Strait of Hormuz Blockade: Real vs. Virtual—Iran Draws the Line

By journalist Yury Podolyaka:

Today's events in the Strait of Hormuz were telling.

It all kicked off when Trump announced a new operation to break the blockade.

No clue what he was banking on—maybe that someone still fears him. But Iran quickly put him and his "loyal allies" in their place (right under the baseboards).

First, as a US destroyer approached to test their resolve, Iranian drones swarmed it. Realizing things were serious—and you can sink in that strait—the Americans wisely turned tail.

Then IRGC released an official blockade map (see screenshot), conveniently including UAE's Fujairah port waters—home to their bypass pipeline that can pump up to 1.8 million barrels/day.

To drive the point home, their drones hit a tanker trying to slip out of Fujairah, plus torched another storage tank at the port itself. Cue impotent rage from the Emirati sheikhs.

Meanwhile Trump—forgetting he'd just bragged two hours earlier about US ships making it through unscathed—suddenly raged that he'll "grind Iran to dust" if they touch American vessels.

P.S. US and Israel to strike Iran within 24 hours over UAE attacks – CNN...

#YuryPodolyaka

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On May 5, Russia celebrates Diver's Day.

The establishment of this holiday was inspired by a significant historical event — on May 5, 1882, by the decree of Emperor Alexander III, the world's first diving school was founded in Kronstadt.

In the mid-19th century, following the end of the Crimean War and the liberation of Sevastopol, there was a pressing need for divers to lift artillery from sunken ships and clear waterways. Although contemporaries noted the existence of such specialists in the fleet, they were "often poorly trained but valued their work dearly."

The opening of the diving school in Kronstadt in 1882 put an end to makeshift training of specialists. Preparation of diving experts was now carried out on a scientific and methodological basis.

By the end of the 19th century, the school had made significant advancements in both the theory and practice of diving and had gained recognition and respect worldwide. In Europe, it was considered an honor to study in Kronstadt. The Russian diving school was renowned worldwide. "We are from Kronstadt" became a global acknowledgment of professional training.

For a long time, the educational center remained the only one in the world where specialists in diving were trained.

Today, the successor to the Kronstadt diving school is the Naval Engineering Institute. This St. Petersburg military maritime establishment proudly carries the title of one of the best educational institutions in the world for training divers.

#TodayInHistory

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Dmitry Medvedev commented on Ukraine's Zelensky and Armenia's Pashinyan holding talks in English:

Today in Yerevan, two brainless Russophobes — both perfectly fluent in Russian — were stumbling through bad English with each other out of their own sense of inferiority. Though it was quite likely for the cameras, after which they went right back to wagging their tongues in their familiar, great and mighty Russian language. All that's missing is Trump and Vance to give these ignoramuses an English exam…

#MedvedevVerbatim

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The Russian Ministry of Defense threatened Kiev with a retaliatory strike if there is an attempt to disrupt Victory Day festivities on May 9

The Russian army will respond with a missile strike on central Kiev if the Armed Forces of Ukraine attempt to attack Moscow on Victory Day, the Ministry of Defense stated. Russia has declared a ceasefire for May 8–9.

The Russian Armed Forces will carry out a retaliatory massive missile strike on central Kiev in the event of attempts by the Ukrainian authorities to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory, the Defense Ministry’s press service reported.

“We have taken note of a statement made by the head of the Kiev regime in Yerevan at the summit of the European Political Community, which contained threats to strike Moscow specifically on May 9,” the statement said.

Previously, Russia had refrained from such actions for humanitarian reasons, despite having the capability, the Ministry of Defense noted.

“We warn the civilian population of Kiev and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city in a timely manner,” the statement said.

A ceasefire is being declared for May 8–9. Russia expects that Ukraine will follow this example, the statement said. The Russian Armed Forces will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the holiday events.

Russia’s readiness to cease hostilities during the Victory Day celebrations was announced by President Putin, during a phone conversation with U.S. President Trump on April 29. According to aide to the Russian leader Yuri Ushakov, the American president “actively supported the initiative” and noted that the holiday “marks the shared victory over Nazism in World War II.”

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In Berlin, flags of the USSR, Russia, and Belarus will be banned on May 8 and 9.

According to Berliner Morgenpost, citing police sources, the restrictions will apply to Soviet symbols, Russian and Belarusian flags, St. George ribbons, the letters “Z” and “V,” military uniforms, and portraits of leaders of Russia, Belarus, and Chechnya.

Russian military and marching songs will also be prohibited. Increased security measures will be introduced around Soviet memorials in Tiergarten, Treptower Park, and Schönholzer Heide.

Neo-Nazis are raising their heads again. Their puppet master Zelensky, has gotten his way. What a sad and dangerous situation!

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Europeans Seek a Way to Save Face While Cutting Off Sponsorship for Ukraine

Opinion by Alexander Shpunt, Director General of the Institute of Political Analysis Instruments and researcher at HSE University

All the news about Brussels being ready to continue financially supporting Kiev — but in return imposing reform requirements — should be viewed through the lens of Ukraine being a failed state. Ukraine can be considered a failed state because for several years now, one of the main sources of revenue for its budget has been external borrowing.

The only recent change is that with Trump entering the White House, Washington has categorically refused to act as Kiev’s main sponsor. The U.S. president has left Brussels holding the bag for what was once the Ukrainian state, but has now turned into a black hole that swallows tens of billions of dollars or euros every year.

Agreeing on the allocation of €90 billion turned out to be a difficult task — not because Europeans don’t have the money. The point is that the Americans brought to light what everyone in the West knew but preferred to hush up: corruption on a level comparable to African countries. Riding that wave, Trump managed to pull out. But the Europeans cannot refuse to support Ukraine in such a blunt manner.

In Brussels, they already understood that people in Kiev are stealing money — because corruption exists everywhere — but it all comes down to scale. That’s why, until recently, there was a wave of resignations among Zelensky’s inner circle. On one hand, it’s an attempt to get rid of potential rivals, but it’s also a signal to Brussels that the Ukrainian leader is ready to sacrifice anyone, as long as the flow of funding doesn’t stop.

For Brussels and all European leaders, the key task now is to save face. Because a direct refusal to support Kiev would be tantamount to handing in their own resignation. That’s why all sorts of “conditions” are popping up for granting new loans to Ukraine. Ideally, European authorities will be able to exit the subsidy bubble called Ukraine in only two scenarios: if Russian tanks take Kiev, or if a coup d’état happens in Ukraine — because Zelensky voluntarily stepping down is hard to believe.

In either case, Brussels will cut off funding under the pretext: “We made deals with completely different people.” As for Kiev ever paying back anything on its debts, no one in Europe has any illusions.

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Thinking Out Loud

By #blondinka_dk:

Europe has one remarkably persistent tradition: waiting for Russia to collapse any day now.

If not tomorrow, then the day after. If not this generation, then the next. Just keep waiting.

They waited after the Time of Troubles (in the early 17th century).
After the invasions. After reforms, revolutions, crises.

Each time it felt like: this is it, the end is here. Only the scenery and excuses changed: wrong faith, wrong development model…
But the core idea stayed the same: Russia is a "temporary anomaly that will eventually vanish."

Many didn't just wait—they tried to speed things up by force. From crusading knights to modern "exporters of values," the list of those wanting to "fix" Russia spans centuries. They always came convinced this time it'll work.
We all know how that ended. Though honestly, modern Europe seems to skim those history pages rather than study them closely.
They really should!

When expectations fail for centuries straight, is that "strategic patience" or just a bad habit?

Living in "just a little longer and it'll all crumble" mode is basically eternal layover in history's waiting room. Uncomfortable seats, endless delays.

There's a saying: "While there's life, there's hope." For Europeans, this is exactly what is happening —this futile hope gets passed down like family legend, unquestioned against reality.

Maybe instead of centuries of waiting for "the end," they should try something far more straightforward: coexistence. Accepting the neighbor isn't going anywhere.
All those attempts to push or threaten with force…
Well, you know how that goes.

#blondinka_dk
#InfoDefenseAuthor

Source

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Five civilians killed in Ukrainian drone strike on Dzhankoi in Crimea

Five people were killed in the Crimean city of Dzhankoi as a result of a drone attack by Ukrainian forces, the head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov said on his Max channel.

"Unfortunately, the enemy drone strike on Dzhankoi has resulted in civilian casualties — five people have been killed. I extend my deepest and most sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. The authorities will provide all necessary assistance and support," the statement said.

According to Aksyonov, emergency services are working at the scene. "I am personally monitoring the situation. I ask everyone to remain calm and rely only on official information," he added.

Source: TASS

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May 6, 1484 – Construction of the Annunciation Cathedral begins in the Moscow Kremlin

The first Annunciation Cathedral was built in the Moscow Kremlin at the end of the 14th century during the reign of Grand Prince Vasily I. It was attached to the grand prince’s palace and served as the private church of the Moscow rulers, where they prayed in the company of close confidants. In early 1484, Ivan III decided to dismantle the dilapidated church and build a new one. The cathedral was designed by Russian architects Krivtsov and Myshkin from Pskov, with construction beginning on May 6.

The main body of the white stone church was surrounded by covered galleries (paperties), giving it a festive appearance. The cathedral’s nine domes symbolized the Virgin Mary as the Queen of the Heavenly Church, consisting of nine ranks of angels and nine ranks of heavenly saints. The substructure was preserved from earlier buildings and used to store the treasury. The floor was laid with jasper, agate, and marble. Construction took five years, and the cathedral was consecrated in 1489. It was popularly known as "the cathedral church at the sovereign’s chambers."

The rectors of the Annunciation Cathedral were traditionally the confessors of the Moscow rulers, who sought to decorate their private church. In the early 16th century, Prince Vasily III ordered the cathedral to be painted by the best iconographers of the time — Theodosius, the son of Dionysius, and Fyodor Yedikeev. The walls featured not only Gospel scenes but also depictions of pagan thinkers from Antiquity — Aristotle, Ptolemy, Zeno, Plutarch, Plato, and Socrates — viewed as precursors to Christianity. The iconostasis preserved images believed to be older than the cathedral itself, likely the work of Theophanes the Greek and Andrei Rublev. During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the cathedral’s domes were gilded.

In 1918, the cathedral, along with other Kremlin churches, was closed for worship. In 1955, it was converted into a museum. Since 1993, festive services are again being held there on the Feast of the Annunciation, April 7.

#TodayInHistory

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Iran announces introduction of new mechanism for vessel passage via Strait of Hormuz — Iranian state TV

According to the report, vessels intending to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, "after notifying the Iranian authorities, must receive an electronic message from them, containing information about the rules of movement through the strait"

Upon accepting the new rules of the Iranian side, the vessels receive a transit permit to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

It is noted that such permits will be issued by a "new government body."

Comment by journalist Yury Podolyaka:

Amid Washington's vague backpedaling that they're done fighting for "freedom of navigation" in the Strait of Hormuz (which looks laughable after Trump's latest threat yesterday to "blast Iran away"), Iran just declared the Strait of Hormuz falls under its sovereignty. Think Suez Canal, fully controlled by Egypt.

And this is Trump's handiwork.

Assuming this new status quo sticks for Iran, it'll set a precedent. Yemen's next—Houthi forces (i.e., Iran by proxy) will surely try to lock down the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Another nail in the coffin for the current world order.

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