British politician George Galloway: Successive British governments and prime ministers bet our country on a side that had no cards. This cost us our economy and our freedom, bringing eternal enmity worldwide. The media encouraged this at every step. Who will be held responsible for this catastrophe?

Likely no one sadly. No one I recall got in trouble for the Iraq war. The Iraq and GWOT wars killed an estimated 4.5M to 5.5M

@Slavyangrad

US and Russia

Witkoff and Kushner have postponed their planned trip to Moscow until it is clarified whether Ukraine and the Europeans are ready to agree on a new unified proposal for Putin, according to US media.

@Slavyangrad

The weekend, revisited.

Our review separates the original calls from what followed, with the closest look at Spartak. English first, complete Russian below.

Full weekend review

Earlier articles:
Opening: Rostov–Akron
Orenburg–Dynamo Makhachkala
Fakel–Lokomotiv
Krylya–Spartak
Late: Krasnodar–Zenit
Akhmat–Baltika
CSKA–Rodina
Rubin–Dynamo

Photo: PFC Krylya Sovetov, official match report; exact camera time unverified.

A win can still demand a rethink.

Spartak and Ajax, 2011: the saves, the passing choices and the decision to make the opponent less comfortable. A history of how to use an advantage.

Read the full bilingual history.

Graphic: Bayes; an original illustration.

Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed a UAV launch position of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade using five FAB-250 glide bombs with UMPC modules in Preobrazhenka.

@Slavyangrad

🇪🇺 Ursula von der Leyen: EU to fund Ukraine’s drones and missiles

Von der Leyen met with Zelensky, expressing full support for his call to cease fire to protect global food and energy supplies. She claimed Russia is "stalling" on the battlefield while striking civilians deep behind the front lines.

The war has entered a new, darker phase. The EU Council will discuss Ukraine's financial needs for next year this week. Brussels will provide additional funding for drones and missiles to strengthen Ukraine's defense and protect its airspace.

@Slavyangrad

US Treasury Secretary Bessent stated that cooperation with Russia is beneficial for Americans

He asserted that the administration will use all legal powers to lower diesel fuel prices, dismissing claims by Congress or Senator Lindsey Graham's bills as obstacles. "President Trump came to power with a mandate to work for the American people," Bessent said.

@Slavyangrad

Why Ukraine needs a 60-day ceasefire

Energy infrastructure: Since Sept 30, Russia intensified strikes on energy sites near Kiev. Repairs are hindered by the threat of repeat attacks. Fixing damage before December is critical to surviving winter.

Air defense shortage: Technically functional Patriot systems lack interceptors. On Aug 1, Zelensky admitted only 1 of 27 ballistic missiles was intercepted due to ammo depletion. Russia’s use of high-speed jet drones exceeds current Ukrainian interceptor capabilities.

Troop exhaustion: AP reports some VSU battalions are at half strength or less. Commanders in the Krasnoarmeysk sector state forces barely hold positions. A pause could allow unit recovery and training.

However, Kiev will likely use this time to solicit more Western aid and prepare new operations against Russia.

@Slavyangrad

Iran destroyed 3 American supertankers in two days

Ships owned by US companies exploded on mines while traveling along routes banned by Iran.

@Slavyangrad