That might be true, but how are their other expenditures looking? Russia doesn't just have to finance an army and a war, but also a fully functioning state. Well, as functioning as Russia is these days, but still, they will have significant expenditures for pensions, the health system, infrastructure, whatever passes for social welfare and so on. And given that some industries have ground to a halt due to international sanctions, it is likely that subsidies to those industries and/or unemployment payments have spiked as a consequence.
Saw a report today that Russia has earned more money from oil and gas in the last few months that it has spent on the war. The West is paying Russia and on the other hand giving Ukraine weapons. Doesn't make sense unless Putin was expected to end it soon.
That's interesting, especially that he's been taken to an unknown location. The way I see it, Navalny has no propaganda value to Putin or his regime if he's disappeared or dead. Sure, it might remove a potential competitor, but I always got the impression that the Kremlin was content with using Navalnvy as a punching bag whilst still keeping him somewhat visible, to act as an example. The fact that he's apparently dropped off the face of the Earth leaves me with the following possible scenarios:
1) Transfer to another, even harsher penal colony - Possible, but why the secrecy? Prisoner transfers are nothing unusual and the Kremlin has been content to keep Navalny partially visible, as outlined above. Moving him in secret would be a break from their existing patterns, unless the security situation within Russia has degraded to such a degree that any transfer that is made public runs the risk of being ambushed. This latter point is unlikely, the recent glut of factory fires notwithstanding.
2) He has been killed - Possible, but unlikely. Navalny has more value to Putin alive. Killing him runs the risk of making him a martyr and allowing anti-Kremlin resistance to crystallise around him. It would also reinforce international resolve as many governments, especially in Europe, still think pretty highly of Navalny. Then again, if Putin's mental health has degraded to the point where he's just removing any competitor whether real or imagined, taking out Navalny might very well be on the cards.
3) He has been apprehended by an anti-Putin group within the Kremlin for use as a figurehead - Possible, but whilst unlikely definitely not out of the question. We know from multiple reports that there had been an attempt to remove Putin earlier on but which had failed. In my eyes, it is possible that another group within the Kremlin, possibly one that has the backing of parts of the security services, is preparing to move against Putin and is looking for an internationally acceptable figurehead to be their face to the west in the post-coup chaos.
4) He is being set up by Putin to take over - It sounds idiotic on the face of it, but hear me out. Elements of Putin's inner circle are likely already jockeying for position to replace him when he finally dies. Some might very well try to accelerate his departure if they sense weakness or any sign of a debilitating disease. Whilst Navalny is a thorn in Putin's side, he has never, at least to my knowledge, made an attempt on his life and thus is a safe bet, if you will. There is an outside chance that Putin might bring Navalny in from the cold and have him take over, especially if Putin's health is worse than we currently know. It would throw off his inner circle and also produce a convenient scapegoat once everything collapses after Putin's eventual death.
The latter two points would of course only come to play if another move against Putin is imminent or in Progress, or if Putin's life expectancy is measured in weeks, rather than months or years. Still, his disappearance presents a significant break from the Kremlin's previous modus operandi, so something has definitely changed.
For sure, but that truckload of salt applies equally to any claims out of this war.
Navalny was taken from Penal Colony 2 today. His current location is not known to his supporters or lawyers.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/alexei-navalny-putin-poison-prison-b2100631.html
True but if they ask for a lot they might get some.
Lots of talk about the lack of details and figures coming from Ukraine about themselves. Apparently the Americans are now concerned that there pouring money and arms into Ukraine and don’t really know what or where it’s being used for. Interesting podcast from the New York Times.
The most interesting thing in there is just how impossible some of the Ukrainian weapons demands are.
I did not know that!!! A very big worry there.
Interesting article here on UA's superior artillery
Ukraine Update: Ukraine won't get all the artillery it wants, but it doesn't need to - 24Talker
...
The problem is that they use it as a manual.
Apparently the book is really famous in Russia. I guess their history for the last 100 years gives it a ready made audience and one who can totally identify with it.
Hope yet? 1984 in top ten most read book in Russia at the moment.
https://twitter.com/yaronbrook/status/1532828938921287680?t=msv_Xa7WsS5TNEPilfpcrg&s=19
Except that it is only one card and one that's not scaring anyone anymore. If they actually attempted to use them it would be curtains for Russia and Putin very quickly.
Ukraine advance on Kherson is about 10k out
Meanwhile russian ammunition depot 40k east of Kherson hit today...Progress is the south as the main bulk of the russian army attempts to please Putin with Severodonetsk
Except they've played the " but we have nukes " card quite effectively..
And would have to play that card if they keep up their expansionist tendency,because they haven't got the manpower or ability to face to face take on nato ..
Eeeh , you've got to love a bit of the hobbit ..
Bad news EJ. The most common reason to dream that someone has died is if they're someone you care for and are worried about.
And once again I have to ask, whither the Greens? They used to love protesting and chaining themselves to things and blowing **** up. Pipeline routes are pretty much public knowledge yet they remain unmolested. Germany will technically (auf Deutsch) keep any promises they make but while those pipes are operational their greed will keep **** flowing through them without outside action.
I am still a supporter of Navalny and no, I don't need to be reminded of his younger days. When Putin goes [and he will] I think there will be a small but vocal team of supporters who will campaign to have him released.
My choice of death for putin would be that he take a slip/fall at a local pig pen that he is visiting and gets buggered to death by a family of large/aggressive pigs.
Maybe if we get enough people to picture this scene in their minds the universe will make it happen...
That seems like Ebola..Crucified to a swastika in Kiev would be my dream ending
This particular where someone did die a week later was very strange. Someone in my dream told me I was dreaming and then said this person was going to die and that I needed to go home. I was in Asia at the time.
my putin dream had him smiling and then blood started coming out of his ears and nose…. I think it was from reading too much russia news… but one can hope
Spoilsport!!!
😂
According to Volodin, these countries "want to develop dialogue and mutually beneficial relations with Russia".
In my home country we had this saying: We have a mutually beneficial relation with Russia, that is we give them grains and they take our oil.
Lots of people have dreams where someone dies. Nearly all dont come true ( in the short term). It would be more strange if on occasion, by coincidence, a few people dont have that dream shortly before the person dies
Operation Rashist Valkyrie.
*Goes to check Paddy Power.
"... The group of eight countries that do not take part in the sanctions wars - China, India, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Iran, Turkey - is 24.4 per cent ahead of the old group in terms of GDP per capita."
Well, if you're going to make BS up, you may as well lay it on thick.
Once I dreamt that someone was going to die and they were dead a week later
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