War in Ukraine

I’m better looking than you, faster and stronger than you, have more money, better informed in my field AND yours and and would batter you in ping-pong.

Presumptuous of me ? Nonsense. My surmise is as intelligently-formed as is your …

“Russia is larger and more militaristic, and run by barbarians, but is inefficient and clumsy, and the soldiers are poorly motivated to win this non-existential war. Ukraine is able neutralize Russia's advantages because of superior leadership, (western) technology, and motivation to win this existential war (for them).

 

The only problem for you is that the evidence supports me, not you. Your brain is too full of Russian propaganda. Western "propaganda"--or news--(from major news sources) is nowhere near as biased or completely wrong as communist propaganda. The entire communist system is based on (a) generating propaganda that indicates that your country is the best and everything is just fine, and (b) forcing people to believe in it (or pretend to believe in it). I just happen to be intelligent enough to trust western news sources and not trust communist propaganda. You are obviously not so bright to do the same, as you frequently cite individuals with no credibility and an (anti-western) axe to grind.

Communism becomes dangerous when you light a match of nationalism under all the piles of propaganda, because there are always some people that actually believe the propaganda.

 

and higher taxes...

 

Yeah, it states right in the article he linked that the growth is a result of increased govt spending and somehow he thinks that is a good thing.
Guessing that govt spending isn't education and infrastructure. So gullible.

 

Sad news for the Putin pumpers. Someone needs to get him near a window so Russia can move on. Bullies suck when they get punched back.

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4824231-russia-evacuates-kursk-putin-ukraine/

Russia has evacuated some 180,000 people from Kursk as President Vladimir Putin decried a Ukrainian offensive in the border region and accused Kyiv of seeking to “create discord” and “instill fear” in his country.

 

A dk post referring to other sites indicating Ukraine has progressed much further than expected in Kursk. Objective still unknown.

Syrskyi Lifts OPSEC Just a Tad ... Ukrainian Incursion Doing Better Than Analysts Reports

Top Ukrainian commander says his forces now control almost 390 square miles of Russia's Kursk region

 

Ukraine’s objective since day 1 has been for Russia to pack up, go home, and leave them alone. Playing defense for 2.5 years has made the cost to Russia very costly (men and money) but hasn’t caused them to turn around and go home. Maybe bringing the war to the Russian people in such a flagrant and embarrassing fashion will encourage some in the Kremlin to reconsider their original objectives - whatever they were.

 

The Russians know why Ukraine is visiting them and attacking them. They know that Ukraine is not doing anything to Russia that Russia has not done to Ukraine in the last 2.5 years. Most of them know that the Nazi story was a lie. They were probably grateful that they have not had to experience the devastation that Ukraine has for the entire war. But now that war has visited them, the people of Kursk are well aware of why it did and why they have no right to be angry about it with anyone but Putin.

Russians know that Putin has been making a land grab that's going on 30 months. They also know that there are a lot of targets of military importance in western Russia, including logistical supply lines, oil refineries, energy infrastructure, military airfields, etc. They also know that Ukraine does not have a large enough military to take Moscow. And that's what it would take to make this an existential war for Russia. This is a local problem for Kursk, not a national one for Russia, except that it is a major embarrassment for Putin.

There is no question that this is a smart move on the part of Ukraine, especially if they can damage rail lines, knock out electricity, and force Russia to defend its own territory with much more troops and equipment.

 

Putin using Ukraine's little field trip into Mother Russia as a justification for another troop mobilization?

 

That might be exactly what Ukraine has in mind. They have been trying to provoke Russia into the next stage of mobilization for over a year.

 

Ukraine now claims they are in control of 1000 sq. km (386 sq. miles) of Russia. Ouch! They are looking forward to Russia's surrender.

Way to keep a lid on the incursion, Putin!

In other news, a Russian Ka-52 helicopter attacked a column of troops and destroyed a self-propelled gun. The only problem for them was that the troops and gun were both Russian.

Ukraine touts huge gains in Kursk region as it takes war back to Russia

 

Belgorod becomes terrified of the Ukrainian onslaught and evacuates 14,000. It's contagious!

Russia's Belgorod region evacuates 14,000 people as Ukrainian incursion gathers momentum

 

thanks. read it elsewhere the Ukraine was controlling the skies but couldn't find the link. if that is true and they have combined armor and air, it is no wonder Russia can do little to slow them down.

Conscripts getting a chance to surrender likely thinking it is their lucky day. This lack of desire to fight may be a big reason why Ukraine is able to move so fast

Russians surrender in Kursk as Ukrainians advance with momentum (msn.com)

 

Said this before..I imagine there is more than 1 former fighter pilot that wouldn't mind doing this

Retired US pilots could fly Ukraine's F-16s, Lindsey Graham suggests

 

Shutting downbyoutube the last straw?

Russians threaten to take to the streets over YouTube ban

 

Sure, that's how they roll. Since when did a few hundred thousand dead citizens mean anything to Russian leadership. Like EVER?

 

Xi putting the screws to Putin. Doubt this happens without Xi approval

Chinese banks turn away Russian traders in blow to Putin's wartime economy
As many as 98 percent of Chinese banks are rejecting direct Chinese yuan payments from Russia, the Russian newspaper Izvestia reported Monday, citing business representatives.
Since January, an increasing number of large financial institutions, such as China CITIC Bank and the Bank of China, have been jumping ship on yuan-denominated transactions with Russia. Chinese regional banks, previously believed to be a safer bet for cross-border transactions because of the lower exposure to international markets, have now followed suit.

 

If Putin decides he does not have enough problems and would like to bring in NATO as direct belligerents, then he should absolutely consider doing that.

 

I absolutely don’t want to see this happen. The loss of life would be tragic but I am morbidly curious about what Russia would think of a little conventional shock and awe treatment from nato.