

Edit- as of July 17 2026, Netanyahu’s coalition could no longer agree and the Knesset voted to dissolve with elections in October.

70

Основной раздел / Re: Ukraine updates in English

« Последний ответ от N0TZU Июля 20, 2026, 06:07:04 pm »

Truly important issues can go unnoticed by the public, while complete nonsense, when skillfully promoted, can lead to catastrophic consequences—especially when it comes to politics. It has always amazed me why people are so irresponsible when choosing among candidates they know absolutely nothing about, or why they form opinions based solely on anonymous social media posts without any verification. So it’s no surprise that they get what they get.

This seems to be true everywhere.