Kadir Jasin evaluates if PKR has made a ‘prized catch’ by netting the nomadic-natured Tengku Zafrul

Kadir Jasin evaluates if PKR has made a ‘prized catch’ by netting the nomadic-natured Tengku Zafrul

INVESTMENT, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has the moral obligation to give up his ministerial portfolio if he ever wishes to leave UMNO given that position was accorded to him as a UMNO member.


By not resigning, he contributed a ministerial position to PKR while UMNO lost a ministerial seat at least for the time being, according to veteran journalist and blogger Datuk A. Kadir Jasin.


“We shall wait and see whether Tengku Zafrul’s leap is just a puppet show or causes open war between UMNO and PKR,” he penned on his Facebook page.

A Kadir Jasin

on Sunday

Apa Muslihat Lompat Kali Ini?

1. Mohd Rafizi Ramli dan Nik Nazmi Ahmad letak jawatan menteri atas dasar maruah dan perjuangan. Namun mereka kekal bersama parti mereka, PKR.

2. Maruah kerana kalah pemilihan Majlis Pimpinan Pusat dan perjuangan kerana berasa PKR tidak lagi mengutamakan idealisme reformasi. Terbaru Rafizi tolak jawatan parti yang dicadangkan oleh Timbalan Presiden PKR, Nurul Izzah Anwar. 

...See more

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“Will UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi simply ask for his party’s cabinet quota to be maintained or will he object to PKR accepting Tengku Zafrul? Will he prioritise UMNO’s dignity or maintain the lifeline given to him by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim?”


Delving farther, Kadir deemed Tengku Zafrul as “not a big catch for PKR” but on the contrary, would “ease UMNO’s burden” given the many stories of external interference regarding his entry into politics and his appointment as finance minister in 2020.

“He was appointed a senator and finance minister during the tenure of backdoor Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s government but his political adventure was never brilliant,” recounted the national journalism laureate.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz is often seen with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the latter’s official trips abroad or at international events (Image credit: Tengku Zahful/Facebook)

‘A job hopper’

“He lost the 15th General Election in 2022 to Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Amanah) but won a seat in the UMNO Supreme Council in 2023.”

This led to the political critic in Kadir taking a swipe as Tengku Zafrul for contending that “his image is also not as brilliant in the corporate world”.

“He is known as a job-hopper. His curriculum vitae since 1996 shows that he has changed jobs and positions 14 times. This means that he has not spent more than two years in each position,” revealed Kadir.

“As a financial specialist, Tengku Zafrul must have made mathematical calculations and statistical analysis on his chances of remaining in UMNO and moving to PKR.”

With his senatorship expiring end-2025, Kadir nevertheless described as “a slap in the face” foe Tengku Zafrul the very fact that he was “demoted” to be a MITI minister when his ambition has been to retain his finance minister portfolio in the Madani government.

“Although the one who took over the position of Finance Minister was Anwar himself, Tengku Zafrul knows that Anwar is not an economist or financial expert,” Kadir noted.

“But it’s nevertheless painful when Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, a technocrat like him, is appointed as the Second Finance Minister”.

Datuk A. Kadir Jasin

Hidden agenda

Reviewing the various wild predictions and conspiracy theories surrounding Tengku Zafrul’s actions, Kadir said some had commented that he (Tengku Zafrul) is less confident of UMNO’s leadership or it could be that Anwar has promised something better.

“As a result, speculation arose that a Selangor Legislative Assembly by-election could be orchestrated to allow him to win easily and subsequently be appointed as Menteri Besar,” shared the former group editor-in-chief of mainstream New Straits Times.

“This has caused several quarters in PKR, including the current Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari to feel the heat although he had eventually denied such speculation.

“Moreover, the very fact that Tengku Zafrul chose to bid farewell to UMNO and offer himself to PKR occurred almost simultaneously with the Cabinet resignations of former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and ex-vice president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has caused many to assume there’s hidden agenda in the pipeline.”

At the end of the day, Kadir regarded Tengku Zafrul’s actions have somehow brought to light the practice of party hopping that the Madani government has been being trying hard to curtail.

“Not to mention when it involves the PM’s own party and that of the Deputy PM – one between the teacher and the pupil. We shall wait for the next chapter to unfold,” added Kadir. – June 3, 2025

***

kt comments:

When reading Pak Kadir's assessment (which BTW I agree with most of it) we need to remember he has long been a spokesperson for an Old Man who's not friendly to Anwar, wakakaka, and thus Pak Kadir's assessment is not likely to be complimentary to DSAI.

A shot in the arm for PKR with Tengku Zafrul

The Star:

A shot in the arm for PKR with Tengku Zafrul

By Wong Chun Wai
Opinion
Tuesday, 03 Jun 20258:59 AM MYT

THERE isn't going to be any by-election called to make way for Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz to contest in Selangor.

There is no compelling reason for anyone to make way immediately for the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, who has announced his decision to quit Umno and plans to join PKR.

His term as a Senator will only expire at the end of the year, which means he still has about six months to go as minister.

At this point, all talk that he is eyeing a Selangor state seat is mere speculation by the media. Why not a safe parliamentary seat in Kuala Lumpur where the options are wider and better?

Selangor Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shari has already said he is remaining as the Mentri Besar. It is also no secret that the Selangor palace expects the Mentri Besar to complete his full term as chief executive of the state.

Whether the newly-elected PKR vice-president will decide to focus instead on a parliamentary seat in the next general election, expected to be held within two years, is another matter.

But as of now, there is no likelihood of any change in Selangor.

There has been much debate over Tengku Zafrul's next political plan. Umno is understandably upset that the party would lose a Federal Cabinet post and there have been accusations that he is not a loyal member of the party.

Amidst all the noise, the harsh reality is that Selangor Umno is in the doldrums. It hasn't recovered from its beating in the last general election and seems to be heading nowhere. Umno contested in 22 seats in the 2022 General Election, and lost all.

Tengku Zafrul himself lost to Amanah's Datuk Seri Dr Zulkefly Ahmad in the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat.

The political prospects for Selangor Umno haven’t improved and despite the hue and cry over Tengku Zafrul's resignation, no one has a clue as to how Selangor Umno can recover its lost seats.

While there have also been brickbats over whether a newbie deserves a ticket to contest for PKR, no one has disputed Tengku Zafrul's capability.

Let's face it, all parties have fielded young and new faces in every election. It has never been about the length of a candidate's membership in the party.

As Malaysia navigates a critical juncture in its economic and political journey, the role of capable, forward-looking leaders has never been more crucial.

Tengku Zafrul entered politics as a technocrat but his alignment with the unity government has led to intense private conversations about his potential future within PKR.

Without a doubt, the Prime Minister is comfortable with his role as MITI Minister. This is especially so when Malaysia needs to negotiate with the unpredictable Trump administration and its retaliatory tariffs.

Like him or loath him, no one would dare say he has not done his job well as a Minister.

Should he proceed to join PKR - and if his application is approved - it will certainly strengthen Malaysia's reformist agenda as well as multi-racial politics.

Urbane, professional and approachable, he has global networking. At a personal level, he enjoys a wide circle of multi-racial contacts, friends and supporters.

More importantly, he brings a rare and valuable experience from both the public and private sectors.

He is a natural bridge between the government and private sectors, and we do need politicians who understand investments, digital transformation, green energy, the semi-conductor industry and industrial transformation.

Unlike some Malay politicians who thrive on race and religion, Tengku Zafrul has stayed above such communal agenda. Instead, he maintains a moderate voice and prefers to focus on results and policies.

Malaysians are sick and tired of chest thumping politicians who polarise the nation with the narrative of race and religion.

A stable and progressive government with plans for long-term reforms, and a performance-driven leadership, is needed more than ever.

Tengku Zafrul's entry into PKR will add depth to the party's economic branch and reinforce the image that the party places importance on competence.

KEIR STARMTROOPER SAYS UK SHOULD PREPARE FOR WORLD WAR THREE !!

 

OutSyed The Box

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

KEIR STARMTROOPER SAYS UK SHOULD PREPARE FOR WORLD WAR THREE !!

The British prime minister Keir Starmtrooper has gone absolutely insane. The affair with his ménage à trois  ("household of three") Ukrainian boyfriends has not gone away. He is trying desperately to shift attention away from the lowest popularity ratings ever for a British prime minister. His popularity is lower than Liz Truss.

 

So he has used the second oldest trick in the book - he has put the UK on a war footing.

 

The Sun (UK) 
Published: 31 May 2025 

• Starmer wrote in The Sun on Sunday
• WAR FOOTING
• Starmer warns UK must prepare to fight  
• Starmer puts UK on war footing 
• must ­prepare to “fight and win” against enemies
• time has come to “transform how we defend these islands”
• restore Britain’s war-fighting readiness  
• “we must be ready to fight and win"
• best way to prevent conflict is by preparing for it
• requires “fundamental shift” in Britain’s military might  
• by mounting response not seen before in most of our lifetimes

OSTB :  not seen before ?? Like for example carrying out sneak attacks against the Nordstream gas pipeline and crippling the German economy (Target No. 1). Carrying out sneak attacks against the Kerch Bridge and the latest is that blowing up two civilian passenger trains inside Russia and killing civilians (which has immediately become a war crime) plus the sneak attack against the FIVE Russian airbases (Latest analysis says it may not have been 40 airplanes destroyed on the ground. Three of the five airbases suffered hardly any damage. Seven planes were seen burning at one location).

• Starmer said world is more dangerous 
• threat of tyrants in Russia, Iran and North Korea.
• Starmer said Britain facing “more dangerous world” 
• directly threatened by states with advanced military forces
• We will meet this moment head on 
• time to keep Britain safe.
• business, society, tech experts all work together.
• seize this opportunity to change our country for the better
• Britain must respond 'head on' to growing global threats

OSTB : All this bullshit simply means MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. And here it is:

• £1.5 billion investment  
• defence spending will rise to 3% by 2034
• biggest rearmament program in decades 
• orders biggest investment in guns & bombs since Cold War
• UK will move to wartime levels of arms production 
• will move UK to an “always-on” level of production.
• building six new munitions factories
• 7,000 long-range weapons will also be bought
• stockpiles of guns, missiles have run dry
• donated so many to Ukraine

OSTB : Starmer says the UK is directly threatened by states with advanced military forces including tyrants in Russia, Iran and North Korea. 

Russia exploded their first atomic bomb in 1949 - which was 76 years ago. In all those years Russia has never been a military threat to the UK. 

North Korea is 9,000 km away.  Right now Kim Jong Un is getting a haircut.
The Ayatollahs wear skirts all day - the trans confusion. 

In September 2002 UK prime minister, the war criminal Tony BLIAR said that Saddam Hussein could strike Europe with missiles in 45 minutes  !! Do you all remember that? Allow me to refresh your memory.

 

No Weapons of Mass Destruction were ever found in Iraq. They just wanted to steal the Iraqi oil and also prevent Saddam from developing a non-US Dollar payment system for oil sales. 

They are doing the same bullshit again now. 

It looks like the people in the UK can also be quite stupid.  Look at how they have messed up their country. It has become quite the cesspool.

• And they have put Keir Starmtrooper as their PM. 
• Before this they put Rishi Washy as PM (he lasted two years). 
• Before that it was Chucky aka Liz Truss (she lasted 49 days!!) 
• Before that it was Boris Johnson (who lasted three years and two months)
• Keir Starmer is now 11 months in as prime minister. 
• Lets see how long he will last.

MIC's silence, Umno's arrogance and BN unity's death

MIC's silence, Umno's arrogance and BN unity's death

P Ramasamy
Published: Jun 3, 2025 8:00 AM
Updated: 10:00 AM


COMMENT | Despite being one of the oldest political parties in the country, MIC remains shackled under the dominance of Umno within the BN coalition.

Recently, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi pushed for the reinstatement of all seven ministerial posts to Umno, following the resignation of Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz from the party, reducing it to six.

Zahid’s demand that the vacant seat be filled by another Umno leader has drawn criticism, particularly from MIC strategic director R Thinalan.

Thinalan slammed Zahid’s approach, saying Umno was acting as if it were the sole representative of BN, sidelining MCA and MIC in the process.

He called for either MIC or MCA to be given the vacant ministerial seat, especially if Zafrul has to step down as the international trade and industry minister.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi


What’s more telling, however, is the silence of the MIC’s top leadership.

Instead of voicing discontent themselves, the party’s president and deputy president chose to let Thinalan carry the burden of articulating MIC’s dissatisfaction.

MIC and MCA have long felt marginalised, not just by Umno’s overbearing dominance, but also by the Madani government’s selective inclusivity.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s seemingly close alignment with Zahid has led to growing frustration.


Not even token post

In the name of unity, the government should have at least appointed a minister from either MIC or MCA as a symbolic gesture of representation.

The denial of even a token cabinet post to the Indian community speaks volumes.

Publicly, things may appear stable, but privately, both MIC and MCA are growing increasingly disillusioned.


Time to part ways…

Rumours suggest that, under the right circumstances, both parties may consider switching allegiances - a move seen as preferable to playing subservient roles in a coalition that no longer values them.

The core issue lies with MIC’s leadership. It lacks the courage and commitment to stand up for the community it claims to represent.

If MIC couldn’t deliver during its political heyday, it is even less likely to do so now amid growing irrelevance and internal decay.

The truth is stark: Umno no longer needs MCA or MIC to project inclusiveness, especially with DAP playing its role to retain a sliver of non-Malay support.

But this political calculation may backfire. As DAP continues its passive stance within the government, it risks alienating its base, just as MIC and MCA already have.

BN unity, once a formidable political brand, now looks like a relic - held together more by nostalgia than mutual respect.

P RAMASAMY is Urimai chairperson and former deputy Penang chief minister II.

Protect Malay residential quotas, S’gor Umno Youth says on URA

FMT:

Protect Malay residential quotas, S’gor Umno Youth says on URA


3 hours ago
Rex Tan

Selangor Umno Youth chief Imran Tamrin calls for a legal guarantee that protects Malay and Bumiputera holdings in any developments under the proposed law

Selangor Umno Youth chief Imran Tamrin said a special committee has been set up to discuss and provide feedback on the URA.

SHAH ALAM: Umno Youth’s Selangor chapter has urged the federal government to outline a specific ratio for Malay residents in any development under the contentious Urban Renewal Act (URA).

Its chief Imran Tamrin said the youth wing in the state had established a special committee to discuss and provide feedback on the URA.

“We are concerned about the ongoing debate on the URA, particularly topics related to the interests and position of the Malays and Bumiputeras in urban areas.


“We call for a clear guarantee to be included in the amendment to the URA that provides protection to the composition of Malay and Bumiputera population in any development made under the URA,” he said in a press conference at the Selangor Umno building yesterday.

Imran said he supported the idea of urban renewal, especially in terms of improving the quality and facilities of urban low-cost flats.


However, he said a legal guarantee was needed in the proposed URA to protect Malay and Bumiputera holdings.

“A low-cost flat usually has five storeys and the residents are mostly Malays, but if it’s redeveloped under the URA, it might become a building with 20 to 30 storeys.


“Our Housing Development Act only stipulates that around 30% of the units should be allocated to the Malays (or Bumiputeras), meaning that 70% of the new units are for the open market. This might dilute the overall Bumiputera holding in the area,” he said.

The URA is a proposed law that would allow the redevelopment of land without the consent of all its owners. The bill is expected to be tabled in the next parliamentary session between July and August.


Spearheaded by the housing and local government ministry, the proposed legislation has been touted by its minister, Nga Kor Ming, as necessary to replace outdated laws and regulations governing the redevelopment of dilapidated urban areas.


However, opponents argue that it will displace poorer citizens who may be unable to continue living in the area once it is redeveloped.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the Act would not force property owners to give up their homes or alter the ethnic composition of residential areas, contrary to allegations by PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man that it is aimed at pushing the poor Malays and Indians out of urban areas.

Khairy's rumoured cabinet return: Reform opportunity or political gamble?

Khairy's rumoured cabinet return: Reform opportunity or political gamble?

Yiswaree Palansamy
Published: Jun 3, 2025 9:00 AM
Updated: 11:07 AM


Summary

• Analysts say Khairy Jamaluddin’s rumoured cabinet return via Umno could signal the party’s move towards modernisation and reconciliation.

• His media presence and popularity among younger, urban voters bring fresh energy to the coalition government, but doubts remain over his alignment with PM Anwar Ibrahim’s team and possible tensions within Umno.

• Observers warn that popularity alone doesn’t ensure effectiveness, and Khairy’s past party conflicts and election loss may affect his legitimacy and integration.

As rumours intensify around Khairy Jamaluddin’s potential re-entry into the cabinet via Umno, political observers are watching closely to gauge what such a move might signify for both the party and the coalition government.

Once a golden boy of the party who has since rebranded himself into a popular media figure and influencer, Khairy’s comeback could mark a pivotal shift in Malaysia’s political landscape - though it would not be without challenges.

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s political analyst P Sivamurugan Pandian sees Khairy’s rumoured return as a symbol of Umno’s modernisation and rebranding, aiming to attract younger, urban, and moderate voters.

He feels this can be a potential reconciliatory move that could heal internal divisions, if the old guards of Umno accept Khairy as an asset, rather than a threat.

“Khairy is viewed as someone who articulates well, is progressive, and is in touch with contemporary issues.

“However, he may have to pacify the old guard after his sacking from the party to make sure they see him not as a threat but someone who can play a collective role for the party and nation,” Sivamurugan told Malaysiakini.

Khairy was sacked from Umno in late January 2023, during a purge against party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s rivals.

In the last general election, the former Rembau MP failed to wrest the Sungai Buloh seat from PKR, which was won by R Ramanan, the present deputy entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister.


Second chances

Sivamurugan noted that Khairy has used the media as a platform to shape narratives and strong public recognition, yet the latter’s role in government will need political will, party dynamics and public trust.

“It can be seen as though the government is open to political rehabilitation and values merit.

“It would also indicate a more inclusive and pragmatic approach and a shift towards reform-oriented governance where second chances are granted to those seen as capable, charismatic, and forward-looking or thinking, regardless of previous dissent,” he said.

However, he said that Khairy should approach this opportunity - if it happens - as a return from a “political sabbatical”, much like his father-in-law, the late Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Although Abdullah won the Umno vice-presidency in 1987 under “Team B” led by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, he was not appointed to the cabinet until 1990. Yet, he eventually made a full comeback, rising to the premiership in 2003.

The 1987 Umno leadership crisis marked the party’s first major internal schism, culminating in a fierce contest between two rival factions.

Late former PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi


On one side was Team A, led by now two-time ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his then deputy Ghafar Baba. Opposing them in Team B were Razaleigh and former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam.


Functional stop-gap for Umno?

Anis Anwar, head of research at think tank O2 Research, said that public reaction to Khairy’s potential cabinet return will largely depend on the role he is expected to play.

“His re-entry could simply show that the party wants a capable figure to fill the vacancy left by Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, which would make the appointment a functional stop-gap rather than a statement of long-term reform.

“A different reading would emerge if Umno uses this moment to elevate Khairy back into its top tier, indicating a willingness to restore him as one of the party’s main leaders.

“To date, we have seen no definite closure to the conflict and tension that existed between Khairy and the current leadership, so the chemistry between both sides remains the best indicator of what Umno truly intends in strategic terms," he told Malaysiakini.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz


Zafrul, the investment, trade and industry minister, resigned from Umno last Friday, and is applying to join PKR. The move has angered Umno, as Zafrul is still holding on to his minister portfolio, meaning the party has one less representative in the cabinet.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has said that Zafrul’s membership application has not yet been formally discussed.

Khairy: Past and present

Anis said that Khairy’s arrival will immediately test whether the cabinet and Anwar can accommodate his vision within day-to-day decision-making.

“Should a clash occur, public opinion is likely to side with Khairy, which would cost the government political capital.

“Conversely, if Khairy raises overall government performance to a noticeably higher level, public comparison between ‘pre-Khairy’ and ‘with-Khairy’ periods will favour him first of all.

“Only if the prime minister manages to frame those improvements as a collective cabinet success-showing that Khairy is delivering through the Madani reform agenda rather than parallel to it, will the government itself reap the bigger reward.”

Anis said that while Khairy can fill the void left by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, this would only work in the short term.

He noted that the current political configuration is dominated by Pakatan Harapan, with PKR at its core, as the prime minister himself comes from PKR.

“Looking toward the next general election, Khairy’s presence does not in itself answer the question of who will fill PKR’s senior cabinet slots once we cross the 16th general election threshold.

“In effect, any reshuffle that brings him onboard would serve as an interim arrangement, meant to keep the cabinet fully functional rather than to showcase its ultimate line-up of power players

“Still, he offers a rare blend of policy literacy, media fluency and personal reach among young professionals, qualities that could temporarily steady the administration’s public image,” Anis said.


Mere optical enhancement

International Islamic University Malaysia’s (IIUM) political analyst Syaza Syukri sees the inclusion of Khairy as a potential optical win for the coalition government, showing inclusivity and next-generation leadership.

However, she said that ideological alignment with Anwar’s team remains uncertain, and she warned that media popularity doesn’t always equate to effective governance.

“With the rise of populist politicians with backgrounds in media - think US President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - we can see how their influence can easily translate to support in politics. But is it enough? Is popularity a good track record?

“In fact, it could lead to trouble later, especially since he (Khairy) lacks actual legitimacy since he lost the election.I think for Umno specifically, they really don’t have much choice now.

“I know they’re working on a new leadership, but until then, they still need these mid-level politicians, and Khairy is an asset in a way as long as he agrees to follow the party’s rules,” he said.

Syaza suggested that Khairy’s return would indicate Umno is ready to move past the rifts of 2022 and reconsolidate, reflecting a stronger position under Zahid’s leadership - one that could accommodate former rivals and approach GE16 with renewed unity, possibly alongside Harapan.


‘I’m busy’

Khairy last week dismissed speculation of rejoining politics soon, saying he is focused on other commitments for the rest of the year despite cabinet reshuffle rumours.

Podcast host Khairy Jamaluddin


“I just want to say that I have a lot of unfinished projects and business that I need to take care of. I’m quite happy doing what I’m doing for the time being.

“At least until the end of the year, I’m not thinking of rejoining politics,” he said when approached at the sidelines of a forum in Kuala Lumpur regarding hospital treatment costs.

When asked whether he is open to the idea and how he would respond if given the opportunity, the former health minister again emphasised that he has prior engagements.

UPDATED BREAKING - MAJOR SABOTAGE ATTEMPT INSIDE RUSSIA, CIVILIANS KILLED AND STRATEGIC BOMBERS DESTROYED

 

OutSyed The Box

Monday, June 2, 2025

UPDATED BREAKING - MAJOR SABOTAGE ATTEMPT INSIDE RUSSIA, CIVILIANS KILLED AND STRATEGIC BOMBERS DESTROYED

 

UPDATE: The number of TU95 bombers that were destroyed is now reported to be in excess of 20 planes. Perhaps as many as 40 planes.  Russia had about 55 to 60 of these bombers.  

Today  2nd June 2025 both Russia and Ukraine are resuming their 'ceasefire talks' in Istanbul. Today is a big day. But most obviously certain parties do not want the ceasefire talks to continue or come to any beneficial conclusion.

Just over 12 hours ago there were two sets of attacks against two different sets of targets inside Russia. They were obviously designed to sabotage the peace talks in Istanbul today.

One set of attacks involved civilian passenger trains. One attack took place near Bryansk and the other attack was in the Kursk area. In both cases civilian passenger trains were attacked. In both cases bridges were involved. In one attack an overhead highway bridge was exploded and it fell on a civilian passenger train that was passing below it - the timing was perfect. In the other attack the bridge on which a civilian passenger train was travelling was exploded and the bridge  collapsed with the train. Seven civilians have been reported killed. The story is still new and news is coming out.

 

The second set of attacks are possibly more alarming - not to belittle the loss of lives in the train attacks - but FIVE of Russia's TU-95 strategic bombers were destroyed by drone attacks. What is quite audacious is that these strategic bombers were located thousands of miles apart across Russia from airbases in Murmansk to Amur (distance 3200 miles or 5200 km). 

The attacks were carried out simultaneously using drones that had been pre-loaded into special 40 ft shipping containers loaded on the back of container trucks driven by unsuspecting commercial truck drivers who did not know what they were hauling. The planning, logistics and execution of these attacks was complex and detailed. It smells of one culprit and one culprit only - the British. 

In the other sabotage attacks against the Nordstream 2 gas pipeline in 2022 the Americans were involved (according to Seymour Hersh) as well as the British. The British were almost solely responsible for the July 2023 naval drone attack against the Crimea Bridge (Kerch Bridge). Both those attacks were during Joe Biden. Since Donald Trump became president of the United States in January 2025 and his strong opposition to the war in Ukraine there is no way these latest series of attacks against Russia involved the Americans.   Again it smells of one culprit and one culprit only - the British. 

There are two videos here - one by Lt Col Daniel Davies and another by George Galloway. About 20 minutes each - you can scroll if you dont have time.

From a military strategy point of view, there was absolutely zero value from exploding two civilian passenger trains (some reports say three trains were attacked)  which would certainly kill civilians.

Fire bombing TU95 bombers located over 5,000 miles away in Siberia has no great effect on the war in Ukraine. The TU95s were obviously kept in storage so far away. Plus Russia has hundreds if not thousands of other bombers which are more lethal than the propeller driven TU95 (below).

 

These pin prick attacks were not even a statement.  The timing - just one day before the Istanbul ceasefire talks resume - was designed to sabotage the efforts to end this war. The British want to keep the war going.

The talks are already on the way because BOTH the Russian and Ukrainian delegations have arrived at location in Istanbul.  And the Russians have said they will continue with the talks. 

It is most likely that the Ukrainian delegation would have had no prior knowledge of these sabotage attacks inside Russia.  Which will place them in a very difficult situation today in Istanbul - this second round of ceasefire talks have been planned for weeks already. Why attack civilian trains and kill civilians just 24 hours before the peace talks? They cannot be that stupid. 

Indeed this is similar to the Pearl Harbour moment where (due to delays) the Japanese ambassador in Washington delivered the Japanese ultimatum to the Americans about ONE HOUR after the Pearl Harbour attack had already begun.

My advice to the Russians is send those two flat tops to the bottom of the sea. That will stop them dead. 

Here are the videos by Lt Col Davies and George Galloway. Both are worth listening.