I don't think this is a message to NATO or the West, because they clearly won't recognize the result of the referendum, and in any case cannot give in to this kind of brinkmanship.
It's more obviously a tactic aimed at Russia itself -- to change the narrative about Russia itself being under attack, and to presumably afford Putin more powers in the name of national defence rather than waging a special military operation in foreign lands.
The problem will be that while it may grant more legal powers, 'lite' mobilisation, it will risks a negative public reaction. The population don't want to be sent to defend the Donbass or work in munitions factories.
I think a declaration of war would mean Desert Storm like tactics, the full civilian infrastructure will be destroyed.
It means their targets will be packed closer together.
He's now an hour late with his "Address". Wonder if he's fallen out a window.
We can only hope
Can't see how Russia can do much more than they are doing tbh. Their weaponry belongs in a museum. All they have left is chemical and nuclear options.
Oh you flipping tease 😛
Iranian-made Shahed-136(number M205) was shot down in Mykolaiv region
we've got a new axis of evil
Here could try the Cannon fodder tactics again just with more men.
It's illegal under Russian law to mobilize for an offensive war, I guess this move to incorporate parts of Ukraine into Russia will allow them to get over that hurdle.
live coverage from Putin's speech ..whenever it takes place
What ever is left...
.. And assuming he has any smart weapons left, which seems unlikely...
Larges parts of Ukraine are still intact, the lights come on, water runs and the sewage works. Transport for A to B is still possible etc. That will be destroyed
Russian submarines have been withdrawn from svastaspol to safer bases in Russia, either they are afraid they can't protect them or they have actually run out of weapons to fire at Ukraine
Well, the west should not be timid about political cosmetics.
With what?
After pulling Anti aircraft defenses from st Petersburg to use against Ukraine they are now pulling troops from Syria to be deployed to the front lines.
More paratroopers
Maybe Putin and Shoigu are rolling round the floor in a vodka fueled brawl (For some reason I feel Shoigu's heart is not in this at all and he wishes Putin would drop dead (all this gleaned purely from his facial expressions.))
Missiles,lots of missles
Whatever he comes out with, it will be bluster aimed at his home audience to make out he is still in control, his plan is working and the west are evil.
Very good thread on why mobilisation may mean the end for Putin, worth a read.
Kinda hard to sell "we are winning" with mobilisation.
We are winning so much.
So much winning, we want everyone to join in the winning celebrations.
In Ukraine. With guns. It's a victory party. For winning. And possibly shooting. Maybe retreating. But winning.
It's encouraging that his speech is late, hopefully they're all at each others throats
Maybe we'll get to see a Lee Harvey moment on live Russian TV
I would hope there's some truth to this
Russian troops retreat victoriously while Ukrainian army runs after them in panic.
Looks like another referendum is on the books .
Following on
And meanwhile, in various war planning rooms located in the EU, UK and the US, the brass whose job it is to know about these things are calling for Plan CK-1/ 06656 ( a ) and (T) , the one that fits Putin's stated plan, ( especially the bit that mentions Nuclear ) Wheels are set in motion ( actually, no, it's more like code's will be entered into various computer's) and a plan activated. And there will be Warhawk's gleefully rubbing their hands together, saying " Come on Vada, C'mon.....we're waiting for you!!!
Hopefully the front line will be at the Russian border by the time they have managed to teach the conscripts to brush their teeth, read and write, and how to load bullets into a magazine. Cannon fodder against mentally agile and experienced troops. Bloodbath. If those Moscow talking heads think the current events they are reporting sound bad ... oh boy.
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