At this year’s Munich Security Conference, the world’s power dynamics were on full display — not just in what was said, but in what didn’t happen. From stalled U.S. aid and Trump’s evolving strategy toward Ukraine, to European diplomacy moving ahead without Washington at the table, the signals coming out of Munich were unmistakable. We look at Lindsey Graham’s call for Tomahawks, the legislative bottlenecks freezing support, Trump’s outreach to Viktor Orbán, and the implications of a so-called “deal” strategy toward Putin. We also examine President Zelenskyy’s active diplomacy across Europe and beyond — including a surprising geopolitical encounter involving Iran. Finally, we break down the symbolism of an empty chair in Munich, Marco Rubio’s selective absence, and why the IOC’s attempt to silence a Ukrainian athlete ended up backfiring instead. ⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS 0:00 – The World Order is Shifting at Munich 0:42 – Lindsey Graham: Tomahawks for Ukraine 1:21 – The Legislation Gap: Why the Aid Isn’t Moving 1:38 – Trump’s Focus: Endorsing Viktor Orbán 2:04 – Trump’s “Deal” Strategy for Zelenskyy 2:52 – Analyzing the Deal: Putin’s Maximalist Agenda 3:13 – Zelenskyy’s Diplomatic Push: Denmark & Finland 3:35 – The Empty Chair: Diplomatic Tensions in Munich 4:30 – U.S. Security Guarantees: Fact vs. Fiction 5:14 – Marco Rubio’s Absence and Upcoming Meeting 6:06 – Geopolitical Twist: Zelenskyy & Iran’s Crown Prince 6:45 – Double Standards: The Case of Vladyslav Heraskevych 8:02 – Why the IOC Ruling Actually Backfired 8:48 – Final Thoughts: Why Pressuring Putin is Key #Ukraine #MunichSecurityConference #NATO #RussiaUkraineWar #Zelenskyy #Putin #USPolitics #Europe Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine. He has raised and delivered more than a quarter of a million dollars of aid to date. To directly support this effort of delivering necessary provisions to the front lines, click on these links (and then watch him give your donations to soldiers on the front lines on his channel): https://www.youtube.com/@GregTerryExperience Amazon Shopping List USA/North America (Shop and send to UKRAINE AID c/o Bethel Life's Gift Registry Address) https://a.co/iodWsUK Amazon Shopping List for EU/UK https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/... Direct Link for Financial Giving via our 501(c)(3) Tax-Deductible in the USA https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html Link for Greg's 501(c)(3) EIN Information https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR

The Munich Security Conference didn’t announce a new global order — but it revealed that the old one is no longer intact. From aid commitments and industrial cooperation to political language that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, leaders quietly acknowledged that power, alignment, and restraint are being renegotiated in real time. In this video, I focus exclusively on the political signals — not battlefield updates — to explain what Munich tells us about Ukraine, Russia, NATO, China, and the broader direction of the international system. This is about structure, not spectacle: who is adapting, who is hesitating, and what replaces a unipolar world once it fades. ⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS 0:00 – A Shifting World Order 1:15 – Ukraine’s $38 Billion Aid Package 2:30 – Joint Drone Production: A New Era 4:00 – Germany's Military Resurgence 5:30 – The End of a Unipolar World 7:00 – Rubio’s “Old Order Is Over” Signal 8:15 – Flexible Realism vs. Reliable Pragmatic Idealism 9:45 – Democracy in Retreat: The 2026 Report 11:00 – China’s Evolving Role in the Conflict 12:30 – Geneva Peace Talks: Expectations and Realities 14:00 – Zelenskyy on Peace and Politics 15:30 – U.S. Military Readiness in the Persian Gulf 17:00 – Final Thoughts: A World Under Destruction #Ukraine #Russia #MunichSecurityConference #WorldOrder #Geopolitics #NATO #GlobalPolitics #InternationalRelations #Gerdes Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine. He has raised and delivered more than a quarter of a million dollars of aid to date. To directly support this effort of delivering necessary provisions to the front lines, click on these links (and then watch him give your donations to soldiers on the front lines on his channel): https://www.youtube.com/@GregTerryExperience Amazon Shopping List USA/North America (Shop and send to UKRAINE AID c/o Bethel Life's Gift Registry Address) https://a.co/iodWsUK Amazon Shopping List for EU/UK https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/... Direct Link for Financial Giving via our 501(c)(3) Tax-Deductible in the USA https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html Link for Greg's 501(c)(3) EIN Information https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR

This battlefield update walks through the hard metrics shaping the war right now. From Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian infrastructure to missile and UAV barrages, new Russian drone variants, and the human cost in frontline cities like Kramatorsk, the numbers tell a clear story. We compare casualty patterns, examine equipment losses, track territorial shifts, and look ahead to emerging trends—drone-on-drone combat, kill-chain disruptions, and AI’s expanding role. We also cover EU support efforts and a controversial Olympic moment involving Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, plus the IOC’s response and the broader information war. ⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS 0:00 – Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Russian Infrastructure 1:18 – Russian Missile and UAV Attacks Across Ukraine 2:12 – New Russian “Harpy” Drones and Electronic Warfare 3:06 – Civilian Impact: The Human Cost in Kramatorsk 3:49 – Comparing Casualty Stats: Ukraine vs. Afghanistan 4:35 – Battlefield Attrition: Russian Equipment Losses 5:04 – The Rise of Drone-on-Drone Combat in 2026 6:22 – Territorial Shifts: Crossing the Hayer River 7:01 – The 28th Mechanized Brigade’s 137-Day Stand 8:15 – Dogs of War: FPV Drone Warnings 8:47 – The Russian “Kill Chain” and the Discord/Telegram Ban 10:14 – EU Support: Generators for Kyiv 10:48 – The IOC Controversy: Vladyslav Heraskevych’s Helmet 13:17 – Nazi-Era Propaganda at the Olympics 13:58 – Future Tech: Meta’s AI “Digital Ghosts” #Ukraine #Russia #UkraineWar #BattlefieldUpdate #Drones #AirDefense #MilitaryAnalysis #WarData Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine. He has raised and delivered more than a quarter of a million dollars of aid to date. To directly support this effort of delivering necessary provisions to the front lines, click on these links (and then watch him give your donations to soldiers on the front lines on his channel): https://www.youtube.com/@GregTerryExperience Amazon Shopping List USA/North America (Shop and send to UKRAINE AID c/o Bethel Life's Gift Registry Address) https://a.co/iodWsUK Amazon Shopping List for EU/UK https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/... Direct Link for Financial Giving via our 501(c)(3) Tax-Deductible in the USA https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html Link for Greg's 501(c)(3) EIN Information https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR

Ukraine carried out a coordinated series of long-range strikes across Russia overnight, hitting energy infrastructure, ammunition depots, and key industrial targets — even as Moscow talks about restraint. We’ll break down what was hit, why it matters, and how Ukraine is reshaping both the air war and the battlefield balance. At the same time, Russia launched its own overnight attacks — and Ukraine’s interception rates tell an important story about evolving air defenses. This was a consequential night. Chapters 0:00 Introduction and Long-Range Strikes in Russia 0:43 Energy Truce and Strike on Tambov Region Plant 1:18 Details of the Progress Plant in Michurinsk 1:48 Strike on Volgograd Ammunition Depot and the Flamingo Drone 2:20 Ukhta Oil Refinery Strike and Drone Footnote 4:14 Overnight Russian Attacks on Ukraine and Interception Rates 5:36 Ukraine Overhauling Air Defenses 6:14 Strikes on Kharkiv and Bombing of a Supermarket 6:53 Intercepting a Russian BM-35 Drone 7:22 Daily Russian Combat Losses and FPV Drone Dominance 8:29 Pokrovsk and Hulyaipole Frontline Updates 8:54 International Support: Lithuania, Japan, and Korea 9:15 Cyber Warfare: The Starlink Activation "Sting" 10:59 Heroism on the Frontlines: Vladislav's 275-Day Stand 12:28 Political Pressure and Final Reflections #Ukraine #Russia #UkraineWar #LongRangeStrikes #DroneWar #AirDefense #OSINT Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine. He has raised and delivered more than a quarter of a million dollars of aid to date. To directly support this effort of delivering necessary provisions to the front lines, click on these links (and then watch him give your donations to soldiers on the front lines on his channel): https://www.youtube.com/@GregTerryExperience Amazon Shopping List USA/North America (Shop and send to UKRAINE AID c/o Bethel Life's Gift Registry Address) https://a.co/iodWsUK Amazon Shopping List for EU/UK https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/... Direct Link for Financial Giving via our 501(c)(3) Tax-Deductible in the USA https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html Link for Greg's 501(c)(3) EIN Information https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR

Today’s Daily Brief covers refinery strikes, record drone losses, air defense strain, and a front line that may be shifting in the gray zone. Russian sources previously claimed control of key terrain. Now they describe activity there as a “counter operation.” We’ll examine whether this is: • A genuine counterattack • A gray zone clearing fight • Or a small but real Ukrainian breakthrough Let’s walk the map and separate narrative from reality. Chapters 0:00 Introduction and Overview 0:44 Ukrainian Drone Strike on Volgograd Refinery 1:40 Russian Drone Attacks on Ukraine 2:30 Intercepting Ballistic Missiles: Ukraine's Air Defense 3:30 Russia's Missile Production and Sanction Evasion 4:10 Emerging Technologies: Lasers and Interceptor Drones 4:35 Impact of Drone Attacks on Ukrainian Infrastructure 5:10 Training Challenges for Air Defense Personnel 5:50 Reorganizing Ukraine's Air Defense Strategy 6:25 Testing Russia's New AI-Powered Strike Drone 6:55 Hardening the Power Grid: Underground Substations 7:30 Daily Battlefield Losses: Equipment and Personnel 7:50 Record Drone Losses in February 2026 9:10 Counteroffensive or Clearing Operation? Analyzing the Front Line 11:50 Strategic Communications: Russia's Response to Ukrainian Gains 12:15 Deep Dive: Front Line Mapping and the "Gray Zone" 13:40 Tactical Realities: The Impact of Starlink Disruptions 14:30 New Mobilization Decree: Service for Men Over 60 15:10 International Support: Generators from Azerbaijan 15:30 Patron Shoutout and Final Thoughts 16:05 Closing Note: "Red Tuesday" and Relationship Statistics #Ukraine #Russia #UkraineWar #Counteroffensive #DroneWar Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine. He has raised and delivered more than a quarter of a million dollars of aid to date. To directly support this effort of delivering necessary provisions to the front lines, click on these links (and then watch him give your donations to soldiers on the front lines on his channel): https://www.youtube.com/@GregTerryExperience Amazon Shopping List USA/North America (Shop and send to UKRAINE AID c/o Bethel Life's Gift Registry Address) https://a.co/iodWsUK Amazon Shopping List for EU/UK https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/... Direct Link for Financial Giving via our 501(c)(3) Tax-Deductible in the USA https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html Link for Greg's 501(c)(3) EIN Information https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR

Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov just said something that crystallizes the entire war — and potentially the next ones. By invoking “ancestral Russian lands,” the Kremlin is reviving a justification framework that erases modern borders and turns history into a weapon. In this video, I break down what that phrase actually means, how it’s been used before, and why intelligence agencies in Estonia, Poland, Finland, and beyond are responding with urgency. We also examine Russia’s growing ammunition production, demands for so-called “security guarantees,” and how all of this fits into a broader geopolitical reshuffle involving Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the EU. Finally, we address a few unrelated but timely clarifications and developments — including misinformation corrections, the Epstein file controversy, and a reminder that heroism sometimes shows up in the most unexpected places. Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. ⏱️ Video Chapters 0:00 Lavrov and "Ancestral Russian Lands" 0:44 Defining "Ancestral Russian Land" and the Soviet Legacy 1:52 Russian "Peace" as a Mask for Conquest 2:40 Estonia’s Intelligence Report: Russia's Ammunition Expansion 3:38 Russia's Demand for "Security Guarantees" 4:18 Poland, the Baltics, and Finland: Defensive Preparations 4:48 Iran's Nuclear Concessions and Russian Mediation 5:36 U.S.-Armenia Nuclear Cooperation Agreement 6:10 Vice President Vance in Azerbaijan: Reshaping Energy Routes 6:53 Ukraine’s Path to "EU Membership Light" by 2027 7:25 Correcting the Record: Trump's Approval Ratings in Europe 8:36 The Epstein Case: A Russian Social Comparison 9:55 Unredacting the Epstein Files: Thomas Massie's Inquiry 10:48 Marjorie Taylor Greene on the Epstein Files and Trump 17:08 A Heroic Sledding Save: A Dad’s Quick Reflexes #Ukraine #Russia #Lavrov #NATO #Europe #Geopolitics #Security #Gerdes Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine. He has raised and delivered more than a quarter of a million dollars of aid to date. To directly support this effort of delivering necessary provisions to the front lines, click on these links (and then watch him give your donations to soldiers on the front lines on his channel): https://www.youtube.com/@GregTerryExperience Amazon Shopping List USA/North America (Shop and send to UKRAINE AID c/o Bethel Life's Gift Registry Address) https://a.co/iodWsUK Amazon Shopping List for EU/UK https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/... Direct Link for Financial Giving via our 501(c)(3) Tax-Deductible in the USA https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html Link for Greg's 501(c)(3) EIN Information https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR

In this clip from Russian state television, propagandists unexpectedly acknowledge a reality that directly contradicts years of Kremlin messaging: Ukraine continues to resist successfully, Ukrainian society refuses to break under pressure, and Russian forces are facing serious challenges on the front line. Even more striking, the discussion openly admits that removing Zelensky would change nothing — any Ukrainian leader backed by the people would continue fighting. One commentator goes even further, concluding that Russia’s failure stems from Ukrainian persistence and their ability to fight just as effectively. This isn’t Western analysis. It’s Russian state media briefly losing control of its own narrative — and the implications are significant. Chapters: 00:00 – Russian State TV’s Surprising Admission 00:25 – Ukraine’s Successful Resistance 01:07 – Russia’s Challenges on the Front Line 01:43 – Why Zelensky Won’t Surrender 02:22 – The Resilience of Ukrainian Leadership 03:04 – Is a Push for Kyiv Necessary? 03:41 – The Power of Ukrainian Persistence 04:15 – Final Thoughts Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. #Ukraine #Russia #UkraineWar #RussianTV #Propaganda #Zelensky #Putin #WarAnalysis #ukraineresistance ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine. He has raised and delivered more than a quarter of a million dollars of aid to date. To directly support this effort of delivering necessary provisions to the front lines, click on these links (and then watch him give your donations to soldiers on the front lines on his channel): https://www.youtube.com/@GregTerryExperience Amazon Shopping List USA/North America (Shop and send to UKRAINE AID c/o Bethel Life's Gift Registry Address) https://a.co/iodWsUK Amazon Shopping List for EU/UK https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/... Direct Link for Financial Giving via our 501(c)(3) Tax-Deductible in the USA https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html Link for Greg's 501(c)(3) EIN Information https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR

Russia’s next offensive isn’t speculation — it’s visible in the data. By mapping 12,000 artillery strikes, we can see clear operational patterns forming around key sectors, especially Pokrovsk and Huliaipole, revealing where Russia is concentrating firepower, logistics, and pressure ahead of its next major push. In this update, we break down the artillery data, battlefield trends, air war developments, logistics strain, and international support — all grounded in open-source reporting and mapped evidence, not guesswork. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction & the Power of Snow in OSINT 00:34 – Economic Impact: Russian Refinery Losses 00:51 – Air War Update: UAV Interceptions & Casualties 01:27 – Civilian Resilience: Generators vs. Degenerates 01:55 – Battlefield Statistics: Tanks, Artillery, & Drones 02:31 – Sector Intensification: Pokrovsk & Huliaipole 03:02 – Deep Dive: Mapping 12,000 Artillery Strikes 04:02 – Analyzing the Three Main Bombing Zones 04:55 – Logistic Strain: Russian Consolidation Behind Lines 05:56 – Strategic Importance of Huliaipole & Arkiv 07:05 – Pokrovsk: The Next Russian Objective? 08:00 – Artillery: Still the “King of Battle” 08:55 – International Aid: Vatican & Japan Contributions 09:38 – Weather Update: The End of Severe Frosts 10:11 – Training Evolution: VR & Modern Simulators 11:06 – Recruitment Realities: Russia’s “Bounty Hunters” 11:45 – Maintenance Failures: Vladivostok Power Outages 12:20 – Community Shoutouts: Patrons & Pastry Chefs 14:02 – Happy Birthday to Anton Gerashchenko 14:48 – Closing Thoughts & Call to Action #Ukraine #Russia #UkraineWar #OSINT #Artillery #Pokrovsk #Huliaipole #MilitaryAnalysis #WarMapping Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine. He has raised and delivered more than a quarter of a million dollars of aid to date. To directly support this effort of delivering necessary provisions to the front lines, click on these links (and then watch him give your donations to soldiers on the front lines on his channel): https://www.youtube.com/@GregTerryExperience Amazon Shopping List USA/North America (Shop and send to UKRAINE AID c/o Bethel Life's Gift Registry Address) https://a.co/iodWsUK Amazon Shopping List for EU/UK https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/... Direct Link for Financial Giving via our 501(c)(3) Tax-Deductible in the USA https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html Link for Greg's 501(c)(3) EIN Information https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR

Ukraine is capitalizing on Russia’s growing Starlink problems, turning technical breakdowns and corruption into real battlefield advantages. As Russian forces struggle with disrupted communications, Ukraine is striking command posts, logistics hubs, and vulnerable units with increasing precision. This report walks through the latest overnight strikes, infrastructure damage on both sides, evolving air defense challenges, and credible reports of new Ukrainian counteroffensives — all tied together by one emerging reality: Russia’s inability to secure reliable battlefield connectivity is becoming a strategic liability. We also examine reports of Russian bribery linked to Starlink access, Ukraine’s expanding drone operations, and what today’s battlefield tempo tells us about where this war is heading next. ⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS 0:00 – Introduction and Today’s Main Headlines 1:04 – Heating Infrastructure Crisis in Belgorod, Russia 3:33 – Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Strategic Depots and Command Posts 4:19 – Large-scale Russian Missile and Drone Attacks on Ukraine 5:36 – The Critical Shortage of Ukrainian Air Defense Missiles 7:16 – Damage to Ukrainian Power Stations and Infrastructure 8:00 – F-16 Downed Russian Shahed Drone 8:20 – Latest Russian Casualty and Equipment Loss Report 8:41 – Analysis of Record-High Battlefield Engagements 9:21 – Reports of a New Ukrainian Counteroffensive 11:00 – Ukrainian Advances Near Turnuvate and Huliaipole 11:25 – Raising the National Flag in Chukhivka 11:58 – The Starlink Advantage and Russian Bribes 12:26 – Drone Operations and Tactical Strikes in Liman 12:56 – “Russian World” Before and After Comparison 13:20 – Russian Innovations: The “Moving Shed” Anti-Drone Shield 13:58 – Message to Russian Soldiers: Surrender and Survive 14:31 – Reflecting on Operation Provide Hope (1992 vs. Today) #Ukraine #Russia #Starlink #UkraineWar #ModernWarfare #Drones #AirDefense #BattlefieldTech #Gerdes Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine. He has raised and delivered more than a quarter of a million dollars of aid to date. To directly support this effort of delivering necessary provisions to the front lines, click on these links (and then watch him give your donations to soldiers on the front lines on his channel): https://www.youtube.com/@GregTerryExperience Amazon Shopping List USA/North America (Shop and send to UKRAINE AID c/o Bethel Life's Gift Registry Address) https://a.co/iodWsUK Amazon Shopping List for EU/UK https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/... Direct Link for Financial Giving via our 501(c)(3) Tax-Deductible in the USA https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html Link for Greg's 501(c)(3) EIN Information https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR

Many outside Russia assume that economic hardship, military losses, or corruption will eventually trigger mass protests or revolution. History — and Russia’s political structure — suggest otherwise. In this video, we break down the real reasons Russians don’t revolt against their own government: fear, fragmentation, incentives, propaganda, and learned helplessness — all reinforced over decades. This isn’t about defending the regime or blaming ordinary people. It’s about understanding why pressure alone doesn’t translate into uprising. If you want to understand Russia as it actually functions — not as outsiders hope it does — this matters. ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine. He has raised and delivered more than a quarter of a million dollars of aid to date. To directly support this effort of delivering necessary provisions to the front lines, click on these links (and then watch him give your donations to soldiers on the front lines on his channel): https://www.youtube.com/@GregTerryExperience Amazon Shopping List USA/North America (Shop and send to UKRAINE AID c/o Bethel Life's Gift Registry Address) https://a.co/iodWsUK Amazon Shopping List for EU/UK https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/... Direct Link for Financial Giving via our 501(c)(3) Tax-Deductible in the USA https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html Link for Greg's 501(c)(3) EIN Information https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR