Ukraine

[jkr]

Fortunately I do not have an account so I cannot read anything from the NYT even if I cared to.

I don't have your knowedge of weaponry and tactics but even to me the idea that Russia would attack NATO is absurd.

[Cranky]

Next 48 hours...expect anything.

Including the worse.

[PTH]

Aug 18, 2022 16:39:01 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Next 48 hours...expect anything.

Including the worse.

I'm expecting the Kherson front to collapse on the Russian side. The question is how well Ukraine will be able to exploit.
Will this be akin to the Normandy breakout of July 44? Can they get to the Crimea, seize it or at least isolate it (making the Kherch bridge worth its weight in gold).
Or maybe a surprise strike south from East of the Dnipro to the sea of Azov?

[Cranky]

There is suppose to be a nuke inspection

Meanwhile there are trucks INSIDE the nuke plant. Loaded with what?

Meanwhile Russia brought 3 jets with hypersonic missiles to Belarus. To hit what? It's not any NATO targets.

Meanwhile Erdogan is saying Russia has a pre-accepted "peace" deal..but Zelenski has to travel 7 hours to see it.

Something is cooking and it ain't my burgers...

Expect anything to go any direction...including the most likely, killing Zelenski and threatening nuclear terror on Europe.

RuZZia is a nuclear terrorist state like N Korea. End of discussion.

[jkr]

I came across this article several days ago. I was surprised and disappointed to read that an organization such as Amnesty International seems to be playing the " both sides" card.

www.thebulwark.com/whats-behind-amnesty-internationals-victim-blaming-in-ukraine/

[Cranky]

Aug 18, 2022 19:22:05 GMT -5 jkr said:

I came across this article several days ago. I was surprised and disappointed to read that an organization such as Amnesty International seems to be playing the " both sides" card.

www.thebulwark.com/whats-behind-amnesty-internationals-victim-blaming-in-ukraine/

That "report" reeked of corruption.

[folatre]

I will confess that I do not hold Amnesty in high esteem. It is not that their mission bothers me. Protecting the rights of individuals persecuted and imprisoned unjustly is noble work. What I have never been comfortable with is their ideological bent. For decades Amnesty International has been anti-capitalist and thus susceptible to minimizing or turning a blind eye to the criminal activities of armed groups on the extreme left.

Anyway, the events in Ukraine must have the Kremlin in a near panic. The Ukrainians have proven to be smart, resilient, and above all able to adapt to new technologies and fluid situations. It would not surprise me if the Russians lose another 20,000 troops (killed, wounded or captured) over the next two weeks. Buying junk (Iranian drones and antiquated North Korean artillery shells) is not going to help the underlying fundamentals which certainly seem increasingly dire for Putin.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

[Willie Dog]

What is interesting is the US has supplied HARM missiles which are used to target radar systems... the missle has been retro fitted to mig fighters so what is happening is the harm is taking out Russian radar that was being used to take out Turkish drones .. now the drones are more effective...

Supposedly the US has also given ukraine ATACS missiles which have a 300km range and can be launched from a HIMARS unit.

[seventeen]

Seems the West is more technologically advanced than Russia and the bottom line is that Ukrainian soldiers are much more incentivized, defending a home country than Russian soldiers or mercenaries on an imperialistic campaign. Afghanistan, Vietnam, lessons that keep getting repeated.

I can only hope that this really bites Putin in the a$$. That will be one less dictator (hopefully) wreaking havoc in the world. The rest, other than China, are relatively impotent. They are the next threat and a big loss for Russia may cool China's heels for a while.

Also...scum of the earth like Rupert Murdoch, who are abetting Russia's efforts with their own propaganda, may be less likely to deal with China. Well, he is a racist, no?

I loved one recent tweet that I saw.

"Russia is doing so badly against Ukraine that they risk losing the support of the Republican Party"

[seventeen]

I watched video of Putin last night, announcing the annexations and taking in the celebrations etc. It's in my nature to look at a guy in relation to how I think they should look like give the situation and knowing that half they time, they're playing to an audience. A few things struck me (nothing hard, so there's no bruising).

1. At one point, he walks toward a raised stage and has to step up. He does this springy type step, but it didn't look natural. For a guy in his mid 50's he should have had a better jump than he did.

2. He was wearing a hell of a lot of make-up. Could be hiding some wrinkles, but more likely, it was just that the quality of make-up people in Russian television is the same as the ones manufacturing weapons. Woohooooooo! It's Vodka day. Martinis are a breakfast drink!

3. At one point the 4 (LOLOLOLOL) 'governors' of the new 'annexed' areas, along with Putin are doing their hand in the middle of the circle, whooping it up thing, and the 4 guys are shouting and laughing (early retirement looming) and Putin looks like he's forcing himself to join in. Halfhearted smile, feet barely off the ground, if that, while the other guys are jumping up. Now it's quite possible, nay likely, that his sociopathic reaction is simply that he has no emotions at all and it's impossible for him to enjoy life without seeing suffering. Yeah, that's probably it, but my overall general impression was that he wasn't healthy. Wouldn't that be wunnerful? It might explain the urgency he seems to be putting into the invasion. Leaving his mark for Russian history.....the man who took Ukraine. It's more likely this will be his epitaph:

[folatre]

Lol, yeah, that was a weird unhinged spectacle even by Soviet standards. Not that it matters because he looks and sounds crazy, but I think Putin is like 70 years old.

I am sure thousands upon thousands more poorly trained and ill-equipped reservists are going to do wonders for Russia's dysfunctional military.

[seventeen]

When you're drafting 60 year olds, you're probably in the dregs, even if you did train them properly.

"Ivan! they're in the floor above us! Quick, hand me my walker!

[Cranky]

Putler has painted himself into a corner and the only way out is with nukes.

I'm about 75% sure he's going to blow one. Probably in the Urals.

My advice, if you have stock, sell it. If you have a mortgage, make sure it's long term. A nuke will not be anywhere near as destructive as what it will do to economies. There will be over-reaction and market panic.

Also make sure your house is well stocked because there will also be food buying panic.

Remember that it's Putlers last stand and he's no fool. His ONLY trump card is to create enough fear to get his way.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Oct 1, 2022 13:39:08 GMT -5 seventeen said:

I watched video of Putin last night, announcing the annexations and taking in the celebrations etc. It's in my nature to look at a guy in relation to how I think they should look like give the situation and knowing that half they time, they're playing to an audience. A few things struck me (nothing hard, so there's no bruising).

1. At one point, he walks toward a raised stage and has to step up. He does this springy type step, but it didn't look natural. For a guy in his mid 50's he should have had a better jump than he did.

2. He was wearing a hell of a lot of make-up. Could be hiding some wrinkles, but more likely, it was just that the quality of make-up people in Russian television is the same as the ones manufacturing weapons. Woohooooooo! It's Vodka day. Martinis are a breakfast drink!

3. At one point the 4 (LOLOLOLOL) 'governors' of the new 'annexed' areas, along with Putin are doing their hand in the middle of the circle, whooping it up thing, and the 4 guys are shouting and laughing (early retirement looming) and Putin looks like he's forcing himself to join in. Halfhearted smile, feet barely off the ground, if that, while the other guys are jumping up. Now it's quite possible, nay likely, that his sociopathic reaction is simply that he has no emotions at all and it's impossible for him to enjoy life without seeing suffering. Yeah, that's probably it, but my overall general impression was that he wasn't healthy. Wouldn't that be wunnerful? It might explain the urgency he seems to be putting into the invasion. Leaving his mark for Russian history.....the man who took Ukraine. It's more likely this will be his epitaph:

 Where have I seen photos like this one before?

Washington, USA, Jan 6th, 2020

Dresdan Germany 2014

Don't get me started on Canada's Freedom Convoys

[Tankdriver]

Just thinking aloud today. What happens if Trump runs in 2024 and gets elected again? Will the USA support the Ukrainians or will Trump be cozying up to his buddy Putin?

[Cranky]

Oct 2, 2022 3:52:18 GMT -5 Cranky said:

I'm about 75% sure he's going to blow one. Probably in the Urals.

85%

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Oct 8, 2022 5:00:16 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Oct 2, 2022 3:52:18 GMT -5 Cranky said:

I'm about 75% sure he's going to blow one. Probably in the Urals.

85%

He has an audience with the UN Nuclear Watchdog coming up on Tuesday ... not sure if that will do any good ... what's at stake now is Putin's reputation ... he's losing, and he knows it ...

Cheers.

[Cranky]

Nothing good will come of this. Puta will buy time because right now he's losing and rebuild his military to take the rest of Ukr.

You NEVER negotiate with a bully. EVER. You either win or make it too costly for him to pursue his bullying. Those Democraps as well as the half the Republistupid right are dooming us into another war and even higher danger level.

Think about it, he takes Ukr, then it's thousands of miles of direct border with Ruzzia. Things WILL go wrong.

As for the motivation of those Democraps, obviously it's hurting their agenda and right now, it looks like they are losing both houses because of the economy. Worse for them Republistupid will 25th Biden.

Total loss of power.

/photo/1

[seventeen]

Yeah, they're incredibly gullible. Have they never been bullied? Has acquiescence ever stopped it.? Only a punch in the nose (or a kick in the balls) works.

[jkr]

Why don't these appeasers Google Neville Chamberlain and see how things worked out for him.

Putin doesn't have to win this war. The U.S. Congress will do it for him.

[Cranky]

The letter had been withdrawn.

They realize how stupid it was and claim it was a mistake.

[Willie Dog]

No worries, when the RePutaCans get control of congress, they'll stop the movement of weapons to ukraine... brainless assholes who have no shame... these clown don't want to forgive student debt but accepted PPP loan forgiveness

[Cranky]

Oct 26, 2022 20:27:51 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

No worries, when the RePutaCans get control of congress, they'll stop the movement of weapons to ukraine... s

I doubt Republicans will vote as a block on Ukr. Only need several to support Ukr.

The bigger issue is the far left changing sides. 30 signed that letter, it's too many to offset any Rep supporters.

[Willie Dog]

Oct 26, 2022 22:34:22 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Oct 26, 2022 20:27:51 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

No worries, when the RePutaCans get control of congress, they'll stop the movement of weapons to ukraine... s

I doubt Republicans will vote as a block on Ukr. Only need several to support Ukr.

The bigger issue is the far left changing sides. 30 signed that letter, it's too many to offset any Rep supporters.

That's because the left lets the right dictate the talking point... At least Biden is calling out the republicans' a bit... Obama should have hammered them mercilessly on their talking points vs. their actions when he was president but as usual the Dems want5 to be friends and the republicans screw them over every time...

[HABsurd]

An interesting story about the work Canada did to help Ukraine. Particularly to aid in the training of the Ukrainian army since the 2014 invasion.

www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ukraine-russia-canada-trainers-training-unifier-1.6755532

[Willie Dog]

Looks like Wagner is advancing towards Moscow.

Ukraine should agree to a temporary treaty with Wagner and let Wagner focus on Putin. This will give Ukraine a chance to solidify and restock their positions

www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/russian-helicopters-open-fire-on-rebel-convoy-half-way-to-moscow

[Willie Dog]

Very brave stand taken by Zadorov

www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/flames-zadorov-hopes-criticizing-russian-invasion-can-change-something/

[Cranky]

Ukr invaded Russia

Repeat, Ukr invaded Russia.

Nuclear plant is burning.

This won't end well.....

www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-russia-trade-accusations-over-fire-occupied-nuclear-plant-2024-08-11/