Russia - threadbanned users in OP

When it comes to reporting on this war, I've always been weary to put too much trust in what the bbc says coming out of Moscow, particularly if its from Steve Rosenberg, he lives there and I'm sure is acutely aware that every word he says is being watched. He won't be towing the Russian government line, but often its what he doesn't say you need to listen out for, but he certainly won't be telling us how bad it is.

Well when the choice is being overthrown or being a puppet it's can be a great way of shifting onces priorities.

Putin is done tbh, the failure of the Ukrainian war has already made him look weak. His position of power has now been further undermined. If he stays in power, it will be because someone else has allowed him to and not because he has done it through strength.

Sputnik not being serious, but could be easy pickings soon for the Chinese

It's always easy to say stuff like that when you don't have the noose around your neck.

There are no battles over nuclear stockpiles.

The only battle will be for the missile force commanders to decide which side to come down on.

Those guys are the only ones that know everything about those weapons, how to secure them, how to maintain them, how to deploy them.

Taking over a nuclear weapons facility without having the Officers on your side, would be like a Gorilla picking up the keys to a Lamborghini, quite a sight to see but ultimately pointless.

Have heard news of videos of people describing rumours of videos describing rumours of rumours about videos. Stay tuned for more.

Thank you for your input comrade.

Wonder if the exiled opposition can make a gain out of this in Belarus

Yes your theory is valid but to dismiss out of hand the possibility of the US having a very large hand in this is a bit silly. It's not like they don't have a long and distinguished history of manipulating these scenarios for their own gain. Like, this is a mercenary army, loyal to the highest bidder. Let's go.

Either way, I think it's over for Putin. And I also think the US played a long game.

The Ukrainian aided cross border raids have been an act of genius. Basically exposed to Wagner that the gates to the kingdom were simply swinging in the wind.

"Think with me for a moment, is there some way, any way, we can blame the US for this"

"You're a bigger troll than me..:

I hope, for your sake, there never comes a time when you find yourself being interrogated by the police for any reason...

Quite a few videos coming out of Belarus in fact saying now would be the perfect time to overthrow Lukashenko (whilst Putin is hugely distracted).

There's never been a greater opportunity to remove him

Prigozhin is a mercenary. He might fight under a Russian flag but he does it for money. He is being paid by someone else, likely oligarchs whose jetset lifestyle has been severely curtailed by Putin's special operation.

I doubt the oligarchs would let him launch nuclear missiles as he deems fit. And I reckon he's smart enough to know that. He's also a businessman at the end of the day, though his business is war.

Oligarchs are all about making money. Sure, they went along with Putin's nationalism as long as it was profitable but Putin's completely isolated Russia in the last year and a half so it doesn't pay to do so anymore. I can see them now betting on Prigozhin (who is somewhat competent compared to the actual Russian military) and putting him in charge somehow. Prigozhin may seem like a warlord but he can be bought. He might be happy to be installed as head of the Russian military with a remit to protect Russia as long as it doesn't harm business for the oligarchs.

Putin's own history can serve as a guide there. Even after Crimea, he was still able to keep Russia on the international stage somewhat, although being looked upon with suspicious eyes. The WC was there in 2018. But the Special Operation has gone too far.

They will have seen how the world has turned against Russia and they can't make the money they want to. They can only get so rich off Russians but the real money is to be made in the outside world. For them to get back to making money, Russia needs to be accepted on the international stage once more, even if with trepidation. Though, that's just not happening as long as Putin is in charge.

I feel extremely sorry for the people of Rostov if the Chechens have reached it and ready to fight Wagner because those are two of the most committed forces, though I'd back Wagner's professionalism over the Chechen's fanaticism any day.