Posted by: Gt Stroller | Dec 22 2022 19:29 utc | 79
thanks for that. very heartening. there are many very sensible and encouraging observations in those twitter posts. I had just about given up on england. perhaps I was a little premature.. hope so…

Posted by: abrogard | Dec 22 2022 20:58 utc | 103

Personally I’d like to hear a few more views and try to find some facts on the proposed expansion of the Russian miliatry from 1.0M to 1.5m (I think around 16 Division equivalents, 400 combat aircraft and 500 helicopters per the comment yesterday here – apologies cannot trace now the source), and also what Mercouris claims is a Polish mobilisation.
I have no facts so cannot add anything here. However it would be not be rational for Russia to expand its military in manpower terms unless it thought it had the military stockpiles and MIC to form these units and supply them in a real war – which as we now see uses material at a prodigious rate. I’m unsure of timescales here, but this is not an overnight thing.
And quite apart from what and how much, there is the question of why?

Posted by: marcjf | Dec 22 2022 21:03 utc | 105

“Whilst celebrating his 59th birthday in a restaurant in Donetsk, Rogozin and Vitaliy Khotsenko, the chairman on the self proclaimed separatist Donetsk People’s Republic, received shrapnel injuries from the explosion of a precision munition fired by Ukraine.”
Rogozin, former Roscosmos head, is seriously, perhaps critically wounded, if twitter is correct.
Russia really do need to get a grip on security. afaik even now webcams in the SMO zone are still broadcasting and being monitored by Ukraine people.
They also need to improve their own precision munitions – watching telegram videos of artillery work its noticeable how many munitions bracket the target or are close but not on top of it. Fifty years ago that would have been accurate fire, but not now. As I understand it the US are handing over a lot more kit which turns an artillery shell into a smart one, capable of changing course.
There’s no point in having ten times as much artillery if it’s ten times less accurate.

Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Dec 22 2022 21:12 utc | 107

Posted by: Thoughtcriminal | Dec 22 2022 16:46 utc | 26
Why do you keep referring to the KGB? It doesn’t exist anymore. Was that a mistake on your part?

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Dec 22 2022 21:18 utc | 109

BBC and other channels reporting on Rogozin, who was Deputy PM of Russia. His wife’s not well either.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64063046
“Dmitry Rogozin said he was wounded on Wednesday evening after someone leaked details that he and others were having dinner at the Shesh-Besh hotel, on the southern outskirts of Donetsk. An aide told Russian media the hotel had been targeted by precision-guided munitions, probably fired by a French-made Caesar howitzer. “It was a business meeting with a close circle of associates after returning from one of the volunteer units,” he posted on social media on Thursday. “We’ve been staying in this hotel all these months and in eight years, the enemy never shelled this place.” Mr Rogozin is widely known for his anti-Western rhetoric and his support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He turned 59 on Wednesday, but denied reports that he was celebrating his birthday at the time.”
How come Zelensky can fly in and out of Ukraine, or does he go to Poland first?

Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | Dec 22 2022 21:26 utc | 111

When this SMO began, now 300 days ago, I offered that the goals went beyond those stated by Putin (demilitarization, denazification, protection if eastern Ukraine, neutrality for Ukraine) to also include the establishment of a multipolar world and financial system and the creation of economic blocs standing apart and free of the US and Europe. Russia and the United States are really the only two great powers that contain food production, energy production, an educated workforce, an industrial history, and military might. China for example, while economically powerful, does not have energy and has trouble producing food. Same for Europe. But, of the two great possibly autarkic powers, only Russia stands today as the power most likely to succeed in the new regime, because Russian autarky is real, current, and true, protecting a population used to suffering and willing to suffer. The United States’ ability to suffer is an open question. For the US to succeed as an autarkic power the population will have to face a huge change in standard of living, much greater than the Russian.
All of this leads me to believe that when the dust settles it will be Russia as the leading power of the 21sr century, not the US, not China. It is as if they have trained for this for the last century. And my greatest fear is that NATO and the West, knowing this (as surely they must) will in desperation bring out the tactical nukes, for there is no way they can wind a ground war.
Very dicey times, these.

Posted by: Boomheist | Dec 22 2022 21:31 utc | 113

Yet and On @107
The broad spatter pattern of those Russian strikes most probably were not tube-artillery, rather those Grad multiple rocket launching systems, essentially updates and upgrades of their Katyusha systems they used with great success against the Germans in WWII. Such rocketry is best used against mass attacks or crowded and cramped defensive bastions. Their kill ratio in the Donbass situation is likely somewhat limited, but their PTSD factor probably leads to frequent changes of underpants for the Ukie grunts in the trenches.

Posted by: aristodemos | Dec 22 2022 21:46 utc | 115

That won’t work. Ukraine would still get supplied through its border with Moldova/Romania and by Odessa. At this point it seems too late anyway as the only country with significant numbers of heavy weapons to supply is the US. And I don’t think that the hundreds of Abrams sitting in Poland and Romania would sit there idly while this offensive was happening.
First of all Ukraine does not have a border with Moldova. Transdinistra is in the way.
Second, NATO is a paper tiger…. The Abrams will go the way of the vast Ukie tank force…. into the scrap yard… assuming they don’t get nuked first…
INDY

Posted by: Dr. George W Oprisko | Dec 22 2022 21:52 utc | 117

I heard from a guy from Ukraine. That “hand to the heart” gesture you saw in Congress is a typical Ukrainian Mafia gesture. That should tell you something. This is open mockery of the Americans.
By the way, Biden saying “Belensky” was fitting. It’s the Biden-Elensky scam. They can’t let a new government reveal the grift that has been going on, with tax money sent to Ukraine and then channeled to the Democrats via Bankman’s FTX. No wonder an Obama-appointed prosecutor demanded that Bankman be arrested THE DAY BEFORE he was to be heard by Congress, thereby silencing him. No prosecutor would arrest a guy the day before a hearing. Except one from this corrupt leftist operation.
When speaking to the Greek parliament through video, Zelensky had the introduction made by a Greek … who is a hardcore nazist. That was at least funny. And at least then the Greeks understood what a joke that was played on them. Not that the rest of the world was informed, except in small notes. Imagine if Putin had done that. You’d hear it EVERY TIME the war was mentioned.

Posted by: Tenet | Dec 22 2022 22:06 utc | 119

“The only time in my life that can recollect any US president saying anything similar [about investing in young] was JFK in relation to the Space Race and his rather odd mantra: “Don’t ask what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Putin/Russia’s outlook is rather different–Your country will help prepare you to do whatever you can to help your country. And much of that effort is done in a collective fashion, so it becomes clear that all helps all so that all succeed. That’s Russian Communalism. And it’s very powerful.”
karlof1 | Dec 22 2022 17:41 utc | 40
_____
Thanks Karl. That’s very inspiring and encouraging for all.
Putin’s focus on nurturing the huge potential inherent in children’s minds and hearts reminds me of the gospel story of Jesus’ disciples, when they were shooing away a group of kids trying to approach Jesus, then busy teaching the “grown-ups”.
“When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'” (Mark 10:14 NIV)

Posted by: Doug Hillman | Dec 22 2022 22:11 utc | 121

Ćevapčići | Dec 22 2022 17:38 utc | 39
Speed is only important, if it enables you to cause large damage to the enemy. Also, the blitzkrieg works usually when defender doesn’t have defense-in-depth or alternative defense lines. Which seems to not be the case in Ukraine. Some people think it’s a WW1 grind, yeah, but it works.
Posted by: Jen | Dec 22 2022 20:00 utc | 89
That sounds logical. It might literally be detrimental to ones health to go to a bar or disco during wartime.

Posted by: unimperator | Dec 22 2022 22:19 utc | 123

Cannon Fodder or Cannot Fodder.
Cannon Fodder, because, you know, the thing (as Joe B would say),
And Cannot Fodder, because they won’t “win,” and the most they can achieve is to be KIA, WIA or POW. Those few who may survive are going to be amazingly lucky.

Posted by: Zed | Dec 22 2022 22:35 utc | 125

https://t.me/dimsmirnov175/41842
Historic talk
…where am i?
…and where am i?
And what’s the fuck with those two?!!

Posted by: Arioch | Dec 22 2022 22:55 utc | 127

Lorsqu’on vend des missiles sol-air patriots à Zelensky, c’est l’escalade froide dans le ciel donc le ciel répond immédiatement pour les fêtes de Noël avec une tempête froide à 850 h.Pa

“Just look it” comme on dit. Cela devrait faire comprendre des choses à certains…

Posted by: Christophe Nicolas | Dec 22 2022 23:08 utc | 129

@ karlof1 122
Kudos. It bears repeating. That ‘You are a treasure’ is an understatement.
= = = = = = =
Mike Whitney has a new piece up at UNZ.musing US’ troops direct entry in Ukraine. And it’s worth the visuals of Biden sitting in a [UKIE] laundromat – bags of.. laundry waiting for the spin dry cycle. Nah, I won’t spoil it. Go take a look – scroll down – even if you skip the article.
Why Putin’s Winter Offensive Will Prompt US Entry Into the War
LINK

Volodymyr Zelensky did not fly across the Atlantic so he could deliver a speech to the US Congress. That was not the purpose of his trip. The real objective was to produce a galvanizing event that would create the illusion of broad-based public support for the war. That is why the speech was broadcast on all the mainstream media channels and that is why Congress repeatedly greeted Zelensky with raucous applause.
Once again, the cadres of voracious elites who control the political levers of power in America, are determined to drag the country to war, which is why they portray a cross-dressing “thug in a gym suit” as a Churchillian figure of unshakable principles. It’s all public relations. It’s all an attempt to garner support for a conflict which will soon involve young American men and women who will be asked to die so that wealthy elites can maintain their grip on global power.[.]
What that tells us is that Washington is still committed to defeating Russia whatever the cost.[.]
….Colonel Douglas MacGregor who laid it out in an article at The American Conservative on Tuesday. Here’s what he said:
The Biden administration’s unconditional support for the Zelensky regime in Kiev is reaching a strategic inflection point not unlike the one LBJ reached in 1965… Like South Vietnam in the 1960s, Ukraine is losing its war with Russia… The real danger now is that Biden will soon appear on television to repeat LBJ’s performance in 1965, substituting the word “Ukraine” for “South Vietnam”[.]
The plan to lure Russia into a war in Ukraine goes back at least a decade. And what we know now from comments by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is that Washington never sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict but worked tirelessly to install a Russia-hating regime in Kiev that would help it to prosecute its war on Russia. The gathering of nearly 600,000 Russian combat troops in or around Ukraine threatens to derail Washington’s strategy and end the war on Russia’s terms. Washington can’t allow that to happen. It cannot allow the world to see that it was beaten by Russia. Thus, Washington must pursue the only option left to them, the deployment of US troops to Ukraine.
Perhaps, cooler heads will prevail and the administration will pull back from the brink, but we think that is highly unlikely. We think the decision has already been made: We think the United States is going to war with Russia.
read in full

(emphasis added)
Yes, something big cometh.

Posted by: Likklemore | Dec 22 2022 23:13 utc | 131

Posted by: Mike R | Dec 22 2022 20:41 utc | 100
I wonder how it works in the Donbas areas regarding property ownership? Land titles from Kiev Ukraine are respected by the new regime? Or something different?

Posted by: abrogard | Dec 22 2022 23:42 utc | 133

Twitter is mass suspending people for sharing the photo of Elensky giving the microphone a blowjob while Harris and Pelosi hold the blueyellow nazi rag behind him.
According to Melon Husk the photo pdnr a violation of Twitter ToS.
But everyone sharing it is still getting suspended.
Therefore Twitter is still being actively censored by the FBI/CIA.
Which means there is a deliberate loophole created to let them in.

Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Dec 22 2022 23:49 utc | 135

@Likklemore 131
Recent US actions make it clear that this will be a full fledged US vs Russia war by summer of next year. I don’t think the US will be able to do a proper mobilization before Spring. Apparently Poland has enough troops ready to go to slow down Russia until the US has a properly mobilized force.
The US has thrown so much intense anti-Russia propaganda arpund that we have backed ourselves into a corner. If Russia only takes another bite sized piece of Ukraine, excluding Odessa, then possibly this can be delayed a bit. But a lot of Anericans are expecting Ukraine to take Crimea back very soon.
I expect Putin and associates will work out their probabilities, and go with a very strong choice. He often surprises us, and in the aftermath when all is said and done it turns out that yeah, once again Putin made a decent or better decision.

Posted by: Woke American | Dec 22 2022 23:52 utc | 137

@OdessaConnected | 1
It is impossible to know if Russian High command is stupid.
From what I can see Surovikin (sp?) is a very competent commnder who is paying attention to detail and values the lives of his soldiers.
He has a stated strategy of “ginding the Ukrainian army down”. He is doing this through long range fires. I has his forces in grasping contact with the enemy and that grasp allows his supperior artillery to inflict significant human and material damage while limiting his own losses.
Meanwhile, his missile offense against the deep rear has the effot of slowly degrading Ukraines ability to move men and equipment quickly.
The real question we all want answered is when will the big hammer blows fall that send the AFU into disorganized flight. Surovikin my have those plans or he may not. As long as Ukraine sends it’s forces to him the grind can continue.
My own sense is that a series of coordinated offenses will occur starting in the north and rolling south in sequence all the way to the south aimed at Zaphorozia. With a substnatial reserve held ready to reinforce success. Each attack would have the effect to drawing in Ukrainian reserves only to have the next attack in sequence cause them to be diverted and dispersed.
No matter the success of the attack, they will be costly in Russian lives. As long as the AFU cooperates and continues to offer itself for battle and destruction at minimal Russian cost, General S’s efforts seem pretty smart to me.

Posted by: Dan Farrand | Dec 23 2022 0:04 utc | 139

Melaleuca @140–
Thanks for the link to a less gross depiction. I thought of posting the other to my VK Wall but I couldn’t bring myself to do so. I want people to visit and leave enlightened, not grossed-out and turned off no matter how accurate that depiction is.

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 23 2022 0:23 utc | 141

Unimperator @ 123, NWoods @ 126:
Maybe our friend Ćevapčići @ 39 meant SPEED as in methamphetamine. Though I’m sure ISIS used methamphetamine or its equivalent in Captagon pills in Syria and I don’t think the ISIS fighters had very much success against the Syrians after the Russians, the Iranians and Hezbollah started aiding Damascus.

Posted by: Jen | Dec 23 2022 0:30 utc | 143

In her briefing today, Zakharova took a different tack in her recap of the Ukraine Crisis–essentially, no matter the number of hideous crimes committed by Ukraine and its NATO accomplices, Russia will overcome all, win and reestablish peace and its attributes for those it liberates. Those committing crimes will be faced with justice–even those outside Ukraine. Those running Ukraine have become no different that ISIS Terrorists, those that Europe once shunned but now (or actually have always) support.
IMO, the now dead Brezenski is the primary criminal behind the current policy of the Outlaw US Empire, but it’s clear he had many acolytes who continue it relatively unchanged. As I recall, Brezenski was never labeled a Neocon, although it ought to be clear by now that he’s clearly one.
As for Imperial Stormtroopers overtly entering Ukraine, I don’t see that happening unless their fate is to be the same as the Ukies as there’s no visible logistical build of the sort that a major NATO effort would require.

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 23 2022 1:02 utc | 145

Russian military is behind to the extent one should use the word…retardation. Always 1 step behind, always!
Kherson official dies in car bombing
Ukrainian “terrorists” have killed the head of the local village, Andrey Shtepa, the region’s authorities report
https://swentr.site/russia/568757-kherson-village-head-assassination/
Ukraine is playing with Russia by now, pure humilation.
Posted by: Zanon | Dec 22 2022 19:48 utc | 85

Ukraine used a car bomb to kill someone in RUSSIAN HELD territory. Very convincing evidence that definitely proves Ukraine is winning.

Posted by: Simon | Dec 23 2022 1:21 utc | 147

Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Dec 22 2022 23:54 utc | 138
Remember how those of us who condemned Putin’s failure to crush the nazis in 2014 predicted that this would mean Russia would have to fight a major war against NATO forces in Ukranazistan? And remember how we were called “trolls” and “idiots” by geniuses like the Faker and Martyanov (not to speak of Moon Of Alabama comment forum MENSA candidates) for our trouble?
Well, how does one take only a pencil to a gunfight? It is not for taking notes.
That’s like jumping in at the deep end knowing you can’t swim and have no life jacket.
Never suit up for war unless your military is fit, ready and your economy can support the costs.
Fast forward; US led-NATO is weak and will likely derail. Ask the main engine, Germany.
Turkey has the largest army. Do you think they are ready to ditch the forward revenues from the new gas hub to EU?
Mr. Putin and Mr. Shoigu are now armed with Kalibr, Kinhzal, hypersonic missiles and other goo tools.
whereas only 3 days ago, US Military News:- the entire fleet !!!!
B-2 nuclear bomber fleet grounded amid search for safety defects.
LINK
and
Only $10 million to repair a wing?
Beats a $600 toilet seat.

Posted by: Likklemore | Dec 23 2022 1:27 utc | 149

Likklemore 149:
Are you seriously saying that Putin was clairvoyant in 2014 and knew that the (useless in any case) B2 fleet would be grounded, or that the nazis would be stupid enough to not take the Minsk 2 agreement as a de facto surrender of the Donbass and all its inhabitants by Russia?

Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Dec 23 2022 1:36 utc | 151

I want to thank all the regular bar flies for their opinions, insights, links to news, and the transcripts of telegram posts – especially Karlof1. I did read the end of Putin’s address, but then you tipped us off where the good stuff was. I am nearly 70 and don’t want to use what little time I have left reading policy speeches. There are a lot of other things to do but I truly appreciate the work EVERY good-hearted person here does to keep us lazy ones informed. By the way, MAD Magazine’s iconic phrase, What, Me Worry? is an English translation of my alias.

Posted by: Quid Me Vexare | Dec 23 2022 1:46 utc | 153

@ aristodemos 58
I totally agree, but the motivation is more cynical. In Eastern Europe the US had to pretend to be buying land legally, while the Ukranians in power in rhe US calculated that they could get it illegally in Ukraine by war. You can re-condition land. This war was for kicks. We are unable to comprehend the evil of the Wolfovitz Straussians . It contains a racism against us Goyim which cannot accept having been removed from being the CHOSEN.
You can re- condition people. But if God decides to leave them in their own stupidity, somebody has to deal with them.
In 2023, imho Russia will need to take out the Ukrainian/zionist/Straussians for the sake of us all. Inshallah. Biden will probably be grateful, probably in his grave.

Posted by: Giyane | Dec 23 2022 2:00 utc | 155

abrogard | Dec 22 2022 23:42 utc | 133
>…‘Donbass property ownership || Land titles from Kiev Ukraine recognised?
Gonna jump in with conjecture .. the equivalent of arse gravy source….
But the whole issue has been the, from the central Kiev view, the intransigent insistence on independence…. The two self-proclaimed republics have been self governing since Soviet times, and never yielded to Kiev… IMO, property records would be held and administered locally.
Here, property registers are State-based… Canberra has nothing to do with it.
Properties can be taxed at the State level, with Land Value for investment properties..(anything other that the “family home”/principal place of residence/, and all properties are taxed at the local government level “council rates”… meaning some are taxed twice (tax deductions can be claimed) {@bar, pls don’t let this trigger/ derail to an Aussie property investment thread🤞}
My point… Luhansk and Donetsk land title is unlikely to be held in Kiev…
And even if, local records would exist and able to be administered…. (?)

Posted by: Melaleuca | Dec 23 2022 2:03 utc | 157

Maria Zakharova as only she can do:

Question: German Chancellor Scholz allowed new talks to be held on the settlement of the situation in Ukraine. Scholz said that in order for the armed conflict to stop, “it is necessary to speak.” Is Russia ready to negotiate? How can the Foreign Ministry comment on this initiative?
Maria Zakharova: Without being able to ask Mr Scholz, I would like to ask you as you quote him. Negotiations with whom?
Question: With Russia. He spoke directly about negotiations with Russia. And he was quoted that way.
Maria Zakharova: Who should Russia negotiate with?
Question: I understand that he was speaking on his own behalf.
A: With him?
Q: I quoted what he said.
Maria Zakharova: I just want to note that you quoted “it is necessary to speak”, “in order for an armed conflict to stop, it is necessary to speak”. You ask whether Russia is ready to negotiate. With whom?
Question: In particular, with Germany. Once the statement was made from the German side.
Maria Zakharova: Do you think that the German Chancellor does not call the President of the Russian Federation? Does Scholz have a bad connection? What’s the problem? The German Embassy is present in our country. When A. Berbok was going to Moscow, she was not refused. She visited our country. Is there any evidence that the Russian side refuses to contact Berlin? I haven’t heard of that. If Mr Scholz has any data, let him share it and not hide it.
If we are talking about negotiations with Ukraine, the Kiev regime, and that side, let me remind you what we have already said today. There is a decision of the Kiev regime at the legislative level to prohibit negotiations with Russia. Tell me, please, only we know about this legislative act? Vladimir Zelensky and the entire Russian Federation know. And no one in the European Union has heard?
Maybe German Chancellor Friedrich Scholz meant something else when he said that “it is necessary to speak”, he meant that it is necessary to speak into the microphone? In the form of a monologue. This “they” “perform” perfectly. We see it. But in this case, there will be no effect. It will be the opposite situation. If we speak in the form of a monologue, accusing each other, and at the same time supplying weapons to the Kiev regime and urging and teasing it, there will be no positive results.
If you understand what exactly German Chancellor Friedrich Scholz meant, I will be happy to detail my answer.
Let me remind you that in parallel with the calls for negotiations, the German leadership continues to pump the Kiev regime with weapons and is trying to act as a coordinator of the economic war waged by the EU against our country.
Germany, in fact, has personally made itself a party to the conflict. Therefore, he cannot count on the role of an “honest broker”. If she wants to conduct some negotiations from herself, there are no problems. Let them indicate their position. I am not aware that they were denied contact with their Russian colleagues. If we are talking about some speculative, potential negotiations, then check with the German side what they meant.
In my opinion, there is another version of what O. Scholz really meant when he said that “we need to talk”. Maybe he “needs to talk” to Angela Merkel after her “revelations” that she made in an interview with Zeit? Perhaps Berlin should start with this? Can Ms Angela Merkel tell Mr Scholz what it really was like in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and all this time? Perhaps this is what we are talking about? I can’t rule it out. Because Angela Merkel’s recent statements on the Minsk agreements have shown the true value of German mediation. And Berlin does not have its own voice in Ukrainian affairs among the leaders of the “collective West”. If the previous German “heavyweight” said that they had no opportunities, desires, intentions to realize all this, then the person who recently came to power in Germany is unlikely to be able to do it. It is necessary to understand what was discussed in principle.
The main thing is that we see that not a single initiative put forward by Berlin, not a single role or function that they are trying to “try on” is being implemented without coordination with the United States. What is the value of their individual quality is a big question. Accordingly, why waste time on those who are not able to make any decisions on their own?

I hope that generated a few smiles. What a wit!

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 23 2022 2:14 utc | 159

Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Dec 23 2022 1:36 utc | 151
Nobody is clairvoyant when it comes to specifics, but that doesn’t mean a wise man can’t recognize trends.
Specifically Putin or his crew couldn’t have known how any given NATO system might not function in the future.
Recognizing geopolitical and economic trends, Putin could predict the ascension of Russia/China in relation to western powers and come to the conclusion that if WWIII is to happen, it would behoove Russia for it to happen later rather than sooner.
While I disagree with your opinion that 2014 was the right time for Russia to make its move in regards to Ukraine, I do feel it is an argument with some merit. Ultimately wrong, but not without merit.

Posted by: Haassaan | Dec 23 2022 2:24 utc | 161

@ Posted by: Kerensky | Dec 22 2022 15:22 utc | 5
Interesting.
Taking the long view in Korea. The USSA armed forces in the self-induced Korean Conflict. Told only pure lies on a daily basis. From the beginning of 1948 on Jeju Island until the stalemate cease-fire in 1952.
In fact, a more truthful account was written by an intrepid Oz reporter by the name of Wilfred Burchett!
@ Posted by: S | Dec 22 2022 19:44 utc | 84 thumbs up 🙂

Posted by: Bad Deal Motors On | Dec 23 2022 2:37 utc | 163

Woke American @ 137
One can be sure that via diplomatic channels, the shotcallers in Warsaw will be informed that once those Polaks cross their border in significant numbers; the response from Mama Bear will be the delivery as airbursts some tastes of their thermobaric weaponry. A heavy troop concentration of regimental size could be effectually wiped out by a single one of those nasties.
If massaging the Polak blocking force would not suffice, those diplomatic channels once again would inform the U$$A that trans-oceanic shipping would be little more than target-practice for their submarine fleet. Should the U$$AN opt to protect convoys with a carrier task force, a single hypersonic missile would efficiently remove the central core of that armada.
The Khazarian Mafiosi dominating the $tate Department, along with assorted hotheads throughout the $enile One’s Administration might wanna go balls to the walls. However, there may still remain enough cool-thinkers in the Pentagon and maybe, just maybe…in the Agency as well. May they prevail.
Shouting pro$titicians in the Di$trict of corruption and a wailing and blaring mass media of misinformation and general mindfuckery will howl to their darkened hearts’ content. But this time around the American people will yell back WTF.

Posted by: aristodemos | Dec 23 2022 3:00 utc | 165

Dan Farrand @139
The “big hammer blow will fall” at such time as the ground within their selected lines of advance present their mobile units with satisfactorily frozen ground.
They will choose weak or weakening sectors of the far-flung and hard to reinforce due to fuel, transportation and manpower breakdowns locations. In the meantime, expect the “kesselschlacht” in Bakhmut and similar targeted strongholds to keep on grinding them down and pinning them from moving to support threatened fronts.
From all indications, the reserve forces of the Ukies have been worn to a frazzle.

Posted by: aristodemos | Dec 23 2022 3:09 utc | 167

Haassaan | Dec 23 2022 2:24 utc | 161
Poster= Biswapriya Purkayast
Has stated the 2014| Putin Shoulda Coulda and Woulda post ad nauseam for at least a year….and every post wins him a refutation.
In 2014 Russia wasn’t ready. Simple.
Putin knew hypersonics and other toys were in development, but were not yet in stock.
He had to bide his time until Russia had military superiority.
In 2017 he announced the hypersonics, to derision from the west.
He said: “we’ve previously warned, but they wouldn’t listen…. Maybe they’ll listen now….”.
“They” didn’t. Even when it percolated through enough for some to realise that, while the crappy CGI might be waaay off Hollyweird standards, the hypersonics themselves were very real, and very much gave Russia the escalatory dominance.
Putin was forced into Ukraine in Feb 22 by a two-fer…
1/ the USNATO build up at the LOC, and the escalation in shelling
2/ the stated intention for Ukraine to reactivate it’s nuclear capability…
As Putin had also previously informed the west:
“A life lesson, learnt from growing up {on the mean streets of StPete}, …. if it’s obvious a fight is inevitable… strike first”.
USNATO was waiting out rasputitsa, but Putin flat-footed them with a Zerg rush to Kiev and the scattered biolabs and NPPs…
None. Of. This. Was. Possible. In. 2014…..
Proven by the fact Russia took a huge economic hit from the sanctions imposed then to “punish” it for its audacity with Crimea.
In the 2014, the threat of disconnection from SWIFT, would have had serious /dire consequences for Russia.
By 2022 this had all been thoroughly gamed… which is why it’s the EU now reeling from the sanctions it has imposed, and to a much lesser degree, Russia.
I know next thread, tomorrow, next week, next month, and the next years to infinity Biswapriya Purkayast will *again* regurgitate the “Putin shoulda coulda in 2014”…. And yet again another barfly will school him *again* on why Putin couldn’t act in 2014.

Posted by: Melaleuca | Dec 23 2022 3:24 utc | 169

@ yound 20
Babylon signifies God’s punishment to some and Zionist defiance to others. All is explained in the Qur’an atvthe beginning of Chapter Al Isra, why the Captivity in 500 BC and why the Roman destruction of the Temple in 73 AD.
ZIONISM is political monotheism, the use of ruthless politics, totally ignoring the teachings of religion. Zelensky is Top Dog in Ukraine because he is a Zionist, doing the work of Straussian zionist sect which controls the Usukis governments and Msm.
A top MI6 UK zionist once told me that the political and economic Judaism that preceded Jesus pbuh was better than the call to humility and repentance of Jesus pbuh ‘ s message. That is Zionism.
The Zionists were prevented from grabbing Syria and Iraq for Zion by Vladimir Putin .
So the tables gave been turned on him. Of course you can’t get grifters and criminals in the US on board without bribery and corruption, hence the killing of Ukranians and freeing up of the agricultural land.
But the primary aim of dominant Wolfowitz Straussians who control Washington is to create Greater Israel. It is a narrow, bigoted, ruthless game that has been going round for 2 millenia.
There are no predictions worth reading in the end of the Gospels. That is pure speculation. The Qur’an makes it absolutely clear that the route of repentance of Jonah and Jesus peace be upon them will always succeed, and the road of arrogance and politics will always fail.
The US and Russia are rightly scared of Armaggeddon. The zionists are desperate enough to take the world to Armaggeddon, but guaranteed to fail in their ambitions.
Amen.

Posted by: Giyane | Dec 23 2022 3:38 utc | 171

Memes
Bonding with the Bidens
https://twitter.com/WallStreetSilv/status/1606024582237802496
10% for the Big Guy..Zelensky @Congress:
https://twitter.com/DaveKlingberg/status/1605878319920078849
Look him in the eyes:
https://twitter.com/Latics/status/1605499511966560256
Joe v Vlad
https://twitter.com/The_Cyrenian/status/1605987948452724737

Posted by: Melaleuca | Dec 23 2022 3:47 utc | 173

@Posted by: Outraged | Dec 22 2022 15:39 utc | 10
Yes, America has very low quality soldiers. Even with oberwhelming material advantages, American soldiers barely scrape by. Americans in general are just trash, but those who were drafted into the American military or, even worse, those who join now willingly, are even lower quality than the average American.

Posted by: FVK | Dec 23 2022 4:22 utc | 175

Posted by: BroncoBilly | Dec 23 2022 2:14 utc | 160
How many can even pass a drug test?

Posted by: eskimo | Dec 23 2022 4:24 utc | 177

Posted by: Giyane | Dec 23 2022 3:38 utc | 171
Interesting , but where would a native British convert to Islam meet a Jewish M16 operative? If at liberty to do so, can you please tell me .
Posted by: Tenet | Dec 22 2022 22:06 utc | 119
“Greek “ Nazi? Yes, indeed, a “part ethnic -Greek descendant” of the Russian parts of The Ukraine, who we are told was killed in battle against the Russians days after the speech. I saw the video for laughs. He was creepy-looking and not too bright , which was why he was cannon-fodder . Good Riddance.
It must be said that the vast majority of “Non-Slavic “ residents in the Ukraine are pro -Russian, and most of those “Greeks “ are now part -Slavic due to intermarriage with Slavs of the Ukraine over at least two hundred years . For those that don’t know many Greeks ,Serbs ,Bulgarians and others were resettled there once Russia reconquered Crimea and the South of the Ukraine from the Turks/Tatars. Most were descendants of freedom -fighters in their homelands who had to flee the Turks due to war. The Yalta Conference of WWII was held in the mansion -Livadia-of one such resettled Greek Admiral.

Posted by: Brother Ma | Dec 23 2022 4:37 utc | 179

[Sputnik]Russia Ready to Cut Oil Production as Response Measure to Oil Price Cap, Deputy Prime Minister Says

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has stated that Moscow stands ready to reduce oil production as a response measure to the fuel price cap introduced by the EU and G7 members. According to him, the output could be slashed by up to 7% in early 2023.
Novak added that in a retaliation move , Russia plans to ban the supply of oil and petroleum products to countries and legal entities that will require compliance with the price cap in contracts.
“Therefore, we are ready to reduce partial production, and at the beginning of next year we may have a reduction of somewhere by 500-700 thousand barrels per day. This is about 5-7% for us,” he said. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister noted that even though “this volume is insignificant, such risks exist.”

Posted by: Laurence | Dec 23 2022 5:07 utc | 181

It’s the winter of the great white wolf right now in Dakota land. Both interstate highways in South Dakota are closed outside of Sioux Falls. That’s about 550 miles of road. I wish I could send this nasty cold and blizzard like weather to Ukraine so after it passes the Rus can execute an general offensive after their Orthodox Christmas. I think they really need to do something dramatic soon before the fucks in DC do even more really stupid things. My elected people to the Congress (2 senators and 1 House rep) are toady ass kissers. Maybe the goofs here in state will get more of a clue of the collapse of “their” government if the DC establishment suffered a major international defeat that would make Afghanistan look like kids play. We will take care of our own here, as far as I’m concerned DC can disappear…

Posted by: DakotaRog | Dec 23 2022 5:50 utc | 183

@Dr. George W Oprisko | Dec 22 2022 21:52 utc | 117

First of all Ukraine does not have a border with Moldova. Transdinistra is in the way.

Look at a map. Ukraine borders Moldova with or without considering Transnistria. Transnistria occupies only the left bank of the Dniester.

Posted by: Norwegian | Dec 23 2022 6:18 utc | 185

@Peter AU1 | Dec 22 2022 23:08 utc | 130

The sooner Galicia goes back to Poland the better. They will be too busy fighting each other to annoy Russia. From everything the Russian leadership has said, they do not seem to have an issue with Poland retaking Galicia and Volyn.

You may want to consider Alexander Mercouris’ take on that in the latest live stream together with Garland Nixon
https://rokfin.com/stream/27388/Zelenskys-victory-speech-to-Congress-wGarland-Nixon-Live
I think such a move by Poland is likely going to cause a terminal split in NATO and EU.

Posted by: Norwegian | Dec 23 2022 6:34 utc | 187

In response to Richard Steven Hack@186,
He tends to give a comprehensive overview and analysis of what’s going on in the media and in politics, which is also the biggest time-sink when you think about it. Media narratives need to be retold, to be put in their proper context or debunked argumentatively, while politics is all about picking up on nuanced detail, which needs additional qualification on why something might appear significant and what it might mean in the grand scheme of things. The military side of the coin is not his strong suit, as he himself admits, which largely limits his reporting to citing other analysts on that topic.
So no, he’s not running out of things to say, on the contrary. With all of the various meetings taking place within such a short time-frame (among which is the uncharacteristic visit of Medvedev with Xi) indications of European back-pedaling, and the narrative of Zelensky’s brave visit to Bahmut (deja vu?) I’m sure Mercouris is struggling to condense it all down to a single program before the news cycle moves on.

Posted by: Skiffer | Dec 23 2022 7:10 utc | 189

Skiffer | Dec 23 2022 7:10 utc | 189
>……narrative of Zelensky’s brave visit to Bahmut…
“Zelensky pretending to be in Bakhmut…at least acc to locals who say the staged filming was done in Kharkov…not Bakhmut”
https://twitter.com/Cyberspec1/status/1605842633934311425
GI Just-get-me-the-fuk-outta-here:
https://twitter.com/Cyberspec1/status/1606028627203592193
“Reanimated” T-55 tanks from the Czech landfill may end up in Ukraine
The Czech company Excalibur Army, currently engaged in the repair and modernization of tanks for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, keeps a number of old T-55s.
https://twitter.com/Cyberspec1/status/1606122750153658370
The Ukr soldier filming is laughing & cursing at the condition of the foreign aid supplied to Ukraine
It looks like some of the countries just dump anything they can find in storage to fill the quota
https://twitter.com/Cyberspec1/status/1606122750153658370
Ukrainian woman wants to know why there’s an American with the SBU unit that’s terrorizing her church.
https://twitter.com/Cyberspec1/status/1606122750153658370

Posted by: Melaleuca | Dec 23 2022 7:46 utc | 191

@Likklemore 144
Although the importance of Odessa to Russia was not clear to me, I was not suggesting that Russia not go for it at some time. There may, however, be diplomatic, tactical, or strategic advantage in not including it in the next offensive. From what I have seen so far, at the very least, Putin can be relied on to make a solid decent decision, and it is likely that people here will gripe anyways. It could possibly be a plan that you do not like very much.
As far as the US …. oops just Ukraine taking Crimea back – USians dream it in both color AND black and white, and are expecting to see it happen soon.

Posted by: Woke American | Dec 23 2022 8:35 utc | 193

@aristodemos 165
I hear what you are saying. It is possible that sanity will prevail. My suspicion is that Putin will have to give orders to do something similar to what you described.
I try to convince myself that the US decision makers do not really believe the crap that the US publishes. Not very successfully.

Posted by: Woke American | Dec 23 2022 9:13 utc | 195

Posted by: Likklemore | Dec 22 2022 23:13 utc | 131
That Mike Whitney piece is absolutely terrifying and tragically most likely our future path. Should be required reading for all Barflies.
Linked again –
https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/why-putins-winter-offensive-will-prompt-us-entry-into-the-war/

Posted by: Exile | Dec 23 2022 9:40 utc | 197

NYT Dec 22 has an extensive report on the results of a investigation on mass killings of civilians in Bucha.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/22/video/russia-ukraine-bucha-massacre-takeaways.html

Caught on Camera, Traced by Phone: The Russian Military Unit That Killed Dozens in Bucha
Exclusive evidence obtained in a monthslong investigation identifies the Russian regiment — and commander — behind one of the worst atrocities in Ukraine.

Not sure what to make of it. Straight up concocted story or a legitimate investigation with real evidence?
For some reason the story is not even behind their paywall.

Posted by: krypton | Dec 23 2022 10:00 utc | 199