Ukraine’s Manpower Will Be Made Up from Abroad

On 6/12/2026, the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced an Initiative to Aggressively Recruit Foreign Mercenaries for Kyiv’s Front-Line military Units. The Announcement, made on the Telegram Messaging Platform, states that the Uultimate Goal is for these Foreign, Contract-Paid Soldiers to make up 30% to 50% of All of Ukraine’s Assault and Infantry Units. Up to this Point, Foreign Fighters had Largely Enlisted in the Ukrainian Military by Volunteering with One of the Organizations Forming the International Legions Fighting against the Russians. But in a Major Policy Shift, Kyiv will now Actively Recruit Foreign Military Personnel into its Ranks, and there will reportedly also be Major Changes to how the Military Staffs its Combat Units.

Zelenskiy's Government had previously Announced in May, that it would Explore a Series of Measures to Iincrease the Number of Military Personnel. This Lack of Manpower has been a Perennial Problem for years now. But simply bringing in moreRrecruits is Not the Answer. As a Carnegie Endowment Study on the Issue from 3/2026 reads, “improving Ukraine’s mobilization policy will not be enough on its own to resolve the country’s persistent manning and readiness problems.”

“The government’s ability to deliver additional recruits is not the only factor underpinning the effectiveness and readiness of military units effective and sustainable force generation in Ukraine, depends on a strategic orce development approach based on a cCredible theory of victory, effective operating concepts, fast aadaptation, and robotization.” While the Endless Talent for Innovation and Adaptation shown by Ukraine’s Military in the use of Drones to compensate for the Country’s Disparity in Military Personnel vis-à-vis Russia is Evident, the Dilemma remains that many Ukrainian Soldiers Fight month after month without any Chance of Home Leave. This Eventually has Corrosive Effects on Unit Effectiveness.

The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiyy, had Reportedly Decided to take Measures to Significantly Augment the Number of Foreign Fighters in the Ranks after Negotiations on how to Eend the War with Russia made Zero Progress and had Become, as Several Western Media Outlets put it, a “Steve Witkoff-Kirill Dmitriev theatre.” Under Syrskyi's Plan, this Selection of Foreign Mmilitary Personnel will Now be Conducted by Private Recruiting Firms. The Candidates will be Screened, and the Selection will be made from those Deemed Suitable.

These Selected Foreign Fighters will be Transferred to Ukraine, with the Recruiting Firms then Receiving Payment for each Recruit who Joins Kyiv’s Military. The Decision to Prioritize Locating Suitable Candidates for these Front-Line Positions, According to Syrskyi, was made to Reinforce Front-Line Combat Units and Reduce Losses among Ukrainian Personnel.

“We are opening the market for the recruitment of foreigners to strengthen combat units and preserve the lives of Ukrainian troops,” He Wrote in His Telegram Announcement. Which is why “our goal is to fill up to 30% to 50% of assault and infantry positions with foreigners.” Syrskyi described this Recruitment Initiative as the First Stage towards what He Described as a Large-Scale Transformation. The Foreign Personnel Drive will then be followed by a Comprehensive Overhaul of Ukraine's Recruitment and Mobilization Processes.

“We are building an army with clear rules and respect for the soldier. Human life is the greatest value,” He added. He also emphasized Again that the Primary Objective of this Effort is to Preserve the Lives of Troops on the Front Line. Data on the Number of Foreign Recruits in Ukraine's Defense Forces remains Incomplete, and neither the Defense Ministry nor the Armed Forces Publishes any Comprehensive Registries of Foreign Service Personnel, Largely for Security Reasons.

What is known of the History of Foreign Military Personnel fighting in Ukraine is Summarized here: In 2022, the First year of the War, the Initial International Legion was Established, with Ukraine Reportedly Receiving more than 20,000 Applications from 52 Nations. However, that Number is only a Tally of those who Expressed Interest and Registered, Not the Final Count of those Who Traveled to Ukraine, Passed All Relevant Screening Processes, and Enlisted in Combat Units.

By the 2023–2024 Timeframe, the Number of Foreigners Actively Fighting in the International Legion, was Estimated at roughly 1,500-2,000 Personnel. At the same time, there was also a Greater Number of Foreigners Serving in other Pro-Ukrainian Military Organizations, Estimated at 3,000 to 4,000. In 2026, a more Comprehensive Assessment was Conducted across Aall Defense Structures, including Active Foreign Sservice Members and Veterans, with an Estimated Total of Approximately 20,000 People. This Current Plan for a Wider Recruitment Drive to Open-Up Service to more Foreign Recruits is also only One Element of Ukraine's First Comprehensive Overhaul of its Armed Forces since the War Began.

This Plan calls for a Ppackage of Reforms that Wwill Pair Changes to Recruitment Practices with Higher Pay for All Personnel, Ffixed-Term Contracts, and more clearly Defined Terms of Service.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Says FISA Extension Must Include Voting Bill

Trump (R) said on 6/14/2026 He Opposes any Renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), that does not include his Save America Act (H.R.7296), which would require Proof of-Citizenship for Voting.

The U.S. Congress on 6/11/2026 Rejected a Short-Term Extension of FISA Powers, amid a Standoff over Trump's Selection of an Inexperienced Loyalist, Bill Pulte (R), to Serve as the Acting Director of National Intelligence, although some Lawmakers also Oppose an Extension of FISA under any Circumstances.

"What kind of a deal is that," Trump posted Sunday on Truth Social. "Besides, I’m against FISA if it doesn’t come with The Save America Act (Full version!) firmly attached to it."

FISA, was enacted in 1978, establishes Procedures for the Surveillance and Collection of Foreign Intelligence on Domestic Soil. It Regulates certain Types of Foreign Intelligence Collection, including those that require Assistance from U.S. Telecommunications Companies

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate each Voted on 6/12/2026 to Extend the Law for 10 days, after Failing to Secure a Long-Term Authorisation, Clean Extension, or add Trump's Demand.

The SAVE Act: Congress has pursued a Legislative Rroute through the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act). The Bill would require Documentary Proof of Citizenship for All Federal Voter Registrations. The House Passed the Bill on 4/10/2025, and the Senate has Not Advanced it.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine Force Russia to Disguise Fuel Trucks as Milk Vehicles

How consistently Ukraine’s Defense Forces are disrupting logistics on the route to Crimea, “quite systematically”.

So much so that the Russia is resorting to camouflage. It has reached the point where they are even building covers over fuel trucks, disguising them as civilian vehicles, and there is information that they have begun using vehicles that transport food products, such as milk, for this.”.

Russian Forces are Not using the Crimean Bridge to Transport Fuel Tankers. Ferries are also Unsuitable for such Shipments because of the Damage they have sSstained.

Still, fuel remains available on the occupied peninsula for military purposes.

Defense Forces struck an area near Dovzhansk in Luhansk Oblast, where a Russian military drone unit was concentrated. They also destroyed a drone production and repair workshop near Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast.

The Ukrainian Navy earlier said, it carried out a Neptune missile strike on Striletska Bay in Sevastopol, destroying a military facility of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.

The operational headquarters of Russia’s Krasnodar Krai said a fire broke out at the Afipsky oil refinery after a drone attack overnight on 6/11/2026.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

GA Vote Counting Method Could Be Banned

When Georgia lawmakers return to the Capitol this week for a special session, they are expected to try to clean up an election mess of their own making. The election system used throughout the political battleground state relies on a QR code printed on ballots to tally the votes. Legislators passed a law two years ago barring the use of that barcode for the official vote count beyond J7/1/2026, but no replacement method of tabulating votes was ever implemented.

One of the instructions Gov. Brian Kemp (R) laid out for lawmakers when he called the special session is to “address issues created” by that law. Meanwhile, the secretary of state's office and the State Election Board have further muddied the waters by issuing conflicting guidance for county election officials about how votes should be cast and counted.

If the issues are not resolved soon, there is likely to be confusion and possibly litigation over the state's elections after 6/1/2026. A special election to fill a U.S. House seat is scheduled for that month. Georgia's current election system was first used statewide during the 2020 primary. After the general election that year, when Trump (R) narrowly lost the state to Democrat Joe Biden, Trump and his supporters claimed without evidence that the machines had deleted or switched votes. When the Votre was recounted recently, Trump lost by a bigger margin.

Trump's backers continued to complain about the touchscreen voting machines, with some loyalists espousing wild conspiracy theories. Election integrity advocates also criticized the machines, saying they are vulnerable to hacking and that voters cannot be sure their selections are accurately reflected because people can't read QR codes.The BarCode system does work. In New Yourk City, Votes are manually enteredon Ballots, Sscanned and Bar Code created. When read into the Counting system, if the Re-calculated does not Match, the Ballot is Rejected.

Republican lawmakers in 2024 tried to address those concerns by passing a law banning barcodes for the “official tabulation count” after 7/1/2026. But in the two years since, neither the secretary of state's office nor the General Assembly has taken action to comply. Now, the deadline is fast approaching and a major midterm election looms. Trump singled out those machines, which are used in at least some counties in more than a dozen states, in his first executive order (EO) on elections shortly after he took office for his second term in 1/2025. That Order has been blocked by multiple courts and is not being enforced.

Last month, Kemp announced a special legislative session, scheduled to start 6/17/2026, to draw new congressional maps for the 2028 elections and to address the QR code issue. It's possible that lawmakers could extend the deadline in the law to allow the QR codes to be used for now and give themselves some breathing room to come up with a new system before elections in 2028. But in the waning hours of the regular legislative session earlier this year, they rejected a proposal that would have done that.

Even if lawmakers agree on a solution, it might be tough to implement before a special election to fill the remainder of the term of U.S. Rep. David Scott, who died in April. The special election is set for 7/28/2026, with early voting beginning 7/6/2026. The secretary of state's office last week issued guidance to election officials in the six counties included in that congressional district. The office says it's preliminary and subject to change based on any developments from the special session.

The ballots will be run through the scanners, which will read the QR code to generate the election night vote count. Then, before county certification, electronic images created by the scanners for each ballot will be uploaded to a server, where optical character recognition software will be used to tally the votes using the human-readable text. The results of that second process will be the official tabulation count. The secretary of state's guidance expressly says counties must continue to use the current election system, including the touchscreen voting machines, and that there is nothing in the law that authorizes the use of hand-marked paper ballots for in-person voting.

The State Election Board weighed in two days later with conflicting guidance. Board members argued the plan proposed by the secretary of state is not authorized by law. The board passed a resolution instructing counties on what to do if the special legislative session does not result in an extension of the deadline for using QR codes. The resolution directs counties to use their emergency backup, which calls for hand-marked paper ballots with scanners used to count voters' selections.

When asked about the conflicting guidance during the election board meeting, Elizabeth Young, a lawyer with the state attorney general's office, said that while the guidance is not binding, "obviously it would cause confusion for elections superintendents if they are getting differing instructions from two agencies, both of which have some authority over what they’re doing.”

The election board has been controlled by a Trump-aligned majority and is often at odds with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican who is a frequent Trump target. Henry County in Atlanta's suburbs is one of the counties where voters will go to the polls for next month's special election. Axiver Harris, interim elections director, said the county is aware of the conflicting guidance and is awaiting further clarification from the state.

“Given the uncertainty surrounding the guidance currently available, we believe it is wise to wait for further direction to ensure that any decisions made are consistent with state requirements and election administration best practices,” he wrote in an email. Marcye Scott, who is running in the special election to serve the remainder of her late father's term, said she is not sure most voters are even aware of the issue and is focusing her attention elsewhere.

“My goal is to get people to the polls, get my people to the polls and get them to vote for me,” she said. But Carlos Moore, another of the six candidates running in the special election, said he is worried about legal challenges if a new method of vote-counting is implemented without enough time. He hopes lawmakers extend the deadline to allow the use of the QR codes for now.

“I would ask that legislators do the right thing, leave well enough alone for the special election," he said. “Otherwise, it’s almost certain there will be challenges in court.”










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

UK Intercepts Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker in English Channel

British forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker on Sunday morning, its Ministry of Defence said, in the latest effort to disrupt Moscow’s sanctions-evasion network. Russia’s “shadow fleet” of more than 700 vessels is estimated to transport around 75% of the country’s sanctioned oil exports, providing a critical financial lifeline for the Kremlin and helping fund the missiles and drones used in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement. Royal Marine Commandos and officers from Britain’s National Crime Agency boarded the vessel, the Smyrtos, in the English Channel, the body of water separating Britain and France, the ministry said. It added that the tanker will be held and monitored off the south coast of England while investigations continue.

The operation lasted six hours and was conducted in close coordination with French authorities, the ministry said. “Russia relies on its shadow fleet to fund its conflict in Ukraine, and our interdiction delivers a blow to Putin’s illegal war,” Britain’s Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said.

According to vessel-tracking website MarineTraffic, the Smyrtos sails under the flag of Cameroon. The vessel is currently anchored off the English seaside town of Weymouth. The English Channel is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

Britain and France have both pledged to obstruct vessels linked to Russia’s sanctioned “shadow fleet” that pass through their waters carrying sanctioned Russian oil or other goods for sale on black markets elsewhere, helping Russian President Vladimir Putin finance his war effort in Ukraine. The U.K. has sanctioned almost 600 shadow fleet vessels to date, the ministry said, adding that Russia’s oil revenues are down 27% from October 2024 levels and are now at their lowest point since the start of the war.

But enforcement efforts against Russian vessels that rely on the waterway have only recently been stepped up. At the end of May, the French navy in the Atlantic boarded an oil tanker named the Tagor that was subject to international sanctions and sailing from Russia, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.

In January, France, acting on intelligence provided by the U.K., intercepted another tanker in the Mediterranean that had travelled from Russia. French maritime authorities said at the time that the vessel, the Grinch, was suspected of operating under a false flag.

U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey unexpectedly quit on Thursday, saying the government is unwilling to spend enough on the military at a time of “rising threats,” citing the Iran war, Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine and threats from Moscow.

Starmer has pledged to boost U.K. defense spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027 and 3% by 2035, but many in the military say spending isn’t rising fast enough to meet growing threats.

“You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats,” Healey wrote in his resignation letter.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump to Kill Solar Tax Breaks Gets Trashed

When Shifting Government Rules, suddenly Change the Rules of the Game, Mid-Way through, entire Industries can Grind to a Halt. Now, a Major Legal Battle over Power Grids has taken a Dramatic Turn in Court.

A Federal Judge has Officially Blocked a Controversial White House Policy that Restricted Financial Help for Renewable Eenergy. The Decision Marks a Major Setback for Trump (R) ongoing Efforts to Slow Down Wind and Solar Power Development across the U.S.

The Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, Delivered theWweekend Ruling in a Washington Court. She Stated that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Ffailed to Provide a Valid Explanation, when it Abruptly Changed a Decade-Old Tax Rule on 8/2025.

The Legal Fight Centers on Lucrative Federal Tax Credits. Under Current Law, Clean Energy Developers must begin Construction by 7/4/2026 or have their Facilities Running by 12/2027 to Secure a 30% Subsidy.

For over Ten years, Builders had a Reliable Safety Nnet to Protect their Investments. They could Lock in their Tax Benefits for Four years Simply by Spending Five% of the TotalPproject Cost, before theCcredits Expired.

But the New IRS Rules Eliminated that Option for Almost All Major Developments. The Shift caused Widespread Panic among Environmental Groups who Claimed the Change would Drive-Up Electricity Bills.

A Coalition including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and San Francisco, quickly Sued to Stop the Policy. They Argued the Restrictions would Stall Vital Clean Energy Infrastructure.

Following the Court Victory, Local Officials praised the Judge’s Decision to send the Rules back to the IRS for Review. “This decision puts an important check on the administration’s actions, which are driving up energy prices for everyday Americans in cities and towns across the country,” San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu (D) said in a Statement.

The Decision Restores Stability to the Clean Energy Sector, allowing Developers to Map Out Future Installations with Confidence.

Local Leaders remain Determined to Protect Green Initiatives from Political Interference. “We will continue to fight for the market fairness and predictability that allow clean energy providers to build projects that benefit us all,” Chiu added.

For now, Federal Tax Officials are staying Silent on the Courtroom Defeat.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Picks His Personal Lawyer as Top Manhattan Federal Prosecutor

Trump (R) said Saturday, that He would Appoint One of His Personal Lawyers, James McDonald (R), as Manhattan’s Top Federal Prosecutor, putting the Sullivan & Cromwell Partner, in Charge of an Office with Jurisdiction over Wall Street and a Reputation for Pursuing Prominent White-Collar Crime Cases.

“I am confident that Jamie will deliver strong results for our Country as the next United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, as he has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, our Law Enforcement Patriots, the Legal Community, and the Judicial Bench,” Trump said in a Social-Media Post.

McDonald is One of Several Lawyers Representing Trump in the Appeal of His Conviction in the Hush-Money Case in New York state Court, and a Related Case in Ffederal Court. He is the Latest in a series of current and former Personal Lawyers Trump has Tapped for Prominent Positions since His Return to the White House.

McDonald would Replace Jay Clayton (I), the Current U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who has been Nominated as Director of National Intelligence. Under Clayton, the Office brought Charges against the Ousted Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, the Accused United Healthcare Executive Killer, Luigi Mangione, and Members of an Alleged Drug Ring in a Manhattan Park. Mangione and Maduro have Pleaded Not Guilty.

McDonald is currently a Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell, the Firm where Clayton spent over Two Decades as a Corporate Lawyer. McDonald in 2021 Joined the Firm, which currently Represents Trump in Appeals of His Civil and Criminal Cases. During Trump’s First Term, McDonald served as Enforcement Director of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

McDonald, who goes by Jamie, is in some ways a more Conventional Choice for the Job than Clayton, who hadn’t Worked as a Prosecutor, before Leading the Office. McDonald Worked in the Southern District from 2014 to 2017, when He Prosecuted Gang and Organized-Crime Cases. He worked on the First Public-Corruption Trial of former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D).

Sarah Krissoff, a former Federal Prosecutor, said McDonald was a “good choice for Trump,” with Prosecutorial Experience and Expertise in the Regulation of Securities and Commodities. “I think he is aligned with him and has real credentials,” She said.

A Spokesman for the Southern District of New York said: “The Office welcomes the President’s choice to lead the SDNY. Mr. McDonald is widely respected.”

Before His Time as a Prosecutor, McDonald Clerked for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (R) and Served in the White House Counsel’s Office under President George W. Bush (R).

In Order to Serve Permanently in the New York Job, McDonald will need to be Confirmed by the Senate or be Appointed by the District’s Judges. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Blocked a Confirmation Vote for Clayton, who was eventually Approved by the Judges.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker