Another prominent Russian figure, Vyacheslav Leontyev, the 87-year-old former head of the Pravda publishing house, has died after falling from a window in Moscow. Leontyev’s death, occurring on Saturday evening, is under investigation by police, with possibilities including accident, suicide, or foul play. His passing adds to a concerning pattern of high-profile deaths in Russia, with several other business leaders and officials also dying in similar circumstances in recent years. These incidents have raised suspicions, particularly given the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and potential connections to the Russian elite.
Read More
Overnight strikes on October 5th saw Russia deploy 549 weapons systems built with over 102,000 foreign-made components, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky accused nine countries, including the United States, China, and the United Kingdom, of failing to prevent their technology from reaching Russia, citing the use of foreign-made components in missiles and drones. He highlighted specific examples such as U.S.-made technology in Iskander and Kinjal missiles. The attacks resulted in casualties in Lviv and Zaporizhzhia, and overall, the attacks involved approximately 500 drones and 50 missiles striking Ukrainian territory.
Read More
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russians must experience the consequences of the blackouts inflicted upon Ukraine by Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure. He emphasized the need for multidirectional pressure on Russia, including increased pressure from Western nations and the Global South, to end the war. Zelenskyy also indicated that Ukrainian strikes on Russia, using domestically produced weapons, target military and energy facilities that fund the war. He believes that when Russians become uncomfortable, they will challenge their leadership.
Read More
Ukraine disables 40% of one of Russia’s largest oil refineries processing 17.5 million tons annually, and this is a significant development, no doubt. It’s a move that strategically targets a vital component of the Russian economy and, by extension, its ability to wage war. This isn’t just about disrupting the flow of oil; it’s about hitting the source of funds that fuel the entire operation. Cutting off the supply of refined fuels, like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, throws a wrench into their gears, impacting both civilian life and the military machine.
This action is particularly effective because Russia is now potentially facing the need to import these very fuels.… Continue reading
Western intelligence have evidence that Russia discussing NATO attack, says EU defense commissioner. Okay, so here’s the deal – chatter about Russia possibly plotting an attack on NATO has become a major topic of conversation. It’s like, suddenly, everyone’s taking this seriously, especially within NATO and Western countries, and according to reports, there’s evidence backing it up.
This whole thing feels a bit complicated, to be honest. Some people think it’s a strategic move to shift focus away from Ukraine. Maybe it’s a way to create another front, keeping everyone on edge. On the other hand, there’s a strong argument that Russia’s military and economic capacity is pretty much shot, making any actual attack seem unlikely.… Continue reading
Overnight on October 6th, Ukrainian forces struck the Sverdlov Plant in Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, a major Russian producer of explosives and ammunition. This facility, located 800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, manufactures a wide array of munitions for the Russian military. Following the attack, multiple explosions and a large fire were reported at the site, though damage assessment is ongoing. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting numerous Ukrainian drones, including those over the targeted region. The Sverdlov Plant has been under U.S. and EU sanctions since 2023 for its role in supporting Russia’s war effort, and this attack is part of a larger campaign against Russian military-industrial targets.
Read More
Overnight drone and missile attacks targeted Russian-occupied Crimea and several regions within Russia, impacting critical infrastructure. Explosions were reported across Crimea, with strikes confirmed on a Feodosia oil terminal and an ammunition depot, and caused a large-scale fire. In Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, a thermal power plant was hit, leaving tens of thousands without power, and a similar strike in the Bryansk region led to a large fire at a local thermal power plant.
Read More
Following a recent drone and missile strike on Lviv that resulted in multiple fatalities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for increased sanctions against British firms supplying components for Russian drones. The president cited the use of foreign-made parts, including those from the UK and the US, in the attacks as evidence of continued supply chains. In response, Zelensky announced that Ukraine is preparing new sanctions and is working with allies, including the G7, to ensure sanctions are effective in shutting down the schemes that allow Russia to obtain these components. The UK government stated that it will look into any concerns about their arms exports regime, while reiterating its support for Ukraine.
Read More
A Ukrainian strike on October 5th damaged energy facilities in Belgorod, Russia, leaving nearly 40,000 residents without power and causing significant damage across seven municipalities. Emergency crews were deployed, and hospitals switched to backup power as partial outages persisted the following day. Ukraine’s military intelligence released an alleged intercepted phone call describing widespread blackouts and internet outages. This attack follows weeks of intensified Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, with President Zelensky warning of retaliation.
Read More
Ukraine has begun deploying domestically produced Flamingo cruise missiles in strikes against Russian territory, with production currently at two to three missiles per day and a planned increase to seven daily by the end of October. These missiles, with a range exceeding 3,000 km and a 1,150 kg warhead, utilize repurposed Soviet-era engines and a rapidly manufactured carbon fiber fuselage. If the Flamingo can effectively penetrate Russian air defenses, it could significantly enhance Ukraine’s deep strike capabilities, as evidenced by recent strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, which have reportedly impacted up to 40% of Russia’s refining capacity. These strikes are also bolstered by Ukrainian drones, such as the Fire Point FP-1 and Liutyi, that have contributed to these attacks.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood