On With the Show

by Stephen Lendman

On July 4, Russia's Defense Minister, Sergey Shoigu, reported the following progress in ongoing SMO Operations:

From June 19 to last weekend, Russian forces successfully carried out an offensive operation to liberate Lugansk from the scourge of Nazified occupation.

Over this time period, Russia "encircled and destroyed groups in the Gorskoye cauldron, around Lisichansk and Severodonetsk." 

"Twenty-five localities have been taken under control, the largest of which are Severodonetsk, Zolotoye, Gorskoye and Volcheyarovka."

"The operation ended (on July 3) with the liberation of Lisichansk, one of the largest towns in the Lugansk People's Republic."

"A total of 670 square kilometers of territory were taken under control during the offensive."

Ukrainian Nazis and conscripts paid dearly for Russia's triumph.

Kiev's losses included "5,469 personnel, including 2,218 killed and 3,251 wounded, 196 tanks and other armored vehicles, 12 aircraft, one helicopter, 69 drones, six long-range surface-to-air missile systems, 97 multiple rocket launchers, 166 field and mortar artillery pieces and 216 vehicles of various purposes."

Weapons and equipment abandoned included 39 tanks, other armored vehicles, 11 artillery guns and mortars, 48 Javelins and NLAW anti-tank missile systems, 18 Stinger systems, and three UAVs.

Lisichansk is being demined.

Large-scale humanitarian aid is being delivered to its residents, including medical treatment as needed.

On with the show. 

Russia's SMO continues until its goals are accomplished.

Shoigu stressed it, saying:

"The special military operation will continue until the tasks set by the supreme commander-in-chief are accomplished in full."

"The main priorities for us today are the lives and health of the military personnel and the safety of civilians."

Over the weekend, Vladimir Putin stressed that Russian forces involved in liberating Lugansk "achieved success, victory (and now) should rest (to) increase their combat capabilities."

Ukrainian Nazis, conscripts and mercenaries suffered heavy losses in the battle for Lugansk — in sharp contrast to minimal attrition for Russian forces.

Their next task at hand is entirely liberating Donetsk. 

It's just a matter of time before Putin and Shoigu can once again announce mission accomplished.

And this Shoigu reality check:

"The number of foreign mercenaries and staff of private military companies operating (in Ukraine) dwindled as a result of the successful advance by the Russian army and units of the (Donbass) people's republics.

In the past 10 days alone, 170 mercenaries were killed.

Another 99 abandoned their front line positions and left Ukraine — no longer willing to die or be disabled for a lost cause.

In mid-June, an estimated 3,200 foreign mercenaries had joined the ranks of Kiev's military.

Since that time, inflows virtually stopped. Outflows continue.

At the same time, Russia restored peace and stability to liberated parts of Donbass.

A longterm process continues, including reconstruction of what Ukrainian troops destroyed or damaged.

Liberated Mariupol's offshore waters were completely demined.

Shipping into and from the port city can proceed safely through two Russian-established humanitarian corridors.

Overall in Donetsk and Lugansk, Russian forces liberated 3,700 hectares.

Over 46,000 mines and other explosives were uncovered and defused.

And this on Tuesday from the Biden regime's so-called press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, saying:

Hegemon USA aims "to make sure that (Nazified) Ukraine in the most strongest kind of position so when there is that opportunity to do those negotiations, they're able to do that (sic)," adding:

Our (long war) approach does not change."

"We are going to continue to support Ukrain(ian) (Nazis)."

"We're going to continue to help (the US-installed) fight for their (fantasy) democracy, fight for their territorial integrity (sic)." 

What's lost is permanent. 

Predominantly Russian speaking areas will either join the Russian Federation or become independent republics.

Indeed "fighting" most likely will "be prolonged and protracted" — because hegemon US wants forever proxy war waged on Russia, no matter the human cost to Ukrainian troops.

Russians are overwhelmingly able to achieve their goals.

While battered and defeated Ukrainians continue the futility of going up Russia's vastly superior firepower, it's just a matter of time before they exhaust the will to go on and collapse.

A brave face displayed by US, Western and Ukrainian regimes belies reality on the ground.

A Final Comment

According to a new Civiqs poll, the fake Biden's approval rating plunged to a new 30% low.

Nearly twice as many respondents (58%) disapprove of his wrecking ball domestic and geopolitical agenda.

Among respondents aged 18 - 34, his approval rating is a dismal 22%.

It's little better among respondents aged 35 - 49 at 27%.

His highest approval is among individuals aged-65 and older at 39%.

Only 2% of Republicans and 19% of independents approve of the mess his regime made over the past 18 months.

At the rate he's going, his approval rating may reach an unparalleled low — if he lasts the full four years of his illegitimate term.

An imposter/imitation head of state, he's the most pathetic example of so-called leadership in US history.

And that's quite a dubious achievement, given strong competition from among a rogue's gallery of former dreadful White House occupants.