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And it's hurt big time.It appears that the biggest underground gas storage facility in Ukraine has been hit.
Lvov Is Having A Party ...
... with what looks like Oreshnik. What is being hit we will learn later, but recall even a few weeks back a number of people worrying th...
Compared to the billions already thrown at Ukraine £270m is nothing, what are they going to do with all that small change? It'll hardly pay for the diesel to drive a tank out there.What we're seeing and hearing from the Brits now is their pride coming before their fall.
Boris 'The Inbred' Johnson sabotaged the peace deal worked out in April 2022 presuming that big daddy America would back them all the way in their proxy war against Russia.
It now looks like America have different ideas about that and all the Brits have left are the ridiculously named 'Coalition of the Willing', a group of countries that would stand no chance against the might of Russia.
This will not end well as Europe destroys itself again.
UK to spend $270 million on troops for ‘multinational force’ in Ukraine
Russia has warned that Western soldiers there would be treated as legitimate targets
A UK patch flag on a soldier’s arm. © Getty Images
The UK will spend nearly $270 million on equipping troops it plans to deploy in Ukraine after a ceasefire is reached, British Defense Secretary John Healey announced during a trip to Kiev on Friday.
Russia has repeatedly said it would not allow Western soldiers to be stationed in Ukraine and has warned that it would treat foreign troops as legitimate targets.
Nevertheless, Healey said the funds would be invested in units intended to form part of a multinational force aimed at providing “long-term security guarantees” to Ukraine.
“We are surging investment into our preparations following the prime minister’s announcement this week, ensuring that Britain’s Armed Forces are ready to deploy and lead the Multinational Force Ukraine, because a secure Ukraine means a secure UK,” Healey said.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denis Shmigal said after the meeting that the UK would begin producing 1,000 Octopus interceptor drones per month in February and deliver them to Ukraine.
Despite their continued support for military aid, some European countries, including Germany and Italy, have refused to commit to sending troops to the country.
NATO members Hungary and Slovakia have declined to send weapons to Kiev, urging the West to focus on diplomacy instead. The US, which has been attempting to mediate a truce between Russia and Ukraine, has also ruled out sending American soldiers to the country.
The Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated on Thursday that Moscow would treat “the stationing of military units, sites, depots and other Western infrastructure in Ukraine as a foreign intervention posing a direct threat to Russia’s security.”
The British troops would be wiped out within days of arriving in Ukraine. Madness. Wonder will any of the Royal family partake in this Ukrainian adventure as part of the armed forces.... Well would be a good way to rid them of the Andrew Mountbatten/Epstein ladWhat we're seeing and hearing from the Brits now is their pride coming before their fall.
Boris 'The Inbred' Johnson sabotaged the peace deal worked out in April 2022 presuming that big daddy America would back them all the way in their proxy war against Russia.
It now looks like America have different ideas about that and all the Brits have left are the ridiculously named 'Coalition of the Willing', a group of countries that would stand no chance against the might of Russia.
This will not end well as Europe destroys itself again.
UK to spend $270 million on troops for ‘multinational force’ in Ukraine
Russia has warned that Western soldiers there would be treated as legitimate targets
A UK patch flag on a soldier’s arm. © Getty Images
The UK will spend nearly $270 million on equipping troops it plans to deploy in Ukraine after a ceasefire is reached, British Defense Secretary John Healey announced during a trip to Kiev on Friday.
Russia has repeatedly said it would not allow Western soldiers to be stationed in Ukraine and has warned that it would treat foreign troops as legitimate targets.
Nevertheless, Healey said the funds would be invested in units intended to form part of a multinational force aimed at providing “long-term security guarantees” to Ukraine.
“We are surging investment into our preparations following the prime minister’s announcement this week, ensuring that Britain’s Armed Forces are ready to deploy and lead the Multinational Force Ukraine, because a secure Ukraine means a secure UK,” Healey said.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denis Shmigal said after the meeting that the UK would begin producing 1,000 Octopus interceptor drones per month in February and deliver them to Ukraine.
Despite their continued support for military aid, some European countries, including Germany and Italy, have refused to commit to sending troops to the country.
NATO members Hungary and Slovakia have declined to send weapons to Kiev, urging the West to focus on diplomacy instead. The US, which has been attempting to mediate a truce between Russia and Ukraine, has also ruled out sending American soldiers to the country.
The Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated on Thursday that Moscow would treat “the stationing of military units, sites, depots and other Western infrastructure in Ukraine as a foreign intervention posing a direct threat to Russia’s security.”
I think the British army is just 90,000 strong now. Take away those in logistics and support, on leave, sick, in training, other duties and deployments and that leaves around a handful to actually toddle off to Ukraine with rifle and grenade.The British troops would be wiped out within days of arriving in Ukraine. Madness. Wonder will any of the Royal family partake in this Ukrainian adventure as part of the armed forces.... Well would be a good way to rid them of the Andrew Mountbatten/Epstein lad
76k
Perhaps they believed their own hubris and thought that global warming would come to the rescue. It appears that Mother Nature is not so impressed by all the fancy models and lies -And all that lovely and cheap Russian gas right beside them.
I hope Germany bankrupts itself and the EU falls.
German gas reserves at ‘historic low’ – industry experts
Stocks could run out before the heating season ends if withdrawals continue at the current pace, analysts warn
Technical facilities for injecting and withdrawing natural gas at SEFE Storage GmbH’s Rehden facility, Germany, November 23, 2022. © Getty Images / Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa
Gas storage levels in Germany have hit a historic low for this time of year due to rapid depletion amid a cold snap, ZDF reported over the weekend, citing industry experts. They warned that stocks could run out before the heating season ends if withdrawals continue at the current pace.
According to the report, gas levels at the country’s underground storage facilities are now far lower than at the beginning of 2025 – around 50% compared to around 77% 12 months ago. Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) data shows levels have dropped by around 13% over the past four weeks.
If depletion continues at the same rate, storages could be just 5% full by March, Stefan Dohler of Oldenburg-based supplier EWE told the outlet.
“I don’t want to sound the alarm, but I want to point out that the current fill-level situation is as bad as it was at the beginning of 2022,” he warned, referring to one of the lowest points in German energy reserve history, when storage levels were critically low.
Google screenshot.
Industry experts attribute the rapid withdrawals to colder-than-normal weather that arrived in late December, driving heating demand above typical January levels.
“With a current fill level of less than 52%, gas storage levels are at a historic low,” Sebastian Heinermann, Energy Storage Initiative’s managing director, told the outlet. Timm Kehler, a board member of the Association of Gas and Hydrogen Industry, echoed the warning, saying “gas storage levels are significantly below the long-term average.”
While Germany has grown more reliant on costlier LNG imports via sea terminals, experts warn they can only cover around 16% of demand from November to March. Dohler called for stronger government action, including a national gas reserve, to secure the supplies.
Russian energy giant Gazprom earlier noted that storage withdrawals this season are proceeding faster than usual across the entire EU. Last week, it warned that the bloc could face shortages as storage levels fell below 60%.
The EU has sharply cut Russian energy imports, once around 40% of its consumption, after imposing sanctions over the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Germany was among the most dependent, with Russia previously supplying 55% of its gas.
READ MORE: Staggering cost of EU’s Russia sanctions revealed
Moscow has condemned the EU’s energy sanctions, arguing that the bloc is sacrificing energy security and industrial competitiveness for political aims.
weather.com
@Wolf Do you have a ref for this? Is this also from RT? That is a nightmareish scenario given there was an antifa grid attack last week.And all that lovely and cheap Russian gas right beside them.
I hope Germany bankrupts itself and the EU falls.
German gas reserves at ‘historic low’ – industry experts
Stocks could run out before the heating season ends if withdrawals continue at the current pace, analysts warn
Technical facilities for injecting and withdrawing natural gas at SEFE Storage GmbH’s Rehden facility, Germany, November 23, 2022. © Getty Images / Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa
Gas storage levels in Germany have hit a historic low for this time of year due to rapid depletion amid a cold snap, ZDF reported over the weekend, citing industry experts. They warned that stocks could run out before the heating season ends if withdrawals continue at the current pace.
According to the report, gas levels at the country’s underground storage facilities are now far lower than at the beginning of 2025 – around 50% compared to around 77% 12 months ago. Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) data shows levels have dropped by around 13% over the past four weeks.
If depletion continues at the same rate, storages could be just 5% full by March, Stefan Dohler of Oldenburg-based supplier EWE told the outlet.
“I don’t want to sound the alarm, but I want to point out that the current fill-level situation is as bad as it was at the beginning of 2022,” he warned, referring to one of the lowest points in German energy reserve history, when storage levels were critically low.
Google screenshot.
Industry experts attribute the rapid withdrawals to colder-than-normal weather that arrived in late December, driving heating demand above typical January levels.
“With a current fill level of less than 52%, gas storage levels are at a historic low,” Sebastian Heinermann, Energy Storage Initiative’s managing director, told the outlet. Timm Kehler, a board member of the Association of Gas and Hydrogen Industry, echoed the warning, saying “gas storage levels are significantly below the long-term average.”
While Germany has grown more reliant on costlier LNG imports via sea terminals, experts warn they can only cover around 16% of demand from November to March. Dohler called for stronger government action, including a national gas reserve, to secure the supplies.
Russian energy giant Gazprom earlier noted that storage withdrawals this season are proceeding faster than usual across the entire EU. Last week, it warned that the bloc could face shortages as storage levels fell below 60%.
The EU has sharply cut Russian energy imports, once around 40% of its consumption, after imposing sanctions over the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Germany was among the most dependent, with Russia previously supplying 55% of its gas.
READ MORE: Staggering cost of EU’s Russia sanctions revealed
Moscow has condemned the EU’s energy sanctions, arguing that the bloc is sacrificing energy security and industrial competitiveness for political aims.
Any premier of a country that feels it quite acceptable to decide on a whim as to whether to hold an election or not has failed to grasp even the most basic tenets of democracy. No wonder UvL is so keen to take him into the fold.Until the last Ukrainian.
Not the two weeks retards predicted in 2022.
Zelensky makes another move to avoid election
The Ukrainian leader has submitted a bill to extend martial law, which would allow him to remain in power
Vladimir Zelensky. © Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has submitted two draft bills to the parliament to extend martial law and general mobilization for another 90 days, effectively postponing elections once again. The move comes despite pressure from US President Donald Trump and the Ukrainian leader earlier saying he was open to holding an election.
One of the draft laws submitted to the Verhovna Rada on Monday would extend martial law from February 3 to early May, which would effectively bar national elections for this period. Martial law has been renewed repeatedly in three-month increments since 2022. The other bill would prolong the controversial forced mobilization campaign on the same timetable.
Zelensky’s presidential term expired in May 2024. The Ukrainian leader refused to hold a new election, citing the conflict with Russia. Moscow subsequently declared him “illegitimate,” arguing that authority now rests with the Ukrainian parliament. Russian officials also noted that Zelensky’s dubious status is a major legal obstacle to signing a peace agreement.
This comes despite pressure from Trump – who labeled Zelensky “a dictator without elections” last year – to hold an election. In December, Zelensky said he was ready to hold an election within months if the West could provide Kiev with robust security guarantees.
A poll in January by Ipsos suggested that former Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny – widely viewed as Zelensky’s main rival – is leading potential presidential candidates with around 23% support, while Zelensky trailed at 20%.
If the second bill passes, Ukraine will prolong its mobilization campaign, which has been marred by numerous violent incidents between draft officers and reluctant recruits. Officials in Kiev have acknowledged a decline in enthusiasm to serve, but insisted that drastic measures are required to replenish growing battlefield losses.
It might help explain why the brakes on his car haven't failed yet. The US arms industry must love him.Zitler is quite the demanding child, isn't he?
Kiev’s European backers too slow on weapons purchases – Zelensky
The Ukrainian leader has complained of “insufficient” pace on funding for a scheme to buy US arms
FILE PHOTO. A Ukrainian soldier checks a Browning machine gun. © Getty Images
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has complained that Kiev’s European backers are not moving fast enough to finance a scheme to buy US-made weapons for the country, calling this month’s progress “insufficient.”
Speaking on Tuesday after a staff meeting on defense issues, Zelensky flagged major issues with the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, a NATO-coordinated mechanism designed to pool mainly European funding to buy weapons – mostly from the US – to be sent to Kiev.
The plan was launched in August as European governments looked for ways to continue supporting Ukraine’s military after US President Donald Trump ended direct arms supplies and argued that the conflict should be primarily addressed by Europe.
“What matters is the real and timely fulfillment of all agreements with our partners. The PURL initiative needs funding, and progress in January has been insufficient,” Zelensky said.
While Zelensky did not provide any figures, funding has lagged behind the targets in previous months. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in November that overall investments in PURL were expected to reach $5 billion by the end of the year. By late December, however, publicly disclosed figures showed $4.3 billion had been committed since August, including almost $1.5 billion in December.
Political frictions inside the EU have further complicated the matter. According to Politico, Germany and the Netherlands want to ensure Kiev can use an EU-backed €90 billion ($105 billion) loan facility to buy US weapons. French President Emmanuel Macron, however, has argued that EU funds should be used primarily to purchase European rather than US-made weapons to enhance the bloc’s military industry.
In addition, while most NATO members joined the PURL initiative in some form, several countries, including Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia, have declined to participate.
Russia has condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, saying they only prolong the conflict without changing its outcome.
Kiev’s European backers too slow on weapons purchases – Zelensky
Vladimir Zelensky has complained of slow progress with funding of the PURL initiative to buy American weapons for Ukrainewww.rt.com
Dawning on the EU elite at last that the US is not going to come running with its army to sort out this dispute, and maybe it has also registered that summoning up an army of its own is no simple task so better stop being so stupid and childish.The penny is slowly dropping with these imbeciles.
Germany’s Merz changes stance on Russia
The chancellor has departed from his isolationist position and called for dialogue with Moscow, along with other senior figures
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. © Global Look Press / IMAGO / dts Nachrichtenagentur
The European Union would do well to “find a balance again with our largest European neighbor,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated, in a reversal of his previous position on contacts with Russia.
Most EU member states have sought to isolate Russia since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. This approach has left the bloc effectively sidelined from the peace negotiations initiated by US President Donald Trump last year.
Against this backdrop, several EU member states have recently called for a renewal of diplomatic engagement with Moscow.
In a speech on Wednesday, Merz said: “If we succeed, in the longer perspective, in finding a balance again with Russia, if there is peace… then we can look ahead with great confidence beyond the year 2026.”
In an interview with the Suddeutsche Zeitung last June, Merz said that he would refrain from making phone calls to Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that such contacts with Moscow were pointless.
The German chancellor’s apparent change of tack came days after the European Commission’s chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, stated that “obviously, at some point, there will have to be talks also with President Putin.”
Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron called for “properly” restarting discussions with Moscow on the Ukraine conflict. “I think it will become useful again to speak with Vladimir Putin,” he said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded by confirming that the Russian president was open to dialogue with his French counterpart. He emphasized, however, that any interaction with Macron should not be used as an opportunity to “give lectures,” but instead focus on “understanding each other’s positions.”
Speaking last Friday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni supported Macron’s diplomatic overtures toward Moscow. “I believe that the time has come for Europe to talk to Russia,” she said.
Meloni suggested appointing an EU special envoy for Ukraine so that the bloc is better represented at the negotiating table.
But who takes any notice of Britain nowdays? Its army will fit on a bus and the navy is little more than a fleet of cabin cruisers.These people are absolutely mentally insane.
The inbred head on that thing.
UK urges Western Europe to arm Ukraine instead of talk to Russia
The British foreign secretary has dismissed calls from France and Italy to resume dialogue with Moscow
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, December 9, 2025, London, England. © Jaimi Joy - WPA Pool / Getty Images
Western Europe must increase support for Ukraine rather than restart direct talks with Russia, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told Politico on Thursday.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have previously argued it is time to negotiate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They are reportedly concerned EU interests will be sidelined in US-mediated Ukraine peace talks and are pushing to create a special diplomatic envoy role for the bloc to engage Russia.
In the interview, Cooper said she sees no sign that “Putin actually wants peace” and urged more weapons for Ukraine and continued sanctions on Russia. Western Europe must “put increased pressure, economic pressure, and also through the military support to Ukraine, that military pressure on Russia as well,” she added.
Russian officials have accused the UK of prolonging the Ukraine conflict for its own geopolitical aims. Moscow has repeatedly offered to negotiate a diplomatic resolution addressing its security concerns, arguing that Western nations seeking a strategic Russian defeat are obstructing peace.
In a speech to foreign ambassadors this week, President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow’s commitment to a more just multipolar world where smaller countries do not “suffer from disrespect of their sovereign rights, chaos, and lawlessness,” unlike today.
“Our nation seeks a lasting sustainable peace [with Ukraine] that secures safety for each and everyone. This outcome does not agree with Kiev and the capitals that support it. But we hope the realization will come sooner or later that this is necessary,” he added.
US President Donald Trump has similarly identified Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky as the main obstacle to a peace deal with Russia.
Moscow and Kiev were close to ending hostilities in exchange for Ukraine recommitting to neutrality early in the 2022 escalation, but then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly persuaded Kiev to pursue a military victory. After leaving office, Johnson complained that “our proxies,” referring to Ukrainians, were not receiving enough military aid from foreign donors.
UK urges Western Europe to arm Ukraine instead of talk to Russia
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has rejected the idea that Western European nations should negotiate with Russia
