Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Well, Russia will continue to ATTEMPT to rise to the challenge and the West will continue to MATCH them. Ultimately though, the West can go far higher.

Only bizarre, flukey Western political upsets would allow Russia to win, whereas any combination of "quite likely" events will scupper them completely.

The most pressing matter right now is to teach Iran a good lesson.

Karelia?

Even if it was still only involving Russia and Ukraine, there will be no surrender from Ukraine, they know only too well what happens when Russians take over an area, they will fight to the last man rather than submit. But now, at least one part of the Russian propaganda is correct, that's the part where they say they are fighting not only Ukraine, but the EU, NATO and the US.+ all who support the sanctions. And they are 100% right in this. Putins actions have been and still are utterly repugnant to the world. Russia is finished, and was finished from 2014 when Putin put his plans for Ukraine into operation. They have a military and an economy which is falling apart. Putins best bet now would be to order a complete withdrawal from Ukraine and start reparation discussions, before his situation gets even worse than it already is. He is not going to win anyway, end of story.

I’m not saying you’re wrong.

But can you put up a link to what you’re quoting as fact?

I don't read the situation in Ukraine in the same way as you seem to but then I never claim to be such an expert in geopolitics as you claim to be. The russian armed forces have embarrassed themselves throughout their invasion of Ukraine with estimates of their troop losses in the tens of thousands and losses of military equipment in the thousands. They have been left now reliant on the great industrial power house that is Iran to provide equipment to allow them kill more innocent civilians and make life more difficult for them as they simply no longer have the ability to face a real army which is what Ukraine now has. The russians are the invaders trying to survive an oncoming winter in a country where they are not welcome fighting well equipped troops on their home ground.

The war crimes that russia has committed would make negotiations with them impossible for Ukraine to consider until they have pushed them out of their country and I see nothing to suggest that "things could swing extremely fast" in russia favour. Is there some source you have for this great confidence in the russian armed forces as to me it looks like they thought attacking Ukraine was going to be a simple demolition of an armed militia and mass murder of civilians like they have carried out in the other recent conflicts they have pushed their troops into?

Necessity being the mother of invention...

They seem to have 3D printed stabilising tail fins and a detonation triggering cap and added these to what I suspect are 30mm launched grenades.

Anyone else find it suspicious this long media blackout from Ukraine in Kherson. Meanwhile no major attacks launched and Russia appear to be conducting a long and slow evacuation. It's almost as if Russia and Ukraine have secretly agreed it to be returned to Ukraine but only on the condition they let them evacuate. And considering the bridges are blown this will take a long time to ferry everything across.

Also maybe the Russians rigged the Dam as leverage. Let them retreat without getting routed or they blow the Dam.

It'll happen about the same time as Ireland is forced out of the EU.

😉

Ukrenergo saying damage to energy infrastructure today may be worse than the October 10th-12th hits:-

I see the Screaming Eagles are finally deployed in Romania, first deployment to Europe in over 80 years I believe:-

This follows the 101st Division Sustainment Brigade’s (the Lifeliners) deployment to Slovenia in recent days.

There must be somnething in it for Moscow Mitch. Which arms manufacturers have factories in Kentucky?