Here we go again-Ukraine once again

[August]

Who are the nazis in this conflict again?

[Dargo]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I so then I have missed why they have a globalisation problems since so many years. Where are the overwhelming majority of quantities of rare earths located? Which country is the pharmacy of the world? What place is the global hotspot of chip production that, if stopping, would bring the global economy to a standstill? Which country, that gets heavily sanctioned currently, nevertheless exports ressources as if there was no war raging, and forms ties with thankful third world countries who now can afford these ressources? Which countries have no problems with shrinkling workforces, both low-education labour and specialised expert jobs? - China. Russia. India. Taiwan. Russia. Asia.

The big economic players in South America and Africa are Brazil, South Africa, and Kenya, Nigeria. Two of these belong to the BRICS club. And BRICS is not about being friends with the Western economies. BRICS is a dedicated anti-Western economic alliance.

Both China and India each have a population of 1.4 trillion. Thats where the future music plays.

If we could switch production to other places that easily and quickly and stay competitive nevertehless (which we can't), we already would have done so. Plus some of us are big exporters ourselves, namely Germany. We need these countries to buy our stuff.

Beijing tries not to offend Europe too much, so as not to jeopardize trade and imports of technology. And it continues to bash on NATO and the US, in order to undermine the current world order. Whether China will become the biggest? In this kind of reasoning, we are talking about the short term. But we are talking about things like productivity, efficiency, education and infrastructure. How is the middle class developing; is China going to produce more innovatively and at a higher quality. Those are much more important long-term issues. If we look at per capita income, it is far below that of most Western countries in China. It will certainly remain so in the coming decades. Both China and India each have a population of 1.4 trillion, but are their income per capita enough? No India is not going to develop economically with its current government and caste system and china is still a poor peasant republic with economic zones, to keep those peasants cowed the party has to act very shrewdly. There are so many factors than population number to say that will be the biggest market.

[Dargo]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Potential russian tank reserves are in the thousands. And they are active on ALL their backyards where they mothballed them. The Russian already have lost more tanks than all NATO countries in Europe have in service alltogether.

Russia may have around 17,300 tanks produced between the late 1950s and now on paper. In reality, nobody, likely not even Russia, knows precisely how many of those estimated thousands can emerge from the mothballs and be made operational again. An analysis of Google Maps satellite images of 19 Russian military storage facilities mainly located east of Russia’s Ural Mountains by the Ukrainian Military Center, a Ukrainian military defense news site, estimates that 2,299 tanks appear unrestorable. Stored in the open for decades, they are basically heaps of rusty scrap metal ready for nothing but disposal. Another estimated 1,304 machines are thought to be in a dubious state those are tanks that can be potentially restored at tank maintenance facilities, but this would take a lot of time. Another 2,075 tanks seem recoverable, although some would likely need to be taken to tank factories. An estimated 886 tanks are effectively stored and are likely to be made fully operational. Many Russian bases also have hangars, which may store up to around 1,330 tanks -- in unknown conditions and quantities. Tanks stored in Russia (and Ukraine, too) have been subject to poor conditions, plundering, and cannibalization when a tank is repaired at the expense of other tanks, from which parts are dismantled.

Originally Posted by Skybird

The Russian (Iranian) drones are primitive maybe, but right that is what makes them militarily valuable - to maintain them you do not send them back to the factory, but you have the soldier in the trench improvising a solution and get it working again.

It is about the use of your weapon using like the Russian do is failed in military sense they did not achieve their goal to destroy the Ukraine energy system an energy system you can also hack (SCADA) much cheaper Ukraine uses their drones on the front to destroy tanks, artillery, APC's and other I think you gain more with that tactic than trying to do genocide.

Originally Posted by Skybird

Russian income from selling rsesseruces did not implode as was expected in the west last year. In fatc they camke better through the inflaiton and eco9nomic crisi8s than amynbWetsenr countries. When nowadays I hgear media saying the Russi soon will pay th eeocnom ic price, then I think two thingS: first, it will be the normal people doping so and that are people Russioan government never have cared for, and seocnd, its wishful thzinling. Russia will not become unable to fiannc eits war. Yoiu can wait til hell freezes over, it will not happen.

Production in Russian factories is cheaper, workers earn lower wages. The same defence budgets gets you more ships and missiles in Russia, than in Wetsenr countries. What the Ukraine does not have, are: time, and money. They are completely depending on the good will of donators. Much of the American aids for example are no donations at all, but credits.

For production, Russia need the amount of workforce they do not have, they already had problems before the war with that. And Russian workforce still is "They pretend they are paying us, and we pretend we are working" indifference to the quality of their work theft from workplaces propensity to drink.

Originally Posted by Skybird

You always see it more rosy. I always see it more grim. If the truth would be in the middle, that already would be an improvement, but I think in reality things are not even there. And at least in case of Germany I am very sure of that. The new defenc emonister may want to do thigns fatserk, but he too must fight the petrified system, and the stubborn pacifists both in the SPD and the Greens. Media poaiont it as if the Greens are all for more wepaons and chase the SPD in front of them, but that is only on e half of the truth. There is a wing called "Realos" that indeed want much more aid for Ukraine, but the Greens by core and genes are an extrnely leftist, Maoist and poacifistic party, and always were that. There is very strong resistence to more defence spendings. And in the SPD anyway, plus the SPD's traditional Russophilia. there is some very strict opposition in both parties to do more regarding military things.

We Dutch had MH-17 under current PM, I see them do everything to organize support for Ukraine.

[Dargo]

Originally Posted by August

Who are the nazis in this conflict again?

Oh there are many of these examples in the Russian army, not surprised real Rus think they are ubermench how further away from Moscow, St Petersburg how lower in mench you become.

[Dargo]

One year of sanctions: how is Russia's economy holding up for now?
Since President Putin launched his so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine, Russia has been one of the most sanctioned countries in the world. Just yesterday, EU member states agreed on a tenth sanctions package. Many economists predicted a complete collapse of the Russian economy. Manufacturing would grind to a halt because of the ban on buying Russian goods. There would be a major banking crisis, and oil and gas revenues would evaporate. People in the West also expected large-scale protests and unrest among the Russian people. Many of these predictions have not come true now, a year later, as yet. Natalya Zubievich, a 68-year-old professor of economics at Moscow State University, explains how this is possible.

"We were all wrong," says Zubievich. She, too, predicted the demise of the Russian economy. "It was the first time Russia had had such large-scale sanctions imposed, and nobody knew how the economy and business would adjust. We were not optimistic." But on reflection, she calls it an illusion to think that sanctions could devastate the entire Russian economy. "Russia is a big country, with a huge amount of resources. The world is big, and there are always alternatives." She also says sanctions can never change a political regime. Zubarevich explained that Russia's economy has been trying to disengage from the West since 2014. Back then, the country had sanctions imposed on it following its annexation of Crimea. To counter this, Russia replaced many Western products with domestic ones, or had goods imported from other, non-Western countries. Russia has also been unable to access its foreign assets since 2014. "So Russia already had experience, and was prepared for tougher sanctions," he said.

According to Zubarevich, it is naive of the West to expect major consequences because the sanctions were introduced so gradually. According to her, the sanctions that hit Russia hardest were imposed far too late to have their intended effect. "Only in December did you start the oil boycott. That gave Russian business a lot of time to prepare properly, factor in all the risks and focus on other markets." Things did change in the street scene. Western shops are still largely closed, with signs reading "due to technical circumstances, we are temporarily closed". Some chains have now been replaced by Russian variants. For instance, McDonald's has become 'Tasty, full stop' and Starbucks has been replaced by Stars Coffee. Many products and goods are still available, contrary to expectations. Most sanctions are now circumvented by parallel imports. Almost everything now enters the country through China, Turkey, Dubai, Armenia and Kazakhstan. "That's called business. If people want to make money, and with this they can make lol, they always find ways," Zubievich said.

Although most economists expect that it could be another three to four years before Russia's treasury is so empty that it has major consequences, the next few years will also be tough, according to Zoebarevich. Either way, years of stagnation and slow decline are coming, she says. "Since the mobilization, half a million people have left. That is a huge loss of human capital. Some of them are returning, but how many?" She foresees the biggest problems for the federal budget. "The loss of oil and gas revenues will definitely hurt. The budget deficit will widen. The state is spending much more on the military and defense, and that will be at the expense of education or healthcare, for example." Asked why Russians are not, as was expected in the West, protesting en masse against the sanctions, she responded with irritation. "I get so tired of that question. Take to the streets yourself. Will you in the West also be immediately arrested or bludgeoned by the police if you protest? I don't think so."

Not only state repression plays a major role, but also the fatalism of Russian residents, and their ability to adapt. Russian incomes are expected to fall by 3 per cent in the coming years. "That's not much. And it won't kill anyone. Russians are used to their incomes falling during crises. They resign themselves to it, they will do so until the end." We should not forget that almost a quarter of Russia's population is poor, or living near the poverty line, she says. And many Russians are also weighed down by heavy pressure from their high loans. But Zubievich does not see a moment when they have had enough: "Most of Russia is simply trying to survive. We remember well what a repressive state can do. That fear is passed on from generation to generation. In a country where repression is only increasing, there are no more red lines."

https://nos.nl/collectie/13924/artik...nog-standhoudt

[mapuc]

Not every person in Europe is happy about the situation where their leaders sent weapon and ammo to Ukraine.

Thousand of people had gathered in Berlin to demonstrate against German leaders and the sending of weapon to Ukraine

Thousands of people have taken part in a demonstration in central Berlin to protest against giving more weapons to Ukraine, urging the German government to deescalate the crisis by paving the way for negotiations with Vladimir Putin instead

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ons-to-ukraine

Markus

[Dargo]

Originally Posted by mapuc

Not every person in Europe is happy about the situation where their leaders sent weapon and ammo to Ukraine.

Thousand of people had gathered in Berlin to demonstrate against German leaders and the sending of weapon to Ukraine



https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ons-to-ukraine

Markus

The far left, and the far right find each other in Germany around the war in Ukraine. The right because of an overall dislike of the government, its politics and democracy as a whole, and an apparent admiration of autocrats like Putin. The Left historically has more sympathy for Russia than for the capitalist, 'imperialist' West and NATO. Die Linke disapproves of arms aid to Ukraine, but also demands that Russia withdraw its troops. This is not echoed in Wagenknecht's appeal. It merely calls for 'negotiations' a force measurement of the clout that the ambitious Wagenknecht may begin to have on the German political stage.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by mapuc

Not every person in Europe is happy about the situation where their leaders sent weapon and ammo to Ukraine.

Thousand of people had gathered in Berlin to demonstrate against German leaders and the sending of weapon to Ukraine

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ons-to-ukraine

Markus

Pfffft.

Here is a picture from my hometown, the simultaneously held "support demonstration" for the Berlin one.

[Jimbuna]

Ukraine has issued postage stamps featuring a mural by renowned UK graffiti artist Banksy to mark the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

The mural depicts a man resembling Russian President Vladimir Putin being flipped during a judo match with a young boy.

The original art is on a house that was devastated by Russian shelling in the town of Borodyanka, near the capital Kyiv.

A phrase with an abbreviated expletive addressing the Russian leader has been added to the bottom left corner of the stamps.

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by mapuc

Not every person in Europe is happy about the situation where their leaders sent weapon and ammo to Ukraine.

Thousand of people had gathered in Berlin to demonstrate against German leaders and the sending of weapon to Ukraine

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ons-to-ukraine

Markus

13,000 participants, and the Nazi and conspiracy ideological slime to be expected. The Daily Mirror:
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Old familiar or new movement?: Who the "Uprising for Peace" actually attracted

Sahra Wagenknecht and Alice Schwarzer dream of a new peace movement after their demonstration. But it is unclear what this would look like in concrete terms.

At the end of their joint gathering, Sahra Wagenknecht and Alice Schwarzer dream of something much bigger. "This is clearly the beginning of a citizens' movement," analyzes Schwarzer, a women's rights activist. People now want to start organizing, announced Wagenknecht, a left-wing politician.

According to police, about 13,000 people followed the two women to Berlin's government district on Saturday to demonstrate for an immediate stop to German arms deliveries to Ukraine and diplomatic negotiations. Both Wagenknecht and Schwarzer see the demonstration as the starting signal for a new political movement. But what would this look like in concrete terms?

To answer this question, it is helpful to take a close look at the participants in the Berlin "peace demonstration." Particularly striking was the advanced age of many demonstrators; young people were hardly to be seen. Similar to the protests of the Querdenken movement, the so-called boomer generation predominated in the spectrum of participants. Thousands of supporters of the Left Party and members of the peace movement gathered in front of the stage in particular.

Not necessarily dominating, but nevertheless present and tolerated in relatively high numbers were conspiracy ideologues and lateral thinkers. Thus, numerous symbols of the "Basis" party were to be seen, individual demonstrators demanded on posters the release of Querdenken founder Michael Ballweg.

Participants carried flags of the far-right "Free Saxons" or the Brandenburg offshoot "Free Brandenburgers". In addition, there were well-known actors of the scene such as the Dresden head of Querdenken, Marcus Fuchs, the Berlin doctor Paul Brandenburg or Putin propagandist Vyacheslav Seewald, who stretched a flag of the Soviet Union into the sky.

At least a thousand former participants of the Wagenknecht demonstration joined another protest at Potsdamer Platz after the rally ended. This was dominated by right-wing and conspiracy ideological groups and was apparently also registered.

Although an attempt was made at the beginning of the Wagenknecht demonstration to push the editor-in-chief of the far-right "Compact" magazine, Jürgen Elsässer, out of the demonstration, this did not really work. A little later, "Compact" flags also appeared in front of the stage on the Straße des 17. Juni.

At the same time, numerous AfD politicians, such as the Saxon state chairman Jörg Urban, the Berlin member of parliament Gunnar Lindemann, Hans-Thomas Tillschneider from Saxony-Anhalt and the Brandenburg members of parliament Lars Hünich and Lars Günther, were on site. On some posters NS-glorifying slogans were to be read.
Racist insults against Ukrainians

Although the Wagenknecht demonstration remained peaceful on the whole, there were always clashes with pro-Ukrainian counter-demonstrators, especially during the arrival and departure.

In front of the Russian Embassy, there were not only verbal conflicts, but also physical attacks on people with Ukrainian symbols.

In addition, there were racist attacks against Ukrainian refugees who were demonstrating on the central strip of the boulevard Unter den Linden. Several times the phrase "**** off from our country" was heard.

Overall, the audience at Wagenknecht and Schwarzer's event was reminiscent, at least in part, of the spectrum of so-called "peace vigils" that marked the beginning of a cross-front from the right and left in 2014.

In this respect, it is at least questionable whether Sahra Wagenknecht and Alice Schwarzer's demonstration on Saturday actually marked the start of a new peace movement or rather brought an old, long-forgotten one back onto the streets and united it.
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Meanwhile, the Nazi and AfD state chairman Björn Höcke has offered Sarah Wagenknecht membership in the AfD.

[Skybird]

The Slovakian non-governmental organization Globsec has analyzed why Ukraine is standing up to Russia - and what NATO can learn from it.
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The war in Ukraine has been raging for a year. Russia's quick victory, which the Kremlin had hoped for, failed to materialize. It is also clear that Ukraine will not give up - and will not allow itself to be taken over. That is the conclusion of a paper by the Slovak non-governmental organization Globsac, based in Bratislava. It has analyzed where Ukraine's steadfastness comes from and what NATO can learn from it.

"Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, but its forces are already defeated. In the face of Ukrainian resistance and the support of its allies, Russia has achieved almost none of its military objectives," says the paper, which included contributions from Nico Lange, former head of the management staff at the German Defense Ministry and now a lecturer in war studies at the University of Potsdam. "Obviously, Ukraine will prevail," conclude the authors, who include Carlo-Antonio Masala, professor of international politics at the University of the Armed Forces in Munich.

The scholars list ten reasons why Russia will have no chance of defeating Ukraine even in the medium term. Two factors are key, Lange and his colleagues say: "Ukraine has involved the whole of society in defending its country," the paper says . In addition, the country has demonstrated "excellent military leadership capabilities."

"Exceptional courage, creativity, amazing pragmatism and improvisational skills" have been at the "forefront of Ukraine's defense capability," he said. Militaries in NATO countries could learn from Ukraine, the scholars believe:

1. Ukraine involved the entire society in the defense of its country.

NATO must learn from this, the researchers urge - and make basic military training and basic medical care accessible to the wider society.

In addition, strategies must be developed to be able to draw on civilians in the event of war. This includes holding regular simulations and exercises at the local and regional level and forming defense groups.

Local decision-makers such as mayors should also receive crisis and defense training. Digital infrastructures to quickly search for civilian data in an emergency would have to be created.

2 War is data-based - Ukraine has understood this.

Full data access and Internet capability are crucial to winning a modern war, the study's authors conclude. Robust satellite links should facilitate strategic operations and enable faster deployments. Innovation and procurement of appropriate technologies should be encouraged, the paper adds.

3 Ukrainian armed forces often operate in decentralized networks - with success

Unlike Russia with its hierarchical top-down structure, the Ukrainians have organized themselves into decentralized networks. This allows troops to respond - and act - more quickly to local conditions.

Flexible and agile troops, trimmed for speed and adaptability, are needed. Instead of detailed military planning and tight hierarchical decision-making, militaries would have to coordinate and decide verbally more often. Network thinking and matrix structures instead of old patterns are necessary to be able to react quickly and efficiently to a war of aggression. For this, it must also be possible to transfer responsibility to non-commissioned officers.

4. Ukraine determines the battlefield through targeted attacks on logistics, command and control, and communications

NATO and armed forces in Europe should improve the mobility of their armies, expand small and medium combat forces and train them accordingly to increase the speed and precision of their attacks: This is the only way to be superior to the overwhelming power of enemy forces, he said.

5. Ukrainians use drones en masse and for many purposes.

The authors of the study recommend that European armed forces should also rely much more on the use of drones. This, they say, can be done by using commercial drones for military purposes - in addition to military drones. In addition, simple and low-cost drones would need to be developed to be less dependent on Chinese commercial drones. The military must be trained to use the drones, the researchers also urge. Investment in drone defense systems is also urgently needed, they add.

6. Ukrainian armed forces achieved major successes with small forces

Infantry battalions for mobile combat operations need to be reintroduced. Training for urban warfare tactics and commando operations would be needed. The necessary equipment and production facilities for anti-tank, anti-aircraft and anti-drone operations would have to be built. In addition, the military needs more targeted training in how to dismantle enemy infantry.

7 Ukraine celebrates artillery renaissance

NATO should do the same, the study's authors urge. Specifically, the researchers recommend deploying larger mobile artillery. Above all, production capacities for the necessary ammunition should be increased. Existing artillery should be more digitized and AI-controlled models should also be developed.

Here, too, drones should be used for target acquisition and fire control. In addition, counter-attack defenses should be improved, he said. "Equip, train and practice to kill at high speed with maximum mobility and maximum precision" should be the goal to be prepared for ambush wars, he said. Stockpiles of munitions and the logistics behind them must be secured, the study adds.

8 Infrastructure such as rail transport is the backbone of the Ukrainian armed forces

NATO and its member states should make commercial transport more crisis-proof: Extensive reserves of equipment, trained personnel, emergency repair capacity and stockpiles of spare parts should be created, the researchers advise.

These should be financed by government crisis funds. This would include exercises to carry out such repairs at night and under realistic wartime conditions, the paper adds.

9 Strict secrecy and successful deception make the difference

Here, too, NATO has some catching up to do in the authors' eyes and should intensify training under realistic conditions. Internal bureaucratic procedures would have to be simplified, and an institutional culture of broad participation and awareness would be necessary. The security of operations would have to be constantly weighed against civilian and parliamentary oversight.

10 Ukraine won the information war with the best stories

NATO can do the same, the authors believe. To do so, the structure and content of strategic communications in the armed forces of NATO member states would have to be radically transformed. Media production capabilities would have to be expanded to produce much more high-quality content. This would include making faster decisions and granting greater freedom in communications.

https://www.focus.de/politik/ausland...186794680.html

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[Jimbuna]

We will judge China by its actions, not by its statements, - Pistorius

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that China’s "peace plans" to end Russia’s war in Ukraine must be accompanied by appropriate actions.

He said this in an interview with Deutschlandfunk, Censor.NET reports with reference to "Euro Integration".

"The Chinese will not decide who will conduct the negotiations. I welcome the Chinese proposal, in particular as an initiative, but now there must be action. China is influencing Russia. When I hear reports - I don't know if this is true - that China is allegedly planning to supply Russia with drones -kamikaze at the same time as the presentation of the peace plan, I would suggest that we judge China by its actions, not by its statements. But, first of all, this is only a twelve-point document, and there should be more," Pistorius said.

The minister also noted that he has no information that China is going to supply Russia with weapons.

"If that's the case - I don't have any other information - it would be a depressing development that would certainly call into question the credibility of China. And it's unlikely to go along with a ceasefire proposal," he added. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3402334

Leopard tanks are provided to Ukraine for defense, not offense against Russia, - Spanish Defense Minister Robles

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said that Leopard tanks are being transferred to Ukraine only for defense, not for offensive operations.

She said this in an interview with La Vanguardia, reports Censor.NЕТ with reference to "European truth"

"There are several series of Leopard: 2A4 and 2A6. The 2A4 tanks, which were stored in Zaragoza in deplorable conditions, are now being repaired. This will allow us to include them in the battalion along with tanks donated by other countries. At the same time, we have already started training the crews of these tanks and the teams that will be engaged in their maintenance. I insist a lot that the Leopards have an exclusive purpose: defense, not aggression against Russia," Robles said.

She also ruled out the participation of the Spanish military in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine.

"This is an absolutely impossible scenario; it does not exist. Spanish soldiers would intervene only in case of aggression against a NATO country. Never, never, not a single soldier from a NATO country, and Spain is one of them, will go to participate in the war in Ukraine. Never, never. I want to say this very clearly, very clearly," the Minister said. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3402353

[Jimbuna]

US will never recognize occupation of Crimea - State Department

The U.S. State Department reiterated that it has not and will never recognize Russia’s claim of annexation of Crimea and welcomed the efforts of the Crimean Platform, which reminds the world of the occupation of the peninsula.

This is stated in the оfficial statement of State Department "Crimea is Ukraine," released on Sunday, reports Censor.NЕТ with reference to Ukrinform.

"Nine years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine and seized Crimea, in violation of international law, Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement reads.

In this regard, it is emphasized that the United States "welcomes the efforts of the Ukrainian Crimean Platform", which focuses the attention of the international community on the continuation of the Russian occupation.

"The United States does not and will never recognize Russia's claimed annexation of the peninsula. Crimea is Ukraine," the U.S. Department of State emphasized. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3402354

Russia offered Iran help with missile program in exchange for weapons, - CIA chief Burns

Today, on February 26, CIA Director William Burns said that there is evidence that Russia offered to help Iran with its missile program in exchange for military assistance.

The CIA director noted that the alliance between Russia and Iran is developing rapidly, and he called this narrative "disturbing", reports Censor.NЕТ with reference to RBC-Ukraine.

"It's moving quite rapidly in a very dangerous direction right now, in the sense that we know that the Iranians have already provided the Russians with hundreds of armed drones that they are using to inflict pain on Ukrainian civilians. We know they have provided ammunition for artillery and tanks," Burns said.

He said that the CIA also sees signs that Russia is offering to help the Iranians with their missile program and is at least considering providing fighter jets to Iran in exchange for military assistance in their invasion. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3402356