We need to put an end to the false narrative that Russia is “retaliating” when it hits Ukrainian civilians.
Russia is the unprovoked, genocidal aggressor that started this war, and Ukraine is the only side fighting back and executing real retaliation.
Calling a Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian apartment block a retaliation is a grotesque distortion of facts. Russia lied for months to cover up its plans before executing a completely unprovoked invasion.
The numbers tell the real story of who is targeting whom. While Ukraine has 2.5 to 3 times fewer total casualties than Russia, Ukraine has dozens of times more civilian casualties.
Russia opened this dark chapter by targeting civilian infrastructure first. Ukraine is retaliating to survive, while Russia is simply continuing its deliberate campaign to destroy the Ukrainian population
— @joni_askola Jul 3, 2026
Category: Tweets – Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) / Twitter
Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign
Summary
Recent developments highlight intensifying geopolitical tensions, with nuclear posturing in Europe and deepening divides over the Russia-Ukraine war. Historical grievances and identity politics resurface as anti-Semitic tropes are challenged, while strategic partnerships in the South Caucasus and Central Asia signal shifting alliances. The war’s escalation—marked by drone strikes, infrastructure attacks, and rhetorical hardening—suggests a protracted conflict with no diplomatic off-ramps.
Key Stories
Finland and Lithuania greenlight nuclear weapons, provoking Russia — Finland and Lithuania’s decision to allow nuclear weapons on their soil escalates regional tensions, drawing sharp criticism from Russia and raising fears of accidental escalation or miscalculation. The move reflects a broader EU shift toward military assertiveness amid stalled diplomacy.
Ukraine strikes deepen as Russia retaliates with deadly Kyiv bombardment — Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and the Crimean Bridge coincide with Russia’s deadliest strikes on Kyiv, killing at least 17. Both sides vow further escalation, signaling a new phase of the war focused on economic and symbolic targets.
Historical oppression reframed as response to anti-Semitic conspiracy theories — A viral post counters anti-Semitic tropes by linking Jewish influence in media, finance, and Hollywood to historical exclusion from land ownership. The narrative reframes stereotypes as adaptations to systemic discrimination, sparking debates about power, identity, and resilience.
South Caucasus and Central Asia forge new strategic partnerships — Georgia signs a strategic partnership with Uzbekistan, following a similar agreement with Kazakhstan, while the EU advances regional connectivity talks with Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. These moves suggest a realignment of trade and security ties amid Western-Russia tensions.
EU fractures emerge over sanctions on Russian Orthodox leader — Italy and Bulgaria oppose EU sanctions targeting Patriarch Kirill, exposing divisions within the bloc over religious and cultural sensitivities. The rift may indicate broader fatigue with prolonged economic measures against Russia.
🇺🇦 Ukraine’s Prosecutor General said Valery Gerasimov was behind the July 2 strike on Kyiv that caused numerous civilian casualties. Authorities are investigating the attack, which they say targeted only civilian areas
— @NewVoiceUkraine Jul 3, 2026
Summary
People filming their own crimes and posting them online is changing how police work, turning social media into a key tool for solving cases. Meanwhile, some governments are using similar tactics—staged crimes or sabotage—to send political messages without starting full-blown wars.
Key Stories
Social media turns criminals into their own worst witnesses — From car thefts to vandalism, offenders are recording and sharing their crimes online for clout, giving police an easy trail of digital evidence. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become unintentional crime databases, forcing law enforcement to monitor them like never before.
Performance crime goes political with state-backed sabotage — Some governments are now using staged crimes—like cyberattacks or infrastructure sabotage—as propaganda tools, letting them intimidate rivals while avoiding direct blame. These acts are designed to shock and send a message, often through local proxies to keep deniability.
Ukraine strikes deep into Russia as fuel shortages spark crisis — Ukrainian drone attacks hit Russian airfields and energy plants, destroying aircraft and causing fuel shortages that are now a political headache for Putin. Lines at gas stations are growing as the war’s impact spreads beyond the front lines.
US warns Poland of possible Russian provocation — US intelligence reports suggest Russia may stage drone strikes or fake attacks on Polish infrastructure to test NATO’s response. The warnings come as tensions rise over Ukraine and European security.
Germany ramps up military support for Ukraine — Germany has become Europe’s second-largest donor to Ukraine, spending $15 billion annually on tanks, drones, and missiles. The move signals a major shift in Berlin’s defense strategy amid the ongoing war.
– Donald Tusk – PM of Poland
“The truth is obvious: Vladimir Putin is a war criminal, and the only reason for the war in Ukraine is Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. There is no room for neutrality or false equivalence here. When it comes to who is responsible for this war, who is the aggressor, who is the victim, and what caused this war, there is no room for negotiation.
You can negotiate the terms of peace, discuss how to help Ukraine and to what extent, but there is absolutely no room for speculation about who is guilty and who is not”
Simply awesome man
🫡— @DakdaR22 Jul 3, 2026
#CIA #FBI #PerformanceCrime
When the power of love beats the love of power: Performance Crime As A Message
thenewsandtimes.blogspot.com…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jul 3, 2026
Performance Crime
– Google Search google.com/search?q=Performa…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jul 3, 2026
Performance Crime As A Message
Performance crime is a phenomenon where individuals intentionally commit illegal acts, record them, and distribute the media on social platforms with the explicit goal of broadcasting a message. Rather than hiding, the perpetrators treat the offense as a spectacle designed to gain online notoriety, satisfy an audience, or push political propaganda. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The concept blends criminality and communication into a single act. While the specific goals vary, performance crimes generally serve the following messaging functions:Narcissism & Entertainment: Many perpetrators seek instant virality and fame by staging daring stunts, property damage, or coordinated retail thefts. The primary message is self-promotion, designed to entertain an audience and inflate the ego of the offender.
Ideological & Political Influence: Groups may stage highly visible illegal acts, such as civil unrest or property takeovers, to send a strong political message to the public. By documenting the act, they seek to rally sympathizers and normalize their political agenda.
Terrorism & Propaganda: Extremist organizations use social media to broadcast acts of violence as “performance terrorism”. This is meticulously tailored to intimidate target populations, radicalize potential recruits, and communicate ideological demands to a global audience. [3]The medium itself has a direct impact on the message. The rapid spread of these videos across global networks frequently results in “copycat” offenses and viral challenges, compounding the original offense. [3, 5, 8]
At the same time, because the perpetrators enthusiastically document their own actions, these performances inadvertently generate the exact digital footprint law enforcement needs to identify, track, and prosecute the offenders. Today, criminal justice agencies focus heavily on monitoring social channels to dismantle the networks and stop the spread of these acts before or after they happen. [1, 3, 9, 10]
For an in-depth academic analysis of the psychology and motivations driving this behavior, you can review the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Study.AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] theconversation.com/the-jan-…
[2] foxbusiness.com/economy/tikt…
[3] blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20…
[4] tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1…
[5] sites.law.duq.edu/juris/2025…
[6] sciencedirect.com/science/ar…
[7] jaapl.org/content/52/3/280
[8] globalpolicyjournal.com/blog…
[9] austlii.edu.au/au/journals/C…
[10] dhs.gov/nationwide-sar-initi…– Google Search google.com/search?q=Performa…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jul 3, 2026
#PerformanceCrime #FBI #ModernPolicing
The continuous online publication of these self-incriminating videos has completely transformed criminal investigations, making social media monitoring a core component of modern policing.
Performance Crime – GSPerformance crime is a modern phenomenon where individuals deliberately record their illegal acts and share them on social media. Driven by the pursuit of viral fame, internet clout, and peer validation, these acts range from car thefts to vandalism and public disorder. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
While offenders often use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat to broadcast their actions, the digital footprint provides a wealth of evidence for law enforcement agencies. Authorities consistently utilize this publicly posted footage to identify suspects and secure criminal convictions. [2, 3, 6, 7, 8]
Because of the surge in these viral trends—such as highly publicized motor vehicle thefts and breaking-and-entering challenges—governments are directly updating their legal codes. For instance, in regions like New South Wales, Australia, lawmakers have introduced specific “performance crime” offences, which penalize offenders who actively distribute material advertising their involvement in crimes like break-ins and auto theft. [1, 2, 4]
The continuous online publication of these self-incriminating videos has completely transformed criminal investigations, making social media monitoring a core component of modern policing. [7, 9]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] jaapl.org/content/52/3/280
[2] sites.law.duq.edu/juris/2025…
[3] theconversation.com/the-jan-…
[4] nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/rev…
[5] newyorkcriminallawyer-blog.c…
[6] foxbusiness.com/economy/tikt…
[7] blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20…
[8] verifymy.io/blog/online-groo…
[9] austlii.edu.au/au/journals/C…– Google Search google.com/search?q=Performa…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jul 3, 2026
#FBI #ODNI #Counterintelligence
PERFORMANCE CRIME AS A MESSAGE
x.com/mikenov/status/2073026…Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) #PerformanceCrime As A #Message in the sabotage and the special hostile #IntelligenceOperationsPerformance crime as a message in intelligence operations refers to the deliberate use of high-visibility, disruptive, or criminal acts by state-sponsored proxies to broadcast threats, intimidate adversaries, and achieve geopolitical goals without triggering a conventional military response. This tactic relies on the shock value of crime to bypass traditional statecraft. [1, 2, 3]
By outsourcing sabotage and hostile intelligence operations to localized criminal proxies, state actors achieve distinct strategic effects:Plausible Deniability: State sponsors evade direct accountability. By using local mercenaries, gangs, or cybercriminals, they mask the true origin of the attack and complicate attribution.
Asymmetric Intimidation: Highly publicized attacks (e.g., targeted arson on logistical hubs or infrastructure damage) serve as psychological warfare, broadcasting threats to policymakers and citizens.
Subversion of Law Enforcement: Intelligence agencies are forced to expend immense resources managing criminal syndicates rather than focusing solely on traditional counterintelligence. [2, 5, 8, 9]This methodology frequently blurs the lines between irregular warfare, covert action, and organized crime. [4, 10, 11]
Real-World Implications and Responses
Hostile state actors, notably Russian intelligence agencies, have integrated proxies to conduct “shadow warfare” and sabotage. According to intelligence and security research, this includes employing local criminal networks for acts of arson, GPS jamming, and logistical disruptions across Europe. [1, 2, 12, 13]
These trends highlight the changing nature of the threat landscape:Hybrid Threat Adaptation: State adversaries utilize cyber attacks and proxy violence to degrade critical infrastructure while remaining safely below the threshold of declared war.
Western Countermeasures: Intelligence and security agencies have expanded their mandates to address the intersection of state threats and criminal activity. For instance, the UK’s National Protective Security Authority and global cybersecurity agencies like CISA have developed targeted guidelines to help secure critical infrastructure against these unconventional, performative disruption tactics. [4, 16]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] cepa.org/comprehensive-repor…
[2] irregularwarfare.org/sabotag…
[3] brookings.edu/articles/how-t…
[4] bankinfosecurity.com/blogs/h…
[5] deft9.com/news-and-analysis/…
[6] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabota…
[7] coloradotech.edu/degrees/stu…
[8] apu.apus.edu/area-of-study/i…
[9] smallwarsjournal.com/2026/02…
[10] irregularwarfare.org/ordinar…
[11] tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.…
[12] longbrief.com/russian-sabota…
[13] theguardian.com/technology/2…
[14] theconversation.com/explaine…
[15] npsa.gov.uk/national-securit…
[16] facebook.com/deutschland.de/…– Google Search google.com/search?q=Performa…— https://x.com/mikenov/status/2073026466883780657
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jul 3, 2026