Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

What an overly simplistic, myopic description of international diplomatic affairs. The fact remains that NATO is almost exclusively designed to be a defensive organisation, borne out of the threat posed by Soviet absorption of satellite nations and crushing of democratic institutions right on Western borders. The fact remains that Ukraine, as a sovereign, functioning democratic nation had every right to discuss its future relations with whatever institutions it wished. The fact remains that the lack of meaningful defence in the opening 24 hours of Russia's invasions proved that Ukraine posed no military threat to Russia. The fact remains that the Ukrainian population have remained steadfast in their resistance to Russia's invasion and destruction of their country.

If NATO is the issue here, why has Russia not invaded Finland and Sweden? The reason? The NATO Threat excuse is a complete red herring used by Putin to justify indulging his expansionist fantasies.

The best hope for a Russian conscript is to taken alive by Ukraine, but even then there's the risk that you'll be sent back in a prisoner exchange and find yourself back to square one with a gun at your back as you head off in a new meat wave.

Meat Wave is depressingly accurate because there's no better way to describe Putin's inhumanity.

@Kermit.de.frog "I wish the reality was different but the fact is there is no prospect of Russia relinquishing held territory."

It is not necessary to physically drive the Russians out. If their economy goes down the drain these destroyed lands will only be a liability for them and they can be sanctioned until they leave. Russia is facing into a catastrophe. Not least because their country is physically falling apart. As for exploiting the zinc reserves - let's see how that goes…

It looks like whoever was in charge of the interior re-design of this Russian school, with the brief of paying homage to the Russian Armed Forces is about to have an accident out of a tall building!!!

Belarus to receive Oreshnik missiles from next year and be able to choose targets themselves. Also they will be stationed in the far east putting most of the US in range

Reading this ....

Once they have the AA on the plane for transport, Ukraine has the chance to do something hilarious.

re ‘ ——- integrity of the provinces——-‘. Would that be the case for Ukraine being given the Province of ALLOF Kursk. After all , fair is fair!

Another night, another war crime by the terrorist state. How do you negotiate with people who murder civilians on a daily basis?

is there an emoji for "snort"? There should be.

Careful now. Somebody might take exception to "tankie".

But not going to happen is it? Ukraine is very likely going to be giving up territory for "peace" in 2025, how can it be otherwise when the next American president is now condemning the use of American weapons on Russian territory and being rewarded with praise by the Putin regime. Trump gives zero f*KS about Ukraine and without American support there is big trouble ahead

On the other hand as the world's largest weapons exporter you wouldn't want to inspire current European customers to invest in their own arms industries to counter inconsistent US support.

Trump is a slow learner, when he "gets it", or understands the complexity of NATO interdependence he'll lose interest and go back to bombing unisex toilets.

The Donbass is a prick of a place to fight through , coming or going. there is thousands of Kms of defensive lines , and more minefield than a Cambodian walk in the park , I can't see it being an easy ,the lines just folded type of thing,just trying to take Donetsk city by force would be a nightmare -

Different story if the trains stop running,

I wouldn't worry about kursk ,in a full collapse the Ukrainians would probably pick the best defensive lines in the area , and tell Russia go jump , but that could be a long way off - or not ala Syria ..