Russia - threadbanned users in OP

But rather than de-escalating the conflict, Putin seems intent on cranking up the heating to full-blast

Got this from the ever so neutral BBC eh? Abramovic was just one of dozens of elites in Russia to give the nod to Putin. Russia had no viable mechanism to elect a leader, so it was down to the elites to choose one.

One would have to wonder if Russia do succeed in at least the initial taking of Ukraine what way the West's response would be viewed in the eye's of history.

Sanctions and some limited military aid will hardly be viewed as "good enough" when more decisive action could have saved Ukraine and it's people. It's not like they are not deserving of our support and it's not like the pull into Russian control of Ukraine is good for the west.

Looking at civilians standing against armed soldiers it is difficult to justify inaction even with a considered view of the potential escalation that further Western actions could bring about. As a small unprotected country at the edge of Europe maybe it particularly strikes a chord that those with the means to end this war are unwilling to step in and will sit on the sidelines as children, elderly, animals and an entire culture is bulldozed into the ground.

Apparently Ukrainian forces have hit an airfield near Kherson, this is possibly Russian forces retreating from that area (not confirmed, pinch of salt, etc)

Yes but it could have (and still could) plunge the world into a nuclear WW3. Got to do a detailed cost-benefit analysis before undertaking these sorts of actions...

From, Redit, so pinch od salt, but seems plausible:

"I have been told by someone in odessa its was a ukrainian MLRS (forget the name) with gps guided munitions. They programmed the missiles to cover a specific bit of water and lured the russian ship using 2 gunboats and then fired at it. One gunboat was seriously damaged and some of the crew killed"

Sure sounds like something the inventive Ukrainians would come up with, as I don't think that system was intended for naval targets.

They're not declaring war for the same reason the US hasn't in all their adventures since ww2.

If you're officially at war that places certain trade and logistical limits on all third parties, although it might be in Russia's interest to do so now with the sanctions.

The Iran deal is pretty important. Given that Putin is holding the west hostage with his nuclear weapons do you really think it is a good idea to allow Iran to get nuclear weapons too? A nuclear armed Iran will put the entire Middle East on eggshells permanently. Israel, the US, UAE and Saudi all know this so its why a deal with Iran to allow weapons inspectors into the country to ensure they are not making nuclear weapons is so important. The US wouldnt be in this situation had Trump not ripped up the previous Iran deal in the first place, Biden is just repairing the damage Trump did with the Iranians.

Pretty sure there are words to describe folk who tar 140m+ people with the same brush. So you've come across some rude Russians. You've been unfortunate. The rudest tourists I ever met were Americans. I don't think Americans are rude as a whole. Just as with the USA, there are Russians from all sorts of ethnic backgrounds and their culture, mannerisms etc are completely different.

Not necessarily fishy. Jailing her would more than likely thrown fuel on the fire in terms of inviting demonstrations.

When Navalny was jailed on trumped up charges, people went out on to the streets and not just in Moscow, Putin didn't expect that to happen and Navalny was released. A short time later Navalny's brother found himself on a wanted list.

When the commotion caused by her protest dies down, there will be repercussions. It may not be her who suffers them but somebody close to her will answer for it.