I have no idea, but once the weed takes hold it is very hard to remove it. Especially given the level of corruption and the mafia like behavior of the state officials in Russia. By never move towards a democratic system I mean not in my life time.
The prima ballerina Olga Smirnova, one of Russia’s biggest dance stars, has quit the Bolshoi Ballet company in Moscow after denouncing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"I never thought I would be ashamed of Russia, I have always been proud of talented Russian people, of our cultural and athletic achievements. But now I feel that a line has been drawn that separates the before and the after."
Russians finding their own way to protest.
Every day the Kremlin scrapes to a new low:
A Ukrainian TV channel says it was hacked after a fake statement from President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asking the people of Ukraine to surrender to Russia was broadcast on the channel.
Ukraine 24, a 24-hour news channel, said it was the victim of a hack after an alleged statement from Zelenskiy was shown in a live TV broadcast.
In the written statement that was broadcast, Zelenskiy allegedly said he was “capitulating” and would surrender and “give up arms”.
Zelenskiy responded with a video address from Kyiv, calling the provocation “childish”. He said he never made any such statement and promised that “the only ones who should give up arms are Russian soldiers”.
I don't think he was ever serious about that, it's a great way to enrage Putin, but they definitely do want in on the EU. 2030 at the earliest on that front I reckon. I don't share your view that Putin will continue to be the power. No idea what timescale might be involved there but I wouldn't be surprised to see him gone even as early as next year.
Is there something inherent in Russian culture that makes them predisposed towards corruption?
Yup looks like they are sourcing them from e.g. Bulgaria, Czech republic, any "partner" countries who bought them
Jesus Christ, thats a hard watch
Hard to look at that, and not feel somewhat of a dick moaning about the price of diesel and the next Esb bill.
I'll pay more just to tell Russia they can FUÇK OFF
Not to get too philosophical, but we often don't realise how fortunate we are.
"Ah we live in a third world bananna Republic"
Those pricks can **** off too
If there is some sort of peace agreement, Zelenskyy will have to make concessions that won't be popular. He is going to have to concede Crimea and Luhansk. Donbass is a mess, basically Northern Ireland.
If he does concede and Russia withdraw, then we have to remember that there are hundreds of thousands of weapons now in the hands of average Ukrainians. It's going to be a very hard state to police.
I am surprised they have been around in western countries for so long,but Putin knows how to use freedom of journalism and speech against the west,since he loves to keep brainwashing and propaganda in state media in Russia,and kill anyone that criticize him or Russia.
I am aware of that. But they aren't engaging in tank battles very often and a lot of the success they are having is with drones and various types of anti armor weapons (NLAW, javelin).
That was very moving. All the the kids, very upsetting and the mass grave jesus. Horrible.
We still can't close the sky but that is so horrible.
The war must be hugely problematic for journalists working at the state TV channels. Russians and Ukrainians are dying in their thousands and the channels are acting as cheerleaders for the deaths with the non stop lies and propaganda - this must be weighing on the conscience of quite a few people.
And hence the reason why Ukraine can never be a NATO member as long as Putin is in power,but that might change in the future
Ehh...worth remembering that the Ukranians are using a lot of the same kit as the Russians.
The way things are going, I'd say he is having second thoughts about that job......😂
Other demands Ukr should have is that Russia should cancel the recent agreement it has with China re , I think mutual military support and the military agreement it haswith other nations eg Belarus. The Ukr should then also agree that it will never attack Russia , directly or non directly. These could be added to what’s currently on the table
I'd say that he got carried away a bit........😎
It's actually terrorism happening on a massive scale right now in 2022. Scum of the earth.
I don't like the source, so please forgive it. There is an interesting infographic on Russian arms sales. Apparently 28B over 2016-2020. I can't imagine there will be a huge market for this stuff going forward given how it has performed. The fanboys were always saying they keep their best stuff for Russian use, but that seems to have been blown out of the water now (no pun intended).
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/9/infographic-which-countries-buy-the-most-russian-weapons
@Dohnjoe Where are they getting the S-300s from? Presumably the US doesn't have any so it's the likes of Slovakia, Bulgaria etc? Suggests limited quantities.
I don't believe Russia will ever move towards a true democratic system, it is too corrupt. So it is best that it is weakened by having a reduced population, particularly among the more educated. Putin would really see that as a loss in my opinion. Particularly given that people have a choice and they choose to turn their backs on him.
Nice
Pity to know many Russians will never see this, but important that it's out there. Fully believe war should never be sanitized.
Nato countries are united in backing the alliance’s position that it will not establish a no-fly zone in Ukraine.
"We see destruction, we see human suffering in Ukraine but this can become even worse if Nato took actions that actually turned this into full-fledged war between Nato and Russia." - Stoltenberg
Not at all surprising.
It's been a topic of great discussion in my household.
The upshot is my bird and her mate have decided they cant sit idly by any more.
Even as I speak they are flying out, resplendent in the Ukrainian colours, and looking to help destroy Russian convoys.
I am so proud.
On the other hand they are the ones most likely to want a different Russia, I'd have thought.
Millions maybe but it could also lead to division. I'd be wary of ceding too much to Russian demands and any attempts by them to divide the Ukrainian nation further. You only have to look at Ireland to see where that could lead. It really will be a tough one for them but easier for the rest of us to say what we think should happen (or would like to happen more accurately). When you're up to your neck in sh1t and someone throws a bucket of sh1t at you. Do you duck?
Putin's mouth performs the same function as a hippo's tail.
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