May 4, 2026

"Ukraine is intensifying drone strikes on Russian oil facilities, hitting a key Black Sea refinery four times in two weeks and setting off a days-long carcinogenic blaze..."

"... that environmentalists say represents one of the country’s worst ecological disasters since the fall of the Soviet Union. A plume of black acrid smoke once again rose over Russia’s Black Sea city of Tuapse on Friday after Ukraine struck the refinery and oil terminal there overnight, the fourth in a spate of attacks that have also caused oily droplets of 'black rain' to fall on residents and contaminated more than 30 miles of coastline as an oil slick spread...."

63 comments:

Peachy said...

Biden's war.

Dave Begley said...

Vlad is in the FAFO phase of the war.

Too bad the people of Russia don't have free elections or a Second Amendment. Or a First Amendment for that matter.

Levi Starks said...

“Coverup” is as simple as the Russian news media choosing not to cover it. In the exact same way US media chooses what to cover or not. Example: without fail every evening news broadcast tells us about high gas prices, and how they haven’t been this high since 2022. Were they reporting record gas prices every day in 2022?

Achilles said...

It is almost as if there is a strategy to make everyone buy oil from the United States and flood our economy with foreign dollars.

rhhardin said...

An air defense failure.

Gusty Winds said...

Just in time for Trump's meeting with XI. China is Russia's number one oil customer. India number two. China is also Iran's number one oil customer.

imTay said...

War is now run by tiny elites who don’t suffer the consequences, nor do they care about the people who do, which creates the illusion that all you need to triumph is will; where have I heard that one?

The days of cabinet wars, where those running them would stop them before they got out of hand, if they were clearly losing, are long gone. We are tumbling into WW3 because nobody will back down and eventually the nukes will fly. Russia has 6,000 nukes, and probably fighters that North American armies will be forced home to lick their wounds, or be cut off. Like Rome’s legions in Britain.

imTay said...

Figures, not “fighters.”

hombre said...

Lefty Chicken Littles are appalled. This problem can only be solved by giving Zelensky more of our money. /s

bagoh20 said...

Wait. There is a war in Ukraine?
Why didn't somebody say something?

imTay said...

Achilles might be right, once we took Venezuela’s oil by force, the Persian Gulf is just competition, not our problem if it impoverishes Europe in the process, and I think the sky high stock market bears out that a lot of people are thinking that.

The real question is, once powerful countries see what we are up to, will they sit idly by?

Peachy said...

Islamic EU - this is all in your backyard. Do something.

imTay said...

BTW, Russia has issued a warning and a list of sites in Europe that are making the drones that are striking their homeland. Maybe they are bluffing, I hope so, because if they are not…

Also we are low on conventional weapons to fight a war in Europe, and China just passed a law that makes it illegal to abide by US sanctions against Russian and Iranian oil.

WW3 is already getting started; read The Guns of August for a good account of how world wars start, or you could just spout NPC opinions based on the propaganda from the cable networks.

imTay said...

Europe’s idea of “doing something” is to go to Islamic countries, like Syria and Libya, and bomb them to the stone age, then be surprised when they are flooded by refugees from those countries, who are pissed off.

Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...

I’m fighting two wars. One against the Russians. And one inside myself.’ ~ FT
‘A drone pilot and her all-women unit are waging a new kind of warfare on Ukraine’s eastern front’
https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/b690b2fe-0a6e-4929-83ee-206cb6070aed

Vladimir Putin hunkers down for fear of assassination ~ FT
'Security around Russia’s president tightens after audacious drone attacks from Ukraine' https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/8ab04902-b261-4182-a0ff-b611d2d44576

Has anyone else spotted a continuing trend where Ukraine is doing better in 2026 on almost all metrics when compared to 2025?

The battlefield situation is better for Ukraine than in 2025.

Their allies are more in 2026. Gulf nations have joined them.

Their drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure are more effective in 2026.

The interceptor drones are taking out more of Russia’s attack drones than in 2025.

They have more global political clout than in 2025.

I mean, it’s an amazing story after 4 years of war.

jim5301 said...

I thought Trump said that Ukraine had no cards to play?

Howard said...

Gemini says at their current reduced production level, Iran has 12-22 days of oil storage in land tanks and tankers on the sea.

Russian export capacity apparently has been reduced by 40%, not including the most recent strikes on their refineries.

It's almost as if Ukraine is backing Trump's play here

Known Unknown said...

"once powerful countries see what we are up to, will they sit idly by?"

What powerful countries?

Known Unknown said...

"It's almost as if Ukraine is backing Trump's play here"

He did recently meet with Zelensky, no?

Howard said...

It's ridiculous to think that by restricting oil supplies to our enemy in Asia that it could possibly draw the United States and another World War. I mean like that's never happened before, right?

Known Unknown said...

In related news, I saw Carcinogenic Blaze open up for Ministry in '97.

Howard said...

Peter Zeihan predicting that this week is going to be a huge turning point.

Leland said...

Oh no, Russians and Ukrainians may die of cancer years or decades from now rather than from the war between the two countries. Why they should hold Zelensky to account for these war crimes!

Howard said...

Yeah that carcinogenic blaze thing is ridiculous. Cancer risk is always based on 30-year exposure models. These fools writing the headlines don't realize that the acute toxicity is what is truly nasty right now. Completely different type of epidemiological risk factors. For some reason toxic doesn't sound as bad as carcinogenic. Personally always preferred mutagenic.

Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...

US ambassador to Ukraine to leave over differences with Donald Trump ~ FT

‘Julie Davis frustrated with president’s lack of support for Kyiv, say people familiar with the matter’

It is becoming increasingly clear how amateurish the Trump administration really is. Trump has devastated the State department, replacing competent career diplomats with toadies and donors that are worthless.

bagoh20 said...

Why is everyone worried about WW III?
The first two made the U.S. "become more powerful than you can possibly imagine".

bagoh20 said...

"Trump has devastated the State department, replacing competent career diplomats with toadies and donors that are worthless."

Yea, the previous crew were doing so much better. True competence in action. It was a whole different dynamic where the President was the toady.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Well if our 2-month excursion in Iran is already a quagmire, according to Media Democrats, then the nearly 5-year slog in Ukraine must be an absolute tragedy, right?

Peachy said...

WWIII?- I thought we were past WW eleven?

bagoh20 said...

‘Julie Davis frustrated with president’s lack of support for Kyiv, say people familiar with the matter’

How many votes did she get in the election?

RCOCEAN II said...

The Ukrainians must be taking notes from the Israelis who did the same thing in Tehran. Strike oil faciliites - cause Enviromental disaster. The Zelensky Government also likes to assassinate writers, scientists, and Russian Politicians. No wonder they're sending drones and anti-missile batteries to help in the USA/Israeli sneak attack on Iran.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Figures, not “fighters.”

Updates nobody needs immy.

Enigma said...

I await the middle-aged German greens and nuclear freeze protestors of the 1970s and 1980s to "do something."

I await the French environmental protestors baring of their breasts and marching with body paint to "do something."

I await the restart and growth of European nuclear power.

Peachy said...

Biden's entire cabinet was a sham. with dudes in dresses and make-up "Diversity" bullshit.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

I thought Trump said that Ukraine had no cards to play?

Really? What is the context?

RCOCEAN II said...

I've noticed that Miss Lindsey, Republican Senator from Gooberville, hasn't been visiting Kiev lately. I guess killing Iranians and Lebanon is much more fun for him then killing Ruskiees. And of course, there's Tel Aviv's Nightlife and the wailing wall. So much more nicer than cold Kiev.

Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...

Interesting to note that Trump has asked Ukraine to stop these attacks and they have stopped caring. Trump has no cards, why would Ukraine care?

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Thank God he downsized the worthless idiots at State. It's where the worst of the worst were burrowed in. Power, Jake Sullivan, et al.

RCOCEAN II said...

Ukraine is a disaster. Four years of fighting and the Donbas is gone forever. They're now drafting the seed corn, men 18-25. Millions have left the country. Millions more have deserted or left the country entirely. And for what? Probably for billions that the EU/USA has put into the power elite's pocket. Maybe Zelensky can buy two more mansions in South of France when this is over.

Right now, Drones have saved Ukraine. The Russians can't use their superiority in tanks/aircraft/Artillery to their fullest extent. But the Russians dont have much more left to conquer, there's the fortified belt of cities in the Donbas and after that its just farm land all the way west to the Dneiper.

bagoh20 said...

When are Europeans going to start sending us cash to fight the narcoterrorists over here, killing 100 thousand Americans every year?

john mosby said...

So that's a war crime, right? And even worse, an environmental war crime? We need to see Ukes lined up for nooses at The Hague, right? That's what we've been saying about Trump's attacks on Iranian infrastructure....CC, JSM

Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...

Rational calculation is trading at a discount on both sides, it seems. Iran seems to think Trump hasn't got the nerve to escalate, I think they might be right but he's so unstable it's a hell of a gamble to make.

“In a call with reporters just now, Adm. Brad Cooper of CENTCOM says Iran has opened fire on U.S. warships and commercial vessels today, but declines to say whether the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is over. U.S. forces returned fire and destroyed some Iranian small boats.” ~ WaPo

"That's some ceasefire you've got there," Yossarian said.

"It's the best there is!" Adm. Cooper replied.

AMDG said...

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...
I thought Trump said that Ukraine had no cards to play?

Really? What is the context?

5/4/26, 11:51 AM

—————————————

Trump has also consistently maintained that the war was started by Ukraine.

It is just another example of why you cannot believe anything he says.

Original Mike said...

"Peter Zeihan predicting that this week is going to be a huge turning point."

For the record, that was last week.

Enigma said...

1. Western Russia was "lost" to Ukraine by the USSR's intentional redefinition of national boundaries and by moving populations here and there. They consciously split ethnic poplulations across borders to reduce the prospects of rebellion/nationalism/break-away.

2. As a parallel, the Germans were removed from former Prussia (Königsberg was renamed Kaliningrad) -- the Russians remained.

3. Russians dominated and still dominates portions of post-Soviet "Ukraine."

4. Russia has nuclear weapons and unlimited fossil fuels. A low-level war of harrassment remains just that: low level.

5. Drones are the new wildcard, there and everywhere. The USA has had its own domestic or foreign drone scares too.

Hey Skipper said...

Russia stops fighting, no more war.

Ukraine stops fighting, no more Ukraine.

Chest Rockwell said...

"Peter Zeihan predicting that this week is going to be a huge turning point."

He's also been predicting the collapse of China for years now. Is that guy every right about anything?

Chest Rockwell said...

*ever

RMc said...

The first two (world wars) made the U.S. "become more powerful than you can possibly imagine".

A fitting comment for May the 4th!

Charlie Currie said...

Ukraine strikes Russian oil facilities. Russia strikes Ukrainian gas stations in areas of their advance. It's like rockets and rocket launchers in Iran. It doesn't matter how many rockets you have if you have no way to launch them. Doesn't matter how many bullets you have if you don't have a gun. It doesn't matter how much gas you have it you don't have a gas station to fill up at. No one cares about Ukraine once the kick backs stop. Ukraine has been a very profitable laundry.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Well, if the left thinks the war is won, there’s no sense in sending Ukraine another dollar. $188 billion since 2022 is more than enough.

john mosby said...

Black Rain is coming down
Black Rain
Black Rain is pouring down
Pouring down all over me

Putting the pressure on much harder now
To return again to Ukraine
(Black Rain) Just let the Black Rain splash you
Let the rain fall on your skin
(Black Rain) I come to you, Zelensky clown
With the trust of a child
CC, JSM

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

You know some things Trump says are not even meant for us. And sometimes the plain wording isn't actually the message he's sending. So when I read "Trump said..." about this war or the other one I wonder more about the person posting that partial quote out of context than the statement itself.

Given that he is always communicating with some specific audience, understanding that statement in context is key to "getting" the message Trump is sending. Don't fall for the feint. It's party of the negotiation.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

"part" not so much "party"

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Intensifying! Intensity in ten cities.

boatbuilder said...

IEE--I commented this morning that what Trump is doing with the "ceasefire" is so obvious that even you could figure it out. I even gave you a gigantic hint.

I was wrong. Never underestimate...

Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...

Such Nihilism on the part of Putin to launch this war of conquest. A close second in the nihilism race is the Trump administration that can't decide who’s side it is on.

But hey—he never said thank you...

Michael McNeil said...

“Just in time for Trump's meeting with XI.”

Trump's meeting with 11? Is that like World War 11?

imTay said...

See, vote for the Democrats, you get war with Russia, see Kak's post, after a regime change coup, by Obama in Ukraine in order to bring Ukraine into a hostile military bloc two hundred miles from Moscow, within range of stealth fighters without refueling, and just a few minutes flight for nuclear missiles, which Russia cannot ignore, look at what Trump has done to Iran over a minuscule threat of nuclear weapons development by Iran, when Zelensky was walking around saying that Ukraine needed nukes, so pot, meet kettle.

And if you vote for the Republicans, you get war in the Middle East. Today Trump sunk 5 $30,000 speed boats, and Iran then took out a UAE terminal that was putting out millions of barrels of oil, outside the Iranian blockade of the Strait. The funny thing about that is Israel had provided the UAE with an Iron Dome missile defense and operators, and we are told that almost all of Iran's missiles and drones were shot down... you know, except for the one that hit the critical facility.

But internet commenters say that we don't need to worry about this escalating into a world war, because Trump will never back down; how many times has he watched "The Triumph of the Will" anyway, and surely the other side will give up their countries to us, one by one, rather than fight on. So WW3 will never happen.

imTay said...

Probably the Iron Dome took out a whole bunch of decoys, and let the actual weapon through.

Gospace said...

Dave Begley said...
...
Too bad the people of Russia don't have free elections or a Second Amendment. Or a First Amendment for that matter.

You're right- they don't have a 1st amendment. They have Article 29- much more comprehensive:
1, Everyone shall be guaranteed freedom of thought and speech.
2. Propaganda or agitation, which arouses social, racial, national or religious hatred and hostility shall be prohibited. Propaganda of social, racial, national, religious or linguistic supremacy shall also be prohibited.
3, Nobody shall be forced to express his thoughts and convictions or to deny them.
4. Everyone shall have the right freely to seek, receive, transmit, produce and disseminate information by any legal means. The list of types of information, which constitute State secrets, shall be determined by federal law.
5.The freedom of the mass media shall be guaranteed. Censorship shall be prohibited.

But like the written constitutions of all the world's nations- with the sole exception of the USA- their constitution is just meaningless words, not actually the law of the land. Much like Democrats wish ours to be. All those pesky rights that cannot be abridged, especially the one about bearing arms. Incredibly inconvenient.

Lazarus said...

That war's Neilson ratings are underwater. More people followed Space Trek Academy than the Ukraine War. Time for cancellation.

Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...

I think you're taking on water boatbuilder -- lets hope those bilge pumps are up to the task...

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