The current diplomatic actions and political statements coming
from the EU, UK, US, and international politicians, as Putin now falters if his demands to turn Ukraine into a vassal state of Russia are not met, now changes Harold Wilson's famous phrase into, "An hour is a long time in politics".
This is particularly relevant as Kamala Harris has now become the de facto choice of the US Democratic Party to run against Trump is the upciming presidential election in the US, and F16 fighters have become active in protecting the skies of Ukraine from Putin's panicked and desperate onslaught against the people of Ukraine.
And as Kamala Harris has become the de facto choice of the Democratic Party to run against Trump, Ukraine starts to fly F16's against Putin's missiles and drones,
"Ukrainian pilots have started flying F-16s for operations within the nation, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday, confirming the long-awaited arrival of the U.S.-made fighter jets more than 29 months afterRussia's invasion.
The Ukrainian leader announced the use of F-16s, which Kyiv has long lobbied for, as he met military pilots at an air base flanked by two of the jets, with two more flying overhead.
"F-16s are in Ukraine. We did it. I am proud of our guys who are mastering these jets and have already started using them for our country," Zelenskiy said at a location that authorities asked Reuters not to disclose for security reasons." (Reuters: 4 August 2024) (my emphasis)
Reuters: 4 August 2024
As these F16's begin to protect the skies of Ukraine from Putin's missiles and bombs, we now also hear that,
"Ukraine has taken out a £275million Russian submarine after a missile strike on the city of Rostov-on-Don.
Kyiv's forces say they also “significantly damaged” four Russian S-400 air defence systems, dealing a huge blow to Vladimir Putin's military.
The missile defence systems are worth a combined £2billion and were stationed in occupied Crimea." (Charlie Bradley (left) and Will Stewart (right): Express: 3 August 2024) (my emphasis)
Further humiliating Putin over the loss of his submarine, Devdiscourse News Desk reports that,
Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska (left) , attended the launching ceremony of the Ada-class corvette during her visit to Turkey, announced the Ukrainian presidency." (Devdiscourse: 3 August 2024) (my emphasis)
It is no wonder, as reported by Will Vernon that,
"With all dissent snuffed out at home, Russia is turning its attention to opponents who have sought refuge in the West. Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president who is now deputy head of Russia's Security Council, described them as “traitors who have gone over to the enemy and want their Fatherland to perish”." (BBC News: 4 August 2024) (my emphasis)
Devdiscourse News Desk also reports that,
"In an overnight offensive, Ukraine's military reported targeting Russia's Morozovsk airfield, alongside several oil depots and fuel storage facilities spread across three regions. These strategic hits included a key ammunition depot at the airfield, where Russian forces had stocked guided aerial bombs.
...
This operation represents a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict, showcasing Ukraine's increasing capability to strike critical Russian logistics and supply points." (Devdicourse: 3 August 2024) (my emphasis)
These developments are supported by Sinéad Baker (right), who reports that,
"Ukraine has been able to strike unusually deep inside Russia because Russian air defenses have been stretched, a warfare expert told Business Insider.
Anxiously shaking his puny fists at Ukraine, Putin has has now declared that, as reported by Hugh Cameron,
"Russian companies are offering cash prizes for the destruction of F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, incentivizing troops to take out the Western aircraft that will soon be appearing over Ukraine's skies.
The news was first posted to the Telegram channel of the Russian Ministry of Defense on Tuesday.
It cited Ilya Potanin, a director of Russian oil company FORES, who said: "There will be rewards for the destruction of F-15 and F-16 combat aircraft. The reward for the first will be 15 million rubles." (Newsweek: 17 July 2024) (my emphasis)
Newsweek: 1 August 2024
Putin's desperation is beginning to show on the international political stage.
Is it any wonder that, as reported by Dmitry Antonov,
"Asked about the F-16s, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "If I'm not mistaken, rewards (for Russian forces to shoot them down) have already been offered."
He predicted the planes would not be a "magic pill" for Kyiv's forces.
"These planes will appear and gradually their number will decrease; they will be shot down and destroyed," he said.
"These deliveries will not be able to significantly influence the dynamics of events at the front." (Reuters: 1 August 2024) (my emphasis)
Putin is running scared!
UPDATE: 8 August 2024
As reported by Joe Barnes,
"On Tuesday morning, Ukrainian forces stormed across the border in an unprecedented thrust from the country’s regular army.
By Wednesday afternoon, they had captured the village of Sudzha, which is crucial for Moscow’s shipments of natural gas to Europe.
Moscow initially claimed a Ukrainian sabotage unit had “tried to gain a foothold directly on the territory adjacent to the state border”, but was beaten back by Russian forces, and after suffering “significant losses” retreated across the Ukrainian border.
However, it tweaked the post on the Telegram messaging app to remove any reference to any Ukrainian defeat.
It prompted criticism from war bloggers who accused the Russian defence ministry of delivering “overly optimistic assessments of the situation”.
“It is possible to make mistakes. You cannot lie,” the Two Majors Telegram channel wrote." (The Telegraph: 8 August 2024) (My emphasis)
The Economic Times: Microsoft Start: 8 August 2024
Putin's fear is on show to the world as he nervously addresses his generals in an emergency meeting on this disastrous development in his ongoing war with Ukraine.
The Telegraph: 7 August 2024: YouTube
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