Current Affairs Ukraine

[Neiler]

Ukrainians advance as Russia says first phase over

Russia has signalled it was scaling back its ambitions in Ukraine to focus on territory claimed by Russian-backed separatists as Ukrainian forces went on the offensive to recapture towns on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv.

www.rte.ie

 

[wm02]

Probably like many of you, I had never heard of Mariupol before the war in Ukraine. A uni acquaintance of mine has been a photographer in Ukraine for years and is selling some of his prints from Mariupol from before the conflict. Interesting look from better times.

Brendan Hoffman • Mariupol Print Sale Fundraiser

Fine art photo print sale from Mariupol, Ukraine, to raise money for the 24.02 Fund supporting Ukrainian journalists

www.brendanhoffman.com

 

[Big Sams Undies]

Ukrainians advance as Russia says first phase over

Russia has signalled it was scaling back its ambitions in Ukraine to focus on territory claimed by Russian-backed separatists as Ukrainian forces went on the offensive to recapture towns on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv.

www.rte.ie

Lol

“Well we never wanted to take Kiev anyway…”

 

[tsubaki]

Does this not put nato countries within actual line of fire of putins amateurs ?

Perhaps, though it would only happen with Putin's consent

 

[Sassy Colombian]

All war is wrong. All hatred of our fellow humans - including some of our players- is also wrong.

Life is way too short but there is a very long eternity ahead of us. Can we not just be tolerant of each other. Criticism is fine but hatred and killing is disgusting.

Such wise post!

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

India's Russian arms explain "shaky" Ukraine stance | DefenceTalk

When 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a recent border clash with China, the military hardware New Delhi sent to bolster its Himalayan frontier was mostly Russian-origin, showing not for the first time its closeness to "longstanding and time-tested friend" Moscow. Facing an increasingly...

www.defencetalk.com

 

[PhilM]

 

[Gwlacticos]

The Ukrainians need to get a sniper on this guy ASAP....

Russian general demands to know why soldier 'has not had ears cut off'

Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev was heard berating a junior officer for not cutting off the ears of a private who had been caught not wearing his uniform properly in an intercepted phone call.

www.dailymail.co.uk

To be fair to the General, you can’t have the chaps wandering about with buttons undone and bootlaces trailing, it just looks all untidy.

 

[PhilM]

An extract from 'How to annoy countries for Dummies'.

Russia to conduct drills on disputed islands after Japan-imposed sanctions​

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
An aerial image of one of the four islets making up the Kuril island chain, or Japan's Northern TerritoriesImage caption: An aerial image of one of the four islets making up the Kuril island chain, or Japan's Northern Territories
Russia has said it is conducting drills on islands that are contested by Japan, days after withdrawing from peace talks in response to Toky's decision to impose sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Four islands - which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan calls the Northern Territories - are the subject of a more than 70-year-old dispute between the two nations.
Because of the dispute, Russia and Japan have not yet signed a peace treaty to end World War II.
Earlier this week, Russia said it was withdrawing from negotiations with Japan aimed at signing that treaty, because of Tokyo's tough stance against Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
And now, Russia's Eastern Military District says it will conduct military drills on the islands with more than 3,000 troops and hundreds of pieces of army equipment.
Japan had earlier condemned Russia for withdrawing from the peace talks and for halting joint economic projects in relation to the islands.

 

[Yarrgh]

An extract from 'How to annoy countries for Dummies'.

The Kuril Islands were acquired in Yalta and formerly ceded by Japan in 1951. Japan then argued that these Kuril islands weren't really part of the Kuril Islands- pretty much the same situation as in Crimea but with with Russia's position now being reversed. Whilst it's provocation if they're militarising them, I'd only start to worry if they let their Chinese friends station there.

 

[PhilM]

The Kuril Islands were acquired in Yalta and formerly ceded by Japan in 1951. Japan then argued that these Kuril islands weren't really part of the Kuril Islands- pretty much the same situation as in Crimea but with with Russia's position now being reversed. Whilst it's provocation if they're militarising them, I'd only start to worry if they let their Chinese friends station there.

Aye, I get the history and the claims from both sides. In fact, I'm not even too fussed about the finer details of actual ownership and whatnot as that's not the issue.

The point is that at this time of confrontation Russia has belligerently decided to antagonise Japan and go against recommendations from the EU and co.

While it's likely a show of strength for the Russian people rather than anything else - although it's a way of keeping some eyes elsewhere, it's reckless.

Putin is probably thinking divide and conquer (remove Japan's focus) and have a way of extending their reach, but it'll only push them further away.

 

[PhilM]

They’re still of the thinking that good soldiers/infantry work on bullying hierarchy. They’re quickly learning the truth

I've been pondering on this for a while. For me and many, discipline is a huge part of a strong, effective army - in fact, it is the backbone of what makes one.

Napoleon's Grande Armée were famous for the discipline and professional, and so much so Wellington had to use the Provosts to harshly shape his man.

Failure to do so would have meant they'd have struggled to stand up against them. Think similar with the Old Contemptibles and many 'professional'* armies.

Part of that is that a high-bar when it comes to standards such as drill (add borking GIF), dress and the general basics. These form the backbone.

I think back to getting beasted for stuff, a boss smacking me around the head and being verbally abused. Now some took pleasure from it, I totally accept that.

But I'd say from my personal experience, the vast majority did it for the sole purpose of ensuring standards, which could/would ultimately keep us alive.

And there it comes to the crux of it... can you look at them and go, 'I get it, they're actually a good leader' or are they purely sadists in it for themselves.

The former can and does add to moral. The latter doesn't and that's what I suspect is happening over there in Russia where there's no moral and no discipline.

If you're not committed to the fight and trust in those above you, you're already half way to defeat. Wanting to cut off a man's ear for dress? What the fluff?

How's that going to build moral and momentum? Worse, I'm sure said general should be far more concerned with many other aspects than that right now.

He needs to get his priorities in check.

*I'm talking less here about professional (standing) armies in the purest sense, but rather the effective ones.

 

[bluebud]

 

[Frenk]

All war is wrong. All hatred of our fellow humans - including some of our players- is also wrong.

Life is way too short but there is a very long eternity ahead of us. Can we not just be tolerant of each other. Criticism is fine but hatred and killing is disgusting.

Very true, I think the problem here is that every single person on this forum is guilty of this in some way or form, including me. Just go take a look. Better not actually. ?

 

[edge]

Biden making a good speech about Ukraine now.