Welcome to the Precious Metals Bug Forums
Welcome to the PMBug forums - a watering hole for folks interested in gold, silver, precious metals, sound money, investing, market and economic news, central bank monetary policies, politics and more. You can visit the forum page to see the list of forum nodes (categories/rooms) for topics.
Why not register an account and join the discussions? When you register an account and log in, you may enjoy additional benefits including no Google ads, market data/charts, access to trade/barter with the community and much more. Registering an account is free - you have nothing to lose!
- Messages
- 10,045
- Reaction score
- 7,802
- Points
- 238
- Wagner chief Prigozhyn was facing reduced public exposure, reduced funding, and subjugation to Defense Ministry.
- After planning a coup for weeks, he takes a fraction of Lugansk forces preparing a Kharkov offensive and launches an insurrection against Russia.
- His recent lunatic statements about Ukrainian deep advances in Zaporozhie can now be seen in context of his intentions to launch a coup during a military collapse.
- The collapse didn’t happen, but he acted anyway.
- Wagner is occupying Rostov (site of Russian military southern command) and moving on Moscow in 4 columns with strong air defense.
- Large-scale road closures could starve the front of munitions.(Read more at link)
- After planning a coup for weeks, he takes a fraction of Lugansk forces preparing a Kharkov offensive and launches an insurrection against Russia.
- His recent lunatic statements about Ukrainian deep advances in Zaporozhie can now be seen in context of his intentions to launch a coup during a military collapse.
- The collapse didn’t happen, but he acted anyway.
- Wagner is occupying Rostov (site of Russian military southern command) and moving on Moscow in 4 columns with strong air defense.
- Large-scale road closures could starve the front of munitions.(Read more at link)
- Messages
- 10,045
- Reaction score
- 7,802
- Points
- 238
[Kim Dot Com]
My view on the actions by Prigozhin and the Wagner Group in Russia:
This started as a power struggle between Prigozhin and Shoigu. In the beginning of the Special military operation Shoigu and his team made mistakes and Prigozhin became of strong critic of Shoigu.
Prigozhin then had success in Bakhmut with Wagner Group presenting himself as a better military leader than Shoigu. In my view Shoigu then provoked Prigozhin by limiting ammunition supplies to Bakhmut resulting in Wagner Group losses and a strong reaction from Prigozhin. Many of you have seen the video of Prigozhin attacking Shoigu and the Russian military leadership.
Ammunition deliveries were restored and victory in Bakhmut was achieved but the video outburst by Prigozhin was likely counterproductive for him because the Kremlin and senior political leaders in Moscow saw him as a loose cannon who can’t be trusted.
Prigozhin doubled down predicting a massive loss for the Russian military claiming that it was not ready for the Ukrainian counter-offensive. He claimed that the Russian troops are badly equipped and poorly managed by Shoigu. With the Russian military successfully repelling the Ukrainian counter-offensive Prigozhin had played himself into a corner and his time was running out because Shoigu and his Generals delivered a major victory for the Kremlin.
In my view the actions by Prigozhin are an act of desperation because he has lost the power struggle against Shoigu and is likely facing serious retaliation.
Western media claims this is an attempted coup against Putin. That’s nonsense. The popularity of Putin within Russia and in the non-western world has never been higher. However this war between Prigozhin and Shoigu is an unwelcome distraction for the Kremlin and the most likely outcome will be the arrest or termination of Prigozhin.
My view on the actions by Prigozhin and the Wagner Group in Russia:
This started as a power struggle between Prigozhin and Shoigu. In the beginning of the Special military operation Shoigu and his team made mistakes and Prigozhin became of strong critic of Shoigu.
Prigozhin then had success in Bakhmut with Wagner Group presenting himself as a better military leader than Shoigu. In my view Shoigu then provoked Prigozhin by limiting ammunition supplies to Bakhmut resulting in Wagner Group losses and a strong reaction from Prigozhin. Many of you have seen the video of Prigozhin attacking Shoigu and the Russian military leadership.
Ammunition deliveries were restored and victory in Bakhmut was achieved but the video outburst by Prigozhin was likely counterproductive for him because the Kremlin and senior political leaders in Moscow saw him as a loose cannon who can’t be trusted.
Prigozhin doubled down predicting a massive loss for the Russian military claiming that it was not ready for the Ukrainian counter-offensive. He claimed that the Russian troops are badly equipped and poorly managed by Shoigu. With the Russian military successfully repelling the Ukrainian counter-offensive Prigozhin had played himself into a corner and his time was running out because Shoigu and his Generals delivered a major victory for the Kremlin.
In my view the actions by Prigozhin are an act of desperation because he has lost the power struggle against Shoigu and is likely facing serious retaliation.
Western media claims this is an attempted coup against Putin. That’s nonsense. The popularity of Putin within Russia and in the non-western world has never been higher. However this war between Prigozhin and Shoigu is an unwelcome distraction for the Kremlin and the most likely outcome will be the arrest or termination of Prigozhin.
- Messages
- 11,778
- Reaction score
- 2,569
- Points
- 238
Russian coup: Putin's days 'are numbered in a handful' | Lord Dannatt
Jun 24, 20237:23
"It's perfectly reasonable for those NATO countries, and other countries that have a common border with Russia to mobilise troops to take up a deterrent posture."
If Ukraine takes advantage of 'confusion' inside Russia, then Putin's days are 'numbered,' says Lord Dannatt.
channel -
/ @listentotimesradio
- Messages
- 11,778
- Reaction score
- 2,569
- Points
- 238
Putin’s Army TURNS AGAINST him as Russia faces POSSIBLE COUP
Jun 24, 202313:24
The Wagner Group's mercenary fighters have turned against Russia and a full-blown coup may be under way.,. MeidasTouch contributor Troy breaks down the latest events of this fast-moving story.
Now how much money did the DS offer to this dude and his elite militia?
- Messages
- 127
- Reaction score
- 192
- Points
- 143
Fox News is reporting it's already over. Wagner leader moving to Belarus as part of a deal. Charges against him have been dropped. Leader orders troops to stop marching on Moscow and return to bases. Kremlin says no punishment for those troops.
www.foxnews.com
Wagner chief orders troops to turn around from Moscow 'to avoid bloodshed'
After taking a key military installation on the border with Ukraine, Wagner Group mercenaries led by Yevgeny Prigozhin reportedly agreed to stand down and return to their bases.
www.foxnews.com
Last edited:
- Messages
- 127
- Reaction score
- 192
- Points
- 143
Billions of roubles: Prigozhin claims Russian forces have found a van and 2 buses containing boxes of his money
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group private military company, has confirmed that Russian security forces had found boxes full of money near his office in St Petersburg. Russian media reported that the boxes contain a total of 4 billion roubles (approximately US$ 47 million).
Source: Fontanka, a St Petersburg-based news outlet; Yevgeny Prigozhin’s press service
Details: Fontanka reported that a Gazel minivan stuffed full of boxes containing money was found near Prigozhin’s office, in the courtyard of the Trezzini Hotel in St Petersburg.
According to Fontanka, Prigozhin is believed to have his office in the Trezzini Hotel. During a search conducted in the hotel the white Gazel minivan aroused suspicion as it did not belong to anyone living at the Akademichesky Lane [the street where the van was parked - ed.]. The van was checked for explosives; when it was unlocked, boxes stuffed with money were found inside.
Lancers32
Often Wrong Never In Doubt
- Messages
- 1,834
- Reaction score
- 2,096
- Points
- 238
Scott Ritter on The Judge this morning thinks MI6 got this guy to turn. Over already? This guy still walking around? Bill and Hill must be peeing their pants laughing.
If Putin fires/demotes/Clintons the MOD guy that Prigozhin had a beef with, I think we have our answer on what Putin, via Lukashenko, offered him to stand down.
I saw a report (not sure how credible) that Russians in the city Wagner forces took and abandoned are blocking roads to prevent Russian security/police back into the city.
I saw a report (not sure how credible) that Russians in the city Wagner forces took and abandoned are blocking roads to prevent Russian security/police back into the city.
Larry Johnson sees it differently -
sonar21.com
While I cannot firmly dismiss the possibility that Prigozhin attempted this coup on his own (or with the encouragement of an outside backer), I want to present the Maskirovka scenario.
Let us start with these facts:
How about this as an explanation? The entire coup narrative was generated to allow for the movement of Russian military forces to areas north and west of Voronezh without raising the alarm among NATO planners. Russia was moving forces to stop coup plotters as opposed to building up forces for a new axis of offense.....
.................
Here is the interesting part of this hypothesis — who made the decision to launch Prigozhin? A credible argument can be made that the Prigozhin’s Western handlers decided that Friday was the day and ordered him into action. But I think this was stage managed in the Kremlin. Putin and his intel chiefs knew what the West was trying to foment in Russia and realized that Ukraine and NATO were reeling from their feckless counter offensive and its attendant massive losses in men and materiel. Why not use the coup attempt as a good cover story for the mass movement of troops all along the line between Moscow and Rostov on Don?
This is a way to move Russian troops to areas north of Belgorod without drawing the unwelcome attention of NATO ISR platforms. Move the troops closer to the border and then disperse them. Which means Russia found a way to reinforce troops on a new potential axis of attack that will create a nightmare for NATO planners.
Think of the coup as rabbit running across an open field. Hungry predators hiding in the forest may be tempted to expose themselves in an effort to snag a bunny. Did some of the reactions in Russia to news of the suspected coup help Russian counter intelligence identify people in positions of authority in Russia who, until now, quietly rooted for Ukraine? Maybe.
I also want to entertain a hilarious possibility. Did Prigozhin scam his western handlers out of millions of dollars? Yevgeny does have a criminal past and is known for sticky fingers. Did he draw on his criminal past and fleece the British or the Americans? Could be a terrific story.
Russia's Academy Award Winning Performance For Best Coup, Prigozhin Scores Best Actor - A Son of the New American Revolution
What if the Prigozhin “Coup” is Maskirovka? I want to explore that possibility. Earlier today (Saturday on the east coast of the U.S.) I was sketching out a piece with...
sonar21.com
While I cannot firmly dismiss the possibility that Prigozhin attempted this coup on his own (or with the encouragement of an outside backer), I want to present the Maskirovka scenario.
Let us start with these facts:
- The Wagner Group was established by Russian intelligence organizations and funded by the Russian Government. Many in the West mistakenly believe that Prigozhin has deep pockets and is paying Wagner’s bills and, despite having ZERO military experience, is the commander of the outfit. As the Russians say, NYET!
- Russia is considered by the U.S. and the rest of NATO as a dictatorship. Prigozhin has been shooting his mouth off for months spouting threats against the Russian military and, indirectly, at Putin but has suffered no arrest or sanction. Does this mean Russia is not a dictatorship?
- Prigozhin ostensibly launched the coup, according to his own words on Friday, because the Russian MOD hit an encampment of Wagner troops training for war with missiles, shells and rockets. But the alleged video of the incident showed no casualties. Today, Prigozhin backed away from that claim and now insists he was just protesting the MOD’s move to bring the Wagner Group into the Russian Army.
- The Russian Government waited about 12 hours before sending police/military forces to the Wagner Group headquarters in St. Petersburg. Little sense of urgency.
- Prigozhin reportedly ordered a column of Wagner troops to go from Rostov on Don to Moscow to dethrone Shoigu and maybe General Gerasimov. Take a look at the map. That is a distance of almost 1200 kilometers. How was that column of trucks and tanks supposed to refuel and cover that distance in less than 20 hours?
How about this as an explanation? The entire coup narrative was generated to allow for the movement of Russian military forces to areas north and west of Voronezh without raising the alarm among NATO planners. Russia was moving forces to stop coup plotters as opposed to building up forces for a new axis of offense.....
.................
Here is the interesting part of this hypothesis — who made the decision to launch Prigozhin? A credible argument can be made that the Prigozhin’s Western handlers decided that Friday was the day and ordered him into action. But I think this was stage managed in the Kremlin. Putin and his intel chiefs knew what the West was trying to foment in Russia and realized that Ukraine and NATO were reeling from their feckless counter offensive and its attendant massive losses in men and materiel. Why not use the coup attempt as a good cover story for the mass movement of troops all along the line between Moscow and Rostov on Don?
This is a way to move Russian troops to areas north of Belgorod without drawing the unwelcome attention of NATO ISR platforms. Move the troops closer to the border and then disperse them. Which means Russia found a way to reinforce troops on a new potential axis of attack that will create a nightmare for NATO planners.
Think of the coup as rabbit running across an open field. Hungry predators hiding in the forest may be tempted to expose themselves in an effort to snag a bunny. Did some of the reactions in Russia to news of the suspected coup help Russian counter intelligence identify people in positions of authority in Russia who, until now, quietly rooted for Ukraine? Maybe.
I also want to entertain a hilarious possibility. Did Prigozhin scam his western handlers out of millions of dollars? Yevgeny does have a criminal past and is known for sticky fingers. Did he draw on his criminal past and fleece the British or the Americans? Could be a terrific story.
That doesn't make very much sense to me. Prigozhin is/was very close to Putin. I doubt very seriously that he "has western handlers". Putin would not have supported him until the betrayal like he did if Prigozhin were compromised. Prigozhin does a lot of Putin's dirty work all over the world (especially in Africa).
- Messages
- 127
- Reaction score
- 192
- Points
- 143
The chiefs of mercenary group Wagner faced threats to their families from Russia's secret service before leader Yevgeny Prigozhin halted his march on the capital, according to UK intelligence officials.
The group was also estimated to have been equipped with just 8,500 fighters rather than the 25,000 men previously claimed and faced an almost certain defeat in their offensive on Moscow.
It is understood Putin will now seek to absorb Wagner's soldiers - who are thought to have superior skills and training - into his regular army, while defenestrating the group's leaders, The Telegraph reports.
www.dailymail.co.uk
The group was also estimated to have been equipped with just 8,500 fighters rather than the 25,000 men previously claimed and faced an almost certain defeat in their offensive on Moscow.
It is understood Putin will now seek to absorb Wagner's soldiers - who are thought to have superior skills and training - into his regular army, while defenestrating the group's leaders, The Telegraph reports.
No charges for Wagner mercenaries who took part in armed uprising
The chiefs of mercenary group Wagner faced threats to their families from Russia's secret service before leader Yevgeny Prigozhin halted his march on the capital, intelligence officials say.
- Messages
- 10,045
- Reaction score
- 7,802
- Points
- 238
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
- Messages
- 11,778
- Reaction score
- 2,569
- Points
- 238
LONDON/NEW YORK, June 26 (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) has told clients it can no longer guarantee full access to Russian stocks that belong to them, underlining the challenges global investors face to recover stranded investments in the country's companies.
Germany's largest bank said in a note dated June 9 and viewed by Reuters that it had uncovered a shortfall in the shares that back the depositary receipts (DRs) the bank had issued before the Ukraine invasion. The shares have been held in Russia by a different depositary bank.
www.reuters.com
Germany's largest bank said in a note dated June 9 and viewed by Reuters that it had uncovered a shortfall in the shares that back the depositary receipts (DRs) the bank had issued before the Ukraine invasion. The shares have been held in Russia by a different depositary bank.
Exclusive: Deutsche Bank tells investors some of their Russian shares are missing
Deutsche Bank has told clients it can no longer guarantee full access to Russian stocks that belong to them.
www.reuters.com
- Messages
- 11,778
- Reaction score
- 2,569
- Points
- 238
Came across these on a different forum (no clue if they've been posted here before.) Some interesting stuff.
@AricToler
@christogrozev
@AricToler
@christogrozev
Lancers32
Often Wrong Never In Doubt
- Messages
- 1,834
- Reaction score
- 2,096
- Points
- 238
Both Ukranian hacks.
A good video... hey, there' that Patrick Lancaster showing up in news video, you know, like a real good reporter would have his video's show up.
He also reminds us that the Pentagon just announced that $6 Billion oopsie we apparently can't add mistake just a few days before.
He also reminds us that the Pentagon just announced that $6 Billion oopsie we apparently can't add mistake just a few days before.
- Messages
- 127
- Reaction score
- 192
- Points
- 143
Prigozhin Is Back On His Soapbox Two Days After Outright Mutiny
In a new audio message posted on his Telegram channel Monday, Wagner Private Military Corporation leader Yevgeny Prigozhin took yet another swipe at Russian military leadership, saying his mutinous march toward Moscow was a lesson in how to conduct maneuver warfare aimed at preserving his organization. He also expressed regret at “being forced” to shoot down nearly a dozen Russian aircraft in the process.“The march showed many things demonstrated before,” Prigozhin said, according to a translation by the Wartranslated Twitter handle. “Serious security concerns around the country. All military bases and airfields were blocked. If actions on 24 Feb 2022 were done by forces as trained as Wagner, the special operation could have ended in one day. This shows the level of organization that the Russian Army should be following.”
The message - delivered after more than a day of uncharacteristic silence from the normally loquaciously bellicose Wagner boss - also offered additional explanation as to why he launched the insurrection and why he stopped it. However, it also raised questions about how Prigozhin can continue having such a public presence in the wake after directly challenging the Russian government via an armed insurrection.
The rationale for the “March for Justice,” as Prigozhin described the events that unfolded Friday, actually began when the Kremlin ordered his troops to sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry, Prigozhin said. He claimed it to be a move so unpopular with his troops that “only 1%-2% decided to join the Russian army.”
However, there was some suggestion that the influential milblogger Semyon Pegov, known as WarGonzo, may have posited the idea to Prigozhin far earlier, after the Wagner leader complained in April about the lack of ammunition being given to him in the fight for Bakhmut.
Interestingly, the fate of WarGonzo remains unclear after video emerged of a Ukrainian special operations forces attack on a Russian trench that may have depicted Pegov being gunned down.
Last edited:
Viking
Ground Beetle
Gruesome footage shows Ukrainian soldiers trapped on minefield
Gruesome footage shows Ukrainian soldiers trapped on minefield
Drone footage shows a group of Ukrainian soldiers getting trapped in a minefield during a botched attack on Russian positions
Any way to see the vid? It won't play.Gruesome footage shows Ukrainian soldiers trapped on minefield
Gruesome footage shows Ukrainian soldiers trapped on minefield
Drone footage shows a group of Ukrainian soldiers getting trapped in a minefield during a botched attack on Russian positionswww.rt.com
Viking
Ground Beetle
Any way to watch it if'n I don't Telegram? I read in the comments that it is supposedly on twitter too, but without the video's name, it's kinda hard to find.
Best summation on the net of what happened regarding this coup attempt free of Q bullcrap.
Viking
Ground Beetle
Enjoy:
In Video 18+: Ukrainian Servicemen Fighting Russian Minefields
UPDATE: Failed attack of the 47th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine ended on a minefield. Many Ukrainian...
southfront.org
- Messages
- 11,778
- Reaction score
- 2,569
- Points
- 238
WASHINGTON, June 26 (Reuters) - The United States plans to announce as soon as Tuesday a new military aid package for Ukraine worth up to $500 million, keeping up U.S. resolve to help Ukraine against Russia as Moscow deals with a mutiny by some of its soldiers.
The package will include ground vehicles as Ukraine presses its counteroffensive, two U.S. officials said. Expected to be included are 30 Bradley fighting vehicles and 25 Stryker armored personnel carriers, one of the officials said.
www.reuters.com
The package will include ground vehicles as Ukraine presses its counteroffensive, two U.S. officials said. Expected to be included are 30 Bradley fighting vehicles and 25 Stryker armored personnel carriers, one of the officials said.
US keeps up weapons shipments to Ukraine with new $500 mln package
The United States plans to announce as soon as Tuesday a new military aid package for Ukraine worth up to $500 million, keeping up U.S. resolve to help Ukraine against Russia as Moscow deals with a mutiny by some of its soldiers.
www.reuters.com
- Messages
- 11,778
- Reaction score
- 2,569
- Points
- 238
Ukraine names new head of state weapons company to push reforms, lift supplies
The Ukrainian government appointed a new head of state-owned weapons producer Ukroboronprom on Wednesday as Kyiv seeks to boost domestic weapons production and increase transparency.
www.reuters.com
- Messages
- 11,778
- Reaction score
- 2,569
- Points
- 238
KYIV, June 28 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged NATO on Wednesday to send Ukraine a clear signal at a summit next month that it can join the military alliance when Russia's war on his country ends.
www.reuters.com
Ukraine calls for signal on NATO membership at alliance summit
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged NATO on Wednesday to send Ukraine a clear signal at a summit next month that it can join the military alliance when Russia's war on his country ends.
www.reuters.com
Remember in the old days the media would report the number of soldiers and people being killed up to the current date, even in wars we were not directly involved with? Good tymes! Plus remember how they( the media) would report how much money the defense contractors were making from war? Good tymes!
- Messages
- 11,778
- Reaction score
- 2,569
- Points
- 238
Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin has reportedly won back more than $100 million in cash and gold bars seized by Russian authorities in the midst of his short-lived June insurrection, as the oligarch-warlord continues negotiations with the Kremlin as to the stripping of his assets and his enforced exile in Belarus.
St. Petersburg news outlet Fontanka reported Tuesday—citing undisclosed internal sources—that around 10 billion rubles ($111.2 million) made up of boxes of U.S. dollars and five gold bars were returned to the disgraced oligarch, who last month led a Wagner Group mutiny against Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chair of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
More:
St. Petersburg news outlet Fontanka reported Tuesday—citing undisclosed internal sources—that around 10 billion rubles ($111.2 million) made up of boxes of U.S. dollars and five gold bars were returned to the disgraced oligarch, who last month led a Wagner Group mutiny against Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chair of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
More:
- Messages
- 10,045
- Reaction score
- 7,802
- Points
- 238
That's an 'interesting' exile if you aks me...
that whole ordeal doesn't seem to be what they are saying it seems to be....
- Messages
- 11,778
- Reaction score
- 2,569
- Points
- 238
Russian military official on Ukraine blacklist shot dead on morning run
A Russian military official who had commanded a submarine in the Black Sea and appeared on a Ukrainian blacklist of alleged war criminals has been shot dead by an unknown assassin while on his morning run.
- Messages
- 11,778
- Reaction score
- 2,569
- Points
- 238
NATO summit: Ukraine's Zelenskiy says lack of timeframe for membership 'absurd'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said it would be "absurd" if NATO leaders gathering for a summit on Tuesday did not offer his country a timeframe for membership, after the alliance head said it would send Kyiv a "positive message".