Given the amount of alcohol in those hand sanitisers I’m surprised they were not welcomed with open lips.

Clearing trenches.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...nes-in-ukraine

Russia's recruiting procedure.

Macron today produced maps of a poss Russian breakthrough towards Kyiv or Odessa which could oblige the west to act to prevent a Russian victory in Ukraine. In talks w French opposition leaders, Macron said there should be no more “red lines” on Fr involvement in the conflict 1/

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1...aign=topunroll


It is also an article on Radio France International.


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⚡️ Zelenskyy has approved the candidacy of Ukraine's former commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi for the post of ambassador to the UK.

This morning, 7th of March 2024, 5:40 local time. There was a reported drone attack on the Severstal plant (Steel industry company) in Cherepovets, Russia. 800km from Ukraine border. The drone hit the place where the blast furnace is located.

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https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...ys-2024-03-06/

France and Moldova to sign defence pact amid fears of Russian destabilisation

PARIS, March 6 (Reuters) - Moldova and France will sign a defence cooperation accord on Thursday as part of the West's efforts to strengthen the former Soviet state's capabilities amid what they fear are increasing efforts by Russia to destabilise Moldova.

Moldova, a western neighbour of Ukraine, has a tiny defence budget and has long had tense relations with Moscow, which have worsened as Chisinau backs Ukraine in the war against Russia…..

The French presidency said in a statement on Wednesday that defence and economic cooperation accords would be signed when President Emmanuel Macron meets his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu in Paris.

He would underline his "support for the independence, sovereignty and security of the Republic of Moldova, in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," it said.

The two countries reached an initial accord in September that covers training of military personnel, regular defence dialogue and intelligence sharing.
The letter of intent also said Paris would support Chisinau's efforts to see how to develop its military capabilities, including the possible purchase of anti-air defence capacities similar to France's Mistral system.

At the time, Moldova announced it had bought Thales-made GM200 radar enabling it to improve aerial surveillance to detect and track targets moving from low to very high altitude.

France's defence minister said it would carry out an audit of Moldova's air defence means to help strengthen the security of Moldovan skies.

In parallel to Sandu's visit, Western states will hold an audio call hosted by France to discuss increasing support for Ukraine, but also Moldova.….

​​​​​​​If I were an Ukrainian, given French results in past world wars, I'd rather they don't get involved on my side.

The French did quite well at Ouistreham iirc.

Macron organised on-line meeting for ministers of foreign affairs and defence of European NATO members today. Slovakia and Hungary were not invited. Great news I would say, cordon sanitaire is much needed here.

Put a hole in one?

Us and U.K. embassies warning of a possible major terrorist attack in Russia… just in time for voting

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Moldova needs bilateral security agreements with as many EU and NATO states as possible, it is the only thing that will stop Vlad adding another stiletto heading towards European interests. All western nations should consider the same thing, as that is what the intent of the UN Charter is supposed to provide, a unified response to [aggressor states / Russia] (if the ushanka fits etc... )

Sweden of course fought a series of huge wars against Russia. There is less theorizing and much more sang-froid in the Baltic area.

Earlier today, Czech President Petr Pavel confirmed that a total of 18 nations have fully funded the Czech-led effort to supply Ukraine with over 800,000 artillery shells.

The Norwegian aid announcement today completed the funding.

Dont remember who said it, but another leader said they found an extra 200K as well

It's not so much about the size of the rocket, though the whole of the auxiliary equipment needed, including another phased array radar unit requiring a 360-degree view and the constellation containing several masts. I also have the impression, that although the Patriot system can do "self-protect", there is limited protection possible against a Zircon coming in (near) vertically. The debris will hit your ship anyway, including the exploding warhead.

The early Zircon versions didn't go Mach 8+, but the current ones do, which seems to be above the limit to intercept, according to Western experts.

This is a great story. Czech volunteers delivered humanitarian help in active war zones and they witnessed how an old babushka gave eggs to ZSU soldiers. Fighters took it and she received some canned food in return. Czechs were amazed and asked soldiers why they took the eggs when it was everything she had? And they answered that she is old and weak yet she still wants to fight against invaders and contribute on her terms. Knowing that soldiers will eat the eggs gives her a purpose.

A Czech businessman Jan Bárta heard this story and was so moved that he decided it is his turn to do something about Russian invasion. He wrote this status on Twitter and promised to donate 100 dollars for every retweet and he really kept the promise. He paid more than 50 million Czech crowns to purchase drones for Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Great inspiration, contribute any way you can.

Drone attack viewed by both sides

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