Russia - threadbanned users in OP

I'm of the mind that there are good Russians who are innocent of crimes in this war, and that there also extreemly brave Russians who have risked it all to call out the Kremlin on their nonsense (& deserve a tonne of praise). These people should not be hurt in this war, and should be assumed innocent until proven otherwise.

However, we can't pretend that the Russian Federation is being a normal civilised state in all of this. Steps needed to me made to underline to the Russian population that the actions of their nation are not an acceptable norm. While I am opposed to the killing or starving innocent Russian civilians in this war, and I am not opposed to sanctions being imposed to illustrate to their entire nation the seriousness of what they have done, so that they can get the impression that despite what the propagandists are telling them, none of this is good. That Russia engaging in an unjust war of annihilation, means that they can no longer access Western luxuries.

They'll still live without these things, and hopefully remain healthy, but they will not be able to enjoy these advantages of a civilised world, thanks to the actions of their government. They cannot go on holidays whereever they like anymore, but that is no war-crime.

As for sports; they should remain banned until they withdraw from Ukraine fully and make amends with them. How dare they expect to come to international sporting competitions, the alter of peaceful contest between nations, and feel like they can compete as if nothing is happening? Worse still, actually using these contests as a platform for the Nazi "Z" symboligy.

They'll live without joining in on an Olypmics or a World Cup etc. They'll live, and they hopefully also understand that Russia has made a very serious & continuing mistake by invading Ukraine.

"What exactly do you think they should do? I mean, sit out on o'connell st saying "I am against the war in Ukraine" holding a banner?"

Yes.... that would be a start.

I see both sides are claiming the other is almost spent numbers wise and will soon collapse. Whatever about Russia I doubt Ukraine would be conducting any offensive actions if this was true.

What I do see is Russia throwing much attacks at klivsheevka or however you spell it south of Bakhmut and other point's along the line. They're meant to be in defensive mode but yet are happy to keep throwing reserves anywhere Ukraine are making even slight progress.

Hopefully Russia officers are lying about their losses to the top brass and they think the situation is better then it is. Because Ukraine will be much happier in a defensive position picking off Russian's then having to do all the attacking and taking heavy losses themselves.

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Yes, and using the definition of a state as being freely and democratically elected by the people, who can then control the actions of the state. But this is not Russia. Russia was illegally hijacked by Putin, and its now a dictatorship, with Putin being the dictator. Citizens do not have choices in dictator run Country's. And this is the problem with Russia.

In addition. The term "cope cage" was used because early on in the war russia were installing these things in a desperate effort to protect themselves from Javelins and NLAWs. Which were absolutely tearing apart their tank columns. Of course they provide no real protection against these weapons. Hence "cope cage".

They have however been shown to be effective against FPV drones. Drones dropping grenades into the tank hatches and also against lancets. There's several pictures of same.

Indeed, but it's a Russian claim (they've even used CGI in some "reports" to make factories look larger than they are)

We'll see if a) it's true and b) their new drone systems even work

Russian men of fighting age who have a conscience should be joining up with https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_Russia_Legion

Any Russian citizen living or travelling to the civilised world should be made sign declarations at the border denouncing Putin's mafia regime on the understanding that they can only enter/remain the country if they're happy for that form to be sent to the Kremlin.

Any Russian already here and expressing support for the war should be repatriated immediately.

I had the "pleasure" of being picked up by a Russian taxi driver over the weekend who had the **** cheek to start complaining about Ukrainian refugees during the drive. Sadly, as she's married to an Irishman, it's unlikely she could be deported so I had to settle for pointing out her hypocrisy.

At the start of the full invasion last year I seem to remember a substantial group of Russians having a demonstration, except not against the war.

A group of them drove along the M50 waving Russian flags and some had Z signs as well. Pretty obvious they were fully supporting and cheering on the invasion.

There has been several of these Russian demonstrations across Europe, some seemed to be well organised.

I agree that we should not be blaming every Russian and dehumanising them all just because they are Russian, I dont think this is a road we should go down.

But you keep stating this is all on Putin and absolving the entire Russian population, even where many clearly support and cheer on the war. This is also wrong IMO.

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