Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

As Christopher Hitchens said of life in North Korea

There's nothing to watch, there's nothing to see. All the television programs, when it's working, are all about the Dear Leader, as are all operas, all films, all concert performances and all public lectures. There's nothing else to talk about.

Looks like the Kerch bridge defences may have been probed by sea drones. Don't want to waste any precious Taurus.

Ukranians are quite inventive and innovative. No idea where they'd pop up next.

Would not be surprised if they do a lot of damage somewhere out far East.

"Try not to sound so excited".

Please explain what you mean by this.

I'm sure there's Trump diehards who believe Canada is rightfully theirs and nothing will persuade them otherwise.

I'm sure there's millions of Putin believers who feel the same about Ukraine and the baltics, but saying otherwise could get you either volunteered for the front or punished in some other way.

Russia is vast and a strong man myth holds it together, but withdrawing from Ukraine now would puncture the myth of Putin so he'll won't let go.

If Ukraine did manage to get Putin the question then becomes can anyone sustain the greater Russia myth?

Ukraine have taken out the Kerch bridge again 😂

Reports of 2nd explosion on twitter now

Gorbachev was one of the greatest leaders of Russian history. He ended socialism and slavery in an almost completely bloodless manner freeing hundreds of millions of people. Despite that, most Russians have a low opinion of his leadership. He didn't even get a state funeral when he died 2 years ago.

Stalin on the other hand can kill millions of his own people and they now back to naming cities after him again.

I've met Russians down through the years and I know not all of them think in this way. Unfortunately, the majority are swayed by this "strong man" leadership characteristic.

Could be a sustained attack.

Hopefully the start to another good day for Ukraine!

Taking bets here: How long until our local Vatniks show up talking about how Ukraine lost another field after killing 2000 Russians?

That was my experience in my time in Russia (pre-Putin). Stalin was revered because that was when the world was afraid of Russia / USSR and progress was seen to be on a par with the West. Breshnev was fine - everybody had work and a place to live with no shortages of essential items. People were unwilling to talk about Chernenko and Andropov, but Gorbachev was reviled by many. Yes, he opened the country but Russia was no longer a world power and no longer feared. I can understand how Putin has grown his power through projecting a perception of the strong man.

I just got a message from a Ukrainian buddy that further attacks on the bridge are ongoing now as well as multiple power stations in occupied Ukraine being hit too. He says much of SE Ukraine is now without power.