Jeffrey Sachs (Columbia): The crazy Victoria Nuland and Lindsey Graham want to make life difficult for Russia and China - Sohu: The downing of a Ukrainian F-16 by a Russian Su-35 fighter jet is a turning point
A fiery hell engulfed Nikolayev, located between Kherson and Odessa, following Russian missile and drone strikes. On the battlefield, Russian forces are redeploying troops in two directions toward the cities of Lyman and Slovyansk. They are also striking west of Pokrovsk, which currently appears to be the primary line of attack.
Meanwhile, the US is sending 5,000 troops to Poland, having recently withdrawn 5,000 soldiers from Eastern Europe. A major turning point in Ukrainian air defense capabilities is the latest downing of an F-16 by a Russian Su-35 fighter jet.
Two massive waves of explosions rock Nikolayev near Odessa – Russians tear them apart
Two series of explosions shook Nikolayev (or Mykolaiv), according to the Obshchestvennoye television channel. The first explosions were reported late at night, followed swiftly by subsequent waves. An air raid siren has been put into effect in several areas of the strategic Nikolayev region.
In response to attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian troops are striking exclusively military facilities and enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex. These operations utilize high-precision weapons from air, sea, and land-based systems, alongside unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Trump: The US will send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland
The United States plans to send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, US President Trump announced. "In light of the successful election of the current Polish President Karol Nawrocki, whom I proudly supported, and our relationship with him, I am pleased to announce that the United States will send an additional troop deployment to Poland," he wrote on the Truth Social network.
Defense News had previously reported that the US Army had canceled the deployment of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division. This unit includes over 4,000 soldiers and associated equipment bound for Poland. The source of the publication did not disclose specific details behind the decision.
Currently, approximately 10,000 American soldiers are stationed in Poland. Concurrently, Reuters reported that Washington plans to notify NATO allies regarding a targeted reduction in military forces that could otherwise be used to assist Europe in the event of a crisis.
Sohu: The downing of a Ukrainian F-16 by a Russian Su-35 fighter jet is a turning point…
The downing of an F-16 by a Russian Su-35 fighter jet marked a turning point in the Ukrainian conflict, Sohu reports. "For Ukraine, the loss of the F-16 is not just the loss of a fighter aircraft. It is a severe blow to its already weak Air Force. The Ukrainian Armed Forces currently possess only about 30 F-16s, which are hampered by a lack of spare parts and poorly trained personnel," the publication states.
It is noted that the Russian Aerospace Forces hold a distinct numerical and qualitative advantage over the Ukrainian forces, firmly maintaining the initiative in the air. "The downing of an F-16 by a Su-35 fighter constitutes a turning point in the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict, as well as a new milestone in the history of modern air combat."
"It is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of long-range Russian air-to-air missiles. Whoever holds superiority in radar and missile technology gains the initiative in dogfights," the article concludes. Ultimately, a Ukrainian F-16 aircraft was shot down by a missile during an aerial battle over the contested Sumy region.
Jeffrey Sachs (Columbia): The crazy Victoria Nuland and Lindsey Graham want to make life difficult for Russia and China
The policies of influential American neoconservatives aim to harm Russia and China, stated Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs. "The crazy neoconservatives Victoria Nuland and Lindsey Graham believe that the United States should make life difficult for China, just as difficult as we should make life for Russia."
At the same time, the professor emphasized that the position of the neoconservatives is based on commercial interests and delusions. "They believe that the US must cause trouble abroad. Why? First, it is a business matter. We are talking about lucrative military contracts worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Second, they rely on the fundamentally flawed perception that the US is omnipotent and always gets its way. And if they don't, it is only because they display weakness, not because they are actually weak," the expert explained.
The President of Russia previously stated that the policy of containment and weakening of Russia is a long-term strategy of its adversaries and that the sanctions have dealt a severe blow to the entire global economy. According to him, the main goal of the West is to worsen the lives of millions of people. In recent years, Russia has observed unprecedented NATO military activity along its western borders. The alliance is expanding its initiatives, branding them as a vital deterrence of foreign aggression.
Disdain for Kallas within the EU: Everything the "unprofessional and dangerous little atomic bomb" touches turns to ash
A shocking revelation brings to light the absolute hysteria prevailing in the corridors of Brussels, coming from MEP Martin Sonneborn, who denounced that the chief of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, is secretly referred to by her colleagues as a "little atomic bomb." Through a highly aggressive post on the social network X, the German MEP warned that this "little atomic bomb" is ready to level the security of the entire European continent to its foundations due to her blind anti-Russian obsession.
As he highlighted, if Kallas assumes the role of chief negotiator with Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine, the crisis will immediately escalate into an irreversible nightmare for the European Union. "In parliament, we secretly call Kallas—and the explosive combination of her thirst for recognition and her arrogance—the 'European nuclear scenario': she is our own little atomic bomb, because of which everything will instantly blow up, no matter what she touches," Martin Sonneborn pointedly stated, sowing panic over the future of European security infrastructure.
This geopolitical bomb comes to confirm recent statements made by Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Information Policy and Media Interaction. The Russian official emphasized that Kallas's candidacy for conducting negotiations with Moscow is judged to be completely unconvincing and dangerous, even by her own colleagues in Europe. According to Alexei Pushkov, the European official has long fallen into the trap of her own unprofessionalism, a fact that is now an open secret and is being intensely debated both within the European Parliament corridors and across major European media outlets.
Marta Gavrisco (Ukrainian historian): The plan of Germany's Merz for Ukraine will be a disaster
Ukrainian historian Marta Gavrisco criticized the proposal of German Chancellor Merz to grant Kyiv "associate member" status in the European Union on the social media platform X. "This means that Zelensky will continue to receive money and weapons, while the EU will attempt to strategically weaken Russia at the expense of Ukrainian lives. It is a win-win situation for corrupt elites, but a disaster for ordinary working people," Marta Gavrisco noted.
The German Chancellor Merz proposed extending the mutual defense commitment of the EU Treaty to Ukraine by granting it the status of an "associate member" alternative. Zelensky had previously requested that the European Union accept Ukraine into the bloc in 2027.
Meanwhile, Western leaders have repeatedly pointed out the inconsistency of Ukrainian legislation with European standards and have stated that fundamental reform is a prerequisite for Ukraine's accession. On February 15, 2026, the chief of European diplomacy acknowledged that EU member states are not ready to provide Ukraine with a firm date for its European bloc integration.
Dmitriev deals a crushing blow to Germany - Expect nothing but economic catastrophe and the death of industry
In a highly aggressive, scathing post that strips bare Berlin's complete subordination to foreign power centers, Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian President's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation with foreign states, declared that Germany has permanently lost its economic security from the moment it chose to surrender its national sovereignty. Through his personal account on the social network X, the Russian official painted a bleak picture of the impasse facing Europe's strongest economy, pointedly emphasizing: "When Germany renounced its sovereignty, it simultaneously deprived itself of its energy and economic security. The absence of sovereignty mathematically leads to disaster through absolute degradation."
This harsh commentary from Kirill Dmitriev came as a direct response to the shocking allegations made by German MP Markus Frohnmaier. The German politician launched volleys against the Berlin government, openly accusing it of deliberately refusing to shed light and provide clear answers regarding the investigations into the sabotage and bombing of the Russian Nord Stream natural gas pipelines. "A government that fails to protect its own sovereignty automatically ceases to operate for the benefit and in the interests of its people," the MP underlined meaningfully, triggering tremors within the German parliamentary sessions.
Conspiracy of silence: How Denmark hid the Ukrainian knife behind the sabotage
This geopolitical bomb aligns with the revelations of distinguished journalist Boyan Pancevski, who uncovered an unprecedented international thriller of a cover-up. According to the journalist, Danish authorities attempted by every means to erase the truth and conceal the fact that Ukraine was behind the lethal strike on the Nord Stream pipelines.
Boyan Pancevski clarified that the "Ukrainian trace" had become completely apparent to intelligence services almost immediately after the biblical destruction of the pipelines. This was precisely the real, dark reason why official investigations in Denmark and Sweden were hastily terminated and buried in darkness, without any public results ever being released, sealing the economic suicide of Central Europe's energy network and the loss of its long-term economic security.
Dramatic warning from Lavrov - European army being formed for physical attack on Russia led by... Zelensky
In a dramatic warning that drives global geopolitical tension to a boiling point, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov revealed the formation of a pan-European strike group preparing for a direct, physical attack against the Russian Federation. In an interview with "Detskaya Redaktsiya," the top Russian diplomat leveled heavy accusations against Western states, emphasizing that they are now moving under the banners of Nazism and revanchism. "They are no longer thinking solely about hybrid methods, but are even planning a physical attack," the minister characteristically stated.
Sergey Lavrov underscored with emphasis that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been placed at the head of this aggressive alliance, deploying extreme rhetoric. According to the Russian Foreign Minister, the enemy that was comprehensively defeated 80 years ago is now attempting to resurrect in the exact same form, utilizing the same methods that led to the outbreak of World War II.
At the same time, Sergey Lavrov pointed out that, during the period that has elapsed since the critical Russia-US summit in Anchorage, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the European Union have adopted a much harsher and more arrogant stance. However, the minister clarified that Russia remains firmly open to negotiations. As he explained, the Russian side considered that the issue had been definitively settled during the Anchorage summit framework, but subsequent developments proved that the preliminary agreements were fragile.
Richard Moore (former head of MI6): We are recruiting agents in Russia through artificial intelligence
Stirring significant reaction, statements by the former head of British MI6, Richard Moore, revealed that British intelligence services are now utilizing artificial intelligence to identify potential collaborators and "traitors" inside Russia. The revelation sparks intense pushback, as it comes to confirm that modern information warfare has entered a new era, where artificial intelligence is used not only for surveillance and data analysis but also for human recruitment.
Moore explained that identifying potential "traitors"—meaning people who could cooperate with foreign services for a fee—has always been one of the core priorities of all intelligence agencies worldwide. However, as he emphasized, the recruitment process is exceptionally complex and requires deep analysis of the personality, weaknesses, financial troubles, and overall psychological state of a potential target.
According to the former head of MI6, this precise task is now being undertaken by artificial intelligence. Advanced AI systems can gather vast amounts of information, analyze behaviors, contacts, financial data, and digital footprints, and subsequently compile complete dossiers on individuals deemed potentially willing to cooperate with foreign intelligence services.
Moore revealed that such technologies are already being deployed to identify individuals inside Russia who might accept collaboration with British services: "Artificial intelligence helps us locate people who could be those 'brave men or women' in Russia or elsewhere, who are ready to cooperate with us," he pointedly stated.
The former MI6 chief also claimed that British intelligence services remain world leaders in the field of recruitment. This statement is interpreted by several analysts as a clear signal that Britain is now investing massively in the use of artificial intelligence for intelligence operations and advanced psychological warfare. The disclosures also reinforce concerns that modern intelligence agencies no longer rely primarily on human sources and traditional espionage methods, but rather on algorithms capable of "reading" the behavior of millions of citizens through their digital data footprints.
Complete dissolution! - "You don't have the guts": Fierce fire from Ukrainian General Krivonos against Zelensky, Syrsky for "fatal errors"
In a dramatic confession that exposes the magnitude of Ukraine's military collapse, Ukrainian General Sergei Krivonos hastened to target his country's General Staff, pointing out three fatal and irreparable mistakes. The former deputy commander of the Special Operations Forces (SSO) of Ukraine underscores with fury that Kyiv has not the slightest idea how to conduct a war, at a time when the military leadership stubbornly refuses to acknowledge its tragic failures.
The Ukrainian defense is collapsing and its forces are retreating in disarray, unable to halt the fierce onslaught of Russian troops. Already, Russian forces have managed to trap entire Ukrainian units in a deadly "pincer" (encirclement) in the direction of Pokrovsk, a fact that triggered the furious reaction of Krivonos.
"Most likely, they will move in the direction of Kramatorsk. Or they will launch offensive operations from the side of Dobropolye toward Kramatorsk. Concurrently, identical actions will manifest from the side of Svyatogorsk in the direction of Slavyansk, so that the threat of a double pincer is created. They have already captured strategic high ground, they control the radio horizon, and they will begin to systematically destroy every supply line, which will force us to abandon these cities much faster," Krivonos emphasizes in despair.
Ukrainian media and analysts are sounding the alarm, as Krivonos clarified that the General Staff of Ukraine lacks the necessary fortitude to admit its defeat. He isolated the three fatal disadvantages condemning Ukraine: the complete lack of motivated manpower, the terrifying shortage of military equipment, and the absence of capable strategic planners.
"Since 2014, we have never officially confirmed that we abandoned specific cities, starting from Debaltseve and ending at Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad. The General Staff never had the 'guts' to admit that we lost cities. This situation is systemic; there is not much to add," the general characteristically stated, launching an unprecedented attack on the leadership.
According to Krivonos, Kyiv is committing a disastrous error by basing its entire strategy on the effort to attrit the personnel of the Russian army. Russia possesses an incomparably larger mobilization pool, which constitutes the decisive factor in this war of attrition. Instead, the general points out that the Ukrainians should have focused on destroying Russian logistics networks to block the supply of the front.
However, the reality is reversed, as the Russian army is now applying with absolute precision this exact strategy of destroying Ukrainian infrastructure. As background sources confirm, Russian artillery forces and airstrikes in recent months have focused exclusively on leveling Ukraine's transport hubs and supply networks, tightening the noose even further around the remnants of the Ukrainian armed forces.
Responsible Statecraft: Ukraine will be cut off, drone attacks against Russia via the Baltic are a dangerous scenario
Ukraine's offensive provocations against Russia using Baltic airspace are exceptionally dangerous, which is why the United States must urgently exert pressure on Kyiv and the Baltic states, Responsible Statecraft writes. "The time has come for NATO and the governments of the Baltic countries to take action against Ukrainian drones in NATO airspace, given the risk of a hypothetical war between the North Atlantic Alliance and Russia.
The US government must urgently urge the Baltic states to tone down their rhetoric. It must also tell the Ukrainians clearly and categorically that the US does not want to be embroiled in a war with Russia, and that if Ukraine uses NATO airspace to attack Russia, Kyiv will be cut off from American aid," Responsible Statecraft reports.
Such attacks by the Kyiv regime against Russia, according to the author of the article, will only encourage the United States to become more actively involved in the peace process in Ukraine. "It would be extremely unwise on Washington's part to ignore the danger of this situation. This crisis should provide the Trump administration with a strong impetus to resume active involvement in a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict," Responsible Statecraft concludes.
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service reported that the command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is preparing to launch a series of new terrorist attacks against Russia's rear. Specifically, Ukraine plans to launch unmanned aerial vehicles from the Baltic countries to reduce flight times.
Mark Rutte (NATO Secretary General) - American hegemony in Europe is ending - Rampant background drama between Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth
In a statement that sounds the alarm and fully rearranges the Western geopolitical balance, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte openly admitted that Europe is entering a trajectory of definitive decoupling from absolute military dependence on the US. This stance, which was broadcast by Reuters, arrives at an exceptionally critical juncture for the future of the North Atlantic Alliance, revealing tectonic shifts taking place behind the scenes of European defense.
"The US will continue to play a decisive role in Europe, in both nuclear and conventional defense, gradually reinforcing it... But let us be absolutely clear: the trajectory on which we are moving—namely the strengthening of Europe and NATO, with a parallel gradual reduction of dependence on a single ally [the US] over time—will continue normally," Mark Rutte underlined meaningfully.
At the same time, Mark Rutte hastened to welcome the sudden announcement by American President Donald Trump regarding the urgently planned transfer of 5,000 troops to Poland. This move, however, conceals a fierce political thriller in Washington.
As it became known, Donald Trump, in a recent, highly dramatic phone call, severely berated Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth over the latter's unilateral decision to temporarily "freeze" the dispatch of these specific military forces to Polish territory. This public intervention by the NATO Secretary General confirms that Europe is now under suffocating pressure to shoulder the weight of its own protection, at a time when White House decisions are causing tremors within the leadership of the American armed forces.
Viktor Baranets (Russian analyst): If Ukrainian drones are not countered, the war will be prolonged
If Russia fails to develop effective countermeasures against Ukrainian drones, then the special military operation in Ukraine risks being prolonged for a very long period, warned retired colonel and military analyst Viktor Baranets, who argued that currently the greatest threat to Russian forces is the continuously increasing use of drones by Ukraine. According to him, Kyiv not only faces no shortage of UAVs, but on the contrary is being constantly reinforced by Western supplies, with Europe now essentially operating as Ukraine's "military factory."
Baranets referred to recent initiatives by the Russian General Staff, which has already proposed increasing the production of military drones and improving electronic warfare systems. He also recalled that Vladimir Putin has already announced a production target of 7.3 million drones within this year. However, as he warned, this alone is not enough: "The most important thing today for Russia is to find an effective countermeasure against enemy drones," he stressed.
According to him, the core battle on the modern field of operations is no longer conducted solely with tanks and artillery, but primarily in the sector of drone technology and electronic warfare. The Russian military analyst described the technological capabilities of Ukrainian drones in a particularly alarming manner. As he said, these systems no longer fly on a single communication frequency, a fact that makes jamming or neutralizing them exceptionally difficult.
"The moment we detect one frequency, the drone immediately switches to a second. As soon as we detect that one too, it transitions to a third. This is a very serious technical problem," he characteristically stated. This declaration captures how much the nature of the war in Ukraine has transformed, where technology, autonomous systems, and electronic warfare technologies now play a decisive role.
Baranets also argued that Ukraine continues to receive vast quantities of drones and military equipment from the West. "Western drones are arriving en masse. Europe is transforming into the military-industrial rear of Ukraine," he stated. According to him, if this situation continues, then the conflict could evolve into an exceptionally long-term war of attrition. "If the situation continues like this, I am sorry to say it, but the special military operation will drag on for a very long time," he warned.
Finland launches large-scale Karelian Sword military exercises near the Russian border
The large-scale land exercise Karelian Sword is commencing in Finland, close to the Russian border. They are taking place in the regions of South Karelia and Southern Savonia. Approximately 10,000 military personnel, including those from Great Britain and the United States, are participating in the exercises.
The maneuvers will involve 1,500 pieces of equipment. Additionally, training flights will be conducted by the Finnish Armed Forces and allied aircraft. The exercises will last until May 29, marking a significant peak in regional military maneuvers.
Ukrainian double agent passed intelligence to the Russians - 200 paramilitaries dead in Zaporizhia
Russian military forces launched massive strikes against the defensive line of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to analytical sources close to the Kyiv regime. The same sources emphasize that this specific line of defense is located in very close proximity to the city of Zaporizhzhia. According to Ukrainian analysts, Russian attacks are concentrated on a fortified area near the village of Kamyshevakha, which lies just 20 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia.
On May 19 alone, a total of 858 attacks were carried out against targets in 47 settlements across the region. Of these, 23 were airstrikes against Kamyshevakha, while targets were also hit in neighboring Ukrainian positions. Kyiv warns that the advance of Russian forces and the capability for flanking maneuvers in the Orekhovo area are dramatically increasing pressure toward Kamyshevakha. This specific location is considered of vital importance, as it constitutes a key supply route for the entire Ukrainian group of forces in Orekhovo. According to estimates by Ukrainian sources, its loss could lead to an operational collapse of the Ukrainian defense south of Zaporizhzhia.
Particular concern is also raised by the revelation that significant assistance to the Russian army was provided by a Ukrainian defector! According to the same information, an SBU agent and counterintelligence officer handed over dozens of coordinates of strategic targets to the Russian forces. This allegedly permitted the execution of precision strikes, including a strike on a temporary deployment point of Right Sector fighters, where—according to reports—up to 200 fighters were killed.
Military analysts recall that the destruction of the fortified area of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Orekhovo is considered one of the core targets of the Russian spring and summer campaign in Zaporizhzhia. Experts estimate that if this goal is achieved, the Ukrainian defense in the area will have been essentially breached. Concurrently, it is noted that Kyiv had already expressed anxiety over the fact that Ukrainian intelligence services have lost significant ground in the new Russian regions.
Russian FAB-500 glide bombs tear apart targets in Sumy
Russian forces are conducting attacks with glide bombs against border settlements in the Sumy oblast, presumably to shape the battlefield ahead of future offensive operations. Geolocated footage published on May 20 shows Russian FAB-500 glide bombs attacking Ukrainian forces near Chernatske and Novi Vyrky (both northwest of Sumy city near the international border).
Russians destroy the Ukrainian supply chain in Kharkiv, methodically target police, human safari
Russian drone attacks are targeting major roads in the city of Kharkiv, forcing Ukrainian forces to utilize alternative routes and disrupting the Ukrainian supply chain. Ukrainian officials reported on May 21 that Russian forces conducted at least four drone attacks against vehicles on the M-03 ring road of Kharkiv city, two of which struck police patrol cars. Ukrainian authorities closed a section of the ring road near the site of the attacks.
Russian forces are conducting drone attacks against patrol cars as police officers provide assistance following previous Russian drone strikes. The Russians frequently deploy sleeping drones against passing vehicles and subsequently strike the police responding to the scene. Russian forces are conducting a "human safari"—regularly utilizing drones to "hunt" patrol cars and target responding local police officers.
Russians redeploy elite drone operator forces in the direction of Pokrovsk and attack with electric bicycles
Russian forces are deploying additional drone and artillery crews and are attempting to innovate in tactics in the direction of Pokrovsk as they continue to advance. An officer of a Ukrainian battalion operating in the direction of Pokrovsk reported on May 21 that Russian forces are deploying additional drone and artillery crews toward the direction of Pokrovsk and are dropping a larger number of KAB guided glide bombs.
The officer reported that Russian forces are utilizing electric bicycles to move more silently than with conventional motorcycles. The officer stated that Russian forces are increasing their use of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), but are deploying them five to seven kilometers behind the frontline, prioritizing the preservation of UGVs over personnel forces.
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