Russia - threadbanned users in OP

I posted earlier (over 500 pages back) that the loss of Ukrainian and Russian life was tragic (using a Russian conscript as example).

At that time posters (who are active now) disagreed that the loss of any Russian soldier's life was tragic, I hope that by reading that article they might see the point I was making and stop referring to posters they disagree with as Russian sympathizers or trolls.

A powerful story, and very sad.

What you mean there is no blockade?

I see now.It says there was "an unidentified operator" of the Zagreb drone.

I wonder how finely he or she could arrange its target?

Was there a camera onboard and accurate ongoing GPS?

Can a remote drone controller just cruise along ,say the Champs Elysees or Red Square as if they were in the craft themselves?

And does Ukraine's equipment have ranges up to 1000km?

Can they reach ,say Moscow from their front lines?

I’d imagine the consequences for a Russian soldier deserting would be pretty severe. I don’t what they are exactly but judging by punishments for other actions in Russia it’s safe to say they are probably very far reaching. I don’t think it’s fair to say it’s just a matter of surrender. Especially for a single soldier to take such solitary action. I’d imagine serious consequences for family and loved ones at home.

difficult to see it not be the terrorist weapon of choice in the next decade, a thousand euro drone and Wembley or Giant stadium

Surprised about the shortage of artillery ammo shortage. Would have thought they'd have a decade of soviet stockpiles to use up. I would have expected barrel replacement to have been a bigger problem.

there are satellite picks of where they store artillery and tanks in Russia, so over time whats taken out can be counted , it was pointed out that they seemed to be picking apart some of the arty for barrels, I doubt they have an absolute shortage of arty/shells, just more a logistics issue of having them in the right place. but that affects both sides, its all react, counter react, counter counter react.

And in the hands of terrorist groups.

Well no that's what the Ukrainians have christened them.

It is hilarious how that term does rattle certain peoples Jimmies though.

When the Nazi's were invading Europe, we referred to them with derogatory terms. Not every German soldier was "evil" of course, but they were taking part in a greater evil.

Putin is currently invading a European country (and is indirectly on a war footing with the rest of Europe) and as such Russians are being referring to by various terms. The Ukrainians started referring to invading Russian soldiers as "orcs" because they were systematically destroying, stealing, raping, murdering - similar to the fictional characters.

You post a story about a Russian soldier who doesn't want to fight, okay, I can post details of Russian soldiers keeping girls as young as 14 in a basement for a month systematically raping them. Russian soldiers castrating Ukrainian POWs. Torturing kids in Kherson. Pulling people's teeth out in Bucha. Deliberately opening fire on pensioners in a car in the outskirts of Kyiv. Deliberately targeting residential buildings, hospitals. Not isolated incidents, thousands upon thousands of cases have been recorded.

I don't use the term "orc" myself, but I understand why some do. In context, a European country is being invaded, people are being slaughtered.

To be fair in every war both armies would have names for their enemies. Might not hear commanders or leaders calling them it but definitely troops on the ground. If Ukraine call Russian's orcs are the Russians using the term nazis for Ukraine or do they have another name they call them that their troops use?

So by the your and CHBS's logic the Times newspaper are Russian Sympathisers ? More likely they hold views similar to mine, that Ukraine has been illegally invaded and the operation to liberate it is resulting in human suffering on both sides of the conflict. 

In truth I held similar opinions to you and CHBS when I was young, happy to tarnish an entire nation because of the views and actions of their leadership. This was further ingrained when I was detained and questioned by Bulgarian military police in the early 80s, however on the same trip I met lots of locals who became friends. Talking to me in private, often in whispers, I soon understood the hardships they faced under their feared communist leadership and realised many good people exit in "bad" countries.

CHBS says that it would be so easy for Taktashov to desert:

"he could have surrendered at any point like thousands of his countrymen have done, there is well known and advertised “I want to live” campaign targeted at Russian soldiers. There are even bounties if they do so with equipment."

Unfortunately this is huge simplification and incorrect. Taktashov was attached to the 70th regiment, which had a history of recruits surrendering, so it was stuffed full of FSB informants to counter any attempts driven by freewill. 

Ukrainians themselves don't share many of the hardliner views expressed here on boards, most have family in Russia, and are happy to be vocal about the human tragedy on both sides of this conflict, I guess the Ukrainian who wrote this article on life in the Russian 70th regiment is also a Russian sympathizer: 

https://myukraineis.org/news/several_units_of_the_70th_motorized_rifle_regiment_of_the_russian_federation_openly_refused_to_take_part_in_the_war_intelligence-331.html