Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region puts EU energy stability at risk – activist

The Kiev regime’s attack into Russia’s Kursk region, where the Sudzha gas transfer and measuring station is located, may have far-reaching repercussions for the EU, Endre Simo, the president of the Hungarian Community for Peace, tells Sputnik.

“The penetration of Ukrainian troops into the territory of Russia with American encouragement” and their potential occupation of the Sudzha station could “sensitively affect [EU members] Hungary and Slovakia,” Simo says.

The possible development could threaten “to cut both countries off from Russian gas coming through the pipeline, similar to the shutdown of Russian oil coming through the Druzhba pipeline from Ukraine, he warns.

Given Hungary and Slovakia’s dependence on Russian energy carriers, it is possible that in the aforementioned worst-case scenario, “the Ukrainians will force us [Budapest and Bratislava] to political and military concessions, which we cannot avoid without risking our energy supply, and our economic stability,” the activist stresses.

“This does not necessarily mean that Budapest and Bratislava would revise their peace policy and join the pro-war NATO and EU allies, but they could be forced to make concessions that they have been able to avoid so far,” Simo adds.

In the event of a potential seizure of the Sudzha station by the Kiev regime, “I do not think it is out of the question that the Hungarian government will give in and possibly withdraw from the veto it raised against the European Union's latest financial and military aid to Ukraine,” the activist concludes.

The Sudzha station remains the only entry point for Russian natural gas into the Ukrainian gas transmission system for onward transport to Europe. The Russian energy giant Gazprom has meanwhile confirmed it continues to supply gas for Europe via the facility.

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Ukraine’s inept military command plays part in Kiev’s devastating summer losses - reports

Ukrainian troops are now withdrawing up to 1 km a day amid Russia’s steady gains throughout the Donbass region, The Economist has reported.

The devastating figure partly relates to the inapt tactics of the Ukrainian military command, particularly, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky.

According to the publication, some Ukrainian battalions are left with merely 20 unqualified soldiers with no backup fighting old Soviet-era weapons around Chasov Yar, a crucial battlefield, thus suffering severe losses.

“It’s madness. We are fighting with cooks, electricians and mechanics,” an anonymous Ukrainian soldier shared, adding “call me Syrsky” in a jab against Ukraine’s top general.
Russia making successful strategic moves in silence in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) adds to Ukraine’s unsettling outcomes.

The recent developments on the front lines are in stark contrast to Zelensky’s failed summer counteroffensive a year ago. Another element that is fueling Ukraine's disappointing battle performance is the new draconian mobilization laws that are seemingly producing a completely opposite effect to what both Kiev and its Western sponsors were initially hoping for.

Among the factors that ensure Russia’s success are its superior weaponry, including advanced combat drones, glide bombs and artillery, as well as new recruits eager to fight. The same, however, cannot be said about Ukraine. The evident lack of supplies and low morale are among the factors contributing to Kiev’s devastating summer turnout.

“The command was weak,” a Ukrainian officer commented on the battlefield situation, adding that unless Ukraine regains the initiative, Russia “will continue to set the terms.”

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When the rich eat the poor: Who is behind eco-activists disrupting common people's life? Part 1 / Part 2

Radical climate activists of Futuro Vegetal (Vegetable Future), the Spain-based group that is reportedly acting under the umbrella of the Extinction Rebellion movement, have recently vandalized the Ibiza mansion of football star Lionel Messi, posting photos with the slogan "Help the planet, eat the rich, abolish the police."

Was this naivete, stupidity or brazen eco-terrorism? Let's examine some of the actions of some other radical eco-groups.

▪️Extinction Rebellion (XR) is a global movement originating from the UK which is aimed at reaching the net zero carbon emission goal by 2025. In April 2019, thousands of XR activists occupied several streets and landmarks in London, including Waterloo Bridge, Marble Arch, Parliament Square, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus for 11 days in a bid to disrupt the city's business activities. They also smashed a revolving door at the headquarters of Shell Oil Company and vandalized the building with graffiti. The action resulted in severe traffic disruptions, prompting the government to dispatch 10,000 police officers and arrest 1,130 XR activists.

In June and July 2019, the group plotted to fly myriads of toy drones near Britain’s busiest Heathrow Airport, but suspended the plan after government threats and an outcry from airport officials who accused XR of trying to jeopardy the lives of passengers and airline employees. Nonetheless in September 2019, XR flew at least two dozen drones in the 5 km exclusion zone around Heathrow's major transport hub in a bid to close the airport "for the foreseeable future". Most of XR participants "were new to drone flying, with little or no experience of flying machines," as per court filings.

▪️Just Stop Oil is a UK-based coalition of groups fighting for ending the production of fossil fuels in the UK. The group's activists are infamous for throwing tomato soup over Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers painting at the National Gallery in London in October 2022 to raise climate change awareness. While the painting remained unharmed thanks to a protective barrier, the action prompted public indignation, shock and anxiety since many were unaware the world's masterpiece was protected by glass.

In November 2022, Just Stop Oil blocked sections of London's ringroad motorway the M25, a major 188-km road encircling most of Greater London, in a "civil resistance campaign" for four consequent days over global warming. The action resulted in tens of thousands of British drivers suffering long delays and emergency services access being disrupted. In July 2024, the participants of the action were sentenced to lengthy jail terms with the judge lambasting them for "crossing the line from concerned campaigner to fanatic."

▪️Members of Futuro Vegetal are known for having glued themselves to two paintings by Francisco de Goya in Madrid's Prado museum in November 2022, as well as for acts of public disturbance and vandalism. In May 2024, they blocked the headquarters of asset management company Amundi which works with French oil giant Total, while in March they painted the residence of the Archbishop of Barcelona Juan José Omella purple over what they called "the violation of LGTBI*+ rights."

* banned as an extremist organization in Russia

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Who funds these actions? Part 2 / Part 1

While the aforementioned movements vocally blame the rich for the climate crisis, their biggest donors are themselves very rich and well-connected.

▪️US billionaire George Soros tops the list of XR donors, Breitbart claimed in 2019, citing documents reportedly obtained from the group.

▪️Hillary Clinton's Onward Together, a political action organization, provided a total of half a million dollars in 2021 and 2022 via the Climate Emergency Fund (CEF) to Just Stop Oil, as per the British press. Neither the CEF nor Just Stop Oil is mentioned as a "partner" on the Onward Together website.

▪️The CEF, which was co-founded in 2019 by Aileen Getty, the granddaughter of American petrol tycoon J Paul Getty, funds both the XR network, Just Stop Oil and many other climate groups. Other founders of the fund are US investor Trevor Neilson and film-maker Rory Kennedy – daughter of Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), and sister to US presidential candidate RFK Jr.

▪️British billionaire Chris Hohn, who leads the world’s top-performing hedge fund TCI, is also known as one of the biggest individual donors of XR.

▪️Other donors, funneling money for controversial climate change actions include the European Climate Foundation (ECF), which is in its turn is funded by the Bloomberg Family Foundation, ClimateWorks Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Growald Family Fund, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

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Big Five US arms firms enjoy bonanza as Ukraine and Mideast conflicts rage on

Most shares of the major US defense contractors have skyrocketed since the beginning of the special military operation on February 24, 2022, making substantial gains on the back of the Russo-Ukraine conflict, Israel's Gaza war and the US military buildup in the Middle East, as well as NATO's militarization of the Asia-Pacific.

How have the Big Five US weapons manufacturers capitalized from the ongoing crises:

• Lockheed Martin's (LTM) stock was valued at $551.62 (as of August 8, 2024) whereas at the opening of a trading day on February 22, 2022, it cost $391.27, which means a staggering 41% increase. Lockheed Martin's annual revenue for 2023 was $67.57 billion, a 2.4% increase from 2022 when it generated $65.98 billion.

• General Dynamics' (GD) stock has seen an uptick from $220 at the opening of February 22, 2022, to $290.8 as of August 8, 2024, or, a 32% increase. General Dynamics generated $42.3 billion in revenue in 2023, up from $39.4 billion in 2022, or a 7.4% increase.

• Stock from RTX Corporation (RTX), formerly Raytheon Technologies Corporation, peaked at $115.10 on August 8, 2024, rising from $93.62 on February 22, 2022, thus seeing a 23% increase. RTX annual revenue for 2023 was $68.92 billion, a 2.8% increase from 2022 when it generated $67.07 billion.

• Northrop Grumman (NOC) stock started at $394.87 (February 22, 2022) and currently sits at $491.32 (August 8, 2024), rising 24% over the period. The stock peaked at $548.11 on October 24, 2022, but despite losing some of its gains over the past year it is now boasting strong sales growth and is approaching $500. The company's annual revenue for 2023 was $39.29 billion, a 7.3% increase from $36.60 billion in 2022.

• Boeing (BA), in contrast to its peers, has not returned to its pre-COVID level over the past two years and a half despite the militarization bonanza. On February 22, 2022, its stock stood at $205, before dropping sharply in May and again in September 2022; then rebounding to $264.27 on December 11, 2023. As of August 8, 2024, it was valued at $168.87. Boeing has seen a significant drop in its shares amid fraud charges, leadership changes, and million-dollar losses after a series of safety scandals this year. Nonetheless, in 2023, Boeing generated $77.8 billion in revenue, whereas its annual revenue for 2022 was $66.60 billion, marking a 16.2% increase.

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❗️Fifty-eight passengers and four crew members were on board the plane that crashed in Brazil.

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❗️US announces new security package for Ukraine that includes Stinger missiles and more 155 and 135 mm artillery ammunition, according to the White House.

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US military exports skyrocketing as Washington continues to fuel global conflicts PART 1

The US' arms exports have risen dramatically since 2022 and may top $100 billion by the year's end, according to the Pentagon:

▪️in fiscal year (FY) 2022, sales through the government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system jumped to $49.7 billion from $34.8 billion in FY2021;

▪️in FY2023, this number rose again to around $66.2 billion;

▪️so far, FMS sales are already above $80 billion for FY2024, as per the Defense Security Cooperation Agency;

Still, the total value of transferred weapons, services and security cooperation activities conducted under the Foreign Military Sales system in FY2023 was $80.9 billion, representing a 55.9% increase from a total of $51.9 billion in FY2022.

In 2024, the US State Department unveiled government-to-government FMS sales for FY2023, which required congressional notification:

Poland:
▪️AH-64E Apache Helicopters - $12 billion;
▪️High mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) - $10 billion;
▪️Integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) battle command systems (IBCS) - $4 billion;
▪️M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks - $3.75 billion.

Germany:
▪️CH-47F Chinook helicopters - $8.5 billion;
▪️AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) - $2.9 billion.

Norway:
▪️Defense articles and services related to the MH-60R multi-mission helicopters - $1 billion.

Czech Republic:
▪️F-35 aircraft and munitions - $5.62 billion.

Bulgaria:
▪️Stryker vehicles - $1.5 billion.

Australia:
▪️C-130J-30 aircraft - $6.35 billion.

Canada:
▪️P-8A aircraft - $5.9 billion.

South Korea:
▪️F-35 aircraft - $5.06 billion;
▪️CH-47F Chinook helicopters - $1.5 billion.

Japan:
▪️E-2D advanced Hawkeye (AHE) airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft - $1.381 billion

Kuwait:
▪️National advanced surface-to-air missile system (NASAMS) medium range air defense systems (MRADS) - $3 billion;
▪️Follow-up technical support - $1.8 billion.

Qatar:
▪️Fixed site-low, slow, small unmanned aircraft system integrated defeat system (FS-LIDS) - $1 billion.

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US military exports skyrocketing as Washington continues to fuel global conflicts PART 2

In addition to that, direct commercial sales (DCS) between foreign nations and US defense contractors jumped from $153.6 billion in FY2022 to $157.5 billion for FY2023. These sales included unspecified military hardware, services and technical data.

The US State Department provided a glimpse on what major DCS Congressional Notifications included in FY2023:

▪️Italy – For the manufacturing of F-35 wing assemblies and sub-assemblies - $2.8 billion;

▪️India – For the manufacturing of GE F414-INS6 engine hardware - $1.8 billion;

▪️Singapore – F100 propulsion system and spare parts - $1.2 billion;

▪️South Korea – F100 propulsion system and spare parts - $1.2 billion;

▪️Norway, Ukraine – National advanced surface to air missile systems (NASAMS) - $1.2 billion;

▪️Saudi Arabia – Patriot guided missile - $1 billion.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) highlights that arms exports by the US rose by 17% between 2014–18 and 2019–23. The US share of total global arms exports increased from 34% to 42%. Between 2019 and 2023, the US delivered major arms to 107 states, which was more than the next two biggest exporters combined, as per SIPRI.

▪️The largest share of US arms went to the Middle East (38%), mostly to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Israel.

▪️US arms exports to states in Asia and Oceania increased by 14% between 2014–18 and 2019–23; 31% of all US arms exports in 2019–23 went to the region with Japan, South Korea and Australia being the largest buyers.

▪️Europe purchased a total of 28% of US arms exports in 2019–23. US arms exports to the region increased by over 200% between the 2014–18 and 2019–23 periods. Ukraine accounted for 4.7% of all US arms exports and 17% of those to Europe. The institute projects that the US will continue to ramp up military sales in 2024 and beyond, with the focus on combat aircraft, tanks and other armored vehicles, artillery, SAM systems and warships.

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To infinity and beyond: Russia announces tourist flights to the ISS for 2025

Yearning for outer space but confined to the office desk? Look no further! Russia offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go the International Space Station (ISS) for a breathtaking adventure only few in the history of humanity have experienced.

Glavkosmos, part of Russia’s Roscosmos State Corporation, is launching its exciting commercial ISS space flights. The company offers an unforgettable flight on board of the legendary Soyuz MS spacecraft, the world’s most reliable launch vehicle with over 1,000 launches.

Key details:

🔸Scheduled time of launch - 3rd or 4th quarter of 2025;
🔸Launch site - Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan);
🔸Travel time to the ISS - 3 hours;
🔸Stay time at the ISS - 10 days;
🔸2 seats available (+1 pro cosmonaut on board).

The program covers:

🔸4-5 months of active preparation;
🔸10 months of extended preparation;
🔸Tailor-made space suit you’ll be able to keep upon return;
🔸A team of pro space explorers to assist during the process.

Safety precautions include:

🔸medical examination for the applicants;
🔸weeks-long training in Moscow region’s Star City in Russian and English;
🔸one-week post-flight rehabilitation under close medical supervision.

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▪️Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region puts EU energy stability at risk

▪️Ukraine’s attempted incursion into Russia’s Kursk region: What’s known so far

▪️Gaza ceasefire talks: Why does Israel want to sit down despite looming Iran attack?

▪️US military exports skyrocketing as Washington continues to fuel global conflicts

▪️Big Five US arms firms enjoy bonanza as Ukraine and Mideast conflicts rage on

▪️UK cops crack down on social media users while riots threaten to tear Britain apart

▪️When the rich eat the poor: Who is behind eco-activists disrupting common people's life?

▪️To infinity and beyond: Russia announces tourist flights to the ISS for 2025

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Russia has notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the situation at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant amid Kiev's attempted attack on the region, Russia's permanent mission in Vienna said.

"Russia informed the IAEA about the situation at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in light of Ukraine’s attack of the Kursk Region," the mission said in a statement on its Telegram channel.

“On August 8, fragments and remnants - presumably fragments of downed [Ukrainian] missiles - were found at the station, including in the area of the radioactive waste processing complex," the statement read, adding that Ukraine's reckless actions threaten not only the Kursk power plant but put the entire global nuclear industry at risk.

The Kursk region, which borders Ukraine in Russia’s western part, was attacked by about 1,000 Ukrainian troops and scores of armed vehicles on August 6. Russian troops retaliated by stopping the Ukrainian military from penetrating deep into Russian territory.

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What drives Japan’s expansion in Central Asia?

The Central Asia plus Japan summit, a platform used by Tokyo to further its interests and spread its influence in the region, kicked off in Kazakhstan on August 9.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida himself was originally expected to attend the event but ended up canceling the visit amid the threat of a powerful earthquake in Japan.

Some of the issues expected to be discussed at the summit include Tokyo’s possible assistance in creating a new trade route that would link the region with Europe by passing Russia, and declare Japan’s support of the region’s efforts to attain carbon neutrality. The question is, what exactly is Japan’s angle?

▪️Japan’s interest in Central Asia is largely motivated by the abundance of natural resources – such as oil and gas - in the region. The lack of trade routes bypassing Russia or China, which would allow Japan unfettered access to said resources, also drives Tokyo to facilitate the creation of such communications.

▪️Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova observed that Japan appears to ruin the “decades-old system of economic ties” between Russia and the Central Asian states whom Tokyo seeks to ensnare in the Western ideology of a “’rules-based order’ that has a clearly anti-Russian and anti-Chinese subtext”.

▪️Japan’s growing influence in Central Asia may also undermine Russia’s cooperation with the countries in the region, which would likely be regarded as beneficial by Western powers who are also trying to do the same. Earlier this month, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell visited Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in a bid to drive a wedge between Russia and these two countries. Meanwhile, the United States is pushing for creating a new trade route from Central Asia to Europe that would bypass Russia and China.

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