Here we go again-Ukraine once again

[mapuc]

I have never heard so many fighter jet in the air as I do now.

It's like 1-2 jet 3-4 times per day. Maybe more.

Usually it's 1-2 jet 2-3 times per month.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced the UK is increasing its supply of weapons to Ukraine to defend itself.

Britain has already delivered 2,000 NLAW anti-tank missiles (Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapons). Wallace told MPs that number was being increased to 3,615.

In addition Wallace said the UK was also supplying Ukraine with a small consignment of Javelin anti-tank weapons and examining the possibility of sending Starstreak surface to air missiles to Ukraine.

He said the UK had also provided small arms, body armour, helmets, ration packs and medical supplies to Ukraine.

[Armistead]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkws9Bs1V9I

I can't find anything to confirm this, but remember when the USS Donald Cook was buzzed by two Russian jets over the Baltic Sea in 2016. I wonder if they would try that now...

[Jimbuna]

A maternity ward and a children's ward have been destroyed in a Russian air strike on a hospital in the southern city of Mariupol, officials there say.

"The destruction is colossal," the city council says. There are reports of many dead and injured in the city, where people have been trapped for days with little food.

[Skybird]

Syria was the test run. The targetting of civilians and hospitals is intentional. These are no accidents, nor collateral damages, since collateral damages are not intentionally tagetted, but sideffects, accidents, mishaps, whatever: unintentional . These Russian atrocities were no accidents in Syria, nor are they now in the Ukraine.


Cold-blooded targetted slaying of civilian people, mothers, children: to spread terror and demoralization.

[Jimbuna]

Syria was the test run. The targetting of civilians and hospitals is intentional. These are no accidents, nor collateral damages, since collateral damages are not intentionally tagetted, but sideffects, accidents, mishaps, whatever: unintentional . These Russian atrocities were no accidents in Syria, nor are they now in the Ukraine.


Cold-blooded targetted slaying of civilian people, mothers, children: to spread terror and demoralization.

WAR CRIMES!

[mapuc]

How is the speech from your politician when it comes to Ukraine and helping them more than we already do ?

Here in Denmark and in Sweden the politician gives me the feeling that they want us to help Ukraine more than we do today.

With todays awful bombing of this hospital I expect this will increase.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Talks between Russia and Ukraine's foreign ministers are set to take place in Turkey tomorrow, and the country's President Erdogan is hoping to act as a mediator.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has also been acting as an intermediary, flying to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday and also speaking on the phone with him and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Israeli officials have briefed Israeli journalists that the discussions are now at a “critical” point.

US-based news site Axios reported on Tuesday night that the Israeli officials felt there had been a “softening of positions on both sides” the Russians were saying “they only want to demilitarise the Donbas”.

Putin declared at the start of the invasion that he wanted to defend Russian-speaking communities through the “demilitarisation and de-Nazification” of Ukraine. He also demanded Ukraine recognise Crimea as part of Russia and recognise the independence of the Russian-backed areas of Luhansk and Donetsk, which are part of the Donbas region.

The Russian proposal was “difficult” for Zelensky to accept, but it “doesn’t include regime change in Kyiv and allows Ukraine to keep its sovereignty”, the Israeli officials added.

The Jerusalem Post cited sources as saying the Russian offer was “final”, and that Putin would ramp up the Russian assault if Mr Zelensky rejected it.

[Jimbuna]

For the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, the two countries' foreign ministers have agreed to meet for talks, which take place in Turkey tomorrow.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he hopes the meeting in the southern resort of Antalya will "open the door to a permanent ceasefire".

It's not clear what chance he has of progress as Russia's president has said he'll pursue his aims either through negotiations or military action.

Turkey's a member of Nato but its president has tried to carve out a different position from Western countries on the Russian invasion. While he said Turkey didn't accept what was happening to Ukrainians, sanctions had "almost turned into a witch hunt against the Russian people, literature, students and artists".

He singled out the Munich Philharmonic for sacking renowned conductor and Putin supporter Valery Gergiev, calling it "ridiculous".

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKlo1FHLuM8

[mapuc]

I'm 150 % sure our leaders around the world is monitoring this war-Modern war.

Not to see who commits war crimes-No how the war is fought and which problem each army runs into.

So far it's mostly the Russian who have the biggest problem whereof Logistic is one of them.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

And here was me thinking only one side was conceding territory daily.

[mapuc]

And here was me thinking only one side was conceding territory daily.

For the Ukrainian it's one step forward and two step backwards.

You just posted a yt video showing a column being destroyed by the Ukrainian army.

As mentioned before Russia will win-But it will take a longer time than these 24-48 hours as they expected it would take and it will cost them dearly in material and manpower.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS7nZf6G2w8

[Jimbuna]

War in Ukraine: Russia soon unable to pay its debts, warns agency.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60672085

[Skybird]

As mentioned before Russia will win-But it will take a longer time than these 24-48 hours as they expected it would take and it will cost them dearly in material and manpower.


Don't sell the skin until you have shot the bear. The Russians can do a lot of damage and killing, yes. But to conquer and control the country and 40+ million angry Ukrainians, which would be part of "winning the war", is somethign very different.

I am winning optimism that the Ukrainians will get through it. They win by rejecting victory to Russia.

At least as long as Russia does not go nuclear.

Both sides have cautiously moved away form their diplomaticlatic maximum demands. As i said this morning, they said on our TV news this evenign as well. There seems to be a faint chance for serious negotiations and the desire to accept compromises to just get out of this war. Both sides, I have the impression. And said with all caution and scepticism and hesitation. After all, its Putin and the Russians, so no reason to be super optimistic and trusting. The Ukrainians said today that they wanted to get into NATO to prevent this war. Now that the war is here, there is no meaning in getting into NATO anymore to prevent it.

[mapuc]

Three things here

1. Winning a war defeat the defender and take control over it's stuff

2. Gain control over the country-Take control over the Parliament

3. Gain control over the population in the invaded country. This is the hardest part and is impossible-Only one country has given up their will to an another country-Austria(if I remember my history correct)

I predict Russia will archive number 1 and 2.

Markus

[Skybird]

Three things here

1. Winning a war defeat the defender and take control over it's stuff

2. Gain control over the country-Take control over the Parliament

3. Gain control over the population in the invaded country. This is the hardest part and is impossible-Only one country has given up their will to an another country-Austria(if I remember my history correct)

I predict Russia will archive number 1 and 2.

Markus

Okay, I take the bet against your prediction.

I say Russia will fail in points 1, 2 and 3. That does not mean they do not manage to kill Selensky. But they will fail in installing their wanted puppet regime.

I bet this way because I think it will turn out this way, but also because I want to bet on the side whose cause is right.

As long as the West does not drop its supplying support in ammo and missiles and such.


Granted, three weeks ago I would have bet the other way. But not only did the Ukrainains surprised us big time, but the Russians completely "disappoint" me, thankfully. I expected far more of them, what they show is lousy. All the money they pumped into modernising their army, was either a fail, or disappeared in corrupt pockets. Never felt so good to be wrong about something!

[mapuc]

To make one thing very clear

I HOPE Ukraine will win this war.

I just have the feeling that Russia will go one or two gear up-Meaning they will go into total war-Where we will see their bomberplanes drop bombs over Kyiv like bomberplane did during WWII.

And the number of manpower on the ground will go up massive.

But I hope Ukrainian will win this either on the battlefield(With the help from us) or in some agreement.

You wrote
the Russians completely "disappoint" me, thankfully. I expected far more of them,

As I wrote earlier
Russia has the biggest problem whereof their logistic is one of them.

Markus

[Catfish]

@Mapuc what made yoh post that Poland sent its MiG 29 jets to Ukraine? It didn't.

re russian attacks at hospitals and escape routes, this is nothing new, Russia already dit it in Syriah and elsewhere. Sign treaties, declare escape routes, and deliberately target civilians, then obliterate the cities. Russian lies.

"Russia says it is not seeking a change of power in the former Soviet republic with its war against Ukraine. The goal is "neither the occupation of Ukraine, nor the destruction of its statehood, nor the overthrow of the current leadership" under President Volodomir Zelensky, says Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, according to the state agency Tass in Moscow."

So Russia/Putin says that? Lies again. Go fk yourself, Putin.

[Skybird]

British defence ministry is quoted in German media with having said that the Russians have confirmed to have used the Buratino TOS-1 at least once.

German news said Buratino's destruction zone, if firing a fujll volley, equals the size of three football fields. Going by the average size of football fields in German Bundesliga stadiums (rules allow variations), that would be around 21400 sqm.

[mapuc]

@Mapuc what made yoh post that Poland sent its MiG 29 jets to Ukraine? It didn't.

re russian attacks at hospitals and escape routes, this is nothing new, Russia already dit it in Syriah and elsewhere. Sign treaties, declare escape routes, and deliberately target civilians, then obliterate the cities. Russian lies.

"Russia says it is not seeking a change of power in the former Soviet republic with its war against Ukraine. The goal is "neither the occupation of Ukraine, nor the destruction of its statehood, nor the overthrow of the current leadership" under President Volodomir Zelensky, says Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, according to the state agency Tass in Moscow."

So Russia/Putin says that? Lies again. Go fk yourself, Putin.

Can't find it I know there was a deal between Poland and USA, Where Poland would send their 23 MIG 29 to an US military base in Germany but both USA and Germany has refuse this step.
1:
The United States has rejected Poland’s offer to send its MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine via a US airbase in Germany, saying the proposal raised “serious concerns” for the entire NATO alliance.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/9/us-rejects-poland-offer-to-send-mig-29-fighter-jets-to-ukraine

2:
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday said he did not support a proposal from Poland to deliver Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine via the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany.


https://www.dw.com/en/scholz-sending-polish-jets-to-ukraine-via-us-base-in-germany-certainly-not-an-option/a-61060929

Markus

[Catfish]

I meant that:
Following was posted on FB yesterday by a Danish politician
Some of it is old news by now-Poland has send their old MIG 29 to Ukraine.
MarkusAh sorry. "Facebook.".

[Skybird]

I was confused about the planes deal, too. It was indeed reported that the US were pressing the Poles to release their Migs for such a deal, and Poland did not want to do it. That was two or three days before. Yesterday suddenly it gets reported that the Poles agreed to do it, and now the US does not want to do it anymore and poses as the surprised one.

I think in the US administration somebody's right hand did not know what somebody else's left hand was doing.


There are different repots on what the plan was. Some reports indicate the planes should have been sent via Ramstein by Ukrainian pilots into the Ukraine and then beign stationed on an Ukrainain base and beign flown by Ukrainian pilots. Some other reports I red at least implied the planes should operate from Germany, flown by Ukrainian pilots, but Ramstein remaining to be the home base. That why the Poles did not want it to do themselves this way: it would have triggered Russian attacks against Poland, so better to let the Germans and Americans take the blow.

The latter plan, if it was seriously considered, indeed were a stupid idea.


22 of the Polish 27 Mig-29 one belonged to Germany. They were sold for a symbolic price of 1 Euro.

[mapuc]

I meant that:
Ah sorry. "Facebook.".

I had one comment about these MIG 29 before that- This is why I wrote it's old news.

Secondly I thought when the agreement was done-The were Ukrainian fighter pilot standing ready to fly them back to Ukraine. It was first later I read about this US airbase in Germany.

Sorry.

Markus

[Onkel Neal]

I am not surprised the US has torpedoed the idea of swapping planes from Poland to Ukraine. First, they would just get shot down by the Russians. Second, this would be dangerously close to crossing the line to becoming an active participant in the war.

The time will come when Putin's forces will engage with Ukrainian insurgents on the Polish border and that's when NATO will declare war and hit back. We know that's just a matter of time; the US is quietly getting in position to rampage over the Russian army. After that, the Russians will start firing nukes and that's the end for Europe, Russia and the US and Canada. Could be the end of civilization.

The US definitely has its political problems with leaders like Trump and Biden, with a political party that wants to unravel the thread of our society and offer up our land and heritage to anyone who wants it. But at least we aren't cowed like the Russian people, who have had the same dictator for 22 years and counting. They just let their leaders walk all over them.

It's so laughable, that Putin believes the West wants to "weaken Russian and invade". Jeez, we don't give two craps about Russia. Never have. I guess when a dictator has full control over the Russian media, it's easy to get the people to believe whatever he wants them to. Add in their historic inclination to be followers, we end up in this mess.

One thing I can say about the Germans, after WWII, they have been an admirable nation. Who would have imagined that the country that spawned the Nazis would be more reasonable and intelligent than the country that the West fought to save, Russia?

[mapuc]

The time will come when Putin's forces will engage with Ukrainian insurgents on the Polish border and that's when NATO will declare war and hit back. We know that's just a matter of time; the US is quietly getting in position to rampage over the Russian army. After that, the Russians will start firing nukes and that's the end for Europe, Russia and the US and Canada. Could be the end of civilization.

May your prediction be wrong.

To be honest I believe you may be right.

Markus

[Onkel Neal]

I hope I'm wrong too, but PUTIN.

[mapuc]

Even the former NATO leader Fogh say it's only a matter of time before NATO send fighter jets against Russian fighter jets.

Edit
I decided to use this deepl translator instead

Start article
We cannot rule out NATO sending combat aircraft against Russia, says Fogh

There is a real possibility that NATO will end up at war with Russia, says former Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Only hours ago, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz purely refused to send fighter jets to Ukraine.

Nor do other European NATO countries or the US want to escalate the war against Russia by sending their own troops or planes into the air.

Yet former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen will not rule out the possibility that NATO could end up going to war.

- If we send aircraft, it will be to protect Ukrainian airspace, and then we must be ready to shoot down Russian aircraft. That would undeniably mean war between NATO and Russia, says Anders Fogh Rasmussen in the programme 'Lippert' on TV 2 NEWS.

And we must be ready for that, because the future of democracy in Europe is at stake, he says:

- I think that if it is to act as a deterrent to Putin, we must not rule anything out. And I'm one of those who says we should keep Putin in maximum uncertainty.

So we can't afford for Russia to win the war?

- No, we cannot. The Ukrainians have shown a fantastic will to fight and we will support them to the end.

For now, though, NATO is keeping its planes on the ground.

But the alliance has bolstered Ukraine's defences in other ways - with tens of thousands of weapons. These include anti-tank weapons and anti-tank missiles, of which Denmark alone has supplied 2,700.

And should the Russian president end up interpreting the West's weapons as a declaration of war, the former secretary-general has no doubt who would ultimately win.

- Putin would be beaten to a pulp by NATO. Once NATO moves, it will be with enormous force. You have to remember that the investments we make in defence are ten times greater than Putin's," he says.

Fogh wants to boycott Russian gas
At the same time, the West has tried to put an end to the war by imposing a wide range of sanctions on Russia.

The EU is currently discussing the possibility of becoming completely independent of Russian gas and oil. On Thursday, the 27 heads of state and government will meet in Brussels, where gas supplies from Russia are on the agenda.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen is in no doubt here either: gas from Russia must be boycotted completely - and sooner rather than later.

- It is important that we cut off Russia's oil and gas revenues as quickly as possible. I have been in contact with various actors in this area, and my assessment is that the West can manage for a year without it. It will, of course, be much more expensive to find elsewhere, but the price is small compared with the price in freedom and peace that we would otherwise have to pay.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
End of article

End edit

Markus

[Armistead]

Well, reporting is Ukraine has several squadrons that they basically can't use due to Russian surface to air superiority. Not sure what military airbases Ukraine has but why haven't they all been taken out. Is it due to Ukraine air defense in those areas? Seems to me we need to send drones. Heck, send a mass of cheap commercial drones that can carry 20lbs of TNT and just land them on their forward bases and blow em up.

[August]

Way I see it the Ukrainians might be better off getting surface to air missiles and other ground based anti-air defenses from us than a gaggle of obsolete fighter jets that might not last beyond one or two missions given the Russians own formidable AA capabilities. It would be far less provocative to supply that stuff as well. Those Polish jets risk a real shooting nuclear war the second they take off from a NATO airport even if they are flown by Ukrainian pilots with Ukrainian markings and IFF.

[Skybird]

Russia accuses the US of maintaining chemical weapon labs in the Ukraine. Washington fears this latest media manouver by the Kremlin might be the opening of preparing the use of chemical and biological weapons by Russia in the Ukraine.

[Skybird]

Cant recall I ever heard Neal sounding so pessimistic. Hope you are alright, Neal?!

[Onkel Neal]

I'm fine, but we're all screwed. I don't Putin backing down and if his forces engage Poland or any other NATO member, it's on. Big time.

Basically, Putin is going to screw up everyone's lives.

[em2nought]

I'm fine, but we're all screwed. I don't Putin backing down and if his forces engage Poland or any other NATO member, it's on. Big time.

Basically, Putin is going to screw up everyone's lives.

Brandon was already doing a fine job of that on his own so now we might be double screwed. :03:

[ET2SN]

Russia accuses the US of maintaining chemical weapon labs in the Ukraine. Washington fears this latest media manouver by the Kremlin might be the opening of preparing the use of chemical and biological weapons by Russia in the Ukraine.

All I can say is that's its a good thing they never figured out where we moved our space aliens and lizard men. :shucks:

Of course we built a chemical weapons lab in Ukraine. Where else would we build it, Canada? :ping:

[Ostfriese]

It's so laughable, that Putin believes the West wants to "weaken Russian and invade". Jeez, we don't give two craps about Russia. Never have.


This may be true for the USA, but unfortunately isn't for the West as a whole. Russians are being taught about their past, and Russia has experienced at least three serious invasions from the west: Napoleon invaded in 1812, the Western Allies intervened in the Russian Civil War from 1918 to 1920, and Nazi Germany invaded in 1941.


Yes, I'm aware that was all long ago, but all three events are still deeply embedded in Russian history and thinking.

[Jimbuna]

@Mapuc what made yoh post that Poland sent its MiG 29 jets to Ukraine? It didn't.

re russian attacks at hospitals and escape routes, this is nothing new, Russia already dit it in Syriah and elsewhere. Sign treaties, declare escape routes, and deliberately target civilians, then obliterate the cities. Russian lies.

"Russia says it is not seeking a change of power in the former Soviet republic with its war against Ukraine. The goal is "neither the occupation of Ukraine, nor the destruction of its statehood, nor the overthrow of the current leadership" under President Volodomir Zelensky, says Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, according to the state agency Tass in Moscow."

So Russia/Putin says that? Lies again. Go fk yourself, Putin.

Precisely! :yep:

[Jimbuna]

A maternity ward and a children's ward have been destroyed in a Russian air strike on a hospital in the southern city of Mariupol, Ukrainian officials say.

Three people - including a child - died in the bombing, Mariupol's deputy mayor says.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calls the attack on the facility a "war crime". "The destruction is colossal," the city council says.

Ukraine and Russia's foreign ministers are holding peace talks in Turkey.

The US warns that Russia could be planning a chemical or biological attack in Ukraine.

The US House of Representatives has passed a $13.6bn aid plan for Ukraine, while the IMF has approved $1.4bn in emergency funding.

[Skybird]

I'm fine, but we're all screwed. I don't Putin backing down and if his forces engage Poland or any other NATO member, it's on. Big time.

Basically, Putin is going to screw up everyone's lives.
Basically he already has , look at costs and prices.Your endgame scenario is possible and realistic, but lets not forget it is one amongst several, still. There must be people in their hierarchy that want to live on, too. Parts of the FSB is already working against him.

Its serious. Not hopeless.

[Eisenwurst]

http://i.imgur.com/O6Pq7e0.jpg

[Jimbuna]

Basically he already has , look at costs and prices.Your endgame scenario is possible and realistic, but lets not forget it is one amongst several, still. There must be people in their hierarchy that want to live on, too. Parts of the FSB is already working against him.

Its serious. Not hopeless.

That is the mainstay of the hope I'm trying not to let go of.

[Skybird]

FOCUS reports:


Tears, insults and despair - a private news service from Great Britain records the radio transmissions of Russian soldiers. They prove what the reports suggest: Morale is crumbling and Putin may have miscalculated.

"There were moments when we heard them (Russian soldiers, editor's note) crying in battle, moments when they were calling each other names - not a sign of good morale," Samuel Cardillo tells Britain's Telegraph. With his company ShadowBreak Intl., the Belgian collects Russian radio transmissions from the front and has them translated. About 24 hours of material have already been collected. Soon, he plans to make the statements available to several media outlets.

"What we found out is that the Russian soldiers are operating in complete confusion," Cardillo continued. "They have no idea where they are going or how to properly communicate with each other." Accordingly, he said, they have difficulty maintaining communication. They often spend 20 minutes doing a sound check, which makes eavesdropping easy, Cardillo said.

He added, "There was a case where they were shooting at each other, there was a case where they had to transport dead bodies back to their forward operating bases. You can often hear that they were not very happy," Cardillo said.

The radio transmissions seem to confirm what several military experts have observed for some time: The morale of Russian troops seems to be crumbling. Which is probably due to several reasons.

First, the troops had to realize that Russian state propaganda, according to which their troops are celebrated as "liberators" of Ukraine from a corrupt, elitist Nazi regime, meant the opposite in reality. Instead of welcoming gestures, there were Molotov cocktails.

Second, some Russian troops apparently did not know until the very end that they would have to go to war. They assumed for a long time that it was an exercise. And, "To a large extent, the Russian soldiers are young conscripts who are poorly trained and unprepared for a full-scale attack," a Pentagon spokesman told The New York Times in early March.

In addition, Moscow, and thus presumably the troops, assumed a blitzkrieg was underway. "In the beginning, they thought they could get units into the capital, Kiev, very quickly," said Michael Kofman, director of the Russia Studies Program at the Center for Naval Analyses in the United States. "But they got a black eye very early on."

Moreover, he said, "Aside from the appalling misperceptions and planning, the decision not to prepare troops for war and the lies about the kind of combat that would await them have affected the morale and combat effectiveness of the Russian armed forces."

The failure, analysts say, is also due to several strategic mistakes. Among them, they say, the Kremlin deployed too few ground troops in the early stages and failed to have the forces operate together on land and in the air.

There is footage purportedly showing Russian troops deserting. In a video from Tuesday, a group of about a dozen Russian soldiers with backpacks and rifles can be seen leaving a small village in the Sumska region bordering Russia. A local man can be heard asking the men, "Are you leaving us?" The soldiers reply, "We are going home." A woman then asks, "Did you take all your things with you? I hope you didn't lay any mines."

In another village in the same region, seven armored vehicles were filmed apparently left on the road.

Michael Kofman, director of Russia studies at the U.S. Centre for Naval Analyses, said, "Morale is low, nothing is organized, soldiers don't want to fight and willingly give up their equipment." Similarly, the Pentagon official told the Times, in some cases Russian troops had deliberately punched holes in the gas tanks of their vehicles, presumably to avoid combat.

Kofman told Der Spiegel, "It looks very much like the first soldiers are deserting." But he said he does not believe this will now take place on a large scale. And, he said, one should not make the mistake of now underestimating the Russian forces after initially overestimating them.

The big question remains: How long can Russia sustain the occupation and the fight if more and more soldiers doubt? Analysts estimate three to four weeks. Even a Ukrainian victory is thus theoretically possible, they say.

British military historian Lawrence Freedman believes that one must abandon the assumption that the efficient Russian army would soon overwhelm the outnumbered Ukrainians. Rather, he says, this is now a war that the Russians could also lose.

Still, Kofman warns, if so, it would be a "Pyrrhic victory." The cost of doing so would be so high that it would almost be a defeat. "This war will be incredibly destructive for both countries."

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (http://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)



And I wonder what has become of this Russian officer who talked out on Russian TV in a show for or with the Russian military and pointed out that many russian soldiers are needlessly dying, and then get attacked by a stupid fanatical propaganda bitch who has red his Goebbels lecture book every night and spends way too much time in front of the mirror and admiring himself. I did not find this video in English on youtube, although I assume it is somewhere to be found. The sound of the voices, the snapping tone, works almost as good as a direct translation.

Its about the video, not the german article.

https://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/ukraine-krise/tv-sender-swesda-offizier-spricht-im-russischen-tv-ueber-tote-soldaten-doch-dann-wird-der-moderator-laut_id_65512604.html


A EU summit sees a massively weakened Germany begging for mercy due to its dependency with gas and oil, which will absolutely be abused by France and Italy to finally isntall what they always wanted: a mechanism that once and forever collectivizes debts in the eU nad has the net paying coutnries then paying for France's, Italy's, Greece's debts directly.

After Corona and the war will then come the next cataclysm: the monetarian one. It has already started.


Past days showed that Germany and the EU still think that not enough has happened to seriously redirect their wastes of monumental money for their Green Deal ideology (that will not mean anythign for the planet, but it fuels the moral self-definition...), instead they still want to puish all that plus the galloping inflation plus the costs fo the war plus the expldoing energy costs plus the exploding commodity costs plus the quiickly rising rsssioruces-for-production costs. The German truck transportation association meanwhioe warns that they can no longer shoulder the exploding costs and the demand to move to electirc trucks within the next 15 years, and that a majrpoity of ntheir comapnies are theatened by bancriuptcy. Go figure what that means for the regional and local supply situation in shops and supermarkets.



There is an old Chiense curse. "May you live in interesting times". Man, i love to hang around lazy, doing nothing, live and let live, and be bored. But the superheroes and better-doers, all-improvers and never-resting of this world seem to be determined to not let me. Thats because they are so much smarter than me, and they want to show it all day long.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFJzJ2b9ri4

[Skybird]

That is the mainstay of the hope I'm trying not to let go of.


There is just one thing that really worries me, that is rumours that they had reduced the need for two nuclear suitcases being activated to free the codes via the third one. Rumour has it that it can now be done with just one suitcase.

Putin has one, Schaigu another one, Gerasimov has the third one. Putin and Schaigu turn the key, and Gerasimov then gets that signal and then frees the codes for the nuclear weapon and the system goes live. It may be that now just one suitcase, that of Putin or that of Shaigu, may be needed to activate the third one by Gerasimov.

Or was it that either Putin or Schaigu turn their keys, and Gerasimov no longer is needed? That would be a real nightmarish situation.

I red that a week ago somewhere. Not reassuring.

[Jimbuna]

There is just one thing that really worries me, that is rumours that they had reduced the need for two nuclear suitcases being activated to free the codes via the third one. Rumour has it that it can now be done with just one suitcase.

Putin has one, Schaigu another one, Gerasimov has the third one. Putin and Schaigu turn the key, and Gerasimov then gets that signal and then frees the codes for the nuclear weapon and the system goes live. It may be that now just one suitcase, that of Putin or that of Shaigu, may be needed to activate the third one by Gerasimov.

I red that a week ago somewhere. Not reassuring.

Yes most worrying.

Meanwhile...

A first round of talks between the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine has failed to yield progress on a ceasefire, Ukraine says.

Speaking after the meeting in Turkey, Dmytro Kuleba said that the demands his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov had made amounted to a surrender.

Mr Lavrov meanwhile said that his country's military operation was going to plan.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60687203

[ET2SN]

FOCUS reports:




Sky; Not to rain on your parade, but ask yourself why a modern Army would broadcast "in the clear". No special sidebands, no encryption, no burst transmitters, just yak away on an open frequency so anyone can tune in. :03:

[Skybird]

For the same reason they send huge numbers of conscripts who were lied to (telling them they go on a manouver, or that they are going to liberate the Ukraine from fascist drug-addicts): hastily arranged not-first-line troops with not first-line grade equipment and thus not first-line digital communication gear, probably even lacking training to operate the gear they had properly. It has been said that they seem to run extensive times to just do sound checks and establish communiations with another runit, they often seem to need 20-30 minutes for just that. Aber hallo - anyone at home?

Also, it is obvious that the lots of money Putin spent on the modernization of the armed forces, seem to not have reached the intended receivers, but disappeared in dark corners, pockets, channels, and thankfully so.

Also, not all Russian units' comms can be easily overheared. Some use secure comms, obviously.

For example, take this guys explanation in the second part of the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4OhtZKHalU


Russia commits crimes not onyl against the Ukraine and the ukrainian people, it also commits crimes against its own conscripts and civil population. I feel no rage against these young men. Some of them are still more school boys than adult warriors, they got lied to, and they get sacrificed in scores by criminal man eaters and soul slayers in the Kremlin who do not care whose blood they shed a slong as it keeps flowing enough so that they can sail their yachts in it. These conscripts are cannon fodder.

[Ostfriese]

Also, it is obvious that the lots of money Putin spent on the modernization of the armed forces, seem to not have reached the intended receivers, but disappeared in dark corners, pockets, channels, and thankfully so.


Now you are a wee bit unfair. The money was used to vastly improve and expand the yacht navy in and around Cyprus :D

[Skybird]

Belarus sanctions DW as "extremist". :har:

[Skybird]

Why Putin is a fascist. An academic deduction.
by Wladislaw Inosemzew.

Re-translated to English from the German translation.German version in the NZZ.


Fascism is what follows after communism has proved to be an illusion - Vladimir Putin is a learned disciple of Benito Mussolini.

His opponents like to call Vladimir Putin a "Putler". However, the historical analogy is not correct; Putin is not a Nazi. On the other hand, he exemplarily fulfills the catalog of what constitutes fascism. The order of the day is therefore to de-fascistize Russia.

When President Putin gave the green light for the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, he insisted that Russian forces would only conduct a "special operation" in the neighboring country to "denazify" it. He liked to call Ukraine's actions against the Russian-speaking population in the Donbass a "genocide." This is one big lie. For it is not Ukraine, which has a Jewish president and in which the use of the Russian language is widespread, that has come under the control of "Nazis," but Russia itself, under Putin, that has become a classic fascist state.

It is no accident that Ukrainian militants constantly refer to the Russian invaders as fascists and call the Russian president "Putler" to emphasize the parallels with Hitler. Such a formulation seems obvious at the latest after the outbreak of the war, but the debate about the similarities started shortly after the Russian annexation of Crimea, when Mikhail Iampolski (New York University) or Alexander Motyl (Rutgers University) tried to portray Putin's state as fascist - without visibly getting support from the guild of political scientists.

Putin is not a Nazi

I responded positively to this attempt in the Russian free press at the time and was later condemned for it, including by Marlène Laruelle (George Washington University), who wrote a special volume defending Putin's Russia.

Here I will try to approach the issue from a theoretical perspective, eschewing political labels. In doing so, I take as my starting point Robert Paxton's definition of fascism. According to this definition, fascism is "a form of political behavior characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with the decline of one's community, its humiliation or victimization, and by compensatory cults of unity, strength, and purity in which a party of nationalist militants, working in loose but effective collaboration with traditional elites, abandons democratic freedoms and pursues goals of internal cleansing and external expansion with messianic violence and without ethical or legal restraints."

What Putin reproduced in his reign is the prototypical fascist model as propagated by Benito Mussolini.

Almost every one of these points reflects what has been going on in Putin's Russia for years. One could also add features that Umberto Eco contributed to the understanding of fascism, such as the "cult of tradition" (or "conservatism"), the fact that "disunity is treason" (which translates into the search for "foreign agents"), the "fear of difference" (present as a fixed idea of "stability"), the reliance on "anti-intellectualism and irrationalism" (which has led to the religious "revival" in Russia), the "obsession with a conspiracy" (viz: the influence of the "declining West"), then "selective populism," "neo-speak," and lying.

It is worth recalling here a phrase formulated more than eighty years ago by economist Peter Drucker: "Fascism is the stage reached after communism has proved to be an illusion."

Regarding Putin's fascism, it should be noted here that the regime he has built in Russia since the noughties has very little in common with Nazism, as historians have associated it, in turn, with fascism in the Soviet Union. Putin is not a Nazi. Even he found that the Russian nation is held together not by "race" but by a "common cultural code" that is all the more "valuable" for having emerged from a "centuries-" even "millennia-" old intermingling of cultures. The doctrine of the "Russian world" is fed by this idea, which is supported by the Russian Orthodox Church. What Putin reproduced in his reign is the prototypical fascist model as developed by Benito Mussolini - mixed with social democratic elements, a strong sense of the greatness of the lost empire, a corporate organization of the national economy, and a rather moderate suppression of political opponents.

Four Pillars


The first pillar of Russian fascism is the praise of irredentism (the goal of unifying as many members of a "people" as possible in one state) and militarization. Putin has made both of these a core part of his ideology. More recent celebrations of Victory Day over the Nazi dictatorship surpassed anything that had taken place in the Soviet Union - some overzealous politicians even suggested that the still-living relatives of war victims be granted the right to vote in national elections.

The cult of the glorious past provided the very best pretext for military rearmament. In addition, Putin cultivated a hatred of the West, from which he interpreted the end of the Cold War as the result of a conspiracy and betrayal that had led to the defeat and downfall of the Soviet Union. In the end, Putin and his followers even claimed that the West wanted to dismantle and destroy the Russian Federation itself. This very threat was cited as the main reason for a "pre-emptive" attack on a Ukraine whose President Selensky was nothing more than a Russophobic puppet of Washington.

The second pillar was the progressive etatization of the Russian economy. A century ago, Mussolini had proclaimed: "The fascist state claims domination in the economic field no less than in other fields; it exerts its effects throughout the entire extent of the country with the help of its corporate institutions, with all the economic forces of the nation, organized in their respective associations, circulating within the state."

According to Emilio Gentile, one of the most important characteristics of fascism is the "corporative organization of the economy, which suppresses trade union freedom, expands the sphere of state intervention, and seeks to obtain, through technocracy and solidarity, the cooperation of the 'productive sectors' under the control of the regime - this in order to achieve the set goals of power, but at the same time to preserve private property and class distinctions." Under Putin, the Russian economy is also dominated by bureaucrats. At the same time, the word "technocrat" is used to describe the best minds in the Kremlin administration.

Third, under Putin, Russia has become a country of "enforcement agencies." In recent years, there has been an increasing restructuring of the administration for the purpose of allowing the new Duce an absolute sweep of power and violence. The Armed Forces, the Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Security Service were joined in 2002 by the Federal Guard Service. In 2007, the power apparatus expanded to include the Investigative Committee, and in 2016, the National Guard. All of these entities are headed by Putin's most loyal companions and do not even find a mention in the updated version of the Russian Constitution. Further, paramilitary units have sprung up across Russia - from "private armies" of state-owned enterprises to "ethnic guards" like those in Kadyrov's Chechnya (now fighting the Ukrainian army in the outskirts of Kiev).

Fourth, symbolism and propaganda cannot go unmentioned here, both of which are essential factors for fascist regimes. In contemporary Russia, one can observe both a "legitimate" codification of history and an attempt to pursue alternative historical readings. There is an arbitrary definition of "extremism" and an arbitrary restriction of political activity. The main mass media are under state control. Their populist rhetoric about a "national renaissance," about the "strength of the country" and the "showdown with the enemy" has increased year by year.

Curiously, the emblem of a Russian law enforcement agency, redesigned years ago, shows nothing more than a bundle of those "fasci" that were emblazoned on the emblem of the Italian fascist party, only now they lie proudly in the clutches of a double-headed eagle. Putin's propaganda is all water and so effective that Russians have no problem with the Kremlin ruler referring to Kharkiv as a "Russian city" while proclaiming the bombings as a "fight against the Nazis." In 2022, average Russians are as indoctrinated and untainted by morality as Italians and Germans were in the late 1930s.

The West must get involved

Putin's fascism was born in the early 2000s, when he declared the fall of the Soviet empire the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century and staged the transfer of the remains of Russia's most famous fascist philosopher, Ivan Ilyin, from Zollikon, Switzerland, to Moscow as an act of state. It intensified in the following years with the aggression against Georgia and the annexation of Crimea.

During all these years there were naive Western scholars who described Russia as a "normal country" and tried to understand its "sovereign democracy" more deeply and better. Meanwhile, the subject of Russian fascism is no longer only of theoretical interest. The Russian fascists have meanwhile set about cowing and, if necessary, killing Ukrainian civilians, while the gentleman in the Kremlin pretends that the Ukrainian army is using them as a living shield, just as the fascists did during World War II.

The war in Ukraine is more than just a conflict between parts of the former empire. It resembles the advance of the fascist brethren in pre-war Europe, as we know it from the Italian and German assistance in the Spanish Civil War. To prevent a new world war, the liberal Western world should resolutely stand behind the bravely fighting Ukrainians. It should tighten the screw of economic and political sanctions against Russia, but also against Belarus, until both regimes begin to totter. What is at stake is nothing more and nothing less than a complete and profound de-fascicization of Russia.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)


Vladislav Inosemtsev is a well-known Russian economist and founder and director of the Center for Post-Industrial Studies in Moscow. He was economic advisor to former president Medvedev.

[Skybird]

German media report that former chancellor Gerhard Schröder should be in Moscow and meets Putin for talks. The Ukraine should have asked for him to mediate. The German government has not been informed and did not know, it says. The Germans say Schröder speaks for himself, not for Germany.


Schröder and Putin are said to be close friends. I just wonder if somebody like Putin really has "friends", or knows the meaning of that word. I think he manipulated and trained Schröder very cleverly, and Schröder until today does not (want to) realise it. In Germany, Schröder now is persona non grata.


edit:
There is contradicting news about whether or not the government knew of Schroeder's trip or not. Some news outlets say the government did not know, others say it did know. Consensus is that the government has not formally sent nor inofficially asked him.

[Skybird]

Western companies that stop doing business in Russia because of the Ukraine war are threatened with nationalization of their plants and production facilities. The companies would "practically abandon their collectives to their fate," said former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The Russian government is therefore working on steps to initiate insolvency of the companies and then nationalization of their property, the deputy head of the Russian Security Council said. The priority task, he said, was to ensure that the companies' people did not end up on the streets.

Among others, companies from Germany, other EU states and the USA would be affected. As yet, however, there is no concrete law to nationalize the assets. But calls from prominent politicians to respond to the West's sanctions in this way are growing. The Russian parliament could soon decide on such action.

Many Western companies had initially only said that operations would be suspended. In most cases, there was no mention of cessation or withdrawal. "Whatever the reasons for leaving, foreign companies should understand that a return to our market will already not be easy," Medvedev said.


----------


Three times, pairs of Eurofighters were patrolling over our city today, that equals probably a full quarter of our operational Luftwaffe :D . Have not seen them since many years, last fighter overhead was a couple of years ago, the last Phantom-II flying low on its farewell tour. I was lucky to have been one of those who saw it, fully by random chance (it was not announced).

However, when i was at school age, hearing and seeing fighterjets overhead, Starfighters, Phantoms, then Tornados, was quite common when we were on visit or on summer holidays in West-Germany (in Westberlin, there obviously were no NATO jets overhead.

Should I now feel young again? Gimme a lolly.

[Skybird]

Hey Putin! :salute: Brace yourself - Rasputitsa is coming. :yeah:

LINK (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasputitsa)

Stupid time for invading the Ukraine. :O: So much more non-fun to be had! Especially you as a Russian should have known that.



What we should do about it? Encourage even more Russian soldiers to desert by guaranteeing them safe conduct and free passage if they throw away their weapons and move over, and give them a starting boost as aid for starting a new life West of Russia.

[mapuc]

Skybird mentioned suitcases

This made me wonder-´cause I can't remember having read anything about suitcase in the Russian military Doctrine.

Here is what it says about the President and approval of using nukes

"
27. The Russian Federation shall reserve the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction against it and/or its allies, as well as in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is in jeopardy.

The decision to use nuclear weapons shall be taken by the President of the Russian Federation
"

Here it is(have posted it before)

https://rusemb.org.uk/press/2029

Markus

[Skybird]

FOCUS published this interview with a former high-ranking German general who was commander of the Allied Joint Force Command in the Netherlands, one of NATO's two European operational-level commands.

The attack against Kiev is faltering, two Russian generals are reported to have been killed, and casualties are apparently unexpectedly high: Putin's army is in crisis in many places. So much so that even German military experts like ex-general Wolf-Dieter Langheld no longer believe a military victory by Putin is possible.

FOCUS Online: Mr. Langheld, two weeks after the start of Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine, reports of failures and breakdowns of his troops are increasing. According to unverifiable information from Kiev, Volodymyr Selenskyi's troops have already destroyed 300 battle tanks. That would be almost ten percent of the entire Russian tank armada. In addition, there are said to be at least 50 combat helicopters and 50 combat aircraft each. What do such figures say about the state of Putin's army?

Wolf-Dieter Langheld: The half-life of war-related information is extremely short at this stage. Therefore, it is complex and difficult to rely on numbers at all. A few hours, and everything can be completely different again. But if we assume that they are at least roughly correct, it becomes increasingly clear what became apparent early on in the war. Putin and his army leadership planned the war of aggression poorly and certainly did not prepare it well. The plan was to bring the country under Russian control in a blitzkrieg in two to three days at most - including the overthrow of President Volodymyr Selenskyi's government.

Russia has one of the most powerful armies in the world, with a troop strength of 900,000 and a powerful arsenal of weapons, including nuclear bombs. What are the main reasons that the attacks in the north and east of Ukraine are progressing only slowly and only in the south somewhat faster, far away from the main target Kiev?

Langheld: The military leadership apparently did not plan for the failure of a rapid operation. Putin did send between 130,000 and 200,000 troops to Ukraine. But their deployment was planned for only a few days, not two weeks or even more. The attacks are stalling in part because supplies of fuel, rations and ammunition are not arriving. Getting all that to the front takes a lot of time, especially since the mobile, logistical portions are being successfully attacked by Ukrainian fighters. The second main reason: Putin and his military have blatantly underestimated the striking power of both the Ukrainian army and the resistance of Ukrainian citizens.

The Ukrainian government speaks of 12,000 fallen Russian soldiers; U.S. sources put the number at 3,000. What do you think is possible?

Langheld: It's hard to say for sure. But looking at statistics of conflicts in other countries in the last decades, 3000-5000 fallen Russian soldiers seem realistic to me at this point in time.

According to various reports, more than 17,000 anti-tank missiles have now been delivered to Ukraine from the West, including Germany, since the war began. Does that explain the apparently high tank losses?

Langheld: Their share in this is probably large. The Javelin missiles, which can also be fired from the ground in a mobile manner, independently search for their target and head for the tank turret from above, which has a lower level of armor, are also part of this. The U.S. has supplied hundreds of them to Ukraine since before the war.

Meanwhile, two generals commanding key units are even reported to have been killed, one by a sniper. Signs of further Russian mistakes?

Langheld: No, not in this case. Combat units can, in principle, be led from the front with mobile command posts. Military leaders are well advised to lead from the front in difficult situations, both to maintain a tactical overview and to show their soldiers that they are with them. This has an impact on the motivation of the troops. In such a large operation, however, the losses among commanders are likely to be much higher even now.

As the third week of the war begins, Putin's soldiers are slowly closing their pincers around Kiev with the main goal of eliminating the government and replacing it with a puppet government loyal to Putin, and then subjugating all of Ukraine to Russia. Can Putin still achieve this goal at all?

Langheld: The fact that the foreign ministers of the two countries met today for the first time on neutral ground in Turkey to negotiate at the second highest level of government may indicate that Putin is beginning to plan for the postwar period. And the resistance of Selenskyi's forces remains unabated and continues to surprise. As a result, the Kremlin appears to be mulling Selenskyj's offer to transition Ukraine to neutrality and, in addition, to negotiate a possible cession of Russian separatist territories in the Donbas region as well as Crimea.

But do you still think it is possible for Putin to win the war? His army, for all its faults, is vastly superior to that of Ukraine. Not to mention the nuclear weapons.

Langheld: No, in my view Putin can no longer win this war militarily. His troops can and will certainly score one or two successes. But the blood toll that not only Ukraine but also his troops would pay will be very high in any case. He must be careful that, in addition to the increasingly severe economic sanctions imposed by the West, with increasingly dire consequences for the Russian population, the mood at home does not turn against him. Despite all the control of the media and the Internet, there are now many digital loopholes through which information from the West about Putin's war reaches Russia. This will not fail to have its effect in the long run.

What would be the worst case now, in your view, militarily? U.S. intelligence is now warning that Putin could use biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction, which are prohibited under international law.

Langheld: I don't think anyone can rule that out today. The inhibition threshold is very low. One has already broken international law by invading the sovereign state of Ukraine and Putin is guilty of being a war criminal, there is no doubt about that anymore.

Therefore, if failures continue, this operation cannot be completely ruled out. Putin will not shy away from a large-scale attack on Kiev, knowing full well that it will be extremely costly in terms of losses.

And Putin will still win a battle or two, but not the war. If the war goal was to subjugate Ukraine and bring it under his influence, success is more than doubtful. After all, what good is a 'brother country' to Putin, one half of which he has driven out and the other he has killed, as well as whose infrastructure he has destroyed? That is why I believe that the Russian side is also thinking intensively about how it can get out of this war with at least some face-saving.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (http://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)

[Armistead]

I'm no expert, but that appears to be a stupid formation for inner city. Course I guess it was an ambush, but still where's your flankers, recon, infantry support, etc? Course short video that doesn't really show the outcome. Saw a few tanks get hit and would like to know the count. https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/03/10/ukraine-military-airstrike-russian-tanks-kyiv-nr-vpx.cnn

[mapuc]

I tell you these days my brain is in a constant conflict.

I hear and read stuff here and other places
Then I read and hear stuff which is going against what have read and heard first time and so on.

Yesterday I heard in the news something about the weather-Then today I read a comment here in this thread-Which made my brain going into conflict mode.

Markus

[Skybird]

"Thats Russian tradition [...] Its rather they escort him out than to tell him the truth." :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MgZQOkP1yM


And the bon mot of the day comes from a great Russian comedian who is very popular with the current regime, name is Sergey Lavrov. He said in Antalya today: "Russia has not attacked Ukraine." :haha:

[Platapus]

I hear and read stuff here and other places
Then I read and hear stuff which is going against what have read and heard first time and so on.



When it comes to war and OOTW, there are at least three sides to the story


Our side's story
Their side's story


and the truth.

[em2nought]

This may be true for the USA, but unfortunately isn't for the West as a whole. Russians are being taught about their past, and Russia has experienced at least three serious invasions from the west: Napoleon invaded in 1812, the Western Allies intervened in the Russian Civil War from 1918 to 1920, and Nazi Germany invaded in 1941.


Yes, I'm aware that was all long ago, but all three events are still deeply embedded in Russian history and thinking.

Russia is preparing to deal with Islam after Islam is done conquering Europe without firing a shot. The west is ruled by true imbeciles. :har:

[mapuc]

I am one of those who truly hope Ukraine will win this war...sadly after hearing the news some hours ago and read it in some article I must say that even if Ukraine win the war they will lose.

In the news it was said that the western leaders fear Putin may use weapon of mass destruction A.B.C weapon one of more of these.

I do hope it doesn't happen if it does-will our leaders sit with their hands tied behind their back ?

Markus

[Skybird]

We should take the gloves off, I more and more tend to think that since several days. Caring about what louse today is dancing stepdance on Putin's liver will turn us into experts for critters and parasites, but not help us to deal with his decisions. We are so hypnotized by him and what he might do, we allow him to bluff us out of the game.

Watch that video I linked to four posts above. The man knows him well, and he says Putin just plays the politics game. Its a powerplay, granted, and still - I think he is overplaying his cards, already has overplayed them, if only we would dare to call him for showdown.

They accuse the Ukrainians of havign chemical weapon labs now. And the US being engaged. Well, thats the Russian tactic to prepare their own use of chemical weapons, maybe even bio weapons, as the US has warned.

We should get that no flight zone going, including destroying any SAM on the ground eganging NATO fighters.

Think I made my decision on this now. Several days of indifference and self-paralysis are enough. We should do what we can by ourselves, the Europeans I mean. And then ask the Americans to contribute what then still lacks. Especially stealth fighters. Lets see whether or not they are worth their money against SAM radars.

I feel bad that I took so much time. We have had history lessons, and German history, and WW2 and Hitler and all that. I and we and everbyody really should know it better. We cannot just sit on the fenceline when right in our closest neighbourhood civilian people are turned into victims of systematical genocide. What does this tell us and the world about the values and morals we all the time claim to stand for?

And if I am wrong and Russia does not bluff and sets us ablaze, then we should make sure that they burn with us.

Putin has chosen the game we must play. Okay, his choice, that we cannot change anymore. But it is high time to play it by its rules then, instead of giving it a kindier image all the time. Thats what he counted on. And as long as we obey, the other names in their hierarchy have no reason to remove him . Lets motivate them a little bit, open the gates of hell's fire a bit, take a nice picture and send it to them. Will make them think. Even more so in the light of their military's current performance.


Did you know that grey squirrels even take on rattle snakes - and win? The snake is lucky if it escapes alive.

[mapuc]

^ I agree we shall do a lot more than we do today.

This is from a Danish article posted 0100 hour

Russia convenes UN Security Council

The 15 countries of the UN Security Council are due to meet again on Friday as a result of the war in Ukraine. This is according to diplomats according to the Reuters news agency on Friday night.

The Security Council meeting comes at the request of Russia, which is among the council's five permanent members.

Russia has convened the council to discuss an allegation by the Russian side that the US is developing chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine.

The US has dismissed the claim as "ridiculous" and warned that Russia may be preparing to use such weapons in Ukraine.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

This should be the excuse the Russian need to use chemical and/or biological weapons in Ukraine.

Edit
It looks like the Russian economy is going down the drain
Russia at risk of state bankruptcy, IMF chief says, according to Reuters
End edit

Markus

[Otto Harkaman]

https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/INTERACTIVE-MILITARY-DISPATCH-DAY-15.png

[mapuc]

Heard in the news the Russian are now 5 km closer to Kyiv centrum.

Markus

[Rockstar]

Russia has convened the council to discuss an allegationby the Russian side that the US is developing chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine.

Markus


I guess what comes around goes around :D

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/03/24/opinion/errol-morris-NYT-13/errol-morris-rumsfeld-slide-6UJH-blog480.jpg


At least we had an artist’s rendition of what the enemies chemical weapons plant was supposed to look like.:har:

https://www.necsus-ejms.org/wp-content/uploads/Fig2-1-940x704.jpg

[Reece]

Mmm, beer!! :Kaleun_Applaud:

[nikimcbee]

Mmm, beer!! :Kaleun_Applaud:


Fosters!:Kaleun_Cheers:

[em2nought]

Mmm, beer!! :Kaleun_Applaud:

Or even better, looks like a biodie$el $etup. :D

[ET2SN]

Mmm, beer!! :Kaleun_Applaud:

Not so fast..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy_BLhOyVWs

:shucks:

To make this a little easier to understand in Drunkanese-

Beer, now, yes.
Beer, later, maybe not. :o

[Skybird]

The human mind is a pervert. Sometimes I think we deserve to be wiped out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwScTlCf5IQ


2.5 million people have fled from the Ukraine unitl today, number is growing. Inside Ukraine, 4.5 million have been driven from their homes.


There is a chance that all the public talkign about those Polish Migs is just deception to evade the Russian perception of NATO countries actively "intervening" by handing over the Migs. DW, so far in German only, writes how those planes could be handed over to Ukrainian pilots secretly and in a dark night without anyone noticing it, their national colours changed that night, and next mornign they have just disappeared from where they have been the day before. DW writes that it is important the Ukrainians keep interceptors up so to force Russia to not send in bombers carelessly and start carpet-boming Ukrainian cities when there is a chnace they may run into Ukrianian fighters. Germnany'S Baerbock said: "Not everything that is planned is announced publicly." - https://www.dw.com/de/migs-f%C3%BCr-die-ukraine-alles-nur-ablenkung/a-61084056

[Jimbuna]

The cities of Lutsk, Ivano-Frankivsk are targeted with Dnipro struck for the first time since the Russian invasion began.

President Zelensky in a late night address has roundly rejected claims by Russia that Ukraine is developing chemical weapons.

The US has called such claims "laughable", and says they are a "false flag" to justify Russia's potential use of similar weapons against Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin backs plans to send volunteer fighters to help Russia-backed forces in Ukraine.

Russian forces have moved three miles (5km) closer to Kyiv in the past 24 hours, a senior US defence official says.

Peace talks between the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia in Turkey end without any progress towards a ceasefire.

Facebook and Instagram change their rules to "temporarily" allow calls for violence against Russian troops or Putin.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2TGvndDcxE

[Onkel Neal]

There is a chance that all the public talkign about those Polish Migs is just deception to evade the Russian perception of NATO countries actively "intervening" by handing over the Migs. DW, so far in German only, writes how those planes could be handed over to Ukrainian pilots secretly and in a dark night without anyone noticing it, their national colours changed that night, and next mornign they have just disappeared from where they have been the day before.

That's the way I would do it. :arrgh!:

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMZUbjAHIoo

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O14sJulqlE

[Skybird]

FOCUS on Kissinger's warning over the Ukraine and that the West was underestimating its complexity:

For years, the West lacked a forward-looking Russia policy. Only a few politicians accurately assessed Kremlin leader Putin. For example, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger: As early as 2014, he warned against underestimating the complexity of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

The public debate about Putin and his invasion knows only one state, that of outrage. This outrage on the part of politicians has two reasons. Reason one lies in the scandalous circumstances themselves.

- Putin has risen above international law.
- He is ready to crush the human right to integrity, to freedom, to life under the chains of his tank army.
- He is questioning the borders and thus the European peace order.

Reason two of the indignation, however, is a highly questionable one: The political class - in Washington, in London, in Paris and also in Berlin - wants to distract from its co-responsibility in bringing about the conditions that led to this war with the now hundredfold repeated statement of "Putin's war" and the classification of the Russian president as a murderer, as a madman, as a maniac. It remains his war. But it is also their conditions.

To understand does not mean to have understanding. But the government politician is not paid for his readiness to be indignant, but for his ability to recognize conflicting interests as such and to ensure a peaceful balance.

He is not the father weeping for the child in the flames. He is the fireman on the ladder who rescues the child from the flames. And in the best case scenario, the good politician is even the fire safety expert who installs the necessary safeguards in advance - the sprinkler and the alarm system. So that the flames don't stand a chance.

It is precisely this forward-looking Russia policy that has been lacking. As a key witness to the collective and continued failure of top Western personnel to understand the Russian side, let us call Henry Kissinger to the stand.

He had already warned after the occupation of Crimea by Putin's army to underestimate the complexity of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and to think that one could incorporate the Ukrainians into the Western bloc without consequences for the power architecture in Europe.

Kissinger on March 6, 2014 in the "Washington Post": "Public discussion of Ukraine is all about confrontation. Far too often, the Ukrainian question is presented as a showdown: Whether Ukraine joins the East or the West. But if Ukraine is to survive and thrive, it should not be the outpost of one side against the other - it should act as a bridge between the two sides."

And then he formulated that imposition that the European side has never accepted for itself: "The West must understand that Ukraine can never be just a foreign country for Russia. Russian history began in the so-called Kievan Rus. From there the Russian religion spread. Ukraine has been part of Russia for centuries, and the history of the two countries was intertwined even before that."

Wise U.S. policy, Kissinger believed, should seek reconciliation, including that between Ukraine and its large eastern neighbor. He advised Putin at the time against marching his army again because he would pay for that breach of law with final isolation. And he advised Americans against demonizing Putin.

Hillary Clinton had compared him to Adolf Hitler in an attempt to score domestic political points. Kissinger counters in his essay, "For the West, demonizing Vladimir Putin is not a policy, but an alibi for the absence of a policy."

Putin, he says, is "a strategist to be taken seriously - on the premises of Russian history." Understanding American values and psychology, however, is not his strong suit, he said. Just as the reverse was true, he said, "Understanding Russian history and psychology was not the strength of U.S. policymakers either."

He advised leaders on all sides to refocus on producing results rather than indulging in emotional posturing. Of course, Henry Kissinger defended the Ukrainians' right to their own state sovereignty. But he made an important caveat: "Ukraine should not join NATO."

He said that "institutional hostility toward Russia" should be avoided at all costs, in recognition of history and geographic proximity. If there were no solution between Ukraine and Russia, he said, "the drift toward confrontation would accelerate."

It came to pass exactly as Kissinger had predicted. Each side tried to assert its maximum position. The public experienced politics as posturing, not as the art of balancing interests. The drift into confrontation began.

Putin stiffened his world view. When no one listened to him anymore, he finally spoke only to his intelligence chief, his general staff and at length to himself. The result was an outbreak of violence the likes of which Europe had not seen since the Yugoslav war.

The West did not notice how Russia's most powerful man began to drift, even though this conflict has been building for nearly a decade. After the Crimea occupation, there was outrage - and then it was back to business as usual.

There hasn't been a geostrategist in the White House or the Chancellor's Office in a long time. Trump didn't know how to spell the word. Angela Merkel did not think from the end [Merkel once described herself as "thinking things from their end", Skybird], but governed from one moment to the next [which is far more precise to describe Merkel's method, Skybird].

Kissinger, who is now 98 and has yet to comment on the current war in Europe, was a conservative throughout his life, but not an abrasive one. He was flexible, but never arbitrary. He was a man of Western values, and he was - even after the experience of the Western failure in the Vietnam War, which was formative for him - not prepared to spread the idea of freedom with the zeal of the missionary and then also with a loaded gun.

He had imported his favorite word from German into American: Realpolitik. His rationale should hang over every politician's desk today: In my lifetime I have seen four wars started with great enthusiasm and public support, none of which we knew how they would end, and from three of which we unilaterally withdrew. The test of politics is how it ends, not how it begins."

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (http://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)

This is Kissinger's article on the Ukraine from 2014. Very worthy read: almost prophetic.
https://www.henryakissinger.com/articles/how-the-ukraine-crisis-ends/

[mapuc]

I would not say that the Ukrainian army is a strong army-Even though an army who is defending its own soil fights with a higher morale than if they should be fighting in another country.
A majority of the destroyed material-Tanks, fighter jet a.s.o is with weapon from the west(NATO)

And Russia is loosing a lot of men and material....which makes me convinced that if Russia should engage NATO-The number of lost men and material would be 30-fold.

Markus

[Skybird]

The numbers on losses claimed in that video must be taken with a grain of salt, they come from the Ukrainian side. 12000 Russians killed? International observers say 3-6 thousand is more reasonable an estimation. Vehicle losses maybe are closer to the truth, they are easier to be verified since they are much harder to hide.

Still, these videos often come from propaganda pools. I do not trust them, no matter their makers and claims.

[mapuc]

The numbers on losses claimed in that video must be taken with a grain of salt, they come from the Ukrainian side. 12000 Russians killed? International observers say 3-6 thousand is more reasonable an estimation. Vehicle losses maybe are closer to the truth, they are easier to be verified since they are much harder to hide.

Still, these videos often come from propaganda pools. I do not trust them, no matter their makers and claims.

As Platapus wrote in an answer to one of my comment on former page

there are at least three sides to the story


Our side's story
Their side's story


and the truth.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

The numbers on losses claimed in that video must be taken with a grain of salt, they come from the Ukrainian side. 12000 Russians killed? International observers say 3-6 thousand is more reasonable an estimation. Vehicle losses maybe are closer to the truth, they are easier to be verified since they are much harder to hide.

Still, these videos often come from propaganda pools. I do not trust them, no matter their makers and claims.

Yep :yep:

[Von Due]

First casualty of war is, was and will always be truth. Numbers of casualties, take the numbers coming from both sides, average them and throw the result in the dustbin.

[Ostfriese]

As a rule of thumb:


Divide someone's claims about his enemy's losses by three.
Multiply someone's claims about his own losses by three.


The results of that usually still are just a rough guess, but much closer to reality than the claims.

[mapuc]

Vehicle losses maybe are closer to the truth, they are easier to be verified since they are much harder to hide.
Still, these videos often come from propaganda pools. I do not trust them, no matter their makers and claims.

As you wrote these videos often come from....

Have just seen a clip where I have the feeling having seen it before, but from another angle. Could it be that they so to say mirror turn the video and then re release it again.

Markus

[Catfish]

Since the russian military invasion met some resistance, Putin has now changed his strategy to explicitly target civilians.
This the first time almost all is being filmed and recorded, so no excuse or desinformation possible.

By all "sympathy" for the russian cause to invade and destroy a country for some potentate's ego, and Kissinger's view. Really, Russia.

Putin will go for the baltic anyway. The west should not wait anymore.

[mapuc]

Since the russian military invasion met some resistance, Putin has now changed his strategy to explicitly target civilians.
This the first time almost all is being filmed and recorded, so no excuse or desinformation possible.

By all "sympathy" for the russian cause to invade and destroy a country for some potentate's ego, and Kissinger's view. Really, Russia.

Putin will go for the baltic anyway. The west should not wait anymore.

Read somewhere that his next target was Moldova.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Western officials have confirmed that a third Russian major general has been killed in Ukraine, adding that he was from Russia's eastern military district.

Officials didn't name the general, but earlier Ukraine's military said Maj Gen Andrei Kolesnikov, commander of the 29th army of Russia's eastern district, had been killed.

Analysts have previously said that the presence of high-ranking military figures on or near the battlefield could be a sign that Russia's operations are not going to plan.

[Jimbuna]

Russia makes claims - without evidence - of US biological weapons activities in Ukraine at a meeting of the UN Security Council.

UN disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu says the UN is not aware of any biological weapons programme in Ukraine.

The US has called such claims "laughable", and says they are a "false flag" to justify Russia's potential use of similar weapons against Ukraine.

Ukraine has suggested Belarus could join Russia's invasion in the coming hours.

US President Joe Biden has announced more restrictions on trade with Russia, including a ban on imports of Russian vodka and diamonds.

Russia has expanded its offensive in Ukraine, attacking the cities of Lutsk, Ivano-Frankivsk and Dnipro.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has restricted access to Instagram after its parent company changed its rules to allow violent sentiment towards Russian forces.

[mapuc]

One thing is to fight a military super power another thing is to fight two armies Russia and Belarus.

Of course there's this story that Belarus already has troops in Ukraine.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEhIR9xDwKI

[mapuc]

If there's one thing this broadcast war have shown us, is how vulnerable the air asset is. Here I'm thinking surface to air.

If I was working with helicopters and/or fighter jets I would start to develop better defence against these SAM's

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7ZIE5-XSiY

[Catfish]

Putin lost 3 generals, just fired 8, put 2 of his own highest FSB officers under arrest, sends 20 new generals ones to Ukraine.

Russia soldiers give up their tanks and have loyalty problems seeing Putin's lies about "fascist" Ukraina "attacking" Russia.

Instagram has been shut down all over Russia.

Lavrov still publicly spouts lies about "Russia not attacking Ukraine", while (unfortunately) no one punches Putin's lapdog in the face in front of running cameras.

Obvously all is going perfectly according to plan for Putin.

[mapuc]

How to check if war zone videos are real

Journalist shows how to work with fact-checking content from Ukraine.

You've probably seen plenty of them. Videos of air strikes on cities or Russian tanks on fire.

From the war in Ukraine, they are currently pouring out on social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, Reddit and the messaging service Telegram.

But what to believe? Isn't it all fake news?

That's the answer journalists and fact-checkers or the whole world are trying to find every day. Because it is actually possible to verify many of the videos spread by the warring parties.

One of those working every day to verify many of the videos spread on social media is Thomas Jorsal, a journalist at DR News' foreign desk.

- I mainly sit on the social media Twitter and Telegram and sometimes on Reddit and follow what is being shared a lot, he says.

- And if there's something that makes an impression, I try to verify it and check if it's real, and that's a relatively big job. Because we have some steps that we go through before we trust that it actually happened in this city in eastern Ukraine," he says.

Looking for red kiosk on Google
He gives an example. This week, a video went viral allegedly showing a column of Russian tanks falling into a Ukrainian ambush in the town of Brovary outside Kyiv. The first thing he did was find the town on Google Maps.

- Then I can see these long straight roads, which you can also see in the video. Then I have an idea that we might have hit it about right, he says.

Then he goes to Google Street View and moves down the street in street perspective, looking for buildings and other features that also appear in the video.

Among other things, he finds a large green fence, a red kiosk and a yellow house with a distinctive gable.

- So we have an idea that this actually happened in this town, which is being written about on social media, he says.

But the location on a map, known as geolocation, alone is not enough to stamp the video as genuine. Thomas Jorsal asks a series of questions that can also help determine the video's credibility.

Is there a time and date on it? Is it shared by other sources trusted by the editors? Are there other videos showing the same incident from different angles? Does the content match other reports on the incident?

Difficult to get into combat zones
The answers to those questions help determine whether an editor at the newsroom eventually approves the video for use on the web or programmes like War Day.

- It can often take 3-4 hours to confirm the authenticity of a single video, says Thomas Jorsal.

But in the midst of an information war where both sides are quick to shout 'fake news', it's more important than ever to be able to establish that some content is more true than others.

This is felt by DR correspondent Michael S. Lund, who is in Ukraine.

- When you're in a place yourself, it's usually the easiest thing to do, he says.

- When I've been out at bombings, it's often relatively easy to see whether it's a bomb that's exploded on the ground or whether it's a missile that's landed.

- The problem is all the places we don't have access to. For example, Mariupol, which is surrounded. Kharkiv is also difficult to get to, the suburbs of Kyiv and so on," he says.

But it's a difficult task to sort lies from truth. For the war in Ukraine is very much a war played out on social media.

- After all, everyone has a phone with a camera on it. Soldiers, politicians and ordinary citizens, and they record an enormous amount that they share on social media and that we can access moments after it's been made," says Thomas Jorsal.

30 people working to document
But he's not alone in his work. In the context of the war in Ukraine, several media organisations have set out to document the acts of war.

The organisation Bellingcat, which has previously documented war crimes in Syria, currently has 30 employees reviewing and verifying content from the war. Five more are on the way.

GOOD ADVICE: YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF
Here are some questions you can ask yourself when considering the credibility of a video.

Who shared the video? If the video has been shared by major media outlets such as the BBC or others, it is more likely to have been fact-checked.

Is it geolocated? Several organizations post verified of videos on a map. These include the Live Universal Awareness Map and the Russia-Ukraine Monitor Map from Bellingcat, among others.

When was the video recorded? Is there a date and time that can time the video?

Are there videos from other angles or other sources that confirm the incident?

Are there any clips in the video? Be aware that footage from Ukraine may have been edited together with archive material, among other things.

Markus

[mapuc]

Hope he's wrong-Hope Ukraine will fix this in the end
(Have this feeling he may be right-Russia will win in the end)

Battle for Mykolaiv: 'We are winning this fight, but not this war'

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60711659

Markus

[Skybird]

ATGMs. MANPADs. NVGs. Medical supplies.

Plenty and plenty, and then plenty more.

[mapuc]

ATGMs. MANPADs. NVGs. Medical supplies.

Plenty and plenty, and then plenty more.

Then there is some of our politicians like these American senators

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/gop-senators-demand-us-send-fighter-jets-poland-ukraine-rcna19643

who want us to send offensive weapon to Ukraine

Markus

[Commander Wallace]

Western officials have confirmed that a third Russian major general has been killed in Ukraine, adding that he was from Russia's eastern military district.

Officials didn't name the general, but earlier Ukraine's military said Maj Gen Andrei Kolesnikov, commander of the 29th army of Russia's eastern district, had been killed.

Analysts have previously said that the presence of high-ranking military figures on or near the battlefield could be a sign that Russia's operations are not going to plan.



The best laid military plans work great on paper until you encounter the enemy / opposition. Then, you can toss it out with yesterday's news. The Russians are finding this out, much to their chagrin.

[mapuc]

UK sending Startreak Manpads to Ukraine

https://twitter.com/akoz33/status/1502345774591471617

For those who can't read what it says in this twitter comment

"Ukraine is about to get British Startreak Manpads. Much more powerful (although a bit heavier) than Stingers. Range up to 7 km. Max speed, over Mach 3. Tremendous weapons."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starstreak

Markus

[Armistead]

"UK sending Startreak Manpads to Ukraine"

I'm not gonna say what I first thought those were...

[August]

Apparently the Russians are threatening to strand an American astronaut at the space station.



https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/scott-kelly-gets-tweet-war-after-russian-suggests-us-astronaut-will-be-left-space/XINK4UTC2VHN5IAYSLMT7TLX4A/

[Reece]

"UK sending Startreak Manpads to Ukraine"

I'm not gonna say what I first thought those were...

The same as my thoughts!! :haha:

[Skybird]

UK sending Startreak Manpads to Ukraine

https://twitter.com/akoz33/status/1502345774591471617

For those who can't read what it says in this twitter comment

"Ukraine is about to get British Startreak Manpads. Much more powerful (although a bit heavier) than Stingers. Range up to 7 km. Max speed, over Mach 3. Tremendous weapons."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starstreak

MarkusAnyone in the knowledge how long it takes to train shooters? And how is the hit probability, I mean the shooter must guide the missile, it is not self-homing? And this against a fast moving target. Sounds like a beastly weapon, I just wonder.

[Rockstar]

Russian Helicopters Have Started Operating With New Invasion Markings In Ukraine

March 6, 2022

https://theaviationist.com/2022/03/06/markings-russians-helos/

… it should be noted that the new Russian markings strikingly resemble the ones used by Ukrainian helicopters during the 2014 conflict with Russian forces in Crimea and Donbas.

Some sources claimed that the Russian are trying to mask their own units so they can be mistaken as Ukrainian Army helicopters by the Ukrainian air defenses, as reportedly done by ground units. It is impossible to verify if those claims are true, however it is worth noting that Russian helicopters are suffering heavy losses from Ukrainian air defenses and MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense Systems).

[Ostfriese]

Russian Helicopters Have Started Operating With New Invasion Markings In Ukraine

March 6, 2022

https://theaviationist.com/2022/03/06/markings-russians-helos/


Didn't the allied forces use the same markings for their aircraft on D-Day?
Time to get the old P-51 out of the hangar, I'd say. :D

[Catfish]

No word from the Bnd? It did warn, politicians just did not react. They did not want to believe what was clear since 2014 (bad translation by google)

https://www-t--online-de.translate.goog/nachrichten/ausland/id_91813766/hat-der-bnd-im-ukraine-krieg-versagt-herr-conrad-.html?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Russia today said it was all Nato war talk, other Russian media chimed in.

When Putin said he withdrew the troops which were just there for manoeuvres, the west wanted to believe this, and the russian media were full of "we have said all the time that Russia will not invade".

What do those state-controlled liars and trolls say now about their own "predictions"? Lmao!

Putin will not stop until we do it. It is high time.

[Jimbuna]

The BBC has spoken to a serving mercenary and a former fighter with close links to one of Russia's leading mercenary organisations, who have shared details of the recruitment campaign.

The serving mercenary said many veterans of the secretive Wagner organisation were contacted on a private Telegram group a few weeks before the start of the war. They were invited to a "picnic in Ukraine", with references to tasting "Salo", a pork fat traditionally eaten in Ukraine.

The message appeals to "those with criminal records, debts, banned from mercenary groups or without an external passport" to apply. The message also included that "those from the Russian-occupied areas of Luhansk and Donetsk republics and Crimea - cordially invited".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60711211

[Jimbuna]

A military airfield south of Kyiv is hit by missiles as reports suggest the bulk of Russian forces are just 25km from the city.

Sirens are heard through the night in many other cities across Ukraine - from Lviv, in the west, to the north east region of Sumy - as Russia's troops push forward.

A mosque in the southern port of Mariupol, where 80 civilians were sheltering, was shelled by Russian forces, Ukrainian officials say.

People in the city are said to be enduring freezing temperatures with no power, and little food and water.

Russia has accused Ukraine of rejecting nearly all its offers to provide humanitarian corridors from flash-point towns.

US President Joe Biden restates his country will not directly intervene militarily against Russia in Ukraine.

Russia makes claims - without evidence - of US biological weapons activities in Ukraine at a meeting of the UN Security Council.

Ukraine suggests Belarus could join Russia's invasion in the coming hours.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO4frYkbedg

[Skybird]

Maybe the Ukrainians manage to driove the Russians out. Maybe not. But in both cases:

The country will be destroyed, so will be its cities, fatcories, everything. Scorched earth.

Now it takes reevcenge that the Ukraina wa sunable in the apst 20+ years to get rid of its internal corruption which is the main arugment for not havign given them EU memebverhsip.

But at the time of writing this, pro-Putin Serbia with its pro-war demonstrations and spiking nationalism is closer to that membership, still.

And we still pump Ukrainian blood into our heating and energy production. Every day we pay into Putin's war treasury chest. Every day one billion.

The Ukraine will drop out of local food supply schemes for long time to come. That will have devastating consequences for people in Afric and the ME, while in our Wetsenr countries it will drastically increase certain food prices, and drive inflation. Germany now expects an inflation rate of 10%, I red yesterday.

Make that 15% or more by the end of the year, I say.

Scholz in Versailles yesterday fulfilled the lefts wet dream, and almost nobody reports aboiut it. He freed the way into the EU collectivisation of national debts and competely surrendered. Today, Paris and Rome are still in orgy mode.

I also red yesterday a oiec eon the quzota of zombie cornmpanies int he Eu zone, that are comoanies than are kept alive by massive subsidies and support, else would drop out of the market and are unable to sruvive by their own. The rate could be as high as close to 30% by now, the author argued. That is INSANE. No econoym can survive that for long time.

We are heading into a total breakdown. Not tomorrow, not next week, but in the forseeable future, a few years if we are lucky. And it will not make a difference whether you hold cash, gold, land, stock papers or bonds.

[mapuc]

Following comments is from what I heard in the news

An airfield near..... in the western part of Ukraine has been bombed.

This made me think-Is it one of these airfield where weapons from NATO arrive ?? If this is the case then I wonder why Russia hasn't bombed this/these airfield before.

Edit
USA is working with its allied to provide Ukraine with more advanced SAM-systems.
End edit

Markus

[Exocet25fr]

https://inshorts.com/en/news/edited-video-of-paris-being-bombed-hit-by-airstrikes-shared-by-ukraine-official-1647076021574

[Onkel Neal]

Europe doesn't have to wait for politicians to shut off Russian gas and oil supplies. Just shut off the furnace and park the auto. Put on an extra sweater, sleep under a second blanket. And it's good prep for upcoming global warming cutbacks! :up: If the people could cut way back on consumption, that would have the same result as an embargo.

[Catfish]

7 days ago the Aeroflot Ceo resigned
(Russia, Aeroflot CEO resigned):

https://www.google.com/amp/s/globalhappenings.com/economy/116570.html%3famp=1

A few hours ago the Aeroflot interim boss resigned, telling he would leave the country since it is "not his country" anymore. (Aeroflot Vice resigns and leaves Russia)

https://www.google.com/amp/s/california18.com/aeroflot-vice-resigns-and-leaves-russia/3846372022/amp/

The only fascist is Putin.

[mapuc]

- If Russia use chemical weapons in Ukraine we have to take action.
(From BBC article-Which I can't find anymore)

Edit
Found it

If Russia were to use weapons like poison gas in its war, this would be seen as crossing a major red line, most probably prompting calls for the West to take decisive action.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60708350
End edit

Markus

[Armistead]

It seems Biden is clear, we don't get involved unless NATO is attacked. So what if Georgia is next? Nah, but what about Finland and Sweden? If NATO says we would, then it's not about NATO, it's we pick and choose what non NATO nations to defend...and we choose not to use force for Ukraine. It seems plausible they're some dynamic minds in NATO that are happy to let Russia wreck itself...even if it kills a million Ukrainians.

[mapuc]

It seems Biden is clear, we don't get involved unless NATO is attacked. So what if Georgia is next? Nah, but what about Finland and Sweden?

If it's true that he want to recreate Soviet with its vasal states then Sweden goes free..Don't know about Finland and the part called Karelen which, if I remember correctly, once was a part of Soviet.

Next should be Moldova-Read it somewhere.

Markus

[Exocet25fr]

Fake Paris Bombing by Russian made by Ukrainian !:D


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x57G0JdfQAU

[Skybird]

The man that gives the Russians nightmares.


https://www.nzz.ch/international/ukraine-krieg-wer-ist-der-oberbefehlshaber-waleri-saluschni-ld.1673371


https://img.nzz.ch/2022/03/09/f65672be-e307-42f5-b9ae-2c45ac757b14.jpeg?width=1301&height=899&fit=crop&quality=75&auto=webp

The Ukrainian army also owes its success to its commander-in-chief

Valery Salushni has been leading the Ukrainian armed forces for only eight months. He represents an unequivocal departure from the military's Soviet legacy - contributing to Ukraine's defensive struggle, which has been successful so far.

If the Russian army leadership thought it had an easy ride in Ukraine, it should have listened to the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces. They were ready to receive the enemy, Valery Saluzhni said a month ago: "Not with flowers, but with anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles." And if Russia does attack? "Welcome to hell," Saluzhni said tersely.

Meanwhile, it turns out that Salushni was not exaggerating. The Russian advance is proceeding more slowly and with greater losses than many experts had assumed. The Russian superiority in the air as well as the numerical inferiority of the Ukrainian ground forces were considered good preconditions for a quick Russian victory.

At 48, Saluzhni is relatively young for a commander-in-chief. President Volodimir Selensky appointed the father of two as Ukraine's top officer only last July. But Salushni's age is also his advantage: He is the first Ukrainian commander-in-chief who was no longer trained in the Soviet Union. He is emblematic of the sweeping reform of Ukraine's military since 2014.

When Valery Salushni finished school in 1989 in the small town of Novohrad-Volinsky west of Kiev, Ukraine was still part of the Soviet Union. During this time of upheaval, he followed in the footsteps of his father, who was also a member of the military. He attended the prestigious military academy in Odessa and graduated with honors from the ground forces officer training program in 1997.

During Salushni's time at the military academy, the young Ukrainian army was still heavily Russian. Until 2014, many senior positions in the Ukrainian security apparatus were held by Russians who had spent their entire careers in the Soviet Union, says Hans Petter Midttun, who was the Norwegian military attaché in Kiev between 2014 and 2018. Their loyalty to Ukraine, as well as their willingness to change, was accordingly limited.

When Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, the impact of the Soviet legacy on the fighting capacity of the Ukrainian army became apparent. The command structure was highly centralized along Soviet lines: With no orders coming from Kiev, Ukrainian ground forces surrendered without a fight, and others even defected to the Russians.

From 2014, Salushni served almost without interruption in the embattled Donetsk region. When he was promoted to major general in 2017, he was in no hurry to be removed from the eastern Ukrainian front, Radio Free Europe reports. Saluzhni, he said, is someone who fights not only on paper but also in the field. A Ukrainian officer stated this to the radio station.

Since the annexation of Crimea, the Ukrainian military has undergone major changes. The U.S. has spent over $3 billion on equipment and training for the armed forces. In addition, cooperation with NATO has intensified. In total, NATO officers trained 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers; the Soviet mindset became less important.

Salushni was one of the main advocates of Ukraine joining NATO and contributed to the military's interoperability with NATO forces. As head of combat training, he pushed the use of Western weapons systems and frequently conducted joint exercises with British and American forces.

Before the invasion, Ukraine had 170,000 servicemen and women and 100,000 reservists and veterans. As a result of the war in eastern Ukraine, many units are battle-hardened. The mentality of the troops has completely changed since 2014. These are the most important factors in the current success of Ukraine's defensive struggle, says former military attaché Midttun.

However, for the renewal to reach the top of the army, it still needed Salushni's appointment. His predecessor, Ruslan Khomchak, had still been trained in the Soviet Union, and former Defense Minister Andri Taran was known for maintaining a Soviet-influenced style. Contrary to NATO requirements, Taran was not a civilian but a former lieutenant general, and he also tried to influence operational concerns of the military.

The situation was aggravated by the fact that Khomchak and Taran quarreled publicly. President Selensky also installed a new defense minister in November, Olexi Resnikov, with whom Salushni worked well.

The change was overdue, because the Russian troop buildup on the border had already begun. "Up until that point, Ukraine had a completely dysfunctional command structure," says Sarah Whitmore, a lecturer in political science at Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom.

Ukrainian military reform began long before Salushni was appointed commander in chief last summer. But he is pushing the changes more vigorously than his predecessors. The general is also battle-hardened himself and understands the problems faced by officers and soldiers who have been at war for eight years.

Operationally, Salushni is also hammering out his own stakes. One of his first acts in office was to grant officers in the field more autonomy so that a situation like the one in Crimea in 2014 would not be repeated. He ordered that soldiers on the front lines could return fire without consulting the top leadership.

President Selensky is the de jure supreme commander, but has no prior military experience himself. In order to conduct the war, he depends on Salushni. In him, Selenski has made an excellent personnel decision, Whitmore says: "I don't want to imagine what the war would look like now if Ukraine still had last July's team at the top of the military."

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (http://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)

[mapuc]

You may not like it-I have to put it into words

Just seen the news here at 18. In this news at 18 they had a reporter near the Ukrainian-Polish border.

The camera man was filming the Ukrainian refugees-I have never known that the skin colour of the Ukrainian match the colour of people from Middle East and North Africa.

And I who thought they had a pale colour.

Markus

[Jeff-Groves]

:huh:
What part of an integrated World do you live in?

[Rockstar]

Report to Congress on Ukrainian Armed Forces

January 27, 2022 11:55 AM

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21190949-ukrainian-armed-forces-jan-26-2022?responsive=1&title=1

Command and control has been a central reform focus. Ukraine now requires the defense minister to be a civilian, a key NATO requirement. Some observers see continued threats to civilian control of the military, as former general Andriy Taran replaced Andriy Zagorodnyuk, the first civilian and pro-reform defense minister, in 2020.

The military also has shifted toward a command system more in line with NATO standards. Currently, the military reports to the commander in chief of the armed forces. Under the commander in chief, reforms split responsibilities between the chief of the general staff, responsible for strategic and force planning, and the commander of the joint forces staff, responsible for operations. The shift toward NATO-style command and control is an ongoing process, as many officers appear to remain influenced by their Soviet and post-Soviet military training despite an increase in NATO training and educational opportunities.

ARMY

In 2014, Ukraine’s defense minister said the country had 6,000 combat-ready troops. Today, Ukraine’s army numbers around 145,000-150,000 troops and has significantly improved its capabilities, personnel, and readiness. The army is the largest component of Ukraine’s military and includes mechanized, armored, missile and artillery, army aviation, and air defense units. The army continues to implement reforms in line with NATO standards but remains heavily influenced by its Soviet legacy. Ongoing reform priorities include modernizing equipment, training, and improving personnel management. Most equipment are heavily upgraded versions of legacy systems in need of modernization. The army also continues to improve training at both the individual and unit levels, which was a significant weakness in 2014. NATO and U.S. support are crucial to training efforts, although most training is limited to the battalion level.. Ukraine operates a mix of conscript and professional soldiers on contracts. By law, conscripts cannot serve on the frontlines but have the opportunity to sign short or long- term contracts upon the expiration of their terms of service. Ukraine has sought to create a professional noncommissioned officer (NCO) corps, based on NATO standards. Low salaries, lack of educational opportunities, and a shortage of housing arguably contribute to a high turnover rate and limit the retention of professional soldiers and NCOs. …

[MGR1]

This may seen flippant, considering the enormity of what is happening, but I think the abiding image I'll have of this tragedy will be a Russian AFV (an MT-LB in this case) being towed away by a tractor owned by a Ukrainian farmer....

https://englishtribuneimages.blob.core.windows.net/gallary-content/2022/3/2022_3$largeimg_1706191875.jpg

Mike.

[mapuc]

This may seen flippant, considering the enormity of what is happening, but I think the abiding image I'll have of this tragedy will be a Russian AFV (an MT-LB in this case) being towed away by a tractor owned by a Ukrainian farmer....

https://englishtribuneimages.blob.core.windows.net/gallary-content/2022/3/2022_3$largeimg_1706191875.jpg

Mike.

https://twitter.com/Biz_Ukraine_Mag/status/1501254688238362626

Markus

[Catfish]

Just heard there are thousands of russians stranded in Thailand, no money and no Aeroflot to go home.

I wonder what happens when they *do* come home to mother Russia. They saw it all on tv and in the free media, talked to other foreigners and so on.
Will they all be imprisoned, or shot, or only warned not to speak out?

I also wonder what a determined russian Putin-critic would be able to do with a Havoc, and from what range.

[Aktungbby]

Just heard there are thousands of russians stranded in Thailand, no money and no Aeroflot to go home.

I wonder what happens when they *do* come home to mother Russia. They saw it all on tv and in the free media, talked to other foreigners and so on.
Will they all be imprisoned, or shot, or only warned not to speak out?

I also wonder what a determined russian Putin-critic would be able to do with a Havoc, and from what range. https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/02/russia-troops-crematorium-4-1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all We've had this conversation....

[Skybird]

I also wonder what a determined russian Putin-critic would be able to do with a Havoc, and from what range.
Mi-28 is armed, amongst others, with AT-9 Spiral ATGM: maximum range around 6 km.

Whether the warhead can defeat Putin's frontal lobe armour remains to be seen. Its a petrified concrete structure discovered by archeologists who found it together with fossils and artifacts that were radiocarbon dated back to the Sovjetocene, so it seems to be pretty tough. Probably a good reactor shield for a future solar probe that examines the solar corona at close distance.

[mapuc]

Following is a part from a Danish article

The hardest task yet
If Russia succeeds in gaining control of the Ukrainian capital, the fourth phase of the Russian script - also called the containment phase - begins.

According to Steen Kjærgaard(military Analyst), this phase is about maintaining control of the country. But it will not be easy for Putin, he estimates.

- There will be guerrilla warfare, partisan warfare and resistance movements. Russia will be attacked from all axes and become wildly paranoid, says Sten Kjærgaard, stressing that if Russia gets this far in their strategic playbook, it will be their most difficult task so far in the war

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Another thing-Doesn't Ukraine have similar to our MLRS missiles ?

Markus

[Gorpet]

You may not like it-I have to put it into words

Just seen the news here at 18. In this news at 18 they had a reporter near the Ukrainian-Polish border.

The camera man was filming the Ukrainian refugees-I have never known that the skin colour of the Ukrainian match the colour of people from Middle East and North Africa.

And I who thought they had a pale colour.

Markus

Could you please clarify your Quote:And I who thought they had a pale colour.

[Gorpet]

After what everyone sees Putin doing everywhere on information sites the world over (sans Russia), I'd totally agree with boots in Ukraine. A shame it will not happen. Something to obliterate the convoys should still be done, from above, or sideways.

When i hear of Putin hiring his "Wagner" mercenary gang to kill Zelensky, or sends in his chechen slayers to subdue any resistance, or him saying and broadcasting that he Putin had no intention to invade Ukraine? All believe him eh?

"The Chechens are part of a Russian national guard unit and are well known for fighting insurgencies, using brutal tactics that even jolted Russia during its two brutal wars in the '90s against them. The Chechens have been employed to hunt down terrorists in Syria and used by Russia to fight elsewhere, including in Georgia. They also fought the Ukrainians in Donbas when hostilities began there in 2014.”
Must be new for some russians, i heard they were there to help lmao.
A few chechens are already dead however, including Kadyrovs "general":
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ukrainian-forces-destroy-convoy-of-56-chechen-tanks-kill-general-near-kyiv-report/
https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-wipes-out-bloodthirsty-chechen-special-forces-sent-to-zelensky-457107

After what the world saw of this invasion even the Azov battallion becomes acceptable.
An extremely prejudiced cruise missile headed in Vladolf's general direction would be a good idea.

B.t.w. with all the blunder "Joey" did a few things right, as long as you do not only believe in conspiracy theories, or Putin. Also Kazakhstan refused to send armies to help Putin against Ukraine, and Georgia even asked for a NATO membership. Georgia! Unbelievable.


re Zelensky he should leave and continue from abroad like Charles deGaulle did. No one but Putin and his hired mercenary "Wagner" state terrorist group thugs want him dead, and it is clear that most of the resistance will collapse with him.
Still his "I need ammo, not a ride" will find its way into the history books, if he leaves or not.

Azov Battalion, or simply Azov, is a right-wing extremist, neo-Nazi, paramilitary unit of the National Guard of Ukraine.
Do you know what this Battalion represents in the United States ? How in the hell can our politicians' and our woke population who support Blm,Antifa Lbgtq and every Rainbow transgender Warrior on this planet. Support Ukraine now ? You must see in the WOKE WORLD this is a white on white fight. And in some cultures and community tribes across this planet they are celebrating.

[Rockstar]

Yikes seems some of those Russian convoys have dispersed where they went nobody knows. Other Russian armor apparently were allowed to pass then Ukraine forces ambushed their supply lines. Which makes sense why go head to head with a tank when you can sever the logistics required to run it.

Of course it’s all unsubstantiated opinion but it’s all we got right now.

https://youtu.be/mfru7Lnpdt8

[Gorpet]

Yikes seems some of those Russian convoys have dispersed where they went nobody knows. Other Russian armor apparently were allowed to pass then Ukraine forces ambushed their supply lines. Which makes sense why go head to head with a tank when you can sever the logistics required to run it.

Of course it’s all unsubstantiated opinion but it’s all we got right now.

https://youtu.be/mfru7Lnpdt8

Well i guess, we will have our limited nuclear war, If the world thinks the Russian military has yet to show it's claws.It's clear Nato satellite's are providing Ukraine forces with intelligence.So the question for the world is what secrets does Ukraine hold that would make this conflict even possible? Now we hear from Russia that Ukraine has a Level 4 bio lab.

[Armistead]

Well i guess, we will have our limited nuclear war, If the world thinks the Russian military has yet to show it's claws.It's clear Nato satellite's are providing Ukraine forces with intelligence.So the question for the world is what secrets does Ukraine hold that would make this conflict even possible? Now we hear from Russia that Ukraine has a Level 4 bio lab.

Most every nation has Bio labs and they're 59 level 4 spread labs are around the world. The issue becomes of course gain of function, or worse, weaponizing. Russia has weaponized and stockpiled eleven bio-agents known. I think the expectation as Russia gets bogged down in cities is they will use chemical weapons, because they don't have the forces to hold a city. Ukraine's lab is well known in the world community and the World Health Organization has asked Ukraine to destroy any dangerous pathogens in its laboratories. Russia is creating a lot of propaganda from this and I think certain it will be used as some false flag to excuse their future of them if they really get mired up. How the world responds, many experts think NATO, rather than boots on the ground, would go to a full cyber attack. Course, that would result in Russia doing the same and it's just a matter of time before conventional war breaks out. Russia would quickly be devastated unless NATO tries a limited push to prompt Putin to leave. If not, then comes the moment would Putin use tactical nukes on the battlefield.. obviously, it only gets worse from there. Putin's in a spot even if he packed up and left tomorrow. Europe has woken up from globalism and will fully finance NATO, their own defense and detach from oil and economic ties from Russia. The only way Russia survives long term economically is to become a proxy state for China and China is gleefully hoping for that to happen. Course China could jump in fray and that's WW3, but China is too smart for that. Putin has put himself in a lose lose situation and he will choose for himself the course. Russia is showing its claws as they've done in the past, leveling cities with bombings.

[Gorpet]

Yikes seems some of those Russian convoys have dispersed where they went nobody knows. Other Russian armor apparently were allowed to pass then Ukraine forces ambushed their supply lines. Which makes sense why go head to head with a tank when you can sever the logistics required to run it.

Of course it’s all unsubstantiated opinion but it’s all we got right now.

https://youtu.be/mfru7Lnpdt8

Well i guess, we will have our limited nuclear war, If the world thinks the Russian military has yet to show it's claws.It's clear Nato satellite's are providing Ukraine forces with intelligence.So the question for the world is what secrets does Ukraine hold that would make this conflict even possible? Now we hear from Russia that Ukraine has a Level 4 bio lab. Ya know what there may be a bigger reason than just the control of the Black Sea. The Russians have stayed home since their Afghan adventure other than supporting their Allies and we all need Allies don't we?

The United States , On the other hand has been at war where ever they can start a war.In the name of Democracy. I talked to my son the other day and i said damn the last 20 years of both of our lives this country has been has been fighting for Democracy somewhere on this planet.And no country we have fought in want's our form of Government or our culture Especially at gun point.I wonder why?

[Buddahaid]

Well i guess, we will have our limited nuclear war, If the world thinks the Russian military has yet to show it's claws.It's clear Nato satellite's are providing Ukraine forces with intelligence.So the question for the world is what secrets does Ukraine hold that would make this conflict even possible? Now we hear from Russia that Ukraine has a Level 4 bio lab. Ya know what there may be a bigger reason than just the control of the Black Sea. The Russians have stayed home since their Afghan adventure other than supporting their Allies and we all need Allies don't we?

The United States , On the other hand has been at war where ever they can start a war.In the name of Democracy. I talked to my son the other day and i said damn the last 20 years of both of our lives this country has been has been fighting for Democracy somewhere on this planet.And no country we have fought in want's our form of Government or our culture Especially at gun point.I wonder why?

That sounds more like a radical position than a conservative one.

Of course the west is assisting as close as it thinks it can without direct conflict. It's still a power game and Putin made a really bad move for once. Belarus is his only allie.

[nikimcbee]

Meanwhile, in the Russian Navy...


So, anybody tried the IKEA meatballs?
https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FqI8Cg7cEoqY%2F maxresdefault.jpg&f=1&nofb=1








The waiting continues.

[Skybird]

I would not agree with a few minor details here and there, but all in all the author (Andreas Unterberger, Austria) nails it: 18 points that illustrate the mistakes and weaknesses of the West. These flaws are not just symptomatic and on the surface, but are of a deep-rooting systemic nature. A process of rotting and degeneration.

How could it have come to this? The 18 biggest mistakes of the West

The wisdom that the beginnings should be resisted is (at least) two thousand years old. But an honest analysis of the causes of Russia's invasion of Ukraine shows that it is not heeded even in the 21st century. This is depressing. An enumeration of the worst undesirable developments and failures of recent years is therefore necessary. It certainly does not change the fact that this war and its thousands of deaths are 99.9 percent the fault of Vladimir Putin and those few people whom the lonely man in the Kremlin might(!!) still listen to. But nevertheless, it was also Europe's many mistakes that enabled or at least facilitated the Kremlin ruler's criminal war.It is a shame that today the only hope of the whole free world to put the aggressor in his place rests on the backs of the brave Ukrainian men, most of whom stand up to the Russian tanks and bombs with bare guns. Among them are the many tens of thousands of Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians who, with impressive courage and righteous indignation from all over the world, have come to the fighting aid of the country under attack.

They should be contrasted with the - incomplete - list of those mistakes that may have motivated Putin to attack in the first place. Which made it easier for him to do so. Which have removed all deterrent signals for such a crime.

1. It is true that Putin is now undoubtedly astonished and probably also a little - a little - frightened by the massive economic, cultural and sporting reactions of the entire outside world, with the exception of China, Serbia, North Korea and Zimbabwe. Only: There is no explanation why the outside world did not react so vigorously much earlier to Russia's campaigns of conquest against sovereign foreign countries. Against Georgia, against Moldova, against Crimea, against Eastern Ukraine, against the revolting citizens of Kazakhstan. These conquests and interventions - except for the number of casualties and destruction - do not differ legally and morally in any way from the current attack on Ukraine. The lack of response was therefore a clear invitation to Russia to continue with its violations of international law.

2. The only moral-political argument Putin can make is that of denying self-determination to Ukrainian regions that he claims would prefer to be under his rule. Here it is clear that the West has let some of its own countries get away with denying self-determination to regions and ethnic groups for generations (which is why some there have even come to the conclusion that they have to resort to - futile - violence to get their rights, as happened in the Basque country and in South Tyrol, for example). In addition, there are many other ethnic groups which are disenfranchised in Europe(!), although they live in rather closed settlement areas: for example, the Hungarians in southern Slovakia and Transylvania, for example, the Flemings and Catalans). These own failures have made the moral basis and the freedom talk of Europe fragile, which has taken the strange position that self-determination is only due to the (former) colonies, but not to European peoples. It should have been seen with drastic clarity that the decades of bloodshed in Northern Ireland came to an abrupt end only when London explicitly recognized the right of the Northern Irish to self-determination.

3. This ignoring of the right to self-determination has also directly prevented real peace from being achieved in the Balkans. Thus, even after decades, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Cyprus refuse to recognize Kosovo's independence. Which makes Bosnia an eternal crisis area. Which blocks Kosovo's path to security, i.e. to the EU and NATO. Which has significantly increased the likelihood that war could break out there again.

4. The EU also refuses to grant self-determination to the three parts of Bosnia, even though they are ethnically largely separated and their populations each have very different wishes as to which state they want to belong to. This appears to the Serbs in particular to be clear discrimination against the Islamic Bosnians, oddly enough supported by the West, who want to retain supremacy over the Serbs. This has driven the Serbs emotionally largely as in 1914 into the arms of Russia (with whom, on the other hand, they were totally crossed under Tito!).

5. There is still no clear international catalog of the rights of ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities that could be enforced before an international court. Such a catalog would also have made it possible to objectively clarify whether the Russian-speaking Ukrainians are really being wronged, as is claimed (almost exclusively) by Moscow.

6. Thus, the eternal stalling of the accession will of several countries that became free before the turn of the millennium by the EU and NATO was virtually an invitation to Moscow to bring them back under the Russian yoke. These countries have not even been given the possibility of second-class membership, which would give them full equality in economic terms, for example, but still limits the free movement of labor for an indefinite period of time (which Western Europe is afraid of). It is simply absurd that for well over half a century many billions have been flowing into southern Italy, which has been left behind mainly through its own fault, while other European countries have been put on the back burner for many decades, although before that they had only been driven into poverty by Russian rule. But one has never clearly said to these so unanimously westward striving peoples: We do not want to accept you into our associations, that comes too expensively for us, rather looks for the way of a neutrality and hopes halt that nothing happens to you.

7. Thus, a much more generous offer of the EU on an equal footing should have been made to countries such as Russia and Turkey, even though they are by no means eligible for EU membership due to their size and their predominantly non-European and undemocratic character. That might have satisfied emotional types like a Putin or Erdogan.

8. Thus, the American withdrawal from Afghanistan has resembled a damn defeat. Putin concluded, not entirely wrongly, that the Americans are now only a paper tiger, hopelessly entangled in its internal problems such as Blacklivesmatter and Trump polarization, and can no longer act as a world policeman.

9. Thus, after 1989 (when just the strength of America under Ronald Reagan brought the Soviets to their knees politically!), the Western governments believed that now there would be perpetual peace at zero cost, and therefore disarmed heavily. They all believed in a huge peace dividend and tried voter bribery with the money thus saved and negligently expanded welfare systems far and wide.

10. Thus, even after the Russian conquests in Ukraine, the West did not recognize or draw consequences from countless czar- and Stalin-nostalgic statements that Moscow had again become an aggressive power.

11. Thus, German pacifism in particular - not only under the left-wing government, but already under Angela Merkel - was and is seen worldwide as a signal of weakness for all of Europe. The German Bundeswehr seemed to be good only for designing uniforms for pregnant female soldiers. This became a single message to the Russians: the West is broken.

12. So Europe's, but also America's, decadence now stinks to high heaven, giving (not only) Putin the impression of a rottenness that can no longer be taken seriously: see, for example, the gay cult, see the de facto ban on speech by non-leftist men at increasingly feminized universities, see the indie-knee-walking in front of millions of invading Muslims, see the embarrassments of political correctness, see wokeness and identity politics, see gender stars, moor-head debates and rainbow zebra stripes.

13. A particularly embarrassing chapter of the West was one of the various disarmament treaties that Austrian diplomats in particular were so proud of: That was the ban on landmines. Mines are almost the only means of warfare that are exclusively suitable for defense even against superior forces. Now, however, the same diplomats are blathering about giving the Ukrainians only defensive weapons.

14. Without considering Austria relevant in these contexts, the behavior of all its governments in matters of national defense clearly fits into this context: From the total military castration of the Eurofighters, reduced to flying cameras, by Mr. Darabos and Mr. Gusenbauer, to the abolition of militia exercises under the black-orange government, to the sick belief that neutrality would make any positive contribution to Austria's security, to the embarrassment, for which all parties are responsible, of an army budget that is hovering around 0.6 percent of economic output. By contrast, Sweden, which has also been neutral up to now, has now decided to increase defense spending substantially to 2 percent and at the same time has moved closer to NATO.

15. a historical blunder that most European countries are actually constantly beating around the ears was the sneer of almost all governments, left-wing parties and media at the constant demand of US President Donald Trump to bring the armaments of every NATO country to the level of 2 percent of GDP that has actually been agreed upon for years. Now all of a sudden, with Ukraine already a victim, they are all in favor of at least getting closer to that goal.

16. A special strategic help for Russia was and is the one-sided dependence of gas supply on Russian imports. Out of convenience, the necessary diversification of energy sources has been foregone.

17. In addition, there was Germany's absurd decision to close all coal and nuclear power plants, because Germany has to save the planet, to the laughter of the rest of the world. As a result, there is practically no alternative to Germany's dependence on Russian gas.
Another strategic help for Russia was the hateful fight against its own members Great Britain, Poland and Hungary by all European left-wing parties, whether green, whether red, whether pink, as well as the EU officialdom and judiciary, which has already driven one country completely out of the EU and caused another to sound conspicuously Russia-friendly.

18. One could continue this list for a long time. But the facts listed alone make it rational that Vladimir Putin has come to believe that he can afford to conquer Ukraine and then, after a few days of excitement, will still get his feet kissed by the West when he ends up generously allowing a chunk of Ukraine the freedom of a semi-colony.

Putin's great deception lies not in the West, but in the hundreds of thousands of brave Ukrainian men who are now fighting to the last, having taken their wives and children to safety in the direction of the West. They still know that freedom of the homeland is a very, very great good. And they are united against Moscow's illusions that they actually wanted to "go home to the Reich".

What a contrast also to the media of a deadly sick West: these were now again a whole week full of blanket whining and shrieking about the alleged discrimination against women. It is inconceivable how a completely artificial "day" like International Women's Day interests the editorial offices more than serious debates about Europe's or Austria's situation and mistakes. And then they are surprised that readers and viewers run away from them in a hurry.

One really wishes that these journalists, who are uninhibitedly seething in almost all media, would have to talk to women from Ukraine for even one hour to get their feet back on the ground of the realities of this world.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (http://www.DeepL.com/Translator) (free version)
https://www.andreas-unterberger.at/2022/03/wie-konnte-es-nur-soweit-kommenij-die-18-grten-fehler-der-westens/

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2gmEIrkVgc

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTQ4O4_a_Mo

[Jimbuna]

Ukraine says up to 30 Russian missiles were fired at a military training base, near the border of Nato member Poland.

Officials say at least 35 people were killed and 134 injured in the attack on the Yavoriv base.

The facility is used for training with Nato instructors.

The airport near the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk has also been hit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that 1,300 Ukrainian troops have died in the conflict so far.

People in Mariupol are said to be enduring freezing temperatures with no power, and little food and water, as Russian troops make gains in taking the city.

Ukraine also claims Russian troops fired on a convoy of women and children evacuating a village near Kyiv, killing seven - Moscow has yet to comment.

[Onkel Neal]

Too bad the US won't quietly ship a couple thousand drones.

The best ending for this is Ukraine surrenders right now to save further lives and property. Then in the next Russian election, they get to vote, right? So, 20 million anti-Putin votes.

[Jimbuna]

Unfortunately Neal, we've seen what happens to votes in previous Russian elections.

[mapuc]

Been wondering when the Russian would start to bomb the airfield near the Polish border-It's on these airfield weapons get unloaded.
Sorry they hit the training base not the airfield

Markus

[Jimbuna]

On day 18 of Russia's invasion.

Russia's assault has now widened to targets in the country's west. A barrage of Russian missiles have struck a military base, in Yavoriv, close to the border with Poland, killing 35 people.

The mayor of another western city, Ivano-Frankivsk, says Russian troops continue to hit its airport. And in Lviv - a western hub for people fleeing the conflict - air raid sirens sounded.

More fighting is also continuing in outskirts north of the capital Kyiv, as it braces for a possible encirclement by Russian forces.

And further north, in Chernihiv at least one person was killed when an apartment block was destroyed by Russian fire, authorities say.

In Ukraine's east, Russian troops are trying to surround Ukrainian forces as they advance from the port of Mariupol in the south and the country's second-largest city of Kharkiv in the north, UK defence officials say. Kharkhiv has suffered some of the heaviest Russian bombardment, with videos showing streets completely bombed-out and many buildings flattened. As Russian forces surround Mariupol, aid groups are warning of a humanitarian catastrophe.

And in the south, an air strike on the Black Sea city of Mykolaiv, near the strategic port of Odesa, killed nine people on Sunday, local officials say.

[Commander Wallace]

Too bad the US won't quietly ship a couple thousand drones.

The best ending for this is Ukraine surrenders right now to save further lives and property. Then in the next Russian election, they get to vote, right? So, 20 million anti-Putin votes.


Turkey has quietly sold the Ukraine 20 Bayraktar TB2 armed drones. Apparently, the Ukrainians have used these drones effectively against Russian forces. Although more drones would be useful, that's half the equation. I think other countries have also supplied drones. The anti tank weapons are the other half. I would be interested in knowing how well the supply chain of ant tank munitions is working out.

https://time.com/6153197/ukraine-russia-turkish-drones-bayraktar/

https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ukraine-turkey-drone-russia.jpg?w,800,quality,85

[mapuc]

Have been doing a lot of research job the lastest 1½ hour.

A friend posted a side-by-side picture-Where the picture on the right was from the huge explosion in China 2015. and the picture on the left was same.

The picture on the left has a text saying

Bild.de
Rusland bombardiert die Ukraininen

Both picture is the same.

The picture on the right is correct-The altered picture with the German text on the left(same picture) is fake.

Edit
Found an article on BBC about fake picture and the picture I was talking about is on this page

This post incorrectly passes off the deadly Tianjin explosions as warfare in Ukraine
Various uploads of the clip have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times.

The video actually shows footage of the 12 August 2015 Tianjin blasts in China, which killed around 173 people when a container containing chemicals exploded at a port.

https://www.bbc.com/news/60528276

End edit

Markus

[Rockstar]

Unfortunately Neal, we've seen what happens to votes in previous Russian elections.


Who needs elections anyway? :03:

Russia introduced a new mayor in a captured Ukrainian city after abducting its elected mayor

https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-installs-new-mayor-melitopol-captured-ukraine-city-kidnapped-2022-3

Russians put in place a new mayor in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol, CNN reported.

The city's democratically elected mayor, Ivan Fedorov, was kidnapped by Russian forces on Friday.

Galina Danilchenko, the city's acting mayor, was not elected.

Russia installed a new mayor in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol after soldiers kidnapped the city's democratically elected mayor.

The new mayor, Galina Danilchenko, was introduced as the city's acting mayor on local TV, CNN reported, citing a statement from the Zaporozhye regional administration website.

In a televised statement posted to Telegram, Danilchenkso said her "main task is to take all necessary steps to get the city back to normal," CNN reported. She said there are people in Melitopol who are trying to disrupt "the situation and provoke a reaction of bad behavior."

"I ask you to keep your wits about you and not to give in to these provocations," Danilchenko said. "I appeal to the deputies, elected by the people, on all levels. Since you were elected by the people, it is your duty to care about the well-being of your citizens."

Melitopol is located in the southeastern region of Ukraine, about 425 miles from Kyiv.

Russian forces on Friday kidnapped Melitopol's mayor, Ivan Fedorov, according to Ukrainian authorities. Ten armed soldiers were caught on camera walking him away with a plastic bag over his head.

Fedorov was elected by the people of the city, while was installed in place by Russian force.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Fedorov's abduction "a war crime under the Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocol that prohibit the taking of civilian hostages during the war."

"We call on the international community to respond immediately to the abduction of Ivan Fedorov and other civilians, and to increase pressure on Russia to end its barbaric war against the Ukrainian people," the ministry said in its statement.

Early on into the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Russia said it had captured Melitopol, a claim that Western countries like the United Kingdom dismissed.

Russia said its troops were welcomed into the city and were met with little resistance. British armed forces minister James Heappey said Russian troops were "held up" by "incredible" Ukrainian resistance.

[Skybird]

Too bad the US won't quietly ship a couple thousand drones.

The best ending for this is Ukraine surrenders right now to save further lives and property. Then in the next Russian election, they get to vote, right? So, 20 million anti-Putin votes.
"Anti-Putin votes?"

That thought is so unreal on so many levels. I mean: Russia...!? Voting...!?

The votes will never fail Putin. Nor his successor one day in the future.


I wonder whether we should not escalate from our side. Let them taste their won medicine. This puts pressure on the persons subordinate to Putin so far, I assume some of them have still functional survival instincts. Putin must be toppled, and it can only be done from within the Russian hierarchy, not by agents from outside, they would not reach him. But why would they want to topple him if what he does seems to work for them well enough?

[Armistead]

I still think sending them 5000 commercial type drones rather than one million dollar military drone is the answer. You can trick one out and get a range of 10 miles or more and with 10 lbs of C4 using at night with night vision could do some serious damage. Heck, one ounce blow a hole through half inch of steel. Just land em and set em off. If they want to shoot S400 missiles at them, all the better. Sort of like a Yellow Jacket swarm attack.

[Jimbuna]

I still think sending them 5000 commercial type drones rather than one million dollar military drone is the answer. You can trick one out and get a range of 10 miles or more and with 10 lbs of C4 using at night with night vision could do some serious damage. Heck, one ounce blow a hole through half inch of steel. Just land em and set em off. If they want to shoot S400 missiles at them, all the better. Sort of like a Yellow Jacket swarm attack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbGxYoxpPdI&t=2s

[Jimbuna]

Russia sanctions: How the measures have changed daily life.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60647543

[Buddahaid]

I'm curious to see how far this gets. H. R. 6869.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6869/text?r=1&s=1

[Jimbuna]

I doubt there are many privateers or corsairs about these days.

[Catfish]

Mi-28 is armed, amongst others, with AT-9 Spiral ATGM: maximum range around 6 km.
[...] I am not sure what you meant with the rest lol.
What i meant is the russian DXL-5 Havoc or 'ravager', though i doubt its range. Putin should be careful, or better, not.

[Armistead]

"Journalism is dead in Russia" Did it truly ever exist?https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=468655075042910

[Jeff-Groves]

OHH! I want a Letter of Marque!

Hey Aktung! That Pirate Ship still for sale out your way?
:hmmm:
:har:

[mapuc]

I'm curious to see how far this gets. H. R. 6869.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6869/text?r=1&s=1

If I understand this correctly these bill-makers want that US shall do the same as EU have done a few times-seize Russians megayacht, private jet a.s.o.

It's not nukes our leaders here in West are worried about-It's their chemical weapon they fear Putin in his desperation will use 'cause as mentioned in a Danish article-Putin has lost the war.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

"Journalism is dead in Russia" Did it truly ever exist?https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=468655075042910

Putin has taken his country back decades if not centuries.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=635iLwWdsU4

[Jeff-Groves]

Putin has taken his country back decades if not centuries.

And scoffers say there's no such thing as time travel!
:har:

[mapuc]

Skybird was right about these two suitcases

Then what it said in the link to the Russian military doctrine is wrong. The one I linked to was an old one

Here is the new doctrine from 2021

https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2000-05/russias-military-doctrine

Markus

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SjJLmz0UNo

[mapuc]

There are words I would never put into my mouth and that is word like fake war.

It got it torn some days ago. For about 1-1½ hours I was watching one of these livestream from Kyiv there was 5-6 camera filming in different direction covering their part of the city.

Then in the news at 19 a reporter said while he stood in Kyiv
-Not so long ago there was an air assault not so far behind me-we could hear the explosion.

Me !!?? Which Kyiv is he talking about ? Have just been watching livestream for 1-1½ hours and I did not see any fighter jet or explosion.

It must have been in an area where the camera didn't broadcast from.

Markus

[Commander Wallace]

Putin has taken his country back decades if not centuries.


I Think Russia has lost a lot of ground in the furtherance of it's foreign policy objectives as well. I believe the repercussions for Russia may well outlive Putin. That is, If there is a no further escalation of war in the Ukraine or spill over into neighboring countries. I further believe Russia should be removed as a permanent member of the U.N Security Council .

[Skybird]

Maybe Russia just stayed where it always has been, and the imminent past years were just an intermezzo. It was always repressive, and utmost brutal to both the outside and inside.

[Skybird]

Financial Times says Russia asked China for military equipment.
New York Times says Russia runs out ou weapons of many types now after over two weeks.

[Rockstar]

I'm curious to see how far this gets. H. R. 6869.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6869/text?r=1&s=1

I hope gets round filed and burned immediately. Our constitution already grants that power to Congress. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if those useless fooks got off their collective lazy arses and did their job instead of passing the buck.

[mapuc]

Financial Times says Russia asked China for military equipment.
New York Times says Russia runs out ou weapons of many types now after over two weeks.

NATO help Ukraine with weapon and intel

What could prevent China to do the same for Russia help them with weapon.

Markus

[Rockstar]

Why would China get involved and want a stronger Russia? If Russia fails it would make China’s life a lot easier taking former Soviet block states right out from Russias so-called sphere’s of influence in Eastern Asia. If Putin fails to take Ukraine he is basically placing Russia in a position to be eaten alive by China. He ought seriously consider stepping down and allow someone willing to work WITH Europe rather than against and maybe go so far as to join NATO

[mapuc]

Why would China get involved and want a stronger Russia? If Russia fails it would make China’s life a lot easier taking former Soviet block states right out from Russias so-called sphere’s of influence in Eastern Asia. If Putin fails to take Ukraine he is basically placing Russia in a position to be eaten alive by China. He ought seriously consider stepping down and allow someone willing to work WITH Europe rather than against and maybe go so far as to join NATO

Good question-Would China help Russia by selling them weapon and weapon systems ?

I don't know-time will tell.

Markus

[Skybird]

DW says Kyiv and Moscow negotiators hint at results yielded within few days.

The longer the war alsts, the stronger Ukrainian positions become in the3se negotiations, sinc epressure is mounting in Putin every day.

I place a bet: in the forseeable future I think Putin will get overthrown from within, this way or any other. He is done.

[Skybird]

And then there is this strange political genius who filed a word or two on how he would have dealt with the war:

Over the weekend, the former President provided a glimpse into how he may have handled on the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine (https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-07-22/h_f5c55d95bdbf82badac21d44f513ed30) -- and it is a doozy.
According to audio obtained by The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/03/06/trump-focuses-foreign-policy-speech-gops-top-donors/), Trump told a group of Republican donors in New Orleans that the United States should paint Chinese flags on its F-22 planes and then use those planes to bomb Russia.
"And then we say, 'China did it, we didn't do it, China did it,' and then they start fighting with each other and we sit back and watch," Trump concluded.
Uh, what?


https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/07/politics/donald-trump-ukraine-china-russia/index.html

Oh Donald, how much we need you in these grim times while Laurel and Hardy are gone since so long. If your brain would be made of chocolate, you wouldn't have enough to fill a single Smartie, but I laugh nevertheless.

[mapuc]

DW says Kyiv and Moscow negotiators hint at results yielded within few days.

The longer the war alsts, the stronger Ukrainian positions become in the3se negotiations, sinc epressure is mounting in Putin every day.

I place a bet: in the forseeable future I think Putin will get overthrown from within, this way or any other. He is done.

After having read you comment about your prediction on Putins future I read this on twitter

"Moscow. Police beat a female protestor after she refuses to submit her phone for a search of anti-war content Sunday. Russia has reached totalitarian levels of repression, unseen in over 40 years. A large step backwards"

Russia is going down the drain-Hope there's some strong person who can remove Putin.

Markus

[Buddahaid]

NATO help Ukraine with weapon and intel

What could prevent China to do the same for Russia help them with weapon.

Markus

China will just sit aside and let Russia and the west sort themselves out while taking notes.

[Aktungbby]

Why would China get involved and want a stronger Russia? If Russia fails it would make China’s life a lot easier taking former Soviet block states right out from Russias so-called sphere’s of influence in Eastern Asia. If Putin fails to take Ukraine he is basically placing Russia in a position to be eaten alive by China. He ought seriously consider stepping down and allow someone willing to work WITH Europe rather than against and maybe go so far as to join NATO

Good question-Would China help Russia by selling them weapon and weapon systems ?

I don't know-time will tell.

Markus

And then there is this strange political genius who filed a word or two on how he would have dealt with the war:

Over the weekend, the former President provided a glimpse into how he may have handled on the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine (https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-07-22/h_f5c55d95bdbf82badac21d44f513ed30) -- and it is a doozy.
According to audio obtained by The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/03/06/trump-focuses-foreign-policy-speech-gops-top-donors/), Trump told a group of Republican donors in New Orleans that the United States should paint Chinese flags on its F-22 planes and then use those planes to bomb Russia.
"And then we say, 'China did it, we didn't do it, China did it,' and then they start fighting with each other and we sit back and watch," Trump concluded. Great1 another "false flag' attack!
Uh, what?


https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/07/politics/donald-trump-ukraine-china-russia/index.html

Oh Donald, how much we need you in these grim times while Laurel and Hardy are gone since so long. If your brain would be made of chocolate, you wouldn't have enough to fill a single Smartie, but I laugh nevertheless. "C'mon now! all he's really done bad is not to register as a foreign agent of the kremlin: as for china helping Russia: https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2798111&postcount=128[/COLOR]

[Skybird]

On our own (German) behalf: it is time to dismantle the Soviet memorials and the occasional Lenin busts and Marx monuments still scattered throughout East Germany. This socialist-Russia-kitsch and fraternization-intentions in the heads of many Germans must finally end.


In the end, Hitler and Stalin both were one of a kind, and were brutal both to others and their own people. None of the two is to be preferred to the other.

[mapuc]

"C'mon now! all he's really done bad is not to register as a foreign agent of the kremlin: as for china helping Russia: https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2798111&postcount=128[/COLOR]

Assuming Russia’s collapse is not imminent, China will use Russia’s increasing isolation to transform Moscow into a petrochemical satellite, taking advantage of Western sanctions to secure Russian energy flows indefinitely. In turn, China hopes that Russia, humbled or emboldened by its Ukraine adventure—and with or without Mr. Putin at the helm—will occupy Western attention as Beijing gobbles up the choicest Pacific possessions and extends its economic and diplomatic tendrils into the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. Far from accepting independent Russian action, China is counting on Russian failure to accelerate the satisfaction of its boundless appetite.

If Putin isn't overthrown from within and the new leader seek an opening towards the West and NATO.
Then China is on its own.

Markus

[tmccarthy]

In the end, Hitler and Stalin both were one of a kind, and were brutal both to others and their own people. None of the two is to be preferred to the other.

History Yes!

All week, like most people probably, I've been looking out for signs of something positive. Nothing...

I just came across this first one which is at the least very interesting. The second one is too good to pass up. The name of the country that finally push the US to create the doctrine... Russia!:har:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroe_Doctrine


https://youtu.be/7eA4ZN0BpP0


https://youtu.be/ns9PurD0jmo

[Skybird]

If Putin isn't overthrown from within and the new leader seek an opening towards the West and NATO.
Then China is on its own.

Markus
What makes you think the West will trust Russia again any time soon? I do not expect, nor hope, it happens for the rest of my life time. I'm 55.

[mapuc]

One Russian shot at NATO territory triggers Article 5, warns US - and they mean it, says expert

On Sunday morning, Russia attacked a military base in Ukraine just 25 kilometres from a NATO country.

If Russia fires just one shot at NATO territory, NATO will deploy all forces against Russia.
That was the tough message from US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan at a press briefing on Sunday.

According to the security adviser, a shot at one NATO country would trigger Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty - the so-called musketeers' oath - which says an attack on one member country is an attack on them all.

However, this is not the first time that the US has warned the Russians against violating Article 5.
And the question is whether one shot is really enough to trigger a war with NATO, or is it just an empty threat?

Want to ensure credibility
If you ask foreign and security policy commentator Jacob Kaarsbo, the Americans are serious when they say they are ready to counterattack Russia.

However, he interprets the announcement more as an attempt to ensure the credibility of the US and NATO.

In a television interview with the BBC on Saturday, Polish President Andrzej Duda said NATO may have to intervene militarily in Ukraine if Russia uses biological or chemical weapons.

The warning comes after days of speculation about whether Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, intends to use weapons of mass destruction. And such a warning puts pressure on the US, says Jacob Kaarsbo.

- There has been frustration that Biden keeps saying NATO is not going to war with Putin. Because by saying it again and again, it gives Putin more blood on his teeth, he says.

Just last Friday, US President Joe Biden said that NATO troops in Ukraine would trigger a third world war. Yet Jake Sullivan says Russia will pay a "high price" if it uses chemical weapons in the war against Ukraine.

But the security adviser does not say how high the price will be.

But according to Jacob Kaarsbo, the reaction suggests that many NATO countries agree with the Polish line and want NATO, led by the US, to go further.

Putin has only respect for tough response
But the US's tough tone is not just a signal to the West, but also an attempt to intimidate Putin, Jacob Kaarsbo believes.

- There is no empirical evidence in history that Putin respects anything other than the harsher response. If he expects us to sit on our hands, he will continue, says Jacob Kaarsbo.

Sunday's announcement also comes hours after Russia attacked a military base in Ukraine just 25 kilometres from the border with Poland - a NATO country.

So it is right that neighbours of Ukraine and Russia fear an escalation and with good reason that the US chooses to react to it, says Jacob Kaarsbo.

But it's not just Russia that's getting warnings at Sunday's press briefing.

To China, the US says it will in no way accept China compensating Russia for the economic sanctions imposed on it by the US and a host of other states since the invasion began.

If that happens, the US will hit China with sanctions, Jake Sullivan warns.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Markus

[mapuc]

What makes you think the West will trust Russia again any time soon? I do not expect, nor hope, it happens for the rest of my life time. I'm 55.


I did not mention how long it would take-from Putin is overthrown and West trust Russia again. This could take years.

I do not hate the civilian in Russia-It's their leaders who are responsible for what's going on in Ukraine and in their homecountry I dislike.

Markus

[Armistead]

What makes you think the West will trust Russia again any time soon? I do not expect, nor hope, it happens for the rest of my life time. I'm 55.

I think the bigger question will be how long will it take to get a 150 million Russians speaking Chinese.

[Ostfriese]

I place a bet: in the forseeable future I think Putin will get overthrown from within, this way or any other.


By whom?

[Skybird]

Hidden inner circle in the Kremlin: names in the background, politicians, secret service, oligarchs with connections and influence. Maybe even the army, though not too likely.

[astvitaliy1982]

Today, on 03/14/2022, a Tochka-U missile was fired from the combat positions of Ukraine. Right in the center of my hometown of Donetsk. As a result (according to the latest data) 20 dead and 9 wounded. All civilians and children. The rocket was filled with cluster charges. Prohibited by all conventions. And this is not the first time...

[Reece]

Who fired them? Russia I assume! :hmmm:

[mapuc]

Who fired them? Russia I assume! :hmmm:

It does smell like a false flag...

Markus

[Reece]

astvitaliy1982 said it was in his hometown so it seems for real.
@ astvitaliy1982, did you actually witness this? :hmmm:

[Rockstar]

Today, on 03/14/2022, a Tochka-U missile was fired from the combat positions of Ukraine. Right in the center of my hometown of Donetsk. As a result (according to the latest data) 20 dead and 9 wounded. All civilians and children. The rocket was filled with cluster charges. Prohibited by all conventions. And this is not the first time...

Regardless who fired it. Russia refuses to recognize Ukraine’s borders and has now invaded Ukraine, Russia started a shooting war. Russia invaded with armed soldiers, armored vehicles, attack aircraft, helicopters. In war rockets and missiles will be fired and people will die. That’s what happens when one country invades another. Until Russia leaves and takes their weapons of war with them these kinds of things will continue to happen, get used to it.

[mapuc]

astvitaliy1982 said it was in his hometown so it seems for real.
@ astvitaliy1982, did you actually witness this? :hmmm:

I'm not saying it didn't happened-I only questioning who fired this missile.

Markus

[Reece]

I'm not saying it didn't happened-I only questioning who fired this missile.

Markus
Yes, that's what I want to know!! :doh:

Who fired them? Russia I assume! :hmmm:

[Skybird]

The missiles should have been intercepted in midair, broke apart in midair, and the debirs than impacted on the ground like buckshot. If so, the missile may not have been targetted at that impact site within that city at all.

Thats the problem with destroying missiles in mid air. The warhead may no longer be a danger, but the debris still can cause havoc - and over a wider area than the warhead alone.

[ET2SN]

Yeah, we tend to drink more than most forums. :Kaleun_Cheers:

Maybe you should worry more about your own back yard. :yep:

EDIT- I guess this reply was for someone who has gone away.

[astvitaliy1982]

The rocket was fired at Donetsk from the territory around the city of Krasnoarmeysk (It definitely wasn't Russia that did it) The missile was aimed at the building of the State Administration of the city and was shot down by air defense weapons on approach to the target

[Skybird]

Russian propaganda with friendly assistance from the American right.

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/qanon-ukraine-biolabs-russian-propaganda-efforts-boosted-us-far-right-rcna19392

Too bad that Trump is not in office during this war. I mean this grim and bitter war immediately would get a huge entertaining value then. And the world would get a popcorn shortage crisis.

[astvitaliy1982]

Rockstar


You know very little about the history of this conflict,
which has been going on for the ninth year. I advise you
to study this question much deeper before writing anything. And
don't join the ranks of fake analysts. Please study at least
the topic of the Minsk agreements, what is written there,
how it was implemented, why they were never implemented.
Study the emergence of the revolution in the country,
how it happened, who came to power and why Donetsk and
Lugansk did not want to be with Ukraine. If you don't want to, then please don't write nonsense

[Skybird]

Pretty mu7ch gives an overview.

https://www.dw.com/en/donetsk-and-luhansk-in-ukraine-a-creeping-process-of-occupation/a-60878068

Moscow has drastically altered ethnic realities on the ground, means by handing out almost one million Russdian passports it now claism that the bregions are predominantly "Russian".

That reminds me of the Kosoov war. At the beginning of the war against Yugoslavia, Albanians in Kosovo were a small minority only, after the war Kosovo was taken away from Yoguslavia and a huge rush of Albanians from Albania to Kosovo took place where they then formed suddenly the overwhelming majority sort time later. This new fabricated reality then was given as the post hoc excuse for tkaing Kosovo away: becasue it were the Albanians' place.

There has been just one census in the Ukraine so far, from 2001. Its data showed that both Luhansk and Donetsk at that time held no majorities for ethnic Russians. Only the Crimea, 3 in 5 people are etnic Russians.


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Russians_Ukraine_2001.PNG/800px-Russians_Ukraine_2001.PNG?20070521174856

However ethnicity and language dominantly spoken at home do not automatically translate into politically loyalties and political orientation. Most ethnic Russians and speakers of Russian language in the total Ukraine seem to overwhelmingly oppose the Russian invasion, and fight against the Russian attackers.

Heck, even Putin's generals are reported to have been surprised by Putin triggering the war without telling them, and they had warned him clearly of starting it in the days before.

Anyhow, no matter how opinions and views are distributed amongst people living in towns and villages around the country - there is no excuse for the ammount of barbarism, violence, mass killing and destructioin inflicted across the Ukraine - that did not at all threaten or attack Russia. There is no excuse for this barbarism - just the offended ego of one ultranationalistic fascist warmonger with a psychopathic- narcissistic personality disorder and paranoid delusions.

Russia hardly can lay claim on possessing the Ukraine due to history, becasue the territory of today'S Ukraine over the centuries has been part of not less than 14 different nations/kingdoms/empirtes of varying cultural orientation - the Russians having been just one amongst these. And since 2-3 centuries the Ukrainians tried time and again, despertaely to get away form Russian infoeunce and vasallship, even mroe so sicne unde rstalin they got it exyspecially badly with milliosn and milliosn beign killed due to the maneating killer regime of Stalin, resettlements, and artificially caused famines. The Ukrainians really have little reason to want to live under the Russian fist once again.

[mapuc]

The Ukraine dilemma have existed since its independents from Russia/Soviet.

Over 90% of Ukrainian citizens voted for independence, with majorities in every region, including 56% in Crimea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Ukraine#Independence

Markus

[Bilge_Rat]

However ethnicity and language dominantly spoken at home do not automatically translate into politically loyalties and political orientation. Most ethnic Russians and speakers of Russian language in the total Ukraine seem to overwhelmingly oppose the Russian invasion, and fight against the Russian attackers.



well actually not that clear if you are just looking at this now. I actually spent a lot of time on this around 2014.

There have always been ethnic/language tensions in Ukraine since independence. The East is mostly ethnic Russians with a majority Russian language speakers and the West is mostly ethnic Ukrainians with a majority Ukrainian language speakers. The East favoured closer relations with Russia and tended to vote for more pro-Russian candidates while the West favoured closer relations with the West and tended to vote for more pro-western candidates.

The overthrow of Yanukovych and subsequent Russian takeover of Crimea and the eastern province blew those tensions wide open. Various polls both formal and informal over the years show that support in Crimea by the ethnic Russian population for annexation by Russia was very high, something like 70-80%.

The Ukrainian side has also become more intrasigeant, adopting strict language laws forcing everyone one to use Ukrainian and restricting the use of the Russian language which also creates resentment in the East.

The current narrative as written in western media is that everyone is opposed to a Russian takeover, no doubt that is true in the Ukrainian community, but if you could poll the Eastern Russian community, you would likely find a wider split. Of course, anyone who would favour joining Russia is going to stay silent until the war is over.

[mapuc]

^ Reading your comment makes me more convince that Ukraine will be divided into a West and East Ukraine.

Markus

[ET2SN]

Here's the part I don't understand.. :hmmm:
Granted, there are more pro-Russians in the eastern cities.
Russia is bombing and shelling the eastern cities as much as the rest of Ukraine.
So, the people who live in the east favor having their cities turned into rubble? :timeout::doh:

Something doesn't add up.

[mapuc]

Reading between the lines of all the news I read I can only come to the conclusion:

We are so close to WW3 than ever before.

Markus

[Skybird]

well actually not that clear if you are just looking at this now. I actually spent a lot of time on this around 2014.

There have always been ethnic/language tensions in Ukraine since independence. The East is mostly ethnic Russians with a majority Russian language speakers and the West is mostly ethnic Ukrainians with a majority Ukrainian language speakers.
Then this must have changed most dramatically between 2001 and 2014, because the data from their national census from 2001 says something different. Look at the numbers in that map I posted, they are percentages. A Russian ethnic majority you only see on the Crimea pensinsula. And only there.

What are these other numbers you imply? The census from 2001 I posted for only one reason: I found no newer data. I will believe there have been mild changes since then, its been 13 years from 2001 to 2014. But turning small minorities into dominant majorities...? No way. The biggest changes you may see in Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk, because the Russians have handed out almost one million Russian passports, and also sent Russian settlers from Russia to Crimea.

The Russians also bomb cities with huge ethnic Russian communties btw. And most ethnic Russians resists to the Russian invaders, do not want them. Right that has been one of the biggest miscalculations of Putin, hasn't it!? The uprise of the Russian ethnic gorups in the Ukrian and their revolt against Kyiv, taking sides with the Russian invaders, did not take place. Exactly the opposite happened.

[Rockstar]

Rockstar


You know very little about the history of this conflict,
which has been going on for the ninth year. I advise you
to study this question much deeper before writing anything. And
don't join the ranks of fake analysts. Please study at least
the topic of the Minsk agreements, what is written there,
how it was implemented, why they were never implemented.
Study the emergence of the revolution in the country,
how it happened, who came to power and why Donetsk and
Lugansk did not want to be with Ukraine. If you don't want to, then please don't write nonsense

Russia has been arming separatists in the Donbas for quite sometime and a few weeks ago crossed another nations borders and invaded with soldiers, rockets missiles, armor, and aircraft. You complain and seem surprised there are rockets falling in town centers. I counter with what the hell did you expect?

You now gripe about Minsk agreements. Tell me about Minsk agreements and what part don’t you understand? And what part in it permits one nation to violate the legitimate borders of another? How many would put up with King Harald V staging his forces in Canada then send in his armed vikings to ‘liberate’ all the Norwegians in Minnesota. lol

[Aktungbby]

You now gripe about Minsk agreements. Tell me about Minsk agreements and what part don’t you understand? And what part in it permits one nation to violate the legitimate borders of another? How many would put up with King Harald V staging his forces in Canada then send in armed vikings to ‘liberate’ all the Norwegians in Minnesota. lol That would piß oofda the Finns in the Mesasbi Range; the Danes along the Dakotas The Swedes near the Kensington Runestonehttps://www.minnpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/kensington-runestone_thumb.jpg and all the Edinagarchs along the Wayzata-Minnetonka Continuum...and it jus' wouldn't be Minnesota Nice :Kaleun_Mad:https://fanatics.frgimages.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productimages/_4455000/altimages/ff_4455482-cfd7515688eb780c5730alt1_full.jpg&w=900

[mapuc]

Off topic comment to ^
^ The Runic alphabet
An alphabet we had to learn in school-The basic of it.
End of off topic...

Markus

[Armistead]

Reading between the lines of all the news I read I can only come to the conclusion:

We are so close to WW3 than ever before.

Markus

The interesting strategy of Russia to use intermediate and tactical nukes on the battlefield due to lack of conventional forces against NATO could work since we got rid of ours in the IMF treaty. Our only resort if Russia used tactical nukes on the field would be large ballistic nukes which would resort in a full response from Russia. Russia was betting we wouldn't and they could get by with tactical nukes. Course Trump pulled us out of IMF due to Russia breaking it and was to restore our ability to use intermediate nukes on the battlefield, in theory causing another stalemate.

[Armistead]

Russia has been arming separatists in the Donbas for quite sometime and a few weeks ago crossed another nations borders and invaded with soldiers, rockets missiles, armor, and aircraft. You complain and seem surprised there are rockets falling in town centers. I counter with what the hell did you expect?

You now gripe about Minsk agreements. Tell me about Minsk agreements and what part don’t you understand? And what part in it permits one nation to violate the legitimate borders of another? How many would put up with King Harald V staging his forces in Canada then send in his armed vikings to ‘liberate’ all the Norwegians in Minnesota. lol

Not to mention Russia's numerous attempts to interfere with Ukraine's elections to keep their puppets running the nation.

[Jimbuna]

On a lighthearted note...

WARNING:SOME ADULT LANGUAGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4UM2IkfB0o

[Jimbuna]

An evacuation convoy of about 160 cars has managed to leave the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, authorities there say.

Previous attempts to allow civilians to flee the southern city along humanitarian corridors have failed as Russian attacks continued.

People who've escaped the city have spoken of desperate scenes as residents run out of food and clean water.

Negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives will resume on Tuesday after a fourth round of talks ends without breakthrough.

Russia continues its bombardment of many Ukrainian cities, with one person killed in a strike on a block of flats in the capital Kyiv.

Russia's defence ministry claims a Ukrainian missile has killed 20 people in the city of Donetsk. Ukraine has blamed Russia for the attack.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove launches a UK plan to house Ukrainian refugees in people's homes.

[Jimbuna]

US warns China against helping Russia

China will face consequences if it helps Russia evade sanctions in its invasion of Ukraine, the US says.

Unnamed US officials reportedly told multiple news outlets that Russia had asked China to provide military assistance after it began the invasion.

The Chinese foreign ministry accused the US of spreading disinformation. Russia denied asking Beijing for military help.

The exchanges came before top US and Chinese officials met in Rome.

US media outlets, citing Washington officials, say that Russia has in recent days asked China specifically for military equipment, including drones.

In a CNN interview, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said they were "communicating directly, privately to Beijing that there will absolutely be consequences for large-scale sanctions evasion efforts or support to Russia to backfill them".

"We will not allow that to go forward and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country, anywhere in the world," he said.

He added that while the US believed China was aware that Russian leader Vladimir Putin was "planning something" before the invasion happened, Beijing "may not have understood the full extent of it".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-60732486

[mapuc]

Sorry double post See above

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Same as post above for heavens sake!

[Jimbuna]

Ruble IMPLODING: Desperate Bank of Russia on brink of default - Putin running out of ideas

In its latest announcement the bank has set out new ways to calculate the exchange rate between the dollar and the ruble, which has crashed massively since the start of the conflict. The Bank of Russia said it would expand the time range for calculating the official dollar exchange rate against the ruble to 10.00 to 16.30 Moscow time. So far it has been based on trading in the narrower time range of 10.00 to 11.30. Calculating the exchange rate across a wider time range, it said, would "allow you to take into account a larger number of transactions during the day."
The bank added that this would "increase the representativeness of the US dollar exchange rate against the ruble in conditions of increased volatility in the foreign exchange market."

The ruble has so far proved highly volatile as the conflict has unfolded and the impact of sanctions has begun to take hold.

After trading at just over 84 rubles to the dollar when the invasion began it has declined to as little as 139 to the dollar.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/ruble-imploding-desperate-bank-of-russia-on-brink-of-default-putin-running-out-of-ideas/ar-AAV28wX?ocid=mailsignout&li=AAnZ9Ug

[Otto Harkaman]

Vladimir Putin - KGB Agent

https://youtu.be/e2_EFJLWA6o

[mapuc]

One of my fb friends Has been to a lecture with Leif Davidsen this evening. What Leif Davidsen doesn't know about Russia, is not worth knowing. According to my friend, this Leif does not believe in an uprising as the Russians are too oppressed

Here is a wiki page about this person Leif Davidsen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leif_Davidsen

Markus

[Armistead]

[COLOR="Lime"]That would piß oofda the Finns in the Mesasbi Range; the Danes along the Dakotas The Swedes near the Kensington Runestone

and the Yankees at Richmond!

My GGG Uncle Payne was one of the last out of Richmond having a burning bridge collapse under his feet as he barely made it to the other side. He was later captured by Custer's cavalry, which was some embarrassment to our family for a few decades. He did have good luck tho, his battery relocated the day before the cowardly crater incident and he was right in the center of the big hole. Family lore is each year, June 26th, he drank a toast to ole Chief Sitting Bull for sending Custer to the forevermore ..

[Skybird]

Courage.

Respect!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URTrP1xHpQA

She will be given hell for this stunt.

And she probably needs a new job afterwards. If she gets one at all.

[Skybird]

A former US general says on CNN that in his view the Russian offensive will collapse in around 10 days due to logistical problems the Russians cannot overcome.



What I see in the media also made me think that lacking experience (demoralised conscripts), command and tactical leadership incompetence regarding combined arms, and logistics, supplies, are why the Russians probably are practically done.



Yes, they can do a terrible amount of damage and killing until then, and commit war crimes for which they seem to want setting a new record. But I commit myself to it: I say the Ukrainians will win this war by denying Russia victory, they will prevail as a state. And Kyiv will not fall.

[mapuc]

The Russian is demonstrating against the war.

Are they also demonstrating against Putin ?

Markus

[Rockstar]

That would piß oofda the Finns in the Mesasbi Range; the Danes along the Dakotas The Swedes near the Kensington Runestone and all the Edinagarchs along the Wayzata-Minnetonka Continuum...and it jus' wouldn't be Minnesota Nice :Kaleun_Mad:

Norwegians have strongholds in North Dakota too. When my grandfather came to the U.S. his brother Torvald met him and they travelled to a little place called Stavanger. That is Stavanger North Dakota. :D


We now return to the regular schedule broadcast.

[mapuc]

I don't believe it-Yes there were people who got killed in this attack, but not 180.
The Russian military said it killed up to 180 "foreign mercenaries" in strikes on Sunday against the Yavoriv military range, a number that could not be independently confirmed.

https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/13/ukraine-war-russian-airstrike-hits-military-base-close-to-lviv-as-capital-prepares-for-sie

UK says 3 British ex-special forces should be among the victim in this attack

Three British former special forces soldiers are feared to have been killed in a Russian airstrike near the Polish border.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10611833/Three-British-ex-special-forces-troops-feared-died-Russian-airstrike.html

Markus

[Buddahaid]

How the sanctions on Russian commercial flights will impact about 500 aircraft leased to Russia and render them not airworthy outside of Russia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrgI4gB5W2o

[Eisenwurst]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRIpqb37ePU

Well done. :up:

Turn on subtitles.

[nikimcbee]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRIpqb37ePU

Well done. :up:

Turn on subtitles.


I wonder if that will be in WoWs?:Kaleun_Salute:


I wonder if the submarines are ever going to get to play in the game?

[nikimcbee]

On a lighthearted note...

WARNING:SOME ADULT LANGUAGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4UM2IkfB0o


Putin finds out the invasion is not like WoTs.... Russian armo(u)r, not so magical.


Note, this was shorty after Putin tried to play SH5.:Kaleun_Wink:

[Reece]

Well done. :up:


:Kaleun_Applaud::Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:
. . . and down she goes!! :Kaleun_Salute:

[Catfish]

Anti-war protester in studio disrupts live Russian state TV news

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/anti-war-protester-interrupts-main-russian-news-show-2022-03-14/

[Reece]

I can't see it Catfish but is probably the same as here:
https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2798750&postcount=2219

[Otto Harkaman]

Interesting analysis of Putin's defense funding priorities.

https://youtu.be/liKtIsMoPoA

[Skybird]

German authorities warn against the use of Kaspersky, quoting concerns for Russian cyberattacks. K. Should be replaced with other security suites immediately.

[Ostfriese]

German authorities warn against the use of Kaspersky, quoting concerns for Russian cyberattacks. K. Should be replaced with other security suites immediately.


Any user of third party antivirus software should have got rid of that a long time ago anyway.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRIpqb37ePU

Well done. :up:

Turn on subtitles.

Glug glug glug!

[Skybird]

Courage.

Respect!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URTrP1xHpQA

She will be given hell for this stunt.

And she probably needs a new job afterwards. If she gets one at all.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60749279

The lady has gone amiss, her lawyers cannot find her.

She left behind a video saying she was ashemd to tell lies on the TV.

Lets hope she is still alive.

[Jimbuna]

Courage.

Respect!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URTrP1xHpQA

She will be given hell for this stunt.

And she probably needs a new job afterwards. If she gets one at all.

Anti-war protester in studio disrupts live Russian state TV news

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/anti-war-protester-interrupts-main-russian-news-show-2022-03-14/

Unfortunately and not surprisingly....she went missing overnight.

[Jimbuna]

Putin trying to justify Ukraine invasion by holding 'faux elections', minister warns

James Cleverly told Sky News' Kay Burley the Russian president wanted a "lightning war" to capture Ukraine and quickly install a puppet government, but "that is clearly not working".

In its morning intelligence update, the Ministry of Defence said reports have suggested Russia may seek to stage a referendum in the captured Ukrainian town of Kherson in an attempt to legitimise the area as a "breakaway republic" - similar to Donbas and Crimea.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/putin-trying-to-justify-ukraine-invasion-by-holding-faux-elections-minister-warns/ar-AAV4fDw?ocid=mailsignout&li=BBoPWjQ

This individual has more neck than a giraffe.

What does he know about any elections except of course those who's outcomes are already rigged at the beginning.

[Jimbuna]

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announces a 35-hour curfew for people in the capital, warning "today is a difficult and dangerous moment"

It comes after Russian air strikes hit residential buildings and a metro station overnight.

Two people were killed in an attack on an apartment block in the city, emergency services say.

Meanwhile, negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives are set to resume.

The UK and the EU unveil more sanctions against Russia, including targeting luxury goods.

It's hoped more people will be able to leave the besieged city of Mariupol today after a successful evacuation operation on Monday.

[Skybird]

This animated map shows that the Russians have gotten bogged down pretty early on. Let the animation flow. You see that you do not see much (not much movement on the ground anymore).


https://interaktiv.tagesspiegel.de/lab/wie-weit-sind-die-soldaten-aktuelle-karte-der-russischen-invasion-in-der-ukraine/

[Skybird]

Der Spiegel reports:

The Russian aviation authority Rosaviazija has dismissed an employee because of his comments about possible supplies from China to domestic airlines. Valery Kudinov, who is responsible for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft, was forced to leave, Kommersant newspaper reported Tuesday, citing insiders. This was confirmed to the Reuters news agency from industry circles.

Kudinov had previously made headlines with statements that Russia wanted to source urgently needed parts from Turkey and India. The reason for this, he said, was failed efforts to obtain the aircraft parts from China. Kommersant newspaper quoted Kudinov as saying that he had been fired because he had violated a law by passing on the information. Rosaviazia declined to comment on the matter.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

[Jimbuna]

This animated map shows that the Russians have gotten bogged down pretty early on. Let the animation flow. You see that you do not see much (not much movement on the ground anymore).


https://interaktiv.tagesspiegel.de/lab/wie-weit-sind-die-soldaten-aktuelle-karte-der-russischen-invasion-in-der-ukraine/

Looks to me like they will create a republic in the south east to act as a buffer zone.

[Onkel Neal]

There still are some Russians with courage left: Marina Ovsyannikova

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10614165/Fears-TV-protest-hero-goes-missing-detained-Russian-police.html

[Skybird]

There still are some Russians with courage left: Marina Ovsyannikova

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10614165/Fears-TV-protest-hero-goes-missing-detained-Russian-police.html
Welcome to the party. Get in line please, behind me and Cat. :O:

[Skybird]

His new table.
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/images/stolz_ts/28163150/3-format1007.jpg

[Skybird]

Looks to me like they will create a republic in the south east to act as a buffer zone.
They probably wanted a divison along the Dnjepr. They just cannot get to the Dnejpr, currently at least.

Odessa will become the next grim hotspot of shelling and fighting. The Ukraine in the future has economic troubles if it looses all access to the Black Sea. Its also the HQ of their war navy.

To me it looks as if the Russians were way too optimistic about their capability to orchestrate what I woudl call multiple vector operations. Both their logistics and their command capabilities seem to be incapable to deal with all these many different planned advance vectors simultaneously. Its like coordinating the 8 arms of an octopus with a humanoid brain made to control just two arms and two legs instead. Overload, in other words.

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCpyRVZw7aM

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee70ZT-y03k

[Jimbuna]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2OdQd27YLg

[mapuc]

His new table.
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/images/stolz_ts/28163150/3-format1007.jpg

Wouldn't it be more correctly to say

Proud of his new desk ?

Markus

[Skybird]

Man, are you meticulous!

:O:

Yeah, translated precisely it would be that. But the point of the joke is the same, so I did not care that much.