Russia - threadbanned users in OP

So far the reports from Russia seem to be to the tune of "I went to the supermarket, and wanted to buy my favourite brand of cheese, but they didn't have it and that made me sad". Feels like it's going to take a bit longer for anyone to crack. And the state's control of information is tightening, with media sites and social media being shut down so the disinformation campaign is likely to work for a while longer at least.

It feels like we get an overly optimistic view on the effects of the sanctions, because any effect will be reported - since it's evidence of the west actually doing something - but how effective they really are? I don't know.

I believe it's 28 mig-29s from Poland. The original talk was of 70 if other countries like Romania also got in on it.

Zelensky's powerful address tonight

So according to you, 44 million people living in a Country covering more that 600'000 sq miles, will be subjugated by a Russian army of 200'000??? When even at the moment the plan is way behind schedule, their logistics is failing badly. And nothing like the rosy picture you are painting. Anything that the Russians are losing or running out of is fast becoming more difficult to replace. With the sanctions in place, and many replacement parts manufactured outside Russia are becoming next to impossible to repair /replace. On the other hand, Ukraine have one of the best supply pipelines imaginable, and its improving daily as more suppliers come onstream. The Russian soldiers are getting more demoralized daily, and when it comes to replacing them, you really are joking, do you mean the 18 year old conscript's???. As for a top class army, when the best they do is carry out murderous long distance shelling of defenseless people, men women and children...even Baby's in cities? They are murderous scum. I met several Russian survivors of the Great War, and to a man, they were proud and very proud of their achievements. When the time comes to write this part of the history of Russia, you will not find many soldier's parading around showing off their service medals. So now, it just like Japan after Pearl Harbor, when Yamamoto was asked how the war was going, he replied "for 6 mths or a year maybe, we will invade with impunity, every where we wish, and when we wish, we will plant the flag of Japan. But after that,,,,,I cannot say. And we all know how that ended. Slava Ukraine.

I wouldn't put money on it being higher in 7 days than it is today. It is for another thread but I think the temporary lift from Russian linked money has gone in already.

It depends on how much institutions are owed and if they can afford to lose that money because from the look of it they won't be getting paid. No doubt some institutions will be up **** creek and maybe need bail outs or go bust.

This explains it a bit more

You do know it's March not February?

Whoops, my bad I forgot the Iron Curtain has been drawn shat again and you lot are likely a bit cut off and behind the times and out of touch, just like the good old days:

>US gives Poland the 'green light' to give Ukraine MIG fighter jets as Russia warns it is at WAR with ANY country hosting Kyiv's aircraft and points finger at Romania as top American general inspects troops in Europe... Updated: 21:46, 6 March 2022"<

Out here It's now March 6th.

I have no idea what she looks like. I can only tell you that however she looks, she's not as hot as Ivanka

Perhaps. We will have to wait and see.

If I remember correctly, the Soviets employed some Guards divisions in Stalingrad too. One big difference, though; at Stalingrad, the Russians were defending, not attacking. Attacking is different, and generally done with the best troops, second line units being kept for garrison duties (holding on to captured towns) and protection of lines of supply. And if the Russian transport and communications look chaotic now, consider what it will be like when the Russians try to execute a "passage of lines" to replace the beat-up first wave units with the fresh elite units (do they even exist?) that are to replace them. It's a very difficult thing to do, so difficult that it's often commented on e.g. two French formations managing it when closely pressed at Austerlitz in 1805, and the ancient Romans are believed to have had a similar system for relieving wavering or tired troops with fresh ones, but such are the difficulties that historians can't agree on how they could have managed it. And in both of those examples the units would have been close to equal in quality.

What Russia is doing is horrific , but all out war with Russia and NATO will make matters 1,000 times worse, probably end Europe comletly - Compromise, and dialogue, with NATO assurances to pull back from East, in particular guarantee not to seek Ukraine to join, and get Russia to end the invasion , maybe have to give up parts of Eastern Ukraine. I can see no other solution , if we want Europe to continue.

There is a question of how much pain we in the West, and around the world, would be willing to endure if that can ensure the financial life is choked out of Putin's Russia and his war effort.

Are we willing to endure potentially higher fuel prices or thousands of refugees or yet more inflation?

I am not saying this to discourage support for Ukraine in this thing. I am saying it so that people make a conscious consideration. It's a very serious one. Again, I'm noticing a few trolls merrily planting their little thought seeds like that @[Deleted User] guy, saying, 'Y'know, they're saying there are 80,000 refugees from Ukraine on the way...', and the intention is very obviously to to paint them as a mere inconvenience, to chip away at support. They're not following through on what they're saying, they're just being the devil on your shoulder and letting you complete the sentence.

I'm not saying what anyone must do. Everyone's situation is different. I just think that we should remain aware that there is a consistent effort going on on the Internet in general to slowly suck the sympathy for Ukraine out of people, so don't fall for it. Ask those trolls to follow through on what they're saying when they make those little suggestions, for a start.

Some politicians assume Russia will back off a no-fly zone got implemented here. The reality is Russia likely to bring in Anti Aircraft s400 s500 for a war with the west. Be great it was 1939, and bring in western troops to help. Putin as the leader possesses nuclear weapons, hitler did not. If the west started attacking Russian forces not a chance in hell Russian officers and generals would not support Putin in that scenario,. The only chance here is the Ukraine war a failure and there a coup, but that in itself is dangerous. Who takeover Russia from Putin. Two sides fighting inside Russia may get their hands on a nuke and use it. May get a scenario like 90s that was relatively peaceful after the soviet union collapsed. I agree both sides positions are going to drag us into a dark place. When the nukes fly this site be offline in minutes.

Taking an objective military look with how Russia are doing so far and their assessing their ability is difficult. It seems like it is going poorly for them but here is some considerations;

There is propaganda on both sides , over estimates of russian losses of deaths and equipments by the ukranians etc in order to keep morale high. Standard stuff. However judging by independent takes it does seem like they're taking a lot of losses and logistics are a disaster.

This is the largest land grab in a long long time. Since operation barbarossa? Ukraine is such a large country, and although I'm aware it was decades ago with different technology now , but it took the mighty German wehrmacht 4 weeks to blitzkrieg Poland, a smaller and less well armed country than ukraine now. And invasion of this scale is uncharted territory in modern history and perhaps most countries would be doing worse than Russia right now. How America would far who knows although my gut is better than russia . Especially logistically.

Finally, Russias air force is puzzling. Barely being used and when it is its in small bursts and struggling badly. I read an article recently theorising it is not capable and experienced in the planning and execution of large scale operations. If that is true that is pretty shocking.