The city of Kryvyi Rih was flooded after a dam in the Inhulets River was struck by missiles.

The city of Kryvyi Rih was flooded after a dam in the Inhulets River was struck by missiles.


A local ne’er do well basketball player from my county sent to the Ukraine to play for a team (Kryvbasbasket-Lux ) in Kryvyi Rih.

He later signed on to play with Bnei Hasharon Herzliya of the Israel Basketball Super League, the highest division of basketball in Israel.

Sadly he came home for a holiday break, and signed up to be drafted by The Mean Machine in the Federal Penitentiary. He and a buddy robbed a couple local banks and the baller told the teller “I’m a pro basketball player”.  Let’s just say it did not take the cops much time to identify him.  ;D

Mass grave site was discovered in Izium, similar to what was found in Bucha and Mariupol.


A local ne’er do well basketball player from my county sent to the Ukraine to play for a team (Kryvbasbasket-Lux ) in Kryvyi Rih.

He later signed on to play with Bnei Hasharon Herzliya of the Israel Basketball Super League, the highest division of basketball in Israel.

Sadly he came home for a holiday break, and signed up to be drafted by The Mean Machine in the Federal Penitentiary. He and a buddy robbed a couple local banks and the baller told the teller “I’m a pro basketball player”.  Let’s just say it did not take the cops much time to identify him.  ;D


When I read "Mean Machine" it reminded me of the movie The Longest Yard. That was the name of their football team of the prisoners.

Mass grave site was discovered in Izium, similar to what was found in Bucha and Mariupol.

When I read "Mean Machine" it reminded me of the movie The Longest Yard. That was the name of their football team of the prisoners.


Thus my reference.  The baller of whom I speak was an outstanding basketball player.  But as many people who know him have observed, "every time this guy had a choice to make, he unfailingly chose the wrong one".

Did a little research on him yesterday.  Turns out that just YESTERDAY he was thrown in the Allegheny County slam for failing to post bail on a drug paraphernalia charge.  Dude has 3 kids (all from different women, of course) and continues to act like a fool.  :-\\

Mass grave site was discovered in Izium, similar to what was found in Bucha and Mariupol.

When I read "Mean Machine" it reminded me of the movie The Longest Yard. That was the name of their football team of the prisoners.


Similar in that there is evidence of torture, but much worse in terms of numbers, but then, the Ruskies were there longer

A Russian rocket struck about 300 meters away from a nuclear reactor of the Yuzhnoukrainsk NPP in the Mykolaiv region.

Similar in that there is evidence of torture, but much worse in terms of numbers, but then, the Ruskies were there longer

Kremlin denies everything of course.

Kremlin denies everything of course.


Even that they are at war

Russia is mobilizing 300,000 reservists to "protect Russian territory".
I wonder how they are going to maintain the "everything is going according to plan" narrative now.


I hope we finally start to deliver tanks. Our garbage politicians have dragged their heals now for 7 months. Ukraine needs them now!

Russia is mobilizing 300,000 reservists to "protect Russian territory".
I wonder how they are going to maintain the "everything is going according to plan" narrative now.


I hope we finally start to deliver tanks. Our garbage politicians have dragged their heals now for 7 months. Ukraine needs them now!


Not just your politicians, ours too. 
That 300,000 number sounds ominous but given the performance of their regular army this sounds like a repeat of the Russian army during WWI, when they charged the German forces without rifles.  We shall see

Not just your politicians, ours too. 
That 300,000 number sounds ominous but given the performance of their regular army this sounds like a repeat of the Russian army during WWI, when they charged the German forces without rifles.  We shall see


In addition to the mobilization/escalation Putin is threatening the use of nuclear weapons again. I just hope to not see a repeat of late February again after the situation has been improving the last few months.

Five British nationals held by Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine have been released, UK PM Liz Truss has said

Five British nationals held by Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine have been released, UK PM Liz Truss has said


Just over 200 total that were held captive have been freed in Mariupol.

Meanwhile in Russia, over a thousand protesters have been arrested, while record numbers are showing flights departing Moscow and crossing the Finnish-Russian border since Putin made the announcement.

Meanwhile in Russia, over a thousand protesters have been arrested, while record numbers are showing flights departing Moscow and crossing the Finnish-Russian border since Putin made the announcement.


Just goes to show that this is a very popular war in Russia

Just goes to show that this is a very popular war in Russia


This is where the "..NOT!" joke could be inserted at the end, lol. Speaking of which (Borat), I just saw a video with a long line (miles) of cars trying to cross the Russia-Kazakhstan border.

I just saw a video with a long line (miles) of cars trying to cross the Russia-Kazakhstan border.

The more the merrier. Less potential recruits for Putler and more brain drain for Russia.
I'm all for it.

Russians forcing a "yes" vote for annexation in occupied areas and vow quick absorption.  This could get very sticky  as Ukraine advances to reclaim it's territory - they will be "invading Mother Russia"

Russians forcing a "yes" vote for annexation in occupied areas and vow quick absorption.  This could get very sticky  as Ukraine advances to reclaim it's territory - they will be "invading Mother Russia"

What a surprise...not. Time to send those bloody tanks already. >:(

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issues a warning to the Kremlin as Putin is threatening using nukes.

Meanwhile the Russian media reported that a mobile drafting office will open along the Russian-Georgian border. They are also trying to draft Ukrainians from the Russian occupied territories to fight against their own people.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issues a warning to the Kremlin as Putin is threatening using nukes.

Meanwhile the Russian media reported that a mobile drafting office will open along the Russian-Georgian border. They are also trying to draft Ukrainians from the Russian occupied territories to fight against their own people.


What could possibly go wrong

What could possibly go wrong

Indeed. They must be special needs if they think they can hand weapons to forcefully conscripted Ukrainians and expect them not to mag-dump them in the back at the first chance.

Indeed. They must be special needs if they think they can hand weapons to forcefully conscripted Ukrainians and expect them not to mag-dump them in the back at the first chance.


We call that fragging, it was fairly common in Viet Nam, especially in units with gung ho  lieutenants

Russia wants to annex the occupied parts of Ukraine tomorrow. What a farce. ::)

And I still don't hear anything about western tanks.... But we are "fully" supporting Ukraine.... My a.....rm. >:(

Shelling in Zaporizhzhya killed at least 2 dozen.

Putin scheduled to officially announce the annexation of territories today.

Shelling in Zaporizhzhya killed at least 2 dozen.

Putin scheduled to officially announce the annexation of territories today.


This will complicate matters as Ukraine tries take back it's territory Putin will claim they are attacking Mother Russia. 

This will complicate matters as Ukraine tries take back it's territory Putin will claim they are attacking Mother Russia.
It's so disgusting. I hope the West will find a good answer to that.

It's so disgusting. I hope the West will find a good answer to that.


Looks like we’ll all be breaking out the tactical nukes.

Looks like we’ll all be breaking out the tactical nukes.


As long as we all do it and not just sitting back and watching Ukraine getting nuked and just issue more "sanctions".

As long as we all do it and not just sitting back and watching Ukraine getting nuked and just issue more "sanctions".


Then we can deploy the strategic nukes. It’s time to test these babies out…

Lets hope Putin understands MAD

Ukrainian forces have regained control of the city of Lyman of the Donetsk region.

Ukrainian forces have regained control of the city of Lyman of the Donetsk region.
Which, if I'm informed correctly, is already a part of the illegally annexed regions. So far not much of a reaction from the clown in charge in the Kremlin.

NOTD is about Elon Musk's tweet regarding negotiations and giving up on Crimea to achieve peace between Russia and Ukraine, and the backlash it received, including from President Zelensky.

The city of Bila Tserkva, about 50 miles south of Kyiv was struck by kamikaze drones that the Iranians gave to the Russians.

Residential buildings in Zaporizhzhya got struck with deadly missle strikes.

An explosion damaged the bridge to Crimea making it difficult for the Russian troops to replenish their supplies.

So the Ruskies in retaliation for the bridge to Crimea decided to launch a large scale attack during Monday morning rush hour on major Ukrainian cities using a mix of rockets and kamikaze drones, including the center of Kyiv. A strike hit the street near the national university of Kiev. A pedestrian bridge connecting the hills by the Dniper was struck and barely missed a pedestrian luckily. This is the worst attack since the opening week of the war.

Was anybody surprised they would do that? I just hope (yes, I do that a lot and it never happens...) that we finally get our act together and actually send something instead of just promising stuff for the future.
Can't we send some anti air assets? I know Germany has promised some high tech stuff but it's still to be build which will take months. Holding back in arming Ukraine is now a crime against humanity in my opinion.

Was anybody surprised they would do that? I just hope (yes, I do that a lot and it never happens...) that we finally get our act together and actually send something instead of just promising stuff for the future.
Can't we send some anti air assets? I know Germany has promised some high tech stuff but it's still to be build which will take months. Holding back in arming Ukraine is now a crime against humanity in my opinion.


Sadly it's not surprising and the intel said that they were planning it. I also believe that not assisting Ukraine is like assisting Russia. I saw that Germany delivered the first of the four IRIS-T SLM air defense systems.

Sadly it's not surprising and the intel said that they were planning it. I also believe that not assisting Ukraine is like assisting Russia. I saw that Germany delivered the first of the four IRIS-T SLM air defense systems.
Isn't it funny how quick that can go all of a sudden when we actually WANT it? ::)

Looks like we’ll all be breaking out the tactical nukes.


Either side that uses nukes or "preemptively" strikes is a nutjob, it's proof humans are not evolved enough to handle that kind of power. The fact that Zelensky even mentioned preemptive nuclear strikes make him unfit for this kind of leadership, he's always trying to put on this macho tough guy act with his dungy looking t shirt.

"The West"(and you seem gung ho too) is willing to cause not only a nuclear war but the worst ecological disaster humanity has ever seen. Both NATO and Russia are acting like absolute lunatics, it's sad the rest of the world will suffer.

Either side that uses nukes or "preemptively" strikes is a nutjob, it's proof humans are not evolved enough to handle that kind of power. The fact that Zelensky even mentioned preemptive nuclear strikes make him unfit for this kind of leadership, he's always trying to put on this macho tough guy act with his dungy lookingces  t shirt.

"The West"(and you seem gung ho too) is willing to cause not only a nuclear war but the worst ecological disaster humanity has ever seen. Both NATO and Russia are acting like absolute lunatics, it's sad the rest of the world will suffer.


I'm troubled by your false equivalences.  Russia started this mess as the second (Crimea was the first) step to rebuilding the Russian empire.  Putin is the one who started the nuke talk.  In my opinion "The West", as you put it, has been rather restrained in it's response, too restrained

I'm troubled by your false equivalences.  Russia started this mess as the second (Crimea was the first) step to rebuilding the Russian empire.  Putin is the one who started the nuke talk.  In my opinion "The West", as you put it, has been rather restrained in it's response, too restrained


Yeah, I highly doubt Pres. Zelensky mentioned anything about preemptive nuclear strikes. He's not putting on a "macho tough guy act", he has displayed actual courage and bravery. He didn't escape or hide when Putin was threatening his life in the first few days of the war. He was broadcasting a social media feel live in the streets of Kyiv. I don't think the US/NATO are doing enough either. We've been involved for far less than that in the past.

Yeah, I highly doubt Pres. Zelensky mentioned anything about preemptive nuclear strikes.
He actually sort of did but took that statement back later. Might also have been a translation error.
https://www.politico.eu/article/no-nuclear-hysteria-ukraine-rows-back-on-zelenskyys-preemptive-strike-remarks/

He actually sort of did but took that statement back later. Might also have been a translation error.
https://www.politico.eu/article/no-nuclear-hysteria-ukraine-rows-back-on-zelenskyys-preemptive-strike-remarks/


Would be futile to launch “preemptive nuclear strikes”. Russia has a “nuclear triad” much like the USA, with fixed silos, mobile missile launchers, gravity bombs and cruise missiles launched by air, and, of course, nuclear armed subs. Unless the “preemptive strike” were to hit all of these sites simultaneously, the Russkies would have plenty of capacity to launch a devastating counterattack. They’ve got thousands of warheads, and with nukes, your aim does not have to be all that great to pack a devastating retaliatory punch.  :o

Besides, a preemptive attack would need to be launched by a current member of The Nuclear Club, and Russia would easily be able to see that for what it would be… a nuclear attack on Mother Russia. Their retaliatory strike would not be in The Ukraine… it would be sent to whoever launched the initial nuke. “It’s all fun and games until the nukes start landing on your front porch”.

e.g., “mutually assured destruction”…

Would be futile to launch “preemptive nuclear strikes”.
Yep. Using Nukes would be completely stupid and wouldn't achieve anything one would still be able to call "victory" and that goes for both sides.

Yep. Using Nukes would be completely stupid and wouldn't achieve anything one would still be able to call "victory" and that goes for both sides.


Lets just hope Putin knows that

I'm troubled by your false equivalences.  Russia started this mess as the second (Crimea was the first) step to rebuilding the Russian empire.  Putin is the one who started the nuke talk.  In my opinion "The West", as you put it, has been rather restrained in it's response, too restrained


The buck stops at NATO, it has been warned for years that US/NATO expansion would lead to the current situation. The US has been funding Azov neo nazi terrorists for years and is complicit, Ukrainians(who are not neo nazi terrorists) are being used as cannon fodder in this proxy war with Russia.

The US is trying to do the same thing with China, 50 years of diplomacy with China started by Pres Nixon is going down the drain with these insane antics like Nancy's recent visit to Taiwan. The US respected an informal one China policy but now these neocon and sheeshlib warmongers are trying to start crap there too.

Quite simply the US, as a small class of politicians and foreign policy makers, wants to be the ruler of the world and wants to take out any competitors by any means necessary, whether that be regime change, sneaky proxy wars, or outright world war.

The buck stops at NATO, it has been warned for years that US/NATO expansion would lead to the current situation.

What led to the current situation is that we did NOT take Ukraine into NATO even though they (an independent country with every right to chose it's own affiliation) requested it. That step was taken to not anger Russia. Second we did practically nothing when Russia invaded Crimea. That's what gave Putin the idea he could take it all. So yes, we are to blame to some degree but not for the reasons you gave.

Have you ever wondered why all former "allies" of Russia ran away from them as quickly as they could and joined NATO? Do you run to the aggressor and ask him to protect you from your friend or do you run to your friend and ask him for protection from an aggressor? I think you have you world view backwards.


The US has been funding Azov neo nazi terrorists for years and is complicit, Ukrainians(who are not neo nazi terrorists) are being used as cannon fodder in this proxy war with Russia.

Ah yes, I see, The West forced poor poor Russia to start a full scale war against aggressive Ukraine who committed genocide among Russians and tried to invade Russia.
Strange that Russia didn't even bother to go to the UN counsel with that and that pretty much no other nation has any intelligence information on that (apart from Belarus of course).


The US is trying to do the same thing with China, 50 years of diplomacy with China started by Pres Nixon is going down the drain with these insane antics like Nancy's recent visit to Taiwan. The US respected an informal one China policy but now these neocon and sheeshlib warmongers are trying to start crap there too.

You are aware that China has build up it's forces massively over the last few years? You are aware that China started bullying it's neighbors again and that most Asian countries feel threatened by them? You are aware that China is creating artificial islands and claims them to be Chinese territory so they can control shipping lanes?
But it's of course all the aggressive West's fault again. Shame on us! We should just stand by and let it happen.


Quite simply the US, as a small class of politicians and foreign policy makers, wants to be the ruler of the world and wants to take out any competitors by any means necessary, whether that be regime change, sneaky proxy wars, or outright world war.

Then riddle me this, why did pretty much all European nations come to Ukraine's aid and condemn Russia (even neutral Switzerland!!!)? We're massively hurting our own economies with that. Why would we do that just to support American power fantasies?

Then riddle me this, why did pretty much all European nations come to Ukraine's aid and condemn Russia (even neutral Switzerland!!!)? We're massively hurting our own economies with that. Why would we do that just to support American power fantasies?
This is exactly the same question a friend of mine keeps asking me, "where is the money coming from". The last given amount for the UK National Debt is £2,427.5 billion dated from  last August, it is a mystery to me.

Second we did practically nothing when Russia invaded Crimea.


We did (nearly) nothing because President O’Bama correctly assessed that Ukraine is of no strategic interest to the United States’ interests. If doddering John McCain would have had his way, we would have invaded.

Let’s not forget that despite the Russian actions, pre-invasion Ukraine was one of the most corrupt countries on the continent, with a president bankrolled by Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoisky. Kolomoisky accumulated his wealth by plundering Ukrainian assets, and is so distasteful, he is prohibited from entering the United States of America due to money laundering schemes over here that were conducted by Igor’s foot dogs.

So while I do not support in any way Russia’s invasion of The Ukraine, I see no reason for us to squander the national fortune trying to prop up a corrupted country. Besides, it’s clear that we have little to worry about from the Russian ground forces based on their observed performance, unless they break out the heavy stuff. But the heavy stuff has always been out there…

You are aware that China has build up it's forces massively over the last few years?

Are you aware that the US massively outspends on it's military.

You are aware that China started bullying it's neighbors again and that most Asian countries feel threatened by them? You are aware that China is creating artificial islands and claims them to be Chinese territory so they can control shipping lanes?



So the US invades Iraq, leading to deaths estimated over 1 million on the high end, has instigated numerous coups around the globe, did China invade Iraq, many more countries feel constantly threatened by the US than China.

This is literally some my side is right no matter what crap, we can do whatever the fudge we wanna do but let some Chinamen get a little uppity then we have to check them real quick and let them know their place, I'm an American and I don't suck on the teat this much ;D.

Are you aware that the US massively outspends on it's military.

So the US invades Iraq, leading to deaths estimated over 1 million on the high end, has instigated numerous coups around the globe, did China invade Iraq, many more countries feel constantly threatened by the US than China.

This is literally some my side is right no matter what crap, we can do whatever the fudge we wanna do but let some Chinamen get a little uppity then we have to check them real quick and let them know their place, I'm an American and I don't suck on the teat this much ;D.


For all their faults, and they are many, I'd rather live in a western democracy than any of the countries you are defending:  China in Hong Cong?,  Russia in many places?, Iran's theocracy?
all really nice places to live

Kyiv was struck badly this morning by Iranian drones.

Kyiv was struck badly this morning by Iranian drones.


I guess we need to sanction Iran now.

I guess we need to sanction Iran now.


Or better yet send more useful weapons to Ukraine such as LR missiles and jets, and more advanced air defense systems. Or even better, a joint effort between US and NATO to actually go in and help for once instead of just sitting back and watching Ukraine getting beat on and pretend like it's not happening. The risk/likelihood of nukes is still low.

The good news is the Ukrainian defenders managed to take down about 85% of the drones so the damage could have been a lot worse.

A Russian fighter jet lost control and crashed into an apartment building in the town of Yeysk, Russia.

A Russian fighter jet lost control and crashed into an apartment building in the town of Yeysk, Russia.


That had to make a mess. Was the pilot able to safely eject? ???

That had to make a mess. Was the pilot able to safely eject? ???


Who cares?

Btw my wife told me one of the drones flew close over my in-laws house and was taken down, and some pieces of scrap metal fell on their roof.

That had to make a mess. Was the pilot able to safely eject? ???
Both pilots ejected safely but 13 people in the house were killed according to Russian media. It seems the plane was not shot down but had an engine fire shortly after take off.

About 30% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been destroyed as the winter months approach.

Putin declared martial law in the annexed regions.

Ukrainian forces have defeated a contingent of Wagner Group mercenaries on (I think) the southern front

Ukrainian forces have defeated a contingent of Wagner Group mercenaries on (I think) the southern front
Couldn't have happened to nicer people.

For all their faults, and they are many, I'd rather live in a western democracy than any of the countries you are defending:  China in Hong Cong?,  Russia in many places?, Iran's theocracy?
all really nice places to live


I'm not defending them, it's just stupid to start military conflicts with superpowers with nuclear weapons.

I could say you sound fine with US warmongering, death and destruction as long as it's far away, out of sight out of mind, since the US is a "western democracy".

All that you've said in this reply is really just a deflection.

I'm not defending them, it's just stupid to start military conflicts with superpowers with nuclear weapons.

I could say you sound fine with US warmongering, death and destruction as long as it's far away, out of sight out of mind, since the US is a "western democracy".

All that you've said in this reply is really just a deflection.


Tell that to Putin.  I'm not making excuses for US imperialism, in fact I've studied it and taught about it teaching Latin American history.  Never the less, I stand by my previous statement

Russia suspended the grain export deal because of alleged drone attacks on the black sea fleet...

Russia suspended the grain export deal because of alleged drone attacks on the black sea fleet...


Speaking of which, I've heard reports that the attacks either sank 2 Russian ships, or there was only minimal damage.  Has anyone heard more definitive info?

Speaking of which, I've heard reports that the attacks either sank 2 Russian ships, or there was only minimal damage.  Has anyone heard more definitive info?


Depends on the source. One source will tell you they sank the entire Black Sea Fleet. Another source will say that the lifeboats incurred a minor scuffing.

Very little credibility in info released by either side of this war…

Depends on the source. One source will tell you they sank the entire Black Sea Fleet. Another source will say that the lifeboats incurred a minor scuffing.

Very little credibility in info released by either side of this war…


I think it's not transparent for a reason, even though the psycho still launched a revenge attack anyway like he did this morning with about 50 missiles that struck Ukrainian infrastructure.

I think it's not transparent for a reason, even though the psycho still launched a revenge attack anyway like he did this morning with about 50 missiles that struck Ukrainian infrastructure.


Hey, it’s war. Never mind who started it, once the game is on… it’s on…  :-\\

Hey, it’s war. Never mind who started it, once the game is on… it’s on…  :-\\


It's not a war, it's an invasion and genocide. Now if only some would end it by nuking those Ruskie bastards.

It's not a war, it's an invasion and genocide. Now if only some would end it by nuking those Ruskie bastards.


Tell a Ukrainian it is not war. I suspect they’re gonna disagree with you.

Tell a Ukrainian it is not war. I suspect they’re gonna disagree with you.


Ok, I just asked my Ukrainian wife and said it is of course a war so I stand corrected. I just didn't quite understand the definition of war since it was Russia attacking Ukraine while Ukraine is on defense/counter-offensive and not attacking on Russian territory. So it is a war/invasion/genocide, all of those things combined. But my point is we clearly know which side is good and which side is evil, despite what some propagandists and conspiracy theorists believe and spread. I just believe Russia/Putin deserves whatever it gets coming to them.

Meanwhile it has been reported that Russia has parked two MiG-31K Foxhound jets that carry the Killjoy weapon on an airfield in Belarus. Also Iran plans to send more ballistic missiles to aid Russia. Meanwhile what are the US and NATO doing? (crickets, crickets...)

. Meanwhile what are the US and NATO doing? (crickets, crickets...)


You mean other than inciting inflation due to the sanctions, and appropriating $40,000,000,000 worth of military aid for the Ukraine?

You mean other than inciting inflation due to the sanctions, and appropriating $40,000,000,000 worth of military aid for the Ukraine?


As you can see the sanctions and military aid are not helping. What are they going to do with that money, order weapons and equipment from Amazon? At least send something more useful, like the longer range air defense systems and jets they've been asking for. If we would have sent our troops into Ukraine the Ruskies would have been out there in about two weeks. Since Biden is good at breaking promises, maybe he'll "break the promise" of not sending our troops into Ukraine. Wishful thinking anyways.

Btw for the record inflation was already bad before the war started.

As you can see the sanctions and military aid are not helping. What are they going to do with that money, order weapons and equipment from Amazon? At least send something more useful, like the longer range air defense systems and jets they've been asking for. If we would have sent our troops into Ukraine the Ruskies would have been out there in about two weeks. Since Biden is good at breaking promises, maybe he'll "break the promise" of not sending our troops into Ukraine. Wishful thinking anyways.

Btw for the record inflation was already bad before the war started.


Your being a bit harsh.  Certainly the Javelin missals saved Kiev from the first assault and therefore saved Ukraine.  I agree that we should have sent better air defense stuff right off, along with heavier artillery etc. 

Clearly though, the war is one big factor in inflation.  The absence of Ukrainian wheat for one thing has a big impact on food prices, but none of the is Ukraine's fault

Your being a bit harsh.  Certainly the Javelin missals saved Kiev from the first assault and therefore saved Ukraine.  I agree that we should have sent better air defense stuff right off, along with heavier artillery etc. 

Clearly though, the war is one big factor in inflation.  The absence of Ukrainian wheat for one thing has a big impact on food prices, but none of the is Ukraine's fault


It would have been a whole lot better if Russia/Putin didn't invade Ukraine in the first place. It is impacting the world in one way or another. While thousands of civilians including hundreds of children are being murdered in Ukraine, other countries are going to be reeling from energy and/or food shortages.

I do remember the inflation rate started from 2021 along with the supply chain crisis. I'm sure the war didn't help and all but made it worse.

We are in agreement

Switzerland just denied Germany to deliver Swiss made ammunition for the Gepard self propelled anti aircraft gun to Ukraine (again btw) .
I'm getting so sick and tired of this sheet.https://www.smiliesuche.de/smileys/kopf-gegen-wand/banghead.gif

Switzerland just denied Germany to deliver Swiss made ammunition for the Gepard self propelled anti aircraft gun to Ukraine (again btw) .
I'm getting so sick and tired of this sheet.https://www.smiliesuche.de/smileys/kopf-gegen-wand/banghead.gif


It's a shame, Switzerland is such a beautiful country and was one of my favorites. I'm not so happy with it now. I really feel like NOT helping Ukraine is the same as helping Russia and its allies (Belarus, Iran, N. Korea, etc). Maybe people are pro-Russia, even some US politicians.

Let's hope that Norwegian manufacturer they found a few months back can get some ammo there quickly. From what I hear Gepard has been used against drones and it's highly important to have all anti aircraft systems operational considering that Russia is targeting the energy infrastructure now right before the winter.

*Edit*
The whole situation makes me wonder. If we bought our ammunition for the Gepards from neutral Switzerland, does that mean we wouldn't have been able to produce it ourselves if the cold war had gone hot and would have relied on a supplier outside of NATO who would most likely not have delivered anything for the sake of being neutral? How stupid is that? :o

It's a shame, Switzerland is such a beautiful country and was one of my favorites. I'm not so happy with it now. I really feel like NOT helping Ukraine is the same as helping Russia and its allies (Belarus, Iran, N. Korea, etc). Maybe people are pro-Russia, even some US politicians.


That's exactly what it is, and yes, some (maga) politicians in the US are pro Russia.  Remember a guy named Trump?

That's exactly what it is, and yes, some (maga) politicians in the US are pro Russia.  Remember a guy named Trump?


Yeap, and I remember his remark about Putin being a genius for attacking Ukraine. Because of him many are following like Georgia's own Marjorie Taylor Greene. It's the same type of mentality that during the pandemic it was believed that wearing masks was for the devil's people.

Russian troops started withdrawing from the Kherson region.

Massive rocket strikes all over Ukraine including two in Downtown Kyiv that hit some apartment buildings while President Zelensky made is speech at the G20 Summit.

BREAKING: Rockets have struck a farm in Poland killing two. Article 5 anyone? The Russian state media is saying it was the Ukraine air defense system, or Ukraine doing it intentionally to make it look like it was Russia. It was only a matter of time before Polish territory near the Ukraine border got hit.

BREAKING: Rockets have struck a farm in Poland killing two. Article 5 anyone? The Russian state media is saying it was the Ukraine air defense system, or Ukraine doing it intentionally to make it look like it was Russia. It was only a matter of time before Polish territory near the Ukraine border got hit.


Ruh roh…

Poland officially confirmed it was Russian missiles. It is considering invoking Article 4 and putting its troops on high alert.

BREAKING: Rockets have struck a farm in Poland killing two. Article 5 anyone? The Russian state media is saying it was the Ukraine air defense system, or Ukraine doing it intentionally to make it look like it was Russia. It was only a matter of time before Polish territory near the Ukraine border got hit.


Ever since this whole thing started I've been worried all along that World War 3 would be started by a goofy, overeager freshly-minted Russian 2nd lieutenant with a map and a compass who was too close to the Polish border.


If that happens, it won't be because Putin ordered it. It'll be because some goofy, dumb, gung-ho Russian Army 2nd lieutenant with a map and compass is going to get himself and his platoon lost and accidentally wander into Poland.  :o :o :o

President Biden says that it's 'unlikely' that the missile originated from Russia. Where else would it originate from? I would think the same place that the 100+ other missiles that struck all over Ukraine yesterday. Meanwhile the Polish President Andrzej Duda believes it was from the Ukraine Air defense force as it was firing in all directions to take out those missiles, and could have deflected the one that hit the tractor in Poland, hence ruling it as an accident.

Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg says (my paraphrase) that even if was an accident by Ukraine, Russia should still bear responsibility for this incident since if they didn't start this war in the first place, this would have never happened. Meanwhile Ukraine Air Force will to everything it can to assist Poland with the investigation.

Sounds like Article 5 needs to be applied against the attacker.

Sounds like Article 5 needs to be applied against the attacker.


Yeah, that's not going to happen. The NATO leaders are pretty much like "Move along! There's nothing to see here."

It's all hot air.
I really don't know why the media is sensationalizing the living daylight out of it (well, I actually do know but it's stupid!).
A surface to air missile was launched by Ukraine to intercept Russian targets, it missed and crashed into Poland. A tragic accident that killed two people. Not nice but what's the big deal that it has to be omnipresent in the media right now? ::)

It's all hot air.
I really don't know why the media is sensationalizing the living daylight out of it (well, I actually do know but it's stupid!).
A surface to air missile was launched by Ukraine to intercept Russian targets, it missed and crashed into Poland. A tragic accident that killed two people. Not nice but what's the big deal that it has to be omnipresent in the media right now? ::)


You live in Europe (Germany) right? Here in the US the news got quickly overshadowed by Trump's big announcement and the Artemis I launch.

I have to admit, I was seeing the silver lining in thinking at least Ukraine doesn't have to fight Russia alone anymore, but now it looks like back to business as usual.

Another brutal morning of rocket strikes all over Ukraine, including Kyiv. A critical power supplying infrastructure was exploded, and a residential apartment building in Kyiv. This comes the day after the European Parliament declared Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. I guess they weren't trying to prove themselves otherwise.

Another brutal morning of rocket strikes all over Ukraine, including Kyiv. A critical power supplying infrastructure was exploded, and a residential apartment building in Kyiv. This comes the day after the European Parliament declared Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. I guess they weren't trying to prove themselves otherwise.


The Russkies ought to be running out of missiles at some point.

The Russkies ought to be running out of missiles at some point.


It's too bad they can't fire missiles at the Ruskies

The Russkies ought to be running out of missiles at some point.


But more supposedly on the way from Iran.


It's too bad they can't fire missiles at the Ruskies


And too bad we can't or any other country for that matter.

Also last night in the Zaporizhzhya region a maternity ward was struck killing a newborn baby.

The EU Parliament just declared Russia a State sponsor of terrorism:

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-lawmakers-declare-russia-state-sponsor-terrorism-2022-11-23/

Will that have any effect? We'll see.

Another Monday of Russian rocket attacks all over Ukraine. A stray rocket also hit in the Briceni area of Moldova.

Also a recent update, Ukrainian embassies in various European countries have been received packages containing bloodied animal parts.

In the recent days the city of Bakhmut has been the focus.

This appeared in today's Washington Post.  I would be especially interested in Elor's reactioin

Emily Haber is the German ambassador to the United States.

An American friend called me the other day, having just returned from Berlin. He told me he’d been struck by how deeply Russia’s war in Ukraine has affected Germany. He could trace its impact throughout his visit. One telltale sign he mentioned — dimly lit airports and streets in the late afternoon of his arrival — seemed a bit superficial to me. That, after all, is almost nothing compared with Russia’s systematic attacks on the Ukrainian energy system and the hardships it is inflicting on the Ukrainian people. And yet his impression — as first impressions often do — had the ring of a more profound truth.
Sign up for a weekly roundup of thought-provoking ideas and debates

It is a fact that Germany and Europe are affected by the war in ways that the United States is not. First, the war is nearby — the drive from Berlin to Lviv, Ukraine, is a mere 10 hours. Ukrainian refugees, more than 1 million by now, are visible everywhere (as is the Ukrainian flag). Their status is comparable to that of a green card holder in the United States. They’re entitled to social benefits, work permits, housing. They enjoy full health insurance. Schools, which are tuition-free, are struggling to accommodate their children (more than 200,000).

Daily life is changing in many other ways. Temperatures in homes and public buildings are going down; energy bills are going up from a level that was already high by international standards. The rate of inflation in Germany, which rose from 4.9 percent in January, before the Russians invaded Ukraine, to 10 percent now, is among the highest in the larger advanced economies. A gallon of gasoline costs almost twice as much as it does in the United States. Energy-intensive small companies, such as bakeries or metalworking factories, are facing insolvency.

For Germany, as the most powerful engine of Europe’s economy, these effects will proliferate. Increasingly, it is Europe (and not least Germany) that is bearing the brunt of the sanctions, not the United States.

Yet this is all on the surface.

Our national psychology is undergoing a profound transformation. A rug has been pulled out from under our feet. That rug is — was — the illusion that our relationship with Russia amounted to a milder version of the Cold War. In Europe, that meant that we didn’t have to worry about potential changes to borders. This illusion arose thanks to a steady improvement in relations with the then-Soviet Union, starting in the early 1970s. It was not without setbacks, but it did contribute to the enormous success of Russia acquiescing to German reunification (even if the real force behind that success was the United States).

That decades-long experience of improving ties reinforced the assumption that interdependence was conducive to stability, transparency and, eventually, systemic change. We ignored warning signs to the contrary, and we failed to take criticism from our allies and partners as seriously as we should have, especially on the geopolitical implications of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

All of this is now over, and it is amazing to observe just “how over” it really is. Our old strategic axiom of “Wandel durch Handel” (“change through trade”) is dead. To be sure, there are dissenting voices, and there is discontent brewing in some parts of the country. Yet the consensus continues to reassert itself, underlining the break with past orthodoxies.

Take energy. We have ended our dependence on Russian energy imports. We are no longer buying coal or gas from Russia, and the same will soon be true of oil. This massive shift has occurred at lightning speed — within just a few months. We are accelerating our transition to renewables, extending the operation of nuclear plants (a very difficult decision domestically), reactivating coal plants and building liquid natural gas infrastructure. True, our previous dependence on Russia was self-inflicted. But we have drawn the necessary conclusions and are determined to see through a corrective revolution.

Take weapons exports. It used to be a cardinal principle of German foreign policy not to export weapons to war zones and conflict regions. Today, Germany is one of Ukraine’s largest suppliers of sophisticated and highly efficient weaponry, such as the IRIS-T air defense system. Ukrainian officials have pointed out how much of a difference this aid made in the latest Ukrainian advances on the ground. Yes, some want Germany to provide Western-made tanks or infantry fighting vehicles. Yet doing this would pose serious logistical issues concerning training, maintenance and ammunition. And let’s not forget: No other nation has so far provided Ukraine with Western-made main battle tanks.

Take national defense within the NATO alliance. For many years, Germany has been criticized for lagging on defense spending. Now we have enshrined in the constitution a 100 billion euro fund to ensure the implementation of spending commitments. Together with the regular defense budget, Germany is thus fully committed to allocating 2 percent of its GDP for defense over the coming years. The disbursement of funds will vary and depends on what defense products are available on the international market.

It is worth emphasizing: In February, when Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the increase in defense spending, Germany reached what is probably its most significant turning point in decades. Of course, German reunification more than 30 years ago was a momentous event. Integrating the former East Germany was an effort that, internationally, earned Germany the “sick man of Europe” epithet for many years. Even so, reunification vindicated past strategic decisions and did not require a break with them. But that is precisely what happened in February.

For Ukraine, which is struggling for its very survival, these German tribulations are of secondary concern. What counts for Kyiv, entirely understandably, is the supply of weapons, the provision of humanitarian and financial support, and the accommodation of refugees.

Yet it is still vital to note just how far Germany has come in such a short time and at great psychological and material cost. This change is real and lasting. And we are happy to see that it is deepening our already close ties with our allies — first and foremost the United States.

There are some points I agree with and some I don't.
Yes, we switched energy sources much faster than anyone could have hoped for and it seems we will get through this without massive shortages. But energy prices have gone up quite a bit and are threatening some businesses of course. The government has done a few good things to keep everything running though, however that all will have to be paid for by future generations but it's still better than letting the economy tank.

The massive spending on our military is a must right now. We were under that beautifully naive (and super convenient because cheap) illusion that we're surrounded by friends and don't need a military. There were even voices demanding the dissolution of the armed forces. So for decades we let Bundeswehr deteriorate to a point where it's no longer combat ready. Just a few days ago it was published the we have ammo reserves for two days of full scale war... yes, two days and then we can raise the white flag. Weapons systems were bought without spare parts to make them look cheaper on paper and so on. Laughable! However it seems not much has actually been done so far to remedy the situation. Procurement is one of the biggest problems of the Bundeswehr and everything takes ages to get done. Just throwing money at it won't help. The whole system needs an overhaul and that hasn't happened yet.


And yes, the war here is probably closer than in the US. You can't drive 10 miles on the Autobahn without seeing a car with a UA license plate. Something I've never seen before February of this year. The refugees however don't really stand out as they look pretty much like anyone else and try to blend in.
There are calls by the government to conserve energy as much as possible but there are no new laws or anything. Life pretty much goes on as normal, it's just more expensive.

What I disagree with is the straw man that no one has delivered western tanks yet as that would cause problems with logistics and training and therefore we can't do it either.
First : The West has delivered a lot of high tech weapons systems (HIMARS, MARS, M109 howitzers, Panzerhaubitze 2000, Gepards, IRIS-T, Javelin ATGMs and so on) and the Ukrainian forces are using them to great effect! I would even go as far as saying that's the equipment that actually stopped the Russians and gave Ukraine a chance. The only shortage I'm aware of is ammo for the Gepards. Training seems to be going well and damaged equipment has been sent to NATO countries for repairs if the Ukrainians weren't able to do it themselves. So why is it a problem to send, let's say, a Leopard 1 main battle tank (which are just standing around here after having been phased out) but not a Gepard of which we have sent 30? The Gepard is a Leopard 1 chassis with an anti aircraft turret for crying out loud.

Second: To my knowledge Spain wanted to send some of it's Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine but the offer was withdrawn after they had figured out that they needed German parliamentary approval for it.

So saying no one else has sent tanks so why should we is cynical! It seems we were the ones who stopped it from happening!

Not surprising but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been named Time Magazine's Person of the Year.

Pope Francis broke down in tears about Ukraine as he said his prayer during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Pope Francis broke down in tears about Ukraine as he said his prayer during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.


I am not Catholic but I really like this Pope because of so many reasons.


Cat

Another missile attack all over Ukraine today. 40 of them in the Kyiv region which 37 of those were shot down.

This is from my local paper

US to expand combat training for Ukrainian troops
U.S. officials say the Pentagon will expand military combat training for Ukrainian forces, using the slower winter months to instruct larger units in more complex battle skills

    By LOLITA C. BALDOR and TARA COPP - Associated Press Dec 15, 2022 Updated 19 hrs ago

    0

1 of 2

Facebook
Twitter
Email
Print

    Save

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon will expand military combat training for Ukrainian forces, using the slower winter months to instruct larger units in more complex battle skills, the Defense Department and U.S. officials said Thursday.

The U.S. has already trained about 3,100 Ukrainian troops on how to use and maintain certain weapons and other equipment, including howitzers, armored vehicles and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS. But senior military leaders for months have discussed expanding that training, stressing the need to improve the ability of Ukraine's company- and battalion-sized units to move and coordinate attacks across the battlefield.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told Pentagon reporters Thursday that the U.S. expects to train about 500 Ukrainian troops each month and will begin “in the January timeframe.” Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary, added that it is not likely to require additional U.S. forces to conduct the training.

According to U.S. officials, the training will take place at the Grafenwoehr training area in Germany. And the aim is to use the winter months to hone the skills of the Ukrainian forces so they will be better prepared to counter any spike in Russian attacks or efforts to expand Russia's territorial gains.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not publicly announced, said the Pentagon views the expansion as a logical next step for the Ukrainian troops. They said it would mirror, to a limited degree, the types of training that U.S. forces get at Defense Department training centers, such as those in California and Louisiana.

Ryder said it would include classroom instruction and field work that would begin with small squads and gradually grow to involve larger units. It would culminate with a more complex combat exercise bringing an entire battalion together. The training could last as long as a month.

Until now, the U.S. focus has been on providing Ukrainian forces with “immediate battlefield needs” as they defend their country, including specialized equipment training, he said.

“Now as we continue to see Ukraine make progress in terms of pushing Russia back,” said Ryder, “the idea here is to be able to give them this advanced level of collective training that enables them to conduct effective combined arms operations and maneuver on the battlefield.”

He added that the U.S. was doing some of this type of training prior to the Russian invasion in February. But once the war began, U.S. National Guard and special operations forces that were doing training inside Ukraine all left the country. This new effort with larger units would be a continuation of what had been going on before the invasion.

A wide range of Ukrainian troop training is being done in a number of locations across Europe, by the U.S. the British and other allies. It has, for the most part, focused on weapons systems, logistics and other Western equipment.

The expanded U.S. effort will be done by U.S. Army Europe Africa’s 7th Army Training Command. It comes on the heels of the Pentagon's announcement early last month that it was establishing a security assistance headquarters in Germany that will oversee all weapons transfers and military training for Ukraine.

The new command post, called the Security Assistance Group Ukraine, signals a more permanent, long-term program to continue to aid Kyiv in its fight against Russia.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Another drone attack overnight. 35 of them over Ukraine which 30 were taken down. 20 of them were over Kyiv and some infrastructure was hit.

Another drone attack overnight. 35 of them over Ukraine which 30 were taken down. 20 of them were over Kyiv and some infrastructure was hit.


I hope someone at the International Court of Justice is keeping count.  Every one of these bombing attacks on infrastructure is a war crime for which Putin must pay

More air raids all over Ukraine today. Meanwhile President Zelensky makes a surprise visit to DC to meet with POTUS and Congress.

More air raids all over Ukraine today. Meanwhile President Zelensky makes a surprise visit to DC to meet with POTUS and Congress.
Looks like Ukraine will be getting Patriot surface to air missile systems. Good.

Looks like Ukraine will be getting Patriot surface to air missile systems. Good.


Nice!

Here is the video of President Zelensky's meeting with President Biden:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/politics/zelensky-biden-washington-visit-ukraine-russia-war/index.html

President Zelensky just delivered his speech to Congress.

President Zelensky just delivered his speech to Congress.


Great speech.  Weaving the Bulge and Saratoga into it was a nice touch

I hope someone at the International Court of Justice is keeping count.  Every one of these bombing attacks on infrastructure is a war crime for which Putin must pay


That's actually what I'm hoping for as I meant to say in the other thread (http://www.inthe00s.com/index.php?topic=64522.15) that went off in a tangent regarding this war. Rather than sending our US troops or attacking Russia directly which is wishful thinking, I think Putin should be held accountable for his atrocities and not get away with them.

Putin used the term "war" for the first time since the invasion began.

Putin used the term "war" for the first time since the invasion began.
And got instantly sued as it is illegal to call the "special military operation" a war. ;D

Shelling in Kherson killed at least 8 so far and injured almost 60 people.

Ukrainian (?) drone hit Engels air base deep inside Russia.  Three reported killed and damage to the facility but not  to the aircraft 

Another morning of a major rocket attack all over Ukraine including Kharkiv and Kyiv. It was about 120 missiles and many were taken down by air defense systems.

Last few days of the year and the Ruskies have really been showing their "2022 Wrapped" of terrorizing attacks with rocket strikes all over Ukraine. I hope to see less (of course preferably none) of this BS in 2023.

One of the injured at the Alfavito Hotel is a Japanese journalist for Asahi Shinbun.

Reports in the Wash/Post over the past few days suggest that Putin is increasingly isolated, that the business elites are divided, but that there is no way out for Putin.  What do you guys think?

Putin can't back down. It would completely destroy him politically. So he will do everything in his power to keep the war going. At this point I'm not even sure he would stop hostilities once his troops are thrown out of Ukraine. The missile strikes would probably continue just to keep up the illusion of still being in control.

Shortly after the new year in Ukraine and the Ruskies have already welcomed it with drones all over Ukraine.

On one of the downed drones, they found a note attached that was written "Happy New Year" just to be d***s.

On one of the downed drones, they found a note attached that was written "Happy New Year" just to be d***s.
Well, you've got to remember that they have been brain washed into actually believing to defend themselves against Ukrainian aggression.... ::)

Shortly after the new year in Ukraine and the Ruskies have already welcomed it with drones all over Ukraine.


Were they Iranian drones? ???

Well, you've got to remember that they have been brain washed into actually believing to defend themselves against Ukrainian aggression.... ::)


Many believe that Ukraine is the country that breeds nazis and terrorists, and not just Russians.


Were they Iranian drones? ???


I believe so. I think that's where they got most of their drones from.

A strike by the Ukrainians in the Donetsk region killed at least 60 Russian troops.

A strike by the Ukrainians in the Donetsk region killed at least 60 Russian troops.


Up to 700.

Up to 700.


The more the merrier

The more the merrier


True, but the only issue is the worse Putin's retaliation will be.

True, but the only issue is the worse Putin's retaliation will be.


Would his attacks been less brutal without this victory?  I doubt it

Finally! Germany will be sending Marder IFVs and a Patriot SAM system to Ukraine. France will deliver AMC 10 reconnaissance vehicles and the US Bradley IFVs.
We could have been here 8 months ago!

Finally! Germany will be sending Marder IFVs and a Patriot SAM system to Ukraine. France will deliver AMC 10 reconnaissance vehicles and the US Bradley IFVs.
We could have been here 8 months ago!


Slight correction "SHOULD HAVE"

By the way, Happy New Year

A rocket attack in Kyiv from the Belarus direction using ballistic missiles that were harder to detect. A few other regions were attacked today as well.

Poland and Finland wanted to deliver Leopard 2 MBT to Ukraine but our "beloved" Chancellor shot it all down of course. Is this guy paid by Putin?

An apartment building in Dnipro was nearly completely destroyed.


Poland and Finland wanted to deliver Leopard 2 MBT to Ukraine but our "beloved" Chancellor shot it all down of course. Is this guy paid by Putin?


UK plans to send Challenger tanks.

An apartment building in Dnipro was nearly completely destroyed.


Yeah, Dnipropetrovsk has been pretty much blasted to bits.  :-\\

Another missile strike hit Dnipropetrovsk, 29 deaths.  :\'(

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/01/14/europe/kyiv-kharkiv-zaporizhzhia-explosion-ukraine-intl-hnk/index.html

The death toll from the Dnipro attack is up to 40 now.

Oleksiy Arestovych, advisor to President Zelensky, announces his resignation following a comment he made suggesting that the apartment building in Dnipro was struck after the missile was shot down by the Ukrainian air defense system as opposed to a direct hit.

Helicopter crash in Brovary killed 18 including 3 ministers on board.

Helicopter crash in Brovary killed 18 including 3 ministers on board.


Was it shot down? ???

Was it shot down? ???


According to the Wash. Post it was an accident, but that was yesterday...

Poland has now officially requested permission to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Breaking:
Germany will deliver at least 14 Leopard 2 A6 to Ukraine and allows other nations to deliver as well.
Finally.

Breaking:
Germany will deliver at least 14 Leopard 2 A6 to Ukraine and allows other nations to deliver as well.
Finally.


Excellent !!!  It's about time

The US just announced that it's going to send 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. This is exactly the mission these tanks were designed for. The last time the Abrams faced Russian T-72's was during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and it was a turkey shoot.

And it's quite possible that the Iraqi Republican Guard was more professional and well-trained than the Russian tank crews of today. Once the Ukrainians learn how to operate the Abrams capably, it's going to be a nightmare for the Russkies.  :o :o :o

The US just announced that it's going to send 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. This is exactly the mission these tanks were designed for. The last time the Abrams faced Russian T-72's was during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and it was a turkey shoot.

And it's quite possible that the Iraqi Republican Guard was more professional and well-trained than the Russian tank crews of today. Once the Ukrainians learn how to operate the Abrams capably, it's going to be a nightmare for the Russkies.  :o :o :o

The only problem I see with both Abrams and Leopard is that a lot of Ukrainian bridges can't support their weight and neither can the soviet era bridge layer tanks that Ukraine is using. So crossing water bodies will be difficult unless Western bridge layers get delivered too.

The only problem I see with both Abrams and Leopard is that a lot of Ukrainian bridges can't support their weight and neither can the soviet era bridge layer tanks that Ukraine is using. So crossing water bodies will be difficult unless Western bridge layers get delivered too.


I wonder if that's part of the deal.

As I understand it, the Leopards weigh a lot less than the Abrams do, like half as much.  How will that play out in terms of the bridges?

As I understand it, the Leopards weigh a lot less than the Abrams do, like half as much.  How will that play out in terms of the bridges?
No, the Leopard weighs between 55 to 60 tons while the Abrams is around 70t (that is out of my memory different versions may be lighter/heavier). Both are too heavy as Ukrainian bridges are allegedly only rated for 40 tons.

No, the Leopard weighs between 55 to 60 tons while the Abrams is around 70t (that is out of my memory different versions may be lighter/heavier). Both are too heavy as Ukrainian bridges are allegedly only rated for 40 tons.


Thanks

I wonder if that's part of the deal.


Jet fuel will need to be part of the M1A1 Abrams tank deal too.  Their gas turbines don't run on pump diesel.

Looks like the Ukrainians will have a long wait for the Abrams tanks...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-doesn-t-have-enough-tanks-to-send-ukraine-pentagon-admits/ar-AA16MIc8?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=46f5d7e091a8437eab04f0b3f9402637

Jet fuel will need to be part of the M1A1 Abrams tank deal too.  Their gas turbines don't run on pump diesel.
They actually do. I was surprised to learn that too but after searching the internet on that issue it seems it can run on pretty much any combustible liquid. :o

So looks like the Olympics committee has decided to allow Russia to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

So looks like the Olympics committee has decided to allow Russia to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
There is nothing more corrupt than the IOC with exception of the FIFA perhaps. It doesn't surprise me at all. You can be sure that money or other items changed hands.

Meanwhile in Russia, a 19 year old girl was sentenced to an indefinite number of years in prison for criticizing the war in Ukraine on social media.

Meanwhile in Russia, a 19 year old girl was sentenced to an indefinite number of years in prison for criticizing the war in Ukraine on social media.


Yeah, because it is such a dangerous crime to criticize Count Vlad's illegal war.


Cat

Yeah, because it is such a dangerous crime to criticize Count Vlad's illegal war.


Cat


No free speech over there. She also has a tattoo on one ankle with a picture of Putin's face with spider legs, and a message written that reads "Big Brother is watching". That's exactly how it is. Some wish the same for America, that as long as everyone is conservative and patriotic, it's ok if the Constitution doesn't apply to those who think different from them.

Boris Johnson revealed in a statement that Putin threatened him (UK) with a missile strike during one of their conversations.

I take everything Johnson says with a grain of salt.

I read that Johnson didn't take the threat seriously

The German government has announced that they no longer oppose the delivery of Leopard 1 MBTs to Ukraine. The German defense industry still has stockpiles of the older tank that has been phased out of German service several years ago. However there seem to be problems to acquire ammunition for them. (which I find funny considering that both NATO countries Turkey and Greece still operate that tank)

President Zelensky makes a surprise visit to the UK and is supposed to meet with King Charles.

President Zelensky makes a surprise visit to the UK and is supposed to meet with King Charles.
I thought there were extra amount of helicopters in the skies over London today.

German media says that the UK wants to train Ukrainian jet pilots. I wonder what that is supposed to do as the UK doesn't have any jets that Ukraine is using. Maybe they want to teach them the basics of flying and then have them train their respective aircraft in Ukraine or is the UK willing to donate it's phased out Tornadoes? ???

President Zelensky makes a surprise visit to the UK and is supposed to meet with King Charles.
...and he will be addressing the British Parliament this afternoon.

President Zelensky makes a surprise visit to the UK and is supposed to meet with King Charles.
President Zelensky has arrived at Buckingham Palace ahead of his meeting with King Charles. He continues his historic visit to the UK after speaking to both Houses of British Parliament.

German media says that the UK wants to train Ukrainian jet pilots. I wonder what that is supposed to do as the UK doesn't have any jets that Ukraine is using. Maybe they want to teach them the basics of flying and then have them train their respective aircraft in Ukraine or is the UK willing to donate it's phased out Tornadoes? ???


My guess is that "training" means on specific aircraft since "pilots" already know how to fly.  If the UK is going to beef up Ukraine's air force that's great

President Zelensky makes a surprise visit to the UK and is supposed to meet with King Charles.


Maybe the King can send Prince Harry back with Zelenskyy. Ol’ Harry was very efficient in snuffing 25 Islamic militants in Afghanistan; maybe he can put a few more dozen notches on his belt with Russkies.

Large scale drone and rocket attack all over Ukraine last night (early morning their time).

Large scale drone and rocket attack all over Ukraine last night (early morning their time).


Yeah but those crafty Ukes shot ‘em all down and destroyed ~350 tanks last night.

Yeah but those crafty Ukes shot ‘em all down and destroyed ~350 tanks last night.
I would take such numbers with a truck load of salt. IMHO it's completely unrealistic that Russia lost that much in one night.

I would take such numbers with a truck load of salt. IMHO it's completely unrealistic that Russia lost that much in one night.


Listening to the media accounts, there are hundreds of Russian tanks destroyed nearly every day, and 99% of the Iranorussian drones are all harmlessly shot down. Additionally nearly every Russian officer above the rank of second lieutenant has also been taken out by sabotage teams. War’s almost over if you believe the propaganda.

Listening to the media accounts, there are hundreds of Russian tanks destroyed nearly every day, and 99% of the Iranorussian drones are all harmlessly shot down. Additionally nearly every Russian officer above the rank of second lieutenant has also been taken out by sabotage teams. War’s almost over if you believe the propaganda.


Truth is always the first casualty of war

Truth is always the first casualty of war


I get that… I definitely would expect both the Ukrainian and Russian sides to put misinformation out there. But it’s interesting to see the Western media buying and republishing the Ukrainian propaganda hook, line, and sinker.

If one were to believe the hyperbole about the number of Russkie soldiers killed, the number of Wagner leaders fragged, Russian tanks obliterated, Russian Generals assassinated, and Iranian drones summarily destroyed, one would think that Zelenskyy’s forces would already be on the outskirts of Moscow ready to take the Kremlin.

Western media coverage of the war is more or less “forwarding emails”, instead of critical journalism. 

Right after we pulled out of Afghanistan I remember thinking to myself, "How is our military-industrial complex going to make all their money now???" Boy, it sure didn't take long to find out.

Don't get me wrong, I support the people of Ukraine and I think that Vladimir Putin is an evil sonofabitch who needs to be stopped but on the other hand, there are some people who are getting obscenely wealthy off of all this.

Western media coverage of the war is more or less “forwarding emails”, instead of critical journalism.

Is it Western media or US media? Because over here I don't see much of that hype, especially on Germany's main news site. Definitely no reports of hundreds of tanks being destroyed per day. Even pro Ukrainian propaganda Youtube channels haven't done that (at least not the one I watch as a guilty pleasure). When casualty numbers or situation reports are directly taken from any of the conflicting parties they always come with a disclaimer that the information can't be independently verified. Even when the British intelligence service is quoted they get the same footnote and a remark that Russia accuses them of waging a disinformation campaign.

Here's an example with the disclaimer being in the blue box under an article:
https://i.postimg.cc/dQhy8xxB/ukraine.jpg

On the other hand, Russian tactics seem to be the same a WWI tactics, massive frontal assaults headlong into machine gun fire, so the high casualty #s could be +/- accurate.  Early on the Ruskies seemed to have been careless with their cell phone etc and given away their positions which were relayed from US and UK observation points to Ukrainian batteries which enabled ultra-accurate shelling 

Opinion
How to break the stalemate in Ukraine
By the Editorial Board
February 18, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. EST

Nearly a year after Vladimir Putin unleashed carnage in Ukraine — a war triggered by Kyiv’s aspiration to be fully democratic, pluralistic, European and forever free of Moscow’s yoke — the West’s overarching goal must be ensuring that the Russian tyrant gains nothing by his aggression. To allow an outcome that rewards the Kremlin in any way would be a moral travesty. It would also deal a potentially lethal blow to the principle on which Western stability and civilized international conduct rests: that sovereign states cannot be invaded, subjugated and subjected to mass slaughter with impunity.
Sign up for a weekly roundup of thought-provoking ideas and debates

To thwart Russia and safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty, the United States and its European allies have little choice but to intensify their military, economic and diplomatic support for Kyiv. That means equipping Ukrainian forces with more decisive weapons and in greater numbers, imposing more aggressive sanctions on Moscow and galvanizing a more muscular international coalition to isolate and ostracize Russia.

That agenda is urgent; the status quo of relatively static battle lines is untenable. As Russia mobilizes hundreds of thousands of recruits in support of a massive new offensive and shifts its economy to an all-out wartime footing, the West’s piecemeal, reactive, only-what’s-essential-to-avoid-disaster approach has become a prescription for stalemate.

Putin is hoping for exactly such a stalemate, which he regards as a way to wear down Western resolve and popular support for Ukraine. What’s needed is a game-changing shift in momentum, of which Ukrainian forces have shown themselves capable — if they have the resources. “It’s very clear to us that we don’t have any other alternatives,” Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, told us. “We will fight.”

The top priority is weaponry. President Biden and his European counterparts dawdled this winter in deciding to equip Ukraine with top-grade Western battle tanks, including German-made Leopards. They were finally approved, but it will take weeks more before they reach the front line and, so far, only Germany and Poland have cleared the way for substantial numbers to be sent. It would be folly to repeat the same foot-dragging blunder with other arms the Ukrainians need.

Those include more U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers, known as HIMARS, precision weapons that the Ukrainians have used to good effect against Russian command posts and ammunition depots behind the front lines. The Biden administration has supplied at least 20 of them; Kyiv needs more. It also needs longer-range missiles such as the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System, whose range is about 190 miles; they could hit Russian targets in Ukraine now out of reach, including in Crimea.

Kyiv will need greater numbers of almost every type of weaponry — artillery shells, which it is firing at a rate of nearly 100,000 per month; fighting vehicles; advanced drones; and, especially, high-tech air defense systems. The United States and its allies, especially Germany, should accelerate their production and supply of air defense systems to blunt Russia’s systematic campaign to pulverize Ukrainian power stations and degrade critical infrastructure.

Kyiv will also need advanced Western fighter jets. Providing that air capability has been ruled out for now by Mr. Biden, in the case of U.S.-made F-16s. He should reconsider on the condition that Kyiv commits that the jets will be used to defend Ukraine on its own territory, not for attacks inside Russia. Sooner or later, the West will need to provide Ukraine with weapons systems that not only help to end the war but also dissuade Russia from launching new ones. The most effective deterrent will be a convincing array of military muscle on the ground and in the skies — as well as, eventually, NATO membership and the security guarantee it provides.

The main purpose of beefing up Ukraine’s arsenal is not to kill more Russian soldiers. Mr. Putin is doing that himself by sending waves of poorly trained troops as cannon fodder to the front lines. Rather, the aim should be to convince Russia’s dictator of the futility of his military escalation by demonstrating that the West — richer, stronger, more technologically advanced — will not scrimp on the hardware needed to repel his attacks. Only when the Kremlin grasps that victory is impossible — that it cannot hold sovereign Ukrainian territory seized illegally — will negotiations be possible.

Russia’s economy has proved more resilient than most Western officials assumed when they imposed an unprecedented range of sanctions after Putin launched his full-scale invasion. Russian GDP contracted much less than expected last year and is projected to grow, slightly, this year. That should be a signal to Mr. Biden and European leaders to undertake a more thorough crackdown.

One place to start is with more than $300 billion in Russian central bank reserves, currently frozen in Western and Japanese banks. Those funds should be seized by the Group of Seven or some other Western entity, which could establish an agency to use them as a down payment for the eventual reconstruction of Ukrainian power plants, apartment buildings, train stations, hospitals and other structures damaged and destroyed in the course of the war.

The bill for Ukraine’s reconstruction is likely to be two or three times more than Russia’s frozen reserves, at least. Every dollar Moscow is compelled to pay to rebuild Ukraine is one less from the wallets of Americans, Europeans and Ukrainians themselves. The legal mechanism for seizing the Russian funds remains to be determined, and the process for doing so would be complex and take years. But there is precedent for seizing central bank funds; Iraq was compelled to pay more than $50 billion in restitution in the decades after its invasion of Kuwait in 1990.

Washington and its allies have other levers at their disposal to squeeze Putin’s regime and its enablers and supporters. Western companies that have not yet severed ties with Russia can be pressed to do so. The price ceiling on Russian oil exports, set at $60 a barrel by the G-7 last year, could be lowered further, slowing the flow of revenue that undergirds Putin’s war machine. The European Council should also take up the question of banning imports of Russian gas, both to deprive Moscow of an easy source of revenue and a means of political leverage.

Western public opinion has so far remained relatively solid behind Ukraine’s plight, despite signs of slippage in some countries. In a January poll by Gallup, nearly two-thirds of Americans supported Ukraine’s effort to regain its territory taken by Russian aggression. That’s roughly the same proportion that held that position last summer, although Republican backing for the war is wobbly. As costs mount to sustain Ukraine’s survival, Kyiv’s successes on the battlefield would help buttress public opinion in the United States and Europe.

Submit your questions on Russia's war in Ukraine for David Ignatius's Feb. 22 reader Q&A

Mr. Biden and allied leaders will also be crucial in stiffening Western resolve by reminding their electorates that the bloodletting in Ukraine is a war of aggression led by a dictator deluded by dreams of imperial revival. They need to drive home the point that the inevitable result of a Russian victory would be a far more dangerous world — and an invitation to further aggression by Moscow. The targets of that aggression would likely be other nearby states, including NATO members whose security rests on the assumption that U.S. and European troops will ride to the rescue.

By maintaining and strengthening Western unity in the face of the biggest war in Europe in three-quarters of a century and a potentially catastrophic energy cutoff by Moscow, Mr. Biden has helped achieve what many would have said was impossible a year ago. He has taken a cautious and calibrated approach, arming Ukraine incrementally for fear of the risk of escalation.

But a principal lesson from the past year is that the risk of escalation is overblown. Ukraine is in a defensive war to recapture its own territory. As for the Russian autocrat, he has nothing left to escalate with other than manpower and nuclear weapons. If the West adequately arms Ukraine, he cannot win with the former and is very unlikely to resort to the latter, which would alienate his most important ally, China. A tactical nuclear strike by Russia would be one of history’s greatest acts of strategic self-immolation, cementing Russia’s pariah status for decades.

This is a pivotal moment in 21st-century history and a critical juncture for U.S. interests, leadership and prestige. The crucial objective should be fortifying Ukraine so that Russia’s unwarranted war is understood by dictators as a cautionary tale — and not as a template for remaking the world to their liking.

I totally agree

One year into this mess and Germany hasn't even ordered replacements for the equipment we gave to Ukraine. You would think that with the new funds the industry would be given orders to replenish our armed forces and gear up  to build equipment in larger quantities. But nothing has happened (again). The arms industry has recently complained about not getting any orders or perspectives for long term planning. Our government is great again at peeing away valuable time. It's so damn frustrating it makes me want to punch a puppy. One whole year and NOTHING got done! >:(

If everyone gave Ukraine 10% of their equipment the whole situation might be over by now but we just give them enough to hang on without having a decisive advantage turning the whole thing into a never ending story. I'd rather give them a lot now and end the whole thing than dragging this on for years which will just increase the suffering and loss of life.

One year into this mess and Germany hasn't even ordered replacements for the equipment we gave to Ukraine. You would think that with the new funds the industry would be given orders to replenish our armed forces and gear up  to build equipment in larger quantities. But nothing has happened (again). The arms industry has recently complained about not getting any orders or perspectives for long term planning. Our government is great again at peeing away valuable time. It's so damn frustrating it makes me want to punch a puppy. One whole year and NOTHING got done! >:(

If everyone gave Ukraine 10% of their equipment the whole situation might be over by now but we just give them enough to hang on without having a decisive advantage turning the whole thing into a never ending story. I'd rather give them a lot now and end the whole thing than dragging this on for years which will just increase the suffering and loss of life.


If the Ukrainians had not signed away their possession of nuclear weapons back in ‘92, they would not find themselves in this predicament. They got suckered by both the Russkies and the “West”, sentencing themselves to a destiny of dependency.

Side note… the only winners of the RussoUkirainian War are the arms companies.

President Biden has made an unexpected visit to Kyiv, for the first time during his presidency or at least since the war first started, and meeting with President Zelensky.

Russia/Putin has withdrawn from the START nuclear arms reduction treaty.

Four people have been arrested after protesters painted the road outside the Russian Embassy in London in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/56F6/production/_128726222_untitled.png.webp

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64743138

Four people have been arrested after protesters painted the road outside the Russian Embassy in London in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/56F6/production/_128726222_untitled.png.webp

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64743138


Arrested for what?  Unauthorized beautification?

Today (technically last night our time around 10:30 pm Eastern Time) marks the one year anniversary since the invasion began.

The UN General assembly has voted overwhelmingly for hostilities to end and for Russia to withdraw back into it's own borders.
The vote was 141 - 7 with 32 abstentions.

So much for the "it's just the evil West that is against Russia" narrative. But the average Russian will probably never hear of that. ::)

The UN General assembly has voted overwhelmingly for hostilities to end and for Russia to withdraw back into it's own borders.
The vote was 141 - 7 with 32 abstentions.

So much for the "it's just the evil West that is against Russia" narrative. But the average Russian will probably never hear of that. ::)


The countries voted against:

Russian Federation (of course)
Belarus (also not surprising)
North Korea
Syria
Eritrea
Mali
Nicaragua

The abstentions:

Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Bangladesh
Bolivia
Burundi
Central African Republic
China
Congo
Cuba
El Salvador
Ethiopia
Gabon
Guinea
India
Iran (thinking that one would vote against)
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Mongolia
Mozambique
Namibia
Pakistan
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Tajikistan
Togo
Uganda
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Zimbabwe

Four people have been arrested after protesters painted the road outside the Russian Embassy in London in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/56F6/production/_128726222_untitled.png.webp

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64743138
We drove down this road on Sunday, and sadly the paint is already fading away.

We drove down this road on Sunday, and sadly the paint is already fading away.


Saw some video of the "painting" of the road - it was actually done by the vehicles driving through the paint.  Very cool.  There should not have been arrests, instead those folks should have been given some sot of award 

Saw some video of the "painting" of the road - it was actually done by the vehicles driving through the paint.  Very cool.  There should not have been arrests, instead those folks should have been given some sot of award 
I hoping it will be a regular feature on key anniversary dates.

15 Russian ships are seen in the Black Sea, and 5 of them are missile carriers.


I hoping it will be a regular feature on key anniversary dates.


February 24 will always be a key anniversary date for me and my wife (February 23 around 10 pm our time). It's not a time we'd care to remember.

15 Russian ships are seen in the Black Sea, and 5 of them are missile carriers.

February 24 will always be a key anniversary date for me and my wife (February 23 around 10 pm our time). It's not a time we'd care to remember.
Apologies on the way how I word the above and I totally understand your situation.

Apologies on the way how I word the above and I totally understand your situation.


No need to apologize. You were talking about painting the street and I went off on a tangent.

The Ukraine is considering withdrawing its forces from Artemivsk (Bahkmut).

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-bakhmut-drone-attacks-c0e33e89b027c3604f585166a349c457

Reportedly 175,000 Russian conscripts have been killed in the battle for the city and 2500 tanks destroyed in the past week or so.

Those numbers can't be true. 2500 tanks is completely unrealistic. I highly doubt the Russians are even fielding that many right now. It was repoted a few weeks back that they have lost 2500 tanksin total  throughout the whole war. They definetly won't lose as many in a week.

Those numbers can't be true. 2500 tanks is completely unrealistic. I highly doubt the Russians are even fielding that many right now. It was repoted a few weeks back that they have lost 2500 tanksin total  throughout the whole war. They definetly won't lose as many in a week.


The media are reporting an absolute bloodbath of Russian military and mercenaries. They’ve probably lost several thousand men, a couple hundred tanks, and a couple fighter squadrons just in the past day.

The media are reporting an absolute bloodbath of Russian military and mercenaries. They’ve probably lost several thousand men, a couple hundred tanks, and a couple fighter squadrons just in the past day.
Strange. Nothing like that on German media at all.

Strange. Nothing like that on German media at all.


https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-losses-deaths-war-1784927

In its daily update, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on Thursday that over the previous day, Russian forces had lost 715 troops. This took its tally of Russian losses after 371 days of war to 150,605—a daily average of just over 405.

The Ukraine is really kicking butt. By the time they get their Abrams tanks they’ll likely be on the doorstep of Moscow at this pace.

https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-losses-deaths-war-1784927

That link says exactly what I said. Those are the total numbers of the war and not from last week.


The Ukraine is really kicking butt. By the time they get their Abrams tanks they’ll likely be on the doorstep of Moscow at this pace.

The Ukrainians are certainly fierce fighters but we let them hang out to dry. Bakhmut is getting more and more difficult to defend and might actually fall to the invaders. Besides Ukraine won't go into Russian territory as that would immediately cancel all international support for them and then they are done for.

NOTD: A video has shown up on social media of the Ruskies executing a Ukrainian soldier by multiple gunshots after he said "Glory to Ukraine!"

German weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall is negotiating terms under which they can build a tank factory in Ukraine. That factory could produce the new Panther main battle tank for the Ukrainian forces.

German weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall is negotiating terms under which they can build a tank factory in Ukraine. That factory could produce the new Panther main battle tank for the Ukrainian forces.


Maybe Lockheed can get the OK to build F35’s in The Ukraine too.  8)

On this day one year ago they evacuated the civilians that were taking shelter under the bridge in Irpin. It was a long few weeks from when the war first started on February 24 with all the events that went on.

Correction: that was actually on the 5th from looking back on the first page of this thread

Large scale air attack all over Ukraine last night using a variety of cruise missiles and drones.

The attacks last night included 6 Kinzhal rockets.

From Anton Geraacceler's personal Twitter via Telegram:

"Kinzhal accelerates to 4,900 km/h & may speed up to 12,350 km/hr with erratic flight trajectory - it's difficult for air defense to intercept them."

Cars confiscated from drunk drivers in Latvia are being sent to Ukraine, under a new scheme designed to help the war effort there.

According to German media Trump has stated that he would stop support for Ukraine in case of him winning the presidential election.

I bet he will get massive donations from undisclosed sources for his campaign soon. 8-P

Finland PM Sanna Marin visits Kyiv today to speak with Pres. Zelensky.


According to German media Trump has stated that he would stop support for Ukraine in case of him winning the presidential election.

I bet he will get massive donations from undisclosed sources for his campaign soon. 8-P


That's no surprise as he is buddies/allies with Putin, and his followers have the anti-Ukraine attitude as it reflects in their comments on social media (though some might not be them but Russian troll bots disguised as American Republicans, but that's how disinformation spreads as they feel like they all have to think alike).

Finland PM Sanna Marin visits Kyiv today to speak with Pres. Zelensky.

That's no surprise as he is buddies/allies with Putin, and his followers have the anti-Ukraine attitude as it reflects in their comments on social media (though some might not be them but Russian troll bots disguised as American Republicans, but that's how disinformation spreads as they feel like they all have to think alike).


Independent of my feelings for either Democrat or Republican parties, our blind support of Ukraine is a continuation of the idiocy of American foreign policy.

While Russia's invasion of The Ukraine is unjustified, American foreign policy, over many years and across both Democrat and Republican administrations, essentially dared the Russkies to do it.

The Ukraine has zero strategic value to American interests, and our fixation there (a) promoted what eventually happened and (b) ignores that The Ukraine is one of the more corrupt nations on the face of the Earth.  Note that one of Ukrainian oligarch Volodymyr Zelenskyy's biggest supporters was one Ihor Kolomoiskyy, who is so corrupt that he is barred from entry into the USA due to money laundering as well as plundering the Privat Bank, the second largest bank in The Ukraine.  Kolomoiskyy is notorious for having promoted various Ukrainian senior political figures, only to kick them to the curb when they wanted a piece of all that money that he stole.

Back in 2006 I found myself in the odd position of advising my clients, who were agents of a Russian oligarch, to avoid Kolomoiskyy's projects because they were corrupt.  And my Russian clients agreed.  That tells you something right there. :o

The Ukraine has zero strategic value to American interests,

I'm not so sure about that. If Ukraine doesn't get support we encourage all little dictators to strike at targets that they desire. China is watching very closely what we're doing and how much resolve we show. They have set their sights on Taiwan and general military leadership in Asia and are most likely gauging with what they think they could get away with depending on what we do now.
I really doubt that an encouraged aggressive China is in America's best interest.

Besides Russia isn't just looking for Ukraine. They have been destabilizing the entire region for years now. The republic of Moldova or Kazakhstan could be next. We either show Putin now what's what or he will continue to reestablish the USSR. I again doubt that that is in America's or NATO's best interest.

Besides Russia isn't just looking for Ukraine. They have been destabilizing the entire region for years now. The republic of Moldova or Kazakhstan could be next. We either show Putin now what's what or he will continue to reestablish the USSR. I again doubt that that is in America's or NATO's best interest.


None of those countries are of strategic interest to the USA either.

Independent of my feelings for either Democrat or Republican parties, our blind support of Ukraine is a continuation of the idiocy of American foreign policy.

While Russia's invasion of The Ukraine is unjustified, American foreign policy, over many years and across both Democrat and Republican administrations, essentially dared the Russkies to do it.

The Ukraine has zero strategic value to American interests, and our fixation there (a) promoted what eventually happened and (b) ignores that The Ukraine is one of the more corrupt nations on the face of the Earth.  Note that one of Ukrainian oligarch Volodymyr Zelenskyy's biggest supporters was one Ihor Kolomoiskyy, who is so corrupt that he is barred from entry into the USA due to money laundering as well as plundering the Privat Bank, the second largest bank in The Ukraine.  Kolomoiskyy is notorious for having promoted various Ukrainian senior political figures, only to kick them to the curb when they wanted a piece of all that money that he stole.

Back in 2006 I found myself in the odd position of advising my clients, who were agents of a Russian oligarch, to avoid Kolomoiskyy's projects because they were corrupt.  And my Russian clients agreed.  That tells you something right there. :o


It shouldn't be about strategic interest or how corrupt the Ukrainian government is. The US used to be the World's police and would always stand up for injustice.


I'm not so sure about that. If Ukraine doesn't get support we encourage all little dictators to strike at targets that they desire. China is watching very closely what we're doing and how much resolve we show. They have set their sights on Taiwan and general military leadership in Asia and are most likely gauging with what they think they could get away with depending on what we do now.
I really doubt that an encouraged aggressive China is in America's best interest.

Besides Russia isn't just looking for Ukraine. They have been destabilizing the entire region for years now. The republic of Moldova or Kazakhstan could be next. We either show Putin now what's what or he will continue to reestablish the USSR. I again doubt that that is in America's or NATO's best interest.




If it wasn't for Ukraine's resistance, which is also why they didn't get taken over by Russia within two weeks like predicted, Russia wouldn't have stopped with Ukraine. Probably in addition to Moldova and possibly Kazakhstan, Georgia and the Baltic nations would have been next, and even Poland. China could have also started invading Taiwan, and thus we would be in WW3.

None of those countries are of strategic interest to the USA either.
I think you missed my point. Is a strong greedy Russia that believes to be a military superpower that has a very weak and divided West as it's opponent and could serve as a blue print for China in America's interest?
Don't just think Europe. Think globally as well.

It shouldn't be about strategic interest or how corrupt the Ukrainian government is. The US used to be the World's police and would always stand up for injustice.

*incoming rant*
Well, true but I can see why a lot of Americans are jaded from that. You can only help someone from drowning if you're a good swimmer yourself. The US is facing massive problems of it's own so I see why people say that you should first look at your own problems before spending billions on a country that most people probably couldn't even find on a map (and that includes EU citizens).

Another thing is that Europe needs to get it's act together and be able to stand up for itself (something I've been saying for decades but unfortunately no one seems to be listening). How can it be that we have one year of war and now Ukraine is running out of artillery ammo without much chance to replenish it because Europe barely produces any? What have our factories and decision makers been doing for the last 12 months? How long does it take to get the industry going? With such outrages response times I wonder what our plans were in case we got attacked and needed equipment? Run in circles while frantically waving our arms and scream for the big brother from over the pond to rescue us (The answer is unironically: yes 8-P)?  If Europe shows this little interest/ability to get up to speed why should America?
*end of rant*

If we all increased our efforts dramatically (especially Europe) this could be over rather quickly. Instead we just give little by little without forcing a decision on the battlefield. But as long as Putler thinks he has a chance to win this he will continue.

It shouldn't be about strategic interest or how corrupt the Ukrainian government is. The US used to be the World's police and would always stand up for injustice.



Which is exactly the problem. The USS need not waste its resources being the Global Vigilante. Our use of military power has been juvenile. We attacked Quadaffi despite the fact that he was helping us fight Islamic terrorists  because our politicians bought into the fantasy of the “Arab Spring” and the mythical “moderate Moslem Rebel”.

If the Ukrainians had not been so supremely stupid when they gave up their nukes, they would not find themselves in this position.

We invaded Iraq without provocation and under the suspicion that Saddam was working with Al Quaeda. Even Ray Charles with a blindfold could see that Saddam and Al Quaeda were enemies. One Sunni… one Shiite. In the eyes of Bin Laden, Saddam was next.

We supported the so-called “moderate Moslem rebels” in Syria even though the Israelis, who are right next door, saw that the Assad Regime was better than the rebels. And so in this case the Russians were on the right side of the fight and aided Assad in putting down the rebellion, which if it had succeeded, would have resulted in yet another terrorist state. 

We invaded Panama because their leader was selling dope. ‘Nuff said there.

Mind you I have no problem with our invasion of Afghanistan. Those bastards allowed Al Quaeda to launch attacks using Afghanistan as a base. My only complaint there is that our attack on Afghanistan was not brutal enough.

None of those countries are of strategic interest to the USA either.


I see things differently.  Putin has turned Russia into an existential enemy of not only the US, but of the  west.  Liberal democracy may be (is) flawed in many ways but it sure as hell beats the alternative.  Allowing Putin to "annex" any of his neighbors is, therefore, very much detrimental to both the US interests and to the broader community of liberal democracies.  As the richest nation in the world (hell, California has the 2nd largest economy) we have an obligation to be the most vigorous defender of our joint interests

Which is exactly the problem. The USS need not waste its resources being the Global Vigilante. Our use of military power has been juvenile. We attacked Quadaffi despite the fact that he was helping us fight Islamic terrorists  because our politicians bought into the fantasy of the “Arab Spring” and the mythical “moderate Moslem Rebel”.

If the Ukrainians had not been so supremely stupid when they gave up their nukes, they would not find themselves in this position.

We invaded Iraq without provocation and under the suspicion that Saddam was working with Al Quaeda. Even Ray Charles with a blindfold could see that Saddam and Al Quaeda were enemies. One Sunni… one Shiite. In the eyes of Bin Laden, Saddam was next.

We supported the so-called “moderate Moslem rebels” in Syria even though the Israelis, who are right next door, saw that the Assad Regime was better than the rebels. And so in this case the Russians were on the right side of the fight and aided Assad in putting down the rebellion, which if it had succeeded, would have resulted in yet another terrorist state. 

We invaded Panama because their leader was selling dope. ‘Nuff said there.

Mind you I have no problem with our invasion of Afghanistan. Those bastards allowed Al Quaeda to launch attacks using Afghanistan as a base. My only complaint there is that our attack on Afghanistan was not brutal enough.


I see things differently.  Putin has turned Russia into an existential enemy of not only the US, but of the  west.  Liberal democracy may be (is) flawed in many ways but it sure as hell beats the alternative.  Allowing Putin to "annex" any of his neighbors is, therefore, very much detrimental to both the US interests and to the broader community of liberal democracies.  As the richest nation in the world (hell, California has the 2nd largest economy) we have an obligation to be the most vigorous defender of our joint interests


It doesn't matter what happened in the past and what mistakes Ukraine made in the past. It's a moot point at this point. I may have said this earlier in this thread, I can't remember but I'll say it again: Not helping Ukraine is the same as helping Russia in my book. Many Americans are actually cheering on the side of Russia, the same kind of people who would say "Vladmeer Pootin is kind of pres'dent we need for Am'rrka!" It's also the same people that were anti-mask during the pandemic and believed and spread the Qanon propaganda. The scary thing is in the near future the US could become more of an autocracy like Mother Russia under Putin. Many believe that as long as everyone is a conservative nationalistic patriot, it's ok for the freedoms to be taken away from those who think differently.

It doesn't matter what happened in the past and what mistakes Ukraine made in the past. It's a moot point at this point. I may have said this earlier in this thread, I can't remember but I'll say it again: Not helping Ukraine is the same as helping Russia in my book. Many Americans are actually cheering on the side of Russia, the same kind of people who would say "Vladmeer Pootin is kind of pres'dent we need for Am'rrka!" It's also the same people that were anti-mask during the pandemic and believed and spread the Qanon propaganda. The scary thing is in the near future the US could become more of an autocracy like Mother Russia under Putin. Many believe that as long as everyone is a conservative nationalistic patriot, it's ok for the freedoms to be taken away from those who think differently.


Clearly we have a fascist fringe in this country = hell we always have, even during WWII - and clearly they are making a lot of noise of late but they are  a fringe.  The real problem are the "fellow travelers" who will follow after any bright shiny object.  I think we will have a few more really consequential elections before the cockroaches are forced back into their holes

I see things differently.  Putin has turned Russia into an existential enemy of not only the US, but of the  west.  Liberal democracy may be (is) flawed in many ways but it sure as hell beats the alternative.  Allowing Putin to "annex" any of his neighbors is, therefore, very much detrimental to both the US interests and to the broader community of liberal democracies.  As the richest nation in the world (hell, California has the 2nd largest economy) we have an obligation to be the most vigorous defender of our joint interests


The part that people overlook, however, is that the concept of The Ukraine as a democracy is a fantasy. Again, while the invasion is clearly wrong, the characterization of “Russia versus democracy” is hilarious.

The Ukraine since the Soviet split has been a kleptocracy. Governed by a series of leaders promoted and compromised by the Ukrainian oligarchs who plundered the country’s resources after the Soviet Union breakup. Many of them then deposed by the machinations of the same oligarchs whose ‘loyalties’ are only to themselves. Zelenskyy’s main supporter is an oligarch who is denied entry into the US for money laundering, plundering of The Ukraine’s second largest bank, and theft of resources in Ukraine. Since the invasion, of course, Zelenskyy has tried to distance himself but the connections are clear. Research the ownership history of Azovstal (the now-flattened steel mill) and you’ll find the truth about its ‘patriotic’ owner (a different oligarch) and how he came into possession of it.

All of which is why I see The Ukraine as not being significant to the American interests, and our foreign policy regarding The Ukraine as juvenile. Both for Democrat and Republican administrations.

The part that people overlook, however, is that the concept of The Ukraine as a democracy is a fantasy. Again, while the invasion is clearly wrong, the characterization of “Russia versus democracy” is hilarious.

The Ukraine since the Soviet split has been a kleptocracy. Governed by a series of leaders promoted and compromised by the Ukrainian oligarchs who plundered the country’s resources after the Soviet Union breakup. Many of them then deposed by the machinations of the same oligarchs whose ‘loyalties’ are only to themselves. Zelenskyy’s main supporter is an oligarch who is denied entry into the US for money laundering, plundering of The Ukraine’s second largest bank, and theft of resources in Ukraine. Since the invasion, of course, Zelenskyy has tried to distance himself but the connections are clear. Research the ownership history of Azovstal (the now-flattened steel mill) and you’ll find the truth about its ‘patriotic’ owner (a different oligarch) and how he came into possession of it.

All of which is why I see The Ukraine as not being significant to the American interests, and our foreign policy regarding The Ukraine as juvenile. Both for Democrat and Republican administrations.


I'm not sure whether or not Ukraine is actually a democracy or not by definition. All I know is how their government is structured with a president and a parliament that manages the Cabinet of Ministers. But since my wife is Ukrainian, she can tell you how it has more freedoms than the US. As she experienced the former Soviet Union during her childhood, she says the US is more similar to that than Ukraine. Also present day Russia is similar. If you want to talk about a kleptocracy, the US has crony capitalism which is pretty much the same thing.

I was actually secretly excited when there was an attack on Polish soil, even though it was sad about the two farmers who lost their lives (but that's nothing compared to how many lives lost in Ukraine). I thought that finally Article 5 would be invoked and Ukraine didn't have to fight the Ruskies alone anymore. But as I predicted earlier in this thread, they wrote it off as an accident.

The part that people overlook, however, is that the concept of The Ukraine as a democracy is a fantasy. Again, while the invasion is clearly wrong, the characterization of “Russia versus democracy” is hilarious.

The Ukraine since the Soviet split has been a kleptocracy. Governed by a series of leaders promoted and compromised by the Ukrainian oligarchs who plundered the country’s resources after the Soviet Union breakup. Many of them then deposed by the machinations of the same oligarchs whose ‘loyalties’ are only to themselves. Zelenskyy’s main supporter is an oligarch who is denied entry into the US for money laundering, plundering of The Ukraine’s second largest bank, and theft of resources in Ukraine. Since the invasion, of course, Zelenskyy has tried to distance himself but the connections are clear. Research the ownership history of Azovstal (the now-flattened steel mill) and you’ll find the truth about its ‘patriotic’ owner (a different oligarch) and how he came into possession of it.

All of which is why I see The Ukraine as not being significant to the American interests, and our foreign policy regarding The Ukraine as juvenile. Both for Democrat and Republican administrations.


Lets say all of the above is spot on.  It is irrelevant.  The enemy of my existential enemy is my friend.  Putin has shown himself to be an existential enemy of liberal democracy in general and of  the US in particular, so I really don't give a rat's ass about how perfect or imperfect  Ukraine's  democracy is.  I hope that , like ours, they are striving for "a more perfect union" but right now staying alive is obviously the point, and for us, stopping Putin in his tracks is the point

I see where the Ukrainians have claimed to have snuffed out 1,090 Russkie fighters in roughly the past few days, in addition to 1,500 injured so badly they can’t fight. Conversely the Russkies claim to have snuffed 220 Ukrainians. Would be interesting to see how they come up with these numbers. I wonder if they’ve got a copy of US General William Westmoreland’s play book.

Back during ‘Nam, Westmoreland’s PR team would claim absurdly high numbers of dead North Vietnamese Regulars and Cong. Let’s just say the estimates were a tad optimistic.

Air raid alert in Ukraine today as some MIGs that carry the Kynzhal hypersonic missiles have been detected airborne from Russian air bases.

I see where the Ukrainians have claimed to have snuffed out 1,090 Russkie fighters in roughly the past few days, in addition to 1,500 injured so badly they can’t fight. Conversely the Russkies claim to have snuffed 220 Ukrainians. Would be interesting to see how they come up with these numbers. I wonder if they’ve got a copy of US General William Westmoreland’s play book.

Back during ‘Nam, Westmoreland’s PR team would claim absurdly high numbers of dead North Vietnamese Regulars and Cong. Let’s just say the estimates were a tad optimistic.


Not sure what #s have or have not been verified, but the Russian "strategy" seems to be just like WWI trench warfare, say a few hail mary's, cross your self, and throw your troops across open fields laced with barbed wire into machine gun fire.  With that as a battle plan you sort of expect high casualties, sort of

Microsoft just signed a 10-year deal with Boosteroid, a Ukraine based cloud gaming platform, to have the Call of Duty franchise games added to the platform.

BREAKING: A US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone was forced down by a Russian fighter jet over the Black Sea by damaging its propeller.

The cause of the damage to the drone is yet to be known. Initially it was believed to be caused by the Russian jet deliberately dumping a fuel on it, but later intel suggests that the propeller was shot by it. Either way, neither the US nor Russian forces are desiring to escalate the situation. They are however at a race to retrieve the downed drone from the Black Sea.

The cause of the damage to the drone is yet to be known. Initially it was believed to be caused by the Russian jet deliberately dumping a fuel on it, but later intel suggests that the propeller was shot by it. Either way, neither the US nor Russian forces are desiring to escalate the situation. They are however at a race to retrieve the downed drone from the Black Sea.


It’s gonna be hard for the US to recover the plane, seeing as how the USN presently has no ships in the Black Sea.

It’s gonna be hard for the US to recover the plane, seeing as how the USN presently has no ships in the Black Sea.


It looks like they were able to remotely delete all the classified data off of it so even if the Russians retrieved the drone, it wouldn't do them any good.

It looks like they were able to remotely delete all the classified data off of it so even if the Russians retrieved the drone, it wouldn't do them any good.


The Russkies could (if they can pull up big enough pieces) gather intelligence re: the basic design, sensors,  and materials used in the drone. It’s not all about the digital data.

The real danger is that it could give them a blue print for reverse engineering like they did with the B29 bomber back in the day.

The footage of the incident has been released:

EOlnqg0Nl0Y

Two passes, if that isn't deliberate I don't know what would be.  Just saying

I wonder what deliberately dumping fuel on an aircraft is considered by international law.
I would consider it an armed attack.

I wonder what deliberately dumping fuel on an aircraft is considered by international law.
I would consider it an armed attack.


Since it's an unmanned aircraft it's considered more like property damage. If a human was killed that would be a whole another story. Anyhow I highly doubt that this will escalate to anything, but I could be wrong.

Also Poland is sending fighter jets to Ukraine.

I wonder what deliberately dumping fuel on an aircraft is considered by international law.


I imagine it would be considered to be just plain RUDE.

Meanwhile the Pentagon blocks President Biden's request to try Russians for war crimes, because it could backfire and have US service members getting tried for war crimes.

Meanwhile the Pentagon blocks President Biden's request to try Russians for war crimes, because it could backfire and have US service members getting tried for war crimes.


On what jurisdiction or authority? What war crimes were committed on in the United States or Territories?

By your logic, Angola could put the entire American armed forces on trial for the invasion of Iraq.

On what jurisdiction or authority? What war crimes were committed on in the United States or Territories?

By your logic, Angola could put the entire American armed forces on trial for the invasion of Iraq.


And that's what they (The Pentagon) are worried about. I didn't come up with it.

Now a second NATO country, Slovakia is sending jets, 13 MiG-29's.

Not sure MiG29s are going to do much good over there tbh. It's a pure bred interceptor with very limited air to ground capabilities. (Though the Ukrainians have managed to modify their own to carry the American HARM anti radar missile).
In my opinion the F16 would be the best plane for Ukraine right now. It's a great all rounder and was build in thousands of units. The US alone must have thousands of them in their bone yards.
All European types just aren't there in large enough quantities and building new ones would take years.

On what jurisdiction or authority? What war crimes were committed on in the United States or Territories?

By your logic, Angola could put the entire American armed forces on trial for the invasion of Iraq.


I'm guessing he wants the International Court of Justice to do it.  They would have jurisdiction

From today's Washington Post:

By Andrew Jeong
,
Victoria Bisset
,
David L. Stern
,
Natalia Abbakumova
and
Claire Parker
Updated March 17, 2023 at 11:22 a.m. EDT|Published March 17, 2023 at 2:00 a.m. EDT
Finland's President Sauli Niinisto (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for media during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, March 17. (Necati Savas/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
Listen
7 min
Add to your saved stories
Save
Gift Article
Share

Judges from the International Criminal Court in the Hague issued on Friday its first arrest warrants related to the war in Ukraine, for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights. The judges alleged the two officials are responsible for the war crimes of "unlawful deportation” and “unlawful transfer” of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Russia “doesn’t recognize” the International Criminal Court, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists earlier this week.

From today's Washington Post:

By Andrew Jeong
,
Victoria Bisset
,
David L. Stern
,
Natalia Abbakumova
and
Claire Parker
Updated March 17, 2023 at 11:22 a.m. EDT|Published March 17, 2023 at 2:00 a.m. EDT
Finland's President Sauli Niinisto (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for media during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, March 17. (Necati Savas/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
Listen
7 min
Add to your saved stories
Save
Gift Article
Share

Judges from the International Criminal Court in the Hague issued on Friday its first arrest warrants related to the war in Ukraine, for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights. The judges alleged the two officials are responsible for the war crimes of "unlawful deportation” and “unlawful transfer” of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Russia “doesn’t recognize” the International Criminal Court, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists earlier this week.


The United States is also not one of the 123 countries that are members of the Rome Statute, but Canada is along with Mexico, all of South America, pretty much all of Europe, Australia, NZ, Japan, about half of the African nations and some others.

From today's Washington Post:

By Andrew Jeong
,
Victoria Bisset
,
David L. Stern
,
Natalia Abbakumova
and
Claire Parker
Updated March 17, 2023 at 11:22 a.m. EDT|Published March 17, 2023 at 2:00 a.m. EDT
Finland's President Sauli Niinisto (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for media during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, March 17. (Necati Savas/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
Listen
7 min
Add to your saved stories
Save
Gift Article
Share

Judges from the International Criminal Court in the Hague issued on Friday its first arrest warrants related to the war in Ukraine, for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights. The judges alleged the two officials are responsible for the war crimes of "unlawful deportation” and “unlawful transfer” of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Russia “doesn’t recognize” the International Criminal Court, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists earlier this week.
Will, or can they get their man?

I'm guessing he wants the International Court of Justice to do it.  They would have jurisdiction


So what are they gonna do? Knock on the Kremlin door and serve a warrant?

It’s all window dressing and puffery. The concept of “international law” is feel-good nonsense.

So what are they gonna do? Knock on the Kremlin door and serve a warrant?

It’s all window dressing and puffery. The concept of “international law” is feel-good nonsense.
It means that Putin can't travel to any country that recognizes the court without being arrested. Quite a few people have already been triedby the court (including former Serbian president Milosevic) so I definitely wouldn't call it feel good nonsense even though I highly doubt that Putin will ever face trial.

It means that Putin can't travel to any country that recognizes the court without being arrested. Quite a few people have already been triedby the court (including former Serbian president Milosevic) so I definitely wouldn't call it feel good nonsense even though I highly doubt that Putin will ever face trial.


Milošević was convicted after he was dead.

Milošević was convicted after he was dead.
So? Main thing is he died in prison in The Hague.

Putin supposedly made a surprise visit to Mariupol, and Crimea.

The Biden Administration (in the USA) is now deporting Russian asylum-seekers back to Mother Russia, where they likely will be conscripted to fight in The Ukraine.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/18/biden-administration-russia-deportations

The Biden Administration (in the USA) is now deporting Russian asylum-seekers back to Mother Russia, where they likely will be conscripted to fight in The Ukraine.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/18/biden-administration-russia-deportations

That's stupid if true. Isn't leaving Russia exactly what we want people of fighting age to do? ???

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has arrived for talks with Ukraine's President Zelensky

The Biden Administration (in the USA) is now deporting Russian asylum-seekers back to Mother Russia, where they likely will be conscripted to fight in The Ukraine.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/18/biden-administration-russia-deportations


Dumb, very dumb

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it has reached an agreement with Ukraine on funding worth $15.6bn (£12.8bn).

A couple of days ago, ~700 Russians were snuffed by the Ukrainian defenders.

https://menafn.com/1105813533/Russian-Military-Death-Toll-In-Ukraine-Rises-To-About-165610-Troops

The reported tally-to-date includes:

- 165,610 personnel killed
- 3,537 main battle tanks knocked out
- 6,869 armored vehicles blown up
- 2,577 artillery pieces knocked out
- 305 warplanes shot down
- 209 choppers shot down

Those 31 M1A2 tanks that the US is going to send over there can’t get there fast enough…

A couple of days ago, ~700 Russians were snuffed by the Ukrainian defenders.

https://menafn.com/1105813533/Russian-Military-Death-Toll-In-Ukraine-Rises-To-About-165610-Troops

The reported tally-to-date includes:

- 165,610 personnel killed
- 3,537 main battle tanks knocked out
- 6,869 armored vehicles blown up
- 2,577 artillery pieces knocked out
- 305 warplanes shot down
- 209 choppers shot down

Those 31 M1A2 tanks that the US is going to send over there can’t get there fast enough…


If accurate, incredible

Drones in the Kyiv region yesterday and a missile struck an apartment building in Zaporizhzhya. Looks like Putin was demonstrating for Xi. It could also be a response to the explosion of Russian missiles staged for transport in Crimea.

Russia is stationing tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

Russia is stationing tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.


That sounds like an escalation to me.  The west needs to respond

That sounds like an escalation to me.  The west needs to respond


Well the US already has nukes forward-positioned in Europe. Maybe we should resume the old 24-hour B52 nukes-on-call orbiting flights along the Russian borders. Or have a couple of Trident subs surface in the Barents or Kara Seas. Peek-a-boo!

That sounds like an escalation to me.  The west needs to respond

I don't think so. Technically nothing has changed. Russia already has the means to use nukes everywhere in the world if they want to (same goes for the West). So stationing tactical Nukes (=small yield) in Belarus is just a mind game to make fools in the West poop their pants and ask for withdrawing support for Ukraine.


Well the US already has nukes forward-positioned in Europe. Maybe we should resume the old 24-hour B52 nukes-on-call orbiting flights along the Russian borders. Or have a couple of Trident subs surface in the Barents or Kara Seas. Peek-a-boo!
There is no point in that. It's just a waste of resources. If the US wants to strike they have ICBMs that can reach any spot in Russia so why play their game?

There is no point in that. It's just a waste of resources. If the US wants to strike they have ICBMs that can reach any spot in Russia so why play their game?


Yeah the Russkies have ICBM’s and SLBM’s too. Plus the “tsunami drone bomb”.  :o

Of course it's a mind game count Vlad is playing, I'm just saying that we should play it right back at him

Drone attack in Kyiv. One of them struck a store not far from my in-laws house.

Drone attack in Kyiv. One of them struck a store not far from my in-laws house.

Were they suicide drones?

Were they suicide drones?


I'm not sure, maybe. They are Iranian, and I think they have been recently gifted to Russia as they were running low on supplies.

A pro-Russia war blogger was killed in a blast from an explosive package delivered to him in a Cafe in St Petersburg.

A pro-Russia war blogger was killed in a blast from an explosive package delivered to him in a Cafe in St Petersburg.


Apparently the package was given to him by someone he knew. That’s brutal.  :o