Joni Askola Profile picture
Finnish PhD candidate @FSV_UK trying to help Ukraine with the @69thSB and by mocking disinformation. Opinions are my own
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Jul 17 6 tweets 2 min read
1/6 THREAD: One of Putin’s biggest strategic failures is barely talked about.

He invaded Ukraine, claiming NATO was an existential threat to Russia

But as a direct result of that failed invasion, NATO’s border with russia has doubledImage 2/6 Before 2022, russia shared a small NATO border with Norway and the Baltics.

Now?

Finland joined NATO, adding over 1,300 km of new border.

Sweden joined too, strengthening NATO’s northern flank.

All because of Putin’s warImage
Jul 16 7 tweets 3 min read
1/7 THREAD: Europe is at war.

Not in theory. Not in the future. Now.

russia is invading a European country, bombing civilians daily, launching drones into EU airspace, and waging hybrid war.

We ignore it because it’s painful. But denial won’t stop the war — it will spread itImage 2/7 Ukraine is Europe.

And russia’s war on Ukraine is a war on European sovereignty, security, and values.

This isn’t just Ukraine’s fight.

It’s Europe’s war — whether we admit it or notImage
Jul 16 6 tweets 3 min read
1/6 THREAD: 🇺🇦🇪🇺

When will Europe finally send troops to Western Ukraine — not to fight, but to train, guard the borders, and help Ukraine win?

Even a few brigades could make a real difference.

Let’s stop surviving. Let’s start accelerating the end of this warImage 2/6 Trump now allows US weapons sales to Ukraine — including Patriot air defense. That’s great!

But he still refuses to sanction russia.

And his ”50 more days” move? It’s weakness disguised as strategy.

Europe can’t afford to wait. We must act — nowImage
Jul 15 5 tweets 2 min read
1/5 THREAD: Too big to be a coincidence?

On July 3rd, Putin told Trump he’d use the next 60 days to seize more Ukrainian land.

Trump just gave him exactly 60 days — from that call until his tariff deadline. 60 days of Ukrainian suffering.

A gift? Or a secret deal?Image 2/5 It’s not impossible:

During their talks, Putin said he’d use the next 60 days to advance.

What if the deal was: ”Take what you can in 60 days, then we negotiate”?

No sanctions. No real pressure. Just time — for Putin to finish the jobImage
Jul 14 5 tweets 2 min read
1/5 THREAD:

🚨 Trump just made his ”major announcements” on Ukraine & russia.

There’s good news — and deeply frustrating news.

Let’s break down what just happened 👇Image 2/5 ✅ The good: Trump will now allow Europeans to buy US weapons for Ukraine — including Patriot air defense systems and PAC interceptors.

That’s a huge step forward — especially since Europe failed to order SAMP/T batteries. Credit where it’s dueImage
Jul 14 7 tweets 3 min read
1/7 THREAD: Finally?

🚨 Trump is expected to make a major announcement today on russia & Ukraine.

Rumors are flying: JASSM cruise missiles, sanctions, air defense, frozen assets, NATO coordination.

Is this a real turning point — or just another twist in the chaos?Image 2/7 Among the whispers:

- Long-range strike capabilities (possibly JASSM)
- Use of frozen russian assets
- Patriot batteries and PAC interceptors paid by NATO countries
- New sanctions on russia

Nothing confirmed — but stakes are highImage
Jul 12 9 tweets 4 min read
1/9 THREAD: The worst leader in history?

The only man capable of turning Europe’s hibernating coalition of the unwilling into a coalition of the willing? Putin.

He overreached, launched a war he’s losing — and now he’s fumbling a golden chance to save russia. Arrogance kills 👇Image 2/9 Did Putin fumble again?

It sure looks like it.

russia is strategically losing in Ukraine. But it had a golden opportunity to save itself — thanks to Trump’s return and Europe’s inertia.

And yet… Putin blew itImage
Jul 11 7 tweets 3 min read
1/7 THREAD: russia’s economy isn’t fine.

It’s fragile, unsustainable, and cracking under the weight of war.

Just because it’s not constantly in the headlines doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Here’s what’s really going on 👇Image 2/7 russia is battling high inflation, a labor shortage, and crippling interest rates.

Its key interest rate jumped from 7.5% in June 2023 to 21%, and still sits at 20%.

That’s not stability. That’s survival modeImage
Jul 11 5 tweets 2 min read
1/5 THREAD: Is Europe finally waking up?

There are promising signs — but let’s not hold our breath just yet.

Here’s what’s happening, and what still needs to happen 👇Image 2/5 France and the UK are finally restarting the production of SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Merz says ”the time for diplomacy with russia is over.”

And Berlin is close to convincing Trump to allow US arms sales to Ukraine — financed by NATO countries. That would be big! Image
Jul 10 8 tweets 3 min read
1/8 THREAD:

Despite the successful propaganda, russia is quietly facing a strategic defeat in Ukraine — and too few realize itImage 2/8 russia’s propaganda blurs facts and makes a brutal war feel like a stalemate.

But the truth is: Ukraine is winning, and russia is quietly, catastrophically losing.

It all comes to strategic objectivesImage
Jul 10 6 tweets 3 min read
1/6 Human safaris in Kherson — Daily war crimes the world ignores.

russia is punishing civilians for refusing to surrender and be russified. This is a crime against humanity.

What are we waiting for to act? Image 2/6 In Kherson, russia has turned drone warfare into a grotesque spectacle.

FPV drones are used to hunt civilians — yes, civilians.

This isn’t speculation. It’s documented. Locals call it the human safari.

The worst part? russia shares videos of these attacks like trophies Image
Jul 10 4 tweets 2 min read
1/4 Another night of terror in Kyiv.

Another wave of russian drones and missiles targeting civilians.

How long will we let this go on before doing something real about it?

We need to finally make Putin understand that actions have consequences.

If we don’t, we are complicit Image 2/4 russia just launched its second mass strike in a row — not for military gain, but to terrorize.

These attacks kill, maim, and traumatize civilians.

And the world watches.

What are we waiting for? Image
Jul 8 7 tweets 3 min read
1/7 🇨🇳 china hawks fell for it again.

Trump talks tough on china — but his actions tell a different story.

The ”pivot to Asia” he promised? It’s a scam.

Here’s how Trump is actually helping china while pretending to confront it: Image 2/7 Trump has used the ”pivot to Asia” as a cover to disengage from Europe, not to counter china.

He’s bombed Iran, shifted US focus to the Middle East, and projected weakness on Ukraine—signaling to Beijing that the US won’t stand up for its allies and interests Image
Jul 7 11 tweets 4 min read
1/11 🏅🇷🇺 Vatnik Hall of Fame: Part 7

Time to induct 10 more figures into the gallery of grifters, propagandists, and useful idiots doing the Kremlin’s work Image 2/11 Andrew & Tristan Tate

The Tate brothers have praised Putin, echoed Kremlin narratives, and built a fanbase steeped in anti-Western, authoritarian rhetoric.

Their content often overlaps with pro-russian talking points, especially on NATO, and ”globalist” conspiracies Image
Jul 6 7 tweets 3 min read
1/7 The Master of Gaslighting: Elon Musk is launching a new political party.

But don’t be fooled—this isn’t about unity or reform. It’s the next step in a long game: Musk and his technofascist crew used Trump to get a foot in the door.

Now they want to take over the whole house Image 2/7 Let’s not forget: Musk went all-in on Trump in 2024.

He overdramatized the election, called Trump ”America’s last chance,” and helped push him back into power.

Now he’s pretending to oppose the uniparty? Please.

Don’t let this massive scammer gaslight you! Image
Jul 5 17 tweets 6 min read
1/17 Trump a russian asset?

Let’s break down the key moments that show a consistent pattern of behavior aligning with russian interests.

Buckle up: the list is long and far from exhaustive Image 2/17 Paul Manafort: The Kremlin’s man in Trump’s campaign.

Trump’s ex-campaign chair, Paul Manafort, shared internal polling data with Konstantin Kilimnik—a russian intelligence officer.

The Senate Intel Committee called it a grave counterintelligence threat Image
Jul 4 6 tweets 3 min read
1/6 china has a lot of Ukrainian blood on its hands.

china is the reason russia can keep bombing Ukraine every night.

While Europe hesitates and Trump sides with Moscow, Beijing is bankrolling, supplying, and sustaining this war.

It’s high time we stop pretending otherwise Image 2/6 we talk a lot about russia’s war on Ukraine—but not enough about its biggest enabler: china.

While Trump cozies up to Moscow and Europe dithers, china is quietly fueling russia’s war machine.

It’s high time we face that head-on Image
Jul 3 6 tweets 3 min read
1/6 Important fact:

Jake Sullivan did far more for Ukraine than the entire Trump administration—and its supporters—combined.

- Biden/Sullivan: $54.2B in security aid to Ukraine
- Trump: $0 Image 2/6 Jake Sullivan was far from perfect. But let’s be honest:

He did far more for Ukraine than anyone in the Trump administration—and anyone supporting it.

Results matter more than rumors, rhetoric, or vibes.

- Under Biden and Sullivan: $54.2B in security aid
- Under Trump: $0 Image
Jul 2 5 tweets 2 min read
1/5 A message to Europe:

We must stop holding on to the illusion that the war in Ukraine will end soon.

It won’t.

Trump’s actions—and our inaction—have made that impossible.

If we don’t wake up now, we’ll pay the price later Image 2/5 Trump has weakened Ukraine by cutting aid and refusing to add sanctions on russia.

Meanwhile, Europe has stood by, letting Trump and Putin decide its fate.

This war isn’t just Ukraine’s fight.

It’s existential for Europe Image
Jul 2 6 tweets 2 min read
1/6 The wake-up call Europe needed?

Trump paused promised military aid to Ukraine—for the second time in months.

It’s time we face reality:

This war will last for years.

And Europe must finally start acting like it Image 2/6 Over three years of full-scale war.

Almost 8 months of Trump being re-elected.

And still—Europe has done shockingly little.

We have talked a lot. But we haven’t delivered.

Now Trump is not just refusing to send new aid—he’s cutting what was already promised Image
Jul 2 11 tweets 4 min read
1/11 🏅🇷🇺 Vatnik Hall of Fame: Part 6

Welcome to part 6 of the Vatnik Hall of Fame - a thread series exposing the loudest Kremlin voices, disinfo pushers, and authoritarian fanboys.

From podcasters to dictators, this batch is especially spicy Image 2/11 Joe Rogan

The biggest podcaster in the world became a pipeline for conspiracy theories and anti-Ukraine propaganda.

Rogan hosts Kremlin apologists, mocks Ukraine, and endorsed Trump in 2024.

One of the Kremlin’s most influential megaphones Image