Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
@bertcaris.bsky.social
policy adviser (retired). Loves Japan, it’s culture and hospitality. Loyal companion of Ichimon, our white, longcoated Akita inu.
Democracy, rule of law, that we may stay worthy of our freedom, integrity, SCOTUS chief justice Robert H. Jackson.
Democracy, rule of law, that we may stay worthy of our freedom, integrity, SCOTUS chief justice Robert H. Jackson.
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
'Ukraine's defence forces have approved the use of upgraded Horoshok anti-drone rounds in two standard calibres: 5.56×45 mm and 5.45×39 mm. These rounds make it possible to destroy Russian FPV drones and Mavic-type UAVs using standard small arms.' www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/202...
Anti-drone rounds against Russian FPV and Mavic drones approved for military use in Ukrainian forces
Ukraine's defence forces have approved the use of upgraded Horoshok anti-drone rounds in two standard calibres: 5.56×45 mm and 5.45×39 mm.
www.pravda.com.ua
December 12, 2025 at 2:12 PM
'Ukraine's defence forces have approved the use of upgraded Horoshok anti-drone rounds in two standard calibres: 5.56×45 mm and 5.45×39 mm. These rounds make it possible to destroy Russian FPV drones and Mavic-type UAVs using standard small arms.' www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/202...
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
International visits are down 8.2 percent this year, costing the U.S. tourism industry $8.3 billion in lost revenue—You would think that Trump would make changes to encourage growth not discourage it!
@stevenbeschloss.bsky.social is spot on!
www.americaamerica.news/p/come-to-tr...
@stevenbeschloss.bsky.social is spot on!
www.americaamerica.news/p/come-to-tr...
Come to Trump's America...If You Dare
The Trump regime is pushing a paranoid new policy that will further discourage international travelers. The reputation of America's aggression is growing.
www.americaamerica.news
December 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM
International visits are down 8.2 percent this year, costing the U.S. tourism industry $8.3 billion in lost revenue—You would think that Trump would make changes to encourage growth not discourage it!
@stevenbeschloss.bsky.social is spot on!
www.americaamerica.news/p/come-to-tr...
@stevenbeschloss.bsky.social is spot on!
www.americaamerica.news/p/come-to-tr...
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
Leaked files ‘show US wants to persuade four nations to leave EU’
The countries seen as targets to follow Brexit are Austria, Hungary, Italy and Poland, according to leaked details of the US national security strategy www.thetimes.com/us/american-...
The countries seen as targets to follow Brexit are Austria, Hungary, Italy and Poland, according to leaked details of the US national security strategy www.thetimes.com/us/american-...
Leaked files ‘show US wants to persuade four nations to leave EU’
The countries seen as targets to follow Brexit are Austria, Hungary, Italy and Poland, according to leaked details of the US national security strategy
www.thetimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Leaked files ‘show US wants to persuade four nations to leave EU’
The countries seen as targets to follow Brexit are Austria, Hungary, Italy and Poland, according to leaked details of the US national security strategy www.thetimes.com/us/american-...
The countries seen as targets to follow Brexit are Austria, Hungary, Italy and Poland, according to leaked details of the US national security strategy www.thetimes.com/us/american-...
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
⚡️‘Reality speaks for itself’ — From war-torn Kupiansk, Zelensky praises troops after reports of successful Ukrainian counterattack
‘Reality speaks for itself’ — From war-torn Kupiansk, Zelensky praises troops after reports of successful Ukrainian counterattack
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised troops in the Kupiansk direction and said battlefield gains strengthen Ukraine’s diplomatic position, as the National Guard’s 2nd Khartiia Corps reported a counte...
kyivindependent.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM
⚡️‘Reality speaks for itself’ — From war-torn Kupiansk, Zelensky praises troops after reports of successful Ukrainian counterattack
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
Amusing that this Z patriot whines how their commander claimed 15 Ukrainian battalions were encircled at Kupiansk.
By the time Gerasimov reported it to Putin on state TV, it had become 18 Ukrainian battalions.
Now Zelenskyy is just standing there doing a selfie video. 🤣
By the time Gerasimov reported it to Putin on state TV, it had become 18 Ukrainian battalions.
Now Zelenskyy is just standing there doing a selfie video. 🤣
Russian military bloggers also commented on the army's situation in Kupiansk, searching for someone to blame.
December 12, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Amusing that this Z patriot whines how their commander claimed 15 Ukrainian battalions were encircled at Kupiansk.
By the time Gerasimov reported it to Putin on state TV, it had become 18 Ukrainian battalions.
Now Zelenskyy is just standing there doing a selfie video. 🤣
By the time Gerasimov reported it to Putin on state TV, it had become 18 Ukrainian battalions.
Now Zelenskyy is just standing there doing a selfie video. 🤣
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
European Commission President
Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu:
When it comes to elections,it’s not on us or anybody to decide who the leader of the country will be,but on the people of this country.
It's the voters who decide who the leader is,nobody else is supposed to interfere
Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu:
When it comes to elections,it’s not on us or anybody to decide who the leader of the country will be,but on the people of this country.
It's the voters who decide who the leader is,nobody else is supposed to interfere
December 12, 2025 at 10:52 AM
European Commission President
Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu:
When it comes to elections,it’s not on us or anybody to decide who the leader of the country will be,but on the people of this country.
It's the voters who decide who the leader is,nobody else is supposed to interfere
Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu:
When it comes to elections,it’s not on us or anybody to decide who the leader of the country will be,but on the people of this country.
It's the voters who decide who the leader is,nobody else is supposed to interfere
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
Putin a month ago: Russian troops captured the city of Kupiansk
Zelenskyi today:
Zelenskyi today:
December 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Putin a month ago: Russian troops captured the city of Kupiansk
Zelenskyi today:
Zelenskyi today:
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
War Blutin je in Kupjansk, nachdem es von „ihm erobert“ wurde? Nicht? 🤔
Badass Zelenskyj IST in Kubjansk! 🫡💪
„Viele Russen haben über Kupjansk gesprochen – wir sehen das. Ich war dort und habe die Jungs begrüßt. Ich danke jeder Einheit, allen, die hier kämpfen, allen, die den Besatzer vernichten.“
Badass Zelenskyj IST in Kubjansk! 🫡💪
„Viele Russen haben über Kupjansk gesprochen – wir sehen das. Ich war dort und habe die Jungs begrüßt. Ich danke jeder Einheit, allen, die hier kämpfen, allen, die den Besatzer vernichten.“
December 12, 2025 at 12:35 PM
War Blutin je in Kupjansk, nachdem es von „ihm erobert“ wurde? Nicht? 🤔
Badass Zelenskyj IST in Kubjansk! 🫡💪
„Viele Russen haben über Kupjansk gesprochen – wir sehen das. Ich war dort und habe die Jungs begrüßt. Ich danke jeder Einheit, allen, die hier kämpfen, allen, die den Besatzer vernichten.“
Badass Zelenskyj IST in Kubjansk! 🫡💪
„Viele Russen haben über Kupjansk gesprochen – wir sehen das. Ich war dort und habe die Jungs begrüßt. Ich danke jeder Einheit, allen, die hier kämpfen, allen, die den Besatzer vernichten.“
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
Why would anybody come to the United States from Europe now?
It's not just social media. Looks like visitors to the US from Europe and other countries that are part of the visa waiver program will have to submit an enormous amount of data about themselves and their families, including DNA, if proposed new rules are accepted
December 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Why would anybody come to the United States from Europe now?
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
Zelenskyj befand sich während seines Besuchs in Kupjansk 1,3 km von den russischen Stellungen und 500 Meter von der Grauzone entfernt, wie die Karte von DeepState zeigt.
December 12, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Zelenskyj befand sich während seines Besuchs in Kupjansk 1,3 km von den russischen Stellungen und 500 Meter von der Grauzone entfernt, wie die Karte von DeepState zeigt.
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
Ru lies about its "victories" all the time.
President Zelenskyy is in Kupyansk, Kharkiv region today ‼️🤯
The town, declared "liberated" by russian propaganda, remains a fierce battleground. In reality, our forces destroyed the majority of the invading troops. Yet a few pockets of fighting remains.
The town, declared "liberated" by russian propaganda, remains a fierce battleground. In reality, our forces destroyed the majority of the invading troops. Yet a few pockets of fighting remains.
December 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Ru lies about its "victories" all the time.
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
⚡️ Putin invited foreign journalists to Kupiansk to show what he claimed were “encircled Ukrainian troops.”
Instead, President Zelenskyy appeared near the front, with reports saying he was 1.15 km from Russian positions and 500 meters from the gray zone.
1/2
Instead, President Zelenskyy appeared near the front, with reports saying he was 1.15 km from Russian positions and 500 meters from the gray zone.
1/2
December 12, 2025 at 1:21 PM
⚡️ Putin invited foreign journalists to Kupiansk to show what he claimed were “encircled Ukrainian troops.”
Instead, President Zelenskyy appeared near the front, with reports saying he was 1.15 km from Russian positions and 500 meters from the gray zone.
1/2
Instead, President Zelenskyy appeared near the front, with reports saying he was 1.15 km from Russian positions and 500 meters from the gray zone.
1/2
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
The EU has approved a mechanism to keep €210B in Russian state assets frozen until the Kremlin pays reparations for Ukraine's war damage.
Emergency powers are granted to the European Commission, with a formal decision set for today 5pm local time. The move was approved by a strong majority.
Emergency powers are granted to the European Commission, with a formal decision set for today 5pm local time. The move was approved by a strong majority.
December 12, 2025 at 10:57 AM
The EU has approved a mechanism to keep €210B in Russian state assets frozen until the Kremlin pays reparations for Ukraine's war damage.
Emergency powers are granted to the European Commission, with a formal decision set for today 5pm local time. The move was approved by a strong majority.
Emergency powers are granted to the European Commission, with a formal decision set for today 5pm local time. The move was approved by a strong majority.
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
#BREAKING Berlin has summoned the Russian ambassador, citing a major Russian cyberattack and disinformation operation during the German election campaign
December 12, 2025 at 11:20 AM
#BREAKING Berlin has summoned the Russian ambassador, citing a major Russian cyberattack and disinformation operation during the German election campaign
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
De oorlogseconomie van Rusland in Oekraïne bereikt een breekpunt.
Uit een door de Financial Times geciteerd onderzoek blijkt dat het aantal wapenfabrieken sinds 2022 is verdrievoudigd, waardoor de werkloosheid tot een historisch laag niveau is gedaald, maar dat het geld opraakt.
Uit een door de Financial Times geciteerd onderzoek blijkt dat het aantal wapenfabrieken sinds 2022 is verdrievoudigd, waardoor de werkloosheid tot een historisch laag niveau is gedaald, maar dat het geld opraakt.
Putin’s Ukraine War Machine Is Running Out of Cash – And His Soldiers Aren’t Getting Paid
Russia’s Ukraine war economy is cracking: unpaid shipyard workers, halted enlistment bonuses, and bankrupt regions now threaten Putin’s ability to sustain the war.
nationalsecurityjournal.org
December 12, 2025 at 11:18 AM
De oorlogseconomie van Rusland in Oekraïne bereikt een breekpunt.
Uit een door de Financial Times geciteerd onderzoek blijkt dat het aantal wapenfabrieken sinds 2022 is verdrievoudigd, waardoor de werkloosheid tot een historisch laag niveau is gedaald, maar dat het geld opraakt.
Uit een door de Financial Times geciteerd onderzoek blijkt dat het aantal wapenfabrieken sinds 2022 is verdrievoudigd, waardoor de werkloosheid tot een historisch laag niveau is gedaald, maar dat het geld opraakt.
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
Ukraine’s Armed Forces have encircled Russian troops in Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, DeepState reports.
December 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Ukraine’s Armed Forces have encircled Russian troops in Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, DeepState reports.
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
EU set to indefinitely freeze Russian assets, removing obstacle to Ukraine loan reut.rs/4iV4xAP
EU set to indefinitely freeze Russian assets, removing obstacle to Ukraine loan
The new freeze would stay in place "until there is no longer an immediate threat to the economic interests of the Union".
reut.rs
December 12, 2025 at 11:25 AM
EU set to indefinitely freeze Russian assets, removing obstacle to Ukraine loan reut.rs/4iV4xAP
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
⚡️ Ukraine just hit Russia where it hurts far from the front lines.
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, working with partisans, struck two Russian weapons transport ships in the Caspian Sea.
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, working with partisans, struck two Russian weapons transport ships in the Caspian Sea.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Weapons Ships in Caspian Sea in Joint SOF-Partisan Operation
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, in collaboration with "Chornaya Iskra," targeted two Russian vessels transporting military supplies in the Caspian Sea.
united24media.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:21 AM
⚡️ Ukraine just hit Russia where it hurts far from the front lines.
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, working with partisans, struck two Russian weapons transport ships in the Caspian Sea.
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, working with partisans, struck two Russian weapons transport ships in the Caspian Sea.
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
Despite years of sanctions and export controls, U.S.-made electronic components — which have unique markings and cannot be copied — continue to appear in Russian cruise missiles and drones.
15 Ukrainians are suing US tech factories over chips in Russia's deadly weapons
It was a regular workday when the air raid alarm sounded at Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital at 11 a.m. on a Monday in Kyiv. Dr. Olga Babicheva and her colleagues moved their young patients to a room wit...
kyivindependent.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Despite years of sanctions and export controls, U.S.-made electronic components — which have unique markings and cannot be copied — continue to appear in Russian cruise missiles and drones.
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
Courtesy of @claireberlinski.skystack.xyz , this piece by Tom Millard is a great analysis of the nexus of Trump, Putin and social media that is having such terrible consequences not just for the US but for the democratic world.
The Bonfire of the Sanities • What went wrong with America?
The Bonfire of the Sanities
What went wrong with America?
claireberlinski.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Courtesy of @claireberlinski.skystack.xyz , this piece by Tom Millard is a great analysis of the nexus of Trump, Putin and social media that is having such terrible consequences not just for the US but for the democratic world.
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
Maar er zijn dus mensen die geloven dat als er een wapenstilstand komt tussen Oekraïne en Rusland dat vervolgens Rusland stopt met hun desinformatiecampagnes, sabotageacties, vandalisme en vernieling in Europa? De hybride oorlogsvoering gaat dan helaas door.
December 12, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Maar er zijn dus mensen die geloven dat als er een wapenstilstand komt tussen Oekraïne en Rusland dat vervolgens Rusland stopt met hun desinformatiecampagnes, sabotageacties, vandalisme en vernieling in Europa? De hybride oorlogsvoering gaat dan helaas door.
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
The Russian Pacific Fleet's three-ship task group has been on deployment since October.
Map Tracks Russian Pacific Fleet’s Mission to Red Sea
www.newsweek.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The Russian Pacific Fleet's three-ship task group has been on deployment since October.
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
"Ondergrondse schuilplaatsen zijn nu een van de weinige veilige plekken die kinderen een gevoel van normaliteit kunnen bieden, waar ze kunnen feesten, dansen en zingen met hun vrienden en leerkrachten."
Celebrating St. Nicholas Underground: How Ukrainian Children Find Joy Even Amid Russia’s War
Join UNITED24's Merry Kidsmas fundraiser to support safe environments for children in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia amid ongoing challenges.
united24media.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:49 AM
"Ondergrondse schuilplaatsen zijn nu een van de weinige veilige plekken die kinderen een gevoel van normaliteit kunnen bieden, waar ze kunnen feesten, dansen en zingen met hun vrienden en leerkrachten."
Reposted by Bert Caris 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🌻 🇺🇦
A group of German journalism students investigated the drone sightings over military installations in Western Europe and in one instance tracked it back to three commercial vessels belonging to Russian services.
December 12, 2025 at 8:48 AM
A group of German journalism students investigated the drone sightings over military installations in Western Europe and in one instance tracked it back to three commercial vessels belonging to Russian services.