Russia - threadbanned users in OP

I would if my level of suffering because of the war got to the point where I was left with no other choice but to do that. Read the first line of my previous post:-

I want Russians who voice support of the war to experience every bit of economic and social pain this war can possibly bring them until they have a change of heart and, as the old rehab saying goes, the pain of change becomes to them less than the pain of staying the same.

Ideally, I would like them to press for change before they reach this point, but human nature being what it is, this probably won't happen, therefore ordinary Russians will have to suffer more in order to mount the political pressure that forces a military withdrawal.

I will admit I don't know much about Iran but I have to say I am not optimistic about that regime ending (or even just moderating) any time soon. Seems (as an outside observer) they have upped their brutality and viciousness and this worked for them (so far) - not a positive lesson really and unlikely to lead to good things. Suppose all we can do is hope something changes for the better.

As for the relationship with Russia, well it is caught on a giant spike in Ukraine and very desperate now.

Iran have leverage there + they know it. Pure speculation...I am betting Putin has promised them God only knows what behind closed doors for help with drones and sanctions busting (main rational/self interest based reason I can come up with for their extremely significant assistance to Russia here in a fight that has nothing to do with them, apart from the fact the US supports Ukraine).

Could be transfer of 1 or more of their big remaining weapons-related crown jewels left over from Soviet era....jet engine technology, rocket motor/missile technology, nuclear weapons designs, maybe even biological weapons expertise. All a bit scary to think about.

We seem to be having a bit of a "moment" for scumbag corrupt autocracy and dictators around the world. There was a short period in last 20-30 years where new IT and communication revolutions coming out of the US/West disrupted their hold over the people in some countries (esp. in ME) where the govt.'s were not ready, but that is well and truly over.

This is why I say the Ukrainians just need to hold out and preserve their soldiers. If they can maintain pressure for another 12 months it may not be worth Russia's interests to continue as they collapse internally.

Some Russians know if they succeed with this land grab it will pay, 2/3 000k from poor or occupied don't matter

It there history to behave

They need an iron curtain permanently otherwise they keep threatening

Lol

Warning: graphic photos

I remember that red fox skit.... it floored me

And if Russia was a normal democratic law abiding state, then I'm 100% sure that would be the case. But its not, is it? Russia is a mafia terrorist state ruled by a mafia dictator, so the normal rules don't apply. Its one where the slightest disagreement or protest will bring the wrath of Putin down on you and yours. Putin believes in making examples of people who try to change his system, and such examples usually end in the graveyard.

The BBC production Trauma Zone gives a very good break down of what happened to give us the present day Russsia.

Ordinary Russian people be it in Russia or abroad are currently completely irrelevant to this conflict . They have absolutely no cohesive influence on affairs. It is a waste of time discussing revolution or uprising until something actually concrete materialises. Those videos that appear of street interviews in Russia ,while they may be useful for insight into Russian thinking, they are a complete waste of time and you won’t get that time back and once you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all. Pages have been wasted on this thread discussing possible revolt among the Russian people. It’s not happening. They are irrelevant to this conflict. It’s jarring for us with a western mindset to grasp that but it is the crushing reality.

**** happens when you can't treat half a continent as your economic satellites. The Soviet \ Warsaw Pact system was designed for Russia's economic benefit.

Like colonies, these conquered regions contributed significantly to Russia’s economic wealth and defense.

https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS278437244120140318

Campaign to fund 10k kamikaze drones has already reached $1 million in just a few hours in Ukraine