Ukraine war mega thread

[russellsimpson]

Vancouver is pretty much unaffordable to all excepting rich Chinese who are buying Vancouver real estate in record numbers. Anybody with an average income can forget a home in Vancouver unless you've inherited one. Much resentment is developing, I'm happy to no longer live in the city.
​

What is the most severely unaffordable housing market in North America as measured by local household incomes in relationship to local home prices?
By this measure, I’m happy to report that San Francisco, which sports the highest median home price in the US at about four times the national median, is off the hook. It’s off the hook because median household income is $92,100. It’s only in third place of the most severely unaffordable housing markets. California has four cities in the top 10 — San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego — but none is number one on that honor roll.

Number one is Vancouver, Canada, with a median home price of $1.11 million and a median household income of $64,000 (all amounts in US dollars at the exchange rate effective at the time of the study).
Toronto, whose formidable housing bubble is now under pressure, is the second most unaffordable market in Canada with a median home price of $471,600 and a median household income of $62,600. But it’s only in 13th place overall.

The Most Unaffordable Housing Markets in North America

And yes, back to topic,

[HermantheGerman]

Russia paints 'invasion stripes' on assault vehicles as forces gather near Ukraine border



EXCLUSIVE: Russia will soon have an assault force of 107,000 troops along Ukraine's border, with an estimated 1,300 battle tanks, 3,700 drones, 1,300 artillery and mortar units and 380 multiple launch rocket systems

MORE Russia paints 'invasion stripes' on assault vehicles as forces gather near Ukraine border - World News - Mirror Online

They are talking about 150,000 Russians troops now.
Pig Face Putin is in a big mess. Putin's popularity is down the drain. He needs a conflict/war in order to gain voters.

[russellsimpson]

Who are these people "talking about" 150,000 now?

Can I take it that you're not a big Putin fan?

[Klondyke]

Pig Face Putin is in a big mess. Putin's popularity is down the drain. He needs a conflict/war in order to gain voters.

Because he cannot swallow the overwhelming landslide popularity of his counterpart sitting (and sometimes stumbling) behind the ocean who makes any possible effort to bring peace and prosperity worldwide (Afgh., Iraq, Libya, Syria, you name it, included)...

[HermantheGerman]

I think this makes more sense. They themselves should know


Russia never was and never will be Europe, we are not like anyone, Europe lives in a changing history, but we live in an eternal fairy tale.

[sabang]

Putins popularity rating has indeed plunged- to the lowest level it has been in his Presidency. At 59%, it is the same as Joe Biden! That's unique- a US Prez being equally as popular as Vlad.

Have you checked Angela Merkels popularity, Helmut? Unless you hate her too, maybe don't.


And don't even bother checking navalny's, unless you hate yourself too.

[Klondyke]

At 59%,

In February 2021, 65 percent of Russians approved of activities of the Russian president Vladimir Putin. In the previous month, that share was slightly lower, which could be explained by the growing dissatisfaction toward the arrest and sentence of the opposition politician Alexei Navalny. In October of the previous year, the rating was higher at 69 percent. In February and March 2019, one of the reasons behind the decline were the pension reform and a retirement age hike.
• Putin approval rating Russia monthly 2021 | Statista



Putin's approval rating holds steady despite Navalny crackdown: poll
FEBRUARY 4, 202111
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Nationwide protests over the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a sweeping police crackdown have so far had little impact on Russia President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating, a survey by independent pollster Levada showed on Thursday.

The Levada Centre poll, conducted in the leadup to the sentencing, showed an overall 1% drop in approval of Putin to 64% from 65% in November among 1,616 adults in 50 regions, a relatively small sample of Russia’s 145 million population.

Over the course of the year, his rating among younger respondents had dropped 17% to 51%, it said.
Putin'''s approval rating holds steady despite Navalny crackdown: poll | Reuters

[Klondyke]

Back to topic:

These petty figures (of troops inside their own country):

Initially, Borrell told reporters that “there’s more than 150,000 Russian troops massing on the Ukrainian borders and in Crimea," and doubled down on the figure later before his services had to correct it in the transcript, saying the real figure was over 100,000.
EU Warns '''Spark''' Could Set off Escalation at Ukraine Borders | World News | US News

A spokesperson for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last week there are about 80,000 troops
Steady increase in Russian troops in Crimea on Ukraine border, says Pentagon

BTW, how many troops (sorry servicemen) are worldwide outside their own country? (I do not dare to place here again the link what was recently deleted, obviously because few year old, we like to have here only fresh figures)...

[Backspin]

They are talking about 150,000 Russians troops now.
Pig Face Putin is in a big mess. Putin's popularity is down the drain. He needs a conflict/war in order to gain voters.

Oh yes. Putin needs a diversion for the successful rollout of Sputnik V and a sovereign debt upgrade from Fitch.

https://www.fitchratings.com/researc...ble-09-04-2021

It's the precise opposite.

Zelensky’s fall from grace | Global Risk Insights

[russellsimpson]

More attention directed at the Sea of Aziz in the last 24 hours.

I had been assuming that Russia had the right to cut traffic off through the strait.

The issue of Eastern Ukrainian ports being essentially isolated for a period of almost six months is of concern. Any in our collection of Ukrainian commentators on the forum happen to know the status of the straights? ( the Kerch Straights)

[Neverna]

More attention directed at the Sea of Aziz in the last 24 hours.

Sea of Aziz? Do you mean the Sea of Azov?

[russellsimpson]

Yes, thank you. I've done that more than once.

[HermantheGerman]

In February 2021, 65 percent of Russians approved of activities of the Russian president Vladimir Putin. In the previous month, that share was slightly lower, which could be explained by the growing dissatisfaction toward the arrest and sentence of the opposition politician Alexei Navalny. In October of the previous year, the rating was higher at 69 percent. In February and March 2019, one of the reasons behind the decline were the pension reform and a retirement age hike.
• Putin approval rating Russia monthly 2021 | Statista



Putin's approval rating holds steady despite Navalny crackdown: poll
FEBRUARY 4, 202111
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Nationwide protests over the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a sweeping police crackdown have so far had little impact on Russia President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating, a survey by independent pollster Levada showed on Thursday.

The Levada Centre poll, conducted in the leadup to the sentencing, showed an overall 1% drop in approval of Putin to 64% from 65% in November among 1,616 adults in 50 regions, a relatively small sample of Russia’s 145 million population.

Over the course of the year, his rating among younger respondents had dropped 17% to 51%, it said.
Putin'''s approval rating holds steady despite Navalny crackdown: poll | Reuters

Great news! Russia is a great country where the press is free to report. What does Russia and third world country in Africa have in common? Their President/Dictator gets (s)elected for Life.

In Russia (150, -1), parliament passed a large number of laws in 2020 that further restrict freedom of the press and increase online surveillance. RSF counts the media supervisory authority Roskomnadzor among the biggest enemies of the internet worldwide. In October, the independent publisher Irina Slavina committed suicide in Nizhny Novgorod in protest at ongoing state harassment.
Welcome to RSF Website | RSF

[HermantheGerman]

...... sovereign debt upgrade from Fitch.

https://www.fitchratings.com/researc...ble-09-04-2021

Jeezus! Can any one be actually that stupid and post this.

[Backspin]

Great news! Russia is a great country where the press is free to report. What does Russia and third world country in Africa have in common? Their President/Dictator gets (s)elected for Life.

In Russia (150, -1), parliament passed a large number of laws in 2020 that further restrict freedom of the press and increase online surveillance. RSF counts the media supervisory authority Roskomnadzor among the biggest enemies of the internet worldwide. In October, the independent publisher Irina Slavina committed suicide in Nizhny Novgorod in protest at ongoing state harassment.
Welcome to RSF Website | RSF

Funding Sources

Robert Menard, the Secretary General of RSF, was forced to confess that RSF's budget was primarily provided by "US organizations strictly linked with US foreign policy" (Thibodeau, La Presse).

• NED (US$39,900 paid 14 Jan 2005)
• Center for a Free Cuba (USAID and NED funded) $50,000 per year NED grant. Contract was signed by Otto Reich
• European Union (1.2m Euro) -- currently contested in EU parliament
• Rights & Democracy in 2004 supported Reporters Without Borders-Canada [1]

"Grants from private foundations (Open Society Foundation, Center for a Free Cuba, Fondation de France, National Endowment for Democracy) were slightly up, due to the Africa project funded by the NED and payment by Center for a Free Cuba for a reprint of the banned magazine De Cuba." [2]

Otto Juan Reich, "born in Cuba, ... was the director of the Latin American division of the ominously misnamed Agency for International Development (AID) during the Reagan administration. According to declassified documents, former US attorney general and general adviser to AID, John R. Bolton, described the organisation as 'a subsidiary of the CIA which serves to promote political and economic interest of the federal government through financial assistance programs abroad

[Klondyke]

Great news! Russia is a great country where the press is free to report. What does Russia and third world country in Africa have in common? Their President/Dictator gets (s)elected for Life.

You have humbly forget to mention the lady in your Motherland, that's also quite an achievement, isn't it? However, when somebody is good for the country, why not? Do they change Kings, Queens? Aren't they also good for the country?

Anyway, in the country where it's not so easy to find a good man/woman for the country, they have to organize a big show for the people, keeping them busy for 4 years, spending big money (who pays for it?). And at the end of the day (and 4 years) who they get?

[OhOh]

sovereign debt upgrade from Fitch.

Only of the Russian Sverdlovsk Region.

As we all know, Russia is just a "gas station".

[OhOh]

I had been assuming that Russia had the right to cut traffic off through the strait.

The issue of Eastern Ukrainian ports being essentially isolated for a period of almost six months is of concern. Any in our collection of Ukrainian commentators on the forum happen to know the status of the straights? ( the Kerch Straights)

As the island of Crimea and the mainland to its east are both Russian sovereign territory, I suspect "UNCLOS RULES" apply.

Russia has both signed and adopted UNCLOS

Unlike some countries, who still commit "piracy". My gun is bigger than yours, submit or sink.

A 12 mile distance around the island and a straight line back to the mainland. Similar to most island/mainland situations around the world.

SECTION 2. LIMITS OF THE TERRITORIAL SEA

Article 3

Breadth of the territorial sea

Every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea upto a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baselines determined in accordance with this Convention.

Article 4

Outer limit of the territorial sea

The outer limit of the territorial sea is the line every point of which is at a distance from the nearest point of the baseline equal to the breadth of the territorial sea.

Article 5

Normal baseline

Except where otherwise provided in this Convention, the normal baselinefor measuring the breadth of the territorial sea is the low-water line along the coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the coastal State.

https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf


As for access through the straits I believe Russia and Ukraine had an agreement. Open access for commercial and military ships, subject to Russian "rules".

There was an incident a year or so ago where Ukrainian warships tried to ignore the Russian "rules" and the illegal attempt failed.

I suspect recent events have annulled any such agreement/ship movement. Ukraine does have other usable ports, so there is no blockade as such.

Now that the Ukraine government has passed laws allowing it to "retake" land it considers to be Ukrainian, by force/acts of their army, navy, air force, foreign mercenaries and even allegedly foreign governments' army, navy, air force, foreign mercenaries .... arguably a state of war was passed?

Although the allegations, being illegal are being denied/"clarified" daily.

[Backspin]

[cyrille]

Although the allegations, being illegal are being denied/"clarified" daily.

The allegations are illegal?

Say what?

[russellsimpson]

^^^ Thanks, I'll check some of those links.

Meanwhile, Putin deliveries State of the Nation address. This is from the "leaning-right" National Post out of Toronto. It's a short summary. If anybody has anything better, please post it up.



Putin's state of nation speech: trade, tax, environment, COVID

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual state-of-the-nation speech on Wednesday. Below are some of the highlights:

WEAPONS TREATIES “It is precisely as a leader in the creation of new generation combat systems, in the development of modern nuclear forces, that Russia once again invites its partners to discuss issues related to strategic armaments, ensuring global stability.”
“The primary goal of such talks could be to create an environment of conflict-free coexistence based on an equalization of security that would encompass… all offensive and defensive systems capable of meeting strategic objectives.”


INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS “Russia has its own interests, of course, which we are defending and will defend within the framework of international law… And if others refuse to understand this obvious thing, do not want to engage in dialog, choose an egotistical and arrogant tone, Russia will always find a way to defend its positions.”

EXPORTS “We need to significantly simplify conditions for non-commodity exporters… We need to remove all excessive currency control restrictions for these exporters.” “This procedure should start working this year in July.”

TAXATION “It looks like we will see record corporate sector profits this year, despite all the challenges we encountered… Let’s see how these profits are spent, and with this in mind we will take some decisions on the possible fine-tuning of tax legislation at the end of the year.”
“Some (companies) withdraw dividends, while others invest in the development of their enterprises and of entire industries. We will encourage those who invest, of course.”


ENVIRONMENT “I request that passage is sped up of the law making business owners financially liable for the clean-up of accumulated (environmental) damage and for reclamation of sites. The approach is simple: if you make a profit at the expense of nature, you clean up after yourself.”
“In the country’s 12 largest industrial centers, atmospheric emissions must be reduced by 20% by 2024, through a comprehensive modernization of industry, of the housing and utilities sector, of transport and energy.” “I also propose to expand the system of quotas for harmful emissions, where the issue of air quality is acute, and to establish responsibility for its observance.”
“Accumulated greenhouse gas emissions should be lower than in the European Union.”

COVID-19 “Everyone must have the opportunity to be vaccinated, as this will allow for so-called collective immunity to be developed in the autumn. A solution to this problem lies in our and your hands, in the hands of all citizens. I once again address all Russian citizens with the call: get vaccinated.”

[Klondyke]

^Actually, his speech has covered mainly domestic issues, problems, outlooks. Mentioning of international problems hasn't taken more than some 1/5 of the whole show.

Here something from the first hand:

Putin vows Russia will always uphold its spiritual and moral values

Spiritual and moral values, which some countries are forgetting about, have made Russia stronger, Putin said

MOSCOW, April 21. /TASS/. Spiritual and moral values, which some countries are beginning to forget about, only make the Russian people stronger, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday in his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly.

He noted that throughout history, the people of Russia had triumphed over their trials and tribulations thanks to their unity.

"And today, family, friendship, mutual assistance, and compassion have come to the fore for us. Spiritual and moral values, which some countries are forgetting about, have, on the contrary, made us stronger, and we will always uphold and protect these values," Putin pledged.

He noted that, during the pandemic, the solidarity of Russia’s residents had manifested itself in specific deeds, such as taking care of loved ones, and people's willingness to help those in need. Millions of people became volunteers, and the We Are Together national campaign has brought together individuals from all walks of life, the Russian president noted.

Putin added that the service of representatives of traditional religions had become "the spiritual backbone of society, as it always was in difficult times." That said, the head of state addressed the clergy present in the hall, "I would like to take a deep bow before you all. Thank you very much."

Putin vows Russia will always uphold its spiritual and moral values - Russian Politics & Diplomacy - TASS

[Klondyke]

‘Red lines’ for Russia infringing on its interests and attempts of meddling, says Kremlin

Meanwhile, the Kremlin spokesman did not specify whom Putin warned that crossing these lines was unacceptable

MOSCOW, April 21. /TASS/. The "red lines" mentioned by President Vladimir Putin in his address are clear: encroaching on national interests and meddling in its political processes, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station on Wednesday.

"As for the red lines, they are clear," Peskov said. "In the first place, these are our national interests, the interests of our external and domestic security and preventing any foreign meddling <...> in our elections and other political processes. This is preventing an insulting talk with our country, infringing on our country’s economic interests and so on," he noted.

Meanwhile, Peskov did not specify whom Putin warned that crossing these lines was unacceptable. "Well, he has warned Shere Khan and minions," Peskov said, referring to Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book, mentioned by Putin in his address.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Russian leader said in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly that "taking digs" at Russia was transforming into some sort of sport. While commenting on some countries’ attempts to criticize Russia Putin made an allusion to Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, in particular such characters as jackal Tabaqui, who was always hanging around his boss, tiger Shere Khan, "keen to play along, thus winning favors from the sovereign" (a clear hint at Russia’s main adversaries and their minions).

‘Red lines’ for Russia infringing on its interests and attempts of meddling, says Kremlin - Russian Politics & Diplomacy - TASS

[russellsimpson]

Cy already lurking, a bad omen indeed.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS “Russia has its own interests, of course, which we are defending and will defend within the framework of international law… And if others refuse to understand this obvious thing, do not want to engage in dialog, choose an egotistical and arrogant tone, Russia will always find a way to defend its positions.”

This is as simple as it gets. Russia has its own interests and will defend those interests against all those who fuck with them.

This one is long overdue. In Canada the taxpayers are still left to pay for the messes industry makes.

The approach is simple: if you make a profit at the expense of nature, you clean up after yourself.”

The western media are already screaching "what about Navalny!,"what about Navalny!"

So, what about the attention seeking twat.

On his deathbed now, apparently, "according to third party," "requested anonymity", "fading fast"........,

“Accumulated greenhouse gas emissions should be lower than in the European Union.”

Smart move, no?

“The primary goal of such talks could be to create an environment of conflict-free coexistence based on an equalization of security that would encompass… all offensive and defensive systems capable of meeting strategic objectives.”

Good. I'll vote in the affirmative sir,

[OhOh]

On his deathbed now, apparently, "according to third party," "requested anonymity", "fading fast"........,

The guy who survived lethal poison can't hack prison food.

Maybe a friend can take him a bottle of fresh water.