Russia - threadbanned users in OP

I find it very strange that the Ukrainians are so publicly announcing this, just like the Wagner video from Bakhmut.

I mean the upcoming counter-offensive was the worst kept secret but showing your hand seems quite stupid, if truly genuine. I just can't see the logic behind it. I'm open to suggestions abd analysis as to its benefits.

Personally, this feels like a decoy and the idea is to get the Russians shaking in their boots, some kind of propaganda war.

You just proved my point, comrade: now is the time to act, these next months are key. Another interview in the guardian taking the same line:

Can just hear Putin: "they said on twitter you were entering the war last Friday! What happened?! Nevermind. Try this tea"

All that experience with drones is coming in handy.

Wellington.

Not scary at all!

Posted a video a video a couple of weeks of the F16 flying autonomously it's highly likely the NGAD f22 replacement will be able to fly manned or unmanned depending on the situation

So close and yet so far. If Putin wasn't around he'd have gotten the gig.

A reputable source has suggested that Ukraine and Russia have started negotiations again.

Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Galuzin listed the following:

• Ukraine should stop fighting
• Commit not to join the EU
• Commit not to join NATO
• The West should stop supporting Ukraine and supplying weapons
• Ukraine should accept new territorial "realities"
• Russian should be made a state language
• Ukraine should allow Russian(controlled) church.

Zelensky advisor Mykhaylo Podolyak has responded with the following:

• Russia withdraws troops from Ukraine
• Russia recognizes sovereignty of all post-Soviet countries.
• Russia extradites war criminals and those started the war
• Russia creates a demilitarized zone
• Russia reduces the number of long-range missiles.
• Russia pay reparations for the damages.
• International community convenes&discusses how to control Russian nukes.

Ukraine should definitely push for return of the Donbass and withdrawal of Russian forces in any negotiations as an absolute minimum but Crimea is a different kettle of fish entirely. The inescapable fact of the matter for Ukraine is that in Crimea over 76% of the population are Russian. This will have to be accepted by Ukraine one way or another.

Each time Ukraine attacks Russian targets in Crimea the % of illegal Russian squatters reduces.

If Ukraine focus attacks on the bridge, the inescapable fact of the matter for Russia is they won't be able to hold it (assuming Ukraine cut off the land bridge)

Coercion?

Over 50% of the population of Crimea voted for Ukrainian independence in 1991.

If you want to talk about coercion, talk about the vote after it was illegally annexed.

Crimea has always been vast majority Crimean Tatars, not Russians.

Like 18 countries (and yourself) recognize Crimea as Russian territory, the rest of the world don't. Have a wee think about that.

I think it's time to put this pathetic playbook to bed.

More in Russia's interest to stop throwing lives into the meat grinder at this stage. Their pathetic invasion has failed, they are the laughing stock of the world, sanctioned to the hilt, the US throwing pocket change at Ukraine to witness the tattered remains of the Russian army being pounded.

They are locked into an unwinnable war with a country that doesn't really want to be brutally subjugated and annexed, their will to fight isn't going to magically evaporate. It wouldn't if they were losing, it certainly won't when Russia is clearly not winning.

You are right, it is better that Russia negotiates now rather than continue this pathetic war that's set them back decades militarily, politically, diplomatically and socially.

Russia does not care about lives, but as the invading country behaving like a mongol horde, perhaps you might say a few words of encouragement that might sway their minds.

Crimea is more a part of Ukraine than it has ever been to Russia both physically and historically.

Russia has used it to invade a sovereign country and harassed international shipping after it illegally annexed it.

Sooner Ukraine finishes off the kurse bridge the better

Russia annexes its neighbours now Belarus is about to receive it fate another reason for the west to increase it resolve against this monster

Cajoling and appeasing Russia has been a waste of time they are pure evil.

It feels like Russia has an endless supply of drones from Iran.