There are certain posters here who seriously need to take a long hard look at themselves.
Ukraine said a little over 100 men had been captured in that event, Russia was claiming ~1,500.
In relation to mercenaries operating in Mariupol, what evidence do you have of this ?
Keeping in mind the two Britons who've been captured have been living in Ukraine for several years and appear to be part of their regular military, and not their for financial reasons.
So what other foreign fighters are operating in Mariupol, primarily there with the intention of making money (as opposed to moral reasons) ?
I think it's that Putin is so blinded by his hatred of the West and paranoia about same that he's willing to put his country through hell and wreak hell on others in order to extricate his country from Western dependence and influence, and refashion the world order as a grim authoritarian one. If that type of world can be achieved, why, I think he would even accept being number two to China in it.
Possibly, if he's an idiot. The West were supporting the bulk of his economy. Who knows, maybe he'll be delighted to be China's poodle. 'Who's a good Putin! You are, yes you are!'
Putin will get something before may 9 from his point of view he has to .With the numbers he has he will get Mariupol unless something really turns up for Ukraine .
This is disputed by the way. Ukrainian sources say there are areas of resistance throughout the city and it's just the usual Russian lies and propaganda that there are just a few fighters left at the Azovtal plant.
No, I accept some surrendered when they ran out of ammunition and food.
But, so what. There were only ever a few thousand of them there and despite the 'mighty' Russian army some are still holding out. Russia could only dream of such dedication.
In fact, the Russian troops still in Mariupol are allegedly still there, and not downing arms like some of their comrades, because of the rumour there's still a working washing machine still to be looted.
There are war crimes and mass murder of civilians in Ukraine but genocide has a very technical, legal definition. It is about the eradication of a nation or ethnic/religious group. Look it up on Wiki. I don't know if it is genocide but it is looking more like it every day.
Unfortunately the only weapon Ukraine has capable of reaching those kinds of targets are the Tochka-U with a maximum range of about 185km. It's also not clear how many they might have left at this stage; it was thought they had around 500 missiles at the start of the war.
It is possible that the Neptune could have been modified for potential land attack capabilities; but the fact they have only just managed a launch against a naval target would suggest it's unlikely to be ready for that role (even if they had sufficient launchers and missiles).
They could try another air-based attack such as the helicopter sortie against Belgorod but as you pointed out a military airfield will have local anti-aircraft coverage making it something akin to a suicide mission.
So then you're left with some sort of SoF or paramilitary action; and given the fact Russia is such an authoritarian nightmare I presume such an action would be very difficult to pull off.
Or I suppose the West could provide some medium to long-range strike capability but I suspect that would be the least likely of all the possibilities.
I think if you put it to Putin that invading Ukraine has destroyed relations with the West, he'll just shrug his soldiers and say, '...good...'.
For urban war the attacker needs 5 to 1 to succeed.
I allege Putin dresses up as a pig and grunts for truffles at the feet of Ukranian POWs.
As for mercenaries, didn't Putin beg for African and Syrian mercenaries... they told them they'd love to, but... were washing their hair. Sucks to have no friends... Russian can't even buy friends, but... that's the Ruble for you. 😅
If anyone is still in any doubt about whether this is terrorism and genocide, they are either pathetically ignorant or wilfully inhumane.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Naval_Infantry
We had a video of them surrendering in Mariupol unless you believe it all fake?
The usual vile stuff from the Kremlin
I would suspect Mariupol will fall any day now, but have been saying that for weeks.
As for Donbas, it's been raining most of this week. Russians are pushing in some areas, Ukrainians in others. Unless something dramatic happens, it's currently going at WW1 speed.
Alleged as I said. I doubt the Ukrainian government, will reveal the true figure of defenders since there are mercenaries from foreign countries among them. Since you guys trust all western sources they claim Russians attacked the city with a force of 15,000 to 20,000 men ( some estimates as high as 30,000). Why would Russia attack a city with such a large army if there were just a few thousand defenders?
Russia needs to do something for the May 9th celebration, after that they'll likely slink back to Moscow.
The Russians have convinced themselves and supporters like cheerful s and CQD that they were fighting 25,000 Mariupol defenders.
If there were 25,000 in the AZOV they'd likely have encircled Moscow by now 🤣
This great Russian advance doesn't seem to be happening yet, I'm beginning to wonder if we are just watching a stalemate, I'll come back in a month we will still be talking about Mariupol, that I was led to believe was basically captured weeks ago.
Maybe, but you are a well known Putin supporter on this forum, so am a wee bit sceptical on these figures
A few thousand Mariupol defenders have been taken prisoner according to which source? Taking bets the original source on that is the Ru MOD or similar..
Any back up to that ? That would be a huge part of the Ukranian army? So, unless you've some proof...
Also, where is the Russian administration's admission of massive losses? Or do you agree with your betters you should be treated like mushrooms, and kept in the dark?
Allegedly 15,000 to 25,000 Ukrainian fighters were stationed around Mariupol’ before the war. So if there are only a few thousand soldiers taken prisoner. Ukraine has suffered mass casualties that are not willing to admit yet.
Strategy for Mariupol: Kill an orc, eat his liver and kidneys, take his ammo, kill another orc...etc
"It's a fortress but it is shame if Russia destroys it, become could be used later for employment"
Yeah future employment is a key concern in a city 80% destroyed in a brutal invasion by a totalitarian occupier with countless numbers of civilians butchered.
300mW?
My phone uses more than 300 milli Watts. 😂
Even if they were "Big M" (Mega), they'd still be a long way short of the 5GW peak when the wind doesn't blow on a winter's evening.
And every Russian soldier they take out is one less scum on the earth.
A handful of dedicated Elite troops hold holding up the 'mighty' Russian army. Would be funny if it wasn't tragic.
Imagine if Russia had such dedicated elite troops!
But yet they are still killing orcs
They brought in hundreds of civilian vehicles after suffering mass Loses in military convoys they are Also stealing vehicles from locals too
98 percent of Mariupol was occupied weeks ago. Thousands of Ukraine fighters got pushed back to areas closer to the port that was not occupied. The surprise so many soldiers on the Ukraine side are still alive.
Ukraine has basically left the city to defend itself. Cant fly in food or ammunition or use the highways/roads to get to the city. Russian forces have cut it all off. It is not a new Stalingrad.
CNN marks here where the last surviving Ukraine forces are at. It's a fortress but it is shame if Russia destroys it, become could be used later for employment. Can see the Russians are in almost full control of the city.
Cant escape unless they want to swim and yes they are fighting but it's just a matter of time till that location falls and Russia takes the entire city... Elite Ukrainian marines are surrendered ( hundreds if not thousands, last week) the defensives are collapsing. All is left is men who are willing to die for the cause. They are low on fuel, ammunition, and all the essentials. They annoy the Russian army for a while still but its game over. It's possible civilians are there with the soldiers of the Ukrainian army.
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