Matthew Palmer

Right, back from my week in Ukraine. 🇺🇦 🇬🇧 I'll have a few articles out soon on the air war, dynamics in Kyiv, and what long-term residents feel that western commentators often misunderstand about the war. In the meantime, here is a drone and rocket launcher displayed in a bar in Kyiv 💪:

This is an annoying article. The point that a messy diplomatic compromise may be necessary is not new, nor misunderstood. The 'not-an-inch' brigade is not for endless war, but for supporting Ukraine to make sovereign decisions. Also lots of dull hand-waves about 'russian-speakers' and Crimea.

This is an annoying article. The point that a messy diplomatic compromise may be necessary is not new, nor misunderstood. The 'not-an-inch' brigade is not for endless war, but for supporting Ukraine to make sovereign decisions. Also lots of dull hand-waves about 'russian-speakers' and Crimea.

Since late summer, Russia has been terrorizing Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast with jet-powered drones, adding to the now-familiar threat posed by conventional Shahed-type drones and missiles.

Holy crap. Good news, surely?

Today is St Crispin's Day, which means it is the 611th anniversary of, in Bernard Cornwell's immortal words, 'the best away win England's ever had'. God for Harry, England and St George!

For those who want to read my more personal thoughts on the war in Kyiv (and not behind a paywall!) you can do so here:

Some words from me in the @theipaper.com this weekend. My last trip to Kyiv highlighted the critical importance of anti-ballistic missile systems and civil defence, both of which the UK badly lacks. Most importantly, I highlight the critical necessity of continuing to support Ukraine.

Fucking duffelblog had me there for a heartbeat...

To be honest, we need to cut down on the pontification from retired senior officers in general. Same issue in the UK and it drives me nuts. Some of them remain interesting and insightful, but a lot of them talk utter crap and are pretty out-of-touch.

The 2nd National Guard Corps "Khartia" announced that the Ukrainian Defense Forces conducted an underground counteroffensive operation - "Veles," advancing more than 15 km into enemy rear areas in the Kupyansk sector. youtu.be/dmrd1IAJj-8?...

The UK's official household resilience guidance is up - how ready are you?

Everyone needs to watch Raycevik's videos on games like Mass Effect, Need For Speed, Perfect Dark etc. because he actually extensively talks about development, and a shocking number of games are made basically off the cuff with minimal scoping, huge gambles or extremely poor management.

The UK's official household resilience guidance is up - how ready are you?

So, after weeks of talking about it, the 'National Resilience Conversation' has finally started in earnest. Welcome news, even if it should have happened years ago. Remains to be seen whether it will be backed up with some serious bite and structural reform.

So, after weeks of talking about it, the 'National Resilience Conversation' has finally started in earnest. Welcome news, even if it should have happened years ago. Remains to be seen whether it will be backed up with some serious bite and structural reform.

Always great to hear Old English being spoken. Takes me back to my undergrad.

Hwæt! We Gardena in geardagum, þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon, hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon!

A primer from me on protection in modern warfare, and an introduction to the 'onion of survivability' (yes, this is actually a thing), combining both up-to-date research from Ukraine and my experience as a former Royal Engineer.

Incredibly good summary of the concepts and the intuitive nature of the onion. And remember, whatever happens, don't die.

A primer from me on protection in modern warfare, and an introduction to the 'onion of survivability' (yes, this is actually a thing), combining both up-to-date research from Ukraine and my experience as a former Royal Engineer.

This is interesting. I've been noting the UK's continual support to Saudi Arabia over the past few months - possibly as a comparison to the US. Also worth noting that we are boosting our operations in Saudi while pulling out of Iraq and Operation Shader.

I know it's the Telegraph, but still, this is some Warhammer 40k-level weirdness from the Russians (to add to their Nuclear Orthodoxy). www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...

I know it's the Telegraph, but still, this is some Warhammer 40k-level weirdness from the Russians (to add to their Nuclear Orthodoxy). www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...

This is interesting. I've been noting the UK's continual support to Saudi Arabia over the past few months - possibly as a comparison to the US. Also worth noting that we are boosting our operations in Saudi while pulling out of Iraq and Operation Shader.

What an arsehole.

What an arsehole.

100%. I often don't know my exact detailed argument until I've written the first draft of an article. Writing is a great way of working out if your original idea was wrong/crap/underdeveloped/etc.

The act of writing is in large part to the benefit of the writer, not the reader. It is part of the process of reflecting and learning!

One of the ways social media is corrosive IMV is that it actively encourages this kind of “I now support antisocial behaviour and the selfish use of public spaces because I don’t like this politician’s tie colour” stuff.

Kyiv. Monday morning. Reading updates. The news collided like two trains. CNN Travel included Kyiv’s metro among the world’s best. One metro station in Kyiv was damaged during last night’s russian attack. Two surface stations were closed.

Honestly, when people watch or listen to their phones on loudspeaker on public transport it makes me as a wet liberal wonder if we were too quick to abolish the pillory as a tool of judicial punishment.

Good article here on the desperate need for attention devoted to the British cultural sector, and potential ways to support it.

This is nice

Callous and fucking stupid.

My latest article is an overview of paramilitary and internal security forces in Ukraine, which rarely get the attention they deserve. Based on long research and conversations held recently in Kyiv, this is a topic I’ve wanted to write something on for a good while.

Zelenskyy simply and accurately explains why giving up the Donbas won’t end the war: "Putin says he wants the Donbas, but why, at the start of the full-scale invasion, was he trying to occupy Kyiv? Is that the east of our country? Is that the Donbas? No, that’s the capital.

For fucks sake. The RN apparently haven't run a 'Perisher' submarine command course since 2024 due to lack of available submarines. Great that we can rely on allies in a pinch, but come on...

Talking of Civil Defence earlier, I increasingly think that the Ukrainian National Guard might be a workable model for the Defence Of Canada Division, and is certainly worthy of much closer study. Followers interested in CAF topics (and/or Ukraine!) should give this article a read.

Filling in for @stephenkb.bsky.social today on ‘Inside Politics’. Chose an uncontroversial topic to ease me in Sally Rooney’s books are not ‘banned’ from the UK www.ft.com/content/42eb... via @ft

Bit of a clickbait title from the Economist, but I'm glad this is finally getting traction. I've been calling for a greater focus on civil defence - including the creation of a national civil defence corps - for a while now.