They're probably gonna cannibalize the planes to keep some operational until a suitable, albeit inevitably much inferior, Russian(Sino-Russian?) alternative is available. It's probably more of a "if I can't have it then you can't either" kind of move. If they're desperate enough, maybe they'd even start producing Tu-154's again.
First off I have said several times in this thread I don't want American troops on the ground or on the air or sea in this. I agree with the President that participation in creating a no fly zone over Ukraine is basically bringing NATO into the war. But we are supplying anti tank weapons, ammunition, food, supplies and even anti aircraft weapons. Where is the line? Putin could just say that supplying those items is an act of war and attack NATO. If he does that, then I think the gloves come off of NATO. If he gets desperate, I am afraid that is what he will do. Then again, as a human with empathy for my fellow humans, it pains me to see the destruction being rained down on these people.
Old USSR used to highly support sports & the arts, especially ballet companies like the Bolshoi. There's now been several artists including their music director and one of their lead ballerinas who have quit, denouncing the war & Putin, and taking their skills elsewhere like Denmark or France. Good for them...loads of respect for them. 'We cannot remain indifferent': Russian star ballerina Olga Smirnova quits Bolshoi Ballet
Cnn live: "Japan's Defense Ministry says it spotted 4 Russian warships, possibly taking troops to Ukraine From CNN's Emiko Jozuka in Tokyo Four Russian warships passed through the Tsugaru Strait in northeastern Japan between Tuesday and Wednesday, possibly transporting troops and combat vehicles to Ukraine, Japan's Defense Ministry said Wednesday. "Japan’s Ministry of Defense will continue to monitor the situation and movements of the Russian army with a high sense of caution," the ministry said on its official Twitter account."
Cnn live "Russia resorting to older weapons more likely to cause civilian casualties, UK Defense Ministry says From CNN's Hira Humayun and Josh Campbell Russia is resorting to the use of older, less precise weapons that are less militarily effective and more likely to result in civilian casualties, according to the UK Ministry of Defence's latest intelligence update Thursday. Due to the delays in "achieving their objectives and failure to control Ukrainian airspace," the ministry said Russia has probably “expended far more stand-off air launched weapons than originally planned,” leading them to resort to weapons that are less militarily effective."
Cnn live "Putin calls pro-Western Russians "national traitors" From CNN's Seán Federico-O'Murchú and Sarah Dean Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has clamped down on any dissent since the invasion of Ukraine, on Wednesday blasted pro-Western Russians by calling them “national traitors” in a televised address. “The West will try to rely on the so-called fifth column, on national traitors, on those who earn money here with us but live there. And I mean ‘live there’ not even in the geographical sense of the word, but according to their thoughts, their slavish consciousness,” Putin said. These people "cannot live without oysters and gender freedom," he added. The term "fifth column" usually refers to enemy sympathizers and originated during the Spanish Civil War."
Russia says it made a payment to avoid default - CNN Russia claims its made its payments to avoid default...but used frozen assets and basically puts it on the US if the funds don't go through. I don't think that's how it works
Cnn live "Zelensky cites post-Holocaust phrase Never Again in address to German lawmakers From CNN's Inke Kappeler in Berlin Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made explicit reference to the Holocaust in an address to German lawmakers Thursday. “Every year politicians say never again. Now I see that these words are worthless. In Europe a people is being destroyed," he said while speaking to lawmakers via a video address at the Bundestag."
I agree that 700 is impossible, and likely the result of the inability of independent agencies to verify civilian deaths totals during a war. The city officials in Mariupol report 1200 civilians dead just in their city, which is completely out of step with the UN number.
No idea. And would they be allowed through the Red Sea/Suez anyway? Interesting to see if Turkey buckles & lets them pass. Or if Turkey says no & Russia goes anyways/attacks Turkey, which is a member of NATO.
LONDON, March 17 (Reuters) - Russia warned the United States on Thursday that Moscow had the might to put the world's pre-eminent superpower in its place and accused the West of stoking a wild Russophobic plot to tear Russia apart. Dmitry Medvedev, who served as president from 2008 to 2012 and is now deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council, said the United States had stoked "disgusting" Russophobia in an attempt to force Russia to its knees. Russia warns United States: we have the might to put you in your place
Sadly, since Boeing had to turn over designs to the Chinese several years back, I am sure that there are plenty of Chinese knock-off parts available for any Boeing aircraft in Russia. Not sure about Airbus, but sure that they signed up to the same "sold our soul for profits" deal with China. Another reason why I laugh at all of the morons thumping their chest over "protecting US IP" when our corporate leaders turn it over willingly to meet quarter profit or growth targets.
Well, he is not wrong. The US and Russia both hold the power to kill the entire world several times over. The US, therefore, can make the same infintile claim in response.
