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These are all separate stories. Russian troops in the Kharkov region were not ready for defense. Russians did not plan long battles at the beginning of the war. They planned a sharp blow and overthrow of the Zelensky regime, without protracted battles, destruction of infrastructure and a large number of victims. This did not work out, and when Ukrainians counterattacked, the scattered Russian units retreated. Kherson was surrendered by Russians because they did not want street fighting in a large regional center with a long line of defense. The private military company was not ready for such a scale of fighting, and the mobilized were not trained. Instead of Kherson, Russians took the battle in Bakhmut, where a large number of Ukrainian troops were destroyed. Now Russians have prepared good defensive lines and they have air superiority. If Ukrainians concentrate their troops, then they can come under a massive attack of planning bombs FAB-1500, and this will mean the end of the counteroffensive. Of course, everything is possible, and maybe they will be able to reach the Sea of Azov. But the end of the war will be determined by the economy. Russia has made an alliance with China (unofficially, of course), and population of Russia can live in such conditions for a long time, Russians in general are able to endure and are mentally ready for war. The economy of Ukraine is destroyed and without the help of the West it is doomed. How long the West is ready to finance the war is the main question.
This all very well might be true, and I’m sure much of it is. But the question still stands what is Russia’s endgame at this point? Where is the finish line, because I don’t see it anywhere? My understanding is that in the beginning Putin wanted to scare Ukraine, make Zelensky run away like the president of Afghanistan did, and make Ukraine amend the constitution that they can never join NATO or EU. But Zelensky called his bluff and now Putin is stuck and can’t back out.
Ukraine is fighting for their survival as an independent (of Russia) state, that provides way more moral than whatever Putin has convinced Russia they’re fighting for. Even if Russia conquers all of Ukraine, then what? Russia will remain in conflict with the west for the for seeable future. In case you don’t know Russia already tried that (Cold War) and Russia eventually gave in. Who knows maybe this time it will be different, last time they were not in alliance with China, but China still wants good relations with the west as they rely on them as a customer base, so there is only so much that China can help out with. Just look at North Korea, they are allied with China, but their living standards are much worse than South Korea.
He's not just 'appealing to the US' though is he! He is appealing to the world!! Ultimately what do you expect? His country has been invaded by a foreign power!! How the US reacts is up to the US.
I notice only Poland ans Slovakia have gone as far as supplying the Ukraine with fighter planes (the US news won't report that because its not the US right), that too is down to Poland and Slovakia. In total more than 20 nations have sent military equipment to the Ukraine.
Its so easy for us all to 'pat ourselves on the back' because we've shipped some equipment and no doubt Hollywood will soon make a film where a dozen 'marines' come flying in to the rescue of 'poor Ukranian peasants' by fighting back the whole of the Russian and Chinese military!
Ultimately though the truth is that its the Ukranian's themselves that are fighting off the Russians, I'm sure they are VERY grateful for all of the equipment supplied but its the Ukranians that are the bloody hero's here.
The world would be equally as 'outraged' if Canada invaded Illinois and started shelling Chicago!
He's not just 'appealing to the US' though is he! He is appealing to the world!! Ultimately what do you expect? His country has been invaded by a foreign power!! How the US reacts is up to the US.
I notice only Poland ans Slovakia have gone as far as supplying the Ukraine with fighter planes (the US news won't report that because its not the US right), that too is down to Poland and Slovakia. In total more than 20 nations have sent military equipment to the Ukraine.
Its so easy for us all to 'pat ourselves on the back' because we've shipped some equipment and no doubt Hollywood will soon make a film where a dozen 'marines' come flying in to the rescue of 'poor Ukranian peasants' by fighting back the whole of the Russian and Chinese military!
Ultimately though the truth is that its the Ukranian's themselves that are fighting off the Russians, I'm sure they are VERY grateful for all of the equipment supplied but its the Ukranians that are the bloody hero's here.
The world would be equally as 'outraged' if Canada invaded Illinois and started shelling Chicago!
The wave of "suicides" that has plagued wealthy and powerful Russians who fall out of favor with Vladimir Putin shows no sign of abating. Recent suicide highlights include Major General Vladimir Makarov and Marina Yankina who was found shot to death at home - the head of finance and procurement of the Russian Defense Ministry’s Western Military District, who flew from a high rise apartment building to her death. Also found dead was Nikolay Bortsov, a very wealthy man who served as a State Duma deputy since 2003, and politician Dzhasharbek Uzdenov.
The head of Russia's Neo-Nazi Wagner brigade has recently criticized Vladimir Putin, prompting suggestions that he should hire a food taster and stay away from tall buildings, lest he become the latest victim of the Russian "suicide" wave. https://www.politico.eu/article/ukra...avoid-the-tea/
The wave of "suicides" that has plagued wealthy and powerful Russians who fall out of favor with Vladimir Putin shows no sign of abating. Recent suicide highlights include Major General Vladimir Makarov and Marina Yankina who was found shot to death at home - the head of finance and procurement of the Russian Defense Ministry’s Western Military District, who flew from a high rise apartment building to her death. Also found dead was Nikolay Bortsov, a very wealthy man who served as a State Duma deputy since 2003, and politician Dzhasharbek Uzdenov.
The head of Russia's Neo-Nazi Wagner brigade has recently criticized Vladimir Putin, prompting suggestions that he should hire a food taster and stay away from tall buildings, lest he become the latest victim of the Russian "suicide" wave. https://www.politico.eu/article/ukra...avoid-the-tea/
Putin relies on nationalists like Wagner to fight his war. The Wagner boss will be spared, but he should tread carefully.
And, of course, Russians will not change Putin until the war is over. This will mean defeat.
I thought about the election, but while Putin should be ineligible for the 2024 Russian presidential election, a 2020 amendment to the Constitution of Russia exempted him from presidential term limits until 2036.
So, if nothing happens to him (health wise or otherwise) it probably will be him, again.
(The Constitution was amended in 2020 to reset the number of terms Putin has served, allowing him to circumvent term limits in the 2024 and 2030 elections, enabling him to legally stay in office until 2036.
In other words - Putin signed law allowing him to serve 2 more terms as Russia's president. )
I thought about the election, but while Putin should be ineligible for the 2024 Russian presidential election, a 2020 amendment to the Constitution of Russia exempted him from presidential term limits until 2036.
So, if nothing happens to him (health wise or otherwise) it probably will be him, again.
(The Constitution was amended in 2020 to reset the number of terms Putin has served, allowing him to circumvent term limits in the 2024 and 2030 elections, enabling him to legally stay in office until 2036.
In other words - Putin signed law allowing him to serve 2 more terms as Russia's president. )
There is no point having elections in Russia, it is not democratic, Putin be like - 'stand against me and you will be poisoned or thrown in jail' - along with anybody that dares to try and vote for you!
There is no point having elections in Russia, it is not democratic, Putin be like - 'stand against me and you will be poisoned or thrown in jail' - along with anybody that dares to try and vote for you!
I agree. But at least hes being brutally honest about it unlike the rest of the world. Just look at our track record in USA.
I agree. But at least hes being brutally honest about it unlike the rest of the world. Just look at our track record in USA.
The US is struggling to correct the threats to its democratic process. Russia isn't. The US at least has two functional roughly equal political parties, whatever anyone may say about them. Russia doesn't. Whatever the Czar says, goes, and he's not planning on going anywhere. He already took steps to entrench himself after his first administration, so no one should be surprised he's continued to pass laws allowing him to keep his job until death. He's probably hoping he'll get a mausoleum on Red Square, like Lenin got, after he keels.
The US is struggling to correct the threats to its democratic process. Russia isn't. The US at least has two functional roughly equal political parties, whatever anyone may say about them. Russia doesn't. Whatever the Czar says, goes, and he's not planning on going anywhere. He already took steps to entrench himself after his first administration, so no one should be surprised he's continued to pass laws allowing him to keep his job until death. He's probably hoping he'll get a mausoleum on Red Square, like Lenin got, after he keels.
Are you joking??
The circus otherwise knows as two parties is a joke. Everyone knows its one party. THat circus they put on for the masses might fool some, but Im not buying it.
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