Russia Is Struggling to Defend Its Own Capital || Aug 26, 2026
A leaked Moscow memo stated that Russian air defenses are being concentrated around the Kremlin. This leaves the broader Moscow region, including refineries and key infrastructure, vulnerable to Ukrainian attacks. And if Moscow is this vulnerable, it gives you an idea of just how bad things are throughout the rest of Russia.
In addition, the Russians are looking to kick off a peripheral mobilization of ~300,000 people. However, all of the recruitment sources carry political risks for the Kremlin. If they depopulate the Far East, it weakens the border with China; if they take non-ethnic Russians and could fuel unrest; or you target immigrant workers and worsen the labor shortage.
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Comments (38)
By the end of this year or early next year Russia will have a massive economic crisis. Plus no fuel for cars and heating will impact them greatly. Maybe then Russians will take action? The educated and wealthy already leaving by the thousands.
Eagerly waiting to see the bunker part.
Suffering is the Russian equivalent of baseball, (a national trait! LOL). Nicely said Peter.
I remember reading an anecdote—though I have not been able to verify it—about a Soviet émigré, Ann Rand, who reunited with her Russian sister after 47 years. Bringing her to America to live with her, her Russian sister found the posh comforts of living in the American home uncomfortable compared to the familiar rhythms of life back home in Russia. She returned to Russia because she missed waiting in long lines for bread and cheese. That to me perfectly illustrates the Russian's high tolerance for pain. ...Maybe even enjoyment of pain. Although, the generation today may be out of shape...
Which begs the question why Europeans have not had the stomache to intervene very early on in this terrible war or better so before it started. Surely European intelligence would have had these details. If they had, there is a great possibility that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine. I guess that is a bit of wishful thinking.
Having spoken to people from Chechnia and to people in RF, I highly doubt the Kremlin has the power to force anything in Chechnia and courage to try. Other republics, sure ;-)
I think it's only a matter of time before Putin implements his own version of the Hunger Games across Panem (sorry, I meant Russia) to decide on which people are selected to join the military "special operation" in and around Ukraine.
Fascinating post on Reddit (I know, I know) in /r/bestof/ , entitled "/u/CariniFluff explains why it is a bitch to repair the blown-up refineries". https://www.reddit.com/r/bestof/comments/1vz96aw/ucarinifluff_explains_why_it_is_a_bitch_to_repair/ Author seems to have a nuts & bolts understanding of the industry, and explains in detail why, yes, RF's oil infrastructure is doomed, particularly any part hit by Ukraine's drones. Ukraine's now hit all 11 of Russia' s biggest refineries, including Omsk Refinery in Tyumen region, western Siberia, 2,500 km away, and Antipinsky Refinery, almost as far. Wikipedia shows 20 strike sites so far -- most refineries, a few, other oil infrastructure.
As dim witted as this administration is, I have to assume they understand that if the Kremlin is at risk and that power structure is threatened by possible uprising, the ballistic missiles that have been hitting Kiev lately will be nuclear tipped before they allow it to happen.
In at least one (1) town the people are already pushing back: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-penza-bashmakovo-patrol-military-recruitment/33839254.html With modern social media, even in Russia news of this tactic will spread and we shall see what is going to happen. It appears that an avalanche may be starting.
How bad will it have to get before Russia uses a nuclear weapon? Putin and Trump have both shown that superpowers have limits on their military capabilities.
LGood: Peter Z., in Ray of Sunshine mode, has discussed that contingency tree. 1. Peter had insider information Putin was quietly reminded the US knows his, family, and staff's location, and that going nuke would have a very short tail of consequences. (Unclear how TrumpCo fsckery changes this.) 2. It's generally counterproductive to nuke where you hope to occupy. One could pile onto this "go nuke" speculation, one about, say, neutron devices, but that gets speculative and... 3. Given revelations about horrific state of RF's military, it's an open question whether pressing a big red button would produce 'splody. If yes, obviously bad. If no, differently bad. Herman Kahn would love all this, have to say.
One aspect of the US political system is that the citizens really do get an opportunity to replace the leadership every 2 and 4 years and the Executive is absolutely limited to 8 total years in office. Also, the Judicial branch, while there for life, has NO power of enforcement. In engineering that is called dynamic stability.
Let's hope we have the opportunity to replace the leadership this coming November. I have serious doubts that the current administration will allow free and clear elections if it's obvious they are going to lose power. Of course with the Democrats penchant for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, it could be that the administration won't need to do anything. I'm guessing we either have vote tampering or military or SS (oops, I mean ICE) "enforcement" that will result in a republican win.
Won't mind seeing the end of Putin in my lifetime.
Why is that so hard he makes things unstable don't he
I could not imagine the hell of living in Moscow in the dead of winter without fuel… You would think they would be panicking
Kowalski: I would imagine the "nomenklatura" would be preparing to quietly steal away to their well-guarded, well-heated dachas in Sochi and Adler. Or perhaps places on Cyprus with yacht slips. Or St. Bart's.
The mobilization is to try to keep Russia together, because the war is over. The peace will cause immense unrest inside Russia. The suffering this winter is going to be epic. And Putin wants to keep the lid on how bad it is going to be. In short, this is all about the what comes next, because the Russians are going have to sit and suffer like it's WW2. Those refinery hits and ecommerce hits are not going to filled without diesel, and China is a cash on the barrel supplier.
Good bye Russian Empire
They've been culling the east for four years. China has been building housing in Eastern Russia. They have a lock on Outer Manchuria, IMO. It's Putin's cost for China's support. Say, do they make combat uniforms for super extra large former movie action heroes?
Can only hope the Russians wipe themselves out...
And not take the rest of us with them.
What’s the rush, Peter? Slow down your speaking cadence.
You can change the playback speed under settings, top right of the video screen
Guilty pleasure: I just watched this three times because, as someone who doesn't wish Putin well, I found this so uplifting.
“Suffering is an equivalent of baseball..” . You sound like Dostoevsky.
I'm actually "stealing" that line 😉
Wow, thats horrible!
Democracies are easy for the CIA. Divide the population through propaganda. Find a Trojan horse candidate that says all the right things. Maybe put your finger on the vote tabulation. Get your man in that will negotiate peace on Putin’s terms. Hey they supported Orban, Bolsonaro, and German Nazis. You think they are above helping out Putin?
Great news!
So did CIA Director Ratliff make a sudden trip to Moscow to offer Putin assistance? He’s not one of the peace negotiators. He’s a spook like Putin. Is he there to encourage Putin. “Don’t worry we are going to push elections in Ukraine and get someone friendly to Russia…. “
My question too!
Couldn't happen to nicer people. Now if our own government would drop the hammer on this enemy state, that would be fantastic. Slava Ukraini!
This may explain Radcliffe visit to Moscow Endgame approaching, whatever it will be
Breaking up is hard to do. So how many time zones will Russia span this winter? Slava Ukrainii!
Peter, any thoughts on reports of movement around Kaliningrad and potential push against NATO territory?
I predict it won't happen. The population won't stand for it. Just my opinion