Russia - threadbanned users in OP

I am, as someone said earlier the news is conflicting. Looking at the current maps it doesn't look like fantasy. Russia is nearly in control of all the coast. Odessa looks like the last piece of the jigsaw.

Have they really retreated or have they just moved out of range of harpoon missiles?

What about Snake Island?

I can't see the Russians willingly allowing the grain to flow, that would defeat the "food blackmail agenda" that they pretend they don't have.

I think a Western show of force, on behalf of global food supply, will be necessary.

I think it will be their undoing, it justifies action being taken to secure food supply. That action could involve naval protection, in which case the Russians would be in a lose - lose situation. They would have to either allow it or incur the wrath of Western nations if they attacked any UN or NATO vessel.

A disaster for Russia all round, naval protection of grain export would have to include a presence on the docks of Odessa.

Russia has fcuked up in ways that are currently beyond our imagination.

Odesa is a bridge too far. The Russians are having difficulties holding on to Kherson.

Maybe yes, in the very short term. One has to win the war which consists of a lot of battles - including the sanctions

Apparently there are 1500 Belarusians fighting for Ukraine. Their logic is to defeat the Russians in Ukraine, then at home.

Dissent with Putin in Russia is still increasing. Putin's iron fist is fast slipping.

Even if it's true, which I doubt, just the fact that the Minister of Defence announces capturing a town of 4,000 people as an achievement, shows how irrelevant the Russian army has become as a fighting farce.

I grew up in a time where we were constantly reminded that if it wasn't for the Americans stationed here, thousands of Russian tanks would drive all the way to the Atlantic coast.

Instead we now have the Russian defence minister proud that they now have control of Monasterevin, Kilcoole, some town that wouldn't even be in the 100 biggest towns in Ireland.

Oh, how far we've come from taking Kiev in 3 days.

enough of the propagandizing, Russia controls 20% of Ukraine right now, its not like they are a paper tiger

Much of that, beyond the previously held Dombas and Crimea, was lightly populated territory along the Russian frontier, which they easily could roll over before meeting opposition. Most population centers have been a hard fight for them and have typically delt the Russians severe casualties. Events on the ground illustrate an armed forces that has lost most of it's professional ability, especially with many of their more experienced elements being lost in battle including a surprisingly high number of Generals. (I'm starting to wonder how much of the pre-war top brass is actually left now).

Facing them is a highly motivated defending army with a considerable amount of support and an apparent culture for intelligent warfare. They may be fewer in number, but they appear to be much better in battle than the poorly disciplined troops that have been put forward.

Based on much of what has been seen so far in this war, to suggest that the Russian military are somehow not a paper tiger would lean more into the realm of pro-Russia propaganda.

You must be embarrassed by now having to continuously post drivel about the embarrassment that is your army. Mighty Russia controls 20% of the adjacent country that supposedly wasn't even a proper country at the outset of the 'operation'. 4% increase in just over 100 days glorious komrades! Ukraine will be under our complete control as early as 2042*.

* Assuming we can continue to find parts for the T-62s

Ireland may be a militarily neutral country but our government are on shortlist condemning the Russian actions as "Genocide". Its easy to see the vast majority of the population of Ireland also support Ukraine. Our stance to this conflict is the furthest thing from neutral. So don't try lump yourself into us under the guise of being "neutral", Thanks.

Indeed, the government have pointed out that the issue of Irish neutrality is rather misleading. We are merely prohibited 'by law' from sending weapons or troops to a war zone but are totally free to adopt a political and moral position on any war and have chosen to ally ourselves with Ukraine and against Russia (after the illegal invasion).

Russian Defense Ministry Shoigu announced establishing road connection between Russia and Crimea via parts of Ukraine, and water supply to Crimea