Latest news with #SergeyPoletaev
Russia Today
3 days ago
- General
- Russia Today
Kiev has run out of arguments at the frontline
A rapid spike in Ukrainian attacks deep within Russia is a sign that Kiev is running out of options on the frontline and is trying to remain relevant to its backers, information analyst and publicist Sergey Poletaev has told RT. Poletaev, co-founder and editor of the Vatfor project, referred to a recent series of drone strikes targeting airfields in five Russian regions, including in Siberia and Russia's Far East. Ukrainian media has touted the strikes, dubbed 'operation spiderweb,' as 'historic,' and claimed it dealt serious damage to Russia's 'strategic aviation.' The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the attacks but stated that three out of five strikes were successfully repelled, causing no damage or casualties. The remaining two resulted in aircraft catching fire, which was quickly extinguished, according to the ministry, which also did not confirm the loss of any aircraft. Additionally, two bridges in Russian regions bordering Ukraine were blown up over the weekend. The damage caused by one blast derailed a passenger train, killed seven people and injured 71 others. The Russian Investigative Committee reported on Tuesday that both cases were 'terrorist attacks' planned by Ukraine to maximize civilian casualties. The attacks were launched shortly before the second round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on Monday. Kiev 'has brought its last arguments into play,' Poletaev said, commenting on what he called 'unprecedented sabotage activities of Ukraine.' 'They have run out of arguments at the frontline and are attempting to change the situation this way,' the analyst stated. According to Poletaev, the Russian-Ukrainian 'negotiation track will proceed sluggishly amid ongoing hostilities'. The demands presented by both sides at the talks are only as realistic as their ability to enforce them through military means, he opined. 'Each side, it seems, at the moment, is confident that it can enforce its demands in one way or another. Or, speaking of the Ukrainian side, perhaps they are pretending — which, in general, is emblematic of them,' he said. According to Poletaev, Ukraine and its EU backers are desperately trying to prevent the US from disengaging, as President Donald Trump 'appears determined to reduce American involvement in the conflict'. 'Both Ukraine and the EU are virtually pulling [Trump] by his sleeve to not let him withdraw from the war,' he stated, adding only major changes on the frontline could affect the dynamics of the conflict, with the roles of the US and the EU remaining unclear in its outcome.
Russia Today
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
NYT report confirms Pentagon's ‘open secret' role in Ukrainian ops
The recent New York Times investigation into America's 'hidden role' in the Ukraine conflict has confirmed that the Pentagon played a key role in most of Kiev's significant military operations against Russia, information analyst Sergey Poletaev has told RT. In a lengthy report published on Saturday, the US paper claimed that the administration of former US President Joe Biden provided Ukraine with support that went far beyond arms shipments. The cooperation involved intelligence sharing, strategic planning and daily coordination at a US military facility in Wiesbaden, Germany, where American and Ukrainian officers set targeting priorities, which they euphemistically called 'points of interest' so as to avoid sounding overly provocative. According to Poletaev, the report did not offer any groundbreaking revelations. 'It has long been clear that the Americans sought to fight Russia with the hands of Ukraine and that the main contribution they make is intelligence and supply of some kind of strike systems, for which they, in turn, provide intelligence,' he told RT on Sunday. 'It was no secret that the eyes and ears and brain behind any serious Ukrainian actions were the Pentagon. Here you go, all this has just been confirmed,' the analyst said. READ MORE: Intel sharing and 'boots on the ground': Takeaways from NYT investigation into 'secret' US-Ukraine partnership The investigation, however, 'is useful' since it 'shows the train of thought of the American side.' At some point, Poletaev said, the US realized they couldn't fully control Ukraine's actions. 'They understood that the puppet they had on their hand was not entirely controllable. The puppet behaved as it saw fit,' he explained. The analyst emphasized that this dynamic is crucial for understanding the conflict's progression and is indicative of situations 'when the tail begins to wag the dog.' Poletaev described the Ukraine conflict as a classic proxy war, reminiscent of those during the Cold War era. In that respect, he noted that it's interesting that the NYT described it as 'a rematch' for US-Russia proxy wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Syria. According to the analyst, the findings are unlikely to have any impact on the talks between Moscow and Washington on settling the conflict. READ MORE: NYT reveals 'secret history' of US meddling in Ukraine conflict The NYT investigation was based on over 300 interviews with current and former policymakers, Pentagon officials, intelligence officers, and military personnel in Ukraine, the US, Britain, and other European countries. It details the cooperation between Washington and Kiev from the early days of the conflict through late 2024.
