Excellent Ukraine War Update from CNN

Given the horrific news of the Texas flood, it is understandable that CNN and others don’t make Putin’s war in Ukraine headline news. This CNN news story, posted July 4, was accurate and well done.

CNN, Russia welcomes Trump’s cut to Ukraine’s military aid but it could be deadly for Kyiv

This article helps fill in more details and confirms other details in my post. Russia’s ballistic missile attacks have done massive damage in Ukraine. And the shortage of these missiles in Ukraine makes retaliation impossible. Russia fired as many as 80 ballistic missiles in June. The US cutoff of these missiles means more Ukrainians will die. Their homes and the cities where they live will be reduced to rubble. They will be forced to flee.

The June 2025 escalation of the war is confirmed in the CNN post. On June 4, Trump cut off supplying a small but critical component of Ukraine’s defenses, called a “proximity fuze.” This device triggers an anti-drone drone to explode when it is close to its target, making it much more effective. Prior to that, Trump stated on May 17, 2025, that Ukraine was just “pissing away” billions of dollars in aid in an interview with Fox News.

CNN confirmed that there’s is no quick solution to the US cut off of military equipment by Trump. Production of Patriot systems requires time. CNN also confirmed that halting deliveries of the Patriot missiles because they are desparately needed elsewhere, is according to experts, not true.

I feel sorry for the lives lost and homes destroyed in Texas. The US must help the victims of the flood recover and rebuild. Ukraine faces a Texas style disaster on a daily basis. Putin’s objective is not to control a small piece of Ukraine, but the entire country. They deserve our help.

Stay tuned,

Dave

Putting a Smile on Putin’s Face

The US is halting the shipment of defensive Patriot missiles to Ukraine. It is a clear sign that the US is letting Russia win this war. Ukraine desperately needs these missiles to defend their cities. Ukraine desparately needs these missiles to defend its cities.

The Patriot missiles were approved by Congress as part of a 66 billion dollar aid agreement for Ukraine under President Biden. As reported in the news, some Patriot missiles were already shipped to Ukraine, but Hegseth froze the transfer of custody from the US to Ukraine.

War is brutal. They count fatalities, but many die because medical facilities have been bombed and their wounds can’t be treated. Putin has indiscriminately bombed apartment buildings, hospitals, schools and power stations, to force Ukrainians to surrender.

Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, supported this decision, by stating that the stockpiles of Patriot missile systems had become very low in the US. This was immediately contradicted by an analysis conducted by the military, that our stockpile of Patriot missiles were no lower than in the past.

NBC July 4, 2025, Hegseth halted weapons for Ukraine despite military analysis that the aid wouldn’t jeopardize U.S. readiness

Pete Hegseth doesn’t mind lying, because this is exactly what his boss does. In fact, it is what Trump expects from his Cabinet secretaries. Put an MAGA cap on, smile to the camera, and talk about supporting America’s readiness and greatness are all part of the game.

The above link states that the announcement blindsided the State Department, European leaders, members of Congress and Ukraine.

We do not know what Putin and Trump discussed yesterday, but the results are pretty evident.

CNN, July 4, 7:58 am, Russia launches record number of drones at Ukraine after latest Trump-Putin phone call

Last night’s attack was done with 538 drones and 11 missiles. The Kinzhal missiles were used in these attacks, which only a Patriot missile could shoot down. Well, if they are lucky. This attack occurred within hours of the Trump-Putin conversation.

Trump doesn’t care that Hegseth is lying. He doesn’t care if CNN and New York Times journalists, are on the spot and can show the damage to residential areas. Fox News will report on their website, stories about illegal immigration or Iran, not last night’s brutal attack on Kyiv and other major cities.

Trump is all about appearances and how this plays out in the media. What I am certain Putin let Trump know, is that they are the rightful owners of Ukraine and that Ukraine will be better off with a change in management after Zelensky is gone. What Putin wanted from Trump, is simply let Russia finish off Ukraine without any additional sanctions. Trump is on a rampage to punish all our trading partners with sanctions which are essentially embargos but it’s hands off on Russia.

Putin must be very happy. He can attack Ukraine with Impunity. It’s reported that North Korea is sending 30,000 troops to support Russia. Of course they are getting paid. Iran is supplying drones, and Iran must be very happy to sell them to Russia. China is also aiding Russia with military equipment.

His [Putin} eye still very much on the prize, Putin said last week: “We have a saying … where the foot of a Russian soldier steps, that is ours.”

June 30, 2025, Russia’s summer offensive in Ukraine underwhelms – but Kyiv won’t be celebrating.

You need to attack with missiles to destroy and occupy a country. Blowing up a Patriot missile systems (missiles, radar and launcher) lets Russia achieve complete air superiority. Putin’s strategy is very simple, drain Ukraine’s stockpile of their Patriot missiles, achieve complete air superiority and roll into Kyiv with tanks.

There will be celebrations in Washington on this Fourth of July holiday. The media will cover the signing of the Big Beautiful/Ugly Bill. But there will be no celebration in Ukraine.

Thank Trump for making America weaker than ever. Trump is America’s gift to Putin.

Stay tuned,

Dave

Links:

Wikipedia, Patriot Missiles

There were numerous other stories, which give a real good idea of Trump’s thinking. Steve Bannon was fired by Trump in this first term, but was recently spotted entering the White House. He said what Trump needed to do is “flood the zone” as explained below:

Newsweek: Steve Bannon’s ‘Flood the Zone’ Strategy Explained Amid Trump Policy Blitz

Republicans have always been very strong on stopping Russian expansion. Marco Rubio as Florida’s senator would make passionate speeches about the inhumanity and loss of democracy under the autocratic regimes of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. These countries, along with North Korea, China and Iran are the allies of Russia in the invasion of Ukraine. Will our Secretary of State be silenced by Trump?