Russia - threadbanned users in OP

A bit on skynews in regards to artillery shells going to Ukraine or lack of them since the Israel Gaza escalations since October.

Yes, Putin could well declare Mission Accomplished, and not only get away with it, but march in triumph all the way to the Kremlin, a newly popular re-elected Hero President. But his advisers don't want that.....and neither does he, so it will play out to the bitter end until the Russians will finally say ENOUGH. And while it's undoubtedly heading in that direction, it is still some time in the future, they haven't suffered enough yet. But even my Russian Friend, the one who is (or maybe not, but in Russia, you can't be too careful) an avid supporter of Putin, is complaining more and more about everyday life there. But never seems to make the connection between what's happening in society and Putin.

When Putin became president, the Country was in a really bad way. Yeltsin was no match for the Oligarchs who were literally robbing the country blind. Then Putin arrived, made an example of Khodorkovsky, brought the oligarchs under control, and immediately Russians saw improvements in their Lives. So, straight away Putin was hailed as a Saviour, a status that has kept him in power for many years. To this day he is hailed as the Saviour of Russia, and many Russians still treat him as such. In their eyes, Putin can do no wrong. Sure, he is not perfect, but it could be worse, much worse. And they are grateful for that. But also, for many in today's Russia (and for several years now) the sheen has worn off, and he has had to resort to murder and various schemes and tactics to keep his enemies at bay and hold on to power. The Invasion of Ukraine being his latest gambit, as Protector of the Russian People. But like Brexit where the lies and blame has worked since Brexit, the unescapable truth is emerging, the same thing is happening in Russia too. But whereas British people can and are protesting about Brexit and demanding closer ties with Brussels at a minimum to outright rejoin demands, such protests are impossible in Russia. None the less Putin has had to resort to even more skullduggery to reduce the chances of anything going wrong for him in the election. Even my Russian friends, the ones who were thanking God for giving them Putin, their only defense against Russians enemies, are now singing a different tune. He has lost the hero status, Life has become immeasurable harder for ordinary Russians, and while no one is blaming him outright, (because that would have consequences) there's been a 360 degree about turn in their attitude and thinking. For them too, the inescapable truth is emerging. And even more worrying for Putin now has to be what the Silovicki / Oligarchs / Military top brass is thinking. It will be an interesting winter. I wonder how it will unfold.

LOL

I wonder how the cost of living has changed since the war?

Bread, milk, electricity, insurance, etc.

Something is causing these loans and difficulty in repayment.

Edit: the news story on londoners eating squirrels maybe again projection of the reality at home and acceptance of such.

It's not about peace at any cost, no one is advocating that, but banging on and on about "don't yield a square cm of land" from your cosy and safe Irish home means absolutely nothing if Ukraine doesn't have the means to pull it off.

Look at our own country: a significant portion of it had to be given up to free the rest but it doesn't mean the goal has gone away. Sometimes things take a long time and justice is seldom perfect or linear.

As 2024 approaches it's clear that the West is examining various options together with Ukraine in case total victory doesn't happen, and compromises may be involved. Weapons flow is uncertain, exhaustion is high on both sides, and keyboard warriors certainly aren't doing anything to help the cause.

Having said all that, a few positive signs at the moment so hopefully the year will end with at least some momentum for Ukraine, but it's desperately needed:

Yes to all that.

I had a look though at a price comparison site and it appears cars, televisions, phones, the specialist hardware products are the most expensive in Russia compared with eastern europe.

There could be an element too of vainess. When you look at footage of Russians they seem to like their designer goods and keeping up with the Jones'. So everything could be outwardly looking normal but privately people are up to their eyeballs in debts and money sharks and privately hoping for some state intervention in debts.

There are many factors I guess, but reading between the lines, the drastic fall in value in the Ruble plus the increase in costs in basic food stuffs has affected many Russians, especially pensioners and anyone on a fixed income but even those in steady employment. I must ask this during my next conversation with my Russian friend's. The overall impression that I'm getting now is that Life is hard for ordinary Russians, and I'm not even talking about the results of the war, the widows, the disabled etc. just ordinary society.

Sure, in the hallowed halls the Kremlin, and the more upmarket select eating houses in Moscow and St. Petersburg. But travel outside these places and visit the republics, and its a very different story. Borscht being a staple soup, (and its quite tasty too.) And many variations of the same.

It sounded very much like you were lumping me in with the peace at any cost group, whereas I am not at all on that side.

My stance is simply that saying Ukraine must fully liberate all territory to teach Russia and other rogue states a lesson is great in theory but irrelevant if they don't have the weapons to do it, and at the moment they don't. Ukraine's own military experts have said this, Western military experts have said it, Zelensky's own recent plea "don't forget us" along with admission that not only the Russian but also the Ukrainian army is exhausted is a clear admission that this could yet go either way.

And while I largely agree it's up to Ukraine to decide what level of compromise they are prepared to accept, only a fool would claim the West won't massively influence that decision, as without Western weapons they will lose the war (again Zelensky's own words).

As for examining options beyond total victory:

Where did I say Ukraine is a CIA puppet? Absolutely nowhere.

I said Ukraine's ability to win the war is dependent on the West delivering more and better weapons. Zelensky has said the same himself, many times. This is not a controversial statement, despite your desperation to make it one.