[DM] The assassination of warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin was 'put in motion' by Vladimir Putin's closest security aide Nikolai Patrushev, it was reported today.
Progozhin - formerly close to Putin and the boss of Wagner private army - died in a plane crash in August, months after he launched a failed coup against the Kremlin.
Now an investigation by The Wall Street Journal says a 'small explosive device' was 'slipped under the wing', and that shadowy ex-FSB security service chief Patrushev, 72, was behind the assassination.
Putin, 71, in October suggested that Prigozhin and his associates were high on cocaine when they detonated hand grenades in his business jet. He alleged 'fragments of hand grenades were discovered in the bodies of the deceased in the air crash'.
But the journal cited a former Russian intelligence officer saying that Patrushev 'in his office in central Moscow, gave orders to his assistant to proceed in shaping an operation to dispose of Progozhin' - who had led the failed armed coup against Putin's high command in June.
Western intelligence agencies said Putin 'was later shown the plans and didn't object', according to the report. This suggested Putin had given his blessing.
The Kremlin had previously denied Putin was involved in ordering the assassination of ex-ally Prigozhin and today claimed the WSJ report was 'pulp fiction'.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[LB] The occupiers do not stop trying to surround Avdievka.
by Iryna Lysohor
In the Avdievka direction, the defenders hold back the enemy, who does not stop trying to surround Avdievka. They repelled 14 Russian attacks in the areas of Novokalynovo, east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdievka, and another 22 attacks in the areas of Severnoy, Pervomaisky, and Nevelsky of the Donetsk region.
In the Mar'inka direction, the Defense Forces continue to contain the enemy in the areas of Mar'inka, Pobieda, and Novomykhailivka, Donetsk region. The defenders repelled 10 attacks, General Staff spokesman Andriy Kovalev said on the air of the telethon.
In Zaporizhzhia, the defenders repelled six attacks west of Verbovoy and south of Robotyny. At the same time, in the Melitopol direction, the defenders are exhausting the enemy.
In the Kherson direction, the Defense Forces continue measures to expand the bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro River.
"Despite the failure, the Russian invaders do not give up their intention to knock out the Ukrainian units from their occupied positions. Last day, the Russian invaders made more than 30 unsuccessful assaults. The enemy received a decent repulse and retreated with losses. Our defenders are conducting a counter-battery fight, inflicting fire damage on the enemy's rear. In the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 16 enemy attacks in the areas of Synkivka, east of Petropavlivka and Ivanovka, where the enemy tried to break through the defense of our troops," he said.
In the Lyman direction, 13 enemy attacks were repulsed in the areas of Bilogorivka, Luhansk region, east of Terni and Spirnyi, Donetsk region.
In the Bakhmut direction, the defenders repelled seven enemy attacks in Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka districts.
In total, during the day there were 99 combat clashes, the enemy launched five missile and 68 airstrikes.
At the final press conference, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made several statements regarding mobilization. In particular, regarding the fact that he will not sign the mobilization of women and lower the conscription age only under certain conditions.
But mobilization is not a punishment, writes Kyrylo Danylchenko (Ronin) on LB.ua: "Volunteers and activists are not all-powerful. Only another state machine works against the state machine... Mobilization of women, of a younger age, conscription to military industrial complex enterprises, You campaigns" the country needs at Ukroboronprom" at every stop (have you seen vacancies somewhere?) Ukraine needs only one thing.
In addition to the fact that we are fighting a war for survival. Everyone remembers the torture in Kherson, Tyra's interview, collars in Izyum, mass graves in Bucha, murdered children in Mariupol? It's not propaganda, it was and is. If that's not enough for you, I don't know how to help? If raped women and murdered children are not enough motivation for someone. We need maximum concentration. This is the only reason for mobilization".
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] The Ukrainian Armed Forces repulsed 20 attacks by Russian invaders east of Novokalinovoe, Novobakhmutovka, Avdievka
The General Staff notes that the enemy has not abandoned the intention to dislodge our units from the left bank of the Dnieper.
Russian occupiers carried out more than 70 attacks in several directions during the day. The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains difficult - a total of 86 military clashes occurred within 24 hours. This is stated in the evening report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, published on the Facebook page on Thursday, December 21.
KUPYANSK DIRECTION
Ukrainian defenders repulsed 18 enemy attacks in the areas of Sinkovka, Kharkov region and Stelmakhovka, Lugansk region, where the enemy, with the support of aviation, tried to break through the defenses of our troops. About ten settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.
LIMAN DIRECTION
The defense forces repulsed three enemy attacks in the Ternov region of the Donetsk region, where the enemy, also with aviation support, tried to break through the defenses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The occupiers also carried out air strikes near Nevsky, Lugansk region, and Spornoye, Donetsk region, and more than 10 settlements were damaged by enemy artillery and mortar attacks.
BAKHMUT DIRECTION
Our soldiers repelled seven enemy attacks near Bogdanovka, Klishchievka and Andreevka, Donetsk region. The enemy also carried out an air strike in the Toretsk area of the Donetsk region. About ten settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.
AVDEEVSKOE DIRECTION
The Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled 20 attacks by Russian invaders east of Novokalinovo, Novobakhmutovka, Avdievka and 12 attacks in the Pervomaisky districts of the Donetsk region. The enemy, with the support of aviation, unsuccessfully tried to break through the defenses of our troops. About 10 settlements were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.
MARYINSKY DIRECTION
Defense forces continue to hold back the invaders in the Marinka and Novomikhailovka areas of the Donetsk region, where they, with air support, carried out 11 unsuccessful attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders.
SHAKHMERSKOYE'S DIRECTION
The enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) operations, but about 10 settlements were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.
ZAPOROZHYE DIRECTION
The Ukrainian defense forces repulsed five attacks west of Verbovoye, Zaporozhye region, where the enemy tried to oust our units from their occupied lines. About 25 settlements were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling in this direction.
KHERSON DIRECTION
Kherson and Antonovka, Kherson region, were subjected to enemy artillery shelling. The enemy also carried out an air strike in the Krynok area of the Kherson region. The enemy did not abandon the intention to drive our units out of the left bank of the Dnieper, and carried out 11 unsuccessful assault operations. He received a worthy rebuff and suffered significant losses. Our units stably hold the defense, subsequently hold their positions and inflict fiery defeat on the enemy.
Earlier, the media wrote that North Korea sent more than 1 million artillery shells to Russia. Deliveries began in August of this year
Let us recall that the partisan movement ATES reported that it had received secret information about the problems of the Russians during the production of cruise missiles.
Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title.
[Korrespondent] 21:41 Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov created a real sensation with his statement regarding the mobilization of Ukrainians liable for military service who went abroad. Later his words were corrected by the Ministry of Defense. But the scandalous aftertaste still remained. Read more in the material Mobilization abroad .
20:56 The Biden administration has begun urgent negotiations with allies on the use of Russian assets to help Ukraine. In total, we are talking about more than $300 billion, writes The New York Times. According to the publication, negotiations between finance ministers, central bank governors, diplomats and lawyers have intensified in recent weeks. The White House is putting pressure on Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan to develop a strategy for the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion. At the same time, many details remain “the subject of heated debate.” In particular, it has not been decided whether to use this money for the reconstruction of the country or for military support, the newspaper adds.
20:21 The Russians launched a missile attack on Zaporozhye, damaging civilian infrastructure. There was no information about casualties, said the head of the OVA, Yuri Malashko.
20:12 Zelensky said in an evening video message that he heard a report from the Main Intelligence Directorate today: “The enemy’s plans, the work of the Russian defense industry - there are signals about their slowdown. We will continue to help slow them down.”
20:03 A senior lieutenant of one of the tactical aviation brigades shot himself in a military unit in Mirgorod. The guy had to master the F-16 fighters. Read more in the article Hazing again?
19:11 Orban said that Zelensky invited him to hold a meeting and negotiations in early December, and he allegedly agreed: “I told him that I would be at his disposal. We only have to clarify one question: about what?” The Hungarian prime minister added that the Ukrainian president wanted to discuss the country's application to join the EU.
18:57 “Governor” of the occupied Kherson region Vladimir Saldo said that Russian air defense allegedly shot down an ATACMS missile over the Sea of Azov, flying towards the Crimean Bridge.
18:52 The number of wounded in Toretsk has increased to six, the State Emergency Service reported.
17:38 Zelensky said that he had a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and discussed proposals to ensure the safety of civil navigation in the Black Sea. The President also invited a UN representative to the fourth meeting of advisers on the implementation of the Peace Formula.
16:56 The Russians dropped aerial bombs on civilian infrastructure in Toretsk, Donetsk region - three people were killed, five were injured, the prosecutor's office reported.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs clarified that two bombs hit the territory of one of the Toretsk mines - one person was killed and two more were injured. The enterprise is without power. There were 32 miners underground, they have already been brought to the surface. Two more air bombs hit the territory of another mine. Two people were killed and three were injured. Administrative buildings and equipment were damaged.
16:29 Orban said that there is not a war in Ukraine, but a “military operation”: “There was no declaration of war between the two countries. When Russia declares war, then there will be war. We should be happy that there is no declaration of war, because then in "There would be general mobilization for Russia. I don't wish that on anyone."
16:25 The Dutch government announced the allocation of the first tranche of more than 2 billion euros planned for Ukraine in 2024. The €102 million package covers the first four months of 2024 and is intended for humanitarian needs - in particular to get through the winter and prepare for spring.
16:12 Advisor to the mayor of Mariupol Pyotr Andryushchenko reported explosions in the city. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that air defense allegedly destroyed a Ukrainian missile over the Sea of Azov. Earlier, public accounts also reported explosions in Kerch, Sevastopol and Dzhankoy.
16:01 Russian media report that the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked the Donetsk National Technical University. Meanwhile, the public also writes that a fire started in the university building after an attack in the area of the third building, where the military department was located. The Russian military is based in the building.
15:53 Finland is providing Ukraine with the 21st package of military assistance worth 106 million euros, the country’s Ministry of Defense reported.
15:46 Starting from February 24, 2022, Russia launched 7,400 missiles of various types into Ukraine, said Air Force Speaker Yuri Ignat. According to him, about 1,600 missiles were destroyed out of the total number. At the same time, Ignat clarified that the figure 7400 includes all missiles - S-300 and S-400 (about a third of them), Kh-22, ballistic missiles. In particular, the enemy used about 900 Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
15:19 A 17-year-old boy was returned from the temporarily occupied territory, the Ministry of Reintegration reported.
14:54 Democrats have a “Plan B” to continue funding Ukraine, said party member Mike Quigley from the House of Representatives. According to him, “there are some procedural methods,” in addition, there are options that allow funding to be allocated for three to four months. "This is a terrible Plan B; it's not nearly as good as Plan B. But it's very important to avoid gaps in assistance," the congressman said. He also allowed the use of some variation of the Lend-Lease law. But for now, Democrats are hoping to reach an agreement with Republicans and get their votes.
14:10 Germany allocated a “winter package” of assistance to Ukraine in the amount of 88.5 million euros. Part of the funds will go to the purchase of equipment for power plants, the rest - to projects for the transition to green energy.
13:58 The Russian army shelled Tyaginka, Berislavsky district, Kherson region, one person was killed, said the head of the OVA Alexander Prokudin. The enemy also dropped explosives on Berislav from a drone, one person was injured.
13:45 Ukraine received another 5,000 Starlink terminals from Poland, said the head of the Ministry of Digital Development, Mikhail Fedorov. According to him, some of the terminals will be sent to ensure uninterrupted communications in the front-line territories, and critical infrastructure facilities will also receive the terminals. Today, there are about 47 thousand Starlinks operating in Ukraine, received from international donors and partners. Poland transferred the most - 19.5 thousand terminals.
13:07 Ukraine received the last tranche of 1.5 billion euros from the EU macro-financial assistance package of 18 billion euros this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. Now Kyiv is awaiting a new decision on the allocation of 50 billion euros by the European Union, which is blocked by Hungary. "We must reach an agreement to continue to give Ukraine the support it needs to rebuild and reform. We stand with our neighbor, friend and future member," von der Leyen wrote.
12:53 The head of the press and information department of the Ministry of Defense, Illarion Pavlyuk, said in a comment to Babel that there are no discussions about the mechanisms for recruiting into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from abroad, and Minister Rustem Umerov allegedly told Western journalists about recruiting and “the need to convey to Ukrainians abroad how It’s important for them to join the army.”
12:35 Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov said that the main task of the Russian troops in Ukraine this year was to repel the counter-offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces strike force. At the same time, he claims that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were only able to make “slight progress” in the Zaporozhye direction. Russian troops, he said, are now engaged in “active defense.”
11:48 In the Northern operational zone, at all dominant heights near the border with Belarus, the construction of defense positions is underway in pursuance of the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Headquarters, said the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Sergei Naev and showed a photo. According to him, now the situation in this area is stable and controlled, which makes it possible to prepare new fortifications. They are intended for additional forces that can later be transferred to this direction in the event of a rapid escalation of the situation.
11:09 Defense Minister Rustem Umerov told Welt TV that next year they want to “ask” men who left Ukraine but are fit for military service to appear at recruiting stations. At the same time, he made it clear that sanctions could be applied. “We are still discussing what will happen if they do not come voluntarily,” the minister said.
11:04 Next year Ukraine will strengthen special operations behind enemy lines. Priority targets are Russian warships, logistics corridors for arms supplies, military bases, etc., SBU head Vasily Malyuk said in an interview with Politico. “Our plans must remain a shock to the enemy. The occupiers must understand that they will not be able to hide. We are sticking a needle right into the enemy’s heart. Each of our special operations produces its own result. All this complicates Russia’s ability to wage war and brings Ukraine’s victory closer,” he noted. .
10:51 In Russia, a 12-year-old girl from the “LPR” died, who, together with more than 100 other Ukrainian children, went for “health” to Tyumen, Russian media write. On the way home, the children were taken off the train and sent to a Saratov hospital due to a fever in one of them. As a result, it turned out that about 60 children from the “LPR” have symptoms of ARVI, and 15 have been confirmed to have influenza A.
I suppose if all the children die of neglect, that too counts as successful deprogramming from attachment to the idea of Ukraine.
Local authorities have opened a hotline for parents. However, as noted by the head of the Lugansk Regional Administration Artem Lysogor, many children have no connection with their parents, since in many cities and villages of the “LPR” there is no mobile Internet.
10:38 The state budget of Ukraine received about $950 million more from Japan as part of World Bank projects for reconstruction and social protection, the Ministry of Finance reported. People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak noted that thus the total financial support from all international partners since the beginning of a full-scale war exceeded $70 billion. As of today, 70.62 billion have already been received, and another tranche of 1.5 billion euros from the EU is also expected soon.
10:24 In the morning, the Russian army hit Nikopol, Dnepropetrovsk region, with heavy artillery - two people were killed, one was wounded, said the head of the OVA Sergei Lysak. Four private houses, outbuildings, and power lines were damaged.
09:49 In Russia, starting in the fall of 2024, they will begin issuing electronic summons to conscripts, and starting in January, they will be able to register for military service online, without appearing at the military registration and enlistment office. Putin signed the corresponding orders. The summons is considered served from the moment it appears in the electronic register. After this, the conscript will not be able to leave the country until he reports to the military registration and enlistment office. The innovations apply only to regular calls for military service.
09:12 In the Kiev region, during a night attack, a fire broke out at a civilian enterprise as a result of falling debris, said the head of the police department, Ruslan Kravchenko. One of the company’s warehouses on an area of 1,500 meters caught fire, the fire has already been extinguished. Neighboring buildings and cars were damaged, but no people were injured.
08:50 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of December 21:
personnel - about 350,270 (+1080) people,
tanks - 5828 (+14),
armored combat vehicles - 10,825 (+31),
artillery systems - 8226 (+20),
MLRS - 932 (+4),
air defense systems - 611 (+0),
aircraft - 324 (+0),
helicopters - 324 (+0),
UAV of operational-tactical level - 6342 (+26),
cruise missiles - 1613 (+1),
ships/boats - 22 (+0),
submarines - 1 (+0),
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 10 919 (+48),
special equipment - 1208 (+5).
08:24 In the Nikolaev region, during a night attack, as a result of falling debris from a downed drone, a warehouse of an agricultural enterprise in the Vesnyanskaya community was damaged. A fire broke out at the scene, which was quickly extinguished; there were no casualties, said Vitaly Kim, head of the OVDA.
08:11 Over the past 24 hours, 99 military clashes took place at the front, the General Staff reported in its morning report . In particular, in the Kherson direction, where the Ukrainian military continues to expand the bridgehead, the enemy carried out more than 30 unsuccessful assault operations in the hope of dislodging the Ukrainian Armed Forces from their positions. However, he was rebuffed and retreated with losses.
In the Avdeevsky direction, the Defense Forces repelled 14 enemy attacks in the Novokalinovo areas, east of Novobakhmutovka, Avdeevka, and another 22 attacks near Severny, Pervomaisky and Nevelsky, Donetsk region. In the Kupyansky direction, 16 enemy attacks were repelled in the Sinkovka areas, east of Petropavlovka and Ivanovka; on Limansky - 13 attacks near Belogorivka, Luhansk region and east of Ternov, Sporny, Donetsk region.
In addition, in the Bakhmut direction, the Defense Forces repelled enemy attacks near Bogdanovka, Kleshcheevka and Andreevka in the Donetsk region; on Maryinsky - in the districts of Marinka, Pobeda and Novomikhailovka of the Donetsk region; on Zaporozhye - west of Verbovoy and south of Rabotino, Zaporozhye region.
07:42 Defense forces attacked the territory of the former Cold Storage Plant in the Kalmiussky district near Mariupol, said adviser to the Mariupol mayor Pyotr Andryushchenko. Military equipment and ammunition of the invaders were destroyed, at least ten Russians were seriously wounded.
06:54 Air defense at night destroyed 34 of 35 Shahed attack UAVs , which Russia attacked from three directions: the Crimean Cape Chauda, Russian Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Kursk, the Air Force command reported. Air defense operated in Kyiv, Dnepropetrovsk, Vinnitsa, Cherkassy, Kherson, Zaporozhye, Nikolaev, Khmelnitsky, Sumy, Poltava, Chernigov and Kirovograd regions.
02:45 A meeting of the highest military body of the North Atlantic Alliance - the military committee, within the framework of which a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council in the format of commanders of the Armed Forces of the Alliance is planned, will be held in Brussels on January 17-18, 2024, the NATO press service reported.
01:50 Switzerland will provide additional assistance for Ukraine in the winter in the amount of 11.8 million Swiss francs (about $13.66 million), the country's government announced. The money will be sent to several non-governmental organizations providing assistance to Ukrainian citizens. Thus, the total amount of assistance from Switzerland during the winter period will be about 26 million Swiss francs (approximately $30 million).
01:21 North Korea recently delivered more than a thousand containers of ammunition to Russia, US Ambassador to NATO Julian Smith said: “We have new information that the DPRK recently supplied additional weapons to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine. According to our information "The DPRK transferred more than a thousand containers of military equipment and ammunition to the Russian Federation." Smith clarified that satellite images show the movement of these containers from North Korea to Russia on cargo ships.
According to Washington, Pyongyang, in exchange for ammunition, wants to receive other military technologies from Moscow - for example, fighter jets, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, equipment for the production of ballistic missiles, etc.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Petr Akopov
[RIA] So Gennady Khazanov, who relocated to Latvia last spring, decided to remind himself - he recorded a video with quotes from Tolstoy denouncing patriotism and war. Allegorically, but intelligibly, everyone understood everything correctly: the artist, who for some reason gave Putin a copy of Monomakh’s cap,
...also called the Golden Cap, is a chief relic of the Muscovite Grand Princes and Russian Tsars. It is a symbol-crown of the Russian autocracy, and is the oldest of the crowns currently exhibited at the Imperial treasury section of the Kremlin Armoury...
is now outraged that “the power of the government rests on the ignorance of the people.” The fact that a significant number of famous “masters of culture” did not support the SVO is no longer news. It is also not news that many of them went abroad - where they were divided into three parts: some actively campaign for the defeat of Russia and a change of power, others limit themselves to “condemning the war”, posing as pacifists, and others (and the majority of them) are simply silent.
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
12/22/2023 13:49 Comments ||
Top||
#3
Such clout! Our devoted Tsar Knout
Once ruled out of order all doubt
And served as our guide
As he held back the tide!
[beaches widen as lifeblood flows out]
Article Linked To Is Available Only Via VPN
[EngMilRu] The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces jointly with helicopters, artillery, and heavy flamethrowers repelled nine attacks launched by assault groups of the 95th Air Assault, 14th and 43rd Mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Sin'kovka (Khar'kov region) and Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
The Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on clusters of AFU manpower and hardware close to Petropavlovka (Kharkov region) and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy's losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, as well as two 122mm D-30 howitzers.
In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces repelled one attack launched by the AFU 12th Special Forces Brigade near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).
In addition, air strikes and artillery fire struck the personnel and hardware of the 63rd and 67th Mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Torskoye (Donestk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry.
The enemy lost up to 190 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and one 152mm D-20 howitzer.
In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled 17 attacks, and inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware close to Bogdanovka, Belaya Gora, Artyomovo, and Georgiyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 210 Ukrainian troops, and three pick-up trucks.
In counter-battery warfare, one UK-made AS-90 self-propelled artillery system, three 152mm Akatsia self-propelled artillery systems, two 2S1 122mm Gvozdika self-popelled artillery systems, one 152mm D-20 howitzer, as well as one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-37 counterbattery warfare radar were neutralised.
In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, helicopters, and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised, 79th Air Assault brigades near Katerinovka and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy's losses amounted to up to 65 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two motor vehicles, one 152mm Giatsint-S self-propelled gun, as well as one 152mm D-20 howitzer.
In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces repelled one attack launched an assault group of the AFU 65th Mechanised Brigade close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).
In addition, air strikes and artillery fire hit AFU personnel and hardware close to Novodanilovka and Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).
The enemy lost up to 75 Ukrainian troops and four motor vehicles.
In Kherson direction, as a result of the Russian Group of Forces actions, artillery fire, and air strikes, the AFU losses amounted to over 70 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one 152mm Msta-B howitzer, and one 152mm Giatsint-B gun.
Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 129 areas during the day.
Air defence units shot down 29 unmanned aerial vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Svatovo, Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Mayorsk, Gorlovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Peremozhnoye (Zaporozhye region), Tavriysk, Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region), as well as four HIMARS MLRS projectiles.
In total, 553 airplanes and 260 helicopters, 9,928 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 14,226 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,189 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,430 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,547 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 23:59 Official summary of the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC from 00:00 12/21/2023 to 00:00 12/22/2023
Over the past 24 hours, the Representation has recorded 39 incidents of firing by the Ukrainian forces.
Information has been received about the death of a man in the Kuibyshevsky district of Donetsk.
Five civilians were injured, incl. teenage girl born in 2007 #ChildrenNotTarget in the Petrovsky district of Donetsk, Nikitovsky district of Gorlovka.
Five residential buildings were damaged in the Kiev and Kuibyshev districts of Donetsk, as well as one civil infrastructure facility.
The areas of two settlements of the Republic were under enemy fire: Gorlovka (Nikitovsky district), the capital city of Donetsk (Kyiv, Kuibyshevsky, Kirovsky, Petrovsky districts).
In the Donetsk direction, the enemy carried out 21 attacks using MLRS, 155mm artillery, and attack UAVs.
At Gorlivske there were 18 artillery attacks from 152mm and 122mm artillery.
A total of 142 units of various ammunition were fired.
In the previous day, 25 artillery attacks were recorded from the Ukrainian forces.
22:43 Front bird broadcasts: Khar'kov direction (n. Kupyansk area) 21.12 22:15
Intensification of fighting, including on the flanks.
We work with armored vehicles and AGS.
Enemy firing points are suppressed.
Drone operators conduct night aerial reconnaissance.
21:40 It’s loud in Berdyansk and its suburbs!
Russian air defense successfully worked over the Berdyansk region.
Two goals destroyed on approach - in the area of the village. Osipenko.
20:40 Russian Ministry of Defense transmits: At a training ground in the rear area of the Special Military Operation, BMP-3 crews hone their combat skills.
Crews are improving the driving of armored vehicles over rough terrain. Much attention is paid to fire training using all types of weapons on combat vehicles from a standstill and on the move.
When practicing fire missions, crews interact with crews of unmanned aerial vehicles, which adjust the accuracy of fire from combat vehicles.
19:40 Front bird broadcasts: Avdeevskoe direction. District Step 21.12 19:15
The guys from the spot report that the enemy has rolled back deep beyond the northern border of the village. Stepovoye after our successful combined attack by armored vehicles and tactical aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
In fact, n.p. Stepovoe, came under our full fire control.
19:00 “The tanks all burn the same way” - a scout from the 1430th Motorized Rifle Regiment with the call sign “Fox” told how the Moscow mobilized repelled the counter-offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces -video.
18:00 Front bird broadcasts: Dnepropetrovsk region. The sound of an explosion. 21.12 17:05
The sound of an explosion was reported in the southern part of the area.
Local publics report two claps and air defense operations.
The type and type of weapons used by our troops is being clarified.
17:20 Russian Ministry of Defense transmits Statement by the head of the press center of the Dnepr group
In the Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian group of troops repelled an attack by the assault group of the 65th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of the village of Rabotino, Zaporozhye region.
Air strikes and artillery fire defeated enemy personnel and equipment in the areas of the settlements of Novodanilovka and Malaya Tokmachka, Zaporozhye region.
The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces amounted to up to 75 military personnel and four vehicles.
In the Kherson direction, as a result of active actions by units of Russian troops, artillery fire and air strikes, enemy losses amounted to more than 70 military personnel, three vehicles, a 152mm Msta-B howitzer, and a 152mm Giatsint-B cannon.
15:40 Russian Ministry of Defense transmits Statement by the head of the press center of the Vostok group
Units of the Vostok group of troops continue to carry out combat missions in the South Donetsk direction.
– Strikes from rocket and cannon artillery and heavy flamethrower systems inflicted fire damage on strong points and concentrations of manpower of the 79th Airborne Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Novomikhailovka, Paraskovievka and Konstantinovka. A field communications center and two temporary deployment points were destroyed.
– As a result of the systematic impact of the group’s artillery, rotations of Ukrainian Armed Forces units in the areas of Novomikhailovka, Staromayorsky, and Priyutny were disrupted.
“In addition, the enemy lost five long-term firing points, two pickup trucks and up to 110 militants killed and wounded in one day.
14:55 Front bird broadcasts: Odessa region. Explosion 21.12 14:35
The arrival was reported in the port area.
There was a powerful loud explosion.
The operation of enemy air defense was not recorded.
Our rocket scientists from the DBK performed preliminary training using the Onyx rocket.
14:05 Russian paratroopers storm captured another stronghold of the Ukrainian Armed Forces north-west of Artemovsk
The assault units of the Ivanovo paratroopers from the “Southern” group of forces continue to improve the situation along the front line in the Donetsk direction.
During aerial reconnaissance of the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, paratroopers discovered enemy fire weapons and control posts. The artillery of the formation suppressed the militants' main fire weapons and disrupted their control system. Newly identified targets were destroyed by FPV drone crews.
Having demoralized the enemy, the paratroopers from several directions quickly captured the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, after which they carried out a complete clearing of the strong point.
The enemy fled, leaving behind their wounded and dead.
13:15 Russian Ministry of Defense transmits Statement from the head of the press center of the "South" group:
Units of the “Southern” group of troops successfully repelled an attack by an assault group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of yhe village of Shumy.
– With the support of artillery fire and heavy flamethrower systems, they defeated enemy personnel and equipment in the areas of the settlements of Krasnoe, Kleshcheevka, Andreevka, Razdolovka, Mar'inka, Staromikhailovka. The enemy lost up to 250 troops killed and wounded in the Donetsk direction.
– During the counterbattery fight, eight mortars of 82mm and 120mm were destroyed. Fire damage was also inflicted on two enemy strong points and 13 dugouts.
– Air defense systems shot down eight Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in the areas of the settlements of Nyrkovo, Belogorovka, Spornoe, Staromikhailovka and Mar'inka.
12:15 Front bird broadcasts: Yuzhnodonetsk direction. 21.12 11:30
It is reported that our units of the Vostok group of troops successfully hit an enemy tank and infantry fighting vehicle using ATGMs.
In addition, the ammunition depot of the 115th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed.
11:30 Front bird broadcasts: Kherson direction. district settlement Krynki 21.12 10:40
Our guys report the destruction of several enemy high-speed boats while trying to cross from the right to the left bank of the Dnieper.
FPV drone operators accurately hit vessels carrying personnel.
The enemy has minus 12 personnel.
Respect to our FPV drone operators!
10:40 Russian Ministry of Defense transmits Statement by the head of the press center of the Center group
Units of the Center group of troops continue to carry out combat missions during a special military operation in the Krasnolimansk direction.
– In the area of the Torsky area and Serebryansky forest, coordinated actions of a unit of a motorized rifle regiment with the support of artillery crews defeated the assault groups of the 63rd mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Enemy losses amounted to up to 180 military personnel.
– During the counterbattery fight, about 20 artillery crews of the Ukrainian troops were exposed and suppressed.
09:55 Front bird broadcasts: Zaporozhye direction. Verbovoe. 21.12
The morning began with aerial reconnaissance and cannon artillery work.
The moisture has left the ground a little, which allows us to take operational steps with our auxiliary armored vehicles.
Now you can hear our tactical aviation working behind us.
The sound of our aircraft engines always adds strength and optimism.
09:25 Telegram channel “Two majors“: Summary for the morning of December 21, 2023.
A large-scale air raid warning was announced in Ukraine at night: explosions were heard in the Kyiv, Vinnitsa, Zaporozhye, Nikolaev, Cherkassy, Sumy, and Poltava regions. The Russian Armed Forces hit the targets of the Geran UAV and FAB with UMPC.
– In the Kherson direction, battles continue at Krynki, after a decrease in the number of personnel on our shore, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are trying to replenish manpower. The enemy command sets the task of expanding the zone of control in the village. At night, our UAV operators again worked on boats with small enemy landing groups. For objective reasons, the quality of enemy watercraft is getting worse; complaints about this from Ukrainian soldiers have been leaked online.
– In the Zaporozhye direction, the enemy again tried to attack at the Rabotino-Verbovoe line. A T-72 of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, moving as part of a convoy of armored vehicles, was hit; the breakthrough attempt failed. Mutual artillery artillery attack continues.
– Heavy fighting is taking place in the Maryinsky direction near Novomikhailovka, but our troops are pushing through the enemy’s defenses. The Russian Armed Forces are also active west of Marinka.
– In the Avdeevsky direction, they reported about the offensive actions of our troops on the southern ledge of the front near the settlement. Northern. Analysts expressed the opinion that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had lost the opportunity to withdraw the group from the “Avdeevsky Sack” due to the constant artillery attack of roads in this direction by the Russian Armed Forces. Under constant artillery fire, enemy positions on the territory of the coke plant.
– On the Artemovsky (Bakhmutsky) sector of the front there are heavy battles near Kleshcheevka. At Ivanovsky, the Ukrainian Armed Forces unsuccessfully attempted to counterattack. Offensive actions of the Russian Army near Bogdanovka continue.
Enemy analytical resources report that enemy personnel are being intimidated with criminal liability for leaving their positions. “Intimidation by criminal liability for losses of positions ends with the fact that no one reports the losses, and neighboring units suffer from this, losing understanding of the real situation.” In fact, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been tasked with holding the defense at all costs.
Artillery attack of the Belgorod region continues; in the Belgorod region, an enemy UAV was shot down on approach to the city. The enemy does not stop trying to launch UAV and missile attacks on Crimea. In the DPR, 15 civilians were wounded by Nazi fire in Donetsk, Verkhnetoretsk, Krasny Partizan, and Gorlovka.
08:40 Telegram channel “Fisherman“: chronicle of a special military operation for December 20, 2023
Due to the ongoing bad weather, activity on the NWO fronts remains low. Positional battles are taking place in the Starobelsky direction. In the Soledarsky sector, the Russian Armed Forces continue to push back the enemy in the Bogdanovka area and west of Kleshcheevka.
In the Donetsk direction, the Russian Armed Forces have had local successes both south and north of Avdeevka: as a result of competent assault operations, Russian units have improved their tactical position. In the Orekhovsky sector, the Russian Army is regaining positions lost in the summer in the Verbovoy area and west of Rabotino, carrying out a systematic cleansing of Ukrainian trenches.
At night, the Russian Aerospace Forces inflicted fire on the rear targets of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, using missiles and kamikaze drones. In Kharkov, a depot in the Saltovsky district was hit, and in Kherson, the logistics infrastructure and warehouses of Nova Poshta were hit. In addition, explosions were reported in Kirovograd, presumably targeting the local airfield.
08:10 Official summary Representative offices of the DPR in the JCCC from 00:00 12/20/2023 to 00:00 12/21/2023
Over the past 24 hours, the Representation has recorded 25 incidents of firing by the Ukrainian Federal Unitary Forces.
Information was received about the injury of 15 civilians in the Kirov and Kiev districts of Donetsk, Verkhnetoretsk, Krasny Partizan, and the Central City district of Gorlovka.
Seven residential buildings were damaged in the Kiev and Petrovsky districts of Donetsk, as well as three civil infrastructure facilities.
The areas of three settlements of the Republic were under enemy fire: Gorlovka (Tsentralno-Gorodskoy, Nikitovsky districts), Yasinovataya, the capital city of Donetsk (Kyiv, Kuibyshevsky, Kirovsky, Petrovsky districts).
In the Donetsk direction, the enemy carried out 15 attacks from MLRS, 155mm artillery, and attack UAVs.
On Gorlovsky there were seven artillery attacks from 152mm and 155mm artillery, incl. with a cassette warhead.
On Yasinovatsky there were three artillery attacks from MLRS and 155mm artillery.
A total of 79 units of various ammunition were fired.
In the previous day, 26 attacks were recorded from the Ukrainian Federal Unitary Forces.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Sergey Leskov
[REGNUM] The Ombudsman for Children’s Rights in the Republic of Tatarstan, Irina Volynets, appealed to Roskomnadzor with a complaint about the series “The Boy’s Word,” which opened one of the loudest discussions of the outgoing year. According to the Ombudsman, the film directed by Zhora Kryzhovnikov “romanticizes banditry” and creates “false ideas about the criminal world” among young people.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Anastasia Ordinyan
[REGNUM] The last months of 2023, the anniversary year for the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve, were marked by preparations for the restoration of the pearl of ancient Russian architecture - the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye, as noted by the Culture TV channel. The temple, which is almost 500s old (it was built by Grand Duke Vasily III as a votive in gratitude for the birth of his son, the future Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible), is part of the Russian contribution to the UNESCO World Heritage List . The domestic part of the list is not to say that it is large - 31 cultural and natural sites plus the Crimean Chersonese Tauride Nature Reserve, whose affiliation with Russia is not recognized by most UNESCO members.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Before the attack in the Vremsky salient area, the command gave narcotic drugs to the Ukrainian Armed Forces militants, confirmed Ukrainian prisoner of war Vladimir Shtangret.
“Before entering the positions, before the battle, they gave out some kind of narcotic substances. I don’t really know, I didn’t use it myself, <...> but my comrades used it and said that it dulls fear and gives self-confidence, adds courage,” the prisoner said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
According to him, he previously studied in Britain. The man was mobilized into the army from the Ternopil region. Shtangret allegedly does not know where the authorities got the drugs from; the platoon commander brought the drugs to the soldiers.
A Russian serviceman with the call sign Pas , mobilized from the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, told how, during assaults on Ukrainian Armed Forces positions, drugs and syringes were repeatedly found on the bodies of Ukrainians, as well as in dugouts and strong points. During the counter-offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, inappropriate behavior of Ukrainian personnel during battles was often observed; it was similar to actions under the influence of narcotic or psychotropic drugs, Paz said.
The militants were not afraid of mortar fire, they walked in columns without bending down, at full height through open space, the Russian fighter added.
As Regnum reported , in November, Ukrainian militant Maxim Kolyada , captured in the Zaporozhye direction, spoke about the large number of drug addicts in his unit with many years of experience using prohibited substances. He argued that the Ukrainian military has a lot of opportunities to find drugs, the whole question is in the team and money. Before being captured, the man admitted that he also took illegal drugs.
Former Verkhovna Rada deputy Igor Mosiychuk said that drug-addicted military personnel in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are dangerous for Ukraine. After consuming alcohol and drugs, such people “blow the roof off”, they begin to shoot inexplicably where and what. There are a lot of them in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he said.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The Nikulinsky Court of Moscow again fined the writer Dmitry Bykov (an individual recognized as a foreign agent in the Russian Federation) 40 thousand rubles for not identifying himself as a foreign agent on social networks, the court’s press service reported on December 21.
“The court found Bykov guilty under Part 4 of Art. 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (“Production of materials and their distribution by a foreign agent using the Internet without indicating that these materials were produced or distributed by a foreign agent”) and sentenced him to a fine of 40,000 rubles,” the press service told TASS .
As Regnum reported , Bykov was included by the Ministry of Justice in the register of foreign agents on July 29, 2022. In June 2023, the Nikulinsky court already fined the writer 40 thousand rubles for posts in a Telegram channel without a foreign agent sign. In addition, in October 2022, Bykov received a 10 thousand fine for a similar violation.
In addition, in a conversation with pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov (Vovan) and Alexey Stolyarov (Lexus) , the recording of which they posted online on December 11, Bykov, thinking that he was talking with the head of the office of the head of the Kiev regime Andrey Ermak , said that he had no complaints about Ukrainian Armed Forces because of the killings of Russians.
He also added that he was going to return to Russia. According to him, he has many students left in the country who are “adequate” to the current situation. Bykov also expressed his readiness to teach and perform in Ukraine if he is called.
In the interview, he also said that he dreams that Ukraine would capture Mariupol, and also expressed his readiness to buy drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine from royalties from published books.
In this regard, the head of the Federal Project for Security and Anti-Corruption (FPBC), Vitaly Borodin, turned to the Prosecutor General’s Office with a request to check the writer for financing the Ukrainian army.
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin
[ColonelCassad] Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov about the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
1. During the counter-offensive, Kiev planned to blockade Melitopol in 15 days and then advance with access to the Sea of Azov, Mariupol and the border with Crimea
2. The main task of the Russian troops in the special operation zone this year was to repel the counter-offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces strike group, which planned to deprive the Russian Federation of a land corridor to Crimea.
3. The enemy increased the strike force for the offensive in the Zaporozhye direction from 50 to 80 battalions.
4. The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a counter-offensive on June 4 and, with huge losses in the Zaporozhye direction, were unable to overcome even the tactical defense zone of the Russian Federation.
5. The enemy's advertised offensive failed. Cumulative losses amounted to 160,000 people, 766 tanks. more than 3,000 armored fighting vehicles, 121 aircraft and 23 helicopters.
6. In total, Ukraine has received since the beginning of the Northern Military District more than 5,200 tanks and armored fighting vehicles, 1,300 pieces of artillery (guns, mortars, self-propelled guns, MLRS), more than 100 aircraft and helicopters, 23,000 UAVs, more than 200 cruise and tactical missiles.
7. Over 100,000 soldiers were trained abroad in NATO countries.
8. The Russian Armed Forces are now actively defending and successfully improving their positions throughout the LBS. Over 1,500 military-industrial facilities were damaged. The level of military production in Ukraine has decreased.
9. The general confrontation with the United States continues, which has made Ukraine and Europe, as well as Palestine, a zone of wars and conflicts.
10.The hegemony of the United States and its satellites is becoming a thing of the past. A new multipolar world order is now emerging.
Repelling the counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the backbone of which was made up of brigades trained and equipped by the West, was the main task of the Russian Armed Forces in 2023, Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said on December 21.
“This year, the main task was to repel the counter-offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ strike group, the backbone of which was made up of brigades trained and equipped by Western countries,” he said at a briefing for foreign military attaches.
Gerasimov clarified that the plan of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was to blockade Melitopol by the end of the 15th day of the offensive. Next, they planned to advance with access to the coast of the Azov Sea, the city of Mariupol and the border with Crimea.
According to the Chief of the General Staff, for this purpose, by the beginning of June, the Armed Forces of Ukraine concentrated an offensive group of up to 50 battalions, more than 230 tanks and over a thousand infantry fighting vehicles in the Zaporozhye direction. Subsequently, the group was increased to 80 battalions.
In order to disrupt the plans of the command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Russian Armed Forces carried out large-scale measures to create a layered system of engineering barriers, defensive lines and positions.
The Ukrainian military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a counter-offensive on June 4 and “at the cost of colossal losses, they made little progress in the Zaporozhye direction,” unable to even overcome the tactical zone of the Russian defense. At the same time, additional supplies of Western weapons to Kyiv and the introduction of strategic reserves did not change the situation on the battlefield.
“Thus, the widely publicized counter-offensive by Ukraine and its NATO allies failed,” Gerasimov concluded.
As Regnum reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on October 5 that the counter-offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces had actually failed.
On December 19, at the board of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the head of the department, Sergei Shoigu , said that the losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces since the beginning of the counter-offensive amounted to about 159 thousand people, and for the entire time of the special military operation - about 383 thousand people.
On November 2, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny said in an interview with The Economist that the conflict in Ukraine has reached a dead end and the Armed Forces of Ukraine will not be able to achieve success. He admitted that for a long time he could not understand why the Ukrainian Armed Forces could not succeed in the counteroffensive. Instead of the predicted successes, the Ukrainian army was stuck in minefields, and the equipment and weapons provided by the Western allies did not live up to expectations.
Bloomberg noted that 2024 promises to be a bad year for Ukraine; the armed forces of this country are exhausted against the backdrop of a failed counteroffensive. Even if Ukraine receives major aid from the United States, it will likely still have to conserve its energy and "prepare for what may be the last big push in 2025."
On December 18, columnist for the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal Gerald Baker named Russian President Vladimir Putin the geopolitical winner of the year. From a journalist’s point of view, in 2023 Putin’s position looks immeasurably stronger than a year earlier. The Ukrainian Armed Forces' vaunted counteroffensive has stalled, the Russian economy has overcome Western sanctions, European resolve is fading, and US support is weakening, Baker stated.
The United States is the perpetrator of armed conflicts and regime changes in a number of African countries. This was stated on December 21 by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Army General Valery Gerasimov, at a briefing for foreign military attaches.
According to him, the main negative impact on the development of the situation in the region is exerted by political instability and internal conflicts in the countries of North Africa and the Sahara-Sahel zone.
“Washington’s sanctions policy against Russia provoked a food crisis on the African continent, which increases social tension and public dissatisfaction with the ruling regimes,” Gerasimov said.
He emphasized that this led to the escalation of internal armed conflicts and a change of power in several countries. At the same time, the activity of terrorist and extremist organizations also has a destructive influence.
Under these conditions, the United States and Europe are blackmailing African leaders to achieve their neocolonial goals, Gerasimov added.
As Regnum reported, on August 30, a group of high-ranking military officials announced a coup in Gabon. They said they represented all security and defense forces in the country. According to them, the election results have been overturned, government institutions have been dissolved, borders have been closed until further notice, and President Ali bin Bongo Ondimba has been placed under house arrest.
The coup in Niger took place on July 26. The military removed President Mohamed Bazoum from governing the country and blocked him in the presidential residence. During the coup, General Abdurahman Tchiani signed a decree on the formation of a new transitional government.
In the fall of 2022, a coup d'état carried out by a group of military men took place in Burkina Faso. The country's president, Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, was removed from power. According to the coup participants, Damiba has lost the ability to cope with the deteriorating situation regarding the security crisis and the strengthening of militants. Captain Ibrahim Traore became the new head of Burkina Faso.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
