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
Pinned
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
I am writing about Austro-Hungarian military failures in the first months of the First World War and the lessons they offer for Ukraine today.
warontherocks.com/2025/12/when...
warontherocks.com/2025/12/when...
When Defense Becomes Destruction: Austria-Hungary’s Mistake and Ukraine’s Risk
The southeastern Polish city of Przemyśl, with its elegant 19th century Habsburg-era train station, remains one of the principal gateways to war-torn
warontherocks.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I am writing about Austro-Hungarian military failures in the first months of the First World War and the lessons they offer for Ukraine today.
warontherocks.com/2025/12/when...
warontherocks.com/2025/12/when...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Lots of media are reporting Pu’s bravado today, so let’s get this straight: Ru tried but failed to conquer Ukraine, Ru tried but failed to conquer Donbas, Ru tried but failed to cut off Ukr from the Black Sea; all these failures despite Ukr fighting alone and Ru getting NKorean help.
December 2, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Lots of media are reporting Pu’s bravado today, so let’s get this straight: Ru tried but failed to conquer Ukraine, Ru tried but failed to conquer Donbas, Ru tried but failed to cut off Ukr from the Black Sea; all these failures despite Ukr fighting alone and Ru getting NKorean help.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Good overview of Ukraine's long-range missiles. It's impressive how many there are.
Hi all,
I published my latest Missile Matters post earlier today, providing an overview of Ukraine’s conventional long-range strike forces at the end of 2025.
You can access the post via this link:
missilematters.substack.com/p/from-flami...
Short summary below.
1/4
I published my latest Missile Matters post earlier today, providing an overview of Ukraine’s conventional long-range strike forces at the end of 2025.
You can access the post via this link:
missilematters.substack.com/p/from-flami...
Short summary below.
1/4
Ukraine’s Conventional Long-Range Strike Forces at the end of 2025
A comprehensive review of Ukrainian missiles and long-range drones
missilematters.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Good overview of Ukraine's long-range missiles. It's impressive how many there are.
"Stoppard’s gifts as a playwright are what you’d expect to read about in any obituary, and what you should read about primarily. But he was also sensitive to intellectual and moral contours of totalitarianism in a way most literary celebrities only pretend to be. The real thing, you might say."
December 2, 2025 at 12:55 AM
"Stoppard’s gifts as a playwright are what you’d expect to read about in any obituary, and what you should read about primarily. But he was also sensitive to intellectual and moral contours of totalitarianism in a way most literary celebrities only pretend to be. The real thing, you might say."
A must read: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11...
December 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
A must read: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Anecdotally, while I was looking for a source to refer to for this article with the search words ”Russia rejects US peace plan”, I found media articles on that topic from November 2024, February, May, June, September, and October 2025.
Made an effort to establish a timeline of this latest iteration of essentially the same old attempt by the Trump administration to force a peace deal, doomed to fail like the previous three times.
The number of plot twists would have been amusing, if it wasn’t so cruel to Ukraine.
The number of plot twists would have been amusing, if it wasn’t so cruel to Ukraine.
The Rise and Fall of the Dim-Wit Plan
The latest iteration of a "secret US-Russia peace plan for Ukraine" would have been funny, if it wasn't so cruel to Ukraine.
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Anecdotally, while I was looking for a source to refer to for this article with the search words ”Russia rejects US peace plan”, I found media articles on that topic from November 2024, February, May, June, September, and October 2025.
"A Ukrainian official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive issues, said Moscow believed it had the upper hand on the battlefield but that in fact, 'they are fighting for few blocks of little towns for several months.'"
Russia’s tiny advances in 2025 sold Putin on inevitable victory in Ukraine wapo.st/4ijY5Dl
Russia’s tiny advances in 2025 sold Putin on inevitable victory in Ukraine
Grinding progress for Russia on the battlefield this year has resulted in thousands of casualties but enough progress for Putin to refuse any compromises in diplomacy.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 7:28 PM
"A Ukrainian official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive issues, said Moscow believed it had the upper hand on the battlefield but that in fact, 'they are fighting for few blocks of little towns for several months.'"
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
"Too many European governments still behave as if losing Ukraine would be unfortunate but manageable. This is fantasy. The destruction of Ukraine would reshape Europe’s security architecture for decades, and not in Europe’s favour."
Strong message by @drjademcglynn.bsky.social.
Strong message by @drjademcglynn.bsky.social.
Circus
Amidst the absolute chaos of a Witkoff-stamped Russian psyop-as-peace plan, discussion is filled with anger at Washington and at Moscow.
smalldeedsbigwar.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 AM
"Too many European governments still behave as if losing Ukraine would be unfortunate but manageable. This is fantasy. The destruction of Ukraine would reshape Europe’s security architecture for decades, and not in Europe’s favour."
Strong message by @drjademcglynn.bsky.social.
Strong message by @drjademcglynn.bsky.social.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
We don’t just miss the past.
We miss a past vision of the future.
My Soviet ice-cream memories open this video, but the story leads to something bigger: how authoritarian populists weaponise nostalgia today.
"How Soviet Nostalgia Still Rules Putin’s Russia"
youtu.be/gI1VcTVmqA8?...
We miss a past vision of the future.
My Soviet ice-cream memories open this video, but the story leads to something bigger: how authoritarian populists weaponise nostalgia today.
"How Soviet Nostalgia Still Rules Putin’s Russia"
youtu.be/gI1VcTVmqA8?...
Why Putin’s Russia Is Trapped in the Soviet Past
YouTube video by Vlad Vexler
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
We don’t just miss the past.
We miss a past vision of the future.
My Soviet ice-cream memories open this video, but the story leads to something bigger: how authoritarian populists weaponise nostalgia today.
"How Soviet Nostalgia Still Rules Putin’s Russia"
youtu.be/gI1VcTVmqA8?...
We miss a past vision of the future.
My Soviet ice-cream memories open this video, but the story leads to something bigger: how authoritarian populists weaponise nostalgia today.
"How Soviet Nostalgia Still Rules Putin’s Russia"
youtu.be/gI1VcTVmqA8?...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Consider Mexico. A thread.
Once upon a time, not even so very long ago, you would often hear from Russia's propagandists and their little helpers in the West about the "Mexico scenario".
Russia liked people to think that it only invaded its neighbours because it was forced to do so by NATO -
1/12
Once upon a time, not even so very long ago, you would often hear from Russia's propagandists and their little helpers in the West about the "Mexico scenario".
Russia liked people to think that it only invaded its neighbours because it was forced to do so by NATO -
1/12
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Consider Mexico. A thread.
Once upon a time, not even so very long ago, you would often hear from Russia's propagandists and their little helpers in the West about the "Mexico scenario".
Russia liked people to think that it only invaded its neighbours because it was forced to do so by NATO -
1/12
Once upon a time, not even so very long ago, you would often hear from Russia's propagandists and their little helpers in the West about the "Mexico scenario".
Russia liked people to think that it only invaded its neighbours because it was forced to do so by NATO -
1/12
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Three days later, some of our mainstream media are latching on to who has been hoodwinked by Russia into endorsing the 28-point “peace plan”, and how easy it was for Moscow.
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/979bdd6...
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/979bdd6...
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Three days later, some of our mainstream media are latching on to who has been hoodwinked by Russia into endorsing the 28-point “peace plan”, and how easy it was for Moscow.
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/979bdd6...
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/979bdd6...
"[...] people understand that, if we surrender to Russia in a meaningful way, more and not fewer people will die. For any deal to go through, someone has to convince the civilians and military in Ukraine that their lives will be protected and that war won’t resume.” www.wsj.com/world/europe...
For a Weakened Zelensky, Yielding to Trump Is Riskier Than Defiance
With most Ukrainians rejecting a surrender, he would court a crisis with his own military if he accepted major concessions to Russia.
www.wsj.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:15 PM
"[...] people understand that, if we surrender to Russia in a meaningful way, more and not fewer people will die. For any deal to go through, someone has to convince the civilians and military in Ukraine that their lives will be protected and that war won’t resume.” www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Axios is sayings russians couldn't leak it because its a US plan and
russians are saying Ukranians leaked it.
So we atleast know, for fact, that its russian plan that russians leaked it
russians are saying Ukranians leaked it.
So we atleast know, for fact, that its russian plan that russians leaked it
November 23, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Axios is sayings russians couldn't leak it because its a US plan and
russians are saying Ukranians leaked it.
So we atleast know, for fact, that its russian plan that russians leaked it
russians are saying Ukranians leaked it.
So we atleast know, for fact, that its russian plan that russians leaked it
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Well there’s certainly no basis for negotiations now. I feel a bit sorry for everyone who has to go to Geneva for nothing. Maybe they can still cancel
US senators say they spoke with Rubio about Trump’s Ukraine peace plan who denied it is a US plan
U.S. senators critical of President Donald Trump’s approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war say they spoke with U.S.
apnews.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Well there’s certainly no basis for negotiations now. I feel a bit sorry for everyone who has to go to Geneva for nothing. Maybe they can still cancel
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
My take on Trump's peace plan, and why he can't pressure Ukraine into capitulation.
Trump's ultimatum and the limits of US leverage over Ukraine
YouTube video by Anders Puck Nielsen
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:12 PM
My take on Trump's peace plan, and why he can't pressure Ukraine into capitulation.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
On the Holodomor Commemoration Day, spare a thought for all innocent Ukrainian victims of the Soviet-made famine.
Impunity is never a path towards peace. It's a highway to violence, slaughter and barbarism.
Impunity is never a path towards peace. It's a highway to violence, slaughter and barbarism.
November 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
On the Holodomor Commemoration Day, spare a thought for all innocent Ukrainian victims of the Soviet-made famine.
Impunity is never a path towards peace. It's a highway to violence, slaughter and barbarism.
Impunity is never a path towards peace. It's a highway to violence, slaughter and barbarism.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
‼️ Friends, this is very important. Please share to whoever this may concern, especially if you are in the United States.
Ukraine wants peace. Lasting, just, sustainable peace, and not a pause before the next bloodbath. I cannot stress this enough.
Ukraine wants peace. Lasting, just, sustainable peace, and not a pause before the next bloodbath. I cannot stress this enough.
November 22, 2025 at 1:57 PM
‼️ Friends, this is very important. Please share to whoever this may concern, especially if you are in the United States.
Ukraine wants peace. Lasting, just, sustainable peace, and not a pause before the next bloodbath. I cannot stress this enough.
Ukraine wants peace. Lasting, just, sustainable peace, and not a pause before the next bloodbath. I cannot stress this enough.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
This is a small thing, but the media needs to stop talking as if Trump has unfettered capacity to force Ukraine into anything. He is trying to. That’s all.
Ukraine’s staunchest allies held emergency talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa in an attempt to stop Donald Trump forcing Kyiv to hand swathes of territory to Russia in a lopsided peace deal.
Ukraine’s allies rush to counter Trump’s ‘non-starter’ peace plan
Leaders of the EU, Britain and other Kyiv allies voice ‘concern’ at U.S.’s proposed peace deal with Russia.
www.politico.eu
November 22, 2025 at 2:38 PM
This is a small thing, but the media needs to stop talking as if Trump has unfettered capacity to force Ukraine into anything. He is trying to. That’s all.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Amidst the Putin-Witkoff nonsense on handing Ukraine to Moscow, clear reporting as always from @michaeldweiss.bsky.social
macspaunday.substack.com/p/he-got-thi...
macspaunday.substack.com/p/he-got-thi...
“He Must Have Got This From K.”
How a Russian operative used the American media to force a risible “peace deal” into existence
macspaunday.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Amidst the Putin-Witkoff nonsense on handing Ukraine to Moscow, clear reporting as always from @michaeldweiss.bsky.social
macspaunday.substack.com/p/he-got-thi...
macspaunday.substack.com/p/he-got-thi...
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.