Russia - threadbanned users in OP

4 Russian servicemen wounded as result of shelling in Belgorod region of Russia

The White House: At meeting in Ankara The Director of the CIA conveyed a warning message of the consequences of Russia's use of nuclear weapons to his Russian counterpart

Russia has been forewarned

My head aches listening to that stuff.

I know it is propaganda but the delusions underlying it are just infuriating and exactly opposite to reality.

Russia is the country that doesn't seem to know where its borders should be (it is a revanchist/revisionist state). Keeps laying claim to neighbours, invades to try and enforce those claims, the regime mouthpieces are aggrieved it is resisted + then claim Russia is being "attacked" etc!

Noone to the West of Russia is coveting their territory. If any land-grabs are ever made on Russia it will be the Asian neighbours doing it.

After all the evil Putin has done this year it really could not happen to a nicer regime if China (or others?) ever start serious meddling & stirring up troubles for them among the growing Asian population of their Far East! (e.g. inciting demands for more federalism/self-determination, or increasing ties to China)

Putin's regime may have a tough job trying to quell that with their usual goto violence and brutality when their military is decimated after Ukraine, they would want to tread quite carefully.

One of the most bizarre aspects of this year is how they sought to engage in expansionism and to regain "lost" territory. Extraordinary, given the sheer size of the country. They seem to have a massive chip on their shoulder and an inferiority complex, despite all their bluster.

Fairly balanced assessment ,

But I don't see how it's a fairly defenseable position the main russian road supply routes are all in occupied territory of Ukraine,if the Ukrainans make a sudden push for meltipol that's thousands of Russian forces tied cut off from supplies and support and re forcement ,but that in turn cuts the road supply routes to Crimea,the same also applies to Mariupol,cut one or both off their is no roads to support or supply Crimea,the kirsch bridge is off line until July at least and that's only if it isn't hit multiple times over again,

Crimea is in very procarious position,if Russia has any sense they would evacuate as much of the population as possible back to the mainland, Russia can't hold Crimea indefinitely they know this , essentially the newly planted population must be thinking were about to be cut off from escape with the Ukrainans seeing the crown jewels ready for the taking

Russian-appointed head of Yakymivka village Maksym Zubarev was killed in an explosion of unknown device planted at his car.

From liveuamap.com

Melitopol area. There were some explosions reported yesterday.

Something's cooking there

I'm hoping there's more good news before the cold winter set's in up north around Svatove. Taking that area would really hurt Russian logistics Over the winter.

Ukraine reckon the winter will exaggerate the difference in quality between their and Russias army as they're far better equipped so could be an opportunity for the Ukrainians to push them back further.

Russian-appointed head of Yakymivka village Maksym Zubarev was killed in an explosion of unknown device planted at his car

he fell out the car's window too by all accounts

Crazy if true but nothing would surprise me with the некультурный russkis

A 23 year-old student from Zambia who was supposed to be serving a prison sentence in Russia was killed on the front lines in Ukraine. Now Zambia's foreign ministry is demanding answers from Moscow on how he could have been recruited to fight in Ukraine

Out of Africa