Happy Divorce.

Many may not know this, but with Russia slowly withdrawing from ISS--with Angara A5 success the road to Russian orbital station is now wide open--NASA and Roscosmos actually agreed to maintain common standards on docking equipment for the foreseeable future in case US and Russia should act in orbital emergencies. That means one side will be able to aid another in case the evacuation will be needed. It is a sad reality but Washington did everything it could to demolish the last vestiges of US-Russian cooperation. 

Stuart, of Imperial College, said that the way the station is built enforces cooperation between nations that find little else to agree about. "Although strong words have been used on both sides since the conflict in Ukraine, in reality, the agencies involved in the station—as well as the hardware of the station itself—are interdependent in a way that has so far ensured a stable, if tense, continuation of operation," said Stuart. "Over the past decades of operation, other political tensions between the US and Russia have led to questions about the future of the ISS, but it has always weathered the storm," said Stuart. The future of the ISS, if Russia does act on its threats and withdraws, appears bleak. It would be difficult to get the ISS to even move without Russian help, said Virts. And transporting astronauts to the station would be more difficult, as under the ISS agreement, Russia flies international teams from its Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

So, it is what it is and it is not going to be any different for a long time. Russia is breaking off most of the contacts with the West despite some moves of this nature:

Emmanuel Macron se rend mardi à Vassieux-en-Vercors, dans la Drôme, pour rendre hommage au maquis du Vercors, marqué par un massacre de civils pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Cette visite intervient à l’occasion du 80ème anniversaire de la Libération. Une cérémonie internationale sera organisée en Normandie, le 6 juin prochain. La Russie sera bien invitée, mais pas son président Vladimir Poutine. Selon les informations d’Europe 1, la Russie sera bien représentée début juin en Normandie si toutefois Moscou accepte l’invitation de l’Élysée, et sauf coup de théâtre, le président russe Vladimir Poutine ne participera pas en personne aux commémorations mais une délégation russe y sera conviée. La Mission Libération chargée d'organiser cette commémoration a confirmé dans l'après-midi cette information, en précisant bien que le maître du Kremlin ne sera pas invité en raison de la "guerre d'agression" russe en Ukraine.

Translation:  Emmanuel Macron goes to Vassieux-en-Vercors, in Drôme, on Tuesday to pay tribute to the Vercors maquis, marked by a massacre of civilians during the Second World War. This visit takes place on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation. An international ceremony will be organized in Normandy on June 6. Russia will be invited, but not its president Vladimir Putin. According to information from Europe 1, Russia will be well represented at the beginning of June in Normandy if, however, Moscow accepts the invitation from the Élysée, and barring a twist, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not participate in person in the commemorations but a delegation Russian will be invited. The Liberation Mission responsible for organizing this commemoration confirmed this information in the afternoon, specifying that the master of the Kremlin will not be invited due to the Russian "war of aggression" in Ukraine.

French really need a lesson in history--USSR in WW II was fighting against Nazism; present day France, UK and USA support Nazism of 404 variety. The only reason Russian delegation may materialize in Normandy is to pay respect to Allied soldiers and officers who fought against the same enemy. Present Western elites are supporters of Nazism and terrorism and are clear and present enemies of Russian people. IF Moscow accepts. Plus, the invitation is not from officials in the West, it is from organizers of the event. 

Meanwhile:

Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken with his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, following Tehran’s drone and missile attack on Israel, the Kremlin has said. Iran launched scores of drones and missiles against Israel on Saturday, as “punishment” for the bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria that killed seven high-ranking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force officers at the beginning of the month. Raisi phoned Putin on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the “aggravated situation” in the region and the “retaliatory measures” taken by Tehran, according to the readout of the call. Putin “expressed hope that all parties will show reasonable restraint and will not allow a new round of confrontation, fraught with catastrophic consequences for the entire region,” the Kremlin said. Raisi “noted that Iran’s actions were forced and limited in nature,” adding that Tehran was “not interested in further escalation of tensions.” Both presidents agreed that the root cause of the current conflict is the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict, calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, deliveries of humanitarian aid, and the creation of conditions for a political and diplomatic settlement.

Israel now lives in a different world since Saturday and faster Tel-Aviv wakes up to the reality the better chances it may have for survival in some form. Judging by a strong showing of Hasbara on each and every available public platforms, Iran did hurt Israel where it mattered and demonstrated what has been known for a while--US-made AD/ABM systems such as their Israeli knockoffs do not work in real war against technologically advanced opponent. Iran, evidently, also tested some new cruise missiles which did penetrate Israeli AD. In coming days and months we will find out more about that fateful night. 

In related news, legendary Commander of Akhmat Brigade (then the corps commander) Major-General Apti Alautdinov was appointed First Deputy of the Commander of Main Political Directorate of Russian Armed Forces. This is big and, highly likely, opens a wide path for Alautdinov towards huge political career in highest echelons of power in Russia. Alautdinov commands a profound professional respect in Russian Armed Forces and universal admiration and respect among overwhelming majority of Russians. Congratulations to Apti Aronovich Alautdinov--a great son of Chechen people and Russia. So, this is your brief SitRep for this Tuesday.