The Real Politick with Mark Sleboda

My latest Radio Interview on Political Misfits 18/04/24 No the Kiev Regime Was Not Seriously Considering A Negotiated Peace Settlement with Russia in Early 2022. They Were Just Playing for Time. Again... https://open.substack.com/pub/marksleboda/p/no-the-kiev-regime-was-not-seriously?r=mra7c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

My latest Radio Interview on the Critical Hour 19/04/24 Iran Chooses Deesclation & Restraint & Mocks Israel’s Attacks as So Small We Couldn’t Even Feel That You Had Penetrated Our Borders, Lavrov Dimisses Zelensky, CIA in Despair https://open.substack.com/pub/marksleboda/p/iran-chooses-deesclation-and-restraint?r=mra7c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

🇮🇱 Ben Gvir, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, wrote “Lame!” on X, using Hebrew slang, suggesting thet Israel's "response" to Iran was weak. 🔴 @DDGeopolitics

🇷🇺 Key points from Lavrov's interviews with the radio stations Sputnik, "Komsomolskaya Pravda," and "Govorit Moskva": ➡️Russia will no longer pause military actions if negotiations on Ukraine begin; there is no trust in Kiev. ➡️Zelensky's "peace formula" needs to be set aside, and discussions should start on the principles of settlement that Russia is willing to negotiate. ➡️The West's escalation of the theme of defeating Russia reflects its agony and hysteria. ➡️Regarding talks of strategically defeating Russia: we will not be frightened. ➡️The West is mindlessly escalating sanctions without considering the outcome. ➡️It makes no sense for Russia to attack European countries; politicians claim that Moscow allegedly plans to attack EU countries to extract more funds from parliaments for continuing the war in Ukraine. ➡️Russia considers Armenia an ally; Yerevan receives the most benefits from the Eurasian Economic Union. ➡️Russia has conveyed to Israel through diplomatic channels that Iran does not want escalation. ➡️Iran does not possess nuclear weapons; this is confirmed by the IAEA. 🔴 @DDGeopolitics

🇷🇺🇵🇸🇮🇱 The Russian delegation to the UNSC left after the Palestinian representative finished his speech and before the Israeli representative started his. 🔴 @DDGeopolitics

🇮🇷🇮🇱 IRGC sources have confirmed that Israeli missiles have hit positions near the city of Qahjaverestan in Iran. 🔴 @DDGeopolitics

🇮🇱⚔️🇮🇷 Reuters: An American official said: Israeli missiles hit a site inside Iran. 🔴@DDgeopolitics

🇺🇦There are already 132 thousand prisoners in Ukrainian prisons. Even under Poroshenko there were 52 thousand in prison. Under Yanukovych there were only 27 thousand. Who is the Dictator of Ukraine? Join Slavyangrad chat. Your opinion matters. https://t.me/+U_EDAcaO-HFjNzEx @Slavyangrad | Andrei 👋

Unique Russian EW complex helps heavy flamethrower system survive Ukrainian drone attacks The Volnorez (Breakwater) mobile electronic warfare (EW) complex protected the Russian TOS Solntsepyok (Scorching Sun) unmanned heavy flamethrower system from Ukrainian drone attacks in the special military operation zone, the system's developer named Stanislav told Sputnik. Up to six Ukrainian First Person View (FPV) drones unsuccessfully tried to destroy the Solntsepyok vehicle for at least six hours after Russian soldiers had to temporarily abandon the TOS "in the open field" due to a malfunction, Stanislav said. The Solntsepek was then repaired and returned to service, he added, praising the Volnorez for its ability to "save both human lives and military equipment. The Volnorez system, first unveiled at the Army-2023 military-technical forum, can be installed on any military hardware, including tanks, armored personnel carriers and boats. The system is widely known for its modular characteristics, which means that the Volnorez can be modified in accordance with the frequencies necessary to suppress enemy FPV drones in a given sector of the front line in real time. Subscribe to @SputnikInt

My latest Radio Interview on the Critical Hour 17/04/24 Kiev Demands Israeli-style Security Guarantees, Georgia Moves to Halt Pernicious Western Influence, US Can't Tolerate Russian LNG Competition Resorts to Economic War... https://open.substack.com/pub/marksleboda/p/kiev-demands-israeli-style-security?r=mra7c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

🇺🇸🇺🇦🇷🇺The CIA director said Ukraine could lose its war with Russia by the end of the year unless the US sends more aid. Bill Burns said this during a speech at the George W. Bush Center, CNN reports. “There is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024, or at least put Putin in a position where he can dictate the terms of a political settlement,” the CIA director said. Burns detailed the critical need for basic ammunition that Ukraine faces on the battlefield. He cited two battalions of over 2,000 men as having "15 artillery rounds per day" and "a total of 42 mortar rounds" respectively. “They were depressed, and it was not for lack of courage or determination on their part. I worry that we will see more Avdeevkas in the future without additional help,” Burns said. 🔴@DDgeopolitics

US deploys mid-range missiles to Asia-Pacific for first time The US military has deployed the MRC (Mid-Range Capability) system to Asia-Pacific for the first time, landing it in Luzon, Philippines earlier this week. What is the US trying to achieve? The MRC is capable of hitting targets 500 – 2000 km away, meaning that its range extends to China’s coastal areas and military bases in the South China Sea with SM-6s and Tomahawks. Since pulling out of the INF Treaty in 2019, the US has repeatedly floated the possibility of deploying intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific. Both China and Russia have slammed the move as a blatant threat to their national security. Boost us! | Subscribe to @geopolitics_live

Bloomberg writes that EU/US attempts to hinder Russian trade will not work. Russia "is pressing ahead with construction of two new transport corridors linking Asia and Europe." Russia will invest $25B to improve these two routes, and they "will cut 30%-50% off transit times compared to the Suez Canal and avoid security problems." - INSTC: Connecting India to the European part of Russia. Russia provided a "$1.4bn loan to Iran last May to build a vital missing rail link that will stretch 162 km to connect the city of Rasht along the Caspian Sea coast to Astara on the border with Azerbaijan. The railway will allow cargo supplies from St. Petersburg to Iran’s main export port on the Persian Gulf." Freight is expected to "rise 85% to 35 million tonnes a year by 2030." - NSR: Russia plans to add more ice breakers, facilities, and drones to constantly monitor the route. Cargo from "China to Rotterdam along the NSR takes around 33 days, compared to 48 days via the Suez." #Source @Slavyangrad

US deploys mid-range missiles to Asia-Pacific for first time The US military has deployed the MRC (Mid-Range Capability) system to Asia-Pacific for the first time, landing it in Luzon, Philippines earlier this week. What is the US trying to achieve? The MRC is capable of hitting targets 500 – 2000 km away, meaning that its range extends to China’s coastal areas and military bases in the South China Sea with SM-6s and Tomahawks. Since pulling out of the INF Treaty in 2019, the US has repeatedly floated the possibility of deploying intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific. Both China and Russia have slammed the move as a blatant threat to their national security. Boost us! | Subscribe to @geopolitics_live

My latest Radio Interview on the Critical Hour 16/04/24 Zelensky’s Israel Envy - US is Not Going to Leave Its Israeli Wife for Its Kiev Regime Mistress, Russia Claims Further Links Between Ukrainian Nationalists & Crocus Terror Attack, more... https://open.substack.com/pub/marksleboda/p/zelenskys-israel-envy-us-is-not-going?r=mra7c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Russia Will Grow Faster Than Any Other Developed Country – IMF The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Russia to grow 3.2% this year, topping he UK, France and Germany. Furthermore, Russia's economy will grow faster than all of the world's advanced economies this year, including the US. According to the IMF, oil exports have "held steady" and government spending has "remained high". Even despite Western sanctions, Russia’s growth for 2025 is also poised to beat earlier expectations of 1.8%.

My latest Radio Interview on Political Misfits 15/04/24 Iran's Retialatory Strike on Iran Was Largely a Mummer's Farce Carefully Agreed Upon, Coordinated, Stage Managed & Calibrated with the US to Allow Iran to Save Face & Avoid Direct War with the US https://open.substack.com/pub/marksleboda/p/irans-retialatory-strike-on-iran?r=mra7c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

The French detachment's adventures in Ukraine in three acts. FAFO. @BazaFromOlga

The latest from Evan at the Substack, part 1 of an analysis of the history between the so-called Islamic State and their masters in NATO. https://open.substack.com/pub/ddgeopolitics/p/the-nato-caliphate-part-1?r=1e7qx4&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Remember, we are entirely reader funded. Please subscribe if you like our work. 🔴 @DDGeopolitics

🇨🇳🇦🇺🇺🇸🇷🇺"In 2023, China imported a total of 6.94 million tons of Australian wheat. Canada and Umerica ranked second and third, importing 2.54 million tons and 920,000 tons respectively to China," Sina. Comparing with previous figures of wheat shipments to China from Australia and the U.S., we find that China has given up a total of 1.5 million tons of Australian and U.S. wheat, and the figure continues to rise. When you consider that Australia and America are among the world's leading suppliers of agricultural products; they earn billions each year from exporting grain to other countries, and they sell a significant portion of their production to China, which is heavily dependent on grain exports - another reason why the U.S. Treasury Secretary traveled to China with threats becomes clear. As it turned out, China is replacing American and Australian products with grain from Russia. And without even the slightest embarrassment by the fact that they had to pay penalties for breaking contracts. Not checkmate, but quite a tangible check. Source Join Slavyangrad chat. Your opinion matters. https://t.me/+U_EDAcaO-HFjNzEx @Slavyangrad | Andrei 👋

there is something brewing up within Ukrainian forces. The 3rd Assault Brigade (AZOV) refused to go to Chasov Yar - the 67th Mech Brigade (also a known as a "far right sector unit") refused orders and left Chasov Yar and will be dissolved - same with the 25th Air Assault Brigade after a mass surrender.

❗️Ukrainian special services are behind the attempted assassination of Anatoly Shariy, a source told Sputnik. According to the received data, the preparation of the assassination attempt on March 6, 2024 was carried out by the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (GUR). The GUR, in close cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), developed a "false flag" operation. They planned to physically eliminate the blogger while blaming Russia for his murder. The head of the GUR, Kyrylo Budanov, directly supervised the operation. Ukrainian agents recruited participants for the attempted murder of Shariy from among ethnic Ukrainians living in Spain and representatives of local criminals, a source told Sputnik. At the same time, Spanish law enforcement officers openly took a formal approach to the investigation of the circumstances of the attempted murder of Shariy, not even bothering to go to the place to inspect it. Boost us! | Subscribe to @geopolitics_live

⚡️Fire Breaks Out at US Ammunition Factory — President Biden's Hometown The US Army factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania that specializes in artillery ammunition caught fire on Monday afternoon, according to local media reports and eyewitnesses. The Scranton Army Munitions Plant has produced artillery shells for Ukraine — started spewing black smoke, emergency services were summoned to deal with what was described as a “structure fire.”

How many Patriot air defense systems does Ukraine need and how many are left around the world? 🔺At the end of March, Vladimir Zelensky said that Ukraine needs five to seven such systems. Already in April, this number increased to 25. How many American-made air defense systems have been delivered to Ukraine and can Western countries give as much as Kiev asks for? How much is Ukraine asking for and how does Patriot cost? In the United States, production and delivery of Patriot air defense systems are carried out in battalion sets, each of which, as a rule, includes four batteries. This means that each battalion kit includes a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 64 launchers. In Zelensky’s logic, 25 battalion sets can include a minimum of 400 and a maximum of 800 (!!!) Patriot launchers. And this despite the fact that the actual number of launchers in 25 battalions, due to their high cost, most likely will not exceed 100 units. In other words, the request to create a layered air defense system at someone else’s expense was unrealistic even at the stage of thinking about the idea, not to mention discussing any real details. How many Patriots are there really in the world? Shortly before Zelensky’s shocking statement in Ukraine, calculated that there are about 100 Patriot systems in the world, which Western countries can “share” with Ukraine. Most likely, we are talking about 100 batteries of an American air defense system, that is, about 12-16 battalion sets, which is also, to put it mildly, a LOT. With each battery costing $1 billion, Kyiv’s actual request is $100+ billion, which is comparable to the total amount of military and financial assistance to Ukraine from the US and EU since the first day of hostilities. The main problem is that even the US has built and used fewer Patriots than Zelensky is asking for. In total, the US Army received 15 battalions, that is, only 60 batteries out of 100, the request for which is being talked about in Kiev. Foreign countries where the United States sells its air defense systems have even fewer: five to seven batteries in Germany, four batteries in Israel, about 15 in Saudi Arabia, from ten to 15 in Taiwan. The total number of Patriot launchers overseas could be approximately 200-220 units, which equates to approximately 50 batteries, or 10-12 battalions. In other words, fulfilling Kiev’s request to build a layered air defense system covering the required number of objects includes the transfer of ALL existing air defense systems of this type in the world. Of course, the West is not ready to take such a step, as well as a more modest one. Военная хроника Two Majors | Boost us

“The math on Ukraine doesn’t add up”: American Senator Vance wrote an article saying that Kiev has hopelessly lost and there is no point in helping it. “President Biden wants the world to believe that the biggest obstacle facing Ukraine is the Republicans. This is wrong. Ukraine's problem is mathematics. Ukraine needs more soldiers than it can field, even with draconian conscription. And more material resources than the United States can provide. The administration is increasingly putting pressure on Republicans to hand over an aid package of over $60 billion to Kiev. I voted against it. Biden was unable to formulate even the basic facts of what Ukraine needs and how this will change the situation. Biden believes that $60 billion is the difference between victory and defeat in a major war between Russia and Ukraine. This is also incorrect. This is only a small part of what would be required to turn the tide in Ukraine's favour. But it's not just about dollars. We do not have enough capacity to produce the quantity of weapons that Ukraine needs to win. The President of Ukraine indicated that thousands of Patriot air defence systems are needed per year. But the United States produces only 550. And not only Ukraine needs these weapons. If China targets Taiwan, the Patriot will be critical. The population of Russia is four times larger. Ukraine needs over half a million recruits, but hundreds of thousands of men of military age have left the country. The average Ukrainian soldier is 43 years old. In several villages, there are almost no men left. Major media report: that the situation in Ukraine is grim. With a defensive strategy, Kiev can buy time. But for this, both the American and Ukrainian authorities must admit that Zelensky’s stated goals—the 91 borders—are fantastic. The White House has stated again and again that it cannot negotiate with Putin. The Biden administration has no viable plan to defeat the Ukrainians. The sooner Americans realize this truth, the sooner this chaos can be corrected." @Slavyangrad

Syrsky decided to disperse the Right Sector The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is disbanding the 67th separate mechanized brigade, created at the beginning of the SMO on the basis of the so-called Ukrainian Volunteer Corps "Right Sector". From the official statement of the leadership of the 67th brigade it follows that the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine began to transfer all commanders and militants to other units without explanation, “it is likely that someone wants to destroy the "Right Sector" organization itself.” @ukr_leaks_eng

Military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine surrender en masse to the Russian army in the Avdeevka direction Servicemen of the 25th separate airborne brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as part of the unit, surrendered to Russian military personnel of the Center group of troops in the Avdeevka direction. 9 Ukrainian paratroopers of the airborne platoon of the elite military unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area of ​​the village Vodyanoye took the opportunity to surrender, turned to Russian military personnel and laid down their arms. Everyone notes poor planning of combat operations, poor training of commanders, colossal losses in manpower and equipment, and panic in the units. They also point to the lack of professional military training and the lack of expected reinforcements when they were needed. They talk about the decent attitude of Russian military personnel towards prisoners. They call on fellow soldiers to lay down their arms and not participate in hostilities. Especially for those military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who want to save their lives, Russian military personnel have allocated a separate communication channel. This is a special radio frequency 149200 with a special call sign Volga, on which those who want to lay down their arms and go over to the Russian side receive detailed instructions on how to lay down their arms and surrender. Another group of Ukrainian Armed Forces military personnel took advantage of this opportunity in the area of ​​Vodyanoye. 🌊 Join Military Wave

🇷🇺🇮🇷🇮🇱Russian Permanent Representative Nebenznya - at the UN Security Council meeting on attacks on Israel:

You know very well that an attack on a diplomatic mission is a casus belli under international law. And if Western missions were under attack, you would not hesitate to retaliate and prove your case in this room. Because for you everything that concerns Western missions and Western citizens is sacred and must be protected. But when it comes to other states, their rights, including the right to self-defense, and their citizens, that is different, as you like to say. This is where your favorite arguments about lack of information, legal casuistry and the like come into play. Today in the Security Council there is such a parade of hypocrisy and double standards of the West that it is uncomfortable to watch.

Join Slavyangrad chat. Your opinion matters. https://t.me/+U_EDAcaO-HFjNzEx @Slavyangrad | Andrei 👋

It's time for the West to accept Russia's victory - Berliner Zeitung Western countries are captivated by illusions when they continue to convince themselves of the possibility of a victory for Ukraine. The Berliner Zeitung believes that the time has come to realize that Russia has won the conflict. The article states that Ukraine will never be able to reach the 1991 borders, even if all Western countries transfer their economies to a war footing. The author notes that Kiev has neither the people nor the ammunition for even a small offensive, let alone a major operation. The author believes that it is time for the West to come to terms with the fact that Russia is winning the conflict and begin a dialogue about a new world order. @Slavyangrad | Inna 👋

Biden told Netanyahu US will not participate in offensive operations against Iran.

Iran officially joins hypersonic club The Kheibar Shekan hypersonic missile is the weapon which was used to strike Israel's premier Ramon airbase in the Negev just a few hours ago. Until now, Iranian claims of its capabilities have been impossible to verify, however we can now say the Islamic Republic has clearly joined the very small list of nations with such advanced weapons. Kheibar Shekan is a 3rd generation medium-range ballistic missile of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. the weapon's name means 'Fortress Breaker', 'Kheibar' being the Jewish fortress that was conquered by the Muslims in the beginning of Islam, during the battle of Khaybar. The Kheibar shekan is the world's longest-range solid-fuel tactical ballistic missile, able to deliver a 500kg warhead to targets 1450km away. It can operate from a variety of Iranian launch platforms, and has interchangeable warheads. In the terminal phase, the HGV (Hypersonic Glide Vehicle) warhead separates from the main missile body and is able to accelerate and manuever in order to bypass ABM systems. Once separated, the warhead accelerates to mach 7-10. It uses both a thrust vectoring motor as well as actuating fins to maneuver. The distinctive triconic shape of the warhead provides stability whilst maneuvering at hypersonic speeds in the lower atmosphere. @Slavyangrad | Subaru 👋 #

Iran has fired 185 drones, 36 cruise missiles and 110 surface-to-surface missiles toward Israel, the New York Times reports, citing Israeli officials as saying

🇫🇷🇺🇦🇷🇺 RUMOR: The first units of the French Foreign Legion were transferred to Slavyansk. According to the Military Chronicle, representatives of the 3rd Infantry Regiment of the French Foreign Legion arrived the day before at the location of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Slavyansk. According to preliminary information, the first group of 100 people are specialists in artillery reconnaissance, as well as an engineering group whose specialization is fortification and construction of field fortifications. Apparently, the French, who move around the city only accompanied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, will help the Ukrainian army defend Slavyansk when the front line shifts towards this city. @MyLordBebo | Boost us! | X

My latest radio interview on Faultlines 12/04/24 Russian Strikes to Shut Down Ukraine, Ukraine's Air Defense is Gone, Kiev Regime Passes Secret New Mass Conscription Bill, more... https://open.substack.com/pub/marksleboda/p/russian-strikes-to-shut-down-ukraine?r=mra7c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

🇷🇺🇺🇳🇺🇦 The Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, has requested council members to prepare for the fact that "very soon the only topic for any international meetings on Ukraine will be the unconditional surrender of the Kiev regime." 🔴 @DDGeopolitics