Shannon Monaghan
@shannonmonaghan.bsky.social
Military Historian (PhD) / Ukraine book TO DIE WITH SUCH MEN (Hurst 2025) / WWII-Cold war book A QUIET COMPANY OF DANGEROUS MEN (Viking 2024) www.shannonmonaghan.com
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To Die With Such Men: Frontline Stories from Ukraine's International Legion
To Die With Such Men: Frontline Stories from Ukraine's International Legion [Monaghan, Shannon] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. To Die With Such Men: Frontline Stories from Ukraine's International Legion
bit.ly
My new book To Die With Such Men, which follows a unit of Western volunteers fighting in Ukraine, is out in the US today:
"Even if you have experienced combat, these men's incredible courage, toughness and loyalty to each other leaves you in awe." -- Gen. Walter Boomer (Retd), USMC
bit.ly/4j5kbsE
"Even if you have experienced combat, these men's incredible courage, toughness and loyalty to each other leaves you in awe." -- Gen. Walter Boomer (Retd), USMC
bit.ly/4j5kbsE
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Exactly. In reality, there is no choice for Zelensky, because accepting Trump's plan is off the table. What this statement is about is mobilizing the public both at home and abroad.
This is Zelensky putting pressure on Trump. He knows Ukrainians don't want to surrender. He's talking to all Americans across the political spectrum who support Ukraine, love freedom, and hate surrender. He's telling them: "you can't allow Trump to align the US with Ru against Europe". Let's see.
NEW: Brutal to watch Zelensky address his nation just now. On the brink of being abandoned by the US.
"Right now is one of the most difficult moments in our history. At this moment, Ukraine may face a very hard choice: either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner."
"Right now is one of the most difficult moments in our history. At this moment, Ukraine may face a very hard choice: either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner."
November 21, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Exactly. In reality, there is no choice for Zelensky, because accepting Trump's plan is off the table. What this statement is about is mobilizing the public both at home and abroad.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Some notable things in what's being called the "Trump peace plan" but which could not have been more clearly written in Moscow if it came with a 2 for 1 deal on tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet. 🧵
November 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Some notable things in what's being called the "Trump peace plan" but which could not have been more clearly written in Moscow if it came with a 2 for 1 deal on tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet. 🧵
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Future historians, if there are any, will call our time the age of indecency and dishonour.
November 21, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Future historians, if there are any, will call our time the age of indecency and dishonour.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
President Zelenskyy addressed the nation. Key points from his address:
1/ Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: either loss of dignity or risk of losing a key partner, either difficult 28 points or an extremely hard winter, the hardest one, and further risks, Zelenskyy said.
1/ Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: either loss of dignity or risk of losing a key partner, either difficult 28 points or an extremely hard winter, the hardest one, and further risks, Zelenskyy said.
November 21, 2025 at 2:58 PM
President Zelenskyy addressed the nation. Key points from his address:
1/ Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: either loss of dignity or risk of losing a key partner, either difficult 28 points or an extremely hard winter, the hardest one, and further risks, Zelenskyy said.
1/ Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: either loss of dignity or risk of losing a key partner, either difficult 28 points or an extremely hard winter, the hardest one, and further risks, Zelenskyy said.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Helpful reminder that both Kyiv and its European partners can safely ignore Trump's pushes for a bad peace deal.
Keep in mind that since this year, it is us Europeans who pay for all the aid to Ukraine. Nothing comes from the U.S since Trump became president. We even pay for the American weapons bought for Ukraine.
November 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Helpful reminder that both Kyiv and its European partners can safely ignore Trump's pushes for a bad peace deal.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
On the leaked and thus not-so-secret US-Russia ”peace plan”:
I have read nothing to indicate that it’s any different this time than in February/March, May, and August. The Trump admin is serving the same nothingburger for the fourth time. Media and analysts haven’t learned to see through the noise.
I have read nothing to indicate that it’s any different this time than in February/March, May, and August. The Trump admin is serving the same nothingburger for the fourth time. Media and analysts haven’t learned to see through the noise.
November 20, 2025 at 9:18 AM
On the leaked and thus not-so-secret US-Russia ”peace plan”:
I have read nothing to indicate that it’s any different this time than in February/March, May, and August. The Trump admin is serving the same nothingburger for the fourth time. Media and analysts haven’t learned to see through the noise.
I have read nothing to indicate that it’s any different this time than in February/March, May, and August. The Trump admin is serving the same nothingburger for the fourth time. Media and analysts haven’t learned to see through the noise.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
In this book, I discuss parallels from the Second World War period on sexual violence, denazification, propaganda, killing civilians, weaponization of food and more. I also discuss complicity of "ordinary Russians" and how the instrumentalization of history by Russia dehumanized Ukrainians.
Forthcoming in February 2026, my new book Replaying the Second World War: Soviet Parallels and Inspirations for Russian Atrocities in the Russo-Ukrainian War, 2014-25, out with ibidem Press and distributed by Columbia University Press. cup.columbia.edu/book/replayi...
Replaying the Second World War | Columbia University Press
Oleksa Drachewych argues that Russia’s instrumentalization of its memory of WWII has played a significant role in leading Russian forces to commit similar ... | CUP
cup.columbia.edu
November 19, 2025 at 6:22 AM
In this book, I discuss parallels from the Second World War period on sexual violence, denazification, propaganda, killing civilians, weaponization of food and more. I also discuss complicity of "ordinary Russians" and how the instrumentalization of history by Russia dehumanized Ukrainians.
Great info as always, and a very important warning about potential Russian escalation of the (non-hybrid) war elsewhere in Europe at the end.
After a short hiatus on YouTube, I am back with a Q&A video. I discuss missiles, Russia's war economy, who is winning the war, and whether Denmark can close the straits to Russian ships. Watch it here.
Q&A: Missiles, strategy, shadow fleet, Russia's economy
YouTube video by Anders Puck Nielsen
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Great info as always, and a very important warning about potential Russian escalation of the (non-hybrid) war elsewhere in Europe at the end.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Germany Tries Something New—and Risky—on Defense Acquisitions
And I argue that that’s a good thing.
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social
www.worldpoliticsreview.com/germany-dron...
And I argue that that’s a good thing.
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social
www.worldpoliticsreview.com/germany-dron...
Germany Tries Something New—and Risky—on Defense Acquisitions
In procuring drones, Germany is applying the lessons that Western armed forces should be taking from the war in Ukraine.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Germany Tries Something New—and Risky—on Defense Acquisitions
And I argue that that’s a good thing.
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social
www.worldpoliticsreview.com/germany-dron...
And I argue that that’s a good thing.
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social
www.worldpoliticsreview.com/germany-dron...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Russia's insatiable demand for bodies to feed the meatgrinder of its war on Ukraine has a real and tragic human cost for the Global South. Here @munira.bsky.social in @engelsbergideas.bsky.social describes deceit and exploitation in Africa, South Asia and beyond.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
The trafficking networks sustaining Russia’s war of attrition
As Putin seeks to avoid another politically damaging mobilisation, the temptation to draw on Moscow's extensive global trafficking networks will only grow.
engelsbergideas.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Russia's insatiable demand for bodies to feed the meatgrinder of its war on Ukraine has a real and tragic human cost for the Global South. Here @munira.bsky.social in @engelsbergideas.bsky.social describes deceit and exploitation in Africa, South Asia and beyond.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Forthcoming in February 2026, my new book Replaying the Second World War: Soviet Parallels and Inspirations for Russian Atrocities in the Russo-Ukrainian War, 2014-25, out with ibidem Press and distributed by Columbia University Press. cup.columbia.edu/book/replayi...
Replaying the Second World War | Columbia University Press
Oleksa Drachewych argues that Russia’s instrumentalization of its memory of WWII has played a significant role in leading Russian forces to commit similar ... | CUP
cup.columbia.edu
November 13, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Forthcoming in February 2026, my new book Replaying the Second World War: Soviet Parallels and Inspirations for Russian Atrocities in the Russo-Ukrainian War, 2014-25, out with ibidem Press and distributed by Columbia University Press. cup.columbia.edu/book/replayi...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
This would be great but it’s kinda funny that Germany would still have a small total force + reserve than Finland (wartime strength 280,000 and total reserve about 900,000)
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
November 13, 2025 at 9:50 PM
This would be great but it’s kinda funny that Germany would still have a small total force + reserve than Finland (wartime strength 280,000 and total reserve about 900,000)
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
I have had another great talk with Jonathan from @siliconcurtain.bsky.social. You can listen to it here.
As Russia reduces Povrovsk to rubble, a transformation of battlefield tactics is taking place, forced by the rapid evolution of 'saturated' drone warfare. Drones favour the defender, but also mean that Russia is more of a threat. With @anderspucknielsen.dk - youtu.be/8p7oiuXe71g
Pokrovsk - Are Russian Logistics & Reserves 'Breaking' in Besieged City?
YouTube video by Silicon Curtain
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I have had another great talk with Jonathan from @siliconcurtain.bsky.social. You can listen to it here.
Former MI6 chief Richard Moore on Ukraine: "'This is a very, very winnable contest,' he says. 'It’s particularly important that we don’t snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.'" www.ft.com/content/acfe...
Former MI6 chief Richard Moore: Britain must regain the ‘power of example’
The outgoing head of the Secret Intelligence Service on the rise of China, why Putin is not interested in talks — and how screen spies aren’t always far from the truth
www.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Former MI6 chief Richard Moore on Ukraine: "'This is a very, very winnable contest,' he says. 'It’s particularly important that we don’t snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.'" www.ft.com/content/acfe...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Foreign Minister of Poland Radosław Sikorski:
"We think that if Putin succeeded in conquering Ukraine, we would be next.
You know, we will eat grass rather than become a Russian colony again," @radek-sikorski.bsky.social said.
"We think that if Putin succeeded in conquering Ukraine, we would be next.
You know, we will eat grass rather than become a Russian colony again," @radek-sikorski.bsky.social said.
November 12, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Foreign Minister of Poland Radosław Sikorski:
"We think that if Putin succeeded in conquering Ukraine, we would be next.
You know, we will eat grass rather than become a Russian colony again," @radek-sikorski.bsky.social said.
"We think that if Putin succeeded in conquering Ukraine, we would be next.
You know, we will eat grass rather than become a Russian colony again," @radek-sikorski.bsky.social said.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
“The Russians repeatedly ignored all other attempts to talk about substance, the diplomat said. Instead, they offered to set up Whatsapp groups, working groups and other processes they could use to trick the Americans into believing the talks were making progress.” www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Ukraine’s peace negotiator on what was said in the room with the Russians
Sergiy Kyslytsya, a top diplomat, says the Russian approach was to try to anger the Ukrainian delegates so that they could be blamed for talks being derailed
www.thetimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:52 PM
“The Russians repeatedly ignored all other attempts to talk about substance, the diplomat said. Instead, they offered to set up Whatsapp groups, working groups and other processes they could use to trick the Americans into believing the talks were making progress.” www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Another reminder that this war is not about territory, but about Russian imperialism and Putin's 'great power' delusions: www.wsj.com/world/russia...
What the Looming Fall of a Ukrainian City Says About Putin’s War
The brutal fight for Pokrovsk points to the Russian leader’s aims and the problem with peace talks.
www.wsj.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Another reminder that this war is not about territory, but about Russian imperialism and Putin's 'great power' delusions: www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
As usual, ignore the clickbait title, but also as usual, @hugorifkind.bsky.social manages to cram a lot of sharp qs into this 10-minute Times Radio chat about Putin and the updated version of my WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT PUTIN (published last week)
youtu.be/DyuzfMba1C4?...
youtu.be/DyuzfMba1C4?...
Putin looks 'withered' from chaotic strategy depleting forces in Pokrovsk | Mark Galeotti
YouTube video by Times Radio
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 2:47 PM
As usual, ignore the clickbait title, but also as usual, @hugorifkind.bsky.social manages to cram a lot of sharp qs into this 10-minute Times Radio chat about Putin and the updated version of my WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT PUTIN (published last week)
youtu.be/DyuzfMba1C4?...
youtu.be/DyuzfMba1C4?...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
🔴 Ukrainian medics have begun documenting cases of gas gangrene, a severe bacterial infection once associated with the trenches of World War I.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
united24media.com/latest-news/...
Trench Disease Returns: WWI-Era Gas Gangrene Reappears Among Wounded Soldiers
Ukrainian medics report a rise in gas gangrene cases, a historical infection re-emerging due to delays in evacuating wounded under continuous attacks.
united24media.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
🔴 Ukrainian medics have begun documenting cases of gas gangrene, a severe bacterial infection once associated with the trenches of World War I.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
united24media.com/latest-news/...
Really important points on Pokrovsk and the new disadvantages of Russia's strategic depth (you can't protect everything with air defenses and General Winter is no longer on Russia's side): stefankorshak.substack.com/p/november-7...
November 7 2025 — Day 1352a — Strikes That Shock, The Pokrovsk Winkle, Tea Party Tangent
Hi All!
stefankorshak.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Really important points on Pokrovsk and the new disadvantages of Russia's strategic depth (you can't protect everything with air defenses and General Winter is no longer on Russia's side): stefankorshak.substack.com/p/november-7...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Look what you made us do: How to realise a European-led NATO: ecfr.eu/article/look...
Look what you made us do: How to realise a European-led NATO
America’s gradual retreat from European security under the current Trump administration is reshaping NATO’s centre of gravity. To keep the alliance credible and united, Europeans not only need to…
ecfr.eu
October 31, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Look what you made us do: How to realise a European-led NATO: ecfr.eu/article/look...
Incredibly important reading that Western education usually misses -- on the beginning of WWII in eastern Europe, and its very belated end.
Injustice begets injustice. Russia’s war against Europe today stems from the unpunished legacy of Soviet crimes against Europe, whose perpetrators were neither held accountable nor whose ideology was fully discredited. shekhovtsov.substack.com/p/defeating-...
Defeating the Russian Behemoth in the Historiverse
The Second World War is not over until the world condemns the Soviet crimes
shekhovtsov.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Incredibly important reading that Western education usually misses -- on the beginning of WWII in eastern Europe, and its very belated end.
"Since November 2022, Russia has been able to advance at only a painfully slow crawl, conquering an additional 1% of Ukraine at the cost of over a million dead and maimed Russian soldiers, by Western calculations." www.wsj.com/world/europe...
As Putin Digs In, a Long—and Different—War With Ukraine Looms
Long-range strikes on infrastructure are becoming increasingly critical as front-line advances stall.
www.wsj.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:52 PM
"Since November 2022, Russia has been able to advance at only a painfully slow crawl, conquering an additional 1% of Ukraine at the cost of over a million dead and maimed Russian soldiers, by Western calculations." www.wsj.com/world/europe...