Hello everybody!

Yes, it was an ‘early Christmas Wonder’ when Zele sacked Yermak, the last week.

…erm… sorry: Yermak resigned, of course, and then went straight to the frontline, to heroically fight the Russians…

By side all the cheering between Pudding-fans in the social media: that’s natural. At least something one has to expect. What I’ve found funny was the army of Zele-fans in ‘the West’ not being entirely in agreement with each other: some are interpreting Zele’s sacking of Yermak as his ‘efforts to fight corruption’, others as ‘Zele succumbing to corruption’; indeed, as a US attempt to get rid of (hero) Zelensky, or at least to bring him under control….

…sigh & rolleyes…

It’s actually tragic to say it: whether due to Yermak, or his own ignorance of reality (certainly no ‘naivety’: sorry, but not buying it that any person older than 30 is ‘naive’; even less so any politician over 30), Zele has never even attempted to seriously curb corruption.

If not being a part of corruption, he was looking the other way. Trying to ignore it.

Should there be any doubts, check how many corruption affairs were there in Ukraine since he was elected, and then how many of culprits were prosecuted and sentenced. Don’t be surprised if you come out with 0.

…which, between others, is the reason why the NABU investigator of Yermak is still languishing in prison…

Thus, sorry: nope. Zele now forcing Yermak to quit, is no ‘curbing corruption’ - but Zele’s struggle for his own, bare political survival. Essentially, both he and Yermak have figured out that if Zele doesn’t sack Yermak, it’s going to be Zele who will be sacked - by his own political party.

While, over the years, Yermak has positioned so many family-members and buddies into crucial positions, that he needs not being anywhere around, but remains highly influential. Thus, at least in theory - if he would be anything like ‘seriously fighting corruption’ - Zele’s position is resembling that of fighting a hydra: Zele would, actually, need to fire lots of other people, too.

Arguably, without Yermak overseeing everything Zele does, in real time, 24/7 - there’s at least a slim hope of Zele moving on and removing useless showmen like Syrsky and Budannov.

...arguably, that would be equal with Zele hiring himself somebody to throw a bucket of ice-cold water into his face, every single morning.

…then again, several times during the day, and in the evening, too.

...but, and again: hope dies the last.

For jerks like me, the hope is still alive because word is that Zele is meanwhile very, very, but really very displeased with Syrsky. About two weeks ago, his General of Fantastic news has refused to obey a direct order, and launch a ‘major counteroffensive in the Donbass’. Indeed, Syrsky’s explained Zele that he’s got no troops, nor ammo to do so. Which made Zele very, very, very angry… so angry that, after another loaded discussion, General of Fantastic News eventually did scratch together remnants of the 32nd Mechanised- and the 35th Naval Infantry Brigades, and whatever of the 425th Assault Regiment was not encircled and destroyed inside Pokrovsk, to launch a counterattack…

…so that all the proud Ukrainians can now claim: the Russians didn’t seize Pokrovsk…

(<= bangs his head against the nearest wall before resuming typing…)

…because, you know: if the ZSU is losing yet more troops and equipment, and wasting the meagre shell-supply from ‘the West’ to ‘counterattack’ the Russians in (the northern approaches to) Pokrovsk, while the GenStab-U is still publishing maps depicting the ZSU as holding all of the ruined town, then that means that Pokrovsk didn’t fall, and the 38th Naval Infantry Brigade is not encircled in Myrnohrad…

(<= decides to join those belittling Zelensky as ‘Zele Tsu’, and quoting from his book The Science of Defeat: ‘holding 2% of Pokrovsk is victory!’)

If my description of these affairs is now creating the impression resembling that left by movies about Adolf Hitler in the final days in the Führerbunker of Berlin, in April 1945: sorry, that’s not what I’m trying to imply.

See it positively: all of this revealing the fact that I was wrong. Completely and utterly wrong.

You see: Zele does have a strategy. And then the most effective strategy imaginable.

The strategy of ignoring reality.

Which, hand on heart, is neither his invention, nor anything new. It’s a common practice especially within the ranks of CEOs and higher-level management in all the possible ‘Western’ corporations for decades already. So much so, even the majority of politicians have meanwhile adopted this strategy; followed by much of top military commanders. Is most obvious from all of them always refusing to accept responsibility for their own deeds, and eloquently blaming somebody else (usually: employees or voters) - while punishing and disabling proven skill. Because, you know, when one denies self-created problems, then these are non-existent; and when one excels in preventing others from doing better, then doing better is impossible. Which is why no CEOs, no politicians, and no top military commanders are quitting in our times… and both our collective politics and our economy (not to talk about our strategy) are progressing so well…

Over to Don.

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Three Minutes of Truth

The Halifax International Security Forum had a 30 minute forum with the title, “Democracies Don’t Despair”. The Canadian and Swedish representatives said some nice things and were very bureaucratic in other responses. The Ukrainian and Russian (Garry Kasparov) representatives spoke from the heart and were closer to the truth. This is a 33 minute video but here is Kasparov’s three minute response to a question.

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Kupiansk

Five Ukrainians carry a wounded comrade in the daylight. Only one walks away. Russia uses a thermite drone to burn anti-drone netting leading into the city.

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Borova

Before it became part of the 3rd Corps, the 3rd Assault Brigade was sent to prevent the capture of Borova. Now they are trying to lead the defense of a 60 km front and the Russians are moving closer to Borova. The 77th Airmobile Brigade is at the point of the Russian attack.

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Siversk

Ukraine was able to push Russia out of Zvanivka so Russia attacked it with drones.

Russian forces were attacked on the eastern edge of Siversk but Ukrainian forces were attacked in southeastern Siversk.

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Kostiantynivka

Ukrainians in Oleksandro-Shultyne are attacked. Russians in Kostiantynivka are attacked.

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Pokrovsk

Syrsky directed the 35th Marine Brigade to continue clearing out Russians that entered Myrnohrad. When it’s foggy, they can move vehicles into the city. When it’s sunny, drones take a toll on any vehicles passing through. The 79th Air Assault Brigade is fighting for Rodynske. If they lose the village, Mynrnohrad is cut off.

Russia continues to send small teams north of Pokrovsk. They are now using vehicles south of the railroad. There is some Ukrainian activity south of the railroad.

Russians were killed on the eastern edge of Hryshyne.

Green lines are the 50 Ukrainian wrecks documented last week. The blue lines and two small blue ovals on top of the crossroads are 50 new wrecks. Blue dots are Ukrainian infantry activity, plus the Stryker by Rodynske. The pink dots are Russian infantry activity. The fuchsia (bright pink/purple?) dots are Russian vehicles

Three Ukrainians are ambushed in Shakove.

27 destroyed Ukrainian vehicles along a supply route into Pokrovsk. A Ukrainian Stryker is destroyed on the western edge of Rodynske. A Ukrainian airstrike east of Rodynske.

Four Russians are taken prisoner in the center of Myrnohrad.

On the northern edge of Pokrovsk, four Russians are ambushed. Russians are attacked throughout Pokrovsk by 7th Corps units, including Russians that are shot at close range in western Pokrovsk and a Lada and a tank are destroyed on the southern edge of the city. A BMP is destroyed near the railroad.

In every city and many villages, there are people that refuse to evacuate despite the destruction that comes with the advancing Russian army. It is their home. It’s where they are comfortable. They have their routines. For one resident, one of the routines is exercising on an outdoor treadmill during breaks between the bombardments and street fighting.

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Novopavlivka

Russian infiltrators are attacked up to 5 km behind the front lines. Ukraine also pushed Russia out of Ivanivka.

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Huliaipole

Russians attack and enter Zalyshshia. These are 12 of the 19 bombs that hit Huliaipole. There were more airstrikes on the town.

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Unknown Location

A Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot evades a Russian missile that was fired from a distance of 45 km.

Three Russian air defense systems were destroyed.

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This text is published with the permission of the author. First published here.