Current Affairs Ukraine

[LinekersLegs]

 

[bluestevon]

You do realise that the Bellingcat funding article was written by none other than Max Blumenthal (Grayzone) who is a crackpot tinfoil-headed conspiracy theorist? As usual he does not back his claims with any evidence at all.

One for the bin I think.

Mate - you’ve been hanging about with Russians for too long.

And the founder of Bellingcat is Elliot Higgins a prominent member of the Atlantic Council - far right think tank mate - sorry but an impartial investigate journalist he most certainly isn't.

Have I been hanging around Russians too long? Dunno mate, my wife of 9 years and my 8 and 4 year old are all Russian, it's why I'm invested in what's happening - and understanding why.

 

[bluestevon]

That's my concern- Russia takes it up a level. They could introduce far more than extra men with far more drastic effects.

Of course, winter is coming. A hard winter and serious hurt will be inflicted throughout Ukraine and those supporting Ukraine.

Ukraine should have been a conduit between Europe and Russia and profiting from it and part of bringing Russia into the fold of the west as an equal. Instead we have this. What a disgusting disaster this invasion is. A pox on Putin.

If there was ever any will to bring Russia into the fold if the west as an equal then sure as hell encircling it with NATO countries kinda wasn't exactly signaling it was the goal was it?

Gonna wish a pox on Putin, then wish it on every US leader and every NATO country who voted yes (them all) whenever they've expanded NATO since 1990 mate against promises made.

The roots to thus entire thing date back to 1990 and escalated in the 2014 coup (popular uprising as it gets called (never a coup when it benefits the wests agenda btw always a popular uprising have you noticed)

 

[LinekersLegs]

If those numbers are true that is a huge impact on mikitary moral/capability and very sad news for their families back in Russia.

 

[roydo]

If those numbers are true that is a huge impact on mikitary moral/capability and very sad news for their families back in Russia.

If the US has 11 divisions, why are two called the 101st and the 82nd?

I mean I think the names are cool, (based on Reacher novels mainly), but there must be a proper reason.

 

[bluestevon]

It would be blow of course and admitting failure, but i don't think he got much options. In its current form they can't succeed. Russians also realized what is happening and their part of internet going bonkers in the moment with army and High Command being criticized left, right and center.

He will not retreat cause it would spell end of him, so his only other option is either official declaration of war or some kind of hidden mobilization with a lot of excuses. You are right that full mobilization would leave huge economical consequences but i think Putin is willing to risk it.

The entire operation is in reaction to what is considered an existential threat to the Russian Federation, what a country will do in such circumstances is evident by the very nature of an existential threat if it believes it will face complete defeat.

Not sure how many people actually grasp the implications of such a scenario.

But if they did then they should rightly be absolutely scared out their minds about what could actually happen - I know I am.

 

[roydo]

The entire operation is in reaction to what is considered an existential threat to the Russian Federation, what a country will do in such circumstances is evident by the very nature of an existential threat if it believes it will face complete defeat.

Not sure how many people actually grasp the implications of such a scenario.

But if they did then they should rightly be absolutely scared out their minds about what could actually happen - I know I am.

All the west wants is for Russia to play nice. The west is no threat to Russia. Sure, the Soviet Union broke up, peacefully, but so have tons of empires down the centuries.

A peaceful, prosperous Russia is good for everyone.

 

[bluestevon]

Im quite concerned how this ends.

Putin really doesnt strike me as the type to go "Ok, we lost, bye lads".

It's an existential threat mate, doesn't actually matter that the west think it isn't and that's the rub of the entire thing, when faced with an existential threat a leadership/military/country will do anything in it's capability to prevent it happening

 

[roydo]

It's an existential threat mate, doesn't actually matter that the west think it isn't and that's the rub of the entire thing, when faced with an existential threat a leadership/military/country will do anything in it's capability to prevent it happening

What threat?

 

[bluestevon]

Exactly. Unless those around him say enough is enough and take some sort of action to get rid of Putin

You do know that any successor to him would likely escalate ten fold, there's no fool like Yeltsin waiting to step in st the wests behalf mate - any successor would be to the right of Putin and likely far in that direction

 

[roydo]

escalate ten fold,

Escalate what? And why?

 

[bluestevon]

Nationalism is powerful drug, considering (mutual) hate, there is more chance opposite happen and they rally around.

Thing is mate, I know absolutely zero Russians in my life who hate Ukranians, it's akin to a guy from Liverpool hating people cos they come from Edinburgh or Wrexham

 

[Yarrgh]

If there was ever any will to bring Russia into the fold if the west as an equal then sure as hell encircling it with NATO countries kinda wasn't exactly signaling it was the goal was it?

Gonna wish a pox on Putin, then wish it on every US leader and every NATO country who voted yes (them all) whenever they've expanded NATO since 1990 mate against promises made.

The roots to thus entire thing date back to 1990 and escalated in the 2014 coup (popular uprising as it gets called (never a coup when it benefits the wests agenda btw always a popular uprising have you noticed)

I actually agree with all your points.

I am a huge opponent of NATO. It exists only to react to those whose existence it itself threatens. Instead of pouring money into it we could have spent it on improving our relationship with former Soviet bloc countries to avoid wars like this.

 

[LinekersLegs]

If the US has 11 divisions, why are two called the 101st and the 82nd?

I mean I think the names are cool, (based on Reacher novels mainly), but there must be a proper reason.

I’m assuming they are holdover names from the past including WW1 & 2 when the US had a much larger army and that some of the divisions kept their names (and therefore their history) rather than being rebranded.

@PhilM iirc you have done a lot of research about the World Wars, is that right?

 

[roydo]

I actually agree with all your points.

I am a huge opponent of NATO. It exists only react to those whose existence it itself threatens. Instead of pouring money into it we could have spent it on improving our relationship with former Soviet bloc countries to avoid wars like this.

I must be thick. Loads of former Soviet Bloc countries are in NATO arnt they? Other than Ukraine, which is the one that was attacked. I struggle to see why that makes NATO bad.