Russia-Ukraine War

We in Europe have been sheltered from war for too long that we think it will never come to our doorsteps.

Putin was right, the West has gone soft.

All war is brutal and full of awful things, it is however only western or heavily western influenced states that take any heed of such things or have populations that care for such things or would view them as wrong.

I didn't mean the longstanding terror of Putin or Russia and "escalations", or Russian state collapsing into chaos if it loses the war etc. (and probably "terror" is too strong!).

I think there may be an additional fear (or a different fear if other one is waning with time?) in Biden admin. now (just a few months away from the election) that they change things up (e.g. further relaxation of restrictions on weapons use) the impact at home could be unpredictible, so steady as she goes. I think that's a mistake as war is unpredictible anyway.

I don't mean to blame the US, but they are the ones with the most weapons that can help Ukraine, they lead NATO and have a big effect on the policy of the other NATO countries in Europe more affected by the war.

Bar extreme circumstances, the others cannot or will not make big decisions themselves without the US leading or at least encouraging them.

Yes, I totally agree with you about how disengaged from it people in this country (Ireland) seem to be anyway. If following international news and events, they seem more worried and absorbed by the ME and Israel/Palestine etc., which is a bit mad on the face of it.

Sorry but I took you to mean that war crimes are something creeping back in.

You’re more transparent than you think. Your narrative is false. I already allowed you the last word, after repeatedly correcting you, because you have nothing else to do. But, here we are again. Either you or your fellow traveller seem to want to initiate nonsense. Try to grow up and stop derailing the thread. It’s like as if you don’t want this thread topic to be discussed. 👀

Actually, I’m done with this, spew your BS all you like.

He was born in Pretoria and grew up in South Africa. He has Canadian citizenship through his Canadian mother which he got when he was a teenager moving there and later also got American citizenship.

How naive do you have to be to think Russia signing up to anything means they will adhere to it? Ask the Ukrainians how much Russia's signature to any agreement is worth

No, you're projecting things I never intended. I don't think the gamble was a failure, unless its main aim was to slow Russia's progress in eastern Ukraine by making them divert troops - if anything the opposite has happened.

As a morale booster and as another humiliation to Putin it's been a success. It also allowed them as already said to hit good military targets and capture prisoners to be swapped. All these things are good.

Whether it will strengthen their hand in negotiations or slow Russia's progress in the east, which most experts agree are the two bigger aims, I think it's still too early to tell

So Putin launched whatever missiles he has because Telegram is going to be gone through with a fine toothcomb.

Putin is worried his secret account will be found out. ..

It'd be normal Putin behaviour. The weirdo.

I think it was also a crucial run of combined arms manoeuvers that the west needed to see.

Zenelsky needs to use every weapon to its best capability, not beg to use them.

Putin and his leadership grew up, educated in, started in the Soviet Socialist system.

Zelensky wasn't , we weren't. The Soviet Socialist lesson would be to let Kursk burn, let everyone in it die but focus on taking Pokrovsk. That's a win and people are only people.

More how they can still produce this kit after two years of sanctions and having a smaller economy than Italy.

I don’t think the West will ever understand Russia.

For years they have spewed out propaganda and misinformation that now America is more divided than ever, job done there thanks to Trump.

They think differently after years and years of Authoritarianism and dictatorship. The Russian people are a lost cause.

The only thing they might take notice of is a defeat on the battlefield.

It’s an emerging democracy versus a bully Authoritarian, there should be only one winner for the sake of humanity.

Two days after I'd mentioned the potential loss in Pokrovsk, Forbes put out this - I suppose the usual suspects will just accuse him of being "Pro-Russian" for having the temerity to write the article…..

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/08/25/ignoring-the-ukrainian-invasion-of-kursk-russian-regiments-keep-their-eyes-on-a-major-ukrainian-prize-pokrovsk/

But it's, *fortunately, not a done deal just yet.

('Fortunately' meaning a good thing for Ukraine for those who make assumptions)

If there’s a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered defenders of Pokrovsk, it’s that Russian losses in the sector have been “heavy,” according to the pro-Ukraine Conflict Intelligence Team.

And there are signs the losses are weighing on the Russian advance. “On the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy is beginning to experience resource shortages,” the Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies noted. “The number of advance directions has decreased from seven to three in the space of two weeks.”

Numerous articles explain how they are largely able to get around the sanctions by dealing with other countries with no morals only strategic interests, so they still have way more resources than the Ukrainians despite endless claims they'll run out of everything soon. Of course their economy is suffering in other areas but these repeated claims that they face imminent economic collapse are the usual wishful thinking, unfortunately

It's hardly his fault, if uses them without permission he may not get more.

The Storm Shadow he wants to use is manufactured or supplied by 4 different countries at least, he would need permission from all 4.

It's an absolute travesty he has to beg in public at all.

This war is 2 boxers, one with a 80 inch reach and other with 40 inch reach, the lad with the 40 inch reach is roaring at his corner for help and is largely being ignored and has been since the start.

It's very hard to compete in anything let alone a war when the rules only apply to one side.

It makes what Ukraine have achieved even more remarkable.

They would have to spend resources defending the place. It wouldn't last a week on its own.

Also it wouldn't work. Luka doesn't need a false flag to do what Putin said so you are relying on his military and people falling for it which they probably won't.

There's no way the Belarussian public would be on board with a Belarus - Ukraine war. They are western leaning and mostly strongly dislike Lukashenko and Putin (and certainly have no beef with Ukraine). A war with their Ukrainian neighbours would be deeply unpopular.

More good news

I'm reminded of a quote about Italy in WW1… if they join the war they'll get into trouble and we'll have to send 10 divisions to save them. If they attack is, we'll need ten divisions to hold them off. Either way, same result.

That’s exactly what you are implying , spare a thought for the “poor ordinary Russians”, oh boohoo cry me a river (Crimea?)

I didn’t comment on this pianist because it wasn’t worth commenting on, perhaps except pointing out your weird constant attempts at propagating Russian narratives of misery and “resistance is futile” nonsense when not busy sniping at imaginary posts

Russia can disappear into a black hole tommorow and nothing of value to humanity would be lost.

If they want to live in a larger version of North Korea, fine, off they go, but starting and continuing largest war in Europe since ww2 and daily threatening everyone with nuclear apocalypse is not on.

I wouldnt just single out thatsdaft. Rogber, Suckler etc and other have been derailing this thread with sniping arguments for a while now.

This infighting is exactly what the Russians want us to do! 😜

The oil storage facility in Proletarsk is in bits .

There you go ranting again and making stuff up.

I completely condemn Russia but still acknowledge that some Russians resist and deserve recognition. These 2 things are not mutually exclusive.

I want Ukraine to win as much as anyone, but also believe posting wild and unfounded rumours and attacking anyone who sticks to reliable sources as a "contrarian" or "Russian" (then disappearing when asked to provide evidence) contributes nothing. Slander and sniping is all you have for people you disagree with.

Anyway, enough, I'd rather get back to events out in the world

Zelensky vows response and negotiations about use of long range weapons still ongoing, let's hope for a breakthrough, Ukraine has to be allowed hit back as hard as Russia hits them: