Shannon Monaghan
@shannonmonaghan.bsky.social
Military Historian (PhD) / Ukraine book TO DIE WITH SUCH MEN (Hurst 2025) / WWII-Cold war book A QUIET COMPANY OF DANGEROUS MEN (Viking 2024) www.shannonmonaghan.com
Pinned
To Die With Such Men: Frontline Stories from Ukraine's International Legion
To Die With Such Men: Frontline Stories from Ukraine's International Legion [Monaghan, Shannon] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. To Die With Such Men: Frontline Stories from Ukraine's International Legion
bit.ly
My new book To Die With Such Men, which follows a unit of Western volunteers fighting in Ukraine, is out in the US today:
"Even if you have experienced combat, these men's incredible courage, toughness and loyalty to each other leaves you in awe." -- Gen. Walter Boomer (Retd), USMC
bit.ly/4j5kbsE
"Even if you have experienced combat, these men's incredible courage, toughness and loyalty to each other leaves you in awe." -- Gen. Walter Boomer (Retd), USMC
bit.ly/4j5kbsE
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Forthcoming in February 2026, my new book Replaying the Second World War: Soviet Parallels and Inspirations for Russian Atrocities in the Russo-Ukrainian War, 2014-25, out with ibidem Press and distributed by Columbia University Press. cup.columbia.edu/book/replayi...
Replaying the Second World War | Columbia University Press
Oleksa Drachewych argues that Russia’s instrumentalization of its memory of WWII has played a significant role in leading Russian forces to commit similar ... | CUP
cup.columbia.edu
November 13, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Forthcoming in February 2026, my new book Replaying the Second World War: Soviet Parallels and Inspirations for Russian Atrocities in the Russo-Ukrainian War, 2014-25, out with ibidem Press and distributed by Columbia University Press. cup.columbia.edu/book/replayi...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
This would be great but it’s kinda funny that Germany would still have a small total force + reserve than Finland (wartime strength 280,000 and total reserve about 900,000)
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
November 13, 2025 at 9:50 PM
This would be great but it’s kinda funny that Germany would still have a small total force + reserve than Finland (wartime strength 280,000 and total reserve about 900,000)
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
I have had another great talk with Jonathan from @siliconcurtain.bsky.social. You can listen to it here.
As Russia reduces Povrovsk to rubble, a transformation of battlefield tactics is taking place, forced by the rapid evolution of 'saturated' drone warfare. Drones favour the defender, but also mean that Russia is more of a threat. With @anderspucknielsen.dk - youtu.be/8p7oiuXe71g
Pokrovsk - Are Russian Logistics & Reserves 'Breaking' in Besieged City?
YouTube video by Silicon Curtain
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I have had another great talk with Jonathan from @siliconcurtain.bsky.social. You can listen to it here.
Former MI6 chief Richard Moore on Ukraine: "'This is a very, very winnable contest,' he says. 'It’s particularly important that we don’t snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.'" www.ft.com/content/acfe...
Former MI6 chief Richard Moore: Britain must regain the ‘power of example’
The outgoing head of the Secret Intelligence Service on the rise of China, why Putin is not interested in talks — and how screen spies aren’t always far from the truth
www.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Former MI6 chief Richard Moore on Ukraine: "'This is a very, very winnable contest,' he says. 'It’s particularly important that we don’t snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.'" www.ft.com/content/acfe...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Foreign Minister of Poland Radosław Sikorski:
"We think that if Putin succeeded in conquering Ukraine, we would be next.
You know, we will eat grass rather than become a Russian colony again," @radek-sikorski.bsky.social said.
"We think that if Putin succeeded in conquering Ukraine, we would be next.
You know, we will eat grass rather than become a Russian colony again," @radek-sikorski.bsky.social said.
November 12, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Foreign Minister of Poland Radosław Sikorski:
"We think that if Putin succeeded in conquering Ukraine, we would be next.
You know, we will eat grass rather than become a Russian colony again," @radek-sikorski.bsky.social said.
"We think that if Putin succeeded in conquering Ukraine, we would be next.
You know, we will eat grass rather than become a Russian colony again," @radek-sikorski.bsky.social said.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
“The Russians repeatedly ignored all other attempts to talk about substance, the diplomat said. Instead, they offered to set up Whatsapp groups, working groups and other processes they could use to trick the Americans into believing the talks were making progress.” www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Ukraine’s peace negotiator on what was said in the room with the Russians
Sergiy Kyslytsya, a top diplomat, says the Russian approach was to try to anger the Ukrainian delegates so that they could be blamed for talks being derailed
www.thetimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:52 PM
“The Russians repeatedly ignored all other attempts to talk about substance, the diplomat said. Instead, they offered to set up Whatsapp groups, working groups and other processes they could use to trick the Americans into believing the talks were making progress.” www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Another reminder that this war is not about territory, but about Russian imperialism and Putin's 'great power' delusions: www.wsj.com/world/russia...
What the Looming Fall of a Ukrainian City Says About Putin’s War
The brutal fight for Pokrovsk points to the Russian leader’s aims and the problem with peace talks.
www.wsj.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Another reminder that this war is not about territory, but about Russian imperialism and Putin's 'great power' delusions: www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
As usual, ignore the clickbait title, but also as usual, @hugorifkind.bsky.social manages to cram a lot of sharp qs into this 10-minute Times Radio chat about Putin and the updated version of my WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT PUTIN (published last week)
youtu.be/DyuzfMba1C4?...
youtu.be/DyuzfMba1C4?...
Putin looks 'withered' from chaotic strategy depleting forces in Pokrovsk | Mark Galeotti
YouTube video by Times Radio
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 2:47 PM
As usual, ignore the clickbait title, but also as usual, @hugorifkind.bsky.social manages to cram a lot of sharp qs into this 10-minute Times Radio chat about Putin and the updated version of my WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT PUTIN (published last week)
youtu.be/DyuzfMba1C4?...
youtu.be/DyuzfMba1C4?...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
🔴 Ukrainian medics have begun documenting cases of gas gangrene, a severe bacterial infection once associated with the trenches of World War I.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
united24media.com/latest-news/...
Trench Disease Returns: WWI-Era Gas Gangrene Reappears Among Wounded Soldiers
Ukrainian medics report a rise in gas gangrene cases, a historical infection re-emerging due to delays in evacuating wounded under continuous attacks.
united24media.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
🔴 Ukrainian medics have begun documenting cases of gas gangrene, a severe bacterial infection once associated with the trenches of World War I.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
united24media.com/latest-news/...
Really important points on Pokrovsk and the new disadvantages of Russia's strategic depth (you can't protect everything with air defenses and General Winter is no longer on Russia's side): stefankorshak.substack.com/p/november-7...
November 7 2025 — Day 1352a — Strikes That Shock, The Pokrovsk Winkle, Tea Party Tangent
Hi All!
stefankorshak.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Really important points on Pokrovsk and the new disadvantages of Russia's strategic depth (you can't protect everything with air defenses and General Winter is no longer on Russia's side): stefankorshak.substack.com/p/november-7...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Look what you made us do: How to realise a European-led NATO: ecfr.eu/article/look...
Look what you made us do: How to realise a European-led NATO
America’s gradual retreat from European security under the current Trump administration is reshaping NATO’s centre of gravity. To keep the alliance credible and united, Europeans not only need to…
ecfr.eu
October 31, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Look what you made us do: How to realise a European-led NATO: ecfr.eu/article/look...
Incredibly important reading that Western education usually misses -- on the beginning of WWII in eastern Europe, and its very belated end.
Injustice begets injustice. Russia’s war against Europe today stems from the unpunished legacy of Soviet crimes against Europe, whose perpetrators were neither held accountable nor whose ideology was fully discredited. shekhovtsov.substack.com/p/defeating-...
Defeating the Russian Behemoth in the Historiverse
The Second World War is not over until the world condemns the Soviet crimes
shekhovtsov.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Incredibly important reading that Western education usually misses -- on the beginning of WWII in eastern Europe, and its very belated end.
"Since November 2022, Russia has been able to advance at only a painfully slow crawl, conquering an additional 1% of Ukraine at the cost of over a million dead and maimed Russian soldiers, by Western calculations." www.wsj.com/world/europe...
As Putin Digs In, a Long—and Different—War With Ukraine Looms
Long-range strikes on infrastructure are becoming increasingly critical as front-line advances stall.
www.wsj.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:52 PM
"Since November 2022, Russia has been able to advance at only a painfully slow crawl, conquering an additional 1% of Ukraine at the cost of over a million dead and maimed Russian soldiers, by Western calculations." www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
The Trump administration finally doing things that will annoy Moscow is unexpected and welcome. But it will take a great deal more to make any real difference to Russia’s determination to destroy Ukraine.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
October 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The Trump administration finally doing things that will annoy Moscow is unexpected and welcome. But it will take a great deal more to make any real difference to Russia’s determination to destroy Ukraine.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
“Eighteen months ago drones could target anyone 5km from the front line. Now that has extended to 15km.”
Ukrainian drones are killing ever more soldiers
economist.com/europe/2025/...
from The Economist
Ukrainian drones are killing ever more soldiers
economist.com/europe/2025/...
from The Economist
Ukrainian drones are killing ever more soldiers
Russia is grinding ahead but paying an excruciating price
economist.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
“Eighteen months ago drones could target anyone 5km from the front line. Now that has extended to 15km.”
Ukrainian drones are killing ever more soldiers
economist.com/europe/2025/...
from The Economist
Ukrainian drones are killing ever more soldiers
economist.com/europe/2025/...
from The Economist
Remarkable numbers, worth reading.
October 20, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Remarkable numbers, worth reading.
A thread worth reading.
“I had read Hemingway and Remarque for years. I thought they knew everything about war. But they didn’t know mine.”
“When I came back from the front and saw my bookshelf, I felt like a fool,” wrote 25y old Ukrainian soldier and author Artur Dron in UP. 1/
“When I came back from the front and saw my bookshelf, I felt like a fool,” wrote 25y old Ukrainian soldier and author Artur Dron in UP. 1/
October 13, 2025 at 7:27 PM
A thread worth reading.
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Here is @nigelgould-davies.bsky.social on Russia’s disruption campaign against Europe. I’m not sure I would be so optimistic on the Kremlin being worried by US & EUR behaviour, but the conclusion is unshakeable: absent a serious response, this will get much worse.
www.iiss.org/online-analy...
www.iiss.org/online-analy...
October 8, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Here is @nigelgould-davies.bsky.social on Russia’s disruption campaign against Europe. I’m not sure I would be so optimistic on the Kremlin being worried by US & EUR behaviour, but the conclusion is unshakeable: absent a serious response, this will get much worse.
www.iiss.org/online-analy...
www.iiss.org/online-analy...
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
"Russia appears to be conducting concerted preparations as part of the physical and psychological condition-setting phase for war contingencies."
- ISW:
- ISW:
NEW: Russia appears to be accelerating the informational and psychological condition-setting phase — “Phase 0” — of its campaign to prepare for a possible NATO-Russia war in the future.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 6, 2025: isw.pub/UkrWar100625
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 6, 2025: isw.pub/UkrWar100625
October 7, 2025 at 8:11 AM
"Russia appears to be conducting concerted preparations as part of the physical and psychological condition-setting phase for war contingencies."
- ISW:
- ISW:
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
And here we go. I never wrote this article, and yet it is cited here.
www.liberalbriefs.com/geopolitics/...
And of course, it sounds so plausible, I seriously checked whether I had forgotten it, or the footnote was slightly wrong.
#AIisnotresearch
www.liberalbriefs.com/geopolitics/...
And of course, it sounds so plausible, I seriously checked whether I had forgotten it, or the footnote was slightly wrong.
#AIisnotresearch
October 7, 2025 at 8:17 AM
And here we go. I never wrote this article, and yet it is cited here.
www.liberalbriefs.com/geopolitics/...
And of course, it sounds so plausible, I seriously checked whether I had forgotten it, or the footnote was slightly wrong.
#AIisnotresearch
www.liberalbriefs.com/geopolitics/...
And of course, it sounds so plausible, I seriously checked whether I had forgotten it, or the footnote was slightly wrong.
#AIisnotresearch
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Hi all,
I published my latest Missile Matters post earlier today, examining the reported drop in Ukraine’s ballistic missile intercept rate from 37 to 6 percent, as covered by the Financial Times.
Access the full post here:
missilematters.substack.com/p/what-happe...
Short summary below.
1/6
I published my latest Missile Matters post earlier today, examining the reported drop in Ukraine’s ballistic missile intercept rate from 37 to 6 percent, as covered by the Financial Times.
Access the full post here:
missilematters.substack.com/p/what-happe...
Short summary below.
1/6
What Happened to Ukraine's Ballistic Missile Defense? Explaining the Reported Drop in Patriot's Effectiveness
Explaining the Reported Drop in Patriot's Effectiveness
missilematters.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Hi all,
I published my latest Missile Matters post earlier today, examining the reported drop in Ukraine’s ballistic missile intercept rate from 37 to 6 percent, as covered by the Financial Times.
Access the full post here:
missilematters.substack.com/p/what-happe...
Short summary below.
1/6
I published my latest Missile Matters post earlier today, examining the reported drop in Ukraine’s ballistic missile intercept rate from 37 to 6 percent, as covered by the Financial Times.
Access the full post here:
missilematters.substack.com/p/what-happe...
Short summary below.
1/6
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Hard agree. It's a paradox that in Denmark right now, there is a discussion about whether it would be an aggressive move to acquire long-range strike capabilities that can reach Russia. How do these people assume we will be fighting a war if we don't have weapons that can reach the enemy?
I subscribe to too many emails, but one of the few I actually read is Missile Matters. It’s suitably geeky, and provides a deeper understanding of missile warfare which is a topic you see discussed surprisingly often in news and social media these days 😅
This week’s conclusions are spot on.
This week’s conclusions are spot on.
October 7, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Hard agree. It's a paradox that in Denmark right now, there is a discussion about whether it would be an aggressive move to acquire long-range strike capabilities that can reach Russia. How do these people assume we will be fighting a war if we don't have weapons that can reach the enemy?
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
Ukraine seems determined to prevent another winter of Russian attacks on its power grid by adopting an eye-for-an-eye approach. This shows that Ukraine is now confident enough in its strike capability to use it not only for ongoing attacks, but also as a tool of military deterrence. ⬇️
What is Ukraine saving its missiles for?
YouTube video by Anders Puck Nielsen
youtu.be
October 6, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Ukraine seems determined to prevent another winter of Russian attacks on its power grid by adopting an eye-for-an-eye approach. This shows that Ukraine is now confident enough in its strike capability to use it not only for ongoing attacks, but also as a tool of military deterrence. ⬇️
Reposted by Shannon Monaghan
EU decision making reminds me of what Bill Gates said about how we overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten.
EU close up looks pretty slow, but as Max points out, taken together it moves faster than you think.
EU close up looks pretty slow, but as Max points out, taken together it moves faster than you think.
So much of the coverage of the EU is hyper-micro. It's all about the sausage making. So story out of Copenhagen European Council is "dithering," "all talk, no action," nothing fully agreed, etc. It's an effing meeting! Take a step back... they are moving on Eurobonds/frozen Russian assets. 1/
October 2, 2025 at 3:20 PM
EU decision making reminds me of what Bill Gates said about how we overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten.
EU close up looks pretty slow, but as Max points out, taken together it moves faster than you think.
EU close up looks pretty slow, but as Max points out, taken together it moves faster than you think.