Gas station masquerading as a county defeating the US in two proxy wars simultaneously - Ukraine and Syria.
More balcony leaps incoming. Scandal rocks Moscow elite after prominent Putin cronies are heard calling Russian leader 'Satan' | Daily Mail Online
Russian soldiers confirm reports of blocking units to prevent retreats, as well as reporting that their officers demanded bribes to keep them off of the front lines. Not a good look for professionalism and competence of a military fighting force at war. Some soldiers were removed from hospitals (with shrapnel still in them) and returned to the front. Russian soldiers say they were sent into battle with 'blocking' units behind them to stop them from retreating
If true (and most of us here hope it is), then it certainly explains a few other things that have happened or not over the past couple of months.
Anything that amplifies the grumbling among Putin’s support is positive information for Ukraine. I am encouraged by the fact that Russia cannot win or sustain domestic tranquility by just sitting in its current positions and allowing Ukraine all of the initiative … yet its army seems unwilling or unable to take any meaningful offensive action.
Sweden summons Russia's ambassador over "legitimate target" statement I assume they want to laugh at him
Armenia, one of Putin's "allies", tells him not to visit, or they will arrest him. Russian Ally Warns Putin: Don’t Visit—or You’ll Get Arrested
Russia's military activities in the south of Ukraine have slowed down considerably, possibly due to destruction of ammunition dumps and artillery pieces. Attacks from aircraft continue, but relatively little ground action. A storm from the Black Sea is also restricting activities. Russian military activity in south of Ukraine seems to be abating
Russia is forcing foreign companies leaving the country to pay a 10% exit tax on the sales of assets. This is in addition to the 50% cut they were already taking. Things are getting very desperate in Russia. These companies (and others) will remember this theft, in addition to the business interruption of the unnecessary war, before they consider investing in Russia again. Russia is forcing Western companies exiting its market to make a donation to the country — and it's making it harder for them to leave
The warmongers at RedState are so sad ... Biden's Defense Department Resorts Turns Tail and Runs After Russia's Challenge Over the Black Sea
Outside of the scope of this thread, but California is doing and/or considering many similar measures to stop the outflow of both businesses and families. I knew there was a good reason Newsome got under my skin: aping Putin in just about anything grinds my gears.
Off topic, but newsome is opposed to it I think. California Wealth and Exit Tax Shows a Window Into the Future
Still off topic, but he’s in a relatively unique position of being able to appear (for the purposes of selling himself nationally) to oppose it while throwing his hands and accepting it. The California State Legislature has a veto-proof Democrat majority.
