Russia-Ukraine War - News and Developments PART 2

[Stranagor]

You guys claimed that the war against Russia was going to be easy

Inverted logic, if any.

It is Russia's war against Ukraine. It is Ukrainian land Russia is attempting to occupy. The question should be if the war against Ukraine is an easy one or not - such as whether the official 72-hour mission timeframe have been breached or not.

Easy, no?

Given that the original aggressor is Russia, analysis must be made to see if its objectives for aggression has been achieved or not.

Ukrainian objective is simple: Drive the Russians back home and exact a long-term, costly price on them.

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

It's official. Russia lost the battle of Bakhmut according to UK intelligence. They also about to get kicked out of Kremina.

I sure hope Prigozin isn't anywhere near a window right now.

 

[Stranagor]

There are plenty of members that were boasting how Russia was going to be a walkover.

You mean Ukrainian tanks marching into the Red Square? That's an overstretch.

Let's face it, Russia has managed to sustain the war without too much fuss. On the contrary, the war in Ukraine has impacted the entire world economically and in various other ways.

So, as you understand it, the entire world has been affected, but Russia hasn't?

You should be worried about China Russia nexus because the war in Ukraine has brought the two closer than ever.

Indeed, in terms of governance, the two are looking increasingly similar. Throw into the duo Iran and North Korea, as well. There's your QUAD right there.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1608151668776144898

And Russia is still looking for Nazis in Ukraine? Why not look somewhere closer home? That above interview is an example of abject fascism.

Russia and China see it as a partnership.

I think it is more of a dependency than partnership as China has the ultimate upper hand. Russia did away with most of its bargaining power in resources, even vis a vis Turkey.

Before the war, it was all about balancing one another. For example, Russia invited India into the SCO to balance China's influence. Russia pushed for Japan and SK participation in the Arctic Council to balance China. Russia even talked to SK and Japan to build pipeline to reduce its singular dependency on China. Russia had been wary of growing Chinese influence in its backyard, Central Asia.

But, the war has upended this balance, making Russia a lesser, junior partner with much narrower room for strategic maneuver.

China will play along. Rightly so. It would not make sense not to make use of this situation. All Russian energy customers are trying to take advantage of this.

 

[sammuel]

~

There have been speculations since the summer , how long can Russia keep firing at a rate of more than half a million shells a month , and not run out of shells or have cannon problems.

One of Russia few advantages is it's huge artillery , how would they manage without it ?

Artillery Ammo “Hunger” Began in the “Second Army of the World”: the Military was Ordered to Collect Spent Shell Casings​

28.12.2022

The “Hunger” for artillery ammo, which began to catch up with the Russian army at the end of August, worsened significantly in December. Ammunition warehouses are being depleted, there is nowhere to import Soviet-style shells from, and the defense industry cannot cope with orders.

This was written by the Telegram channel “Spy’s Dossier “. It is noted that in early December, the commanders of artillery units of the RF Armed Forces were even ordered to collect spent 152-mm caliber casings so that they could be reused.

“There is an interesting nuance in a recent video that has circulated around the Internet, in which two servicemen of the Wagner PMC call the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov “f*ck for nothing”. PMCs consider Gerasimov a representative of sexual minorities due to the lack of artillery shells among the military,” says the message.

It is noted that artillery ammo “hunger” is a problem for both warring armies. But if the Armed Forces of Ukraine manage to solve this problem, primarily through constant Western assistance and a gradual transition from Soviet 122-mm and 152-mm caliber guns to NATO 155-mm caliber, then the Russians will be worse off.

“In addition to the Soviet 122-mm and 152-mm calibers, 155-mm cannons appeared in the arsenal of the Ukrainian army. Despite this, something still manages to be found. If you look at the latest package of military assistance to Ukraine from the United States, among other things there are 45,000 152 mm artillery shells, 20,000 122 mm artillery shells, and 50,000 122 mm shells for Grad systems. According to a report by the US Department of Defense, more than 1 million artillery shells of various calibers were transferred to Ukraine by the end of November.” writes the author of the Spy Dossier channel.

At the same time in Russia, according to him, the stock of shells, which by the beginning of the war was estimated as “approximately endless”, began to dry up at the end of August 2022. A significant role in this, in addition to stubborn artillery duels, was played by the use of MLRS HIMARS by Ukraine. Having the appropriate intelligence and satellite images, the Armed Forces of Ukraine each time managed to hit artillery depots deep behind enemy lines, reducing the firepower of the RF Armed Forces.

“In addition, there are questions about the quality of the ammunition itself. More than one document passed through my hands, with complaints from the chiefs of artillery units about the unsuitability for the use of shells. Ammunition that was stored in warehouses for decades simply “outlived its usefulness,” the report says.

It is noted that due to the inability to purchase shells abroad, the leadership of the Russian Federation is mobilizing the mass production of the necessary ammunition within the country, but the defense industry cannot cope with the orders.

“The problem is so tangible that in early December, the commanders of the artillery units of the RF Armed Forces were tasked with taking personal control over the organization of the return of spent 152-mm caliber cartridges so that they could be reused,” concludes the author of the Spy’s Dossier channel.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL reported that a mega-scandal broke out in the military leadership of Russia: the gunners of the PMC “Wagner” obscenely insulted the Chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces Gerasimov due to the lack of shells, and the owner of the PMC, Prigozhin, confirmed the authenticity of the appeal and added that he would “force” Gerasimov to act.

Artillery Ammo "Hunger" Began in the "Second Army of the World": the Military was Ordered to Collect Spent Shell Casings - Ukraine Today .org

28.12.2022 Translated from Ukrainian via Google and OFP The “Hunger” for artillery ammo, which began to catch up with the Russian army at the end of August, worsened significantly in December. Ammunition warehouses are being depleted, there is nowhere to import Soviet-style shells from, and the...

ukrainetoday.org

 

[vi-va]

Inverted logic, if any.

It is Russia's war against Ukraine. It is Ukrainian land Russia is attempting to occupy. The question should be if the war against Ukraine is an easy one or not - such as whether the official 72-hour mission timeframe have been breached or not.

Easy, no?

Given that the original aggressor is Russia, analysis must be made to see if its objectives for aggression has been achieved or not.

Ukrainian objective is simple: Drive the Russians back home and exact a long-term, costly price on them.

In my humble opinion.

Russia has lost the war politically and strategically, regardless the thrust towards The Dnieper River seems unstoppable.

Attrition warfare is not in Russia's interest at all. Definitely the worst way to win the heart of Ukrainians. Russia original plan was a lightning war, but failed. Feel sorry for Russians.

The generals of Russia army and intelligence underestimated Ukraine, which is fatal.

Never underestimate your rival.

I said Russia lost the war in mid-July, ppl laughed at me.

 

[vi-va]

You mean Ukrainian tanks marching into the Red Square? That's an overstretch.



So, as you face it, the entire world has been affected, but Russia hasn't?



Indeed, in terms of governance, the two are looking increasingly similar. Throw into the duo Iran and North Korea, as well. There's your QUAD right there.



And Russia is still looking for Nazis in Ukraine? Why not look somewhere closer home? That above interview is an example of abject fascism.



I think it is more of a dependency than partnership as China has the ultimate upper hand. Russia did away with most of its bargaining power in resources, even vis a vis Turkey.

Before the war, it was all about balancing one another. For example, Russia invited India into the SCO to balance China's influence. Russia pushed for Japan and SK participation in the Arctic Council to balance China. Russia even talked to SK and Japan to build pipeline to reduce its singular dependency on China. Russia had been wary of growing Chinese influence in its backyard, Central Asia.

But, the war has upended this balance, making Russia a lesser, junior partner with much narrower room for strategic maneuver.

China will play along. Rightly so. It would not make sense not to make use of this situation. All Russian energy customers are trying to take advantage of this.

Before the damn war, U.S. Trump regime even tried to lure Russia against China, while I haven't seen Russia reject the proposal, they are waiting for a good offer. While apparently, U.S. was just making empty promise, nothing materialized.

Now, India, Vietnam, Japan and SK are staying away from Russia. Yes, India is buying Russia oil, asking for huge discount.

Russia literally lost influence in Central Asia, especially Kazakhstan. Russia gained nothing from the damn war.

 

[Stranagor]

Before the damn war, U.S. Trump regime even tried to lure Russia against China, while I haven't seen Russia reject the proposal, they are waiting for a good offer. While apparently, U.S. was just making empty promise, nothing materialized.

Now, India, Vietnam, Japan and SK are staying away from Russia. Yes, India is buying Russia oil, asking for huge discount.

Russia literally lost influence in Central Asia, especially Kazakhstan. Russia gained nothing from the damn war.

The problem with one-man regimes is that even though they appear efficient and neat on the surface (after all no credible democratic process is involved in decision making), due to lack of due process, debate, public participation and accountability, one single wrong decision may lead to disastrous outcomes.

It does not matter a hundred decisions were made rightly. One collosal mistake does away all the gains. Worst yet, the system does rarely possess self-correcting attributes.

All one can hope for is that the supreme leader somehow voluntarily steps down or simply dies from a heart attack. Otherwise, it is all painful waiting.

That's what Russia has evolved into under a one-man rule.

It is anticipated that Russia will lose further bargaining power and will come at the mercy of energy customers, led by China.

***

Deal Reached For New Non-Russian Power Source for Europe

The agreement involves a cable running beneath the Black Sea that would link Azerbaijan to Hungary via Georgia and Romania

www.voanews.com

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA —
The leaders of Hungary, Romania, Georgia and Azerbaijan finalized an agreement Saturday on an undersea electricity connector that could become a new power source for the European Union amid a crunch on energy supplies caused by the war in Ukraine.

The agreement involves a cable running beneath the Black Sea that would link Azerbaijan to Hungary via Georgia and Romania.

...

 

[Viet]

~

There have been speculations since the summer , how long can Russia keep firing at a rate of more than half a million shells a month , and not run out of shells or cannon problems.

One of Russia few advantages is it's huge artillery , how would they manage without it ?

Artillery Ammo “Hunger” Began in the “Second Army of the World”: the Military was Ordered to Collect Spent Shell Casings​

28.12.2022

The “Hunger” for artillery ammo, which began to catch up with the Russian army at the end of August, worsened significantly in December. Ammunition warehouses are being depleted, there is nowhere to import Soviet-style shells from, and the defense industry cannot cope with orders.

This was written by the Telegram channel “Spy’s Dossier “. It is noted that in early December, the commanders of artillery units of the RF Armed Forces were even ordered to collect spent 152-mm caliber casings so that they could be reused.

“There is an interesting nuance in a recent video that has circulated around the Internet, in which two servicemen of the Wagner PMC call the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov “f*ck for nothing”. PMCs consider Gerasimov a representative of sexual minorities due to the lack of artillery shells among the military,” says the message.

It is noted that artillery ammo “hunger” is a problem for both warring armies. But if the Armed Forces of Ukraine manage to solve this problem, primarily through constant Western assistance and a gradual transition from Soviet 122-mm and 152-mm caliber guns to NATO 155-mm caliber, then the Russians will be worse off.

“In addition to the Soviet 122-mm and 152-mm calibers, 155-mm cannons appeared in the arsenal of the Ukrainian army. Despite this, something still manages to be found. If you look at the latest package of military assistance to Ukraine from the United States, among other things there are 45,000 152 mm artillery shells, 20,000 122 mm artillery shells, and 50,000 122 mm shells for Grad systems. According to a report by the US Department of Defense, more than 1 million artillery shells of various calibers were transferred to Ukraine by the end of November.” writes the author of the Spy Dossier channel.

At the same time in Russia, according to him, the stock of shells, which by the beginning of the war was estimated as “approximately endless”, began to dry up at the end of August 2022. A significant role in this, in addition to stubborn artillery duels, was played by the use of MLRS HIMARS by Ukraine. Having the appropriate intelligence and satellite images, the Armed Forces of Ukraine each time managed to hit artillery depots deep behind enemy lines, reducing the firepower of the RF Armed Forces.

“In addition, there are questions about the quality of the ammunition itself. More than one document passed through my hands, with complaints from the chiefs of artillery units about the unsuitability for the use of shells. Ammunition that was stored in warehouses for decades simply “outlived its usefulness,” the report says.

It is noted that due to the inability to purchase shells abroad, the leadership of the Russian Federation is mobilizing the mass production of the necessary ammunition within the country, but the defense industry cannot cope with the orders.

“The problem is so tangible that in early December, the commanders of the artillery units of the RF Armed Forces were tasked with taking personal control over the organization of the return of spent 152-mm caliber cartridges so that they could be reused,” concludes the author of the Spy’s Dossier channel.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL reported that a mega-scandal broke out in the military leadership of Russia: the gunners of the PMC “Wagner” obscenely insulted the Chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces Gerasimov due to the lack of shells, and the owner of the PMC, Prigozhin, confirmed the authenticity of the appeal and added that he would “force” Gerasimov to act.

Artillery Ammo "Hunger" Began in the "Second Army of the World": the Military was Ordered to Collect Spent Shell Casings - Ukraine Today .org

28.12.2022 Translated from Ukrainian via Google and OFP The “Hunger” for artillery ammo, which began to catch up with the Russian army at the end of August, worsened significantly in December. Ammunition warehouses are being depleted, there is nowhere to import Soviet-style shells from, and the...

ukrainetoday.org

It’s more. Russia conventional ammo stockpile is huge. The Russians say peace but since years they preparing for wars.
During summer offensive Russia artillery fired 60k per day or 1.8 million shells per month. Now the stockpile is low however they still fire that 20k per day or 600k rounds per month.

 

[alimobin memon]

It’s more. Russia conventional ammo stockpile is huge. The Russians say peace but they prepare for wars.
During summer offensive Russia artillery fired 60k or 1.8 million shells per day. Now the stockpile is low however they still fire that 20k or 600k rounds per day.

They will reproduce.

 

[Viet]

They will reproduce.

the Russians can’t make anything useful in daily life but they are good at making weapons in great numbers. Putin now copies uncle Kim North Korea and adopts a “military first” strategy. Every money goes to military first. Ammo factories run 2 shifts per day.

 

[alimobin memon]

the Russians can’t make anything useful in daily life but they are good at making weapons in great numbers. Putin now copies uncle Kim North Korea and adopts a “military first” strategy. Every money goes to military first.

Listen we are not living in Russia. I can assure you everyone is same in every corner its the media press that shows only negative side of the countries. To west and many asians Russians are evil to some they are good. We will never know the reality as we know the real west situation right now.

 

[Deino]

Upps

https://twitter.com/x/status/1608364847233921024

 

[RescueRanger]

Seems both sides are fraught to a deadlock. Only negotiations can bring about an end to this quagmire l, it would seem that Poland, Moldova and Hungary are hesitant for more advanced weapons to flow into Ukraine.

Russia Intensifies Attacks on Kherson, Eastern Ukraine

Russian gas exports to Europe via pipelines plummeted to post-Soviet low in 2022 as its largest customer cut imports because of the war in Ukraine

www.voanews.com

Russia Intensifies Attacks on Kherson, Eastern Ukraine​

December 28, 2022 6:23 AMUPDATE December 28, 2022 6:20 PM

• VOA News

---

FILE - Cars burn and smoke raises after a deadly Russian rocket attack hit the city center in Kherson, Ukraine, Dec. 24, 2022.
Share

Print
Russian forces increased their bombing and artillery attacks Wednesday on Kherson in southern Ukraine and continued to apply significant force along the front lines in the east, Ukraine's military said.
Russia launched dozens of missiles from multiple locations at civilian targets in Kherson, a city it abandoned in mid-November, according to the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces, though Russia denies targeting civilians.
Russia also shelled 25 settlements around Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, the general staff said. It said some Russian forces were leaving their posts around Zaporizhzhia. Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports.
Heavy fighting continued around the Ukrainian-held city of Bakhmut in the eastern province of Donetsk. Around the cities of Svatove and Kreminna in Luhansk province, northeast of Donetsk, Ukrainian forces are on the offensive trying to rupture Russia’s defensive lines.

SEE ALSO:

Putin Bans Russian Oil Exports to Countries That Imposed Price Cap​

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is advocating a 10-point peace plan that calls for Russia to recognize Ukraine's territory and withdraw its troops.
But the Kremlin dismissed the proposal, doubling down on its stance that Kyiv must accept the annexation Russia carried out in September after referendums rejected by Ukraine and most other nations as shams. The four Ukrainian regions include Luhansk and Donetsk in the east, and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south.
"There can be no peace plan for Ukraine that does not take into account today's realities regarding Russian territory, with the entry of four regions into Russia," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday. "Plans that do not take these realities into account cannot be peaceful."
Also on Wednesday, Zelenskyy addressed the Ukrainian parliament in a closed-door session, urging lawmakers to remain united against Russia's aggression, while praising Ukrainians for leading the West to "find itself again.”
"Our national colors are today an international symbol of courage and indomitability of the whole world," he said in his 45-minute speech, his last of the year.
"In any country, in any continent, when you see blue and yellow, you know it's about freedom. About the people who did not surrender, who stood, who united the world, and which will win," he said.

SEE ALSO:

Deal Reached For New Non-Russian Power Source for Europe​

Zelenskyy said the world had seen that freedom can be triumphant through Ukraine's gains on the battlefield, and he thanked Ukraine's military.
Zelenskyy noted Ukraine has gained the release of 1,456 prisoners of war since Russia’s invasion 10 months ago. Russia is believed to have thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war, though actual figures are not known.

Ukrainian service members have lunch at a position near the border with Belarus, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zhytomyr region, Ukraine Dec. 27, 2022.
Gas exports
Russian gas exports to Europe — its largest consumer of Russia gas and oil — hit a post-Soviet low in 2022. European and Gazprom data and Reuters metrics show Russia dramatically lowered exports via pipeline because of the conflict and mysterious blasts that damaged Nord Stream 2, one of two major pipelines that run along the bottom of the Baltic Sea.

The European Union had long talked about minimizing its reliance on Russian energy, but Brussels actually did so when Moscow invaded Ukraine in February.

SEE ALSO:

US, NATO Weapons Pave the Way for Ukraine's Battlefield Successes​

State-controlled Gazprom, citing Chief Executive Officer Alexei Miller, said its exports outside of ex-Soviet Union states will reach 100.9 billion cubic meters (bcm) this year.

That is a plunge of about 45% from 185.1 bcm in 2021. It includes supplies to China through the Siberia pipeline, through which Gazprom supplied 10.39 bcm last year.
Russian direct gas exports to Germany, Europe's largest economy, were halted in September following blasts that crippled two Nord Stream pipelines.
Some material for this article came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

Attacking Kherson now is purely out of spite. There is no real military objective that be achieved by targeting a city of huddles up civilians.

Seems Russia is adopting that tactics of the yazeed in desperation.

~

There have been speculations since the summer , how long can Russia keep firing at a rate of more than half a million shells a month , and not run out of shells or cannon problems.

One of Russia few advantages is it's huge artillery , how would they manage without it ?

Artillery Ammo “Hunger” Began in the “Second Army of the World”: the Military was Ordered to Collect Spent Shell Casings​

28.12.2022

The “Hunger” for artillery ammo, which began to catch up with the Russian army at the end of August, worsened significantly in December. Ammunition warehouses are being depleted, there is nowhere to import Soviet-style shells from, and the defense industry cannot cope with orders.

This was written by the Telegram channel “Spy’s Dossier “. It is noted that in early December, the commanders of artillery units of the RF Armed Forces were even ordered to collect spent 152-mm caliber casings so that they could be reused.

“There is an interesting nuance in a recent video that has circulated around the Internet, in which two servicemen of the Wagner PMC call the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov “f*ck for nothing”. PMCs consider Gerasimov a representative of sexual minorities due to the lack of artillery shells among the military,” says the message.

It is noted that artillery ammo “hunger” is a problem for both warring armies. But if the Armed Forces of Ukraine manage to solve this problem, primarily through constant Western assistance and a gradual transition from Soviet 122-mm and 152-mm caliber guns to NATO 155-mm caliber, then the Russians will be worse off.

“In addition to the Soviet 122-mm and 152-mm calibers, 155-mm cannons appeared in the arsenal of the Ukrainian army. Despite this, something still manages to be found. If you look at the latest package of military assistance to Ukraine from the United States, among other things there are 45,000 152 mm artillery shells, 20,000 122 mm artillery shells, and 50,000 122 mm shells for Grad systems. According to a report by the US Department of Defense, more than 1 million artillery shells of various calibers were transferred to Ukraine by the end of November.” writes the author of the Spy Dossier channel.

At the same time in Russia, according to him, the stock of shells, which by the beginning of the war was estimated as “approximately endless”, began to dry up at the end of August 2022. A significant role in this, in addition to stubborn artillery duels, was played by the use of MLRS HIMARS by Ukraine. Having the appropriate intelligence and satellite images, the Armed Forces of Ukraine each time managed to hit artillery depots deep behind enemy lines, reducing the firepower of the RF Armed Forces.

“In addition, there are questions about the quality of the ammunition itself. More than one document passed through my hands, with complaints from the chiefs of artillery units about the unsuitability for the use of shells. Ammunition that was stored in warehouses for decades simply “outlived its usefulness,” the report says.

It is noted that due to the inability to purchase shells abroad, the leadership of the Russian Federation is mobilizing the mass production of the necessary ammunition within the country, but the defense industry cannot cope with the orders.

“The problem is so tangible that in early December, the commanders of the artillery units of the RF Armed Forces were tasked with taking personal control over the organization of the return of spent 152-mm caliber cartridges so that they could be reused,” concludes the author of the Spy’s Dossier channel.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL reported that a mega-scandal broke out in the military leadership of Russia: the gunners of the PMC “Wagner” obscenely insulted the Chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces Gerasimov due to the lack of shells, and the owner of the PMC, Prigozhin, confirmed the authenticity of the appeal and added that he would “force” Gerasimov to act.

Artillery Ammo "Hunger" Began in the "Second Army of the World": the Military was Ordered to Collect Spent Shell Casings - Ukraine Today .org

28.12.2022 Translated from Ukrainian via Google and OFP The “Hunger” for artillery ammo, which began to catch up with the Russian army at the end of August, worsened significantly in December. Ammunition warehouses are being depleted, there is nowhere to import Soviet-style shells from, and the...

ukrainetoday.org

Apparently uncle Kim Jong Un has expressed an interest in fulfilling their ammo shortage. Iranian made arty rounds have also been mentioned on a recent CAS report.

 

[Dalit]

Russia Intensifies Attacks on Kherson, Eastern Ukraine

Russian gas exports to Europe via pipelines plummeted to post-Soviet low in 2022 as its largest customer cut imports because of the war in Ukraine

www.voanews.com

Russia Intensifies Attacks on Kherson, Eastern Ukraine​

December 28, 2022 6:23 AMUPDATE December 28, 2022 6:20 PM

• VOA News

---

FILE - Cars burn and smoke raises after a deadly Russian rocket attack hit the city center in Kherson, Ukraine, Dec. 24, 2022.
Share

Print
Russian forces increased their bombing and artillery attacks Wednesday on Kherson in southern Ukraine and continued to apply significant force along the front lines in the east, Ukraine's military said.
Russia launched dozens of missiles from multiple locations at civilian targets in Kherson, a city it abandoned in mid-November, according to the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces, though Russia denies targeting civilians.
Russia also shelled 25 settlements around Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, the general staff said. It said some Russian forces were leaving their posts around Zaporizhzhia. Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports.
Heavy fighting continued around the Ukrainian-held city of Bakhmut in the eastern province of Donetsk. Around the cities of Svatove and Kreminna in Luhansk province, northeast of Donetsk, Ukrainian forces are on the offensive trying to rupture Russia’s defensive lines.

SEE ALSO:

Putin Bans Russian Oil Exports to Countries That Imposed Price Cap​

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is advocating a 10-point peace plan that calls for Russia to recognize Ukraine's territory and withdraw its troops.
But the Kremlin dismissed the proposal, doubling down on its stance that Kyiv must accept the annexation Russia carried out in September after referendums rejected by Ukraine and most other nations as shams. The four Ukrainian regions include Luhansk and Donetsk in the east, and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south.
"There can be no peace plan for Ukraine that does not take into account today's realities regarding Russian territory, with the entry of four regions into Russia," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday. "Plans that do not take these realities into account cannot be peaceful."
Also on Wednesday, Zelenskyy addressed the Ukrainian parliament in a closed-door session, urging lawmakers to remain united against Russia's aggression, while praising Ukrainians for leading the West to "find itself again.”
"Our national colors are today an international symbol of courage and indomitability of the whole world," he said in his 45-minute speech, his last of the year.
"In any country, in any continent, when you see blue and yellow, you know it's about freedom. About the people who did not surrender, who stood, who united the world, and which will win," he said.

SEE ALSO:

Deal Reached For New Non-Russian Power Source for Europe​

Zelenskyy said the world had seen that freedom can be triumphant through Ukraine's gains on the battlefield, and he thanked Ukraine's military.
Zelenskyy noted Ukraine has gained the release of 1,456 prisoners of war since Russia’s invasion 10 months ago. Russia is believed to have thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war, though actual figures are not known.

Ukrainian service members have lunch at a position near the border with Belarus, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zhytomyr region, Ukraine Dec. 27, 2022.
Gas exports
Russian gas exports to Europe — its largest consumer of Russia gas and oil — hit a post-Soviet low in 2022. European and Gazprom data and Reuters metrics show Russia dramatically lowered exports via pipeline because of the conflict and mysterious blasts that damaged Nord Stream 2, one of two major pipelines that run along the bottom of the Baltic Sea.

The European Union had long talked about minimizing its reliance on Russian energy, but Brussels actually did so when Moscow invaded Ukraine in February.

SEE ALSO:

US, NATO Weapons Pave the Way for Ukraine's Battlefield Successes​

State-controlled Gazprom, citing Chief Executive Officer Alexei Miller, said its exports outside of ex-Soviet Union states will reach 100.9 billion cubic meters (bcm) this year.

That is a plunge of about 45% from 185.1 bcm in 2021. It includes supplies to China through the Siberia pipeline, through which Gazprom supplied 10.39 bcm last year.
Russian direct gas exports to Germany, Europe's largest economy, were halted in September following blasts that crippled two Nord Stream pipelines.
Some material for this article came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

Told you so...

 

[Viet]

Listen we are not living in Russia. I can assure you everyone is same in every corner its the media press that shows only negative side of the countries. To west and many asians Russians are evil to some they are good. We will never know the reality as we know the real west situation right now.

Nonsense
there is no single voice in the western media. that’s misunderstanding. Take Germany, do you know how many newspapers, tv programs, radio stations, media exist here? That go to thousands. Too many to count. Same for France although the numbers are lower.
If you ask the Germans whether they support Ukraine half of them say no. A recent poll even show 1/3 supports Russia.
As for Asians, chinese support the warmonger Putin, while Vietnamese not. The picture is diverse for other as Koreans, Japanese and Philippines. There is no such thing as division of east and west.