1/ Russia may be forced back to its 1991 borders as the Ukraine war turns against it, a Russian warblogger warns in a gloomy commentary. The prospects of a ceasefire on the current line of contact are slipping away and the threat to Russia itself is increasing. ⬇️
2/ 'Tulenkov', a Russian former soldier who fought in Ukraine, writes:
"As far as I can tell from my understanding of the situation on the battlefields of the Special Military Operaion, we've already lost sight of the option of freezing the line of contact."
3/ "Currently, it's of no interest to the enemy and its masters.
Until they fully exploit the capabilities of Palantir and other Karpov-like ideas, no one will put the war on hold.
Therefore, the next stage of real negotiations will be the 1991 borders.
4/ "Russian society today is not psychologically prepared for such an option, and accordingly, the government cannot even theoretically discuss such conditions.
5/ "Consequently, we are in for a rather heated summer and fall, during which the enemy, through long-range strikes, will shape public opinion in the Russian Federation in favour of "finishing at any cost."
6/ "Things that seem bizarre and unthinkable now will become a normal topic of discussion towards the end of 2026.
Until then, unfortunately, the flywheel of death and destruction cannot be stopped.
7/ "The chance to escape the war will not appear until society grows to understand the inevitability of a complete withdrawal from Ukrainian territory and accepts this reality.
8/ "Naturally, all of this could have been avoided a year ago, with a sober perspective. However, the top political leadership chose its own reality, one in which it is half a step away from victory.
9/ "This will cost thousands of lives and wasted billions, ultimately resulting in a brutal offer that must be accepted immediately, without hesitation.
10/ "Because the next stage, which will have to be seriously discussed if the "1991 border" format fails, will be the AA line [a reference to the Arkhangelsk–Astrakhan Line, Nazi Germany's planned border for the annexation of western Russia] and "oil for food."
11/ "The option that allows for saving face has been irrevocably lost, to my great regret.
But there's no one to blame here except the system of governance built on lies and shams.
12/ "By creating a reality divorced from reality, it has driven itself into zugzwang, depriving itself of the opportunity to even try to sell its end as some semblance of victory.
This is all very, very bad.
13/ "The risk of escalation is increasing exponentially, while the possibilities for a relatively reasonable end to this unnecessary and senseless war are dwindling catastrophically." /end
1/ Russian warbloggers are reacting with shock and alarm at the Ukrainian attack today on the Russian Baltic Fleet corvette Boykiy near St Petersburg. In particular, they question the apparent lack of effective air defences or anti-drone protection. ⬇️
2/ 'Rybar' comments: "The threat to the fleet is everywhere."
"Judging by the video, at least two hits were recorded. The corvette was in dry dock undergoing repairs, despite the ship being new. And Ukrainian forces intercepted it there."
3/ "They had already done something similar during attacks on Sevastopol several years earlier.
The hit on the Boykiy once again exposes the problem of countering UAVs.
1/ Accused rapist and sex trafficker Andrew Tate is visiting Russia. The news has disturbed Russian warbloggers, who suggest that Russia, which has recruited literal cannibals into its army, should aspire to a higher standard. ⬇️
Popular English-speaking blogger Andrew Tate has published a post with an unambiguous hint of a visit to Russia."
3/ "Timing-wise, this coincides with the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, where Western influencers have been actively invited in recent years — as a demonstration that ‘not everyone in the West is against Russia’.
1/ The Russian-occupied city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine is under a 'drone siege', according to local inhabitants. Ukrainian drones are striking targets across the city and the surrounding region. A resident provides a vivid eyewitness account. ⬇️
2/ 'Donetsk MartynoVa', a pro-Russian resident of Donetsk who positions herself as an influencer and Telegram blogger, has been writing about the deteriorating situation over the past month. On 11 May, she wrote:
3/ "The news brings information that drones are already harassing the land corridor, but, judging by the number of cars from Crimea, this doesn't stop many [travellers]."
By 18 May, the drone campaign had been stepped up:
1/ Russia's captured and corrupted bureaucracy, which is under the thumb of powerful industrial concerns and complicit politicians, is strangling independent developers of military electronics. Several developers are complaining about the situation. ⬇️
2/ Gagaring Lab, a developer of drone detectors and other military electronics, highlights how the 'People's Military-Industrial Complex' is being throttled:
"China launched a new strategy in February. China wants to be not only the world's factory, but also its laboratory."
3/ "Programmes have been launched to attract R&D companies to China. In Russian: welcome, developers, we will create the conditions for you. And here, people are worried about developers running away, but not about entire companies running away.
1/ News that Russia's BMPT Terminator, famed for its wobbly autocannons, is to be renamed the Spirodon has attracted criticism from Russian warbloggers. Perhaps not coincidentally, Spirodon also was the first name of Vladimir Putin's paternal grandfather. ⬇️
2/ According to Uralvagonzavod's official channel, "The machine, which replaces an entire unit, no longer bears the nickname of the American destroyer robot. It is our shield and sword."
3/ The official announcement says that the change in name was made "at the request of Uralvagonzavod workers (part of Rostec) and combat vehicle crews ... in honour of courage, resilience, and strength of spirit."
"Why "Spiridon"? This is a rare but revered name in Russia."
1/ Russian soldiers in Ukraine are unhappy that army health and safety inspectors have ordered them to tear down their camouflage nets because they are too flammable. They've been told to put up bright red fire safety equipment instead. ⬇️
2/ 'Unofficial Bezsonov' complains:
"A commission from Moscow visited some of our units' temporary deployment locations. They ordered us to remove camouflage nets, as they violate fire safety regulations, and to hang up red signs like these."
3/ "Friends, these are frontline zones where our soldiers are trying to deploy secretly.
The war is five years old, but the number of differently-talented people serving on these commissions hasn't decreased.