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Yaroslav Trofimov

@yarotrof • 167,516 subscribers

Chief Foreign-Affairs Correspondent of WSJ. Author of 📚No Country for Love 📚 and 📕Our Enemies Will Vanish📕 and 📘Siege of Mecca 📘Insta @yarotrof

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Trump: we are running low on ammo not because of my war on Iran but because Biden gave “massive amounts” of Tomahawks to Ukraine. The U.S. didn’t supply a single Tomahawk to Ukraine.

Trump: we are running low on ammo not because of my war on Iran but because Biden gave “massive amounts” of Tomahawks to Ukraine. The U.S. didn’t supply a single Tomahawk to Ukraine.

1,797,706 просмотров

I have been thinking about why Trump has this obsession with trashing Ukraine’s valor in the spring of 2022, when Ukrainians defeated the Russian armies around Kyiv and forced a withdrawal from northern Ukraine, essentially securing the country’s independence. Why does he keep insisting that it only happened because Russian tanks took some mythical wrong turn and got stuck in the mud? I think the answer is that if you are convinced that Russia is invincible by definition and that Ukraine must surrender to make your life easier, then you just can’t accept the notion that Ukraine has managed to defeat Russia in the existential battle of Kyiv in Feb-March 2022. Because accepting this fact also means accepting that Ukraine has cards, and that its defeat in the war is not preordained, no matter how desirable.

I have been thinking about why Trump has this obsession with trashing Ukraine’s valor in the spring of 2022, when Ukrainians defeated the Russian armies around Kyiv and forced a withdrawal from northern Ukraine, essentially securing the country’s independence. Why does he keep insisting that it only happened because Russian tanks took some mythical wrong turn and got stuck in the mud? I think the answer is that if you are convinced that Russia is invincible by definition and that Ukraine must surrender to make your life easier, then you just can’t accept the notion that Ukraine has managed to defeat Russia in the existential battle of Kyiv in Feb-March 2022. Because accepting this fact also means accepting that Ukraine has cards, and that its defeat in the war is not preordained, no matter how desirable.

71,223 просмотров

Slovakia’s prime minister Fico says he won’t go to war to defend NATO allies “because of some Article 5.” Why are Slovak troops deployed to the Baltics then? For fresh air?

Slovakia’s prime minister Fico says he won’t go to war to defend NATO allies “because of some Article 5.” Why are Slovak troops deployed to the Baltics then? For fresh air?

461,520 просмотров

Increasing speculation in Russian media that the Baku-Grozny Azerbaijan Airlines flight was shot down by Russian air defenses that mistook it for a Ukrainian drone. Footage of the damage to the fuselage.

Increasing speculation in Russian media that the Baku-Grozny Azerbaijan Airlines flight was shot down by Russian air defenses that mistook it for a Ukrainian drone. Footage of the damage to the fuselage.

3,305,167 просмотров

Putin’s hometown of St Petersburg is post-apocalyptic this morning, after Ukrainian drone hits on fuel storage tanks and one of the main remaining Wildberries warehouses (Russia’s equivalent of an Amazon fulfilment center.) Source:

Putin’s hometown of St Petersburg is post-apocalyptic this morning, after Ukrainian drone hits on fuel storage tanks and one of the main remaining Wildberries warehouses (Russia’s equivalent of an Amazon fulfilment center.) Source:

379,943 просмотров

Ukrainian aircraft arrive to deliver a keynote address at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum that opens this morning. Special entertainment for Candace Owens, Andrew Tate and all the other distinguished guests.

Ukrainian aircraft arrive to deliver a keynote address at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum that opens this morning. Special entertainment for Candace Owens, Andrew Tate and all the other distinguished guests.

348,987 просмотров

Ukraine allows Putin’s May 9 parade to go ahead after Trump’s intervention and a promise to exchange 1,000 Ukrainian POWs. No prisoners have been freed, and Putin after his parade unleashed one of the biggest missile and drone barrages of the war. Here is a Kyiv high-rise where dozens were killed and injured last night, including children, and many more still remain under the rubble.

Ukraine allows Putin’s May 9 parade to go ahead after Trump’s intervention and a promise to exchange 1,000 Ukrainian POWs. No prisoners have been freed, and Putin after his parade unleashed one of the biggest missile and drone barrages of the war. Here is a Kyiv high-rise where dozens were killed and injured last night, including children, and many more still remain under the rubble.

354,866 просмотров

Massive Ukrainian bombing raid on three Russian chemicals plants in Togliatti on the Volga, some 600 miles away. It’s as far from Ukraine as Switzerland or Denmark.

Massive Ukrainian bombing raid on three Russian chemicals plants in Togliatti on the Volga, some 600 miles away. It’s as far from Ukraine as Switzerland or Denmark.

389,066 просмотров

Like shooting fish in a barrel. For the third time in a week, Ukraine successfully attacks Russia’s major oil and gas export terminal in Ust Luga on the Baltic Sea. It’s as far from Ukraine as Sweden is from Italy. Special thanks to the Indian sailor for the BDA.

Like shooting fish in a barrel. For the third time in a week, Ukraine successfully attacks Russia’s major oil and gas export terminal in Ust Luga on the Baltic Sea. It’s as far from Ukraine as Sweden is from Italy. Special thanks to the Indian sailor for the BDA.

329,596 просмотров

Russia in recent weeks focused on targeting the warehouses of Nova Poshta, Ukraine’s private logistics and postal service. Today Kyiv reciprocated with strikes on warehouses of Wildberries, the Russian equivalent of Amazon, in the Moscow region and Tambov.

Russia in recent weeks focused on targeting the warehouses of Nova Poshta, Ukraine’s private logistics and postal service. Today Kyiv reciprocated with strikes on warehouses of Wildberries, the Russian equivalent of Amazon, in the Moscow region and Tambov.

134,537 просмотров

Orban’s peace mission to Moscow was a great success.

Orban’s peace mission to Moscow was a great success.

959,317 просмотров

Not just drones anymore. Ukraine deployed Ukrainian-developed Flamingo cruise missiles and drones for a prolonged combined strike on VNIIR Progress, a critical military electronics plant in the Russian city of Cheboksary, some 600 miles away. Flamingos are clearly getting better at striking targets.

Not just drones anymore. Ukraine deployed Ukrainian-developed Flamingo cruise missiles and drones for a prolonged combined strike on VNIIR Progress, a critical military electronics plant in the Russian city of Cheboksary, some 600 miles away. Flamingos are clearly getting better at striking targets.

215,551 просмотров

In 2014, a young Ukrainian officer led the first armored vehicle that broke through barricades erected by Russian-sponsored militias in Mariupol and prevented the Russian takeover of the city. Today, Mykhailo Drapaty is Ukraine’s new commander in chief.

In 2014, a young Ukrainian officer led the first armored vehicle that broke through barricades erected by Russian-sponsored militias in Mariupol and prevented the Russian takeover of the city. Today, Mykhailo Drapaty is Ukraine’s new commander in chief.

95,824 просмотров

Second day of street protests in Ukraine after Zelensky suddenly fired reformist defense minister Fedorov. The crowds are much bigger and the chant is “Down with Syrsky.” It is very hard to motivate people to join the military when the commander in chief, Gen Syrsky, is perceived — rightly or wrongly, but widely — as a Soviet-school general who doesn’t care about casualties, and who has allowed the emergence of pet regiments that reproduce some of the worst Russian army habits, like torture and extrajudicial killings of recruits.

Second day of street protests in Ukraine after Zelensky suddenly fired reformist defense minister Fedorov. The crowds are much bigger and the chant is “Down with Syrsky.” It is very hard to motivate people to join the military when the commander in chief, Gen Syrsky, is perceived — rightly or wrongly, but widely — as a Soviet-school general who doesn’t care about casualties, and who has allowed the emergence of pet regiments that reproduce some of the worst Russian army habits, like torture and extrajudicial killings of recruits.

98,372 просмотров

This week is the first time in 4.5 years that the “special military operation” is affecting the daily life of every resident of Russia. Once dubbed by McCain as a “gas station masquerading as a country,” Russia is experiencing a fuel crisis because of Ukrainian strikes on its refineries. To get gas, Russians now must spend hours — sometimes an entire night — waiting in line. Many gas stations just closed, including in Moscow. The more the Russian government says “don’t panic, there is no fuel shortage,” the more people panic.

This week is the first time in 4.5 years that the “special military operation” is affecting the daily life of every resident of Russia. Once dubbed by McCain as a “gas station masquerading as a country,” Russia is experiencing a fuel crisis because of Ukrainian strikes on its refineries. To get gas, Russians now must spend hours — sometimes an entire night — waiting in line. Many gas stations just closed, including in Moscow. The more the Russian government says “don’t panic, there is no fuel shortage,” the more people panic.

114,935 просмотров

A night of presumed Ukrainian drone strikes across Russia. Russian media report that the Ust Luga oil and gas port near St Petersburg is on fire, and a hit on a plant making air-defense systems in Tula. Footage from Russian Telegram channels.

A night of presumed Ukrainian drone strikes across Russia. Russian media report that the Ust Luga oil and gas port near St Petersburg is on fire, and a hit on a plant making air-defense systems in Tula. Footage from Russian Telegram channels.

788,616 просмотров

The main target of Russia’s overnight attack was one of the biggest American investments in Ukraine — an electronics plant or Flex in Mukacheve on the Hungarian border. Hundreds of workers managed to flee to shelters just before two Russian missiles struck, according to local officials.

The main target of Russia’s overnight attack was one of the biggest American investments in Ukraine — an electronics plant or Flex in Mukacheve on the Hungarian border. Hundreds of workers managed to flee to shelters just before two Russian missiles struck, according to local officials.

336,945 просмотров

Seems like Ukraine found a way to defeat Moscow’s thick web of air defenses. Second Moscow refinery bombing in three days.

Seems like Ukraine found a way to defeat Moscow’s thick web of air defenses. Second Moscow refinery bombing in three days.

106,139 просмотров

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Somehow the Hitler apologists and the Putin apologists tend to be the same people.

Somehow the Hitler apologists and the Putin apologists tend to be the same people.

Yaroslav Trofimov

476,709 просмотров • 16 дней назад

Pretty insane Putin rambling today: Have you seen how orcas gang up on polar bears and tear them into pieces? This is about the food chain. Tell this to children to explain in what world we live and why we are conducting the Special Military Operation.

Pretty insane Putin rambling today: Have you seen how orcas gang up on polar bears and tear them into pieces? This is about the food chain. Tell this to children to explain in what world we live and why we are conducting the Special Military Operation.

Yaroslav Trofimov

604,350 просмотров • 1 месяц назад

Ukraine didn’t hit any Russian refineries overnight, but it did strike the third Yandex data center in a row, causing widespread service disruption, especially to the Yandex Taxi — Russia’s equivalent of Uber.

Ukraine didn’t hit any Russian refineries overnight, but it did strike the third Yandex data center in a row, causing widespread service disruption, especially to the Yandex Taxi — Russia’s equivalent of Uber.

Yaroslav Trofimov

53,166 просмотров • 8 дней назад

Putin is back in his February 2022 mode: Ukrainian soldiers, do not follow the orders the thieving illegitimate junta, the situation of the Ukrainian army is turning from critical to catastrophic. 🤡

Putin is back in his February 2022 mode: Ukrainian soldiers, do not follow the orders the thieving illegitimate junta, the situation of the Ukrainian army is turning from critical to catastrophic. 🤡

Yaroslav Trofimov

990,341 просмотров • 5 месяцев назад

Quite a hot mic moment on CCTV in Beijing today as Putin and Xi, both 72 years old, are caught casually talking about living to 150 and maybe forever thanks to organ transplants. (As picked up by Bloomberg.)

Quite a hot mic moment on CCTV in Beijing today as Putin and Xi, both 72 years old, are caught casually talking about living to 150 and maybe forever thanks to organ transplants. (As picked up by Bloomberg.)

Yaroslav Trofimov

2,679,478 просмотров • 1 год назад

Mobs break into the Makhachkala airport, in Russia’s north Caucasus, looking to lynch Jews after rumors spread about the arrival of Jewish refugees from Israel.

Mobs break into the Makhachkala airport, in Russia’s north Caucasus, looking to lynch Jews after rumors spread about the arrival of Jewish refugees from Israel.

Yaroslav Trofimov

7,295,394 просмотров • 3 лет назад

Zelensky: We are facing one of the most dangerous periods in Ukrainian history, a choice between losing our dignity and freedom and losing US support. We choose dignity. My answer is my oath of office. I did not betray Ukraine in Feb 2022 and we won’t betray in now.

Zelensky: We are facing one of the most dangerous periods in Ukrainian history, a choice between losing our dignity and freedom and losing US support. We choose dignity. My answer is my oath of office. I did not betray Ukraine in Feb 2022 and we won’t betray in now.

Yaroslav Trofimov

1,993,287 просмотров • 11 месяцев назад

What happens when an ammunition warehouse blows up. Footage from Russia’s Belgorod region on the Ukrainian border this morning. All this stuff won’t kill Ukrainian civilians anymore.

What happens when an ammunition warehouse blows up. Footage from Russia’s Belgorod region on the Ukrainian border this morning. All this stuff won’t kill Ukrainian civilians anymore.

Yaroslav Trofimov

731,724 просмотров • 4 месяцев назад

Putin’s advisor Ushakov says Trump, in a conversation with Putin today, promised to put pressure on the Europeans and Ukraine during the G7 summit, and otherwise, to accept Russian peace conditions. (Uncommon in a readout to speak on behalf of the interlocutor, by the way.)

Putin’s advisor Ushakov says Trump, in a conversation with Putin today, promised to put pressure on the Europeans and Ukraine during the G7 summit, and otherwise, to accept Russian peace conditions. (Uncommon in a readout to speak on behalf of the interlocutor, by the way.)

Yaroslav Trofimov

507,977 просмотров • 4 месяцев назад

Putin: “It would be ridiculous for us to start negotiating with Ukraine just because it’s running out of ammunition.” Republican leadership of the House cutting off military supplies to Ukraine has made Putin drop his pretense about desiring peace talks. He wants it all.

Putin: “It would be ridiculous for us to start negotiating with Ukraine just because it’s running out of ammunition.” Republican leadership of the House cutting off military supplies to Ukraine has made Putin drop his pretense about desiring peace talks. He wants it all.

Yaroslav Trofimov

3,551,538 просмотров • 2 лет назад

Looks like Putin, Xi and Modi had a jolly good morning in Tianjin 🇨🇳

Looks like Putin, Xi and Modi had a jolly good morning in Tianjin 🇨🇳

Yaroslav Trofimov

1,529,299 просмотров • 1 год назад

Bonkers Russian Army recruitment commercial, in which soldiers under fire in a trench discuss Ukrainian real estate investments. (One wants to buy an apartment in Kyiv’s tony Pechersk neighborhood once it is conquered, the other says he prefers Odesa because of the sea…)

Bonkers Russian Army recruitment commercial, in which soldiers under fire in a trench discuss Ukrainian real estate investments. (One wants to buy an apartment in Kyiv’s tony Pechersk neighborhood once it is conquered, the other says he prefers Odesa because of the sea…)

Yaroslav Trofimov

4,172,744 просмотров • 3 лет назад

No war with Belarus, for now. Zelensky says that, after his ultimatum, Belarus disabled since June 22 the relay stations along the Ukrainian border that Russia was using for guided drone strikes in western Ukraine.

No war with Belarus, for now. Zelensky says that, after his ultimatum, Belarus disabled since June 22 the relay stations along the Ukrainian border that Russia was using for guided drone strikes in western Ukraine.

Yaroslav Trofimov

395,401 просмотров • 3 месяцев назад

It’s clear from this that the only difference between Steve Witkoff’s and Vladmir Putin’s views on the war in Ukraine is that Putin actually knows the names of all the five Ukrainian regions he wants to keep.

It’s clear from this that the only difference between Steve Witkoff’s and Vladmir Putin’s views on the war in Ukraine is that Putin actually knows the names of all the five Ukrainian regions he wants to keep.

Yaroslav Trofimov

1,879,021 просмотров • 1 год назад

Russia targeted the dam of the Kyiv Sea north of the capital, with one missile striking it. If the dam breaks, millions of people downstream can die.

Russia targeted the dam of the Kyiv Sea north of the capital, with one missile striking it. If the dam breaks, millions of people downstream can die.

Yaroslav Trofimov

2,187,923 просмотров • 2 лет назад

Rubio said he is unaware of the U.S. delegation at Putin’s conference in St Petersburg, led by Commission of Fine Arts chief Rodney Mims Cook Jr. Today, the 🇺🇸delegation definitely wasn’t talkative.

Rubio said he is unaware of the U.S. delegation at Putin’s conference in St Petersburg, led by Commission of Fine Arts chief Rodney Mims Cook Jr. Today, the 🇺🇸delegation definitely wasn’t talkative.

Yaroslav Trofimov

375,402 просмотров • 4 месяцев назад

Odesa’s main Orthodox cathedral. Established in 1794, destroyed by Stalin in 1936, rebuilt under an independent Ukraine and destroyed again by Putin in 2023. One of several historical parts of central Odesa, a UNESCO world heritage site, hit by Russian missiles strikes today.

Odesa’s main Orthodox cathedral. Established in 1794, destroyed by Stalin in 1936, rebuilt under an independent Ukraine and destroyed again by Putin in 2023. One of several historical parts of central Odesa, a UNESCO world heritage site, hit by Russian missiles strikes today.

Yaroslav Trofimov

2,819,217 просмотров • 3 лет назад

Watched the German and German-led NATO troops march through Lithuania’s city of Kaunas yesterday, in a message of deterrence to Russia. (If push comes to shove, I’d run with the Norwegian unit here.)

Watched the German and German-led NATO troops march through Lithuania’s city of Kaunas yesterday, in a message of deterrence to Russia. (If push comes to shove, I’d run with the Norwegian unit here.)

Yaroslav Trofimov

589,928 просмотров • 8 месяцев назад

In MAGA world’s alternative reality, Gulf monarchies plus Israel are about to replace “dying Europe” as allies and trade partners. “It could be much bigger than Europe. Europe is dysfunctional today,” Witkoff says. Back on Earth: Entire Middle East GDP: $3.7 trillion 🇪🇺🇬🇧🇨🇭🇳🇴 GDP: $25.5 trillion

In MAGA world’s alternative reality, Gulf monarchies plus Israel are about to replace “dying Europe” as allies and trade partners. “It could be much bigger than Europe. Europe is dysfunctional today,” Witkoff says. Back on Earth: Entire Middle East GDP: $3.7 trillion 🇪🇺🇬🇧🇨🇭🇳🇴 GDP: $25.5 trillion

Yaroslav Trofimov

1,169,434 просмотров • 1 год назад

Trump gets emotional as he is asked by a Ukrainian reporter whose husband serves in Ukraine about whether he will supply air defenses to Ukraine. Quite a moment in the press conference.

Trump gets emotional as he is asked by a Ukrainian reporter whose husband serves in Ukraine about whether he will supply air defenses to Ukraine. Quite a moment in the press conference.

Yaroslav Trofimov

983,037 просмотров • 1 год назад