Ukraine war mega thread

[Hugh Cow]

^ Yea, Russia might decide to invade

They might even bomb Ukrainian cities and kill civilians

[NamPikToot]

Wagner chief with two new recruits. Looks like they are recruiting in the US now

[bsnub]

Wagner chief with two new recruits. Looks like they are recruiting in the US now

That would not surprise me. If backspit/skiddy had some balls, he would be there. He is still young enough, but he is a batshit coward.

Do you have a link as to who these clowns are? Or are you just going to leave a pic and expect us to believe you?

[NamPikToot]

^ was on the front page of the telegraph

here: The Telegraph - Telegraph Online, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph - Telegraph

[Troy]

I would love to see that happen. Just what are they going to equip these conscripts with? Who is going to train them? They are already down to sending T-55's to the front.

You may well laugh but Putin is a cornered rat, which is very dangerous. There have been many reports recently of Putin wanting to declare war so that he can mobilise industry as well as full conscription without the duration restrictions. Excursions into Russia have already fuelled anger within the local populations and will provide an easier path for recruitment both internally and externally from Russia's current allies. What was an unpopular war from within Russia could quickly turn into a necessary one.

People have too often scoffed at adversaries only to be humiliated. It is important always to give respect to one's opponent and not to rest on ones laurels.

[helge]

The whole notion that one country can have a full scale invasion, mass murdering of civilians and leveling cities while the other has to play nice and not enter the aggressor's nation is utter nonsense, imho.

That's ofcourse one way of looking at 9-11

[helge]

It is important always to give respect to one's opponent and not to rest on ones laurels.

Sounds like:

"You should build a golden bridge for your opponent's retreat".

Sun Tzu ?

[bsnub]

There have been many reports recently of Putin wanting to declare war so that he can mobilise industry as well as full conscription without the duration restrictions.

To the first part of your comment, I ask what industry? This is not the former Soviet Union we are talking about, there is very little "industry" left in ruzzia, it is a hollowed out shell compared to pre-1991. What is left is almost completely crippled due to sanctions. In regard to conscription, it has never stopped, regardless of what ruzzian propaganda outlets report.

xcursions into Russia have already fuelled anger within the local populations and will provide an easier path for recruitment both internally and externally from Russia's current allies.

Anger from where? Bombastic propagandists? People, police and government official fled Belgorod en masse, they were not angry they were fleeing out of fear. The ruzzian people have already shown they have no stomach for this war, those that could have already fled the country.

What was an unpopular war from within Russia could quickly turn into a necessary one.

It is not like there is a Ukrainian tank column driving towards moskvy, we are talking about two brief covert incursions that have proven to be a major success. They have caused a stir internally in ruzzia creating panic and chaos and possibly forcing troops to be removed from the frontline. I hope they keep it up.

Sorry Troy, we will have to agree to disagree here.

[Norton]

The whole notion that one country can have a full scale invasion, mass murdering of civilians and leveling cities while the other has to play nice and not enter the aggressor's nation is utter nonsense

It sure is and as we are seeing, the Ukraine feels the same in spite of the conditions to only use military equipment supplied by the west to defend Ukranian territory.

The nations supplying the equipment knew damn well the equipment would eventually be used to attack Russian territory. It would be naive to think otherwise.

Regardless of what Putin calls it what we have is 2 nations at war and as such Russia will continue attacks and the Ukraine will respond in kind.

[panama hat]

Regardless of what Putin calls it what we have is 2 nations at war and as such Russia will continue attacks and the Ukraine will respond in kind.

Word. How can military appeasement even be considered when your people are being slaughtered without limits

[Troy]

Not quite the optimism of bsnub, but a bit more realistic...



I was expecting the offensive to have kicked off by now. I would be a bit concerned about options that could result in having to defend later on two fronts. That means it will have to be a decisive offensive.

[NamPikToot]

Hundreds of expelled Germans set to leave Russia

Hundreds of Germans working in the education and cultural sectors will be expelled from Russia next month, the German foreign ministry says.

It seems even Russians draw the line at German coffee table antics


It confirmed media reports that Russia had decided to cap the number of German employees from the start of June.


They include teachers at the German school in Moscow and staff at the Goethe Institute cultural association.


The move follows tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats and increasingly strained relations between Russia and Germany.


Last month, Russia and Germany each declared 40 employees of their respective embassies personae non gratae - or unwelcome - and expelled them.


German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported that the latest move will affect a "low-to-mid three-digit number" of employees, including diplomats.


"In view of this unilateral, unjustified and incomprehensible decision, the Federal Government is now concerned with ensuring a minimum presence of intermediaries in Russia while also maintaining a diplomatic presence," the newspaper quoted the German foreign ministry as saying.


In making a decision on the maximum number of Russians in Germany, the ministry said it would aim at ensuring real balance in practice.


Several EU countries have expelled Russian diplomats since the start of the war in Ukraine. More than 40 diplomats suspected of spying were issued expulsion orders from four EU countries in March 2022.


Russia and Germany used to share deep economic and cultural links, which have been strained in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.


Within days, Chancellor Olaf Scholz revolutionised Germany's foreign policy by boosting military spending and committing to send weapons direct to Ukraine.


Mr Scholz kept his promise. When, in January, Germany announced it would send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Russia accused it of abandoning its "historical responsibility to Russia" arising from Nazi crimes in World War Two.


Undeterred, earlier this month, Mr Scholz vowed to back Ukraine "for as long as it is necessary", promising €2.7bn (£2.4bn) worth of weapons.


Germany also worked hard to end its dependency on Russian gas thanks to a frantic buying operation from other countries and the record-time building of its very first import terminal for liquified natural gas (LNG).


With the expulsion of diplomats and cultural and education employees, the remaining ties between Russia and Germany are set to be put under yet more strain.

Hundreds of expelled Germans set to leave Russia - BBC News

[bsnub]

I would be a bit concerned about options that could result in having to defend later on two fronts.

Defend from what? T-55's and some untrained conscripts?

[Troy]

^ Well, there's no danger of you ever overestimating the opposition is there...

[Hugh Cow]

I think everybody did that at the start of the conflict until they saw what the Russians were actually capable of. This war has already cost Putin the prestige of being considered a military world power. They are not capable of mixing it with the big boys and are at best a paper tiger with nuclear weapons. When you think of how long they've been planning this with the west napping and this is the best they could achieve.

[Troy]

The Russians have certainly failed offensively with tactics bordering on the suicidal. They have failed to protect their armour and fallen into ambush after ambush.

That still doesn't make the Ukraine task easy when it comes to the counteroffensive. They will need an early breakthrough to gain the initiative and they need to sustain the offensive throughout the summer.

[Hugh Cow]

The Russians have certainly failed offensively with tactics bordering on the suicidal. They have failed to protect their armour and fallen into ambush after ambush.

That still doesn't make the Ukraine task easy when it comes to the counteroffensive. They will need an early breakthrough to gain the initiative and they need to sustain the offensive throughout the summer.

I dont think anyone thinks this will be a cakewalk especially as the Russians have bombed anything still standing. I doubt if any Russian will even be made accountable for the murder and devestation.

[Takeovers]

I doubt if any Russian will even be made accountable for the murder and devestation.

Maybe not in court. But Russia will be treated as a pariah state for a long time.

[bsnub]

tactics bordering on the suicidal.

Tens of thousands of men died in human wave attacks spurred on by the barrel of a gun, and you call that bordering?

[bsnub]

Drones have struck muscovy. Air defense is clearly full of holes...

https://twitter.com/JeffFisch/status...24268695158786


ruzzian telegram channels in full meltdown mode.

[Pragmatic]

A good video explaining Russia's recent tank losses.

[helge]

Anyone for a bit of antiques ?

[baldrick]

it seems the average russian population does not have much sympathy for the people whose houses were hit by wayward drones

[panama hat]

it seems the average russian population does not have much sympathy for the people whose houses were hit by wayward drones

. . . because the area hit is the wealthiest area of Moscow, one of whom showed her opulent home and complained . . . while the average Igor is eeking out a living.

Added to which the Russian military said they and diverted drones . . . which caused a bit of humour as they hit the wealthy area. An influential radio guy then said that laughing at this was treasonous as the affected oligarchs were Russian.

Ah, you can't make it up.


Nice clip, balders.

[bsnub]

Anyone for a bit of antiques ?

That video was incredible for one reason, those Thompson submachine guns. Those were WW2 era lend-lease weapons, still knew in the crate and in perfect condition. They are worth a fortune.