Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

Some time ago (at least a year and a half, maybe two) I heard someone suggest that of all the occupied Ukrainian territories that could be re-taken, Crimea made the most military and political sense.

It's a vulnerable outpost at the best of times, and the Kremlin can only hold onto it by sending supplies across the Kerch bridge or the narrow strip of land at the north - easy targets for an army with a plan. In contrast, taking Luhansk or Donetsk would likely be for the Ukrainians the same kind of slow trudge as it's been for the Russians coming in the other direction. The border is so long there is no single choke point that would really cripple logistics (at least not any more than the Ukrainians are doing already).

More valuable, though, would be gaining control over that part of the Black Sea, with the indirect effect of providing increased protection for Odessa; and even more valuable still would be the utter humiliation inflicted upon Putin if everyone in Russia knew that he had lost Crimea.

It'll be a great day when we see the blue-and-yellow flying over Sevastopol!

That’s grim reading, do the soldiers who are willingly signing up know what awaits them ?

You need to get on a stage to get attention while chanting “Death death to Orcs” these days

Multiple the number of dead and wounded and dozens more cities destroyed and worse over a longer time frame but yet all one hears on news is wall to wall kneecap coverage

Why is western media so obsessed with Israel - Gaza war when the Russia - Ukraine war has higher overall death rates per month?

Israel Gaza War 80K deaths in 9 months, 8900 per month. Russia Ukraine war since '22 over 400,000 deaths in 40 months, 10000 per month. Both wars most probably much higher in reality.

The longer war with higher death rate should be getting more news coverage not less! Russia - Ukraine war is vital to the future of Europe yet it has been under reported since last October. The far left & their media sympathisers in Ireland & Europe are still under heavy Russian influence, many are still traditional tankie scum.

Big hit here. Could be fair few high ranking individuals killed here

Ukraine got huge coverage when it looked like Russia might steamroll it. Gaza is currently getting huge coverage because it looks like Netanyahu May succeed in wiping it off the face of the earth.

It’s not really a competition. If it was, Tigray/ Eritrea/ Ethiopia and Sudan would like a word.

Is now a good time to quote yourself? A day ago

The country we are told is not involved in this war and does not send soldiers and equipment celebrates a year of participating in said war

European response to North Korea fighting on European soil was incredibly weak.

Suppose if they crossed into Ukraine proper. Might be a different response, who knows.

The Israeli invasion of Gaza has wall to wall coverage by journalists, overseas government defence attaches, United Nations emergency organisations, Human Rights observers, plus various non governmental charities & aid workers. Obviously news of Israeli atrocities gets exposed very quickly by the media & overseas governments.

In Russian occupied Ukraine, the true total of civilian murders & atrocities, rape, kidnaping & abduction of children taken away to Russia as well as other war crimes has yet to be fully exposed in the same way as above. The large scale press gangs / forced conscription policy of putting reluctant civilians into military service, the large scale abuse & murder of Russian soldiers by their "own side" are also massive war crimes, as are the constant "meat waves" of under equipped / badly armed undernourished soldiers being sent into battle.

Lack of western access to battlefield regions by Russian military ensures that the true story is not exposed for now. I suspect that the true totals of carnage will eventually be revealed, it's just a matter of time.

Everyone in Eastern Europe is well aware of the Russian meat grinder, but Ireland has had a tangible presence as UN witness to the decades long Israeli policy of terror and genocide.

The biggest enabler to that murder is the USA, which we are heavily bound up with trade.

Our skin in the middle east game is far deeper than being peripheral as an EU member supplying shelter to Ukranians.

Plus our lazy anglosphere dependency for news feeds underserves us.

I know people have been saying for about 3 years now that Russia will eventually run out of men, of weapons, of money, the sanctions will start to pinch etc.

But it does seem like even Moscow are now acknowledging they have difficulties. I believe the war has taken a massive toll on Russia.

This now becomes quite winnable for "the West", they can up the ante and force Russia to the negotiating table.

1. Use the frozen funds to give Ukraine what it needs. Give them the technology they need.
2. Secondary sanctions. The EU and the US are critical trading partners for China and India - whereas Russia are not. If the right pressure is applied, they can brought into line. They have been allowed to have their cake and eat it.

That would leave Russia in a dire position, and hopefully persuade them to agree a peace deal.