Russia - threadbanned users in OP

I was more concerned in early March than I am now, the longer it goes on, the more it shows up Russia as a weak state with nothing to go for them. A country built on fear and bullying the innocent.

I see Wagner group are offering wealthy Criminals a non violent , new identity and non combat , life reset package complete with new clean identity for up to $300,000 dollars .

https://thumbsnap.com/DS45cnc1

Too many people here have a hard-on for apocalyptic scenarios. Outside of forums like this, 95 percent of people are just living their lives and not even thinking about this awful war except for its effect on energy prices, and that's probably more a reflection of where things are at. It's an awful travesty but we are not on the brink of nuclear annihilation.

You dont think a madman with his head full of European domination and with nothing to lose at this stage wouldn't do something like this?

He knows there won't be any more gas flowing into Europe (as in EU) while it remains as it is politically. He's attempting to redraw the whole European map with him in charge of half of it (or retaking it as he himself would probably consider it). He is a 70 year old dictator, and at this stage he has nothing to lose. He's either going to be "accidented" out a 4th floor window or he defeats NATO.

So because the US has annexed states in the past means that they are hypocrites for condemning the annexation of parts of Ukraine?

Is Joe Biden really a hypocrite because nearly 139 years ago 13 lads with allegiances to the US decided to lead a coup of Queen Liliʻuokalani and the Hawaiian Kingdom which eventually led to a lawful annexation to the US? And yes the US may have meddled in the coup, but seriously it was nearly 139 years ago, they have moved on and become a better country with respect of international law, or perhaps you want to concentrate on the invasion of Iraq? Not the US's finest hour, but, whilst the world may be divided on that topic it is noted that no court, tribunal, international body etc has ever found the invasion to be unlawful, except perhaps from some of the Court of Public Opinions.

Seriously, if we let the past dictate the level of our moral compass then it's probably more appropriate to cast the hypocrisy label onto nearly every state in the world, we are all guilty of historical wrongs, are we all hypocrites now?

What states did the US annex against "international law"? The last place I can think of which was annexed by the US was Kingman Reef in 1922, it was perfectly lawful under the principles of terra nullius and accepted under international law.

A lot of what we consider to be the rules regarding sovereign states has only really developed after the periods of US annexation in the 19th century (and many have since been held to be lawful based on old and modern international law mind you), the Montevideo Convention, the various UN treaties and the Charter itself for example shaping modern international law with regards to state sovereignty.

If we are to be hypocrites for condemning Russia based on our past than we really have not moved on and learned as a people have we?

People evolve, the world evolves, we have become a more democratic world accepting the rule of law and basic right and wrongs (well, a lot of the world has anyway).

If Ukraine are only now claiming to have taken Yampil, then Zarichne is definitely still contested. Although they might take heavy losses, it is still a possible escape route from the Lyman pocket.

https://liveuamap.com/en/2022/30-september-ukrainian-military-liberated-yampil-in-donetsk

Regarding the Twitter thread, saving face isn't part of Russia's Nuclear doctrine, but, who's to say they will follow their own rules or not just change the doctrine to suit the narrative.

Two dangerous points about the Russian miliary doctrine:-

1. It is written and issued by Putin, and,

2. The very last condition is like a blank cheque:-

Why would they invade Ukraine and ensure pariah status with ensuing economic ruin for generations?

I wouldn't go looking for rational explanations inside any Russian actions.

You're only slightly more likely to see protests there today as you would have in Berlin 1943

The same question has been asked and answered multiple times on the thread, both with reference to the specific reasons (they weren't in use, Cortez burning boats, salt the ground for any successor) and past behaviour such as...

Why would they impound leased aircraft, thereby rendering the aircraft useless and worthless to everyone including themselves, and in the process crippling their own commercial airline industry?

Did that make sense?

The annexation changes sfa

Ukraine will continue attacking these areas

Russia will continue defending

There wont be nukes dropped. The annexation is just Putin playing to his base - look at all this territory we've gained - strong russian empire. Outside of Russia annexation changes nothing.

If reading the news makes you feel like things are bleak - take a step back and stop reading. Most of it is sensationalist garbage designed to elicit an emotional response. Making you fearful of WW3 or WMDs is the point because it gets better readership.

the whole of human history so far

In Russia anything is possible.