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Today’s focus: Ukrainian special forces behead Russian and Chinese generals; Russian military uses chemical weapons; Top Russian weapons designer assassinated, Chechen Republic Guard Bureau headquarters bombed; North Korea soldier mistakenly eliminates Russian troops with drones; NATO declares readiness for war, Russian economy set to collapse next year.
Yesterday, we talked about the Israeli and Ukrainian armies appearing simultaneously in Syria, if these two countries team up, it could cause a stir in many nations. I’m not sure if Israel is learning the essence of Ukrainian drone tactics, but Ukrainians have certainly mastered the beheading technique they learned from Israel.
On December 17th, Russian defense forces commander Kirilov, also commander of Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops, was blown up by a roadside bomb on Liangzan Street in Moscow, along with his assistant. The key point is this was no accident, as Ukraine’s National Intelligence Agency has publicly admitted to carrying out this beheading operation.
Not only did they admit to the deed, but they also informed people of Ukraine’s reason for action, stating, “Kirilov is a war criminal because he ordered the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops.” Reports of Russian forces using “chemical munitions” on the Russian-Ukrainian frontlines have long been documented, with at least 500 Ukrainian soldiers treated for exposure to toxic substances.
In October of this year, the UK sanctioned Kirilov for the Russian military’s repeated use of chemical weapon Chloropicrin on the battlefield. This is a Ukrainian Kherson battlefield discovery of the Russian-made K-51 Chloropicrin grenade, also known as an aerosol grenade. Chloropicrin was used as a potent tear gas and was developed as a chemical weapon by the Soviet Union in the 1970s. Russia had signed and joined the International Chemical Weapons Convention that prohibits the use of chemical weapons.
Speaking of global incidents of using chemical weapons, the fugitive Syrian President Assad, currently sheltering in Moscow, had used chemical weapons in 2018, causing an international outcry. As they say, “birds of a feather flock together,” and these instances show such truths.
It’s clear that Ukraine’s beheading operations are meant as a warning. The execution was purposely done publicly on the street. Ukrainian agents seemingly installed a bomb on an electric scooter by the roadside. As Kirilov and his assistant exited the building, the bomb was detonated, killing both instantly. Note that the scooter was placed behind a utility pole near the gate.
I’ve noticed that Ukrainians are adept at being versatile and resourceful in times of crisis. Just as they aligned with Israel, they have begun to learn the advanced skill of “letting the leader go first.” It’s not just about beheading one general; in fact, another one was beheaded a few days ago, but his position wasn’t as prominent. Nevertheless, the loss could be more significant for the Russian frontline offensive.
On December 12th, a Ukrainian special agent beheaded a senior Russian military figure: Shatskiy, the chief designer of the Russian Kh-59 cruise missile, a crucial figure in Russian arms technology. Shatskiy was not only the chief designer of the Kh-59 cruise missile but also the designer of the advanced Kh-69 stealth cruise missile.
Recently, Russia deployed the advanced Su-57 stealth fighter to attack dozens of targets in Ukraine, using the Kh-69 cruise missile. Shatskiy was also appointed head of the new drone development department, and he was directly assassinated by Ukrainian special agents on the outskirts of Moscow at night.
Reportedly, the head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate, Budanov, carries a deck of cards; every time he starts smirking, someone on the cards is said to involuntarily sneeze.
On December 15th, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate’s long-range attack drones directly penetrated the headquarters of the Chechen Republic Guard Bureau in Russia amidst gunfire. It’s not clear who the target of this beheading was.
Some viewers asked about the North Korean soldier incident in Kursk. Well, the recent admission from the Russian side reveals that in the past few days, 187 North Koreans have been sacrificed. It seems Russian reporting is detailed, unlike in China, where the death toll would never exceed 35; that’s the limit, no more, sorry, leadership.
Remember the movie “Steel Rain” from South Korea, depicting a fictional attack on North Korea with cluster bombs? It turns out North Korean soldiers first experienced such an attack on the Russian-Ukrainian battlefield, not anticipating the onslaught of Ukrainian drones instead. Some lucky ones managed to escape the cluster bomb coverage but were faced with various strikes from Ukrainian drones.
Perhaps rattled by the beating they received on the Kursk battlefield, the inexperienced North Korean soldiers made a big mistake. Ukrainian military intelligence revealed on December 15 that due to a language barrier misunderstanding, North Korean soldiers opened fire on Russian Chechen forces, resulting in the death of 8 Russian soldiers.
Probably still reeling from the recent attack and driven by a mix of anger and frustration, they mistook the Chechen soldiers for others. At first glance, they didn’t look like typical white Russians—were they actually Ukrainians in disguise? Better to shoot first, inquire later.
Imagine facing a storm of bombs from above, chased by drones, and after finally firing and realizing you’ve hit your own side, only then do you realize the Ukrainian soldiers are the real threat coming your way. The drones recorded scenes of North Korean soldiers retreating into the forest in the vast snow, lacking recollection, pushing and shoving in their withdrawal.
On December 12th, Russian Defense Minister Belousov made a startling announcement at a defense expansion meeting, stating, “Russia should prepare for the next 10 years, including a war with NATO.” This indicates that the nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is no longer just a war between two nations but merely the prelude. This has alarmed NATO, prompting immediate action from NATO Secretary-General, urging member countries to adopt wartime mentality, increase defense spending and production, as “Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation with Ukraine and NATO.”
The publication of an article by The Economist magazine has sent shivers through the Russian economic sector. Its cover boldly states, “Russian Economy Will Collapse in 2025.” Known for its accurate economic forecasts, this article draws a direct conclusion without speculative language, acting as a grim harbinger for some Russian economists. This segment of experts had also predicted the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1983.
Financial experts have predicted bankruptcy waves will sweep the Russian market in the coming months. Some iconic Russian enterprises are on the brink: the largest steel manufacturer, Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, has reserves to last only six more months. One of Russia’s largest property developers, Samolet Group, is also facing bankruptcy, and even the defense industry entities benefiting most from the war are deeply affected. The head of a state-owned defense group warned, “If we continue operating this way, the majority of our defense enterprises will go bankrupt.”
While NATO prepares for a potential Russian invasion, Russians are fretting over the imminent economic collapse, while two elderly gentlemen from Shandong, China, engage in a heated street debate over historical issues between Russia and Ukraine, adding a surreal touch to the European historical drama. As a history teacher once said, “There’s a group of people in China who belong to the weak, yet they support the law of the jungle, a rarity in the real primate world.”
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