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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel
@mikeeckel.bsky.social
4K followers 1.3K following 880 posts
Opponent of Quiet Desperation. Contains Multitudes. In Search Of Meanness Or Sublimity. Former Moscow Correspondent. Vladivostok Fanboy. Chaotic Good. @RFERL
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · Jan 13
Vladimir Gusinsky was once one of Russia’s most influential oligarchs. In recent years, he’s been tangled in lawsuits, debt disputes, and legal fights. He’s also drawn scrutiny from the FBI for, among other things, his ties to former FBI special agent Charles McGonigal. 🧵👇
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 6h
"What many [people] have missed is the extent to which Moscow has learned from its failures and adapted its strategy and approach to war.... Because of these changes, Ukraine is likely to face even greater destruction in the months ahead." @massdara.bsky.social
www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/how-r...
How Russia Recovered
What the Kremlin is learning from the war in Ukraine.
www.foreignaffairs.com
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 6h
an incredible story about a Georgian crime gang that stole scores of rare and valuable editions of Russian classics (Pushkin, Gogol, etc.) from libraries across Europe.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
The Pushkin job: unmasking the thieves behind an international rare books heist
The long read: Between 2022 and 2023, as many as 170 rare and valuable editions of Russian classics were stolen from libraries across Europe. Were the thieves merely low-level opportunists, or were bi...
www.theguardian.com
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 1d
youtu.be/Z1ZU1PXPoNI?...
Putin singing Blueberry Hills
YouTube video by Парламент
youtu.be
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Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 1d
this one?
youtu.be/IYRJC0_c8Wk?...
Blueberry Hill
YouTube video by Fats Domino - Topic
youtu.be
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 1d
Here's Russia's lower house of parliament falling all over itself to give a standing ovation to Putin on the occasion of his 73rd birthday. "We are lucky that we have such a strong president as Russia's head....There is Russia. And there is Putin, and we should be proud of this."
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 1d
"Russia’s oil refineries are a bit like a man who is being repeatedly punched. He will not die from one punch, or even half a dozen punches. But it becomes harder and harder for him to recover after each subsequent blow."
carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
Have Ukrainian Drones Really Knocked Out 38% of Russia’s Oil Refining Capacity?
Kyiv’s unprecedented strike campaign on Russian oil refineries has inflicted serious—but likely not critical—damage on the country’s ability to produce fuel.
carnegieendowment.org
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Reposted by Mike Eckel
thebarentsobserver.com
The Barents Observer @thebarentsobserver.com · 4d
Google Earth has updated its images of Novaya Zemlya, the Arctic archipelago where Russia’s nuclear weapon designers are conducting tests of their latest inventions. The Barents Observer zooms in 📡 and highlight the facilities at Pankovo test site for the Burevestnik ⚛️ ☢️ missile.
New satellite images reveal scale of Putin’s 'flying Chornobyl' test complex
Google Earth has updated its images of Novaya Zemlya, the Arctic archipelago where Russia’s nuclear weapon designers are conducting tests of their latest inventions.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 5d
“Russia is waging a hybrid war against Denmark because they want to create uncertainty," said the director of Danish Defence Intelligence Service.
www.fe-ddis.dk/globalassets...
www.fe-ddis.dk
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 5d
At least 60 Russian conscripts were KIA during Ukraine's invasion of Russia's Kursk region in summer/fall 2024, per @istories.bsky.social. Similar number MIA. This is problematic for Defense Ministry, b/c conscripts are barred from being deployed to combat.
t.me/istories_med...
Важные истории
Как минимум 60 срочников погибли во время наступления ВСУ в Курской области. Еще столько же, вероятно, пропали без вести Летом и осенью 2024 года погибли как минимум 60 российских срочников, находивш...
t.me
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 5d
so many now timely Soviet anecdotes, so little time
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Reposted by Mike Eckel
nateschenkkan.bsky.social
Nate Schenkkan @nateschenkkan.bsky.social · 5d
An American is talking to a Soviet: “In my country we have freedom of speech. I can go to the White House and shout, ‘You’re a dictator, Ronald Reagan!’”

Soviet man: “We too have freedom of speech. I can go to Red Square and shout ‘You’re a dictator, Ronald Reagan!’”
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 6d
Industry experts say the national gasoline fuel supply is currently about 20 percent below average, per @kommersant. www.kommersant.ru/doc/8080036
Топливный союз предупредил об угрозе закрытия части АЗС из-за нерентабельности
Подробнее на сайте
www.kommersant.ru
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 6d
Russian journalist Svetlana Khustik faces up to 10 years in prison on charges of spreading “fake” information about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. CPJ calls on Russian authorities to end the prosecution and release her immediately.
cpj.org?p=526875
Russia detains journalist Svetlana Khustik for ‘fake’ news about Ukraine war - Committee to Protect Journalists
New York, October 1, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Russian authorities to end the prosecution of Russian journalist Svetlana Khustik, who faces up to 10 years on charges of spread...
cpj.org
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 6d
Nearly 40 percent of Russia's refining capacity has been knocked off-line--mostly by Ukrainian drone attacks, per RBC.
Yaroslavl officials say this refinery, which caught fire yesterday, was not caused by a Ukrainian drone (though alot of skepticism)
www.moscowtimes.ru/2025/09/30/v...
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 7d
"If previously, the Russian economy resembled a marathon runner on budget steroids, now it is transforming into a country with a low growth trajectory, moderately high inflation, persistently high interest rates, and fiscal consolidation..."
carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
carnegieendowment.org
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 7d
Russian deputy FM Sergei Ryabkov says next round of US-Russia talks should take place before autumn's end; says Russia REALLY wants resumption of flights by civilian airlines; also no response from US yet to Putin proposal on New START extension.
tass.ru/politika/252...
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Reposted by Mike Eckel
atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 7d
Trump: "I think we should maybe start thinking about battleships, by the way. We have a Secretary of Navy who came to me, 'cause I look at the Iowa out in California and I look at different ships, the old pictures. I used to watch Victory at Sea. I love Victory at Sea. And I look at those ships... "
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Reposted by Mike Eckel
atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 7d
Trump to generals: "America is under invasion from within. We're under invasion from within. No different than a foreign enemy, but more difficult in any ways because they don't wear uniforms. At least when they're wearing a uniform you can take them out."
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 8d
also direct from the Pentagon live feed:
www.war.gov/News/Live-Ev...
mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 8d
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking live here 👇 to ~800 US generals, admirals, top flag officers in Quantico, Virginia
www.c-span.org/event/white-...
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mikeeckel.bsky.social
Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 9d
"Meet the San Francisco woman who charges $30,000 to name your baby"
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/b...
Meet the San Francisco woman who charges $30,000 to name your baby
Her bespoke naming services include a “baby name branding” campaign, a genealogical investigation designed to ferret out old family names and even a think tank to discuss the top naming options.
www.sfchronicle.com
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Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 10d
Kyiv's Institute of Cardiology was damaged in the Russian attack; 2 people killed here. Damage in other districts is extensive. By @radiosvoboda.org.web.brid.gy
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Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 10d
Massive 12-hour Russian attack overnight on Kyiv and other Ukraine regions; hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles.
At least 4 people killed in Kyiv and more than 3 dozen wounded, per emergency officials.
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kenwhite.bsky.social
Plenary Popehat Power @kenwhite.bsky.social · 11d
Fair and accurate post by Andrew McCarthy criticizing the Comey indictment. He doesn’t explain the procedural mechanism he’d use to get the court to dismiss the indictment for lack of evidence - there really isn’t one post-indictment in the federal system./1

www.nationalreview.com/2025/09/the-...
The Indictment Against Comey Should Be Dismissed | National Review
It’s an incomprehensible case.
www.nationalreview.com
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Mike Eckel @mikeeckel.bsky.social · 12d
Sometimes it seems that Lukashenko spends more time at the Kremlin than he does in Minsk. (also wonder if Putin gets tired of all the bro-hugs...)
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