Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] 22.00 A state of emergency has been declared in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region in the so-called "DPR". The reason was the large-scale damage to energy infrastructure, in particular the Zuyivska and Starobeshivska TPPs.
21.41 Spain will transfer 40 IRIS-T air defense missiles to Ukraine, which will strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.
20.12 The Ryazan Refinery, which supplies fuel to the Moscow region, has stopped oil refining after a Ukrainian drone attack on November 15. Reuters reports this, citing three industry sources.
20.00 About 16% of people currently held captive in Ukraine are Ukrainian citizens. Of these, 6% are Crimeans. This was reported by the Secretary of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Dmytro Usov.
18.38 Ukrainian military launched ATACMS ballistic missiles at the territory of the aggressor country Russia. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A successful pinpoint strike was carried out on Russian military facilities.
18.29 Airborne assault troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are participating in the multinational command and staff exercise Maple Arch - 2025, which started in Poland. The event also involves military personnel from the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Canada, Lithuania, North Macedonia, and Poland.
This year, participants will practice joint planning, unit management, and the execution of complex tactical tasks in a multinational environment.
18.11 The Security Service of Ukraine has documented a new war crime by Russian occupiers in the Donetsk region. According to the case materials. On November 10 of this year, the invaders attempted to storm Pokrovsk, using the city's residents as a "human shield". The SBU reported this on its Telegram channel and posted the corresponding interception.
17:58 At the entrance to Novovorontsovka, Russians attacked a utility vehicle with a drone, and later shelled the Korabelny district of Kherson. A 61-year-old utility worker and a 40-year-old man died in the attacks. Two more men were injured.
17.11 Since the beginning of the current day, 79 combat clashes have taken place on the front. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this in an operational update. The enemy traditionally shows the greatest activity in the Pokrovsky direction, where fighting continues in five locations.
16.29 Ukrainian Cossack wrestling and kickboxing champion Karina Bakhur, 17, died as a result of Russian strikes in Berestyn, Kharkiv region. This was reported by the Natalynsk village military administration in Berestyn district.
16.06 In the city of Pokrovsk, the number of shooting battles is increasing and the losses of the Russian army from direct fire are increasing. This was reported by the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is indicated that the enemy intends to reach the settlement of Hryshyne, located northwest of the city, in the short term.
15.26 The European Union has opened the possibility of directing funds from the Ukraine Facility program to support dual-use technologies, thanks to which manufacturers of navigation and communication systems and drones will be able to receive funding of over 140 million euros.
15.17 Two Ukrainian citizens cooperating with Russian special services are responsible for acts of sabotage on the railway in Poland. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said this during a speech in the Sejm, RMF24 reports.
14.52 Ukrainian military launched strikes on the Zuyivska and Starobeshivska TPPs in the temporarily occupied part of Donetsk region. This was announced by the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, who released a video of drone attacks on the Zuyivska and Starobeshivska TPPs.
14.44 Russia forcibly mobilized 46,327 Ukrainians from the temporarily occupied territories. This was stated by the Secretary of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War Dmytro Usov at the Third International Conference Crimea Global. Understanding Ukraine through the South, Ukrinform reports. According to the Coordination Headquarters, in Donetsk region, the Russians mobilized 5,368 Ukrainians, in Luhansk - 4,650, in Zaporizhia - 560, in Kherson - 478. In Crimea, 35,272 people were mobilized, in Sevastopol - another 5,368.
13.39 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with manufacturers of weapons and defense equipment in Spain. He reported this on his Facebook page.
13.31 On Tuesday night, the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region was again hit by a blackout. Drones hit key energy facilities. This was reported by the Russian Gauleiter of the so-called "DPR" Denis Pushilin. He admitted that the Zuyivska and Starobeshivska TPPs were damaged. The fake "republic" has large-scale problems with electricity, water supply and mobile communications.
13.23 An 18-year-old student was detained in Dnipro, who, on behalf of the Russian Federation, was manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for a series of explosions in the city. The SBU reported this on November 18. During the search, bomb components and a smartphone, from which he contacted a curator from the Russian Federation, were seized from the detainee. The suspect was informed of the suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. The guy is being held without bail. He faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
12.58 Russian representatives will not participate in contacts regarding peace talks with Ukraine that may take place in Turkey. This was stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in a comment to Russian propagandists. He noted that Vladimir Putin "will be open to conversation" if any of the participants in the talks in Turkey wish to inform the Kremlin.
12.29 A Russian informant who was helping the enemy prepare an offensive operation in the region was detained in the Kharkiv region. The SBU reported this. The man is a 62-year-old resident of the city of Izyum. He came to the attention of the Russians when he published anti-Ukrainian comments on Telegram channels.
11.47 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President's Special Representative Steve Witkoff will hold talks in Turkey. Reuters Middle East correspondent Ahmed Rashid reported this on the social network X.
11.21 On Tuesday night, the Russian army attacked energy infrastructure in four regions of Ukraine. The Ministry of Energy reported this. Also, 124 settlements in six regions were completely or partially without electricity due to strong winds.
10.58 In the Odessa region, a fire on board a civilian vessel in the port of Izmail as a result of a Russian attack has been extinguished. The situation is currently under control. The operations headquarters continues its work, experts are assessing the condition of the facility and determining further response steps.
10.44 As a result of a night attack by Russian drones, a railway depot with suburban trains was damaged in the Dnipro. This is the second attack on a suburban depot. This was reported by the chairman of the board of JSC Ukrzaliznytsia Oleksandr Pertsovsky on November 18. According to him, despite the large-scale night attack (dozens of UAVs), the morning DniproExpress trains will be sent on schedule.
10.28 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will pay a visit to Spain on Tuesday, November 18, and the next day he will go to Turkey. He announced this in the morning on Telegram. Ukraine is preparing to intensify negotiations. There are worked out solutions that will be offered to partners, the president noted.
9.20 Air defense forces neutralized 101 of the 114 drones used by the Russians to attack Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force reported this on November 18. Four missiles and 13 strike drones were recorded hitting 15 locations, as well as the fall of downed targets (fragments) at two locations.
8.44 On the frontline over the past 24 hours, November 17, 151 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on November 18. The Defense Forces' aviation struck three areas of concentration of Russian personnel, weapons, and military equipment.
8.19 A 59-year-old woman and a 67-year-old man were injured in a massive drone attack in Dnipro on the night of Tuesday, November 18. This was reported by the head of the Dnipropetrovsk OVA, Vladyslav Haivanenko. According to him, the injured were hospitalized in moderate condition. Several fires broke out in the city due to the shelling. A two-story media building, a transport and private enterprise, an administrative building, a service station, shops and kiosks, a catering establishment, infrastructure, six apartment buildings, garages, more than 20 cars, and three more were destroyed.
7.54 Over the past 24 hours, the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed 960 occupiers and over 350 units of weapons and military equipment of the invaders. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on September 18. The total combat losses of the Russians from 24.02.22 to 18.11.25 were approximately 1,160,380 people.
03.30 A 17-year-old girl was killed in a rocket strike in the city of Berestyn, Kharkiv region. Nine more people were injured.
01.20 On Monday evening, drones attacked the Zuyiv thermal power plant (CHP) in the Donetsk region. This is a CHP in the temporarily occupied settlement of Zugres. Footage of the hit and fire appeared on social media.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 21:06 Airborne demining teams of Novorossiysk paratroopers are clearing routes to the forward positions in the Orekhov direction in the Zaporizhzhia region. 20:13 Air cover group of the tank unit of the "East" group of forces revealed the approach of heavy hexacopters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' "Baba Yaga" type to artillery crew deployment areas. The dangerous targets were destroyed before they reached the attack line.
19:21 The Russian army advanced to Gogol Street in Seversk, MAP.
18:34 Vremevskoe direction: The unmanned systems units of the 36th Army of the Eastern Group of Forces leave the enemy no chance.
During combat operations, UAV operators detected and destroyed: automotive equipment, a ground robotic complex, and Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel.
17:55 Continuing the successful offensive in the Seversky direction, soldiers of the 7th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade took the village of Platonovka. The liberation of the village allowed Russian Armed Forces units to fully control the Seversk-Krasny Liman road, depriving the enemy of a vital logistics route, significantly complicating the situation for Ukrainian troops in the city.
17:33 FPV drone crews of the West Force Group destroyed a tank and several Ukrainian Armed Forces vehicles on the approaches to Kupyansk.
Servicemen from the Southern Group of Forces' unmanned systems unit destroyed an electronic warfare station and a mortar of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Zvanovka, and also destroyed an enemy ground robotic complex carrying cargo.
Crews of the unmanned systems unit of the 51st Joint Army of the Center group of forces paralyze the logistics of the Ukrainian Armed Forces by eliminating military equipment and manpower in the Krasnoarmeysk direction.
Rubicon Center crews strike enemy equipment, communications systems, strongholds, and personnel. Drones are also used to intercept and destroy enemy UAVs.
15:43 Crew of the Molniya-2 UAV of the West Force Group destroyed temporary deployment point of the enemy in the Krasnolimansk direction.
14:24 Crews of the 244th artillery Brigade of the North group of forces destroyed enemy UAV control points in the Khar'kov direction.
13:42 Operators of the Orlan-10 reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles of the Center group provide precise adjustment of artillery in the Krasnoarmeysk direction.
13:28 From 8:00 Moscow time to 13:00 Moscow time by air defense systems on duty destroyed five Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles:
Three UAVs over the territory of the Bryansk region and
Two UAVs over the territory of the Kursk region.
12:23 Summary of Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on the progress of the Special Military Operation as of November 18, 2025
Units of the "North" force group defeated formations of three mechanized brigades, an infantry brigade, an airborne assault brigade, and an assault regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the villages of Oleksiivka, Yunakovka, Mohrytsa, Ivolzhanske, and Novaya Sich in Sumy Oblast. The village of Tsegelne in Khar'kov Oblast was liberated.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 115 servicemen, an armored combat vehicle, 12 vehicles, two electronic warfare stations, and seven supply depots.
Units of the "West" force grouping have improved their position along the forward edge. They have inflicted losses on the personnel and equipment of five mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, two territorial defense brigades, and a National Guard brigade near the settlements of Monachynivka, Velyka Shapkovka, Nechvolodovka, and Staroverovka in the Khar'kov region and Drobyshevo in the Donetsk People's Republic.
In the area of the village of Kupyansk in the Khar'kov region, assault detachments of the 6th Army continue to destroy encircled formations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Within 24 hours, an attempt by a unit of the 125th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to conduct a counterattack near the village of Blagodatovka in the Khar'kov region, aimed at breaking through the encirclement, was thwarted. The enemy lost up to 10 fighters.
In addition, as a result of the fire strike, up to 50 military personnel, three pickup trucks, a British-made 105mm L-119 howitzer and five electronic warfare stations were destroyed.
In total, enemy losses in the West Group's area of responsibility amounted to over 220 servicemen, a tank, two armored combat vehicles (including a US-made HMMWV), 18 vehicles, and an artillery piece. Ten electronic warfare stations and five ammunition depots were destroyed.
Units of the Southern Group of Forces have taken up more advantageous positions and lines. Four mechanized brigades, a mountain assault brigade, and a territorial defense brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been defeated near the settlements of Seversk, Slavyansk, Stepanovka, Konstantinovka, and Vasyukovka in the Donetsk People's Republic.
The enemy lost more than 70 service members, five armored combat vehicles, including two Western-made, 16 vehicles, and two artillery pieces. An electronic warfare station and five ammunition, fuel, and supply depots were destroyed.
Units of the Center Forces Group improved their tactical position. They defeated the personnel and equipment of six mechanized brigades, an infantry brigade, a Jaeger brigade, an assault brigade, two airborne assault brigades, two assault regiments of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, two naval infantry brigades, a territorial defense brigade, and three National Guard brigades near the settlements of Belitske and Rodynske in the Donetsk People's Republic, and Novooleksandrivka and Mezhevaya in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
In the village of Krasnoarmeysk in the Donetsk People's Republic, assault groups of the 2nd Army continue to destroy encircled Ukrainian Armed Forces formations in the Central microdistrict, in the western part of the Gornyak microdistrict, and also in the territory of the western industrial zone.
Six attacks by units of the 32nd Mechanized Brigade and the 425th Assault Regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the area of the village of Grishino in the Donetsk People's Republic aimed at relieving the encircled Ukrainian Armed Forces group were repelled. Up to 30 militants were killed.
In the village of Dimitrov in the Donetsk People's Republic, units of the 51st Army continue active offensive operations in the Eastern, Western and southern districts of the city.
Over the course of a day, up to 275 servicemen, a tank, a French-made 155-mm self-propelled artillery unit "Caesar" and four pickup trucks were destroyed in the Red Army direction.
In total, in the area of responsibility of the Center group of forces, the enemy lost more than 455 servicemen, a tank, eight vehicles and an artillery piece.
Units of the "East" group of forces advanced deep into the enemy's defenses and liberated the village of Nechayevka in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Two mechanized brigades, two assault brigades, three assault regiments, and two territorial defense brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were defeated near the settlements of Hulyaipole and Vozdvizhevka in the Zaporizhzhia region, and Kolomiytsi and Gerasimovka in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost over 350 service members, an armored combat vehicle, and seven vehicles.
Units of the Dnepr group of forces inflicted losses on the manpower and equipment of the mechanized brigade, the coastal defense brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and the territorial defense brigade in the areas of the settlements of Orekhov, Primorskoye in the Zaporizhzhia region, Berislav and Kazatskoye in the Kherson region.
Up to 80 servicemen, four armored combat vehicles, including a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, 18 vehicles, seven electronic warfare stations, three ammunition depots, and two supply depots were destroyed.
11:34 Assault units of the Guards "East" reached the southern outskirts of Tikhy in the South Dnepropetrovsk direction, -MAP.
11:15 Military personnel of the "East" military group told details of the liberation of the village of Yablokovo in the Zaporizhzhia region.
10:31 Soldiers of the North Group of Forces liberated Tsegelnoye in the Vovchansk direction, MAP.
09:59 On frames: The destruction of a building occupied by Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers in Myrnohrad by a FAB-3000.
08:28 On frames: From the Russian Rubicon Center, the destruction of the M109 self-propelled gun of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Sumy direction.
07:25 During the past night, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 31 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles of the fixed-wing type:
10 over the territory of the Voronezh region,
10 over the territory of the Tambov region,
Three over the territory of the Rostov region,
Three over the territory of the Yaroslavl region,
Two over the territory of the Smolensk region,
One over the territory of the Bryansk region,
One over the territory of the Kursk region,
One over the territory of the Oryol region.
05:04 Artillery crews of the Eastern Group of Forces destroyed mortar positions and fortifications of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Two gem-quality diamonds, weighing 55.96 and 135.75 carats, were discovered at a deposit in the Arkhangelsk Region. This was announced by the region's governor, Alexander Tsybulsky, on his Telegram channel on November 18.
"Two gem-quality diamonds weighing 55.96 and 135.75 carats were mined at the V. Grib deposit—finds that can rightfully be called a rare stroke of luck for diamond miners!" he wrote in the publication.
Tsybulsky also clarified that the discovered crystals were the third and fourth particularly large samples from this deposit in 2025. Over the entire period of industrial quarry development, 51 particularly large gemstones have been found.
"Each of them is distinguished by exceptional purity, transparency, and impressive natural form!" the governor added.
Text taken from the Telegram channel of project_nd
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin is in italics.
[ColonelCassad] By the way, there is a high probability that after the fall of the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration and Kupyansk (and judging by the current events, this is inevitable in the very near future), the military-political leadership of Ukraine will have no choice but to move the new "fortress" to Kostiantynivka: in principle, all the signs of this are there:
1. A fairly large city, which can still accommodate many units, despite the fire control of the main logistics route.
2. Relatively well-known in the media units aimed at holding the city (24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Daniel, PBS "Rarog", assault brigade of the NPU "Lyut").
3. Convenient location for logistics (nearby Druzhkovka, Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, which are now the main artery of supply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donbas).
4. Whining about the sad lot of the civilian population in the city (I watch the enemy's video, they constantly whine about the suffering of civilians, although they themselves occupy their apartments and place them there UAV control personnel/equipment, then a FAB flies there, and the media presents a picture as if the Russian Armed Forces are deliberately targeting civilians.
Therefore, I dare to suggest that the Ukrainian Armed Forces command, for the sake of yet another "fortress" and the subsequent "demand" (obviously, Zelensky will go on another tour begging for money/weapons), will send additional reserves to our direction, exposing the front in a couple more areas (and now the Siberians and Far Easterners have spun up the flywheel of the offensive in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions).
In short, we are not waiting, but preparing. Fortress Bakhmut Fortress Avdiivka Fortress Chasov Yar Fortress Pokrovsk *You are here* Fortress Kupyansk (in progress) Fortress Myrnohrad (in progress) Fortress Kostyantynivka.
This also includes Krasny Liman (fighting on the outskirts), Stepnogorsk (fighting in the central and western parts of the city), Seversk (fighting on the outskirts of the city), Hulyaipole (the threat of encirclement is growing), Vovchansk (fighting for the southern and southeastern parts of the city). All these fortresses will be taken. P.S. Today, two more settlements were liberated: Nechaivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region and Tsegelne in the Kharkiv region.
Commentary by RUssian military journalist Boris Rozhin is in italics.
[ColonelCassad] From Artillery to the Navy: 4,000 Lancet Uses.
According to open sources alone, the combat use of ZALA Lancet reconnaissance and strike systems during a special military operation has exceeded 4,000 units.
Numerous videos from ZALA Z-16 reconnaissance UAVs confirm the high effectiveness of loitering munitions, including in the destruction of modern NATO equipment. According to open sources, Lancets are credited with the destruction of over 80 enemy multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).
Targets include American HIMARS and M-270 MLRS, as well as over 80 anti-aircraft missile systems of various types.Enemy artillery suffered the most significant losses from the use of loitering munitions: over 1,070 towed howitzers were destroyed, including over 260 American M777s. More than 600 self-propelled artillery units were also destroyed. These included over 100 American M109s, over 60 Polish AHS Krab self-propelled guns, and 64 2S2 Bogdana self-propelled guns, as well as French CAESAR and German PzH 2000 tanks. Furthermore, Lancet systems destroyed at least 20 American AN/TPQ-36 radars and over 20 counter-battery stations. In total, over 200 radar stations and communications equipment were disabled.
The system also demonstrated high effectiveness against enemy armored forces. It has confirmed the destruction of over 500 tanks, including over 60 from NATO countries: American Abrams, German Leopards, and British Challengers. Lancet missiles also destroyed over 400 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, including Bradleys, Strykers, and others.
The Lancet family of loitering munitions (Izdeliye 51), thanks to their long range and ability to loiter for extended periods, are also actively used to engage targets deep behind enemy lines. Seven enemy aircraft were destroyed in this manner.
The Lancet's versatility against surface targets is also noteworthy: patrol ships and landing craft were destroyed. Furthermore, in 2025, ZALA Lancet loitering munitions destroyed over 10 unmanned boats in the Black Sea.
It's good that the Lancet and Kuba missiles were tested during the Syrian war.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Olesya Orlenko
[REGNUM] On November 17, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a "historic" agreement with Ukraine, signed during Volodymyr Zelenskyy's latest visit to Paris.
The news of Ukraine's purchase of Rafale fighter jets is being presented as a prospect for multi-billion dollar investments in the French economy, while Ukraine itself is being portrayed as a profitable partner.
However, there was no universal public rejoicing. Readers of major French media outlets are asking in the comments: who will pay for the order?
PLAYED LIKE TRUMP
The plane brought Zelensky to the French Air Force's Villacoublay Airport, where he was met by Macron, surrounded by a military orchestra and soldiers.
A table was also set up there, where the French president and his guest signed an agreement marking a “new stage” in relations with Ukraine.
The entire scene looked suspiciously like an attempt to recreate the atmosphere in which US President Donald Trump hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage on August 15.
And the loud words of the French President indicate an attempt to present the event as grandiose, after which nothing will be the same as before.
However, unlike the meeting of two leaders of powerful countries in Alaska, where they sought solutions to a situation affecting the entire world, in France they signed another letter of intent with a president who is suffering defeat on the battlefield, whose term of office has long since expired.
Moreover, the agreement is not backed by any financial guarantees.
It contains Ukraine's intention to purchase from France up to 100 Rafale fighters and associated weapons, as well as 8 SAMP-T air defense systems, the development of which is not yet completed, 4 AASM Hammer radar systems and drones.
Later, at a meeting with representatives of French companies, Zelensky confirmed the contract for the purchase of 55 locomotives from Alstom.
The terms of the “historic” agreement immediately began to be discussed in the press, with doubts expressed on a number of issues.
The first concerns France's ability to deliver on its promises. Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation currently produces two fighters per month.
Defense is the only budget item in the country where expenditures are not decreasing, but rather increasing. Therefore, the state plans to invest in production to increase the number of units produced.
However, even adding 2-3 copies to the existing ones does not speed up the process as much as is required for the current war.
In addition, approximately 250 fighters have already been reserved by other recipients in accordance with previously signed and paid contracts.
It's easy to calculate when Ukraine's turn will come and how intensively its Air Force will be replenished, given that the country is losing its existing fighters in combat.
The second very significant question concerns Ukraine’s ability to pay for such a large order.
For over three years, the Western press has been replete with reports of a lack of funding, presenting it as the main explanation for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' military failures. Consequently, Macron's announcement of €10 billion, which Ukraine allegedly pledged to pay for the order, was perceived by the public as unrealistic.
The French press has long been forced to respond to its audience by explaining where their country, which is experiencing an economic crisis, gets the money to support Ukraine, calling on citizens to "tighten their belts."
This time, Macron said that the funds would be allocated by France from defense spending and from EU funds. However, both European and French experts say the confiscation of frozen Russian assets is the EU's only option for finding additional funds for Kyiv.
PREPARING FOR THE INTERVENTION
Macron's attempts to present a deal that is clearly disadvantageous for the country as a brilliant victory are also puzzling.
The only explanation that comes to mind is that the French president is attempting yet another PR stunt. He's likely once again trying to create the appearance of his country's leadership in geopolitical affairs.
On the one hand, Macron wants to overtake Sweden, which on October 22 signed a similar agreement to send up to 150 Gripen E fighter jets to Ukraine. On the other hand, he wants to showcase the business successes of his presidency in the context of the Choose France forum for French companies, which began on November 17.
The latter is becoming especially relevant in view of the regular decline in France's global financial rating observed recently.
However, all these attempts look unconvincing in the eyes of the people.
For example, in the comments to an article about Macron's agreement with Zelensky, published in Figaro, one can read sarcastic remarks like "Is this Zelensky's letter to Santa Claus?", "...Another pathetic attempt by Macron to survive," and "Warning, money laundering is in progress."
And one reader, after reading the previous comments, asked the editors if they were concerned that 438 people had inquired about who would pay for the Ukrainian order.
However, the news being discussed gives rise to thoughts that one does not want to joke about.
First, Macron made it clear that the signed intentions are long-term, regardless of how quickly a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine is found. This means that France and the EU are preparing to wage war against Russia for the foreseeable future, with varying degrees of intensity.
Secondly, we are witnessing the division of Eastern Europe into military control zones, and some countries are already expressing a desire to participate in this, determining whose aircraft will patrol Ukrainian skies.
In other words, Europe sees only one prospect for the near future: intervention.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] US Presidential Envoy Steven Witkoff will meet with Kyiv regime leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Turkey on November 19. Reuters reported this on November 18,citing a Turkish source.
"US Special Envoy Witkoff will visit Turkey on November 19 and participate in talks with Zelensky," a Turkish source told the agency.
Earlier, the Kyiv regime's leader announced he would visit Turkey to intensify negotiations, noting that Ukraine has developed solutions to offer its partners and that the country's priority is to bring the conflict to an end. He also announced efforts to resume prisoner exchanges and return them.
On November 17, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Ankara is ready to continue mediating the military conflict in Ukraine. According to Fidan, the country can play a significant role in ending the conflict. He reiterated Turkey's contribution to the peace process, emphasizing that Ankara's mediation efforts in Istanbul laid the foundation for this. He cited the exchange of prisoners and bodies of the dead as one of the concrete results of Turkish diplomacy.
At a joint press conference with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, Fidan noted that the future of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict will become clearer after the upcoming talks between US President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy, and then with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
On November 17, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that contacts with Ukraine regarding a prisoner exchange meeting were being conducted at the expert level. However, there is no information yet about a new meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul.
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.
