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The number of drones that crossed into Poland has been revised up from 8 to 19, per Donald Tusk, and today saw one cross into Romania.
 

Silvanus

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Three Russian MIG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace. Less than a week after drones violated Polish and Romanian airspace.

At this point it seems very clear Russia is testing NATO's willingness to respond to provocation, seeing how much they can overstep boundaries.
 

Silvanus

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Moldova's parliamentary election is tomorrow. The main contest is between the ruling pro-Europran PAS and the pro-Russian BEP.

In last year's referendum on EU accession, extensive Russian vote-buying efforts were uncovered amounting to tens of millions of euros. It was primarily organised by the fugitive oligarch and convicted fraudster Ilan Shor.

Nothing on that scale has been found for tomorrow's election (yet). But one effort has been uncovered: hundreds of priests and clergy of the Moldovan Orthodox Church have been invited on paid pilgrimages to Russia, then promised thousands of euros each to set up social media channels decaying "gay Europe" and encouraging worshippers to reject it in the election.


((Remember, Moldovan territory is also currently occupied by Russia's proxies as well as about 1,500 Russian troops)).
 

Hades

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Moldova's parliamentary election is tomorrow. The main contest is between the ruling pro-Europran PAS and the pro-Russian BEP.

In last year's referendum on EU accession, extensive Russian vote-buying efforts were uncovered amounting to tens of millions of euros. It was primarily organised by the fugitive oligarch and convicted fraudster Ilan Shor.

Nothing on that scale has been found for tomorrow's election (yet). But one effort has been uncovered: hundreds of priests and clergy of the Moldovan Orthodox Church have been invited on paid pilgrimages to Russia, then promised thousands of euros each to set up social media channels decaying "gay Europe" and encouraging worshippers to reject it in the election.


((Remember, Moldovan territory is also currently occupied by Russia's proxies as well as about 1,500 Russian troops)).
It takes a special sort of rotten person to cheer for the nation actively occupying your country's territory. Since Russia has been a hostile entity to Moldova ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union they really should just go try people for high treason over this.
 

Silvanus

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595 drones, 48 missiles fired at Ukraine yesterday.

Drones spotted above military sites and civilian airports in Denmark and Norway.
 

Silvanus

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I'm unfamiliar with Moldova's political system and don't assume they follow America's model, so what does this mean going forward?
Moldova has PR. This means PAS wins a majority of seats in parliament and the PM will come from PAS. Most significantly its a boost to the chances of Moldova joining the EU-- they've been a candidate since 2022, and accession is supported by PAS and opposed by the pro-Russian BEP.
 

Agema

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Moldova has PR. This means PAS wins a majority of seats in parliament and the PM will come from PAS. Most significantly its a boost to the chances of Moldova joining the EU-- they've been a candidate since 2022, and accession is supported by PAS and opposed by the pro-Russian BEP.
I have some concerns, though. As the example of Hungary and more latterly Slovakia suggest, what happens if the pro-Russian party one day takes power?

This isn't necessarily an objection to Moldova joining the EU, but the EU needs some way to protect itself from member nations who are effectively going to provide succour to, or side with, the EU's enemies.
 

Silvanus

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A 70-year-old marine biologist has been arrested and accused of treason by Russia for suggesting the creation of a marine protected area in Antarctica. This year saw an unsustainable level of krill fishing in Antarctica.

 

Thaluikhain

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Not Ukraine as such, but the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and Poland are announcing big defensive/delaying works on their borders with Russia (and Belarus). Anti-tank ditches, tank traps (interestingly, different styles in different nations), use and increase of natural obstacles (swamps, forests etc), stockpiles of mines to be emplaced during emergencies.

Apparently some awkward issues as some people have privately owned land they don't want torn up for anti-tank ditches and covered in mines, which, fair enough, and how much warning they'll get to deploy stockpiled mines is a bit vague.
 

Silvanus

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Russian soldiers who retreat or refuse to fight are executed, tortured, or sent on deliberate suicide missions.

Some are sent alone ahead of assault formations as "beacons" to draw enemy fire. Some are thrown into pits on metal grates, and some are forced to beat one another to death. Some have been killed by drone in the field if they are seen turning back.
 
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PsychedelicDiamond

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Russian soldiers who retreat or refuse to fight are executed, tortured, or sent on deliberate suicide missions.

Some are sent alone ahead of assault formations as "beacons" to draw enemy fire. Some are thrown into pits on metal grates, and some are forced to beat one another to death. Some have been killed by drone in the field if they are seen turning back.
Fascism is a nightmarish thing. Even more nightmarish is to think that that's what a third to a half of people in western countries are voting for.
 
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Gergar12

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" Should some of various T/R module analyses of the J-20 be correct, meaning the
“detection” range of the Type 1475 (KJL-5) be 40-miles longer than the F-35’s APG-81, then
the Mighty Dragon might indeed operate with early detection capability enabling a potential
“first-launch” opportunity. It is therefore not surprising that the J-20 is reportedly armed with a
long-range air-to-air missile capable of traveling 180 miles. "

We need block 4 F-35s and F-22 armed with AIM-260 JATM ASAP. Also, thanks, Obama, for axing the F-22 and the upgrades that would have come from it.

Looks at other news.


Yeah, if Xi gets ousted, it means no more possible World War 3 over Taiwan, at least the short(to 2030) or even median(2050s). It's him who's been stockpiling food, fuel, and ammunition for a war with the West/US. It also means fewer EVs, and possibly wind power, and solar, since the business cliques would have won given that it was a Hu, and Xi focused that they had no Belt and Road for Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Also, pretty much Pax-Americana until Russia gets strong enough again, which may make climate change worse, depending on who wins the majority of presidential elections and congressional makeup. Again, be careful what you wish for. Also, he's hypercompetent, so it's great for US power; he's no Putin, who took the Ukrainian bait.
 
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Hades

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Seems like the deal the traitors in the White House are trying to force on Ukraine is all but the exact same that Russia tried to pitch at the beginning of the invasion. The key points being
-Ukraine must give up land
-Ukraine must disarm
-Ukraine must isolate it from the west
-Russia must concede nothing and when Ukraine is crippled and isolated they can just invade again.