Here we go again-Ukraine once again pt2

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

[mapuc]

Markus

[Jimbuna]

North Korea wants to gain combat experience in war in Ukraine, - NATO PA Chairman Connolly

Jerry Connolly, Chairman of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and Congressman from Virginia, commented on the possible participation of DPRK army soldiers in the war in Ukraine on the side of Russia. In his opinion, this shows a certain weakness of the Russian Federation. At the same time, North Korea wants to gain combat experience.

Connolly said this in an interview with Radio Liberty, Censor.NET reports.

"They have one of the largest armies in the world, but they have little combat experience - in fact, none at all. The last time they were in combat was during the Korean War. So, it's been 70 years now. There are almost no soldiers left from that war. To gain combat experience, where can you go for it if you are North Korea? Well, they were invited by the Russians to fight in Ukraine. I think there are clear goals set by the North Koreans," the NATO PA Chairman said.

Also, in his opinion, Russia's involvement of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine demonstrates the weakness of the aggressor country.

"From the point of view of Ukraine and NATO, this demonstrates a certain weakness of Russia. Do you need North Korean troops deployed in Europe to fight in Ukraine? Do you really? And why does Russia need it? Maybe because, frankly, Russia's potential is exhausted? Russian losses are estimated at 600,000 killed, wounded, and missing. These figures are already approaching the level of World War II in the initial stages of Operation Barbarossa after 1941," Connolly said.

The situation is the same with China.

"The early communist revolutionaries like Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai and their associates-many of them were trained in Moscow. And it was Russia that armed the Chinese revolutionaries who eventually seized power in China. But now it is China that dominates relations with Russia, which looks to China for help. This is also a sign of how Vladimir Putin's influence has diminished and his vulnerability has increased. The fact that he has to turn to these countries to continue his horrific war in Ukraine speaks volumes," Connolly said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3515819

[ET2SN]

Besides the begging for money , this guy hits some of the fine points.
I could have posted this in the NK thread, but it seems to fit better here.

So, remember when France wanted to send Special Forces troops to Ukraine?
Remember how that could have been an escalation into a bigger war with NATO?

So, thanks Putin. Thanks for the green light.

We know its only OK when you do it, but now any NATO military with a chip on their shoulder can join the party.

[Skybird]

I know nothing about Moldavia. Has anyone seen this coming? I thought they were pro-Europe. But again, I do not really know anything about Moldavia, l was just swallong the usual media gulp.



[Die Welt] In the Republic of Moldova, the government of President Maia Sandu has suffered a serious setback with its pro-European course. According to initial results, the citizens of the south-east European country effectively voted against EU accession in a referendum on Sunday. In addition, Sandu was only just ahead of her pro-Russian rival Alexandr Stolianoglo in the presidential elections held at the same time.

Polls had predicted a clear victory for Sandu. If the figures are confirmed, Stolianoglo could go into the run-off election on November 3 with a tailwind. The figures are also sobering for the EU, as it actively supported Sandu. However, Russia is also struggling for influence in the former Soviet republic. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova has alternated between a pro-Western and a pro-Russian course.

On Sunday evening, the electoral commission's website reported that 57% of Moldovans had voted “no” in the referendum on EU accession after 23% of the votes had been counted and only 42% had voted “yes”.

[Dargo]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I know nothing about Moldavia. Has anyone seen this coming? I thought they were pro-Europe. But again, I do not really know anything about Moldavia, l was just swallong the usual media gulp.



[Die Welt] In the Republic of Moldova, the government of President Maia Sandu has suffered a serious setback with its pro-European course. According to initial results, the citizens of the south-east European country effectively voted against EU accession in a referendum on Sunday. In addition, Sandu was only just ahead of her pro-Russian rival Alexandr Stolianoglo in the presidential elections held at the same time.

Polls had predicted a clear victory for Sandu. If the figures are confirmed, Stolianoglo could go into the run-off election on November 3 with a tailwind. The figures are also sobering for the EU, as it actively supported Sandu. However, Russia is also struggling for influence in the former Soviet republic. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova has alternated between a pro-Western and a pro-Russian course.

On Sunday evening, the electoral commission's website reported that 57% of Moldovans had voted “no” in the referendum on EU accession after 23% of the votes had been counted and only 42% had voted “yes”.

This woman voted in Moldova’s election on Sunday, then asked a surprised election monitor where she gets paid. So I decided to ask what she’d been promised… The authorities believe Russia has been channeling-in money to buy votes: that Moscow has not ‘let go’ of #Moldova https://x.com/sarahrainsford/status/1848306963647451616 Sarah Rainsford: BBC Eastern Europe Correspondent. This election was plagued by a large-scale Russian disinformation campaign against the EU and interference from a pro-Russian oligarch who paid people money to vote against it.



BBC finds evidence of vote-buying in Moldova

[Jimbuna]

One of largest microelectronics manufacturers in Russia announces suspension of operations after UAV attack

The Kremniy EL microelectronics plant in Bryansk, Russia, has announced that it has suspended operations after an alleged drone attack.

This was stated by the plant's press service, Censor.NET reports.

The company said the UAV attack disrupted production chains at the plant.

According to the report, the attack "disrupted power supply, damaged special energy supply facilities, and interrupted technological production chains."

The plant's director, Oleg Dantsev, said the main task is to "resume production of electronic equipment as soon as possible in order to fulfill the plans unconditionally."

It should be noted that Silicon EL is one of the largest microelectronics manufacturers in Russia. In 2017, 94% of the company's products were manufactured for the needs of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The plant serves the Almaz-Antey, Aerospace Equipment, Sozvezdiye, and Vega concerns. It produces parts for Pantsyr air defense systems and Iskander missile systems.

Earlier it was reported that on the night of October 19, 2024, drones attacked the Silicon El plant in the Bryansk region of the Russian Federation. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3516009

[Jimbuna]

Kremlin has launched large-scale ’purge’ of corrupt generals in Ministry of Defence and other structures - British intelligence

The Kremlin has begun a "purge" of Russian generals in the Russian Defense Ministry and other law enforcement agencies on charges of corruption.

This was reported by the British Ministry of Defense intelligence, Censor.NET reports.

"On October 7, 2024, the Russian media reported that the prosecutor's office had filed additional charges against former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, who was previously charged in April 2024," British intelligence said in a statement.

The intelligence service says that the first of these cases concerns the embezzlement of 200 million rubles (about $2 million) during the purchase of two ships for ferrying across the Kerch Strait, which were subsequently damaged during the war. The second episode was the embezzlement of 3 billion rubles (about $200 million) from the Intercommerce Bank when purchasing foreign currency.

According to British intelligence, "charges continue to pile up against former senior Russian military officials. This is part of the largest prosecution of senior officials below the level of the executive or government".

Russian media also report "that eight officials with general ranks have been dismissed from agencies such as the Investigative Committee, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Federal Penitentiary Service." Probably, "this is related to corruption charges."

"If true, this could be a potential indicator that the crackdown on corruption is moving beyond its previous narrow focus on the defense sector," the British Ministry of Defense said.

As a reminder, at the end of May, Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin, the head of the Main Communications Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces, was arrested in Russia. He is the deputy chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov. Shamarin was detained for taking a bribe.

It was also reported earlier that Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov was detained on suspicion of taking a bribe.

Later, it was reported that two more officials of the Ministry of Defense were detained in Russia: Vyacheslav Akhmedov, director of the Patriot Army Park in Moscow Region, and Major General Vladimir Shesterov, deputy head of the Ministry's Main Department of Innovative Development. Both are suspected of embezzling budget funds. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3516003

[mapuc]

Edit
Without these Oligarchs Putin does not have the support he need.

End edit

Markus

[Dargo]

Only Nato can secure a ‘West German’ future for Ukraine

[mapuc]

I have difficulty in seeing Ukraine being a member of NATO-They are at war and they have some problems with corruption and lack of democracy.

Edit
It's only a matter of time before we are going to hear Ukraine have bombed military and factory complex near Moscow.

End edit

Markus

[Skybird]

I have no doubt they can build and program good missiles and drones, they have proven they can, both for aerial and maritime use. What I wonder is whether they can build them in sufficient numbers, not so much small drones but big missiles. Its not as if Russia would not try to find the production facilities, and any factory is useless if it gets cut off electric power.



Its the only way for them to get long striking range anyway.



I have doubts on the penetraiton power of the warheads, however, developing the hardening of these so that they can go through bunkerwalls and such, is a complex and test-intensive process. But soft industrial targets - yeah, sure, they can, and they will and do try.

[Dargo]

Originally Posted by mapuc

I have difficulty in seeing Ukraine being a member of NATO-They are at war and they have some problems with corruption and lack of democracy.

Markus

This is a plan floating around for after Ukraine and Russia make some kind of deal, same plan as with West and East Germany. All ex soviet countries now in the EU had the same or worse corruption and lack of democracy, so that is a non argument. If the powers want it, this will happen like it happened after WW2.

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Dargo

This is a plan floating around for after Ukraine and Russia make some kind of deal, same plan as with West and East Germany. All ex soviet countries now in the EU had the same or worse corruption and lack of democracy, so that is a non argument. If the powers want it, this will happen like it happened after WW2.

The problem is that both side is very stubborn in their demands to sign any ceasefire/peace agreement.

If all these expert is correct, Ukraine shall only hold their positions as good as they can-'cause Russia is on the road to economical collapse, very soon.

Markus