companero

I think a lot of factors are pointing to a conclusion of the war by 2025, maybe 2026 at the latest:

• Ukraine is running out of conscripts
• Russia is running out of volunteers
• Ukrainian defenses in the Donbass (main focus of the war) are seriously crumbling
• The Ukrainian population is starting to sour on the war
• The West is starting to talk about using their missiles anywhere on Russian territory
• Ukraine's energy grid is on the brink of total collapse, with another Russian missile campaign looming in winter
• Ukraine is running out of air defense systems/missiles

Russia's response to all previous Ukrainian offensives has been to just let them have the territory that they captured. See: Kharkiv, Kherson, Klishchivka/Andrivka, Zaporozhye/Robotyne.

Obviously this is one a little different in that it's proper Russian territory, but I think Russia will accept the "embarrassment" in exchange for further weakening Ukraine's military.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they are getting paid. But they wouldn't be doing it if their country wasn't treating them like shit. The guys doing it are probably military-aged men who are forced to stay at home or risk being sent to the meat grinder.

Burning cars would actually be a reasonably low-risk way to make money for them. If they get caught, they will probably just end up being sent to the front line anyway, so... why not?

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are planning to use charges with warheads containing radioactive substances to attack the Kursk and Zaporizhzhya NPPs — RIA Novosti, citing the Russian security agency

...

A large number of Western journalists gathered in Sumy and Zaporozhye amid Kiev’s preparations for an attack on the Kursk and Zaporozhye nuclear power plants, Lebedev, coordinator of the pro-Russian underground, told RIA Novosti

They (Russian state media) are posting a lot about this: https://t.me/s/rian_ru

It's important to note that Hamas is not directly participating in this round of talks, so it shouldn't be too surprising that the talks are "constructive" when it's Egypt and Qatar happily accepting all of Israel's terms.

Best I could find from Al Mayadeen:

The Doha negotiations did not yield any developments as “Israel” is clinging to its positions, a senior Palestinian Resistance official told Al Mayadeen.

Moreover, a senior Hamas source pointed out that what the movement's leadership was informed of Friday regarding the results of the Doha ceasefire meetings does not include a commitment to what was agreed upon on July 2.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/no-breakthrough-in-doha-talks---israel--clinging-to-its-stan

Tactical ones. Technically for use on the battlefield rather than vaporizing cities.

Wouldn't be surprised if Iran was speedrunning nukes first.

And they celebrate with a pizza

I really don't get that guy's deal. He goes by "Pirate Software" but his world view seems entirely opposed to piracy and even software ownership.

I remember him bragging about baking Steam achievements deep into his game so it couldn't be pirated, or something like that.

In case you weren't frustrated enough by Iran edging us, is once again vaguely hinting at the possibility of taking military action against Ukraine.

Belarus, due to the flight of a drone from Ukraine, is initiating consultations with allies and partners, as well as through international organizations, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kiev is provoking Minsk at the instigation of well-known external players. The incident involving the flight of a drone from Ukraine radically escalates the situation and is a dangerous attempt to expand the conflict in the region.

Belarus will fully exercise its right to self-defense and will respond to any provocations or hostile actions, the ministry stated.

Alexander Lukashenko has ordered the reinforcement of troop groups in the Gomel and Mozyr tactical directions, said Belarusian Defense Minister Khrenin.

Lukashenko said he intends to personally deal with the "unsettled situation" on the border with Ukraine on the spot

The drone attack sounds like it may have been significant:

Sources claim that the targeting of the American base in Al-Jir, northeast of Syria, coincided with the landing of a military cargo plane for the Americans from Iraq, which landed in the base loaded with military and logistical equipment, ammunition and American soldiers.