Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Nail on the head. It also why even Russians living abroad are very reluctant to criticize or protest against Putin or his regime.

Huh? I haven't tarnished any nation. 😂

It's your "logic" not mine you are bemoaning the fact you are being called a Russian sympathiser whilst again openly calling for sympathy for dead Russian soldiers.

Well.....is there truth in this or did someone jump the gun?

Sky News also reports something similar.

One common thread in the video interviews of Russian POWs has been surprise at how well they've been treated. We've also seen videos of injured Russian soldiers taking their own lives to avoid capture.

Russian troops are fed a lot of propoganda about the treatment they can expect to receive from the Ukrainian armed forces if they surrender and when we've all heard about the brutality inflicted upon captured Ukrainian troops (and civilians) from the comfort our our homes in Ireland, you can be sure they've not only heard those stories but likely heard (or seen) far more of it.

If you were stuck on the frontlines and knew your side were raping, castrating, flaying and otherwise brutalising POWs, and were being told that's the kind of treatment you can expect if you're captured or surrender, it's entirely understandable that you might decide it's better to stay where you are and take your chances of a relatively quick and clean death from a bullet or artillery strike.

I don't think it's a contradiction to feel some degree of sympathy for those conscripted into the Russian army against their will while at the same time hoping Ukraine can kill as many of them as they need to in order to regain control of their land. Yes, in an ideal world a surgical strike against the Russian leadership responsible for starting the invasion (and continuing to fight in Ukraine long after it's become clear that they've lost) would be the best outcome but rather tragically for the conscripts forced to be there (and the Ukrainians their army are murdering, torturing and raping), such things are a lot easier said than done and this isn't a conflict that can be resolved by negotiations (because that same leadership don't negotiate in good faith).

Personally I dont think the lines are going to move much by the autumn and on that basis the offensive will have been a failure. What's plan B? I doubt Biden want this conflict rolling into election season if its going badly? would negotiation sooner rather than later result in any difference?

I have no wish to play word games with you or dilute this thread. I have one opinion, the invasion is illegal and the war causes a tragic loss of human life on both sides, you have another opinion.

Highlighted is the red flag. Ukraine is being invaded by Russia. They have no choice in that, however they do have a choice between accepting occupation or defending themselves. They've overwhelmingly chosen to defend themselves.

They've also chose to ask for support in this. Other countries are supporting them, which is perfectly legal.

The Ukrainians are more than aware of the pain and suffering caused by defending themselves from occupation. That's the price they are willing to pay. That is the choice they made. Likewise it is their choice if/when they decide they will go to the negotiating table.

You are attempting to speak on their behalf.

There it is again. Both-sides-ism.

It's up to Ukrainians how they face this, all we can do is support them when they ask for it (otherwise we are enabling the invaders).

The language you are using here is reminiscent of those individuals who support rewarding Putin with land for the sake of a temporary "peace" (brutal occupation), who think they know what is best for the Ukrainian people.

I haven't given my opinion.

But no I wouldn't be distressed or sad by Ukrainian's killing Russians in the literal name of freedom.

The only good Russian in Ukraine is a dead one, however they ended up there.

I see the Russian Soldiers that are alive committing the torture, killing and raping children as the tragedy.

Again though if you are going to try and garner sympathy for Russians being killed slaughtering Ukrainians don't cry wambulance when people call you out on it.

The thoughts are quite scary.

These things are so cheap to make and buy, a terrorist grouping could reign 1000s down in cities for weeks on end and cause carnage and chaos.

"The only good Russian in Ukraine is a dead one, however they ended up there."

Can I now quote this as your opinion ?

I would say, I think this unlikely at present (have no expertise, just an opinion).

Russia is still a large nation state with a lot of resources and they are putting themselves close to the pin of their collar (IMO) to rain these mass amounts of drones down on Ukraine, getting a lot of technical help from Iran also - there's no terrorist group that has these abilities.

In Europe, the US, wealthy countries generally anyway (dunno know about parts of the world, where authorities may be weaker, more corrupt, and less competent [edit: your scenario may be more likely there?]) organising, and then obtaining the explosives (or even guns) for the attacks without getting noticed and caught is a problem terrorists have had.

If you can actually get enough explosives together for many attacks, seems like tradational methods of timed bomb(s) planted somewhere or suicidal nuts willing to blow themselves up for the cause are almost as effective and much easier.

No you're wrong there, the war isn't causing the loss of life. The Russians are the cause of every loss of life on both sides in this war.

I could edit my post to "The Russian initiated war" and it would still reflect my opinion. The Russian government is directly responsible for the loss of life in the Russian trenches, that's obvious, without Putin those conscripts, like Taktashov, would not be there.

Remote control helicopter/plane bombs were used by mafia in 1990s

Already drones were used to take drugs into Irish prisons. Pipe bombs are regularly used in Ireland to put pressure on addicts to pay debts or to scare rivals.

Remote controlled car bombs were used in NI, and they took out helicopters with rockets before.

The tech exists, I am not sure how effective a small drone would be against an individual leaving a house or getting out of a car. Large car bombs, or hitmen in high viz were the go to tool in.the past. I don't think civilian drones would be that realisticly useful, maybe for scouting and directing but not directed lethal force. I could see remote controlled toy cars with a bomb attached being more impactful.