thats enough internet for today
I wouldn't get caught up on it, with each atrocity that Russia commits, anger builds and it is hard not to lash out. The bad behaviour wherever they go also doesn't paint a good picture. I have some experience having visited Russia on three occasions, the last time back in 2019. Back then I talked with my Russian colleagues about Putin, the message from them was they felt helpless and were just trying to get on with life as best they could. Another Russian colleague who lives in Germany despised what Putin had done to her country and was the main reason she was living in the West. I think honestly we all know there are so many decent people in Russia such as that man being sentenced to 1.5 years for holding a sign - he may likely be mobilised and if so I hope he can get to safety with the Ukrainians.
Just on my times in Russia, apart from the bad roads and driving outside of Moscow I was always well looked after and did feel safe. Moscow was a wonderful city to visit to see its historical landmarks and getting around was easy by using the underground. I was always apprehensive about handing over my passport when entering the industrial complexes but no harm came it was always handed back to me when leaving. It a real shame that Russia never got a proper shot at as a functioning democracy.
Just want to add Roboytne is probably not as liberated as I originally claimed but it is getting closer.
Claiming the majority of a nationality are horrible people is exactly a dehumanisation exercise.
Its literally the same stuff that the Russian state (as distinct from russian populace) claim about Ukrainians.
Highlighting the majority of a nationality are horrible people doesn't make it some sort of de-humanisation exercise.
LOL. I mean, that's precisely what you just did in your reply. All Russians are horrible people: what do you think that entails when you say that?
There is a really easy fix which they have no intention of doing.
This thread has really taken a ... I dunno, a dark & cynical take in trying to basically prosecute and analyse Russians as now not just complicit, but "terrible people". I don't think there's an intent towards dehumanisation, though there sure is an attempt to hold all of the population to blame for its problems, and maybe people need to take a step back and consider the language and perspectives here.
Russia is a deeply complex country and while ostensibly presents as broadly "Western" adjacent in its ethnicities, history, architecture etc. and so on, it couldn't be more different from what grew into the liberal and social democracies West of the Danube. It missed so many of the social and cultural revolutions that created the societies we live in now - and is the base of why I believe it's a moribund state, lurching from one autocrat to another 'til the inevitable collapse.
The war in Ukraine has shown a groundswell of support for Ukraine, and seems like most here want them to prevail against a demonstrable antagonist an hostile power - but I'd also suggest we take a breath and stop trying to rationalise an end-point where Russia become actual Orcs rathe than only metaphorical ones.
When Roboytne is fully secured they should move laterally as they'll now be attacking other fortifications from the side and behind. Easiest way to move the entire frontline up instead of attacking head on everywhere.
After Roboytne falls they'll have broken through about 7KM on the road to Tokmak with about 19km left. This is a Town the size of Navan and the Russians are throwing everything at stopping the approach.
IMO unless Ukraine attack laterally now and move the entire frontline up it will expose them too much to counter attacks and reduce their options for moving forward.
Had a similar experience in Nha Trang in Vietnam... absolutely horrible people
Except that its standard operational practice for Putin's hordes, as has been already proved many times in Ukraine.
I've had first hand experience of their obnoxious behaviour. We took what we expected to be a "quiet" winter break in Sharm El-Sheikh about 10 years ago. The hotel occupancy was 99% Russian and they were an absolute disgrace. They were drunk 24/7, roared and shouted non-stop, had zero regard for queueing and were very nasty to the hotel staff. It was horrendous. We learned a costly lesson about doing proper holiday destination research.
In fairness, the Russian forces probably say this about Ukrainian soldiers they've managed to capture as well. Would I be more inclined to believe Ukrainian soldiers who've said it? Yes, I would. However, it is all background noise one way or the other.
Developments at Robotyne are the most significant and encouraging news I've heard about Ukraine's counter-offensive in the last couple of weeks. The flanking operation around Bakhmut appears to have stalled completely, although this is allowing for the fact that a control map is hardly going to give us the latest movements of Ukrainian forces behind enemy lines.
@RoyalCelt
Finally some news that Ukraine may be taking Roboytne. The approach to that town caused Ukraine so much hassle. It must have been Very open with little cover. Hopefully wherever lies after this town is a little more forgiving.
If someone would like to come in and give a bit of analysis on Ukraine's next steps from Robotyne, it would be appreciated.
According to this screencap I just made, there appears to be a settlement of at least as large a size that sits between Robotyne and what I guess is the first main line of Russian defence. Would the fight for this second settlement be as fierce?
Sanctions, much lower exports and an expensive war starting to really hit the Russian economy.
The US and other big western nations are loving this I'd imagine.
100% correct, the latest this evening is the Russian central bank is after calling an extra ordinary meeting scheduled for Tuesday morning, theres a talking point that they will most likely raise interest rates again - they raised them by a full 1% only a short time ago, I believe its up to 8% or near that at this stage so another substantial rise will be crippling for a lot of people domestically.
In a rare enough show of inter kremlin \ banking sector bickering, the kremlin has blamed the rubles trouble on the banks soft banking approach and have proclaimed that the bank has all the tools in which it needs to return the ruble to normality in the short term.......looks like the kremlin is setting up some of the countries top financiers for a trip to the Gulags or a trip (excuse the pun) out the top window if the ruble continues on its downward glide path.
There are some good Russians, but when they speak they get imprisoned like this guy, very truthful speech
War is a bloody tragic mess, especially this one, there are such stories on both sides, as well as stories of reluctant soldiers suffering and committing suicide in the trenches. The shooting of the prisoners legs during questioning has been documented on both sides:
I like to think we are discussing the bigger picture here, the illegal invasion of Ukraine and how the war is progressing. Focusing on such incidents and blaming an entire nation is not logical in my opinion.
Strange. Ukrainian forces say that they are breaking through defences and finding Russians high on drink or drugs!
And the milk sops keep toing and froing about what they will send and what they won't send. Send everything short of nuclear now.
Yeah, and even the Russian government, or especially the Russian government, have been talking utter shíte on this thing since day one. The level they're at is saying that the Ukrainian government is full of drug addicts and Nazis. Showing a billboard with a highly ambitious version of Ruski Mir is pretty unsurprising.
I thought that at first too.
But then it is a government training centre.
Obviously, that's just the Russian nationalist version of a defiant statement more so than anything like a real objective.
@SortingYouOut "How exactly are they going to facilitate credit for loaves of bread, to be paid over 12 months?"
Bread police?
Meaningless twaddle.
Russian perspective
We will teach you (with destruction, rape, pillage, genocide, paedophilia, castration, mutilation, subjugation, torture,) to love the motherland.
Stay classy Russia.
Edit: just wondering since it is a training centre. Is this really what is being taught inside. Killing two birds with one stone in Putin's Russia.
You're quite correct that such a Brit would not be welcome here in Ireland with such a message.
And neither would Ukrainians or their supporters from the 'west' be welcome in Russia with such a message - death to all Russians.
From which logic we may deduce that you are posting from the terrorist state itself.
The Kyiv post has some interesting articles today, highlighting the fact that the majority of US citizens are against continued funding of Ukraine, and they hold Biden responsible.
There is also a front page article by Gary Kasparov, who really has the knives out for Biden and Obama.
Links below:
Yes, and as time goes by, the Russian holiday destinations world wide will shrink too. Aside from the Ruble value falling, their obnoxious behaviour is making them more and more unpopular everywhere.
Because they know what would happen if they did not
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://we.vanillicon.com/v2/e050b53be62f0ae2404c620976170938.svg)
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://w1.vanillicon.com/v2/11f397efbb618f280f346771bb290fe0.svg)
