According to sources in Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR), the Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian crude to several EU countries, was hit again on Monday near Kazynskiye Vyselki. The blast was caused by a remotely detonated explosive, intensifying the fire. This attack is part of Kyiv’s escalating campaign against Russia’s oil infrastructure, intended to disrupt the flow of revenue funding Moscow’s war effort. Previous strikes on the pipeline’s Unecha pumping station, a key hub in the Druzhba system, had already drawn condemnation from Hungary, which relies on the pipeline for oil imports.
Read More
President Trump is scheduled to hold a White House meeting to discuss the next steps regarding Venezuela, as the administration faces increased scrutiny over its actions. The meeting will include key members of Trump’s cabinet and national security team amidst growing questions about the legality of US strikes on alleged drug vessels in the region. Reports suggest a second strike on a suspected drug vessel, following an initial attack that did not kill everyone on board, is being investigated by lawmakers who are questioning the chain of command and the Secretary of Defense’s authorization. The administration has defended the strikes as self-defense conducted in international waters, while also designating Maduro and allies as members of a foreign terrorist organization.
Read More
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has appealed to OPEC for assistance in countering escalating threats from the United States, accusing the US of seeking to seize Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves. Maduro formally denounced the potential use of military force against Venezuela, expressing concern over the growing US military presence in the Caribbean. This appeal follows a statement by former President Donald Trump, who declared Venezuela’s airspace closed, a move Caracas deemed a “colonialist threat.” Maduro’s plea to OPEC highlights concerns regarding the stability of the international energy market and the potential impact of US actions on oil-producing countries.
Read More
Kazakhstan has urged Ukraine to cease attacks on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal after a Ukrainian naval drone attack caused significant damage and halted operations. The CPC, a major pipeline handling over 1% of global oil, includes shareholders from Russia, Kazakhstan, and the U.S., with Kazakhstan being its primary oil exporter. Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry protested the attack on the civilian infrastructure, viewing it as harmful to bilateral relations and expecting preventative measures from Ukraine. Russia has labeled the attacks as terrorism, while Ukraine defends its actions as self-defense against Russian aggression.
Read More
Representative Maria Salazar told Fox Business that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro understands that the U.S. is preparing for intervention, citing economic and security reasons for potential involvement. Salazar emphasized the economic benefits for the U.S., particularly for American oil companies, given Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. The congresswoman also referenced the White House’s designation of Maduro’s regime as a foreign terrorist organization, potentially paving the way for further action. She drew parallels to the 1989 Panama invasion and suggested a similar outcome.
Read More
Beginning Monday, the Trump administration was set to gain expanded authority to take action against Venezuela by designating the Venezuelan government as a foreign terrorist organization. This designation, focused on the “Cartel de los Soles,” allows for sanctions against Maduro’s assets and infrastructure, potentially expanding military options. Concurrently, the US military has increased its presence in the region with numerous warships and troops, as officials discuss various action options. Despite this, a recent poll indicates significant public opposition to US military intervention in Venezuela, while the administration claims its focus is on combating illegal activities with regime change as a potential side effect.
Read More
Exclusive: US to launch new phase of Venezuela operations, sources say, and the news is… well, let’s just say it’s generating a lot of buzz. My initial thought is, this is happening, right? It seems pretty clear, given the chatter. The idea of a new phase, a renewed push, is definitely in the air.
This whole thing feels a little… familiar. The “war on drugs” excuse, the talk of national security, it’s all been done before. And frankly, the optics are terrible, especially when you consider some of the things that have been happening alongside it. There’s the whole issue of pardoning people who are actually involved in drug trafficking, the very thing they’re supposedly fighting.… Continue reading
Trump says US may open talks with Venezuela’s Maduro, and that certainly raises some eyebrows. It’s hard not to notice a certain pattern here. He’s got a history of making bold statements about potential actions, and let’s just say, sometimes those words come before a more forceful response. It’s like a pre-emptive announcement, a warning shot, or maybe even a calculated play in a larger game.
The whole situation has a distinct air of a shakedown, doesn’t it? It seems almost obvious in retrospect. Like the playbook is familiar. It’s hard not to recall similar scenarios from the past. Didn’t he employ a similar strategy before… well, you get the idea.… Continue reading
Reports from Russian Telegram channels indicate that Ukraine’s military targeted and damaged the Volgograd oil refinery overnight on November 6, amid a wider drone attack on the Volgograd Oblast. Local residents documented the reported attack, noting flashes in the sky and damage to a residential building and several homes, resulting in one fatality. The refinery, a key supplier of fuel to the Russian military, is operated by Lukoil. Concurrent to the Volgograd attack, a thermal power plant in Volgorechensk, Kostroma Oblast, and a Russian oil depot in occupied Crimea were also reportedly struck.
Read More
On the night of November 3-4, Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike on the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Oblast using over fifty Ukrainian-made drones. The attack targeted a rectification column undergoing repair, crucial for primary oil processing. Videos from Russian sources documented explosions and a fire at the refinery, a major supplier of fuel, particularly for the Moscow Oblast, and a key producer for the Russian military and defense industry. The refinery’s substantial output includes various fuel types and other products.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood