Christmas Comes Early In Ukraine

[ichkeria]

Literally. Additionally as the links indicate three Russian jets were downed over Kherson region which suggests the patriot system  from Germany may have arrived and who knows maybe also the first F16s. This as Ukraine adopts - ostensibly - a largely defensive posture for the winter while Europe ramps up support. And the first German troops on foreign soil ( Lithuania) since WWII.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/vladimir-putin-ukraine-russia-war-drones-kyiv-b1128636.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-provide-ukraine-with-an-additional-patriot-air-defence-system-scholz-2023-10-05/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67801204

[wolf63]

I hope that they are selective in what they shoot down.

🎅

 

[Old_Geezer]

♫ All they want for Christmas is a Russian jet, a Russian jet,yes a Russian jet. ♫

[roopower]

According to QI, Ukraine has distanced itself from the orthodox date for Christmas in January and made it law that Christmas is 25th December. Therefore, Christmas comes early in two ways.

[ichkeria]

SU-34 sorry!

[ichkeria]

Even when you post links people don't read them ...

[ichkeria]

What's the betting that Russia will try to mark Dec 25 in Ukraine with a missile blitz. 
Mind you since the downing of the SU-34s there have been no daily bombing raids on Kherson 

[johnk]

Perhaps it was Father Christmas clearing the skies for tonight?

[ichkeria]

"What's the betting that Russia will try to mark Dec 25 in Ukraine with a missile blitz."

Sure enough: but most zapped and, crucially, they lost two more planes: an SU-30 and another SU-34 fighter bomber - and an anti radar missile ironically!

[Khandro]

"Christmas Comes Early In Ukraine" I understand that Christmas really will be coming earlier for Ukraine, because being Orthodox they celebrated it on the 6th of January but now want it in line with Western Europe on the 25th December.

Is that correct ichi ?

[naomi24]

roopower said that at 11:17 Sat 23rd, khandro.

[Khandro]

Meanwhile;

Dec 24, 2023 - ISW (Institute for Study if War) Press

European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs High Representative Josep Borrell stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in a limited territorial victory in Ukraine and will continue the war “until the final victory.” Borrell reported on December 24 that Putin would not be satisfied with capturing a “piece” of Ukraine and allowing the rest of Ukraine to join the EU. Borrell added that Putin will not “give up the war” and called on the West to prepare for a “conflict of high intensity for a long time.” Borrell’s statements are consistent with ISW’s assessment that Russia is not interested in a ceasefire or good-faith negotiations with Ukraine but retains its maximalist goals of a full Russian victory in Ukraine.

[ichkeria]

Yes! It's in one of my links hence my frustrated comment at 11.43.

I was speaking also literally. I'd have to say that this move by Zelensky is not universally popular: understandably many people  prefer the traditional date. Of course for the Catholic and Anglican churches in Ukraine Christmas already is Dec 25. Christmas in Ukraine is more like Easter here: just a religious holiday. The present giving and carousing happens at New Year.

The big news tho is the downing of those planes: that's a huge breakthrough for Ukraine's defence 

[ichkeria]

The above comment was related to the early Christmas. Re the goals of Putin, there are rumours that he wants a ceasefire but this may be a Kremlin rumour just to see what the reaction would be.

[david small]

That post epitomised the spirit of Christmas today.

[Khandro]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67816987

Clever move really.