Tangle - The latest in the Ukraine-Russia war

Starting point is 00:00:00 Whether renting, renewing a mortgage, or considering buying a home, everybody has housing costs on their minds. For free tools and resources to help you manage your home finances, visit Canada.ca slash it pays to know. A message from the Government of Canada. From Searchlight Pictures comes A Real Pain, one of the most moving and funny films of the year. Written and directed by Oscar-nominated Jesse Eisenberg

Starting point is 00:00:23 and starring Eisenberg and Emmy Award winner Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain is a comedy about mismatched cousins who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the pair's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. A Real Pain was one of the buzziest titles at Sundance Film Festival this year, garnering rave reviews and acclaim from both critics and audiences alike. See A Real Pain only in theaters November 15th. Based on Charles Yu's award-winning book, Interior Chinatown follows the story of Willis Wu, a background character trapped in a police procedural who dreams about a world beyond Chinatown. When he inadvertently becomes a witness to a crime, Willis begins to unravel a criminal web, his family's buried history, and what it feels like to be in the spotlight. Interior Chinatown is streaming November 19th, only on Disney+.

Starting point is 00:01:12 From executive producer Isaac Saul, this is Tangle. Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, and welcome to the Tangle podcast, the place where we get views from across the political spectrum, some independent thinking, and a little bit of my take. I'm your host, Isaac Saul, and on today's episode, we are going to be talking about Ukraine. That's right. We're going to be talking about the war, what's been going on recently, and share some views from across the political spectrum, and of course, some views from abroad as well. Before we do, though, I want to give a quick heads up on some just like incredible, excellent content we've got in case you have missed it. As many of you know who listen to this podcast, we are doing

Starting point is 00:02:10 a limited series this year called The Undecideds. We're following a group of five undecided voters up to and through the election. And on Monday, we released episode six discussing all the things that have happened since our last episode, which was a lot. The assassination attempt on former President Trump, J.D. Vance being picked as his running mate, Vice President Harris taking over the Democratic ticket. And we asked these voters how these events have shaped their vote and their perspective of the race. We released this on Labor Day, so I just want to make sure those of you who might have missed it know that it's out. If you scroll back a couple episodes on our podcast, you'll see the little card for the

Starting point is 00:02:49 undecideds. And I definitely encourage you to listen to the episode. This is all really fun for me. I actually am not super involved in the production of these episodes. I get to listen to them when they're almost done. So basically get the same experience a lot of you guys get. This is my favorite episode of the series so far because so much happened

Starting point is 00:03:08 and it was so interesting to hear from our voters about what they were thinking and how they were interpreting the events and where they were when they heard about Trump and the assassination attempt and all that crazy stuff. So definitely encourage you to go check it out. While you're doing that,

Starting point is 00:03:22 if you are looking for some extra Tangle content, I also would be remiss not to mention that we are now releasing all the footage and videos and in-depth behind-the-scenes stuff from our experience at the DNC. This is happening on our YouTube channel. So if you look up Tangle News on YouTube and subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications, you'll get all those videos as they come out. Right now, you can go there and find our extended commentary from day one of the DNC, which is fun because it was my initial reactions to the first day we were there.

Starting point is 00:03:52 And I go a bit more in-depth than I did anywhere in the newsletter or on the podcast. So I encourage you to go check that out. Hope you guys enjoy both. And with that, I'm going to pass it over to John. Thanks, Isaac. And welcome, everybody. Here are your quick hits for today. First up, a 14-year-old shooter killed four people, including two teachers and two students, and wounded nine others at a high school in Winder, Georgia. Number two, President Joe Biden is reportedly set to block Japan's Nippon Steel

Starting point is 00:04:28 from a $14.9 billion purchase of U.S. Steel. The deal has been opposed by the United Steel Workers Union. Number three, the U.S. Justice Department accused Russia Today, a state media network, of spending millions of dollars to recruit social media influencers. Number four, U.S. job openings fell to their lowest level in over three years, adding to the likelihood the Federal Reserve will continue to cut interest rates.

Starting point is 00:04:52 And number five, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris proposed raising the capital gains tax to 28% for those earning $1 million or more, lower than the 39.6% rate proposed by President Joe Biden in his fiscal 2025 budget. Loud explosions rocked Ukraine's capital of Kyiv this morning as Russia launched a new round of drones and missiles. Officials say falling debris from the downed weapons injured at least two people.

Starting point is 00:05:32 The attack sparked fires, damaging homes and infrastructure. Ukraine says it destroyed more than 20 of the missiles. Overnight Sunday, Ukraine carried out one of its own, one of its biggest drone attacks on Russia, targeting refineries and power stations in Moscow. Russia downplayed the attack, saying that it downed more than 150 Ukrainian drones. On Tuesday, two Russian ballistic missiles hit a military institute and a hospital in Poltava, Ukraine, killing 51 and injuring 271, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack was the deadliest strike on Ukraine this year. On Wednesday, another Russian strike in Lviv killed seven civilians. Russia's latest attacks follow a Ukrainian ground incursion

Starting point is 00:06:10 into Russia. On August 6th, Ukrainian troops entered Kursk, a Russian region north of Ukraine. Four weeks later, Ukraine still maintains a ground presence in Kursk, as well as control of about 500 square miles and 100 settlements. Last week, Ukraine launched a drone strike on an oil depot in Russia's Kirov region, about 700 miles north of Ukraine, the deepest strikes into the Russian territory since Russia invaded Ukraine two and a half years ago. Russia's recent attacks on Poltava in central Ukraine and Lviv in the far west of the country represent a continuation of Russian strikes deep into Ukraine's interior. In late August, a massive attack by Russia temporarily incapacitated parts of Ukraine's

Starting point is 00:06:49 power grid and water service, impacting 15 regions and threatening the Kyiv hydroelectric power plant dam that, if compromised, could displace millions of civilians. On Monday, Russia launched 35 missiles and 23 attack drones at Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Ukrainian defenses intercepted most of the barrage, but the attacks spurred NATO member nation Poland to activate its defenses. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made significant changes to government leadership ahead of a planned visit to the United States. Dmitry Kuleba, who served as Ukraine's foreign minister since 2020, submitted his resignation Wednesday morning.

Starting point is 00:07:25 The day prior, Arms Chief Oleksandr Komyshin, Justice Minister Denis Maliuszka, Environment Minister Ruslan Sturlec, and Deputy Prime Minister Ola Stefanishina also submitted their resignations. Zelensky's plan is likely to involve newly arrived F-16s and a drive for the United States

Starting point is 00:07:41 to lift its ban on long-range weapons usage, on top of the strikes deeper within Russian territory that began last month. While specifics remain unknown, greater latitude to strike back against Russia appears to be the centerpiece of the new Ukrainian strategy. Speaking at a forum on Tuesday, Zelensky indicated that the Kursk incursion was the first part of a four-part plan for victory. The second stage would secure Ukraine's strategic place in the security infrastructure of the world, Zelensky said. Stage three would pursue a powerful package

Starting point is 00:08:09 of forcing Russia to end the war in a diplomatic way, and the fourth step would be economic. Despite Ukraine's incursion in Dekursk, Russia maintains a significant degree of control on the front in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces have gained 93 square miles in August in the eastern Donetsk region, according to the OSINT telegram channel Deep State, and are poised to threaten the logistical hub of Pokrovsk. The developments in the war, in particular the recent attacks in Lviv and Poltava, have put the United States' support for Ukraine

Starting point is 00:08:39 back into the spotlight. This assault is a tragic reminder of Putin's ongoing and outrageous attempts to break the will of a free people, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Make no mistake, the spotlight. This assault is a tragic reminder of Putin's ongoing and outrageous attempts to break the will of a free people, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Make no mistake, Russia will not prevail in this war. The people of Ukraine will prevail. Today, we'll get into what the right and the left are saying about the latest in the war, as well as some views from abroad, and then Isaac's take.

Starting point is 00:09:14 We'll be right back after this quick break. Are you sure you parked over here? Do you see it anywhere? I think it's back this way. Come on. Hey, you're going the wrong way. Feeling distracted? You're not alone.

Starting point is 00:09:32 Whether renting, considering buying a home, or renewing a mortgage, many Canadians are finding it hard to focus with housing costs on their minds. For free tools and resources to help you manage your home finances and clear your head, visit Canada.ca slash ItPaysToKnow. A message from the Government of Canada. Based on Charles Yu's award-winning book, Interior Chinatown follows the story of Willis Wu, a background character trapped in a police procedural who dreams about a world beyond Chinatown.

Starting point is 00:09:57 When he inadvertently becomes a witness to a crime, Willis begins to unravel a criminal web, his family's buried history, and what it feels like to be in the spotlight. Interior Chinatown is streaming November 19th, only on Disney+. All right, first up, let's start with what the right is saying. The right is mixed on the status of the war, with some questioning the strategy behind Ukraine's recent offensive. Others say the U.S. needs to maintain its support for Ukraine at this critical juncture. In The Hill, Andrew Latham called the Kursk incursion a fool's errand that

Starting point is 00:10:34 may allow a Russian victory. Ukraine's Kursk operation has unfortunately devolved into a fool's errand, a glorified light cavalry raid or medieval chevouchier that has diverted Ukrainian energies away from the center of gravity in the war against Russia. Rather than drawing Russian forces away from more critical battlefronts in Donetsk, the incursion has dispersed Ukrainian forces, allowing the Russian military to focus on the current center of gravity in this conflict and accelerate its push towards the strategically vital city of Pokrovsk. Although bold maneuvers and psychological operations may have their place, the primary objective for both sides remains control over strategically significant territories.

Starting point is 00:11:13 This is why Ukraine must reassess its strategic priorities, Latham wrote. The war has already taken a heavy toll on Ukrainian forces, and the risks of overextension are becoming increasingly apparent. By reinforcing key positions and ensuring that every move is calculated and purposeful, Ukraine can better withstand Russian advances and protect its territorial integrity. In the New York Post, Jonathan Sweet and Mark Toth said, Zelensky's Kursk offensive blows up Harris Biden's Russia reset dreams. Zelensky finds himself needing to take his case directly to the American

Starting point is 00:11:45 people amidst a presidential election cycle that is relegating Ukraine to the rear. His upcoming trip to New York to attend the UN General Assembly is another Gettysburg-like fixed bayonets moment for Ukraine's leader. He has the Kremlin on its heels and knows the time is now to press his advantages, momentum, initiative, and maneuver, Sweetentoth wrote. Zelensky only needs American weapons and the authority to use them to close the deal, and some American backbone too. The Harris-Biden administration's restrictions on U.S. weapons and the weapons systems of other NATO countries for defense purposes only is a failed technique. The war continues to escalate as the West clings to the idea of wrangling some sort of negotiated outcome

Starting point is 00:12:25 that will allow Washington to reset relations with Moscow, Sweetentoth said It's time for Washington to get firmly behind Zelensky and his generals and bring this war to a just conclusion Absent Biden's own plan to win the war or a clearly defined definition of victory the Harris-Biden administration would be well served to listen and act on Zelensky's proposal. All right, that is it for what the right is saying, which brings us to what the left is saying. The left remains supportive of the Ukrainian war effort, arguing the Kursk incursion represents a turning point in the conflict. Some say the road ahead is perilous, but Ukraine is showing it can still win. In the New York Times, Serge Shmaimon suggested

Starting point is 00:13:13 Putin is getting rattled. In purely military terms, Ukraine's surprise incursion of Russia earlier this month is a dubious gamble. The more significant potential of the invasion lies on the other front, that of information, propaganda, morale, image, and competing narratives. That is where the fight is being fought to keep the West involved, to keep Ukrainians hopeful, and to get Russians worried

Starting point is 00:13:34 about the toll of the war in lives and treasure, Shmaiman wrote. By moving into Kursk, Ukraine's military has loudly advertised its boldness just when it looked like its troops might never regain their initiative. Just as important, Ukraine's move into K advertised its boldness just when it looked like its troops might never regain their initiative. Just as important, Ukraine's move into Kursk highlights the inherent contradiction

Starting point is 00:13:49 in Mr. Putin's propaganda, which portrays the conflict as a proxy war against Western powers trying to deny Russia its destiny and one in which a calm, united, and prosperous Russia is certain to prevail. But that illusion falls apart once Ukrainian forces have succeeded in slicing into Russia

Starting point is 00:14:06 and forcing tens of thousands of Russians to flee their homes. In the Washington Post, Max Boot wrote about how Ukraine is upending assumptions. The success of the Kursk offensive has offered a welcome boost to Ukrainian morale after nearly two years

Starting point is 00:14:20 in which the front lines have barely budged, even as casualties have piled up on both sides. Meanwhile, an analysis of Russian social media posts suggests that public attitudes towards Vladimir Putin have turned more negative as a result of the Ukrainian advance, Boot said. But like all military operations, this one is a gamble, and the Kursk offensive comes at a cost. While Ukrainian troops are advancing into Russia, they are falling back in their own territory. Whatever happens in Kursk, the success the Ukrainians have so far enjoyed reveals that Russian red lines are not

Starting point is 00:14:50 as menacing as President Joe Biden seems to imagine in setting sharp limitations on the use of U.S. weaponry against Russian territory, Boot wrote. It's time for fresh thinking at the White House, too, and for the administration to finally deliver the strategy for victory in Ukraine that Congress mandated as part of its last aid package in April. All right, that is it for what writers from the right and the left are saying, which brings us to what some international writers are saying. Ukrainian writers praise the military's recent advances and say Zelensky should continue putting pressure on Putin. Other writers abroad call on Western leaders to increase arms support in Ukraine. In USA Today, Oleksandr Musyanenko wrote about the tasks ahead for Ukraine. In our war with Russia, the Ukrainian offensive into the Russian Kursk region

Starting point is 00:15:35 demonstrates that after more than two years, Ukraine is still capable of winning, Musyanenko said. The Ukrainian armed forces face the following military tasks, stopping the enemy's advance, inflicting minimum losses And preventing Russian forces from achieving operational strategic success The approach to achieving this is clear Redeploy additional forces to the east Work with our western partners to obtain more weapons Apply them on the battlefield and thereby halt the enemy

Starting point is 00:16:01 Forcing Putin to make concessions can only be achieved through military pressure. This is exactly what is happening now. It is also important to demonstrate the weakness of Putin's power in Russia, exposing the true nature of his dictatorial regime, Musinenko said. When the conquest of foreign territories means more than protecting one's own,

Starting point is 00:16:19 when Putin's army kills civilians in Ukraine and does not defend its own people on its own territory, the internal political problems of Russia become apparent to everyone. army kills civilians in Ukraine and does not defend its own people on its own territory, the internal political problems of Russia become apparent to everyone. The Observer editorial board argued Putin's retaliation against Ukraine must persuade Biden to relent over arms. The huge waves of lethal Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities last week had three main aims. One was to re-terrorize a civilian population grown accustomed to a certain level of attrition. Russia's. One was to re-terrorize a civilian population grown accustomed to a certain level of attrition. Russia's second objective was to exact revenge for Ukraine's

Starting point is 00:16:50 audacious military incursion into its Kursk region, the board wrote. Challenging this idea that Ukraine can survive and win seems to be Putin's third objective. The Russian president hopes to frighten governments such as Germany's where fears about spillover run deep and convince Western opinion that continued assistance is futile. It is vital that U.S. President Joe Biden reverse his opposition to Kiev firing U.S.-supplied Atacombs long-range rocket artillery at airfields and bases deep inside Russia from which the murderous attacks are being launched, the board said. which the murderous attacks are being launched, the board said. Despite the Kremlin's claims, this would not amount to a declaration of war between the West and Russia, nor would it lead to a nuclear brink, as Biden fears. Russia constantly ups the verbal ante, but its actions are more circumspect. Putin is dangerous, but not suicidal. All right, let's head over to Isaac for his take. First, let me just start here. In September of 2022, I wrote a media critique about the coverage of this war that I'd like to reiterate right now. I said, quote,

Starting point is 00:18:05 I hate the media narratives that treat war, death, bombings, prisoners, torture, hunger, like a football game. Momentum and surprises and comebacks and advances. It is not that. Remember, we aren't talking about the war-ravaged eastern part of the country here. Ukraine's success is that they have retaken

Starting point is 00:18:23 thousands of square miles of territory that were peaceful and intact just a few short months ago. It has taken tens of thousands of dead and wounded, billions of dollars of military aid, and months of unbelievably grim warfare to get back to something close to neutral in one corner of the country, end quote. Anyone who's been following my writing since the beginning will not be surprised about my feelings today. First and primarily, my hope is that Ukraine's incursion into Russia can change the fundamentals of this war. Remember, Russia started this. It invaded Ukraine because Vladimir Putin believes a country of 40 million people belongs to Russia. Putin has not been shy about his motivations. One of the great injustices of the war has been that Putin can invade Ukraine,

Starting point is 00:19:07 turn life in Ukraine to hell for its millions of citizens, and then lie to his own people with impunity about what is going on. Ukraine's incursion into Russian-controlled territory changes that. It brings the war to Russian citizens in a way that cannot be avoided. I don't know what Ukraine's strategy is.

Starting point is 00:19:23 It's possible they might not know either. Perhaps it wants to change the front lines of the war, drawing Russian forces away from the Donbass. Maybe it wants to take Russian territory for future armistice negotiations. Maybe it simply wants to inflict some of the same horror and terror it is experiencing onto Russian citizens or give a morale boost to its military or a bit of all of the above. Russian citizens or give a morale boost to its military or a bit of all of the above. Regardless, it's hard not to admire the resolve of its army. Two and a half years in low morale, limited support from the globe, and they can still change the quote-unquote momentum,

Starting point is 00:19:59 even if just perceived. Second, it's important not to sugarcoat where things stand. Russia responded to these advances by hammering Ukraine with a wave of missile and drone attacks that have terrorized its civilian population, damaged its infrastructure at the harsh winter, and served as a reminder that Russia can do untold damage in a limited amount of time. They've sent the message to the Ukrainian civilians that it can still get worse and that the war is not winnable.

Starting point is 00:20:21 Ukraine is not at an advantage right now, as much as I and many people in the West want it to be. And for all the talk of momentum, it's very possible that that swing only exists in the media coverage, not on the ground. As Andrew Latham wrote under what the right is saying, Russia has not diverted any of its forces to the Kursk region. Instead, they've turned up the aggression and range of their strikes within Ukraine. It's worth remembering two historical tenets of Russian warfare that Putin is likely to continue. Win by attrition and use land as a weapon. In other words, Ukraine's offensive might look great right now, but it might not look so good when Ukraine has to decide whether to double down

Starting point is 00:20:58 on supplying its forces in Russian territory in January. Third, and finally, it is odd to consider how our own domestic politics are going to impact the future on the front lines of this war. In the UK, the Observer's editorial board described the United States as, quote-unquote, distracted, which, honestly, I think is a pretty good way to put it. Politically and culturally, the focus here

Starting point is 00:21:20 is all on the Harris versus Trump 2024 election matchup. And if that focus is veering into foreign policy, it is mostly about Israel-Palestine and the ongoing battle between protesters and supporters of Israel here at home. For example, the DNC not allowing a pro-Palestine speaker generated more buzz than Ukraine advancing into Russian territory.

Starting point is 00:21:40 I have no idea how that will impact the contours of the war going forward. Perhaps some moment will wake us up from our slumber. For instance, a new Department of Justice indictment alleges that two former Russia Today employees have laundered millions of dollars through a media company that is bankrolling Dave Rubin, Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, and other U.S. pundits. This is not Russia fear-mongering or hoaxes, but an actual reminder of the way Russia operatives try to influence life here at home. We wrote yesterday to be wary of Russian interference stories as they're designed to try to divide us further and to be prepared for them to keep coming as we head into November. In the meantime, Ukraine's leaders are inventing new weapons on the battlefield, pleading for continued support, and doing everything they can to

Starting point is 00:22:23 maintain morale at home. It's hard to imagine how much longer the war can go on in what appears to be a stalemate, but somehow there's still no end in sight. Much like Israel's response to October 7th, my worst fears about how this would go down have come true. The war has spread, has moved into its third year, has likely cost hundreds of thousands of lives on both sides, and still has no end in sight. We'll be right back after this quick break.

Starting point is 00:22:57 From Searchlight Pictures comes A Real Pain, one of the most moving and funny films of the year. Written and directed by Oscar-nominated Jesse Eisenberg and starring Eisenberg and Emmy Award winner Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain is a comedy about mismatched cousins who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the pair's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. A Real Pain was one of the buzziest titles at Sundance Film Festival this year, garnering rave reviews and acclaim from both critics and audiences alike. See A Real Pain only in theaters November 15th. Got a mortgage? Chances are you're thinking about your payments right now. Need help? Ask your bank about relief measures that may be available to you.

Starting point is 00:23:41 Learn more at canada.ca slash it pays to know. A message from the Government of Canada. Based on Charles Yu's award-winning book, Interior Chinatown follows the story of Willis Wu, a background character trapped in a police procedural who dreams about a world beyond Chinatown. When he inadvertently becomes a witness to a crime, Willis begins to unravel a criminal web, his family's buried history, and what it feels like to be in the spotlight. Interior Chinatown is streaming November 19th, only on Disney+. All right, that is it for my take, which brings us to something a little different today. I want to

Starting point is 00:24:25 give a response to some readers. Yesterday was one of those days where a number of Tangle readers unsubscribed from our newsletter because they didn't agree with something that I said. When people unsubscribe, we have this automated email system that asks for feedback. I'm going to summarize the kinds of responses we got to those emails, plus the responses we got to yesterday's newsletter. People were upset that I said Trump lies a lot without listing lies that Biden has told. People were upset that I called Kamala Harris a flip-flopper because Trump changes his position on things a lot. People were upset that I blamed the Afghanistan withdrawal on Biden because Trump's deal with the Taliban constrained what Biden could do. People did not agree with my stance that Trump broke the rules at Arlington

Starting point is 00:25:09 Cemetery. People were upset that I criticized Trump over the Arlington Cemetery controversy because Harris and Biden didn't even go to the ceremony. So first, let me give some quick responses to a lot of this criticism. One, I listed lies that Trump has told recently. If you want to contest that I reported those claims inaccurately, that's fine. But don't get upset that I reported something that's true. Two, Harris is a flip-flopper and Trump has changed his position on issues. These things are not mutually exclusive. Three, yes, Biden bears the brunt of blame for the Afghanistan withdrawal, but I did link to a story about Trump's role in it as well. Four, using footage from the visit to Arlington

Starting point is 00:25:51 Cemetery for a TikTok post seems like a pretty clear violation of Arlington's rules against filming for political purposes. And five, Biden and Harris were not invited to Arlington, so it's very weird to criticize them for not going. I've said this before, but it's worth repeating sometimes. Engaging in a wide range of opinions is the entire point of Tangle. If you are looking for a news organization where you are going to be told things you agree with, you should look somewhere else.

Starting point is 00:26:18 I'm not trying to be coy about that. Also, you'll notice that the criticisms above are coming from the left and the right. Everyone who has partisan beliefs can find something to be upset about in most Tangle editions and often in my takes. I'm not trying to be centrist on every issue. I'm not trying to be left or right biased on every issue. I'm trying to give my honest opinion about what I am thinking and seeing. I happen to believe my politics are pretty middle of the road. You may disagree, and that's okay. You shouldn't run from that, but engage. So please keep reading, keep writing in,

Starting point is 00:26:56 just don't run away. All right, that is it for my take and a little message to our readers and listeners. I'm going to send it back to John for the rest of the pod, and I'll be back tomorrow. Have a good one. Peace. Thanks, Isaac. Here's your under the radar story for today, folks. As part of a suite of new economic proposals, Republican candidate Donald Trump is expected to announce that he will institute a government efficiency commission recommended by Elon Musk if elected president. The commission would conduct a complete financial and performance audit of the federal government,

Starting point is 00:27:22 making recommendations for drastic reform, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The goal would be to identify fraud, waste, and improper payments. Trump and Musk have continued to grow close during his campaign, and the Tesla CEO tweeted his approval for the idea shortly after the story broke.

Starting point is 00:27:38 The Wall Street Journal has this story, and there's a link in today's episode description. All right, next up is our numbers section. The number of days since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began is 924. The percentage of U.S. adults who said Ukraine was winning the war in June of 2024 was 11%, according to an Economist YouGov poll. The percentage of U.S. adults who said Ukraine was winning the war in August of 2024 is 22%. The percentage of U.S. adults who were in favor of increasing or maintaining military aid to Ukraine in August of 2024 was 52%. The estimated number of Russian troops killed or wounded between the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and June 2024 is 350,000, according to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The estimated

Starting point is 00:28:27 number of Ukrainian troops killed or injured between February 2022 and August 2023 is 170,000, according to U.S. estimates. The estimated number of Ukrainian civilians killed or wounded between February 2022 and July 2024 is 35,160, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights. The estimated number of active Ukrainian and Russian soldiers, respectively, as of 2024, is 900,000 and 1,320,000. And the approximate number of people evacuated from the Kursk and Belgorod regions in response to Ukraine's Kursk incursion is 100,000, according to Russian authorities. And last but not least, our Have a Nice Day story. On July 31st, 39-year-old Robert Skok started a hike with his dog in the North Cascades of Washington State.

Starting point is 00:29:19 Five days later, a park ranger found his dog, but Skok remained missing. Later, a park ranger found his dog, but Skak remained missing. Then, on August 30th, a crew working on the trail heard Skak yelling for help and was able to safely evacuate him to a hospital for treatment. He's in a lot of pain and he isn't speaking very well, but he's coherent and seemed in pretty high spirits, Skak's mother said. We're really in disbelief about this. Cascadia Daily has this story and there's a link in today's episode description. All right, everybody, that's it for today's episode.

Starting point is 00:29:48 As always, if you'd like to support our work, please go to readtangle.com and sign up for a membership. We're going to be releasing some of our interviews and content that we filmed while Isaac and I were at the DNC. That's going to be coming out throughout the week. The best way to stay informed about when that's going to come out is to go to our YouTube channel and click subscribe. Also, click the notification bell for other updates. Isaac and Ari will be here for the Sunday podcast, and I will be back on Monday. For the rest of the crew, this is John Law signing off. Have a fantastic weekend, y'all. Peace. Our podcast is written by me, Isaac Saul, and edited and engineered by Duke Thomas. Our script is edited by Ari Weitzman, Will Kabak, Daily Saul, and Sean Brady.

Starting point is 00:30:31 The logo for our podcast was made by Magdalena Bokova, who is also our social media manager. The music for the podcast was produced by Diet75. And if you're looking for more from Tangle, please go check out our website at readtangle.com. That's readtangle.com. That's readtangle.com.

Tangle - The latest in the Ukraine-Russia war

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