View Full Version : Here we go again-Ukraine once again
We sit in fear of things that may happen.
Very much like waiting for the Pearl Harbor attack.
We all know Putin will do such an end around Game.
Hit his arse NOW! Or suffer the final Game.
Jeff, The A team player .Aka the United States and it's intelligences haven't been hitting 8 cylinders since Korea and every country the U.S. has stuck it's nose into it's intelligence has been wrong. Result dead people and a lost war. That is the truth. So how do we get out of a head on with Russia? I'm just a citizen. I have to wonder how many people have to die so the Elite's and their families can survive. They seem to be running the every day man into battle against one another. Even countries can be destroyed so they can survive. I'm just a citizen, But if i was a Soldier i would certainly look at my oath but then oath's can change can't they. And the reason that intelligence is so important Well hell a Politician doesn't really know anything past the lies they spout' They stand up promises lies, And we do know from the day Trump was sworn into office. The FBI,CIA Homeland Security and any of a half dozen other security originations Threw their oath in to a garbage can and crawled into the bed of snakes. Happy Mushroom cloud this summer.
Yes this is a call out to the Democrat base that elected Joe Biden. I'm sure you didn't see this coming ? So how will you stop your President from starting a nuclear war?
Will Joey and the Democrats stop a Mushroom cloud in Europe? I don't think so. It has to happen for the great reset. And if it happens Germany will no lounger exist. And they will be free of their burdens. Bulgaria and Poland well they joined and they are expendable but they are being told they are the Spearhead of Democracy. The real question is who really is the power behind Democracy. I my self I want a Republic by the people who are smart and can run a country based on a society who endeavors to be Achievers. Look if you want to learn to read and write and learn math and join us! If not join the Socialists One World Order. With this society you can be what ever you want based on you skin color and your dreams you will be guaranteed to achieve great things. Until the money runs out and you will be right back on same block u started from. Only the people you jumped over will look at your failure in a different way. And before I start getting smacked with the racist crap someone anywhere on this planet tell me where we can celebrate Causican day?
Aktungbby
04-28-22, 03:17 AM
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/five-chinese-companies-have-suspended-business-in-russia/ar-AAWEo50?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=aba9a7d4c0834ca7a462518f2c2a5198 The number of Chinese companies that have suspended operations in the Russian market has now reached five, following drone maker DJI's decision to halt business activities in Russia and Ukraine this week.
DJI's civilian drones are used by both Russian and Ukrainian forces in their ongoing conflict, aiding operations ranging from general battlefield surveillance to precise artillery targeting. The company, headquartered in Shenzhen, had previously expressed its opposition to the use of its products for military purposes, but said it was unable to deactivate individual devices in the field.
"DJI is internally reassessing compliance requirements in various jurisdictions. Pending the current review, DJI will temporarily suspend all business activities in Russia and Ukraine," the popular drone company said on its website on Monday.
In March, Mykhailo Federov, Ukraine's digital minister, called on DJI to stop selling its drones in Russia, whose soldiers he said were using the devices "to navigate their missile to kill civilians."
Last week, the firm, which has a large footprint in Europe and North America, said it would "never accept any use of our products to cause harm." Its business partners have committed "not to sell DJI products to customers who clearly plan to use them for military purposes," it said. "They understand we will terminate our business relationship with them if they cannot adhere to this commitment.":hmmm:Well it's in the right direction imho Though i expect its only to to prevent NATO getting too strong when China takes its own turn at disrupting the "world order" in Taiwan...
That is very good news indeed!! :Kaleun_Applaud:
Jimbuna
04-28-22, 07:06 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9kI3ygUSVk
Blow it out of your pants Putin!! :yawn:
Jimbuna
04-28-22, 08:20 AM
The Kremlin warns that sending heavy weapons to Ukraine threatens security in Europe.
Dmitry Peskov responded after the UK foreign minister said a Ukrainian victory was a "strategic imperative"
But Nato's secretary general says the alliance is ready to support Ukraine for years, warning the war could "drag on"
UN chief Antonio Guterres says war in the 21st Century is an "absurdity" as he visits sites around Kyiv that had been occupied by Russian troops.
Days after meeting President Putin in Moscow, he says he wants to help organise humanitarian evacuations in Mariupol.
Ukraine's president says Russia is using gas and trade as a weapon after state-run firm Gazprom cut supplies to Poland and Bulgaria.
Following statement is from a Danish newspaper
Is he bluffing or will he make real of his threat ?
In Yesterday transmission from the Russian Duma Putin threaten....
(rest was behind paywall)
Do we us ordinary folks have enough knowledge to determine if Putin is mad enough to do it.. Press the button
Markus
Russia's tanks in Ukraine have a 'jack-in-the-box' design flaw. And the West has known about it since the Gulf war
Russian tanks with their tops blown off are just the latest sign that Russia's invasion of Ukraine isn't going to plan.
Hundreds of Russian tanks are thought to have been destroyed since Moscow launched its offensive, with British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace on Monday estimating it had lost as many as 580.
But Moscow's problems go beyond the sheer number of tanks it has lost. Experts say battlefield images show Russian tanks are suffering from a defect that Western militaries have known about for decades and refer to as the "jack-in-the-box effect." Moscow, they say, should have seen the problem coming.
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/27/europe/russia-tanks-blown-turrets-intl-hnk-ml/index.html
Following statement is from a Danish newspaper
Is he bluffing or will he make real of his threat ?
In Yesterday transmission from the Russian Duma Putin threaten....
(rest was behind paywall)
Do we us ordinary folks have enough knowledge to determine if Putin is mad enough to do it.. Press the button
Markus
First, he does not press a button there is a system with several people in between to start a launch and if he does MAD (Mutual assured destruction) will activate Russia knows this.
First, he does not press a button there is a system with several people in between to start a launch and if he does MAD (Mutual assured destruction) will activate Russia knows this.
As I posted some pages back here in this tread I translated a long Danish article in which it said that Putin lives in his own imaginary world.
Only hope is if he should go mad, that the other who also shall give the order refuse to do so
(I don't know the procedure in launching nukes in Russia)
Markus
Kherson official: Russia lacks people's support for staged referendum in Kherson.
According to Yurii Sobolevskyi, deputy head of Kherson Regional Council, Russian occupiers have no support from the locals and are thus unable to hold a staged referendum.
As I posted some pages back here in this tread I translated a long Danish article in which it said that Putin lives in his own imaginary world.
Only hope is if he should go mad, that the other who also shall give the order refuse to do so
(I don't know the procedure in launching nukes in Russia)
Markus
If he pushes the button he won't be able to spend all of that money. :yep:
Jimbuna
04-28-22, 01:01 PM
Kherson official: Russia lacks people's support for staged referendum in Kherson.
According to Yurii Sobolevskyi, deputy head of Kherson Regional Council, Russian occupiers have no support from the locals and are thus unable to hold a staged referendum.
That wouldn't stop it happening and a staged result being announced.
Jimbuna
04-28-22, 01:04 PM
One of Germany's biggest energy firms has said it is preparing to buy Russian gas using a payment system that critics say will undermine EU sanctions.
Uniper says it will pay in euros which will be converted into roubles, meeting a Kremlin demand for all transactions to be made in the Russian currency.
Other European energy firms are reportedly preparing to do the same amid concerns about supply cuts.
Uniper said it had no choice but said it was still abiding by EU sanctions.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61257846
That wouldn't stop it happening and a staged result being announced.Sure, the result is already in print available.
Jimbuna
04-28-22, 01:15 PM
Sure, the result is already in print available.
Rgr that :yep:
Rockstar
04-28-22, 02:32 PM
These top European energy companies are set to pay for Russian gas in rubles to meet Putin's demands despite EU warnings: report
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/european-energy-giants-russian-natural-gas-ruble-payments-eu-sanctions-2022-4
Companies in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia are set to meet the Kremlin's demand that natural customers register for a new payment mechanism that facilitates ruble payments, the Financial Times reported.
Despite warnings from the European Union that such payments would violate sanctions, distributors in the four EU nations are preparing to register with Gazprombank in Switzerland, sources told the FT, to meet the ruble payment requirement.
Two of the largest importers of Russian gas are said to be participating — Düsseldorf-based Uniper and Vienna-based OMV. And by the end of May, Italy's Eni may sign up for the ruble payments as well, though it is still considering its options, according to the FT.
On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported four European natural gas buyers have already paid Russia in rubles for supplies, though it didn't mention which ones.
Putin threatened last month to cut off gas supplies to nations that did not pay in rubles. On Wednesday, Russia halted shipments to Poland and Bulgaria, triggering a 28% surge in European gas prices. Gazprom said the stoppage occurred because the two nations didn't offer payment in rubles.
For nations complying with the new ruble payment scheme, they must pay Gazprombank in euro-denominated deposits, which the firm would then convert to rubles in a second account opened in their name.
Earlier this week, however, Gazprombank rejected a ruble payment from a trading firm Germany had seized from Moscow.
Despite widespread condemnation of Russia's war on Ukraine, Europe remains heavily dependent on Russian energy.
In April, Ukraine had called for the world's largest energy traders to stop handling Russian oil altogether.
"They are in this cycle of financing war crimes and genocide against Ukrainian citizens," Oleg Ustenko, advisor to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the FT.
—————————————-
Russia declines Germany's ruble payment for gas after cutting off supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, report says
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russia-natural-gas-germany-ruble-payment-poland-bulgaria-cut-off-2022-4
Russia's Gazprombank turned down a ruble payment from a trading firm Germany had seized from Moscow, sources told Bloomberg.
The payment for some April and May gas deliveries to Germany and Austria was rejected even though the trading firm — Gazprom Marketing & Trading (GM&T) — offered to pay in rubles, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded.
GM&T previously was controlled by the German subsidiary of Russian state-run Gazprom, but Germany took over the unit in April. Now, the rejected ruble payment suggests Moscow looks to shut out a German-controlled GM&T.
The trading firm, which is among many that import gas to Germany, is still in talks with Gazprombank to push the transaction through, sources told Bloomberg.
The standoff comes as the Kremlin uses its energy exports to retaliate against Western nations that have imposed sanctions on Russia for its war on Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Moscow halted natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, sending European gas prices up 28% and adding to concerns that Putin could target other nations on the continent. Gazprom said the reason for the gas halt is that both countries failed to pay in rubles.
Meanwhile, four European gas buyers have paid Russia in rubles for supplies, complying with Moscow's demands, according to Bloomberg, which also said 10 European countries have opened accounts at Gazprombank to make ruble payments.
https://i1.wp.com/www.occidentaldissent.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/putin-clap.jpg
These top European energy companies are set to pay for Russian gas in rubles to meet Putin's demands despite EU warnings: report
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/european-energy-giants-russian-natural-gas-ruble-payments-eu-sanctions-2022-4
—————————————-
Russia declines Germany's ruble payment for gas after cutting off supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, report says
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russia-natural-gas-germany-ruble-payment-poland-bulgaria-cut-off-2022-4
https://i1.wp.com/www.occidentaldissent.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/putin-clap.jpg
It is unclear which energy companies have already opened accounts with Russia's Gazprom Bank. There they can pay in euros or dollars, after which the bank converts the money into rubles and pays the bill for the gas purchased from Gazprom. Incidentally, the European Commission says that paying for Russian gas in Western currency does not violate sanctions against Russia. "What the Russians do with the money after that is their business," it said.
This book have become a favorite among Ukrainian children in Denmark
https://www.lbbonline.com/news/ukrainian-language-childrens-book-welcomes-refugees-to-denmark
https://d3bzyjrsc4233l.cloudfront.net/django-summernote/2022-04-06/ea7ce9bd-8966-4c62-9ead-5a753b564952.pdf
Markus
Aktungbby
04-28-22, 03:14 PM
The rot from within is beginning to manifest itself; Putin's regime kills women and children??!! 5 oligarchs have recently died "by suicide" including family members.:hmmm:" https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/putin-s-nemesis-says-assume-the-worst-over-russian-oligarch-deaths/ar-AAWHca0?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=f8291ff65a9d43a89d6ca32374e01cfb Financier and political activist Bill Browder has said "one should assume the worst" about the spate of unexplained deaths among Russian oligarchs.
Investigations are underway into the deaths of Vladislav Avaev, former vice president of Gazprombank, as well as his wife and daughter, who were found dead in their Moscow apartment on April 18.
A day later, Sergey Protosenya, ex-manager of Russia's energy giant Novatek, his wife and daughter were also found dead in a house in Spain. There has been enough empirical evidence of assassinations organized by the Kremlin or business rivals in Russia, to make it likely that these were murders and not suicides and other explanations that have been bandied about by the Russian authorities," he tells Newsweek. "Any time there is a lot of money involved, one should assume the worst."
While Browder did not know any of the particular circumstances of these individuals, he says they could have been victims of someone who "wanted a cut of the money that these people had access to and they weren't sharing it."
Russia's oligarchs and officials who owe their positions to the patronage of President Vladimir Putin have been a focus for the American-born Browder since the death of his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky.
While working for Browder's firm, Hermitage Capital, Magnitsky uncovered how Russian interior ministry officials had fraudulently taken over three companies belonging to Hermitage and used them to claim a $230 million tax refund.
Jeff-Groves
04-28-22, 04:05 PM
Maybe Putin got the idea from the 'Clinton Body count'?
:hmmm:
Skybird
04-28-22, 07:33 PM
First, he does not press a button there is a system with several people in between to start a launch and if he does MAD (Mutual assured destruction) will activate Russia knows this.
It was a system of two "first keys" (Putin and Shoigu) and any of these would authorize the use of the the only "second key" (Gerasimov) which would start the mechanism. It was reported that in 2020 or so Putin reduced the number of keys by one. I take it as granted that he did not give up his own key. Go figure. We had this in this thread somewhere, two months ago.
The nuclear doctrine of Russia was also changed, making the use of nuclear weapons much easier - if Russia'S interests cannot be served in any other way. As I understand it, it goes beyond defensive means. Putin's rhetoric meets this. How ever the detials may be, its cleare to me that PÖutin can choose any way he wants, and he faces no checks and balances and situation and context definitions anymore - that was the purpose of the chnages in nuclear dictrine 2020. Like the rest olf Russia he has designed it all that only one guy decides, and decides on everything: himself.
AFAIK, NATO has never given up either its own doctrine of first use of nukes, but in a defensive context: if conventional defense cannot hold up to stop an aggressor into NATO territory. The meanwheile avialable so-called General Defence Plan leaves no doubt on that NATO would have never allowed the USSR to win a war in Europe, even at the price of nuclear devastation. On the other hand its is my argument that the USSR would have started any such war with nuclear strikes on airfield and hardened C3I systems, probably also harbours, maybe POMCUS sites.
Skybird
04-28-22, 07:35 PM
The rot from within is beginning to manifest itself; Putin's regime kills women and children??!!
Sorry, he does that since many, many years, and in huge quantities. He already did it before he even became "president". Chechnya. Georgia. Syria. And assassinations inside and outside Russia. Murder and mass murder always was part of Putin's identity.
Skybird
04-28-22, 08:42 PM
In the opinion of the EU Commission, it is okay for importers to keep a euro or dollar account with Gazprombank. However, the authority advises the companies to issue a declaration after the transfer in euros or dollars that they hereby consider the invoice settled. After all, the contracts are also denominated in euros and dollars. "What the Russians do with the money afterwards is up to them," a commission official said Thursday - in other words, the buyers are no longer responsible for what happens to the foreign currency.
At the same time, however, the official clarified that importers would not be allowed to open a second ruble-denominated account with the financial institution - as Moscow has mandated: "It would be a violation of the sanctions if a company accepts to open a second account to meet the demands," he said. The commission argues that this second account creates a system in which importers make a de facto loan to the sanctioned central bank: The groups transfer euros and dollars to Russia, no longer have control over the money, but Gazprom does not consider the bill settled until rubles are eventually received in the second account.
Maria Demertzis, the deputy head of the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel, says, however, that the sophisticated exchange system would not work without this ruble account of the gas buyer. If Putin wants to bypass the Western financial system for the exchange, the importer would have to have a euro account and a ruble account at the Russian bank, she explains.
The big question, therefore, is how the Russian government and Gazprom will react if importers like Uniper only partially implement Putin's decree. The Russians could accept it and be satisfied that at least foreign currency will continue to arrive. Or they could use this as an excuse to halt supplies. Demertzis says Russia may even be earning from the blockade of Poland and Bulgaria: "There are only small volumes and sales falling away, and at the same time the price of gas has gone up because of the action."
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Buddahaid
04-29-22, 12:05 AM
Spam
Like it or not, Ukrainian women have become one of the most popular women in the world. Why? Because they are the most beautiful. Some might say Russian women are the most beautiful, but they are wrong. These days, Russian women are one of the most modern women in the world. Most of them are very educated and can think for themselves.
What sort of hooey is that?? :oops:
I think you're right Buddahaid!! :yep:
:spammm:
Skybird
04-29-22, 06:25 AM
Creeping horror - the unthinkable slowly but surely becomes thinkable.
FOCUS:
Many experts predict that Vladimir Putin wants to celebrate a great victory in Ukraine on May 9, a Russian holiday. But signs are mounting that this is not to be the day of victory at all - but the day of great mobilization.
Several experts believe that Vladimir Putin is not targeting a major victory for May 9, but is planning a major mobilization.
According to war analysts, Russia has realized that a quick victory in eastern and southern Ukraine is not possible. Instead, there is to be a major offensive in the summer.
The rhetoric in Russia is changing. The conflict with Ukraine is now becoming a conflict with NATO. The Russians are planning for a longer war.
May 9 is a special day for Russia. It is the day of victory for the country. The day of the surrender of the German army in 1945. Every year Moscow celebrates this date with a parade. In the wake of the Ukraine war, many experts assume that Vladimir Putin wants to celebrate a great victory on this day. A great victory that he urgently needs to strengthen his power.
But not all war analysts still share this view. Jack Watling and Nick Reynolds of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) assume a different scenario in their latest study on Russia's "Operation Z" in Ukraine. They believe that Putin does not want to celebrate victory on May 9, but rather unleash an inferno.
Watling and Reynolds write, "May 9 has morphed from a deadline for victory into a beginning of a huge mobilization." The Russian leadership, they say, recognized that it needed time to achieve its goals in eastern and southern Ukraine. To do that, they say, they need a major offensive in the summer.
A serious victory by May 9 has long been unlikely, they say. Therefore, the "Victory Day" could be used to mobilize large numbers of troops. War researchers speak of a "turning point." "May 9 could be the day when the Russian leadership no longer speaks of a "special military operation" but of "war."
The rhetoric is already changing in Russia at present, Watling and Reynolds say. It is no longer about a conflict with Ukraine. The statements of the Russian leadership have long been about a conflict with NATO. Foreign Minister Lavrov, for example, recently emphasized that NATO is waging "a proxy war in Ukraine." In addition, he said, Russia was preparing - also economically - for a long war.
Experts from the Center for European Policy Analysis (Cepa) also come to this assessment. In a report, they write, "Russia's military believes that it is a mistake to limit the war's goals. They argue that Russia is not fighting Ukraine, but NATO." The Russian military, she said, is therefore calling for all-out war, including a major mobilization.
Mike Mazarr, defense expert at the U.S. think tank Rand Corporation writes of the new theory, "It could be threatening tactics by the Russians. But it could also be true and Putin is actually changing course. The risk of such a scenario cannot be ignored."
If Putin really does launch the national mobilization on May 9 and announces to his people that they are at war with NATO, Mazarr says that would create "a major dilemma for the U.S. and NATO." So far, he said, the U.S. has been trying to "massively weaken" Russia. But if Putin continues to escalate the situation, the question arises whether direct war intervention can still be avoided.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (http://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)
I was wondering about May 9th, too, but hoped the Russian Adolf would just try to get away with announcing a fake victory. Since some days I do not hope that anymore. The rhetoric for Russia is becoming more and more hysterical and hostile, and I said often enough that Russian Adolf is a psychopath who can behave and is trapped in just one single behaviour pattenr he knows: escalation, never admit a sign that could be itnerpreted as weakness, always escalating, escalating, escalating, the only answer to just anything.
I must admit I think the most likely scenario now looks as if it will be that in a few weeks we all will be officially at war with Russia. Our nations better start to get their acts together. 30 years of sleepwlaking cannot be comepsnated in just a few weeks, oibviously.
Markus, you were the first again in this forum pointing out this scenario of Russia and NATO being at war with each other, in the very beginning already ypu painted that scenario. I didn't believe it woulod get this far. But again it looks you are set to be right.
And people call me a pessimist! Obviously even my unwelcomed views in the past years were still too optimistic.
Skybird
04-29-22, 07:48 AM
Lend-and-lease 2.0.
DW:
It is December 17, 1940, when Franklin D. Roosevelt reminds the U.S. of the importance of having a garden hose in an emergency situation. Five weeks earlier, the German Luftwaffe had razed the English city of Coventry to the ground; Britain's main ally, France, had been defeated by the Nazis months earlier; British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had then written a desperate letter to the U.S. president in early December, with a fiery appeal to deliver destroyers against the German submarines.
Roosevelt therefore appeared before the press a good year after the start of the Second World War and explained to his compatriots in advance the Lend-Lease Act, which he would sign on March 11, 1941: "If there is a fire at my neighbor's, I will of course lend him my garden hose and not say to him, 'Mr. Neighbor, the hose cost $15, you must now pay me the $15.' I don't want the US$15 - I want my garden hose back when you put the fire out."
The U.S. lends its garden hose, under the Lend-Lease Act, to France and to China, but mostly to Great Britain and later to the Soviet Union in the fight against the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan. Heavy weapons, ammunition, vehicles, gasoline, aircraft, and foodstuffs such as canned meat totaling nearly $50 billion are leased, with the option to pay later - until the program expires in August 1945, shortly after the end of World War II.
War-crucial aid to Britain and the Soviet Union.
"Lend-Lease was absolutely essential to the ability of Britain and the Soviet Union to fight the war. In early 1941, just before the Lend-Lease Act was passed, Churchill tells the British monarch King George VI that without it, Britain would not be able to go on and win the war," says Charlie Laderman.
Charlie Laderman | Lecturer in International History at King's College London
Laderman is a historian and lecturer in international history at King's College in London. In his book "Five Days in December," he and Irish historian Brendan Simms have meticulously reconstructed how the defeat of the Axis powers began in late 1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the German declaration of war on the United States. The Lend-Lease Act, he says, was decisive in the war,especially the support for the Soviet Union.
"It gave Soviet forces the mobility they needed for their advances from 1943 to 1945. The Soviets denied this after the war, but even Vladimir Putin later admitted it," Laderman says. The Red Army advanced with the support of tens of thousands of trucks from U.S. carmaker Studebaker. Even the turnaround of the war at Stalingrad in 1942 would not have happened the way it did without the Lend-Lease Act, many historians are certain.
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev recounted that Stalin once told him, "If the United States had not helped us, we would not have won the war. If we had had to fight Nazi Germany one on one, we would not have been able to withstand the pressure of Germany and we would have lost the war." At the Allied conference in Tehran in late 1943, Stalin, keeping quiet about supplies at home, even raised his glass to the U.S. automobile and oil industries.
Nearly eight decades later, two senators recall the Lend-Lease Act that helped bring the Nazis to their knees during World War II: John Cornyn, who has represented the state of Texas in the Senate for 20 years, and his Democratic colleague Ben Cardin of Maryland introduce the "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act" as a bill April 6 in the House, which passes it unanimously. If the initiative also passes the House of Representatives, the U.S. will be able to deliver weapons and other aid to Ukraine for two years more quickly and with less red tape.
"If we believe the U.S. supports freedom and democracy, we must provide Ukraine with the weapons necessary to protect its citizens. I urge the House of Representatives to pass this legislation as quickly as possible so that our promises to our allies do not fall flat," Cornyn said. Already, U.S. military aid since the war began totals $3.7 billion.
So can the Lend-Lease Act be a game-changer, as it was 80 years ago, as the U.S. hopes? And how does the situation today compare with that of then? "It remains unclear whether defense assistance will be enough to beat Putin," says historian Laderman. In any case, he says, the world is a different place today, and Putin is not Hitler. "But in fighting Putin's war of aggression, Western statesmen face the same dilemma as their predecessors in 1941. For Hitler, the Lend-Lease Act was tantamount to a U.S. declaration of war, even without a formal declaration."
The United States became the arsenal of the Allies in World War II through the Lend-Lease Act, even now the U.S. is the country that supplies most of the weapons to Ukraine: Howitzers, Russian-made helicopters, armored personnel carriers, drones. The West, Laderman said, must now watch closely how Russia reacts to a Lend-Lease 2.0: "Putin already saw himself trapped in a conflict with the West; for him, it makes no difference whether there is indirect or direct support for Ukraine. So it is unlikely that the adoption of the Lend-Lease Act is a turning point for Putin. On the other hand, this conflict also shows that Putin, like Hitler, is capable of disastrous games and miscalculations."
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Skybird
04-29-22, 03:08 PM
Poland will deliver Ukraine 200 tanks type T-72. Poland will also extend its aerial protection with its F-16s to Slovenia, while Slovenia will deliver its Mig-29s to Ukraine.
German chancellor Scholz' Airbus avoided to pass or even get near to Russian and Chinese airspace on his trip to and from Japan, instead extended the flight path by almost 2 hours while rerouting via Alaska and the North Pole. On his first visit to Asia, he did not prefer China for a first visit as Schroeder and Merkel always did after elecitons, but ignored Bejing completely.
nikimcbee
04-29-22, 03:25 PM
What sort of hooey is that?? :oops:
I think you're right Buddahaid!! :yep:
:spammm:
Porn industry. It would be interesting if you were able to filter out all of the Eastern European produced porn, how much would be left?
Hey look at all this freed up bandwith!:03:
Another mass grave containing 900 bodies has been found in the Kyiv region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says
Zelensky also said he would be willing to hold peace talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin despite Russian atrocities
Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says his country does not consider itself to be at war with Nato, state news agency Ria has reported
A senior defence official has said the US does not believe Russia will use nuclear weapons, Reuters reports
The US has accused the Russian president of "depravity and brutality" in his invasion of Ukraine
Markus
Another mass grave containing 900 bodies has been found in the Kyiv region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says
Zelensky also said he would be willing to hold peace talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin despite Russian atrocities
Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says his country does not consider itself to be at war with Nato, state news agency Ria has reported
A senior defence official has said the US does not believe Russia will use nuclear weapons, Reuters reports
The US has accused the Russian president of "depravity and brutality" in his invasion of Ukraine
Markus
Lavrov argued that "such a development increases the risk of nuclear war, which cannot be allowed." He went on to say that Russia is not threatening anyone with nuclear war. "It is Western countries that are talking about that."
Much Doublethink defiantly Doublethink
Skybird
04-29-22, 04:48 PM
I dont know why Comical Ivans still get their daily dose of radio time in Western media. Why does anyone still care for what any of their propaganda troops lies about? Lavrov's tongue is a flesh-eating made, it only is meant to bite and drill holes into the other's ears and brain.
Their military top leaders, are angry about how limited the war is, they want to become unleashed and oppenly talk of that they consider Russia to be at war with NATO, and want Russia to declare itself at war against NATO.
And Putin? We must and should be aware of it now at the latest: he sees NAOT waging war against Russia since the time before he even became El Presidente.
They can talk by deeds, and what they do, start to do, stop to do, never have done - that is the only thing nowadays I care to take as Russian communication worth to be taken note of. With mouthes they lie whenever they open them.
A friend wrote that we do not know what's going on inside this madmans head
This made me remember the movie with John Malkovich
Being John Malkovich
I know for sure there are psychiatrist, psychologist, psychoanalyst studying every step and word Putin takes and say
So you could say they are being Putin.
Markus
Skybird
04-29-22, 05:22 PM
..............."Long live Putin!"......................... "Keep it up!"..........................."We thank you!"
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/images/aktionaere_ts1/28292296/2-format1007.jpg
Shareholder meeting at Rheinmetall, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Thyssen-Krupp, Airbus etc
tmccarthy
04-29-22, 05:53 PM
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/5831/r2Da5H.png
tmccarthy
04-29-22, 05:54 PM
Latest on the Ukraine Russian war with Phil Giraldi, former CIA Case Officer and Army Intelligence Officer
https://youtu.be/cKDRT4PomWw
Ostfriese
04-30-22, 04:38 AM
The rot from within is beginning to manifest itself; Putin's regime kills women and children??!! 5 oligarchs have recently died "by suicide" including family members.:hmmm:"
Nothing new here, and there're still more than enough oligarchs left.
Skybird
04-30-22, 05:13 AM
NZZ:
Weapons deliveries no longer serve only to defend Ukraine, but also to weaken Russia's threat potential for the West. The goals cannot be separated; to renounce them would be irresponsible.
28 prominent German cultural figures published an open letter to Chancellor Scholz on the website of the magazine "Emma" on Friday. In it, they express their fear that the war in Ukraine could spread across Europe and even to a third world war. "The responsibility for the danger of an escalation to a nuclear conflict" is also borne by those, they argue, who "with their eyes open, provide the aggressor with a motive to act in a criminal manner, if necessary." They therefore call on Chancellor Scholz not to allow any further deliveries of heavy weapons to Ukraine and instead to help conclude a ceasefire as quickly as possible.
The concerned German celebrities' letter is in response to an escalation of the Ukraine war, which has crossed national borders in various ways in recent days. Last weekend in Kiev, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had bluntly stated his goal of seeing Russia weakened to the point that it "could not do such things as invade Ukraine in the future." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov then issued a dully threatening reminder on Russian television of "the serious, real and not to be underestimated danger" of a nuclear conflict.
Concerns about the catastrophe of a nuclear escalation of the Ukraine war are serious and respectable. But such warnings must not be allowed to dominate the West's political actions - because that would turn it into a puppet, remotely controlled by the brutal regime in Moscow against a deliberately constructed nuclear threat backdrop.
How should the West represent its interests vis-à-vis Russia - or any other nuclear power - in the future if it shrank from a tactically threatened nuclear escalation in every conflict? Such a maxim of action would be dangerous and would merely invite a dictator like President Putin to "criminal action." The United States and its allies have correctly recognized this.
They know that there is very little risk of Moscow directly attacking the all-powerful NATO alliance. U.S. President Biden on Thursday dismissed Russian talk of its nuclear weapons as irresponsible. Undeterred, he announced a huge further $33 billion aid package for Ukraine, of which the lion's share of more than $20 billion would go to further arms deliveries. At the same time, Congress activated a World War II law designed to facilitate the rapid delivery of weapons to Europe. Several European governments also reiterated their efforts to deliver heavy weapons such as tanks and artillery to Ukraine as soon as possible. They were not deterred from doing so by Russia's abrupt halt in the supply of natural gas to Poland and Bulgaria.
For the strategists in the White House, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the last two months has turned from a mere threat into an opportunity. And President Biden seems determined to seize that opportunity. Thanks to the Ukrainians' valiant will to defend themselves and the unexpected shortcomings of Russian forces, a scenario has suddenly emerged that Western geostrategists would hardly have dreamed of just a few months ago: The West can contribute to a possible - by no means certain yet - defeat and long-lasting weakening of Russia's military and political aggression potential by simply supplying money and weapons, without a significant risk of its own loss of life. It would be naïve to believe that a responsible U.S. government would pass up this opportunity.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Skybird
04-30-22, 06:18 AM
After the value of the Gepard delivery has meanwheile been relativized due to long training times and unsolved questions of ammunition supply, it is now reported that Germany is once again putting on the brakes, this time in the tank transfer action with Poland. Poland wanted and still wants to deliver P-91s, modernized T-72s from Polish production, to Ukraine in exchange for Leopard-2s from Germany. This has been planned and agreed with the Germans for weeks. However, as reported yesterday, the Poles are increasingly complaining that since then the Chancellor's Office has been mercilessly stonewalling and leaving any inquiries in this regard unanswered. In other words, nothing has been done since the decision and the Germans are currently doing nothing to implement this project.
In general, it must be noted that Blasen-Olaf is by no means leading in any way, but only pretends to move when he has been put under such massive pressure that he couldn't avoid having to move for the life of him - or at least to give the impression that he was doing so.
Miserable, shameful, disgusting.
It gets further reportet the Germans were checking whether they can and want send PZH-2000 howitzers. This time it is the German military warning against doing so. The german army has only 119 of these left - but of these only 39 are operational :haha: After the military warned of this, the government was all fire and flame for shifting attention to this. I assume it is another distraciton only, they know they cannot really afford to send any of these 39 howitzers, due to the already ridiculously low number available. So: all pose, no risk involved.
Polls show that Olaf the Procrestinator has nosedived in Germans' popularity, faster and steeper than any chancellor ever before him. Now the Greens' and SPD's youth organisations mull frontal and total opposition to raising spendings for the military. One cannot rule out that this government will not last over this year. Ironically, its weakest member is especially the caricature of a chancellor and his far left-leaning party whose Russophile wing still is strong and full of understanding for Russia's needs and wishes.
The Ukraine hears it and would turn away from these false friends in horror - if onloy it could afford it.
Jimbuna
04-30-22, 06:24 AM
Russia has been forced to merge and redeploy depleted and disparate units in eastern Ukraine, the UK's Ministry of Defence says.
Fighting continues in the Donbas region in the east. But the Russian campaign to seize it is behind schedule and moving slowly, a senior US defence official says.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the chances of peace talks ending are "high" because of Russia's "playbook on murdering people"
More than a million people have been "evacuated" from Ukraine to Russia since the invasion began, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says.
Ukraine has previously accused Russia of taking people across the border against their will and allegedly using them as hostages.
from the Danish newspaper EB
A clip from Russian state television in which the host and two guests discuss whether Russia should send nuclear missiles to the European capitals.
The clip has generated interest because the discussion is based on sending missiles from Kaliningrad, a Russian area between Lithuania and Poland, located 300 kilometers from Bornholm.
Russia has never confirmed that there are nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad, so the discussion about how long it would take the missiles to reach European hotspots has led to the clip being widely and widely shared.
Markus
Jimbuna
04-30-22, 10:45 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR_E8dvyaOI
Skybird
04-30-22, 11:05 AM
from the Danish newspaper EB
A clip from Russian state television in which the host and two guests discuss whether Russia should send nuclear missiles to the European capitals.
The clip has generated interest because the discussion is based on sending missiles from Kaliningrad, a Russian area between Lithuania and Poland, located 300 kilometers from Bornholm.
Russia has never confirmed that there are nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad, so the discussion about how long it would take the missiles to reach European hotspots has led to the clip being widely and widely shared.
Markus
Its known since quite some time now that they have tactical nukies there. Flight time from Kalioningrad to west of Berlin: less than 4:30. That leaves practically nill political early warning time to "decide" anything. Either you have an interception system installed and it is in auto mode and springs to life by itself, or you haven't (Germany hasn'). If you still need political decision making done and any such system switched on and then being used, you can as well put your hands down and just watch things happening.
That is why I have mentioned the Kaliningrad enclave again and again in recent years, it is a deep wound in NATO's front line, peppered with long range SAM sites, long range radar, ELINT, and missiles. NATO warned years ago that it would not be able to stop a ground offensive from here against the Baltic States and Poland.
Its known since quite some time now that they have tactical nukies there. Flight time from Kalioningrad to west of Berlin: less than 4:30. That leaves practically nill political early warning time to "decide" anything. Either you have an interception system installed and it is in auto mode and springs to life by itself, or you haven't (Germany hasn'). If you still need political decision making done and any such system switched on and then being used, you can as well put your hands down and just watch things happening.
That is why I have mentioned the Kaliningrad enclave again and again in recent years, it is a deep wound in NATO's front line, peppered with long range SAM sites, long range radar, ELINT, and missiles. NATO warned years ago that it would not be able to stop a ground offensive from here against the Baltic States and Poland.
Thank you Skybird for your comments I found an English article about the same
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10769957/Russian-propaganda-declares-nuclear-missile-strike-London-no-survivors.html
Markus
tmccarthy
04-30-22, 12:39 PM
Ihor Kolomoisky
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ihor_Kolomoyskyi
According to Putin, Roman Abramovich has been cheated by Igor Kolomoyskyi. Putin claimed that Kolomoyskyi had reneged on a contract with Abramovich, saying "He [Kolomoyskyi] even managed to cheat our Roman Abramovich two or three years ago. Scammed him, as our intellectuals like to say. They signed some deal, Abramovich transferred several billion dollars, while this guy never delivered and pocketed the money. When I asked him [Abramovich]: 'Why did you do it?' he said: 'I never thought this was possible":haha::har::haha::har:
Ihor Kolomoyskyi: The Most Powerful Ukrainian Oligarch
https://youtu.be/mXCNjRuLfm8
tmccarthy
04-30-22, 12:51 PM
Col. Richard Black: U.S. Leading World to Nuclear War:
https://youtu.be/dcp0TYx_eUI?t=1
Skybird
04-30-22, 02:22 PM
Russia announes the end of cooperation regarding the ISS. Talk is "of a year's notice".
A Russian recce plane has violated Swedish airspace east of Bornholm, then turned for Swedish mainland and violated airspace there again. If that was to make Sweden rethink the apparent decision to join NATO, I predict Russia will instead get the opposite of the wanted effect. :up:
Russia announes the end of cooperation regarding the ISS. Talk is "of a year's notice".
A Russian recce plane has violated Swedish airspace east of Bornholm, then turned for Swedish mainland and violated airspace there again. If that was to make Sweden rethink the apparent decision to join NATO, I predict Russia will instead get the opposite of the wanted effect. :up:
Some days Ago I read following in A Swedish newspaper
(From memory)
The Swedish security police (Säpo) have said that Sweden can expect pressure from Russia and it will be everything from violations of airspace and sea to the influence of the media, as well as politicians
Markus
Buddahaid
04-30-22, 02:45 PM
Putin is the one leading the world into nuclear war, the one violating agreements, the one attacking another sovereign state with imperialistic goals. We all know appeasment doesn't work.
Putin is the one leading the world into nuclear war, the one violating agreements, the one attacking another sovereign state with imperialistic goals. We all know appeasment doesn't work.
Well if former NATO leader is correct
as ex-Nato chief warns Russia could declare 'all-out war' in days
Then we must ask our self is it all-out war in Ukraine or against West(NATO) ?
Markus
Buddahaid
04-30-22, 03:20 PM
So let the bastard have his way now and then do it all over again when he picks his next target. Better now.
Putin is the one leading the world into nuclear war, the one violating agreements, the one attacking another sovereign state with imperialistic goals. We all know appeasment doesn't work.
Agree 100%.
Skybird
04-30-22, 05:10 PM
Well if former NATO leader is correct
as ex-Nato chief warns Russia could declare 'all-out war' in days
Then we must ask our self is it all-out war in Ukraine or against West(NATO) ?
https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2806200&postcount=3529
In nine days we may know more what they are up to. Personally I prefer if we would prepare for the worst. The laguage games the Russians play, Lavrov saying the exact opposite of what is claimed back in Moscow, are an indication, by empirical experience, that they indeed will escalate. Lavrov's only purpose and job is to mislead the West.
https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2806200&postcount=3529
I've read it and forgot about it
From your post
"Several experts believe that Vladimir Putin is not targeting a major victory for May 9, but is planning a major mobilization.
According to war analysts, Russia has realized that a quick victory in eastern and southern Ukraine is not possible. Instead, there is to be a major offensive in the summer.
The rhetoric in Russia is changing. The conflict with Ukraine is now becoming a conflict with NATO. The Russians are planning for a longer war. "
Well if true then he are going all in, in Ukraine.
Markus
I've read it and forgot about it
From your post
"Several experts believe that Vladimir Putin is not targeting a major victory for May 9, but is planning a major mobilization.
According to war analysts, Russia has realized that a quick victory in eastern and southern Ukraine is not possible. Instead, there is to be a major offensive in the summer.
The rhetoric in Russia is changing. The conflict with Ukraine is now becoming a conflict with NATO. The Russians are planning for a longer war. "
Well if true then he are going all in, in Ukraine.
Markus
When Russia went into Chechnya, Georgia we did nothing in Syria US have troops Russia never biaatch about that. Russia will not declare war on NATO, it will face a modern army that they are clearly not. NATO has every right to support Ukraine, Russia nuclear threat is only a threat Russia use bluff for +70 years on a large scale in a masterly fashion, they employ it with particular skill everything is secret. Just try to find out what is true & what is not.
The war studies visiting fellow at King's College London says: "Basically the Russians are gonna run out of troops, and the Ukrainians are going to counterattack."
The Russians have squandered their one chance to take the region, he believes.
"They pulled all of these mauled units out of Kyiv, and then tried to reconstitute them for combat in the east," he explains.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-61252785?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=626bfbe377811a20d37ca04b%26Russian+for ces+will+collapse+in+weeks%2C+predicts+military+ex pert%262022-04-29T15:23:10.730Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:51b698d9-0462-45b4-b181-22f19c94c74e&pinned_post_asset_id=626bfbe377811a20d37ca04b&pinned_post_type=share&fbclid=IwAR2VGjfyrUXr5Yr2a8UkAqmffSg7uNjOwFjSYIPtf Tl2V-NQIESA11uywvw
Markus
Skybird
04-30-22, 07:29 PM
Its worth to not forget that they may run out of those troops that they had activated for the Ukraine short holiday adventure - but that these numericallly are not all what the Red Army can show off with.
So far they do this war with a LIMITED mobilization of their forces. And that may change on May 9th.Putin stands with his back against the wall. His own top generals demand that the war goals are widened and the limited scope of the Ukraine war is being given up. Politically he must pose as a victor, and needs a "success", fake or not. The oligarchs have become a danger, why he has started to assassinate some of them. And in Putin's view of the world, NATO already is at war with Russia more or less since the USSR collapsed.
Its a repeated pattern with Putin. He escalates. Thats his character. In his thinking, showing signs that could be interpreted as weakness looses. Russia will reorient itself for a longer war, and for this it needs to activate more of its military potential.
I do not expect anything good on May 9th. At best we get more of just the same.
And he is old. What has he to lose? Nothing. Fear the old men, they have nothign to lose.
And he is old. What has he to lose? Nothing. Fear the old men, they have nothign to lose.
except their souls!! :yep:
Its worth to not forget that they may run out of those troops that they had activated for the Ukraine short holiday adventure - but that these numericallly are not all what the Red Army can show off with.
So far they do this war with a LIMITED mobilization of their forces. And that may change on May 9th.Putin stands with his back against the wall. His own top generals demand that the war goals are widened and the limited scope of the Ukraine war is being given up. Politically he must pose as a victor, and needs a "success", fake or not. The oligarchs have become a danger, why he has started to assassinate some of them. And in Putin's view of the world, NATO already is at war with Russia more or less since the USSR collapsed.
Its a repeated pattern with Putin. He escalates. Thats his character. In his thinking, showing signs that could be interpreted as weakness looses. Russia will reorient itself for a longer war, and for this it needs to activate more of its military potential.
I do not expect anything good on May 9th. At best we get more of just the same.
And he is old. What has he to lose? Nothing. Fear the old men, they have nothign to lose.
If Russia goes this is war it will take months to mobilize,that time gives Ukraine time to learn the new equipment hope they can defend themselves, but this will be a long war.
Kptlt. Neuerburg
04-30-22, 10:02 PM
except their souls!! :yep: I dunno if anyone who worked for an organization like KGB had souls.
tmccarthy
04-30-22, 11:19 PM
https://youtu.be/pBE37YROzrI
tmccarthy
04-30-22, 11:20 PM
https://youtu.be/YTXoYTt80T8?
em2nought
05-01-22, 03:04 AM
If we surrender now do we get Putin instead of Biden? :hmmm:
except their souls!! :yep:
And neither doe's the old rocking roll souls of the skeletons. That tell you you have to buy Electric why they burn the bones of the past.
Yes, The best brains that have graduated from our University's believe that We the American's have developed the best Socialist and Communal way of living that has ever been consivied.And if your Government's follow's the American plan you will never have to worry about nothing and you will be Happy. And you can save the Planet. And if those Horrible Russian people have to die, you know hey it's all about progressivisms and we here in America will do our Best, We will have and will always have The Brit's and The Lymie's Follow not their path but the American path. Don't believe me, How many of your children hate their color and past of their families, And want to get to America The Land of True Equality, Love and Harmony. WE detest any Socialist and Communal way of living other than American belief's and Standard's.
Skybird
05-01-22, 05:39 AM
According to a report by the German ministry of economy, over the duration of the war so far the German dependence on Russian oil has been reduced from around 35 percent last year to now 12 percent, and dependence on Russian gas from 55 percent before the war broke out to around 35 percent now. In the case of coal, dependence has fallen from 50 percent to around 8 percent since the beginning of the year as a result of contract conversions.
Thats undeniably progress, if true.
Oil is not that big a problem and already wa snot before the war, since the world market holds sufficient alternative offers (at higher costs, though). Its mainly about gas as a production ressource.
No word on metals and ores, petrochemical products (fertilizer, chemical catalysts for heavy industry processing), and grains. Germany is autark regarding wheat, but needs fertilizers of course (and for thos eit produces itself it needs - gas). Several other grains it needs to import.
Skybird
05-01-22, 05:51 AM
Frankfurter Rundschau has this nice good-night story:
Kherson - The moral condition of Russian servicemen and women seems to be deteriorating more and more as the Ukraine conflict drags on. An incident that allegedly took place near the port city of Kherson shows how low the discipline and camaraderie of President Vladimir Putin's troops has sunk. There, there had been hostilities among allied troops. According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, one of the issues at stake was the distribution of war booty.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported Saturday (04/30/2022) a skirmish between two different units of Russia. Violent clashes reportedly occurred between about 50 Chechen and an equal number of servicemen and women from the Buryat ethnic group. The Ministry of Defense speaks of mutual "shelling." The number of injured and dead is unknown so far. The information cannot yet be independently verified.
Reasons for the skirmish are said to have been, in addition to the "unfair distribution of the spoils of war," the "unequal conditions of deployment" of the two troops. While the Buryats had to fight on the front lines, Chechen troops were apparently only deployed far behind enemy lines. Their task would be to encourage the attacking troops and "open fire on those trying to retreat," according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.
After some Buryat fighters refused to take part in an assault operation, conflict allegedly broke out with the two Chechen forces. Some servicemen and women had complained of "deception" in agreeing and signing contracts to participate in Russian combat operations.
According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, many of the Russian troops continued to refuse to serve, even after being advised to do so by the Chechen unit. As a result, several military officers had been taken away in unknown directions.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (http://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)
Its not an army. Its an armed, marauding, murderous mob. Thugs with rifles.
Onkel Neal
05-01-22, 06:54 AM
All these people now making "surprise" visits to Ukraine...now it's down to Pelosi and all-time attention-seeker Angelina Jolie.
... it's all fun and games until Putin looses a nuke.
All these people now making "surprise" visits to Ukraine...now it's down to Pelosi and all-time attention-seeker Angelina Jolie.
... it's all fun and games until Putin looses a nuke.
While others sees this as the war is a fake
Markus
tmccarthy
05-01-22, 07:54 AM
2014 - FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
https://youtu.be/XPTHnyykQ9o
tmccarthy
05-01-22, 07:55 AM
https://youtu.be/WV9J6sxCs5k
Skybird
05-01-22, 09:50 AM
Yanukovich got elected, promising a pro-EU course which was why the majority of all Ukrainians and practically all in the Western and centre part of it elected him. Once he was in office he suddenly let drop the mask and gave crap for his former claim to bring the Ukraine into the eU, and tried to shift the Ukraine towards an orbit around Russia, whcuih as the Russian plan when bringing him into play. Which people did not like and had not elected him for, and so they started unrest, and then came the Maidain and plenty of dubious staged events and violence and shootings there and the "opposition" was blamed, and the Russian orchestrated unrest in the Eastern provinces of Ukraine broke lose. It ended with Russian spec ops starting to shoot on the Maidan, blaming it on the pro-Western protesters and the demnocratic oppsition that insisted on Yanokoviuch sticking to the politicala course he had promised and was voted for, and Putin sending little Greeen men. Yanokovich refused to do that, and so was chased away, and since then the narration goes that the elected govenrment was brouzght down by a Wetsenr conspriacy. But the conspiracy was bred by a government that came to power by lies and deception!, and it was brought down by people, who defended the promises the vote was decided by!
No wonder that Washington was worried and planned for how to shift things more in favour of a pro-West oriented instead of Russia-orbiting Ukraine.
Personally, I do not really care for the ukraine, its a democracy in a pitiiful and deeply corrupted state and too many oligarchs there have their hands deep in politics and backroom deals. I have no perosnal relaitons to thta place, but I feel a cultural, social closeness to the peopk,e that I do not feel with refgiugees form the Middle east and Africa. That may speak against me or not, but I dondt care, that is how I feel, and I think its just human. What i am concerned about is that Putin will not stop with the Ukraine. And THAT is the elephant in the room, the killer argument why Russia must be stopped in the Ukraine. Else we get a conflagration along - AND IN!!! - all of NATO's Eastern member states. Putin has said this very clearly, since many years: the fall of the USSR was a capital major desaster in human history, and he wants to bring it back at all costs. He wants to puish back the calender.
Nothing justifies the violence and barbary the Russian fascists have unleashed against the Ukraine and have brougt over the Ukrainian people. Nothing. Whjat they do there and how they do it, has nothiugnt o do with detmeination or military logic, its rightout plain barbary and murderous primitivity and cynism and maximum disgust for human life and value. Its terror not serving a purpose, but terror for the sake of terror. No matter how corrupt the poiltical system in the Ukraine is, the Russian assault is unexcusbale and undefendable. The Russians behave as horrible as the Nazis did in the occupied territories during WW2. And nobody worth to be listened to would dare to justify Hitler's aggression and atrocities in the name of any imaginable claimed "German interest". There never was a justification for those crimes against humanity back then, and there are no excuses to defend and relativize the crimes against humanity committed by the Russians today.
Russia must be stopped in the Ukraine. This statement is true, no matter who says it inside or outside the Ukraine. Else the risk is uncontrollable that sooner or later the Russian fascists set all Europe ablaze.
They must be stopped in the ukraine, in this war, without compromise or foul deals done. This goal is uonconditonal and non-negotiable. And Biden and the White House seem to have understood this. The language of theirs has changed, indicating that this indeed is the goal now: make Russia bleed, and bleed more, and bleed on until it got so weakened by its little enterprise that it cannot afford to bully anyone anymore for many many years to come.
So lets make Russia bleed rivers of russian blood. Send weapons, weapons, weapons. This is the only way out of this. The alternative is a much bigger and much more unlocalised war.
Thanks to European and Germany stupidity, Europe is utmost illprepared for this crisis. Without massive American help we are once again - helpless. It serves us no compliments, but that is the grim truth, and we have nobody else than ourselves to blame. I could not think bad of America if it says it has the nose full of Europe, ands turns away, even more so sicn eit has its own business to worry about in the Pacific. I hope it does not. We have once again maneuvered ourselves into the poo, and without American help we will once again not get out of it.
Skybird
05-01-22, 10:56 AM
Deutsche Welle (DW):
Russia using troll farm to target Kremlin critics, says UK
New data has revealed how the Kremlin is using a so-called troll factory (https://beta.dw.com/en/fact-check-atrocities-in-bucha-not-staged/a-61366129) "to spread lies on social media" and flood the comment sections of popular websites, the British Foreign Ministry said.
The UK government-funded research found that the Kremlin is employing a "large-scale disinformation campaign" which is designed to "manipulate international public opinion" of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
According to the expert analysis, the troll farm is operating from within an old factory in St. Petersburg including a team of paid employees.
The troll farm has specifically targeted politicians and social media audiences in the UK, South Africa and India, the ministry said.
Among the other takeaways from the report found how the operations uses VPNs, specific commenting behaviors and amplification of "organic" content to boost the Russian government's position (https://beta.dw.com/en/german-government-warns-russian-speakers-of-kremlin-disinformation/a-61353389) and avoid detection by social media platforms.
Currently. the operation has been detected on Telegram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.
"The UK Government has alerted international partners and will continue to work closely with allies and media platforms to undermine Russian information operations," said Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in a statement.
As I wrote in a Stream on yt
Russia will use Angelina Juliet and Nancy the Speaker of the house in their propaganda.
Markus
les green01
05-01-22, 11:05 AM
As much I hate too agree with the wicked witch Nancy she is right about bullies growing up my old man told me if someone tries to bullie you kick their ah backsides and Putin is a bullie damn spell check on this phone
Skybird
05-01-22, 11:31 AM
"If we burn, you will burn with us!" :D
The NZZ has this:
For several weeks now, ammunition depots, fuel depots and factories in Russia have been going up in flames. Railroad lines are also being damaged. The reasons remain unclear.
April 22: Fire at the Institute for Rocket Research in Tver, the large Dmitrievsky chemical plant in Kineshma northeast of Moscow burns down, a locomotive in the Bryansk region derails. Three days later: two Russian oil depots in Bryansk go up in flames, smoke is sighted at an air base in Ussurisk near Vladivostok. April 27: three explosions on Russian territory near Ukraine.
Over the past few days, reports like this have been coming out of Russia almost daily. Often military targets or transport routes are affected. The Russian research portal "IStories" also published a list of five attacks on Russian army recruiting offices since the beginning of March. Spring recruitment of new conscripts began in Russia on April 1.
Observers and the media quickly spoke of a pattern or even brought organized sabotage into play. There is no evidence of this. Nevertheless, an accumulation of such incidents on Russian territory since the beginning of the invasion is noteworthy. Especially since there are already examples of anti-Russian sabotage in the Ukraine war: At the beginning of the invasion, Belarusian railroad workers, hackers, and émigré security forces largely paralyzed the Belarusian railroad network. Belarus served as a staging area for Russian troops.
So far, there are no signs of a similarly coordinated action in Russia. Nor is it clear whether the fires, explosions, and damaged railroad tracks were accidents, Ukrainian attacks, or arson. At the very least, Russian authorities are pointing to alleged saboteurs: On Wednesday, Russia's domestic intelligence agency, the FSB, arrested two "supporters of Ukrainian Nazism" for allegedly damaging rail lines in the Belgorod region near the border with Ukraine, according to BBC Russia.
In the April 25 fire at two fuel depots in Bryansk, U.S. military analyst Rob Lee hypothesizes a missile attack, possibly from Ukraine. A Totschka U ballistic missile of the type used by the Ukrainian military would have the range to reach the fuel depots if fired near the Ukrainian-Russian border. The thesis of a Ukrainian attack is strengthened by the fact that Ukraine said Thursday that it would attack military bases and camps on Russian territory.
An accident is almost impossible: It would be a very big coincidence if both depots went up in flames at the same time. The fire broke out in a civilian and a military fuel depot, which have a total capacity of 15,000 tons. A loss of these reserves could slow the Russian invasion.
Damage to railroad tracks in the Belgorod region could have a similar effect. On April 12, a railroad bridge near the Ukrainian border was damaged and could not be used for a week. The bridge is on a transport route to the eastern Ukrainian city of Isyum, which has been captured by Russia. The Russian army relies primarily on rail to transport war materiel.
However, the fires and damage are not limited to infrastructure directly important for troop deployment. Other war-important targets have also gone up in flames in recent days. This is illustrated by the fire on April 21 at the Institute of Rocket Research in Tver, 150 kilometers northwest of Moscow. Among other things, the Iskander missiles, which are also used against Ukraine, are to be developed here. Just one day later, a fire broke out in Korolyov, a city outside Moscow that is a center of Russian space exploration and an important site for the defense industry. On April 25, smoke was spotted at an air base near Vladivostok, in Russia's Far East.
These targets are outside the range of Ukrainian missiles. An official reason was given only for the fire at the Missile Research Institute in Tver: According to the Russian news agency Tass, a short circuit caused the fire. Such an accident cannot be ruled out. The infrastructure in Russia is dilapidated in many places, and safety precautions are often not observed. According to environmental activists, these were, for example, the reasons for the diesel oil disaster in Norilsk in northern Siberia in May 2020.
So far, there is no end in sight to the series of fires: on Wednesday night, an ammunition depot in the Belgorod region caught fire. In Kursk and Voronezh, authorities also reported explosions, with Russian air defense reportedly shooting down Ukrainian drones there. All of these regions border Ukraine.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
les green01
05-01-22, 01:33 PM
I would lay money down on resistance or gorillas if you going invade another country you going take hits gorillas property ran can tie least 20 to one maybe 30
Jimbuna
05-01-22, 01:35 PM
An operation to evacuate civilians trapped in a steelworks in the southern city of Mariupol is under way, the UN says.
The Ukrainian president says a group of about 100 people have left and should arrive in the town of Zaporizhzhia tomorrow.
An evacuation plan for residents from other parts of Mariupol has been postponed until Monday morning.
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has led a Congressional delegation to Kyiv to meet President Zelensky.
She promises American support "until the fight is done" and says Congress will move quickly to approve $33bn in aid for Ukraine.
Russian troops controlling the city of Kherson say the rouble will be used there from Sunday.
Jimbuna
05-01-22, 01:40 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bynuMDNntHk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmmSDY-dtLY
:hmm2:
Otto Harkaman
05-01-22, 03:14 PM
Disaster Tourism at its political finest
Germany's progress so far on energy divestment from Russia
Coal:
Pre-war: 45%
Now: 8%
Oil:
Pre-war: 35%
Now: 12%
Gas:
Pre-war: 55%
Now: 35%
From liveuamap
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a speech in Düsseldorf that Germany will continue to supply Ukraine with weapons.
Markus
Can't help wondering who is attacking Russia inside their country near the Ukrainian border.
Following is from liveuamap
10 hours ago - 50°40′N 36°13′E
Governor of Belgorod region confirms fire and explosions at military arsenal near Tomarovka village
11 hours ago - 50°41′N 36°17′E
Explosions at military arsenal in Tomarovka of Belgorod region
9 hours ago - 51°10′N 35°23′E
Railway bridge collapsed between Sudzha and Sosnovy Bor in Kursk region of Russia. Governor blames saboteurs
41 minutes ago - 51°34′N 34°41′E
Explosions in Rylsk area of Kursk region, air defense is active
Is it Russian who is doing it ? Sabotage
Or
Is it Ukrainian special forces ?
Markus
Aktungbby
05-02-22, 12:13 AM
Rapists, murderers, and tractor thieves:Kaleun_Mad:... https://www.cbs58.com/news/russians-plunder-5m-farm-vehicles-from-ukraine-to-find-theyve-been-remotely-disabled (CNN) -- Russian troops in the occupied city of Melitopol have stolen all the equipment from a farm equipment dealership -- and shipped it to Chechnya, according to a Ukrainian businessman in the area.
But after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves were unable to use any of the equipment -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the past few weeks there's been a growing number of reports of Russian troops stealing farm equipment, grain and even building materials - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the removal of valuable agricultural equipment from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one that even uses Russian military transport as part of the heist.
CNN has learned that the equipment was removed from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it's valued at nearly $5 million. The combine harvesters alone are worth $300,000 each.
Jeff-Groves
05-02-22, 12:18 AM
You'd think Someone over there is smart/equipped enough to unlock them.
:hmmm:
Aktungbby
05-02-22, 12:24 AM
they'd probably get a "Deere John" response!!??:O: :Kaleun_Goofy:
Jimbuna
05-02-22, 05:47 AM
EU remains unable to agree on ending supplies of Russian gas, Germany's economy minister says.
Ministers are due to have emergency talks, but Hungary has made it clear it will block consensus.
Revenues from the supplies - millions of euros a day - are used to fund Russia's war in Ukraine.
Some 100 people evacuated from a besieged steel plant in the southern city of Mariupol are due to arrive in Ukraine-held areas.
Hundreds more civilians remain trapped there and President Zelensky has said he hopes further evacuations can take place.
The evacuees, who had been sheltering there with fighters for weeks.
One evacuee from the plant describes her fear and says she has not seen sunlight for two months.
A BBC correspondent in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, where Russia is focusing its offensive, says Moscow's troops are advancing slowly.
Jimbuna
05-02-22, 05:52 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzR-vbk9Z_Q
Skybird
05-02-22, 06:19 AM
A lot of talk is done on the Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PZH2000). This video illustrates it a bit and reflects on what speaks for and against sending it to Ukraine - and what delivery even is possible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_DS6UvZXPo
I wonder about the time of non-self-propelled artillery pieces to start escaping counter battery fire after they fired their last shot. Are they even meant to do so?
Russia is an extremely artillery-focussed army and has plenty of it, but I do not know how good they are at sensors and communication hierarchies for directing counter battery fire...?!
Catfish
05-02-22, 06:26 AM
You had the Gepard for defending that. Too bad ..
Commander Wallace
05-02-22, 07:00 AM
Russia is basically running on it's stocks and will soon run out. In addition to the farm dealership thefts, many companies have also left. This includes the McDonalds hamburger chain.
I think this goes a long way toward establishing a " no fry " zone. :yep:
Buddahaid
05-02-22, 07:44 AM
Russia is basically running on it's stocks and will soon run out. In addition to the farm dealership thefts, many companies have also left. This includes the McDonalds hamburger chain.
I think this goes a long way toward establishing a " no fry " zone. :yep:
They did run out of happy meals.
I think this goes a long way toward establishing a " no fry " zone. :yep:
Hardy ha ha!! :haha:
Skybird
05-02-22, 08:42 AM
International media report Finland will ask NATO on May 12th to join.
On a EU summit, especially Hungary and Germany block a decision to boycott Russian gas. On oil, Germany has moved and now demands an oil boycott, but as I believe not before the end of the year (or did I got this wrong?). Hungary wants not gasoil boycott either.
Neherlands, Italy are assumed to mull the sending of PZH-2000s. A few of them. Germany is reported to "check" whether it can afford to give away any. Only one third of the complete aresenal are operational, and Germany argued that it needs to keep these to fulfill its duties in active NATO roles.
Meanwhile, again, what some call the "inferno theory": FOCUS writes:
On May 9, a large military parade will be held in Moscow to commemorate the victory in the Great Patriotic War over Nazi Germany. This form of remembrance is part of Russia's collective identity and its military manifestation should help to reflect it again and again.
This year, at the same time, this day is associated with high expectations. President Putin will address the situation in the country and the progress of the "special military operation", i.e. the war of aggression on Ukraine. True, Foreign Minister Lavrov has decoupled the two events, saying May 9 has nothing to do with the progress of "events in Ukraine," but that they depend "on the need to minimize risks to civilians and Russian soldiers," as Russia's brutal ruthlessness is dressed up in diplomatic cynicism. But this will not dampen the different expectations for May 9.
Putin will have something to show on May 9 - the big question is: What exactly will that be?
After the revision of Russia's military approach, when troops were withdrawn around Kiev to reinforce the advance in eastern Ukraine, it was assumed this might also be related to President Putin announcing the "liberation" of the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics on May 9 - as a badge of Russia's victory in the "special military operation." The capture of Mariupol and Kherson, as well as the establishment of new pseudo-states, would also be successes that could be celebrated as victories.
In the meantime, however, it is foreseeable that the Russian advance is progressing too slowly and is being repulsed too frequently to proclaim this as a certain fact. As a fake fact, it would succeed, but with some risks: What if alternative sources reveal different information? Or if the Russian front is later pushed back further and the territories cannot be held?
Political misrepresentations require a high degree of planning-safe expectation management. That an agreement will be signed in a week between Ukraine and Russia that establishes these breakaways is impossible. That Russia will not only be able to conquer the territories in a short period of time, but also to hold and govern them, is not very likely and would entail very high costs. These could be justified in Moscow, because it is a further step towards the complete unification of all "Russians" - by which at least Russia, Belarus and Ukraine are understood. But not until next week.
Rehearsal for Russia's Victory Day military parade.
Uncredited/AP/dpa A Russian tank artillery and military vehicles drive toward Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade.
Given the insufficient results of military action from the Russian point of view and the escalation of threatening gestures from the Russian leadership, another assumption gained some plausibility. It is that on May 9 the mobilization in the war will be announced, that is, not a victory, but the escalation of the special military operation to war. It says that the Russian military should push in this direction because more soldiers are urgently needed. The talk of "proxy war" with NATO was intended to get the Russian population in the mood for this expansion.
This assumption gained political weight because it is considered likely by the British Defense Minister Wallace. Russia's repeatedly renewed threats to use nuclear weapons also point in this direction of significantly escalating the military campaign. The obviously desolate state of the Russian armed forces can serve as a reason for escalation as well as its opposite. "A Russian army that prevails in a war of attrition by sheer firepower and mass would still be a far cry from the nimble, high-tech force that has been advertised over the past decade," judged the Economist.
Already in early April, the Tass news agency had reported that - unlike in previous years - no foreign state guests would be invited to this year's parade. This may be related to the vagaries of war or to the planning for that day. But the eyes of all governments will be on Moscow that day.
The federal government must prepare for all three contingencies:
First, that no more far-reaching decisions will be announced on May 9;
second, that the liberation of the existing and establishment of new "people's republics" will be announced as a result of the military operation;
third, that Russia escalates the war with mobilization.
In the first case, uncertainty about Russia's medium-term intentions would persist. In the second case, the question would arise as to whether this could be chosen by Ukraine as the starting point for a cease-fire or other agreement or - as has been increasingly formulated of late - an attempt would be made to push Russian forces back militarily from this area.
In the third case, fighting in Ukraine, while not immediate, would foreseeably increase significantly. Russia would have to deploy a large number of reservists who could compensate for the considerable losses of killed and wounded. The extent of their combat effectiveness and the repercussions this could have in Russian society would have to be observed.
To legitimize the escalation, it has been argued more frequently in recent weeks that Ukraine is backed by the U.S. and NATO, that Ukraine is not acting of its own volition at all, and that Russia is therefore in a conflict with NATO. This argument was strengthened by the reference to the "economic war" of the "unfriendly states". So much for Russian propaganda.
Whether this also corresponds to Russian assessments of the real war situation cannot be said with certainty. A war against NATO, which Russia would have to start because the NATO states will certainly not do so, would change the overall situation. It is doubtful whether this - even if one puts on the Russian glasses to assess the situation - can be seen as an advantage by the Russian leadership.
Only one argument could lend weight to this: NATO will not be as weak as it currently is in Europe for a long time. Whether it is weak enough in the eyes of Russian decision-makers to dare a military conflict seems very doubtful. However, the current war was launched under overly optimistic assumptions about the weakness of the enemy and its own strength.
For the NATO states, it follows that they must continuously - and in some places with the same pressure with which the geopolitical energy transition is being pushed through - build up their own strength. Russia's goodwill toward a peaceful solution is only recognizable to those who place their hopes above an analysis of the situation. This, however, is not a realistic approach.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
I see escalation as the most likely scenario.
Commander Wallace
05-02-22, 08:51 AM
They did run out of happy meals.
Attacking “ Ronald McDonald “ and his fries and “ happy meals “ is just the worst. Of course, I only eat McDonald fries and their food when I feel my cholesterol levels dipping dangerously low. I'm sure others feel the same way. :03:
Hardy ha ha!! :haha:
Well, it is a no " fries " zone. :D
* Disclaimer * This is not not to make light of the ugly situation in the Ukraine.
< Your translation also made me wonder what will happen on 9th of May
I also wonder what happens if or when the military in Ukraine collapse as some expert say they will within some weeks from now.
As you said earlier May 9th will be an interesting day.
Markus
Aktungbby
05-02-22, 10:02 AM
Russia is basically running on it's stocks and will soon run out. In addition to the farm dealership thefts, many companies have also left. This includes the McDonalds hamburger chain.
I think this goes a long way toward establishing a " no fry " zone. :yep:
They did run out of happy meals.
Attacking “ Ronald McDonald “ and his fries and “ happy meals “ is just the worst. Of course, I only eat McDonald fries and their food when I feel my cholesterol levels dipping dangerously low. I'm sure others feel the same way. :03:
Well, it is a no " fries " zone. :D
* Disclaimer * This is not not to make light of the ugly situation in the Ukraine.4 out 5 potential Russian conscripts recognize the MacDonalds logo at three years old.:O: I doubt there's happy anything or light in "the evil empire" these daze...
Aktungbby
05-02-22, 11:42 AM
(CNN) -- Russian troops in the occupied city of Melitopol have stolen all the equipment from a farm equipment dealership -- and shipped it to Chechnya, according to a Ukrainian businessman in the area.
But after a journey of more than 700 miles, the thieves were unable to use any of the equipment -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the past few weeks there's been a growing number of reports of Russian troops stealing farm equipment, grain and even building materials - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the removal of valuable agricultural equipment from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one that even uses Russian military transport as part of the heist.
CNN has learned that the equipment was removed from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it's valued at nearly $5 million. The combine harvesters alone are worth $300,000 each. Why weren’t Russian troops using the Global Positioning System or its Russian counterpart, Glonass? It seems, among other things, that the Russian army fell victim to its own propaganda. Before the war, Mr. Putin had been fascinated with the acquisition of new weapons. Among the most important were electronic countermeasures, or ECM. They were supposed to be a game-changer that could be used to black out GPS, disrupt communications, and take over drones or deliberately crash them into the ground. ECM units were indeed marching with all Russian columns as they entered Ukraine. But they didn’t work as planned. Instead of knocking Turkish drones out of the skies, the ECM units blacked out all communications, including the Russian army’s. “This is the problem of ECM. It either isn’t working, or, when it’s working, it’s wrecking your side much more than the enemy’s,” says Victor Kevluk, a military expert with Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies. The Russian army blinded itself on foreign land, while the Ukrainians knew their way in the dark. So instead of relying on new technology, the Russians turned to an old tactic: mass terror. Russian soldiers raped Ukrainian women and executed Ukrainian men. Mariupol is being razed to the ground. Former Ukrainian General Staff Col. Oleg Zhdanov vividly described to me in an interview how, in Berezovka, “the dug-in tanks made a shooting range with fleeing civilian cars as targets.”
The mass terror was the direct consequence of mass lying, for it is easier to expend ammunition on a bunch of fleeing civilians than to engage a real military target. Even the looting has become organized. Ruslan Leviev, founder of the open-source-based Conflict Intelligence Team, claimed in an interview that soldiers are driving stolen cars laden with loot to Russia to sell them on improvised markets, and they pay part of the proceeds to their officers.
This is truly amazing. A modern army doesn’t loot. It is doubtful that the same army that left Bucha toting trophy dishwashers will be able to regroup swiftly to fight in the Donbas.
How did Mr. Putin think he could win this war? The answer has to do with state delusion. It is easy to mistake Russia for a military state. It isn’t. It’s true that the Russian state is run by siloviki (roughly translated as “the enforcers”), but those strongmen are from the Federal Security Service, known as the FSB, not the army.
Mr. Putin, himself a former KGB officer, has long been highly suspicious of a possible army coup. The incompetence of the Russian military is at least partly intentional—designed to reinforce that the FSB, not the army, was in charge of running Russian society. The FSB and its political allies told Mr. Putin what he wanted to hear: namely, that Russia had an extensive network of sympathizers in Ukraine who would hand the country to him on a platter. A state with this level of incompetence and delusion simply wouldn’t have survived in the 19th century. Things are different today. Sanctions are much preferred to direct fighting. And while economic sanctions can isolate a rogue regime, they can’t crush it. Mr. Putin has gotten many things wrong in his current war, but he did get one thing right. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization won’t go to war over Ukraine. And this is perhaps the biggest reason why he must be crushed. If not, more Vladimir Putins will follow, including those with a much firmer grip on reality. One thing that Russia possesses in common with post-WWI Germany, and China's present-day empire builders in common is an inferiority complex stemming from defeat: a Sino-19th century of shame etc. We have witnessed the collapse of the Soviet-blok evil empire, the retreat from Afghanistan etc. for which Putin has now overstepped his monkey's-fist reach to establish "his legacy"...possibly in anticipation of his own demise from lymphoma or parkensons disease. The Russian propaganda is now being recast as "the defense of the motherland against the threat of the West" and not "the denazification of Ukraine":hmmm: With a 10 generals dead against some 1500 'official' casualties and 580 tanks destroyed https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/27/europe/russia-tanks-blown-turrets-intl-hnk-ml/index.html the "victory parade scheduled on May 9 (1 week:doh:)" is going to look a little slim both in the Red Square and in the viewing podium...Rule 1 of fighting the Soviet empire rejuvenation is to do it in a former Iron Curtain country and not the Fulda Gap, no imho about it! Holding the line by proxy; US advisors teaching Ukranains the use of javelin missiles in two days; heavy weapons deliveries; and ever tightening sanctions will also serve to keep China on hold over Taiwan as well in their Belt and Road global domination shenanigans, as recently demonstrated in the Solomon Islands-ie: it's a two front 21st century war just like 1939; and peace-in-our-time Chamberlain-style appeasement after Crimea(2014) and Tibet(1959) is no longer an option.
Can't help wondering who is attacking Russia inside their country near the Ukrainian border.
Following is from liveuamap
10 hours ago - 50°40′N 36°13′E
Governor of Belgorod region confirms fire and explosions at military arsenal near Tomarovka village
11 hours ago - 50°41′N 36°17′E
Explosions at military arsenal in Tomarovka of Belgorod region
9 hours ago - 51°10′N 35°23′E
Railway bridge collapsed between Sudzha and Sosnovy Bor in Kursk region of Russia. Governor blames saboteurs
41 minutes ago - 51°34′N 34°41′E
Explosions in Rylsk area of Kursk region, air defense is active
Is it Russian who is doing it ? Sabotage
Or
Is it Ukrainian special forces ?
Markus
Installations near Ukraine, Russia border it will be Ukraine further inland could be SCADA hacking from the collective in the west (OpRussia) and also read Russians people doing sabotage acts and sh*te always going on in Russia failure is their normal.
China: think again
China believes the US is making money by keeping the war in Ukraine going. Does the Russia-friendly country have a point?
- Two months into the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the impact on the outside world is increasingly worrying.
- The war - and the sanctions - have, for example. led to energy price increases of 44% in the eurozone.
- Inflation is rising. And ordinary people's lives are affected.
- Meanwhile, US arms and grain dealers are raking in huge profits.
NATO vs Russia
So said Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry, at a press conference with Western journalists on Friday - the day after the US announced it would sharply increase aid to Ukraine.
And a little later in the press conference, the spokesman asked Europe's political leaders and peoples to think again:
- The EU should reflect on this conflict
- We have repeatedly pointed out that although on the surface the conflict is between Russia and Ukraine, in reality it is between the US-led NATO and Russia.
- The EU should think carefully about who benefits from this war, in which area it is currently transformed into a war zone - and who suffers most in this war," said Zhao
Markus
Jeff-Groves
05-02-22, 02:43 PM
China believes the US is making money by keeping the war in Ukraine going.
Yeah. And THEY are making money FROM the USA because of the War.
It's a case of "pissing on legs and saying it's raining."
Aktungbby
05-02-22, 02:57 PM
It's a case of "pissing on legs and saying it's raining."Either way, it's warm out!:doh:
Here is what I think about my last comment.
If China should point fingers it should be at Russia-It's them who attacked an innocent country who wasn't any threat to them.
Yes of course USA arms and others are earning money on this and they will do so until Russia has left Ukraine or is thrown out.
That's how I see it
Markus
Could this be what will happen on May 9th ?
Russia plans to annex two Ukrainian regions - US official
Russia is planning imminently to "annex" two eastern regions of Ukraine battered by its invasion, according to the US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Michael Carpenter said: "According to the most recent reports, we believe that Russia will try to annex the Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic to Russia.
"The reports state that Russia plans to engineer referenda upon joining sometime in mid-May."
Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he was recognising the independence of the two breakaway regions.
The self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic are in the east of Ukraine and could allow Russia to move troops into the country.
Markus
Skybird
05-02-22, 04:39 PM
^"... and could allow Russia to move troops into the country"...? The author has a sense of black humour.
If fascist Russia's appetit would be satisfied for the moment with this, Ukraine probably has no other choice than to accept this as a way for a temporary seize fire. Acceptable and legal it certainly would not be. It remains to be an illegal land grab, an assault and war crimes and genocide.
And there is no promise and guarantee that the Russians do not continue later on. Ukraine has so much damages to repair that it will find it hard to rearm in time.
To me this settlement would be temporary only, I take it for granted that this second assault on the Ukraine by Russia would not stay the last.
For the moment a better scenario than the inferno theory as described earlier, however.
Jeff-Groves
05-02-22, 06:15 PM
I want in!
Maybe Herr Putin will recognize the independence of the breakaway region of "Your Mama" that I live in. All we need is some monetary support!
Buddahaid
05-02-22, 06:45 PM
I want in!
Maybe Herr Putin will recognize the independence of the breakaway region of "Your Mama" that I live in. All we need is some monetary support!
Yeah, but "Yo' Mama" is so fat....
Yeah, but "Yo' Mama" is so fat....
The Russians don't have enough soldiers to surround it?
Catfish
05-03-22, 02:53 AM
From all we heard about Russia it would be highly improbable that it will stop its expansion with the Donbas region. Maybe for some time, to regain strength and fill up the losses, and then they will try again.
Ukraine either stops it now once and for all recapturing Donbas with or without western help, or we will only have a temporary (short-lived) ceasefire.
Jimbuna
05-03-22, 05:47 AM
They did run out of happy meals.
:haha:
Jimbuna
05-03-22, 05:52 AM
A convoy carrying about 100 women and children who were evacuated from the Mariupol steelworks at the weekend is expected to arrive in Ukrainian territory.
However, officials say 200 people remain trapped inside the industrial plant, which is coming under renewed Russian attack.
Ukrainian soldiers there say Russian troops are using planes, tanks and warship missiles to pound the site.
The UN and Red Cross hope to oversee more civilian evacuations from the southern port city.
Meanwhile, UK PM Boris Johnson will describe Ukraine's resistance to the Russian invasion as the country's "finest hour", in a virtual address to its parliament later.
He will also give details of £300m in extra military support from the UK for Ukraine, including electronic warfare equipment.
A senior US official warns Russia may be preparing to hold votes on independence in occupied territory in eastern Ukraine.
Jimbuna
05-03-22, 05:55 AM
Ukraine's outspoken ambassador in Berlin has sharply criticised Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz for not yet visiting Kyiv in a show of support, unlike a number of other European leaders.
Scholz indicated on Monday night that he wouldn't visit the Ukrainian capital until German President Frank-Walter Steinmeiner had gone there.
Ukraine rejected the offer of a visit from Steinmeier last month, in what was widely seen at the time as a snub.
"Acting like a sulky liver sausage doesn't sound very statesmanlike," Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk told the German press agency. "This is about the most brutal war of extermination since the Nazi attack on Ukraine - it's no kindergarten."
Melnyk has ruffled feathers in Germany, repeatedly criticising the chancellor's centre-left Social Democrats for years of close ties to Russia.
Scholz denied responding hesitantly to Russia's invasion: "I've always made quick decisions, in tandem with everyone else... but my line is that we act in a level-headed and prudent manner."
Jimbuna
05-03-22, 05:58 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfHpLf89ZjE
Skybird
05-03-22, 06:15 AM
Find the difference.
https://p6.focus.de/img/fotos/id_60647425/5fa8b600dd81df8d.png?im=Resize%3D%28630%2C296%29&hash=aa442f4b286566b796825a2acceb3ff38a8ad8f3346ba 432dc7fca0a71927eec
https://p6.focus.de/img/fotos/id_59261930/bildschirmfoto-2022-02-25-um-18.51.19.png?im=Crop%3D%28123%2C0%2C1558%2C851%29% 3BResize%3D%28630%2C344%29&hash=4690f9cbe5ad6f9e2efc5d6fbc7a88a34ca8c83194631 6e4375059d15540c11a
Jimbuna
05-03-22, 06:17 AM
No medals on view in the lower picture :03:
The distances between his comrades? :hmmm:
Skybird
05-03-22, 06:39 AM
https://nationaltoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Everything-You-Do-is-Right-Day.jpg
Buddahaid
05-03-22, 08:24 AM
No Mini Me?
Skybird
05-03-22, 09:21 AM
Its the Mini-Me shown in the photo. The Daddy-Me did not fit in the picture. The photographer was inside of Daddy-Me, so to speak, he embraces all the Kremlin and most of Moscow.
Skybird
05-03-22, 09:33 AM
And the next U-turn from Germany, now it claims it will send 7 PZH-2000. But earlier promises to support trading German material to Easteuropean states who will dleiver Russian wepaons to Ukraine, gets endlessly delayed and considered, and considered and delayed. Poland complains that the Germans do not even react anymore to urgent questions and requests from Poland what has happened to their agreement weeks ago.
And the next U-turn from Germany, now it claims it will send 7 PZH-2000. But earlier promises to support trading German material to Easteuropean states who will dleiver Russian wepaons to Ukraine, gets endlessly delayed and considered, and considered and delayed. Poland complains that the Germans do not even react anymore to urgent questions and requests from Poland what has happened to their agreement weeks ago.
This reminded me of what you posted some weeks ago
(From memory)
Could be so that Germany has been threaten by Russia ?
Markus
Is Russia planning on doing the same with Sweden than they did with Ukraine ?
Russia has launched a poster campaign in Moscow featuring ostensibly pro-Nazi quotes from the Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren, the film-maker Ingmar Bergman, and the Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad. "We are against Nazism, but they are not," the poster reads.
https://www.thelocal.se/20220503/fact-check-has-russia-launched-an-anti-swedish-propaganda-campaign/
To start a war you need the population behind you and what wouldn't be better than convinced your citizens that the Swedes love Nazism..
I hope I'm wrong in this case I truly do
Markus
Skybird
05-03-22, 10:18 AM
Ukraine's outspoken ambassador in Berlin has sharply criticised Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz for not yet visiting Kyiv in a show of support, unlike a number of other European leaders.
Scholz indicated on Monday night that he wouldn't visit the Ukrainian capital until German President Frank-Walter Steinmeiner had gone there.
Ukraine rejected the offer of a visit from Steinmeier last month, in what was widely seen at the time as a snub.
"Acting like a sulky liver sausage doesn't sound very statesmanlike," Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk told the German press agency. "This is about the most brutal war of extermination since the Nazi attack on Ukraine - it's no kindergarten."
Melnyk has ruffled feathers in Germany, repeatedly criticising the chancellor's centre-left Social Democrats for years of close ties to Russia.
Scholz denied responding hesitantly to Russia's invasion: "I've always made quick decisions, in tandem with everyone else... but my line is that we act in a level-headed and prudent manner."
The Ukrainains have neither forgotten nor forgiven that Steinmeier for a decade was the mastermind , beside Merkel, who designed the gas-dependency-policy after Schroeder despite desperate warnings from Ukraine over Nordstream 1 and 2. The first Nordsstream pipeline was opened short after the Russian annexation of the Crimean! The Russian Goebbels - Lavrov -, and Steinmayer, were close to each other and posed on many photos as if being very intimate friends. Steinmayer since then has been made the carricature of the federal president, means he makes no decisions on daily policy, and is powerless and without influence, his regret over his past role regardign Russia sounded hollow and not really convincing to me, and he cannot not decide to give the Ukraine weapons. So why would the ukrainians waste their time with this poser who has done his share to bring Russia to where it now is and what it now does? There is an explanation for the Ukrainian antipathy towards Steinmayer, and it is perfectly understandable.
And Scholz, do not get me started again. Der Typ ist einfach nur ekelhaft. Completely off track. Blasé. When asked critical questions, he becomes even more arrogant and starts lecturing in an offended and condescending manner. Detached from all unwelcome perception of reality. Self-important. Original quote Scholz: "Whoever orders leadership from me should know that then it will be leadership they will get from me." And: "I have always decided promptly and quickly." How can you misjudge yourself so completely?
I predicted that he would continue like he weaseled around since his time as mayor from Hamburg, then later in the Cum-Ex scandal over here. He fully fulfilled my prediction, from A to Z, he left not a single box unticked. Its all exactly like I expected from him. That such a sad figure could make it to head of a government in Germany definitely speaks agaisnt our political system. Even more so when considering that those before him where not better, Merkel, Schroeder...
And Germna politicians consider themselves as available for giving the ukraine "security guarantees". Well, Ukraine had these from Russia, the US and the UK for giving up its nukes, and what was it worth? Nothing. But German security guarantees, especially German ones, will make the oh so big difference...? Who do the Germans think they are? Clones of Superman? German security guarantees are worth nothing, because Germany has no military muscles worth to mention, not to mention: willingness to use them.
The Ukraine is well-advised, once this war is over and the Ukraine still exists, to arm itself up to the very last teeth. They should also try to get tactical nukes, as deterrance. There certainly must be a black market for according material, because I think they cannot afford to build them and expecting Russia will just sit and watch them completing it. They must get them secretly and then surprise the world with their existence.
Skybird
05-03-22, 10:22 AM
Is Russia planning on doing the same with Sweden than they did with Ukraine ?
https://www.thelocal.se/20220503/fact-check-has-russia-launched-an-anti-swedish-propaganda-campaign/
To start a war you need the population behind you and what wouldn't be better than convinced your citizens that the Swedes love Nazism..
I hope I'm wrong in this case I truly do
Markus
If they want to start general mobilization, this will kick troop moral further down the stairway, and they also claimed the "special operation", as they mock it, goes well. So they must explain why a general mobilization is needed. And so the special operation in Nazi Ukraine is being widened to a defensive (!) war against Nazi NATO that has started to attack innocent peace-loving Russia. If its not Russian, its Nazi, thats the logic.
Catfish
05-03-22, 10:33 AM
Putin has changed his narrative, about why he started the war, so often, it is difficult to keep track. I think he does not give a sh!t anymore about whether his own people or anyone else believes him, the recent russian narrative (for now) is a war of conquest, for Russia :03: The gloves are off.
Russia seems to have a major offensive rolling, attacking from the south direction north and northwest. They also have shelled the Azovstal site, and are attacking it now with soldiers, or so some news channels say.
Just imagine Russia wins this war, conquering all of Ukraine.
What will happen after this.
Skybird
05-03-22, 10:46 AM
Putin has changed his narrative, about why he started the war, so often, it is difficult to keep track. I think he does not give a sh!t anymore about whether his own people or anyone else believes him, the recent russian narrative (for now) is a war of conquest, for Russia :03: The gloves are off.
Russia seems to have a major offensive rolling, attacking from the south direction north and northwest. They also have shelled the Azovstal site, and are attacking it now with soldiers, or so some news channels say.
Just imagine Russia wins this war, conquering all of Ukraine.
What will happen after this.As it currently is and with that low troops standard they can be happy if they can keep Donbass and Luhansk and the land corridor to the Crimean.
Which probably also is Adolf's minimum objective he must come home with.
If this minimum objective is at risk, I see a mounting risk for the use of nuclear weapons. The only thing that MAYBE could deterr him from using them, is if the Ukraine could retaliate in the same "language" against targets in Russia. It could also mean that Putin finally gets replaced - and a military hardliner worse than Putin takes over.
Catfish
05-03-22, 12:02 PM
If we allow Putin/Russia to keep Donbas and the southern area of Ukraine there will be a pause of say five years, and then Russia will have filled up the gaps and get the rest of Ukraine.
It must be decisive now, all else is a temporary ceasefire.
I think Ukraine will do a Croatia
If you wonder what I mean...Serbia toke some part of Croatia..Croatia was to weak to prevent this..but they started buy modern weapon from west and they change the way the soldiers was trained-They were trained more like a soldier from NATO-Then in beginning or in the middle of the 90'ies they toke back the land area from Serbia.
(Remember this from a documentary on Swedish tv)
I think Ukraine will do the same.
Markus
Skybird
05-03-22, 12:36 PM
If we allow Putin/Russia to keep Donbas and the southern area of Ukraine there will be a pause of say five years, and then Russia will have filled up the gaps and get the rest of Ukraine.
It must be decisive now, all else is a temporary ceasefire.
Yes. Absolutely.
Is Russia planning on doing the same with Sweden than they did with Ukraine ?
https://www.thelocal.se/20220503/fact-check-has-russia-launched-an-anti-swedish-propaganda-campaign/
To start a war you need the population behind you and what wouldn't be better than convinced your citizens that the Swedes love Nazism..
I hope I'm wrong in this case I truly do
Markus
Let him make that mistake with 65% of his useless army in Ukraine let him open an 2nd front we all know how that will end.
Let him make that mistake with 65% of his useless army in Ukraine let him open an 2nd front we all know how that will end.
I bet that the Swedish army which is now a professionel army is way better trained and equip than the Ukrainian.
I have the feeling though that Putin is not interested in entire Sweden but only Gotland.
Markus
I bet that the Swedish army which is now a professionel army is way better trained and equip than the Ukrainian.
I have the feeling though that Putin is not interested in entire Sweden but only Gotland.
Markus
The Treaty of Lisbon strengthens the solidarity between EU countries in dealing with external threats by introducing a mutual defense clause (Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union). This clause provides that if an EU country is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other EU countries have an obligation to aid and assist it by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
This obligation of mutual defense is binding on all EU countries. However, it does not affect the neutrality of certain EU countries and is consistent with the commitments of EU countries which are NATO members.
This provision is supplemented by the solidarity clause (Article 222 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU) which provides that EU countries are obliged to act jointly where an EU country is the victim of a terrorist attack or a natural or man-made disaster.
The Treaty of Lisbon strengthens the solidarity between EU countries in dealing with external threats by introducing a mutual defense clause (Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union). This clause provides that if an EU country is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other EU countries have an obligation to aid and assist it by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
This obligation of mutual defense is binding on all EU countries. However, it does not affect the neutrality of certain EU countries and is consistent with the commitments of EU countries which are NATO members.
This provision is supplemented by the solidarity clause (Article 222 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU) which provides that EU countries are obliged to act jointly where an EU country is the victim of a terrorist attack or a natural or man-made disaster.
Thank you Dargo. This was new to me...on the other hand EU's bureaucracy will turn this into a cirkus...I just know it...
Example 2 years after Russia has attacked Sweden-EU is still debatting the Article 42(7) and article 51 and other article.
Lets hope that 1 Russia doesn't have interest in Gotland, 2 If it happens EU comes to Sweden and help them.
Markus
Jimbuna
05-03-22, 01:22 PM
The Ukrainains have neither forgotten nor forgiven that Steinmeier for a decade was the mastermind , beside Merkel, who designed the gas-dependency-policy after Schroeder despite desperate warnings from Ukraine over Nordstream 1 and 2. The first Nordsstream pipeline was opened short after the Russian annexation of the Crimean! The Russian Goebbels - Lavrov -, and Steinmayer, were close to each other and posed on many photos as if being very intimate friends. Steinmayer since then has been made the carricature of the federal president, means he makes no decisions on daily policy, and is powerless and without influence, his regret over his past role regardign Russia sounded hollow and not really convincing to me, and he cannot not decide to give the Ukraine weapons. So why would the ukrainians waste their time with this poser who has done his share to bring Russia to where it now is and what it now does? There is an explanation for the Ukrainian antipathy towards Steinmayer, and it is perfectly understandable.
And Scholz, do not get me started again. Der Typ ist einfach nur ekelhaft. Completely off track. Blasé. When asked critical questions, he becomes even more arrogant and starts lecturing in an offended and condescending manner. Detached from all unwelcome perception of reality. Self-important. Original quote Scholz: "Whoever orders leadership from me should know that then it will be leadership they will get from me." And: "I have always decided promptly and quickly." How can you misjudge yourself so completely?
I predicted that he would continue like he weaseled around since his time as mayor from Hamburg, then later in the Cum-Ex scandal over here. He fully fulfilled my prediction, from A to Z, he left not a single box unticked. Its all exactly like I expected from him. That such a sad figure could make it to head of a government in Germany definitely speaks agaisnt our political system. Even more so when considering that those before him where not better, Merkel, Schroeder...
And Germna politicians consider themselves as available for giving the ukraine "security guarantees". Well, Ukraine had these from Russia, the US and the UK for giving up its nukes, and what was it worth? Nothing. But German security guarantees, especially German ones, will make the oh so big difference...? Who do the Germans think they are? Clones of Superman? German security guarantees are worth nothing, because Germany has no military muscles worth to mention, not to mention: willingness to use them.
The Ukraine is well-advised, once this war is over and the Ukraine still exists, to arm itself up to the very last teeth. They should also try to get tactical nukes, as deterrance. There certainly must be a black market for according material, because I think they cannot afford to build them and expecting Russia will just sit and watch them completing it. They must get them secretly and then surprise the world with their existence.
Not meant as a means of provocation toward any German members in our community but Germany ha now become the laughing stock of NATO imho.
Jimbuna
05-03-22, 01:23 PM
If we allow Putin/Russia to keep Donbas and the southern area of Ukraine there will be a pause of say five years, and then Russia will have filled up the gaps and get the rest of Ukraine.
It must be decisive now, all else is a temporary ceasefire.
Agreed :yep:
Skybird
05-03-22, 01:30 PM
I bet that the Swedish army which is now a professionel army is way better trained and equip than the Ukrainian.
I have the feeling though that Putin is not interested in entire Sweden but only Gotland.
Markus
The Swedish armed forces, namely the ground forces, have good quality - but terrible quantity. German Wikipedia gives these numbers:
Manpower
Army: 6,200
Navy: 2,500
Air Force: 2,800
Other: 3,500
In 2019, women made up about 10% of the armed forces.
Equipment
Army: 120 Stridsvagn 122 main battle tanks (=Leopard-2), 509 CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles.
Navy: 4 submarines, 11 corvettes, 11 mine countermeasures ships, 13 patrol boats.
Air Force: 96 Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft
Communications: Elbit Systems E-LynX strategic digtal radio communications in service, ordered in 2020 by the Försvarets materielverk (FMV). The SDR equipment is compatible with EU and NATO modes of operation.
2016 the defence budget was 4.2 bn Euros.
Like everywhere in Europe the forces were slashed down in the past decades. The draft was stopped ten or twelve years ago, and a few years later reintroduced. The navy is known to operate very silent submarines and some stealthed surface ships of good and modern stealth standard. The Gripen is a bit aged now, but it has aged very well. The Leopard-2s are what they are, and I have a soft spot for those CV-90 series of IFVs. Sweden uses the CV-9040 I seem to recall, where as Finland has the CV-9030. This verhicle family is quite popular around the Scandinavian and Baltic states. Denmark, Netherland and I think either Austria or Switzerland use the CV-9035. I was of the opiunion that the Germans would have had good use for a newer version of the CV90 as well, instead of doing with this superexpensive Puma.
Its not their quality that is their arhcilles heel, its their very limited quantity. The Fins have a very elaborated miltia system and can clal up hguge reserves with first line equipement, not just bunkered secnd and third gread weapons, thats what makes Finland most likely very strong, if need be. How Sweden can call up and equip reserves, I do not know.
^ Thank you Skybird you mentioned something I forgot in my answer to Dargo.
- 96 JAS 39 Gripen...this is in peacetime multiply it in case of crisis or war.
Well It was in the news some decades ago that the Swedish government ordered 1000 JAS 39 before the year..Seem to recall 2025.
Forgot something.
In the beginning and up to the fall of Berlin wall Sweden spend 3.5 % Of the BNP on defence. in year 2000 it was down to 1.2 %(If I remember correctly)
It is first since 2015 Sweden has increased their BNP on the military..But it's not enough and it's kind of to late.
Markus
Skybird
05-03-22, 01:55 PM
1000 Swedish Gripen interceptors...? Never. Who should fly these? Mountain trolls?
Compoare, Germany, with a much biugger population, at the height of the cold war operated 900+ Starfighter (of which a third crashed). Why did they crash? Well, lacking maintenace cpaacity of the Luftwaffe had much to do with it. Too many planes for too few service engineers and too stressed supply logistics (spareparts). Sweden has much smaller armed forces, even back then. No chance they can maintain and supply one thousand combat aircraft.
Too low training capacities also should be mentioned. The Gripen is a Swedish design, you will not find instructor centres in other countries where Swedish pilots would be trained (like f.e. Lufthansa trains pilots for other airlines as well).
1000 Swedish Gripen interceptors...? Never. Who should fly these? Mountain trolls?
Compoare, Germany, with a much biugger population, at the height of the cold war operated 900+ Starfighter (of which a third crashed). Why did they crash? Well, lacking maintenace cpaacity of the Luftwaffe had much to do with it. Too many planes for too few service engineers and too stressed supply logistics (spareparts). Sweden has much smaller armed forces, even back then. No chance they can maintain and supply one thousand combat aircraft.
Too low training capacities also should be mentioned. The Gripen is a Swedish design, you will not find instructor centres in other countries where Swedish pilots would be trained (like f.e. Lufthansa trains pilots for other airlines as well).
Swiss has Gripen planes
1000 Swedish Gripen interceptors...? Never. Who should fly these? Mountain trolls?
Compoare, Germany, with a much biugger population, at the height of the cold war operated 900+ Starfighter (of which a third crashed). Why did they crash? Well, lacking maintenace cpaacity of the Luftwaffe had much to do with it. Too many planes for too few service engineers and too stressed supply logistics (spareparts). Sweden has much smaller armed forces, even back then. No chance they can maintain and supply one thousand combat aircraft.
Too low training capacities also should be mentioned. The Gripen is a Swedish design, you will not find instructor centres in other countries where Swedish pilots would be trained (like f.e. Lufthansa trains pilots for other airlines as well).
I made a search in case i was remembering wrong..which it so far looks like it...Where did I get 1000 from.
This is from the Swedish MoD 2001.
"The Swedish Armed Forces has now announced that it does not need all the 204 JAS 39 Grips ordered until 2007."
Yes it was 204 the government ordered in the end of the 90'ies.
I even read this among the Swedish homepage about JAS 39 Gripen
It's from 2012.
Today, on paper, we have about 100 JAS 39s in Sweden, of which about 72 are attached to the four divisions that are part of the operational organization (171st, 172nd, 211st and 212nd divisions). Other plans are used for education, development etc.
In the future, however, we will only have between 40 and 60 JAS 39 E / F, which means halving the air combat forces.
Trying to figure out where I got this 1000 from.
Markus
Cyborg322
05-03-22, 03:45 PM
Russian TV, Slightly disconcerting
https://i.imgur.com/QgBCKtX.jpg
Russian TV, Slightly disconcerting
https://i.imgur.com/QgBCKtX.jpg
Old news it did not happen
les green01
05-03-22, 04:14 PM
Some of these posts reminded me of a old movie war games
They seems to see nazis every the Russian government they also accuse Israel for being nazis or support them.
Why drag Israel into this...??
Markus
Jeff-Groves
05-03-22, 04:30 PM
Some of these posts reminded me of a old movie war games
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1F7vaNP9w0
Here's another aspect on what will happen on May 9th in Russia
2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Francis said Tuesday that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told him Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will be over by May 9, but that he was pessimistic.
He also said that he has requested a meeting in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but has heard nothing back.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-pessimistic-war-in-ukraine-will-end-by-may-9/
This is being contradicted by
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Moscow’s upcoming Victory Day celebrations on May 9 will have no bearing on the pace of its operations in Ukraine.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/2/russia-is-not-seeking-to-end-ukraine-war-by-may-9-lavrov
Markus
Skybird
05-03-22, 05:05 PM
They seems to see nazis every the Russian government they also accuse Israel for being nazis or support them.
Why drag Israel into this...??
Markus
Gerassimov's doctrine, look it up, he designed it for Putin. The new warfare includes hybride war, media war, opinion war, war over foreign population's views and mindset, and bullying and intimidating and threatening. Its all deception, lie, chaos, and ever more bullying.
And in major parts it unfortunately works wonders. From ol' Tucker for Fox in the US to leftwinged progressive in Germany and the endlessly concerned peace movement: they all not only fall for it, but help to spread Russia's narration.
Buddahaid
05-03-22, 05:20 PM
Watch it you'll give Tucker another confusion enema.
Onkel Neal
05-03-22, 05:39 PM
They seems to see nazis every the Russian government they also accuse Israel for being nazis or support them.
Why drag Israel into this...??
Markus
The Nazis are Russia, They are acting exactly like Hitler's Nazis. Nazi Germany 1939 = Nazi Russia 2022
Onkel Neal
05-03-22, 05:41 PM
Not meant as a means of provocation toward any German members in our community but Germany ha now become the laughing stock of NATO imho.
Well, to be fair, the US has often become dependent on regimes like the Saudis for energy.
Rockstar
05-03-22, 08:59 PM
Something about the translation I think. Headline says Germany has decided to send the cannons. But the article seems to point out it can only send seven because they barely have enough serviceable systems to meet their own defence needs. I say we vote Skybird as chancellor he’s been pointing this out for years and would have seen to it see the Bundeswehr was properly armed by now. ;)
The German government has decided to supply Ukraine with self-propelled howitzers Panzerhaubitz 2000 from the Bundeswehr. Berlin will supply seven systems of armored artillery.
As reported by Censor.NET with reference to RBC-Ukraine, it is said in the material of Welt.
According to the publication, the political decision of the Chancellery and the Ministry of Defense of Germany was made contrary to the Board of Governors of the Bundeswehr. They pointed out that only about 40 of the 119 Panzerhaubitzen 2000s in the Bundeswehr's service were serviceable and indispensable for their own needs.
The use of weapons with a sophisticated digital fire control system for Ukraine is also being questioned. The government has ignored these fears, although one of its political maxims is not to weaken the Bundeswehr and its ability to form alliances by supplying arms to Ukraine.
Panzerhaubitzen 2000 is a heavy artillery gun that can fire at a distance of up to 40 kilometers.
Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz explained that he did not consider it possible to be guided by ratings in matters of war and peace, and reiterated that caution was due to the fact that his government feared the start of NATO war with Russia.
Source: https://censor.net/en/n3338623https://censor.net/en/news/3338623/german_government_has_decided_to_supply_ukraine_wi th_selfpropelled_howitzers_panzerhaubitz_2000_welt
Something about the translation I think. Headline says Germany has decided to send the cannons. But the article seems to point out it can only send seven because they barely have enough serviceable systems to meet their own defence needs. I say we vote Skybird as chancellor he’s been pointing this out for years and would have seen to it see the Bundeswehr was properly armed by now. ;)
Agree 100%. My vote goes to you Skybird!! :Kaleun_Applaud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O8gTIr4lys
Catfish
05-04-22, 01:34 AM
Viktor Orban telling Pope Francis "The war ending on may 9th"?
They did not specify which year :hmmm:
If Russia wants Odessa they will not be able to take it in five days, unless Ukraine surrenders or agrees to give it to Russia. Cannot see this happen.
And Germany? Ukraine does not want to meet president Steinmeier, chancellor Scholz feels snubbed and does not want to visit, Merz (leader of the opposition) visits Ukraine without talking to the government first, and all still discussing what and how much military aid may be sent to not aggravate Russia. It is an outright Kindergarten indeed.
The Panzerhaubitzen or "Howitzers" 2000, quite idiotic to say that Germany needs them here in a case of emergency. If Ukraine is not such a case i don't know what is. The ukrainians are fighting a pan-european war, among others also for Germany.
If the splitting of opinions in populations and turning away from democracy has indeed been intiated by Russia they did a great job. But the turning away from consent and general agreement is a trend that has been visible before in the US, UK, France, Germany and so on, and probably will also bring down the EU, followed by real wars and cyber warfare.
It seems the past decades were rather an exception, than a development to an enligthened humankind.
Skybird
05-04-22, 03:29 AM
Germany heads some nato higher readiness brigades currently and needs equipment to fill that duty, thats why just 40 howitzers is few and 7 of ghese going to ukraine is a risk.
I posted a video on tbe pzh2000 which givey some reasons for and against sending them. Possible the ukraine can very well make use of its digital command integration. But its a very complex and maintenancegintensive system and thd crew, namely drivers, need schooling and training.
The vid explains it well.
Catfish
05-04-22, 04:31 AM
^ well Scholz had already said about tanks that they were too complicated, and it takes too long for Ukraine to learn how to use them. Added by being blackmailed with a nuclear war by Putin.
So if we do not school ukrainians, we do not need to send military hardware, so no nuclear war :yeah:
Ukrainians have shown how fast they learn, they have developed own systems that do not have to hide behind NATO weapons, in some aspect they are more advanced. They are able to use drones to an extent Germany can only dream of.
Those pzhs are needed there and now, not here. German is a joke when it comes to support other than with money.
This bull about complex systems that cannot be learned is a pretext, in my humblest of opinions.
As former Bundeswehr General Hans-Lothar Domröse told WDR on Thursday:
"At present, he said, there was no acute danger of a Russian attack against NATO states.In his view, the Bundeswehr could certainly hand over weapons from its stockpile and obtain replacements within a relatively short time. "If you want to do that, you would have a gap of maybe a quarter of a year," Domröse said, "which I think is justifiable."
Given the vast military experience in the Ukrainian army, he also sees no problem in quickly training soldiers on the new equipment."
Skybird
05-04-22, 05:29 AM
Tnhats true, the Ukrianians have been completely reoriented in their doctrine by their current chief of staff (was it him, I always forget these names ...) and they have trained according to NATO standards since 2014, the UK and the uS had trainers there since years - it should have done some good use. Thats why I said it spossibole they cna very well make use of the digital potential in that pzh2000 system - but certain that is not.
And what the One World One Scholz showtrain is singing in its latest showacts on stage I do not care for anymore anyway. Let him suffocate from his own blasé ego. Worse than Merkel - Wowh.
Training the Ukrainians, yes, of course, but the focus currently is not on what will be in half a year, but what makes a difference for them right now, from today to tomorrow.
And I wonder what Russia will do if later on Ukriane successfully attacks occupied Donbass and Luhansk territory and pushes the occupiers back. By definition of the fascists these territories will be "Russia" by then, so the recapturing of Ukrainian territory in their logic is an attack on Russia - which, if they cannot repel it, by their nuclear doctrine "legitimises" them to use nuclear weapons. Thats why I think the Ukraine must get tactical nukes that could reach Russia's real homeland, not just the occupied territories it has annexed. Why would the Ukrainians want to nuke their own country? The fascists need to be deterred from using nukes by having their own cities at risk and the war being brought to their own homes.
Skybird
05-04-22, 09:56 AM
There are reports that Germany will delever the Cobra radar system which can be linked to the PZH2000 and is an efficiency multiplier due to its ability to track every single shot by the enemy. This is relevant - I assume - in context with so-called counter-battery fire.
Skybird
05-04-22, 10:13 AM
................."Who delivered heavy weapons to Melnyk...? "............ "What, why? Thats his diplomatic car!"
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/images/diplomat_ts/28301174/1-format1007.jpg
Mr. Melnyk is Ukraines ambassador to Germany, and he is known (and feared) for his confronting, undiplomatic attacks against German politicians and the government's course during the Ukraine war.
nikimcbee
05-04-22, 10:14 AM
Something about the translation I think. Headline says Germany has decided to send the cannons...t (https://censor.net/en/news/3338623/german_government_has_decided_to_supply_ukraine_wi th_selfpropelled_howitzers_panzerhaubitz_2000_welt )
Maybe they are sending Hessians?
Jimbuna
05-04-22, 10:32 AM
The EU unveils proposals for new sanctions on Russia including a total ban on Russian oil imports by the end of the year.
The plans - which need member states' approval - also include sanctions on individuals, including those suspected of war crimes.
The EU also plans to offer additional military support to Moldova, amid fears war could spread to Ukraine's neighbour.
Russia says it is considering its options, while its defence minister warns Nato against sending military aid to Ukraine.
Russian missiles struck three power stations in Lviv late on Tuesday, causing blackouts in the western city, the mayor said.
Ukrainian authorities hope to evacuate hundreds of civilians from the city of Mariupol, which is almost fully under Russian control.
Jimbuna
05-04-22, 10:47 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajqlHG9Z4PI
Skybird
05-04-22, 10:50 AM
On gas. The Handelsblatt writes:
There are good reasons to prepare for an import ban on Russian gas, even if the German government and the EU are not planning such an embargo. One reason is that Russia could reduce or stop its gas exports in retaliation for sanctions. Another is to improve its own strategic position vis-à-vis Russia. That is why the early warning stage of the gas emergency plan was already activated on March 30.
It remains to be seen what other levels in the contingency plan will be reached. Stage 2, the alert stage, provides that the distribution of gas will continue to be left to the gas market.
However, if very high gas prices then occur, which could again drastically exceed the already high prices today, political intervention is unavoidable due to the associated (social) political challenges.
One possibility would be to limit the price increase through regulatory market intervention and to ration gas. This would occur at the latest at level 3, the emergency level, at which the Federal Network Agency would become active as the federal load distributor and allocate the gas.
In doing so, it is to ensure supply that is in the public interest, to balance the electricity and gas needs and interests of the Länder, and to ensure supply to the so-called privileged customer group, which enjoys special protection.
These are household customers and basic social services. However, rationing also leads to enormous challenges.
Who gets the gas and who doesn't in the event of a deterioration in the supply situation determines how the burden is shared among all sections of society.
The president of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, comments, "Unfortunately, it cannot be completely ruled out that we will have to make decisions that have terrible consequences for companies, for jobs, for value chains, for supply chains, for entire regions."
Simulations show the potential dangers of inefficient allocation: for example, while one study estimates the cost of a gas embargo at two to three percent of gross domestic product (GDP) under market-based gas allocation, industrial production would plummet under an allocation that favors households and services.
GDP would decline by an estimated ten percent. Although the figures should be taken with a grain of salt given many uncertainties, they show that mistakes in allocation become very costly.
Gas-consuming companies in a shortage situation must consider whether they can substitute gas with other energy sources, buy in (intermediate) products that would otherwise be produced with gas, or even stop production altogether and resell gas already purchased or put it to other uses.
These decisions are influenced by, among other things, the respective business model, the restructuring potential within the companies, the flexibility among the companies' customers, the existing contracts, and the expected specific supply and demand situation locally and on the (world) markets.
The costs of reducing gas consumption therefore differ seriously between companies.
This is a challenge for the Federal Network Agency if it is to decide on the allocation of gas on the basis of business models. To address this, the Federal Network Agency has set up a crisis team of 65 people and is conducting a survey of industrial gas consumption among the 2500 largest gas consumers.
Such a survey provides important insights into the current consumption situation, but does not do justice to the individual potential for evasion in the companies. The need for information goes far beyond accessible key figures. This is the well-known problem of a planned economy.
There are alternatives to planned allocation that should be considered in addition. One obvious alternative is auctioning.
Auctions establish the balance between demand and the fixed, rationed supply quantity. The contract would be awarded to those companies that have the highest willingness to pay, i.e., those that derive the highest economic benefit from the allocation.
Those that can substitute more easily or whose products can be substituted more easily have a lower willingness to pay and would not be awarded a contract - at least to the extent that they do not perform a critical task for the economy and society that is not reflected by their own willingness to pay.
The revenues from the auction could be returned to the companies for relief.
In order to protect privileged customers, i.e., households in particular, the public sector could additionally participate in the allocation as a bidder and purchase the gas for these customers at auction instead of removing it from the auction beforehand.
This would ensure that importers of gas would not have to worry about having to allocate their gas "below value" to customers, and for this reason would prefer to supply gas to other states.
Demand from privileged customers is also not rigid. Households can often turn down gas heating, at least some of the time, at little cost. The incentives to do so become greater if households can sell the gas they save.
For example, it would be conceivable to allocate to households based on the previous year's consumption, coupled with premiums that a household receives if it consumes less.
This would insulate households from large charges while incentivizing energy savings from which households could benefit.
This and other allocation mechanisms that socially and effectively invite energy savings are superior to simple allocation because they encourage favorable savings opportunities, thereby increasing the supply of gas for much-needed other uses.
There are other possibilities for goal-oriented auction mechanisms. For example, analogous to mechanisms in electricity markets, companies could be required to limit or cease gas consumption by competitive bidding.
Those offering to do so at the lowest cost would be awarded the contract and the accompanying compensation, and would prepare for shutdowns accordingly.
Such contracts are not new. But the group of addressees could be expanded - with conditions adjusted to the rationing situation.
Such shutdown auctions can also be carried out today, for example to fill gas storage facilities for the coming winter.
In all cases, the auction is about identifying those companies that want to purchase or reduce gas and at what price. Auctions can be conducted nationwide, by industry, or by region, and they can include volumes and time periods.
An auction allows prices to be used as an allocation mechanism. They help policymakers and regulators allocate gas quickly and according to value, even in times of greatest scarcity.
Businesses and households can at the same time be shielded from the consequences of the resulting high prices at a comparatively lower cost to the public purse. How well we emerge from any gas crisis will depend crucially on the design of the allocation mechanisms.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (http://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)
The authors: Peter Cramton is Professor of Economics at the University of Cologne. He has been researching the theory and practice of auctions since 1983. Axel Ockenfels is Professor of Economics at the University of Cologne. He focuses on market design, game theory, and behavioral economics. Achim Wambach is President of the Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) and a member of the Monopolies Commission. He conducts research on market design and competition policy.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Jimbuna
05-04-22, 10:53 AM
Hungary will veto the EU's proposal to ban imports of Russian oil, the country's international relations minister tells the BBC.
Zoltán Kovács says the proposal is "unacceptable" and would "ruin the Hungarian economy".
His comments throw the proposal into doubt as the plans must be approved by all 27 of the EU's member states.
Here's what Kovács told Stephen Sackur from BBC HARDtalk:
Stephen Sackur: Are you telling me when it comes to coherent, cooperative EU action, that you will exercise your veto. Is that what you’re going to do?
Zoltán Kovács: Shortly, yes. But at the end of the day you have to again remember how the European Union works. The proposal is coming from Brussels... that is the administrative, bureaucratic centre of the European Union - not from the member states.
They exactly know that what they are proposing is against Hungarian interests, is against the possibility that is feasible on the ground, and if we do that we are completely going to ruin the Hungarian economy.
Jimbuna
05-04-22, 12:06 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxk_-BofrXU
Catfish
05-04-22, 12:12 PM
Maybe they are sending Hessians?
The attack of the headless politicians horsemen .. :hmmm: :D
Catfish
05-04-22, 12:44 PM
"The opponents of the letter Z must understand that they will not be spared. Everything is serious here: concentration camps, re-education, sterilization!” - Shakhnazarov on state TV"
https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1521802979619311618
Not even trying to hide it anymore.
'Russians now on site of Azovstal factory'
Russian units have entered the grounds of the Azovstal steel factory in occupied Mariupol this evening. This is according to the chairman of the largest Ukrainian ruling party. According to Kiev, there is currently still contact with the Ukrainian military defending the factory. Earlier today, the mayor of Mariupol reported that contact had broken down.
“Blockades and attempts to destroy our units in the Azovstal area in Mariupol continue. In some areas, with the support of aircraft, the Russian enemy resumed the offensive in order to take control of the plant. There has been no success,” adviser to the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Stupun said in a video update.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that Russian Armed Forces were not “storming” the Azovstal plant, and instead described them as suppressing “attempts by militants” to take new firing positions.
'Russians now on site of Azovstal factory'
Russian units have entered the grounds of the Azovstal steel factory in occupied Mariupol this evening. This is according to the group chairman of the largest Ukrainian ruling party.
According to Kiev, there is currently still contact with the Ukrainian military defending the factory. Earlier today, the mayor of Mariupol reported that contact had broken down.
The lastest I have is this and it's from BBC
Posted at 17:0317:03
Contact lost with fighters in Mariupol steelworks - mayor
Sticking with Mariupol, the city's mayor says heavy fighting is taking place at the Azovstal steelworks, where Ukrainian forces are defending their last pocket of control in the city.
But Vadym Boychenko told Ukrainian television contact has been lost with the fighters inside.
Around 100 civilians have been evacuated from the plant in recent days, but it is thought hundreds of civilians, including more than 30 children, remain inside.
A senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told the BBC “a storm has begun on the part of the Russians” at the steelworks.
But earlier the Kremlin denied that Russia is storming the industrial complex.
"There is no storming," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, although there are "escalations" when Ukrainians take up firing positions, he said.
I've tried to find information on what you wrote about they have reestablished contact.
Markus
https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1521803362152374274
I (https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch) I am going to go out on a limb here and make a prediction that Putin will not do a full mobilization call on May 9th or anytime in the near future
I could be wrong, and I don’t have as much confidence in this call as I did in my invasion prediction back in December (https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1473362460673515527), but…
Here is why I think a mobilization call makes little sense for Putin, 1. Putin doesn’t need to continue major offensives to declare a victory he can sell to a domestic audience.
Putin can claim that he has
- demilitarized UKR (by destroying a lot of equipment and military-industrial infrastructure)
- “denazified” it (destroyed Azov battalion in Mariupol)
- protected “our people” in Donbas and Crimea by enlarging territory and creating a land corridor
Witt full control of Russian domestic propagandist media, selling such a win to a domestic audience would be a piece of cake for Putin. The truth never needs to stand in the way of a good story, the pliable Russian public would be happy to consume. Putin declaring victory does not mean Russian forces would leave or would even stop fighting. Recall that he has declared victory in Syria on multiple occasions and yet operations continue there to this day (https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-putin/putin-declares-complete-victory-on-both-banks-of-euphrates-in-syria-idUKKBN1E028G).
But Putin could end major offensive operations (which he can’t sustain past the fight for the Donbas anyway) and switch to defensive tactics to protect most of his gains against Ukrainian counterattacks. Defending Kherson could be tough but if the Russians abandon it, cross the Dnieper and blow the bridges, they could make it really tough for Ukrainians to retake the rest of the Donetsk to Crimea land corridor. Putin could continue to terrorize Ukrainian cities with occasional strikes and enforce the Black Sea blockade, which is strangling the Ukrainian economy, with subs (Ukraine has no ASW), coastal batteries in Crimea and surface ships (but far off the coast to avoid more Moskvas)
2. Declaring full mobilization is very fraught politically for Putin, declaring mobilization also means enlarging current limited war aims and risking suffering a devastating loss he wouldn’t be able to explain away.
Declaring mobilization just to help retake Donbas makes no sense from risk vs benefit trade off and is a de facto admission of defeat after feeding the domestic audience a steady stream of Russian supposed victories there and operation going “according to plan”. So if Putin declares mobilization, it would be to have another go at Kyiv and/or Odesa and establishing a pro-Russian puppet regime there. But he would be foolish to think that Shoigu and Gerasimov could succeed where they had already failed once.
More untrained manpower doesn’t solve bad tactics, logistics and training - in fact, it makes it all much worse - all the things that had doomed Russia’s first assault on Kyiv. And mobilization would take many months. So his current offensive, if it fails, would stall regardless. More importantly, Putin has now seen how difficult it is to control occupied areas even without significant organized resistance (Kherson) and how challenging it is to take cities that resist (Mariupol) and the destruction it would cause (which he would be stuck rebuilding).
He has surely lost faith by now in what FSB has been telling him about Russian agents in Ukraine that could quickly run the occupied country, so even if he were somehow to take Kyiv, establishing a puppet government that would actually run the country would be near impossible now. Finally, the political risks of mobilization are substantial. Putin knows it, and that’s why he has repeatedly declared (falsely) that conscripts don’t fight in Ukraine. His popularity is high now, and he would be risking it, especially if he fails (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-drafts-134500-conscripts-says-they-wont-go-ukraine-2022-03-31/).
Russian public currently supports the fake version of the war they are seeing on their TV screens. Most families don’t know anyone who is fighting and dying (many soldiers are from poor villages and ethnic minorities). A huge mobilization would change all that and is very risky. Putin has certainly gambled big on this war, but so far he has not gambled his hold on power, which remains quite secure. Calling for a full mobilization could put that at risk for little benefit. Lastly, he could hope to force concessions from Zelensky even without major new offensives.
If Putin keeps Ukraine from taking back most of occupied territory, continues to terrorize the population with air raids (although depleting missile stockpiles will be an issue) and strangles Ukraine’s export-driven economy with a blockade, he might believe he could get concessions. I am not saying he would necessarily succeed at all of these objectives - war is highly contingent, likes to say - but it would certainly not be crazy for Putin to think that he would. Putin could be right or wrong on Zelensky making any concessions and pushing the West to drop Russian sanctions as part of the deal, but the odds are much better for him with this course of action than mobilization and another huge offensive.
This is why I don’t think it’s likely that Putin declares full mobilization. But he could easily call for more patriotic volunteers, increase contract signup payments, etc. That I don’t rule out at all. Though, it won’t make a substantial difference for the Russian military. If I am proven wrong on this call, it will be most likely because Putin has been completely isolated from reality and has no idea what is truly happening in this war, since no one is telling him the truth. The degree to which this is the case is impossible to currently know.
The lastest I have is this and it's from BBC
I've tried to find information on what you wrote about they have reestablished contact.
Markushttps://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-05-04-22/h_c2b69ccdc12af9aad7cf8c697ef01a0e
https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-05-04-22/h_c2b69ccdc12af9aad7cf8c697ef01a0e
Thank you
Markus
Thank you
MarkusThey want Mariupol before the 9th. Russians have begun clearing rubble, buildings badly hit by bombing and shelling are being demolished.
Ukrainian intelligence agencies say key streets in Mariupol are also being cleared of debris, ammunition and bodies. The Russians are reportedly planning to hold a military parade in the city on May 9, according to Ukraine.
AFP:
BREAKING, Russia announces ceasefire at Azovstal steel plant in Ukraine's Mariupol to allow civilian evacuations.
BREAKING, Zelensky asks UN chief to help 'save' wounded from Azovstal plant in Mariupol.
They want Mariupol before the 9th. Russians have begun clearing rubble, buildings badly hit by bombing and shelling are being demolished.
Ukrainian intelligence agencies say key streets in Mariupol are also being cleared of debris, ammunition and bodies. The Russians are reportedly planning to hold a military parade in the city on May 9, according to Ukraine.
This has to be seen, before I believe they can do it on May 9th.
People, including me, awaits what will happen in Russia May 9th-Will Putin as some expert predict order mass mobilization and/or declare war.
Only 4½ day left(from where I live)
Markus
Catfish
05-04-22, 02:36 PM
[...] Ukrainian intelligence agencies say key streets in Mariupol are also being cleared of debris, ammunition and bodies. The Russians are reportedly planning to hold a military parade in the city on May 9, according to Ukraine.
I'd love to see some drones rain on this parade, and i hope this is what will happen.
AFP: BREAKING, Russia announces ceasefire at Azovstal steel plant in Ukraine's Mariupol to allow civilian evacuations. [...]
Seeing is believing. There is not one occasion when Russia did not lie.
Skybird
05-04-22, 02:38 PM
They want Mariupol before the 9th. Russians have begun clearing rubble, buildings badly hit by bombing and shelling are being demolished.
Ukrainian intelligence agencies say key streets in Mariupol are also being cleared of debris, ammunition and bodies. The Russians are reportedly planning to hold a military parade in the city on May 9, according to Ukraine.
Ukrainian drone-directed missiles or - if they have any - cruise missiles would work wonders to spoil it. R-17s for example. The ukraine has them. Range 250-300 km, so the city could be hit, is in range, from the North-West. The missile can carry chemical and nuclear, as well as fragmentation warheads and cluster munitions. Drop some on the parade on oh that sunny day while it gets live broadcasted on Russian TV. Joy and delight in the Kremlin, party in Moscow's streets and households!
No, too risky. I believe in that Mariupol parade when I see it marching.
Ukrainian drone-directed missiles or - if they have any - cruise missiles would work wonders to spoil it. R-17s for example. The ukraine has them. Range 250-300 km, so the city could be hit, is in range, from the North-West. The missile can carry chemical and nuclear, as well as fragmentation warheads and cluster munitions. Drop some on the parade on oh that sunny day while it gets live broadcasted on Russian TV. Joy and delight in the Kremlin, party in Moscow's streets and households!
No, too risky. I believe in that Mariupol parade when I see it marching.They want their 12 BTG joining the Donbass front what an army has Putin that about 10,000 must destroy a couple of hundred Ukraine soldiers
Russia says the army will open humanitarian corridors near the site of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol over the next three days. This would allow civilians still sheltering in the factory to safely leave the site. It is estimated that some 200 civilians are still in the underground corridors and bunkers at the factory site.
The Russian military says the humanitarian corridors will be open between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on May 5, 6 and 7. During those periods, the Russians promise to observe a ceasefire.
Skybird
05-04-22, 04:10 PM
Russia says the army will open humanitarian corridors near the site of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol over the next three days. This would allow civilians still sheltering in the factory to safely leave the site. It is estimated that some 200 civilians are still in the underground corridors and bunkers at the factory site.
The Russian military says the humanitarian corridors will be open between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on May 5, 6 and 7. During those periods, the Russians promise to observe a ceasefire.
For how many times in the past eight weeks have they promised humanitarian corridors and ceasefires for the duration of evacuations, only to then mow the fleeing civilians down with sniper fire, aimed artillery, missiles?
les green01
05-04-22, 04:29 PM
For how many times in the past eight weeks have they promised humanitarian corridors and ceasefires for the duration of evacuations, only to then mow the fleeing civilians down with sniper fire, aimed artillery, missiles?
Well said skybird
This is from BBC
Ukrainian officials say Russia has launched a major assault on the besieged Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol
A senior Ukrainian MP says he has been told Russian forces have entered the site - we cannot verify this
So much for the Breaking news ceasefire reported by Russia.
Markus
I know exactly what's going to happen the day after May 9th.
Putin and Lukasjenko will declare Ukraine war.
This is based on the thing I got from different news side, such as BBC, CNN and some Danish news side and liveuamap.
Belarus will attack from north and Russia will attack from east.
Russia will also expand the war to Moldova.
Markus
Rockstar
05-04-22, 11:19 PM
https://censor.net/en/news/3339056/for_germany_the_problem_is_that_steinmeier_was_ask ed_not_to_come_to_kyiv_scholz
For Germany, the problem is that Steinmeier was asked not to come to Kyiv - Scholz
News Censor.NET World
олаф,шольц
The FRG considers the unwillingness to host Federal President Franco-Walter Steinmeier in Kyiv as an obstacle to visits of the state's top leadership to Ukraine.
This was stated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, reports Censor.NЕТ with reference to Ukrinform.
"It is a problem for the German government, as well as for the German people, that the Federal President has been asked not to come ... It is the job of the government to represent our country. Mr. Steinmeier is the highest representative of our country, elected overwhelmingly," he explained.
The Chancellor noted that we need to think about how other officials can now deal with visits to Ukraine.
According to Scholz, Ukraine should also participate in resolving this issue.
Scholz recalled that he had already been to Kyiv and also met with President Zelensky in Brussels. He noted that he very often communicates with the Ukrainian leader by phone. "In this respect, we are in close contact," assured the German Chancellor.
Ostfriese
05-04-22, 11:47 PM
I know exactly what's going to happen the day after May 9th.
Putin and Lukasjenko will declare Ukraine war.
For Ukraine and the West (and the rest of the world) this will be mostly a change in wording only.
However, it'll be quite a change for Russia internally, because this would allow the Russian government to order a partial or even a general mobilization. While this definitely will increase the manpower the Russian military has availavle it won't help much in the near future, because it'll take time to train and equip the newly conscripted soldiers.
I don't know enough about Russia to be sure, but I'd guess any kind of mobilization would also result in a shift in public perception, more Russians will understand what really is going on in Ukraine. I'm quite certain that the opinion towards the war among the Russian people is nowhere near as positive as the government and the state media say, and I doubt that a mobilization will come without morale taking a nose-dive.
Belarus will attack from north and Russia will attack from east.
Russia will also expand the war to Moldova.
This might be what Lukashenka wants, but people in Belarus had enough time to see what might happen to them in Ukraine. Belarus would also likely face Ukrainian units that have been put together recently. They might be less experienced, but well equipped and rested.
About Moldova (You likely mean Transnistria, an unrecognized an unofficial Russian puppet state, forming a narrow corridor in the most eastern part of Moldova): that would open a second front, but one the Russians will be unable to supply. Transnistria is landlocked, aircraft would have to travel through Ukrainan air space or take the long route and travel through Moldovan air space. The first option would be deadly, the second option would have the aircraft flying in sight of the prying eys of NATO surveillance for hours (and Moldova certainly wouldn't like that, either).
Skybird
05-05-22, 07:01 AM
As I explained earlier already, the Ukrainians have absolutely zero reasons to like Steinmeier, they have not forgotten and not forgiven what kind of foreign policy he was driving forward and that had results that now haunt the Ukraine.
That blasé Scholz does not understand this shows just how hopelessly clueless and disconnected from reality he is. Instead he makes it an issue of himself feeling offended. Idiot. Melnyk is right on him. On them both.
Besides, Steinmeier is a master of turgid gibberish, he would be very difficult to bear as a guest even under normal circumstances. The fact is that a visit to Ukraine will help Steinmeier to forget the Russia-related damage to his image in Germany. It does not help Ukraine one bit. Weapons help Ukraine, and it is not for Steinmeier to decide about them. Scholz helped Merkel'S policies as wel, but different to Stenemier he can decide on weapons. Thats what gives him a technical value over Steinmeier that the Ukrainians are aware of. They do not like or trust Scholz either. But they need him. Steinmeier is neither wanted - nor needed. And not forgiven.
Scholz' office has taken over the coordination of the delivery of the heavy weapons. Promptly everything is delayed. How unexpected.
Skybird
05-05-22, 07:26 AM
Ukraine accepted the inevitable and the technical circumstances and has invited "the complete state leadership of Germany" to Kyiv, including Steinmeier.
There can be no doubt that this is theatre only. Ukraine needs Germany's cooperation, and Scholz practically blackmails them: either you accept Steinmeier, or I hold back the weapons. As i said, since the chancellors office took over the handling of the heavy weapons, everything gets suddenly delayed again. They also since weeks delay the agreed chain-exchange with Poland: German material for Poland, Polish tanks for Ukraine.
Catfish
05-05-22, 09:03 AM
https://i.imgur.com/Dn3kY8Vm.jpg
Jimbuna
05-05-22, 09:25 AM
Russian troops are thwarting attempts to evacuate civilians from the Mariupol steelworks, an Azov Battalion commander says.
Moscow had pledged to implement a three-day ceasefire - starting this morning - to allow civilians to escape the complex.
The Kremlin denies it is storming the Azovstal plant and says humanitarian corridors are functioning.
Meanwhile, international donors have pledged $6.5bn to support Ukraine during a conference in Poland.
In a video address to delegates, President Zelensky called on world leaders to invest in rebuilding a post-war Ukraine.
Ukraine says it's unlikely to launch a counter-offensive against Russia until it receives more weapons from its allies.
Jimbuna
05-05-22, 09:33 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEPX5dewpTk
Jimbuna
05-05-22, 09:39 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM5D4vPaNOg
Skybird
05-05-22, 11:24 AM
Ukraine says it's unlikely to launch a counter-offensive against Russia until it receives more weapons from its allies.
And thats the point. With so much fear to not provoke Russia when Ukraine attacks what the Russians soon will call Russian territory, I wonder whether they will get them. I predict the Europeans especially will keep the ukrianin expectations at an arms length's distance and make sure they do not gian the strength to attack "Russia".
US and UK maybe different on this, lets see how long the US stays with its declared policy of maximising damage on Russia as much as pissible to weaken it until it cannot start such a war in the forseeable future again. The longer the better. Two eyes for one eye, two teeth for one tooth.
I tick Klingon on this. No foul compromise. If they push, push back harder. If they kick, kick back meanier. If they threaten, show them what "threat" really means. Fascist Russia must understand that if it starts to nuke Ukraine, Russia will get nukie kisses as well.
Jimbuna
05-05-22, 12:10 PM
Vladimir Putin says Ukraine should order its fighters remaining in Mariupol's besieged Azovstal steel plant to surrender.
Moscow had pledged to implement a three-day ceasefire - starting this morning - to allow civilians to escape the complex.
But an Azov Battalion commander says Russian troops are thwarting attempts to evacuate civilians from the steelworks.
Capturing the entire of Mariupol would be symbolic for Moscow ahead of its annual 9 May Victory Day celebration.
Putin has apologised for Hitler comments.
Israeli Prime Minister Bennett says he has accepted Putin's apology for the remarks and thanked him for clarifying his position.
A Russian politician who is taking part in talks with Ukraine says negotiations between the two sides are difficult.
In comments cited by Russian news agency TASS, Leonid Slutsky accused Ukrainian representatives of "rolling back" existing agreements.
And thats the point. With so much fear to not provoke Russia when Ukraine attacks what the Russians soon will call Russian territory, I wonder whether they will get them. I predict the Europeans especially will keep the ukrianin expectations at an arms length's distance and make sure they do not gian the strength to attack "Russia".
US and UK maybe different on this, lets see how long the US stays with its declared policy of maximising damage on Russia as much as pissible to weaken it until it cannot start such a war in the forseeable future again. The longer the better. Two eyes for one eye, two teeth for one tooth.
I tick Klingon on this. No foul compromise. If they push, push back harder. If they kick, kick back meanier. If they threaten, show them what "threat" really means. Fascist Russia must understand that if it starts to nuke Ukraine, Russia will get nukie kisses as well.
Ukraine will not launch a counteroffensive against Russia until mid-June at the earliest. This is what Oleksi Arestovych, political advisor to Ukrainian President Zelensky, tells Reuters news agency. Until then, the country is still gathering enough weapons to carry out the offensive, he expects.
In the same interview, the advisor says that Russia is likely to achieve "no more significant results" that it can present as victory on May 9, the day on which victory over Nazi Germany is celebrated in Russia every year.
As we speak(write) weapons and supply is being send to Ukraine so they can fight the Russian invasion army...
Will this stream of weapon continue even after Russia has manage to take full control over these two region Donbas and Luhansk ?
As Some of you mentioned earlier when Russia has fulfilled they objective they will rest and rebuild what they lost in the war..
This made me wonder...when this happens what about our eager to send weapon and supply to Ukraine..will this stop or continue ?
Markus
The war in Ukraine has had its fair share of embarrassments for the Kremlin. From the sinking of the Slava class cruiser Moskva in April to the infamous 40-mile-long Russian military convoy holdup near Kyiv seen earlier in the conflict, Moscow has had little to cheer about in terms of projecting competent military strength. The latest hit comes via visual evidence that a Russian T-90M Proryv-3 (Breakthrough-3) — a modern and rare main battle tank — has been destroyed on the battlefield by Ukrainian forces... https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/russia-just-lots-its-most-advanced-operational-tank-in-ukraine
Jimbuna
05-05-22, 12:33 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otoe5yV-rjA
The war in Ukraine has had its fair share of embarrassments for the Kremlin. From the sinking of the Slava class cruiser Moskva in April to the infamous 40-mile-long Russian military convoy holdup near Kyiv seen earlier in the conflict, Moscow has had little to cheer about in terms of projecting competent military strength. The latest hit comes via visual evidence that a Russian T-90M Proryv-3 (Breakthrough-3) — a modern and rare main battle tank — has been destroyed on the battlefield by Ukrainian forces... https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/russia-just-lots-its-most-advanced-operational-tank-in-ukraine
Material which was used in earlier war, become obsolete in the next war.
After WWII Battleship became obsolete-Even though some of them were used many decades after.
I have the feeling that tanks and AFV will somehow be obsolete..Here I'm thinking manpowered tanks and AFV.
Markus
As we speak(write) weapons and supply is being send to Ukraine so they can fight the Russian invasion army...
Will this stream of weapon continue even after Russia has manage to take full control over these two region Donbas and Luhansk ?
As Some of you mentioned earlier when Russia has fulfilled they objective they will rest and rebuild what they lost in the war..
This made me wonder...when this happens what about our eager to send weapon and supply to Ukraine..will this stop or continue ?
MarkusRebuilding will take years with the sanctions, they do not have means to produce and there is still the unwillingness of Russians to go to fight in Ukraine what you see now in the field are contract soldiers from the poorest areas of Russia and mercenaries. These also have low moral and destroy equipment to prevent them to be sent in the fights. Russia has not fulfilled their objectives right now it is withdrawing or stall with heavy losses there are BTG's send back to be rebuilt problem is with what they have not even rebuilt BTG's from the Kyiv front the supply to Ukraine is working.
Skybird
05-05-22, 01:04 PM
I just saw the program "Kulturzeit" from 19:00 this evening on 3SAT. They had a part on Ukraine that imo illustrates why Germany has an outstanding responsibility to not accept at all any manouvering that leads to accepting parts of Ukraine being given to Russia in a "land for (temporary) peace" deal. The fact that there are German "intellectuals" who demand exactly this is absolutely intolerable and an affront to German history.
The transcipt is the beginning and ending of the program'S narration, they used it to advertise the program. It can be found (in German) in the mediathek of 3SAT. Bold print by me.
------------------
In the ruins of Ukrainian cities still live people for whom this is not the first war. They have experienced everything before: terror, occupation, mass murder. On July 22, 1941, the German Wehrmacht invades the Soviet Union. From day one, this is a war unlike any that has ever been fought before. This is not about conquest, but about enslavement and extermination. In 1941, what is now western Ukraine is divided between German-occupied Poland and the Soviet Union. Both considered Ukraine as a granary, a supplier of other, more powerful states. Neither the Soviets nor the Germans saw Ukraine as an independent country, let alone as a culture of its own. But rather as a colony that produces food. On June 30, 1941, the Wehrmacht marched into Lviv. Many Ukrainians initially received the Germans as liberators from the Soviets. In the slipstream of the Wehrmacht, two SS battalions named "Roland" and "Nachtigall" also enter Lviv. They consist of members of the Ukrainian Liberation Army under Stepan Bandera.
On the same day, Bandera's men proclaim an independent Ukraine. Collaboration and (....) ammunition in political debate to this day. Even as Bandera's men celebrate independence, Lviv's Jews are mercilessly persecuted. For the Jews, Bandera believes, are communist sympathizers, standing in the way of a separate Ukrainian nation. More than 100 people die in a brutal way. The Germans let the mass murder happen. It fits into their concept of a racially pure Europe. A separate Ukrainian nation, on the other hand, has no place in their thinking. By the end of the German occupation in October 1944, at least five million Ukrainian civilians had died. The Nazis bluntly call the targeted starvation the "Hunger Plan." Another three million die fighting the Germans. One in five of the 40 million World War II dead in Europe are Ukrainians. A blind spot in historical memory. Ukraine as a cultureless space, as a mass of disposal - this colonial thinking exists to this day, under different political auspices.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (http://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)
https://www.3sat.de/kultur/kulturzeit/sendung-vom-5-mai-2022-102.html
Rockstar
05-05-22, 01:13 PM
A T-90 is just lipstick on a T-72
So, with Russian effort on land and air concentrated on the Donbas, they have barely moved 9 days. This is why the trajectory of Ukraine getting relatively stronger and Russia weaker matters. The chance of the Russians to move forward is decreasing. And the Russian effort to throw everything into the Donbas has actually left their forces on the ground in Mariupol surprisingly weak. Would be worth watching if it's too weak. Pentagon says 2 BTG's, about 2000 Russian soldiers left in Mariupol.
Ukrainians claim that the Russians were able to attack the Mariupol steel works because of an inside job. If the Ukrainians have driven them back, Russians can’t play that card again. Ukrainian commander in Chief Zaluzhnyi now saying, far from the Russians being just stalled in the Donbas, that the Ukrainians are now counterattacking around Izyum. (We already knew about Kharkiv)
It might be worth noting that since the Russians launched the Battle of the Donbas on 18 April, the Ukrainians have probably driven the Russians out of more territory in total (esp around Kharkiv) than the Russians have seized in Ukraine incl the Donbas.
Skybird
05-05-22, 01:27 PM
All Russian Tanks except the latest Armata suffer from the Jack in the box problem. They store "ready" grenades unsecured in the turret so that even a non-critical hit could make the loaded ammunition of the tank blowing up, also any such hit and explosion leave the crew zero chance to escape and survive.
The French have delivered many thermals to Russia that were used to upgrade certain lines of the optics for T-72 and T-90. Still, viewing options from these tanks are not good, and if you want to know how shooting with them is, do some sessions in Steel Beasts Pro in its accurately modelled T-72. I found it not to be funny. The tehcncial errors are so biog that every tank even has different, individual markers in its targetting optics to compensate for production flaws.
The plus of these tanks is their big guns, and missile ammo shot via 125mm barrels. If there is one thing I really hate in SBP, then it must be "Refleks". Precise armour-penetrating shots at 5000m - not nice to be at the receiving end of this.
Still, these tanks are rolling death traps, like BMPs. Their design represent the attitude of the higher ranks towards the lower soldiers. Forward and die - that describes Russian military doctrine best.
All Russian Tanks except the latest Armata suffer from the Jack in the box problem. They store "ready" grenades unsecured in the turret so that even a non-critical hit could make the loaded ammunition of the tank blowing up, also any such hit and explosion leave the crew zero chance to escape and survive.
The French have delivered many thermals to Russia that were used to upgrade certain lines of the optics for T-72 and T-90. Still, viewing options from these tanks are not good, and if you want to know how shooting with them is, do some sessions in Steel Beasts Pro in its accurately modelled T-72. I found it not to be funny. The tehcncial errors are so biog that every tank even has different, individual markers in its targetting optics to compensate for production flaws.
The plus of these tanks is their big guns, and missile ammo shot via 125mm barrels. If there is one thing I really hate in SBP, then it must be "Refleks". Precise armour-penetrating shots at 5000m - not nice to be at the receiving end of this.
Still, these tanks are rolling death traps, like BMPs. Their design represent the attitude of the higher ranks towards the lower soldiers. Forward and die - that describes Russian military doctrine best.
Russian soldiers rather sit on those BMP's then inside when attacked interior cased so mane scrappers they feared to be inside.
^ This problem Jack-in-the-box problem has been known my NATO since first Iraqi war in 1991.
(Read it in a Danish article)
And they haven't fixed it in all these year !!!
Markus
German Chancellor Scholz and U.S. President Biden will not recognize the territories Russia has captured in Ukraine as Russian. They agreed to this in a telephone conversation. Russia wants to hold referendums in conquered areas such as Donetsk and Luhansk in which residents can choose to join Russia.
Biden and Scholz further agreed that Ukraine can permanently count on strong support in self-defense against the Russian attack. They also again urged Russia to immediately stop hostilities and respect its borders.
^ This problem Jack-in-the-box problem has been known my NATO since first Iraqi war in 1991.
(Read it in a Danish article)
And they haven't fixed it in all these year !!!
Markus
They have not fixed it, this was known when USSR invaded Afghanistan
Skybird
05-05-22, 01:56 PM
^ This problem Jack-in-the-box problem has been known my NATO since first Iraqi war in 1991.
(Read it in a Danish article)
And they haven't fixed it in all these year !!!
Markus
Well, you cannot "fix" it without replacing the complete turret. Western tanks store rounds in a "ready rack" that is physically separated from the turret'S crew interior, there is kind of a hatch, and armoured doors. The ready rack holds a part of the total rounds stored of a tank. When it is emptied, the tank needs to find a secure place and reload the ready-rack from his main ammo storage (usually at the bottom of the tank). The German Leopards for exmaple must swing their barrel to the 5 o-clock position so that the loader can access the floor were the main storage for rounds is, and from there they get packed by hand to the turret's backside ready rack. During this time the tank can scan, but not fire and shoot, and a vulenrable flank-rear quardant of the tank is exposed to the front of the main chassis. Its a vulnerably time. You do not want to do this while being seated in a battle position under fire, you want to find lasting cover first.
Roughly around a quarter of tank's total ammo is stored in the ready rack. The ready rack is isolated from the rest of the turret. Its like an external rucksack, linked to the turret via an armoured window gate. The gate opens and closes for every loading after every shot. There is even free empty space between the rack'S storage and the turret.
Russian tanks do not have this design. Their ammo is placed inside the turret, period. To fix it means to do a new turret. Means: doing a new tank design. They have mechanical loaders, which makes "fixings" even more impossible.
They have not fixed it, this was known when USSR invaded Afghanistan
I stand corrected it became known when they invaded Afghanistan.
Reading Skybirds answer to my comments made me remember an episode of WWII in colour.
In this episode they were talking about Russian Vs German tanks and manner was the Tiger complicated in it's build.
The Gear box was created by Porsche and demanded training before mastering it. The "wheel"(Forgot what they are called) had to be removed and substitut with something else when travelling on train and when arrived at destination they had to put the "Wheel" back on again.
(there is a possibility I could have remembered wrong)
Markus
Onkel Neal
05-05-22, 02:52 PM
For Ukraine and the West (and the rest of the world) this will be mostly a change in wording only.
However, it'll be quite a change for Russia internally, because this would allow the Russian government to order a partial or even a general mobilization. While this definitely will increase the manpower the Russian military has availavle it won't help much in the near future, because it'll take time to train and equip the newly conscripted soldiers.
I don't know enough about Russia to be sure, but I'd guess any kind of mobilization would also result in a shift in public perception, more Russians will understand what really is going on in Ukraine. I'm quite certain that the opinion towards the war among the Russian people is nowhere near as positive as the government and the state media say, and I doubt that a mobilization will come without morale taking a nose-dive.
er).
Man, I hope you're right. I'm thinking a full declaration of war and drafting thousands of non-military boys would ignite a rebellion with the Russian people, big enough to overcome the efforts of state police to put it down.
Onkel Neal
05-05-22, 03:00 PM
Putin’s Russia rose like Hitler’s Germany — and could end the same
The striking similarities between Vladimir Putin’s Russia and Adolf Hitler’s Germany are not accidental. Both regimes had — the past tense is intentional — the same historical trajectory because both were the product of imperial collapse and its destabilizing aftermath on the one hand and the emergence of a strong leader promising to make the country great again on the other.
Imperial revival was popular, enhanced elite legitimacy, promised to revive the economy and extirpate humiliating memories of collapse, and seemed to guarantee great-power status. Central to their attempts at re-imperialization was the false claim that their ethnic brethren in the newly independent colonies were being oppressed: the Germans in Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland; the Russians in all the post-Soviet states, and especially Ukraine.
Tentative stabs at expansion followed. Hitler grabbed the Rhineland, Austria, and the Sudetenland. Putin grabbed Chechnya, parts of Georgia, and parts of Ukraine. Given their imperial mindsets, militaristic ambitions, personality cults and demonization of minorities (Jews and Ukrainians), it was almost inevitable that Hitler and Putin then embarked on major wars. In 1939, Hitler attacked Poland; in 1941, he attacked the USSR. Putin’s war with Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022.
Putin’s generals also appear to have known they would not win after their attempt at a blitzkrieg failed to capture Kyiv. It has taken thousands of dead and Russia’s genocide of Ukrainians to align scores of countries — and, in particular, the United States and the United Kingdom — with Ukraine and to provide it with the heavy weaponry it needs to defeat Russia.
Fittingly, Putin reportedly also resides in a bunker. In all likelihood, that’s where he, too, will meet his end.
https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/3470515-putins-russia-rose-like-hitlers-germany-and-could-end-the-same/
Man, I hope you're right. I'm thinking a full declaration of war and drafting thousands of non-military boys would ignite a rebellion with the Russian people, big enough to overcome the efforts of state police to put it down.It comes of its own accord, unengineered by anyone, born in the chaos of the collapse of... The tinder is there. What sets it alight is a mystery. The key to success is the refusal by the police and military to restore order and defend the old regime. Decayed regimes inevitably elevate leaders of stunning incompetence, corruption and imbecility that even the elites, in the end, do not want to defend them.
I fear this coming Russian collapse-No one knows what they may do when it happens.
Of course expert has been wrong before.
Markus
Skybird
05-05-22, 04:12 PM
He who follows Putin could easily be even worse.
Skybird
05-05-22, 04:21 PM
The Neue Zürcher Zeitung explains why Russia apparently is running short on soldiers.
Before the war, the dominant assumption among the Western public, and even among many military experts, was that Russia was vastly superior to Ukraine militarily. This image was based on a series of too little questioned assumptions. One of them was the idea that the world's largest country had many times more human resources at its disposal. On paper, this is true. Russia's active forces number about 900,000, plus 2 million former conscripts who could be called up as reservists.
However, Russia went to war with only 160,000 to 180,000 troops. These were the most operational units of the land forces and airborne troops, supplemented by units of the navy, air force and national guard. However, in the failed battle for Kiev and on other sections of the front, Russia suffered heavy losses. Western estimates put the death toll at 15,000 and the number of wounded, missing and captured at two to three times that figure. This would mean that a quarter to a third of the original invasion force is no longer available.
This is consistent with a British Ministry of Defense estimate that more than a quarter of Russia's 120 deployed tactical battalion groups are no longer fit for combat. The American side sounds a similar note. The Pentagon speaks of 93 battalion groups deployed in Ukraine, by no means all of them fully manned. Tactical battalion groups of about 800 men each are the basic units of the Russian combat forces; they are infantry or tank battalions reinforced with artillery, air defense systems and other means.
The Kremlin's failure to bring much-needed reinforcements to the war zone in the six weeks since it changed strategy exposes fundamental weaknesses. The debacle at Kiev forced a reorientation toward the more modest goal of at least conquering the Donbass region. But even for that, available troops are obviously too scarce. The Russian offensive has made no headway in recent days.
The Moscow leadership is undoubtedly aware of the problem, but it cannot tap reserves at will. This is due to the problematic structure of the armed forces. Unlike the United States, which switched to an all-volunteer army as early as the 1970s, Russia has made only limited progress in professionalizing its military. The country has a mixed system of conscripts and professional soldiers. For the time being, Russia relies on the maintenance of universal conscription to fill the stocks of active units and the reserve.
Conscripted men typically serve for one year, consisting of four to eight months of training and remaining time in their unit. So no sooner have these so-called srotschniki learned how to use their weapons than they are released back into civilian life.
There are two enlistments a year, and in each of the past few years some 260,000 recruits have been called up. This is not a large number given the current 1.2 million men of recruiting age. But even the relatively modest recruitment campaigns are by no means going smoothly. In March and April of this year, at least five acts of sabotage against enlistment offices were reported. Where the perpetrators were caught, they said they had wanted to protest the war or destroy recruiting office databases. Although these are isolated cases, there is nothing to suggest a wave of patriotism that would drive young men en masse into the enlistment offices.
In any case, the srotschniki are at a great disadvantage for the military leadership. According to current rules, they cannot be sent to war zones, not even to fight the alleged Nazis in Ukraine, which, according to the official reading, is merely a "special military operation." Nevertheless, when cases of Russian basic military conscripts in Ukraine came to light this spring, President Putin took action and launched criminal investigations. This shows what a hot potato this is; the Kremlin fears political resentment among the population toward sending inexperienced service members to the front lines.
Putin's invasion army therefore consists almost exclusively of temporary or professional soldiers. They are called kontraktniki in Russia because they have signed a "kontrakt," a contract for temporary employment with the armed forces. As a rule, they are people who have done their basic military service and therefore already have some experience. However, Russia has also started to draft recruits immediately as contract soldiers or to turn them into Kontraktniki with more or less pressure during their service. In this way, such soldiers can also be called up for military service in Ukraine.
The use of professional soldiers helps professionalize the armed forces, but it comes at a price. Unlike a conscript, who has to be satisfied with a pay of the equivalent of about one franc a day, a contractnik receives a decent salary. This varies greatly depending on the type of troop, experience, rank and special services, but already exceeds 300 francs per month for ordinary soldiers. Especially for men from poorer parts of Russia, a military career can therefore be financially attractive.
In times of war, however, the calculation changes. Despite the rosy picture of propaganda, word is spreading of the bloody reality in Ukraine. While the original invasion forces were led to believe that the neighboring country would be defeated after four to five days, potential contract soldiers hardly harbor such illusions anymore. According to unconfirmed reports, the military administration is having great difficulty finding new contract Niki or renewing existing contracts.
This presents the Kremlin with a choice between two evils: It can either continue the offensive with the available forces; however, in that case, according to military expert Konrad Muzyka, the Russians run the risk of failure and falling victim to counterattacks by the increasingly well-equipped Ukrainians. Or Putin may order a partial or even a general mobilization. This would mean that conscripts and reservists could also be called up for the war effort.
Politically, however, this would be risky. Putin would have to drop the fiction of a "special operation" going entirely according to plan and declare a state of war. It would be an admission of failure so far. In addition, there is the uncertainty of whether mobilization would really decisively improve Russian combat power. Military expert Rob Lee points to the poor level of training of the reservists. Unlike in Switzerland with its refresher courses, conscripts in Russia do not have to regularly enlist to refresh their military skills.
Moreover, more personnel is not a sufficient condition for greater combat effectiveness. Basic problems such as failed tactics, weaknesses in command structure, communications and logistics, and the loss of more than 1,800 armored vehicles cannot be compensated for.
The most likely scenario, therefore, is that Putin will limit himself to partial mobilization. This would allow Moscow to call up certain reinforcements without taking excessive political risks. Nevertheless, the situation is becoming more dicey for the Kremlin ruler. Hardliners in Russia are calling for all-out war, while Ukraine senses an opportunity not only to stop the invaders but to push them back. Putin's room for maneuver for a reasonably face-saving solution is getting narrower and narrower.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (http://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)
From this article I would conclude that it is in Putin's interest to have referendums quickly that create the alibi to label the occupied territories as "Russian", and any counterattack on them thus could be sold to the Russian public as an attack on Russia that allows conscripts to be sent to the front legally, opening the door for partial or generla mobilization without having to admit that the so-called "special operation" in fact was a war of aggression that went wrong and anything but successful. It also opens the path for using the narration of an attack on Russia to use nuclear weapons, because Putin gave Russia a doctrine in 2020 that says that it uses nukes first if Russia is at risk and in danger.
Translated from a Danish newspaper
Putin is obsessed with Nazis
Russia often throws the 'Nazi card' when running propaganda against enemies. The reason is Russia's national obsession with victory over Hitler. The latest examples are 'raving mad', says Danish expert
Ukraine is filled with Nazis, Jews are often the worst anti-Semites and Astrid Lindgren herself is now accused of defending Nazism in what looks like an attack on Sweden's plans for NATO membership.
The torrent of Kremlin lies about alleged Nazis will be almost endless these days.
- The Putin regime is using it to steer public opinion and the population towards outright hatred of Ukraine and the West. One has to shake one's head because it is raving mad.
- But it is also very scary because it shows that Moscow has no inhibitions, says Mette Skak, Russia expert and lecturer at Aarhus University.
Before the invasion, Putin said the 'special military operation', as the war is still called in Russia, was to 'de-Nazify' Ukraine.
Russia's invasion of its neighbour is thus legitimised as a defence against Nazism.
- They equate the invasion of Ukraine with the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
- It sounds crazy, but you just have to remember that it's a narrative that has been repeated over and over again in Russia, says Jeanette Serritzlev, Military Analyst at the Defence Academy.
The Great Patriotic War
In Russia, the Second World War is known as 'The Great Patriotic War' and the Soviet Union's victory over Hitler's Nazis is a major part of the Russian self-image and national narrative.
The victory over Nazi Germany is celebrated every year on 9 May, a national holiday, with a huge military parade and festivities across the country.
- The Great Patriotic War is a war that lives in the history of every Russian family. Linking the war in Ukraine to the collective memory of the war against the Nazis speaks to the need for national unity.
- Those who don't support it are seen as bad Russians," says Jeanette Serritzlev.
In the West, we often see the Nazi threat as a closed historical chapter. The Second World War was many years ago. But in Russia, the enemy image lives on.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Markus
Rockstar
05-05-22, 04:44 PM
Translated from a Danish newspaper
Markus
Hell, even over here a certain political party plays the Nazi card every chance they get. They probably own a copy of Putin’s playbook. :D
Democrats and the Nazi Card
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2016/11/24/democrats_and_the_nazi_card_132428.html#
It’s called Reductio ad Hitlerum
Reductio ad Hitlerum, also known as playing the Nazi card, is an attempt to invalidate someone else's position on the basis that the same view was held by Adolf Hitler or the Nazi Party. One example would be that since Hitler was against smoking, this implies that someone who is against smoking is a Nazi. Coined by Leo Strauss in 1953, reductio ad Hitlerum borrows its name from the term used in logic called reductio ad absurdum. According to Strauss, reductio ad Hitlerum is a form of ad hominem, ad misericordiam, or a fallacy of irrelevance. The suggested rationale is one of guilt by association. It is a tactic often used to derail arguments because such comparisons tend to distract and anger the opponent.
Thank you Rockstar today I learned something new.
Markus
Rockstar
05-05-22, 05:29 PM
So, May 9th is right around the corner.
What do you think will happen?
1. Event cancelled
2. Putin declares victory and ends occupation.
3. Putin expands operations
4. Putin declares war on NATO
5. Putin launches nukes
6. Operators in Red Square attack/disrupt celebrations.
7. Operators inside Russia in a coordinated attack blow up factories, railroad, fuel and supply depots
8. Nothing changes Russian quagmire continues
9. All of the above
I’m going with #6
So, May 9th is right around the corner.
What do you think will happen?
1. Event cancelled
2. Putin declares victory and ends occupation.
3. Putin expands operations
4. Putin declares war on NATO
5. Putin launches nukes
6. Operators in Red Square conduct local attack/disruption of celebrations.
7. Operators inside Russia in a coordinated attack blow up factories, railroad, fuel and supply depots
8. Nothing changes Russian quagmire continues
9. All of the above
I’m going with #6
I hope number 3,4 and 5 doesn't happen-I hope number 1 and 2 happens
Markus
I'd go along with 8. :hmmm:
Otto Harkaman
05-05-22, 07:45 PM
^ #8 also with addendum, celebrations will just be about WW2 no mention of Ukraine
Ostfriese
05-05-22, 11:50 PM
#8, but with many many flashy words and shiny (but otherwise useless) military stuff wrapped around.
Catfish
05-06-22, 01:15 AM
I guess that #8 will be the one. Not that i like it.
I'd like to introduce #9, Putin holds a victory parade in Mariupol and someone launches some missiles raining on it, all being broadcasted live on russian tv.
tmccarthy
05-06-22, 02:53 AM
https://youtu.be/7xCjjbG2Ln4
Catfish
05-06-22, 03:47 AM
^ Fake. "CGTN news" is a propaganda medium, Russia cooperating with China.
B.t.w. the ship was visible from Odessa with a naked eye.
What the US did was to help explicitely identifying it being the Moskva, to make sure. The sinking and all else, including planning and execution, was done by Ukraine. Using self-developed ukrainian weapons.
Moskva was the ship that had fired the missiles targeting civilian residential areas at Mariupol.
Russia still says it was a fire breaking out that sunk the Moskva. Not wrong ;)
https://www.newsweek.com/putin-preparing-russians-nato-war-1702308
"All along, Russian domestic propaganda has emphasized that Russia is at war not with Ukraine, but with NATO and the West," Yuri Zhukov, an associate professor at the University of Michigan, told Newsweek." [...]
Zhukov continued, "This framing makes it easier to explain military losses to the domestic audience. It also helps lay the political groundwork for a potential full wartime mobilization in Russia, which the regime has so far been hesitant to announce. And yes, it also creates political pressure to strike NATO targets, beginning with supply lines."
tmccarthy
05-06-22, 05:30 AM
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/05/us/politics/moskva-russia-ship-ukraine-us.html
Sorry, I don't watch western mainstream media, not in 20 years.
-Tim
tmccarthy
05-06-22, 05:31 AM
https://youtu.be/MXgli7TpINw
Catfish
05-06-22, 05:53 AM
Even if this was true, does this justify an invasion?
Skybird
05-06-22, 08:13 AM
The Germans "desperately" seek and search (or claim to do so) - and find no ammunition for the Gepards.
I dont know whether I should laugh, yell or cry.
Can this be true ?
A friend posted a video clip from twitter where a woman in the video says that it was Ukrainian forces that prevent them from evacuation and not the Russian.
https://twitter.com/MResearchacc/status/1522244678158110720?
The text is Swedish but the video is in Ukraine with English subtitles.
Can't decide if it's true or not.
Markus
Skybird
05-06-22, 09:09 AM
FOCUS:
The Russian war of aggression on Ukraine has been going on for two and a half months now, and there is no end in sight. On the contrary, the merciless shelling of the port city of Mariupol by Putin's army just 50 kilometers west of the Russian border shows that the horror knows no bounds. And there are also growing concerns that the war could spread.
Against this backdrop, the debate over the supply of heavy weapons such as howitzers and battle tanks to Ukraine to fight the Kremlin warmonger's troops is gaining momentum, especially in Germany. Two different groups of artists and intellectuals have sent open letters to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). The first spoke out against the deliveries , the second in favor.
According to a May 4 Forsa poll, 57 percent of Germans believe that the risk of expanding war has increased as a result of the Bundestag's decision to supply heavy weapons. 586 deputies had voted in favor on April 27, only 100 against, and seven abstained.
The delivery of seven heavy, state-of-the-art artillery pieces from Germany to Ukraine - the "Panzerhaubitzen 2000" - is not without controversy even in military circles. Unlike in the population, however, the concern behind this is not the expansion of a war. Rather, it is feared that this would weaken the Bundeswehr too much and that it would not be able to fulfill its alliance obligations.
The problem: since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the security situation on NATO's eastern flank has suddenly deteriorated dramatically. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, both EU and NATO members, border Russia directly. And Poland, with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, has a thorn in its flesh from which the Kremlin could fire Iskander missiles with nuclear warheads as far as Berlin in a matter of minutes.
More than three decades after the end of the Cold War, however, NATO's conventional combat power in Europe has declined dramatically - despite the alliance's eastward expansion. Therefore, it is "especially now more important than ever" that Germany fulfills its NATO obligations, warned Heinrich Brauß, until 2018 NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Defense Policy and Force Planning, now in an interview with FOCUS Online . The Bundeswehr will take over the leadership of the Rapid Reaction Force, also called the "spearhead of NATO," next year. This force of up to 20,000 soldiers can be deployed wherever it is needed in a maximum of 72 hours.
What Germany does not need at the moment, however, is "the fanning of fear in the population through ill-considered statements by politicians," says a high-ranking ex-NATO general in an interview with FOCUS Online. However, he does not want to see his name published on this sensitive issue. "I think it's really stupid talk to link the supply of heavy weapons with the threat of a third world war or even nuclear war. Just as Chancellor Scholz implied in his recent interview with 'Der Spiegel,'" the former top officer said.
Above all, "you don't talk about a nuclear war in public," the military expert adds. Scholz had said in "Der Spiegel" in connection with the deliveries of heavy weapons that a "military confrontation" between NATO and the "nuclear power Russia" must be avoided at all costs. "I am doing everything to prevent an escalation that would lead to a third world war. There must be no nuclear war."
The ex-Nato general said that the chancellor achieves nothing with such statements other than "carrying uncertainty into the population." In addition, Scholz is making himself susceptible to blackmail by the Russian side. Putin's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov immediately returned Scholz's advantage.
Lavrov now actually speaks of a "proxy war" between NATO and Russia via Ukraine. One day before the vote on further German arms deliveries in the Bundestag, Lavrov warned of the danger of a world war including the use of nuclear weapons. "I wonder what kind of advisers Olaf Scholz has there," the military expert wondered.
https://p6.focus.de/img/fotos/id_10266746/reichweite-des-russi-60185488.jpg?im=Resize%3D%28630%2C674%29&hash=4f56350490c48a578fe7e25cbac66e18d69aadd9296b4 da9f2369d7b5ad4271a
dpa graphic Example of the presumed range of the Russian cruise missile 9M729, starting from the Kaliningrad oblast.
But not all military experts see it that way. "The question of whether the war in Ukraine could turn into a war over Ukraine has been on my mind for quite a while," says another senior retired German NATO general in an interview with FOCUS Online. The officer also prefers to remain anonymous on the subject.
His main concern is not the debate over the likelihood of nuclear war. "I think the nuclear balance is still stable. The red phones between Moscow and Washington have all been reactivated. But below that level, in conventional weapons, that balance has not existed in Europe for a long time," says the retired general.
Until the end of the Cold War, the Bundeswehr had forces of just under half a million men plus three times as many reservists at its disposal, the expert says. Today, however, there are only 295,000 servicemen and women. And they are plagued by chronic material and weapons problems. At that time, the Bundeswehr had 4600 battle tanks at its disposal. The Bundeswehr is now miles away from being able to defend its own country," says the ex-military officer.
In principle, NATO is capable of defending itself against an aggressor like Russia with conventional weapons, the expert emphasizes. The problem, however, is that neither the French nor the British nor the Germans currently have contingents on NATO's eastern flank that could seriously counter a possible Russian expansion of the war.
More seriously, he said, the U.S. has significantly downsized its military presence in Europe since 1990. "It would take months for the U.S. to have its equipment shipped back across the Atlantic and carted to NATO's eastern flank ready for deployment," he said. Putin, on the other hand, if he wanted to get serious, could be on the German border in four to six weeks." To be sure, the media in this country often convey a desolate picture of the state of Russia's armed forces when reporting on the Ukraine war. "But Putin's troops still have reserves that should not be forgotten." The other ex-Nato general also sees the danger of escalation on NATO's eastern flank rising significantly.
Against this backdrop, the military expert, who was once also a member of the Bundeswehr's top command, believes it is simply "the duty of the German chancellor to inform the citizens about this risk. "This risk is not abstract, it is real."
At the same time, he urged that Western states keep a close eye on what Ukraine is doing with the weapons it supplies. Their purpose, he said, was a defense against the Russian army's attack, which is against international law. If, on the other hand, Ukraine were to become so strong through military support that it set its sights on retaking annexed Crimea and the Donbass regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, this could significantly increase tensions between Russia and NATO, the ex-general said.
Meanwhile, a new legal opinion by the German parliament's Scientific Service concludes that arms deliveries to Ukraine cannot be considered an act of war - regardless of the type of weapons involved. However, according to "Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland" (RND), the paper also warns that the West would be "leaving the safe area of non-warfare" if it instructed or trained the party to the conflict - in this case Ukraine - on these weapons.
The U.S. has also already expanded the strategic focus of its support, the ex-general continued. "We want to see Russia weakened to the point where it will no longer be able to do things like this, which it did with the invasion of Ukraine," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyi in person in Kiev in late April. Such an expansion of military assistance to Ukraine would go well beyond countering the attack. According to the ex-general, "That's where the point looms where Russia could say, 'We're under attack.'"
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Skybird
05-06-22, 09:14 AM
Hungary vetoes an EU gas embargo - [EDIT: correction: its even just an oil embargo they are against] -, saying it would be like dropping a nuclear bomb on the Hungarian economy. They also reject any delayed timetables, but vetoe it on principle reasons. Slovenia joins Hungary.
FOCUS:
There is a threat of problems with the delivery of tanks to Ukraine. The ring swap announced on April 21, in which Slovenia is to supply tanks to Ukraine and Germany to Slovenia, is stalling. The problem: The Slovenians do not want to be fobbed off by Germany with ancient tanks. Der Spiegel" reports on this.
The Leopard 2 main battle tanks and Puma infantry fighting vehicles promised by Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht are not available, Lambrecht's department head told the political director in Slovenia's defense ministry. Instead, according to a protocol obtained by "Der Spiegel," Germany offered the obsolete "Marder" and "Fuchs" models.
However, Slovenia did not agree to this deal. According to the memo, the Slovenian politician replied that "the sale of battle tanks can only be compensated for by other battle tanks. Anything else would not be acceptable in Slovenia. He is more flexible when it comes to infantry fighting vehicles for Ukraine.
However, Slovenia does not want to have a model like the Marder, as it is planning to modernize its armed forces. In principle, Slovenia is prepared to hand over 30 T-72 main battle tanks and 35 modernized Soviet BMP1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. The prerequisite is "adequate" compensation from Germany.
The problem in Germany: The stock of "Leopard 2" tanks "is not sufficient to cover the structural requirements", a transfer "would hit the army hard". The same would apply to "Puma" tanks. The confidential paper lists several proposed solutions, none of which has been implemented to date.
les green01
05-06-22, 09:47 AM
Hungary vetoes an EU gas embargo - [EDIT: correction: its even just an oil embargo they are against] -, saying it would be like dropping a nuclear bomb on the Hungarian economy. They also reject any delayed timetables, but vetoe it on principle reasons. Slovenia joins Hungary.
FOCUS:
There is a threat of problems with the delivery of tanks to Ukraine. The ring swap announced on April 21, in which Slovenia is to supply tanks to Ukraine and Germany to Slovenia, is stalling. The problem: The Slovenians do not want to be fobbed off by Germany with ancient tanks. Der Spiegel" reports on this.
The Leopard 2 main battle tanks and Puma infantry fighting vehicles promised by Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht are not available, Lambrecht's department head told the political director in Slovenia's defense ministry. Instead, according to a protocol obtained by "Der Spiegel," Germany offered the obsolete "Marder" and "Fuchs" models.
However, Slovenia did not agree to this deal. According to the memo, the Slovenian politician replied that "the sale of battle tanks can only be compensated for by other battle tanks. Anything else would not be acceptable in Slovenia. He is more flexible when it comes to infantry fighting vehicles for Ukraine.
However, Slovenia does not want to have a model like the Marder, as it is planning to modernize its armed forces. In principle, Slovenia is prepared to hand over 30 T-72 main battle tanks and 35 modernized Soviet BMP1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. The prerequisite is "adequate" compensation from Germany.
The problem in Germany: The stock of "Leopard 2" tanks "is not sufficient to cover the structural requirements", a transfer "would hit the army hard". The same would apply to "Puma" tanks. The confidential paper lists several proposed solutions, none of which has been implemented to date.
i hadn't been playing much attention in eu but not surprise that Hungary veto it seem like they and putin is butt buddies if i remember right
tmccarthy
05-06-22, 10:53 AM
Even if this was true, does this justify an invasion?
The Oligarch? No, just good information to have, I heard it mentioned a few weeks ago and just remembered to look it up. This guy has stolen billions from Ukraine and billions from Russian oligarchs! Fair to say as long as we are sending him billions of dollars in aid there will be an effect on peace negotiations or even the strategy of the war. Maybe when I write my monthly check on some federal taxes I owe I'll write memo: "for Ihor K.":hmmm:
-Tim
Catfish
05-06-22, 11:12 AM
There was a report a few days ago on the TV, 2 hours, about Zelensky's life, what he did before, how he became president, and how much money he earned, has, and earns.
Zelensky had founded a company Kvartal 95 Studio (Ukrainian: Сту́дія «Кварта́л-95»; Russian: Сту́дия «Кварта́л-95») and is a publicly held television entertainment production company, operating in Ukraine since 2003.
What this report clearly showed was that Ukraine was not a third world underdeveloped sh!thole, b ut a country on the way to become an international partner
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvartal_95_Studio)
His current wealth or net worth is about 2-8 million dollars before he transferred or sold the company after becoming president.
All i read afterwards supports this, just not some conspiracy theories. Oligarchs have nothing to do with it.
Also Zelensky does not seem to be a billionaire, as it is stated in some russian videos, certainly to discredit him. https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-ukraine-zelenskiy-idUSL2N2WI1ES
https://time.com/6171277/volodymyr-zelensky-interview-ukraine-war/
Catfish
05-06-22, 11:22 AM
re Skybird as i heard today via DLF Germany will instantly deliver 7 of PzH 2000 mobile tanks just coming out of repair and maintenance, together with the Cobra and Adler system. Ukrainian soldiers will have to learn how the system works, but it is not that complicated.
Gepard tanks will also be delivered, however this system seems more complicated than the newer ones.
"Heard today" does not mean it has to be true of course.
edit: transport starts "next week"
Catfish
05-06-22, 11:51 AM
Seems another russian warship sank in the Black sea.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-russias-admiral-makarov-warship-26889015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbc_vc7Y8kI
Russia is the first navy to lose a sea war against a nation without a navy.
^ You video link made me think of this article from BBC
The US provided intelligence that helped Ukraine sink the Moskva, Russia's flagship Black Sea missile cruiser, several US media report.
Unnamed officials said Ukraine had asked the US about a ship sailing to the south of Odesa.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61343044
If it's true and they(USA)even helped Ukraine with this one I don't know what Russia is going to do about it
Markus
Catfish
05-06-22, 12:16 PM
If it's true and they(USA)even helped Ukraine with this one I don't know what Russia is going to do about it Markus
Well i don't know either. But I doubt Russia does.
tmccarthy
05-06-22, 12:26 PM
https://youtu.be/-faLoCQU8w4
Skybird
05-06-22, 12:29 PM
Catfish, by all what the BW says the PZH2000 is a VERY complex system if to be sued to its full potential, one speaker a few deays backl said it were the most complex combat platform ever being used by the BW. The training of the 20 (!) Ukrianain soldiers will take 43 days, 6 weeks. When they return and - maybe! - the hardware with them, they will spend more time with then distzrubuting their traning and learned knoweldge to other ukrianain sol,diers manning those howitzers. There are 12 systems form NL and D, so they need 120 crew members for full crew strength - and that is just one "shift" so to speak, and doe snto allow any losses and leaves due to illness (even in war soldiuers can suffer serious illness that indeed take them out fo action. So you need to train even mroe than just 20 now and 100 later.
Then there is the logistics issue, for ammunition and spareparts.
I do not expect the PZH to see combat action before 2-3 months from now on.
Spcial stress is ont eh driver,s for they are also those who will fave major burden from maintaining the mechanical needfs of thre hardware, and repair any damages to tracks, wheels, mechanical things.
No word to what degree Ukrainian army is capable to integrate the digital systems of the PZH into thei command and communication structure. This is necessary, however, without that the PZH looses its major advantage. It spossibloe the Ukrianaisn cna do that due to their trainign by US and UK trainers over years and teir doctirne beign chnaged to reflkect and beign compatabile with NATO standards, but certain and confirmed this is not. Currently its a hope they can do it, not more.
Here is praying that the facists do not discover a newly awakend appetite for adventures in the Suvalki gap. The BW is just about to give up 20% of its already extremely limited pool of operational self propelled artillery.
Euroipean natiosn, even the Wetsenr and Slouthern ones like France, Spain, Britain, need to start shuffling forces to NATO's eastern flank. What use is in NAOT forces in princpel beign able to take on the rsusians, if their forces are mostly scattered around the whole continent and being placed far, far awar from the focus of action? Currently the allianc eprjects only a fraciton of its forces into the hoitspot where forces are needed. Thats is a terribly huge mistake. Combat power must be amassed and focussed. Ours/NATO's is distracted, kept away, out of reach.
And I wonder what has come fo that US nuclear unti thast was ertatcivated meanwzile i Germany, some weeks ago. Have they already gotten tactical missiles back in Germany? It snot about me wantign to bstart a nukie party, but about believable deterrance to prevent the fascists doing something mad in Kaliningrad.
https://youtu.be/-faLoCQU8w4
The Pope? How many divisions as he got?
^ You video link made me think of this article from BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61343044
If it's true and they(USA)even helped Ukraine with this one I don't know what Russia is going to do about it
MarkusA lot of intelligent services in the west help Ukraine this made public will have a reason.
Commander Wallace
05-06-22, 02:00 PM
Well i don't know either. But I doubt Russia does.
This really is a rather old game. When the U.S was involved in the Korean War and Vietnam, Russia did far worse. U.S pilots in both wars encountered not only Russian weapons but also Russian military personnel, Including Russian pilots.
Downed Russian aircraft were recovered along with their pilots, many of which were Russian pilots. This was a proving ground for Russia and very much a proxy war, just as Russia sees U.S " interference " in the Ukraine.
The reality is, Russia expected the U.S to oppose them and furnish weapons to the Ukrainians or any other party opposing them.
Russia can't do anything to stop the shipment of weapons unless the shipments are attacked in the Ukraine. If Russia attacks weapon shipments in a NATO country, they know full well they will face the U.S and it's allies up close and personal. In light of the logistical issues Russia has had and the Incompetence of the Russian forces and difficulties it faces with the Ukrainian military forces, this would be a rather stupid move. However, no one ever accused Putin and his forces of being smart though.
https://www.rbth.com/history/332396-how-soviets-fought-against-americans
https://www.rbth.com/blogs/2015/04/30/vietnam_war_the_critical_role_of_russian_weapons_4 2917
https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0291russians/
http://www.koreanwaronline.com/arms/RussianPilots.htm
White House: role of US in attack on Moskva is overstated
The White House says the role played by U.S. intelligence agencies in the war in Ukraine is overstated. Anonymous sources within the U.S. government tell The New York Times that Ukraine was able to take out Russian generals and attack the flagship Moskva with help from U.S. intelligence.
"These reports are not accurate," said White House spokesperson Jen Psaki. "We did not give Ukraine specific targeting information on the Moskva. We were not involved in the decision to attack the ship. The Ukrainians have their own capabilities to track down Russian naval vessels and take them under fire. They did so in this case."
According to the White House, the role of Ukrainian intelligence is underestimated. "They have more information and better access to information than we do."
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