The USSR was formed after a major defeat of the US military (and British, Japanese and French) in Russia

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Jan 1 2023 9:45 utc | 104

https://militaryhistorynow.com/2018/09/04/britains-forgotten-war-10-surprising-facts-about-the-1918-russia-intervention/
https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1920/jul/07/north-russia-british-withdrawal
https://blogs.bl.uk/european/2015/12/the-russian-refugee-crisis-of-the-1920s.html

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Jan 1 2023 9:49 utc | 106

Putin’s new year gift to Russian people
Dear Russians a task had been completed. The process had been completed. By the process we mean this process. We all know the fourth reich is upon us. And the fourth reich it will last thousands of years, give or take. The fourth reich will be run by very capable people like you and me. For convenience and as per protocol they are called the cabal. And it should be such. They have long tentacles that is long hands and yet they serve. They serve you and me and all people. And I serve the cabal. Everyone knows digitally enhanced enhancements are coming to the citizens of the world. A few people call it digitally enhanced slavery. We call it digitally enhanced enhancements. Key to this is your trust on your representatives.
Your representatives came up with the good idea of centrally storing your biometric data in central servers. That way it will be good for the government to deliver services to you. It will be good. Your biometric data will be put to good use. It will be good. Your biometric data are in good hands. It will be made available to the cabal. Control over the central servers is given to the private enterprise. That way would be good. They are to collaborate with the cabal privately. If the control over the central servers stays only with the government that also means the same thing. We will hand over that is transmit the data to the cabal. First needs the data collection. Once data is collected it will find it’s way to the cabal any which way.
Think of the benefits, all services by the cabal will be available to you just by your biometric data. We will also make it very helpful to the people who opts in to receiving the cabal services and make it impossible to opt out.
We world leaders are in this together. India’s prime minister Mr Modi has already succeeded biometric data collection mandatory. He serves the people and the cabal with unwavering faith. He rushed it through the parliament to benefit the people and the cabal. You should be like India’s prime minister. Greatness is in you. Russian biometric data is the way forward to that greatness. And all lawmakers are together in this in serving the people and the cabal.
We will take care to not harm any enterprise or branch offices of the cabal, though they are known to us, for they only seek to serve the people. And we are in it together.
https://privacyinternational.org/case-study/4698/id-systems-analysed-aadhaar
https://www.moneylife.in/article/aadhaar-private-ownership-of-uid-data-part-i/32430.html
https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/ungrateful-russians-give-friendly

Posted by: RealBeast | Jan 1 2023 10:19 utc | 108

Posted by: RealBeast | Jan 1 2023 10:19 utc | 108
Lately I am getting a bit tired of libertarians and their never ending immature faceless contrarianism, criticizing everything always at any cost. Just let it go and adapt. We have privacy laws, we have taxpayer protection etc. The problem is in the corruption of the security state, not the means through which it is perpetuated.
You’re very reactionary and probably the most far away ideologically from the enemy of your enemy.

Posted by: alek_a | Jan 1 2023 10:28 utc | 110

Solo@39
In the topic of “huge Ukrainian reserves”:
1. 40 m Ukrainians, half of them make, half of them more or less suitable age makes a huge reserve
2. The situation and the reports now sound very much like they did in August, before the September – offensives. Ukrainians being shelled to smithereens, deserting in droves, dying in the battle field, running out of ammo. In September, it turned out the real forces and the experienced solders were assembled elsewhere.
Obviously, the same arguments go the other way around – Russia has a 3x larger population, they are equally motivated. Their weapons factories, electricity grids and transport infrastruchte are intact.
More sources like military summary would indeed be helpful to figure out what is really going on.
For, a little trick: Ukraine and it’s allies seem to make extensive use of what they refer to as pre-nial: denial before the fact.
What they seem to be doing us accuse Russia of things Ukraine is going to do, a few days before they actually do it. Puts Ukraine in a position to just shrug their shoulders and say the word ‘ lame’ when they get accused of using cluster bombs,run out of ammo, attack a nuclear power plant or start their next round of forced recruiting because the current lot have been killed or run away.
Once you have figured out what pre-nial actually means, Wolodomir Selensky and his backers become a very credible source of information…

Posted by: Marvin | Jan 1 2023 10:43 utc | 112

In the topic of “huge Ukrainian reserves”:
1. 40 m Ukrainians, half of them make, half of them more or less suitable age makes a huge reserve
You are frankly demented. Ukraine has a low fertility rate and deaths > births – it has a dying demographic and an ageing population. It has a decrepit health system and a chronically sick population. It is a failed state.
Simply piling up carcases of wounded will bring Ukraine to its knees. Where are the US medics rushing to treat the wounded and provide prosthetics and pensions ?
Where are the nurses ?
There is no 40 million Ukrainians……….you think Zelensky counts them every night ?

Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Jan 1 2023 11:15 utc | 114

⚡️ Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine (1 January 2023)
📄 Part 1 (read Part 2 (https://t.me/mod_russia_en/5629))
◽️ On 31 December 2022, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a strike by high-precision long-range air-based armament at the defence industrial facilities of Ukraine involved in producing assault unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed for committing terrorist attacks against the Russian Federation. The parking ramps and launch sites of the assault UAVs have also been neutralised.
◽️ The goal of the attack has been reached. Kiev regime’s plans to commit terrorist attacks against the Russian Federation in the nearest future have been frustrated.
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
💥 In Kupyansk direction, Russian forces have neutralised the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) near Kotlyarovka, Ivanovka, Podoly, Pershotravnevoye (Kharkov region), and Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People’s Republic).
◻️ Over 40 Ukrainian personnel, 2 armoured fighting vehicles, and 1 pickup have been eliminated.
💥 In Krasniy Liman direction, artillery attack has resulted in the neutralisation of 5 company tactical groups from 92nd Mechanised and 95th Airborne Assault brigades of the AFU, as well as from 111th Territorial Defence Brigade near Rozovka, Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People’s Republic), and Serebryanskoye forestry.
◻️ The enemy has lost over 150 Ukrainian personnel, 1 armoured personnel carrier, and 2 pickups.
💥 In Donetsk direction, Russian troops continue their offensive.
◻️ Fire attacks and intensive action of Russian units have resulted in the elimination of over 110 Ukrainian personnel, 2 infantry fighting vehicles, 5 armoured fighting vehicles, and 7 motor vehicles.
💥 In South Donetsk direction, AFU units made unsuccessful attempts to launch a counterattack near Dorozhnyanka (Zaporozhye region) in order to regain the lost positions.
◻️ Artillery strikes and action of Russian forces have resulted in repelling of all the counterattacks.
◻️ Over 50 Ukrainian personnel, 2 armoured fighting vehicles, and 3 motor vehicles have been eliminated.
◻️ Moreover, 6 Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups, that had operated towards Novoandreyevka, Dorozhnyanka (Zaporozhye region), Nikolskoye, Neskuchnoye, and Novomikhaylovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), have been eliminated.
⚡️ Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine (1 January 2023)
📄 Part 2 (read Part 1 (https://t.me/mod_russia_en/5628))
💥 Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian groups of forces have neutralised 68 artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and military equipment at 102 areas.
◻️ 1 mobile airspace observation radar of the AFU has been destroyed near Kamyshevakha (Donetsk People’s Republic).
◻️ 1 U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counterbattery warfare radar has been destroyed near Artyomovsk (Donetsk People’s Republic).
◻️ 1 AFU artillery ordnance depot has been destroyed near Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region).
💥 Within the counterbattery warfare, 2 Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled howitzers, that had been used for shelling residential areas of the Donetsk People’s Republic, have been destroyed at their firing positions near Ivanopolye and Zvanovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
◻️ In addition, 2 Ukrainian D-20 howitzers have been destroyed near Nevskoye (Lugansk People’s Republic).
✈️💥 Fighter Aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces has shot down 1 Mi-8 of Ukrainian Air Force near Poltavka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
💥 Air defence facilities have destroyed 15 Ukrainian UAVs near Maksimovka, Nikolayevka, Nikolskoye, Metallist, Zelyoniy Gai, Slavnoye (Donetsk People’s Republic), Ploshchanka (Lugansk People’s Republic), Tsapovka (Belgorod region), Ocheretovatoye (Zaporozhye region), Ochakov (Nikolayev region), Liman Vtoroy (Kharkov region), and Dzhankoy (Republic of Crimea).
◻️ Moreover, 7 rocket-propelled projectiles launched by HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system have been intercepted near Popasnaya, Makeyevka, and Popovka (Lugansk People’s Republic).
📊 In total, 355 airplanes and 199 helicopters, 2,779 unmanned aerial vehicles, 399 air defence missile systems, 7,350 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 957 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 3,756 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 7,859 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
#MoD #Russia #Ukraine #report
@mod_russia_en

Posted by: Summary | Jan 1 2023 12:48 utc | 116

If the lesser countries enter Ukraine en mass they will shift the balance of the conflict to some degree but will then have to deal with casualties. If they concentrate in some area, they will become prime target.
If they were to bring nato weapons and air defense it would further shift balance, but I dont think they can bring in an imposing force – more like attractive targets.
Russians are not going to occupy Ukraine, will be enforced neutrality – let them stew in own mess. Any incursion would be for short term objective.
US might try to do as they have in Syria, but I suspect Russians would not be reluctant and would welcome target. US would as well have to deal with casualties.
Perhaps some might enter on humanitarian mission, but if they bring heavy equipment or setup logistics will become target although increases risk of civilian casualties.
Maybe there is another means.
Nato is not planning to win the war for Ukraine, only to impose cost on Russia – military, economic, social. That which doesnt destroy them, makes them stronger.

Posted by: jared | Jan 1 2023 13:37 utc | 118

Happier New Year, b! And Everyone!

Posted by: beq | Jan 1 2023 15:20 utc | 120

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Jan 1 2023 5:04 utc | 93
«“Tactical minutia” is not important once you grasp what the Russians are doing in general and what the Ukrainians are doing in general.»
And even that is difficult because it is all hearsay.
But I have the impression that a lot of people here think of the situation as a football match between “their” team and another side, and of themselves as football coaches, and discuss in minute detail each moment. Typical of a “sports bar” I guess. Not sure that’s the type of bar that “b” wants to run, perhaps he would like more to run this site as a wine bar or a cafè.

Posted by: Blissex | Jan 1 2023 16:55 utc | 122

@solo 26
Because without logistical support an army quickly becomes a starving rabble.

Posted by: Hermit | Jan 1 2023 18:04 utc | 124

from slavyangard telegram.. what is interesting is the projection on the part of the west onto russia here..
“Russia does not intend to give up its main goal—establishing control over Ukraine,”Stoltenberg said in an interview with the BBC.”
meaning – usa-nato does not intend to give up its main goal-establishing control over ukraine… that is how projection works…
“The war will be protracted; Russia is preparing an offensive; its goal is to take control of all of Ukraine.” —NATO Secretary General
“We must be prepared for a long journey because, as you noticed, Russia does not intend to give up its main goal—establishing control over Ukraine,”Stoltenberg said in an interview with the BBC.
According to him, the mobilization carried out in Russia indicates that the Russian Federation will go on the offensive again.

Posted by: james | Jan 1 2023 19:13 utc | 126

Posted by: abrogard | Jan 1 2023 4:40 utc | 92
I knew it would take five minutes for a Covid related link to arrive… The guy linked spends all his time ranting about covid and spends a paragraph on hearing Russian missiles. Fucking bullshit.
Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Jan 1 2023 5:07 utc | 94
Those who refer back and read my post at 92 will see it opens with the words
“Lots of people looking for good sites for information (including myself).” and that it goes on to point out that the subject, one Graham Seibert’ actually lives in Ukraine. And therefore is presumably a better source of facts than many others. Especially, shall we say, the noxiously abusive in these columns.
The venom and filth and misdirection of this post made it necessary for me to post this in an effort to right the boat though of course I would rather not have any connection to the poster, not at second, third, fourth or one hundredth hand.
But this is, after all, nominally a bar and in bars one meets all kinds of people, sober and drunk, happy and sad, pleasant and unpleasant.
I am compiling an informal list for myself, as one does in a bar in the quiet of your own mind as your eyes flicker around the room and your ears intake the babble, of who the better characters are and who the worse and who the totally rubbish are.
I have just added one more name to the latter list and I suggest you all do. prodidit se

Posted by: abrogard | Jan 2 2023 5:19 utc | 128

Russia’s economy has performed better than the West expected, according to The Economist
▪️Anti-Russian sanctions have proved really tough, but Russia has achieved a record current account surplus of $220 billion this year – double what it was a year earlier,” The Economist has reported.
▪️The inflow of foreign currency has helped Russia finance imports.
Many Western firms have stopped selling goods and services to Russia.
But companies in other parts of the world are happy to help: the Chinese, for example, have already stepped up.
And Turkey appears to have become an intermediary for Western companies to circumvent sanctions.
After the sharp spring slump, Russian imports have largely recovered.
▪️Real economic data show a worrying picture for the West: the Russian economy is in better shape than the West expected when it imposed its sanctions, while Europe, stifled by sky-high energy prices, is sliding into recession, concludes The Economist.
https://t.me/geromanat/4025

Posted by: Melaleuca | Jan 2 2023 6:31 utc | 130

@ abrogard | Jan 2 2023 5:19 utc | 128
Your recommended Ukraine resident is a Nazi, exclusively using Nazi sources, propagating official OUN-Nazism. Extraordinarily disingenuous, yes ? More ad-hominem 🙁
Making your list & checking it twice. Perhaps to add to a huge block list script running on malware ? Was so weird & also very sad how you abruptly ceased posting, when legitimately queried re persistent OT, thence all your fellow conversing ‘Fellas’ … promptly evaporated too … 🙁
Posted by: Outraged | Jan 2 2023 5:58 utc | 129
I make very little sense of this beyond the obvious: it is crudely and sarcastically abusive and lacking in adhesion to the truth.
Overall nothing but a personal attack. Nothing. So another name on my ‘banned’ list of those I will not respond to. I do not do ad hominem.
But I generally address some parts of their rants if there’s anything it seems appropriate to address.
Here we have a first sentence stipulating things about Graham Siebert that I do not know to be true and very, very much doubt are true and am totally convinced this abusive chap couldn’t know – even if they were true.
For instance, just to stay on the side of sensible rationality – how could a man claim someone was using ‘exclusively’ these or those sources without knowing everything the man had published or even WILL publish? A simple impossibility hence rational speakers/thinkers do not say such things.
And then: ‘ abruptly ceased posting’. What on earth could that mean? I have posted today, more than once. More often than I would with. I don’t like to post much but most especially I don’t like to waste my time posting with respect to derogatory abuse from that kind of person.
How many posts a day must a person make before this creature considers they have not ‘suddenly stopped’ posting?
It is ludicrous.
These people so often are simply that: ludicrous.
Wiser men than I never say anything to them or about them at all. I know that. And I am trying to school myself to be that way.
To return to Ukraine and truth and Graham. As I said – for the sake of viewer if there are any – that Graham is I think a Kiev Ukrainian patriot and dislikes intensely what Russia has done. And maybe even dislikes Russia and Russians, I don’t know.
But he is, in my estimation a good man. That’s the point. A real man. And living now in Ukraine. And as such he is an authentic window, whatever his feelings, thoughts, attitudes into the common men/women of Ukraine.
And therefore possibly (certainly to my mind) of value to enquiring frequenters of this ‘bar’.
In just the same way that running into the unpleasant, nonsensical, irrational, abusive and personal attacks from these creatures give the observer (from the RoW perhaps?) a window into the thoughts, attitudes, manners and behaviour of the common men of the west.
The juxtaposition of the two parallels the current conflict doesn’t it, a rather apt comparison, makes it clear why one would wish for the success of the Allies.

Posted by: abrogard | Jan 2 2023 6:46 utc | 132

Posted by: Blissex | Jan 1 2023 16:50 utc | 121
I’ve been thinking that. I find it an interesting line of thought. Requires knowledge and understanding I don’t have. I’d welcome input from any who have it and care to share it.
Seems to me the mega wealthy have their wealth spread all around the world usually and that is in corporations, enterprises, more than in real estate and or money.
So our superficial estimates of their wealth are based on their holdings on the stock markets and prices going up and down supposedly changes their wealth dramatically overnight. We say.
Actually I’d suppose it really changes nothing. They are owning a large chunk of some means of production and get an income stream from that. Stocks up and down damage their resale value and therefore the holder’s ‘sell up’ or even borrowing capacity but they don’t alter his real wealth: that proportion of the production. Even if the income stream suffers if the overall suffers they still have their proportion of it so their proportionate wealth remains the same.
And that’s about all I can ‘see’. That’s how ignorant I am.
Yes. So where/what really IS their wealth and how can they be got at and manipulated?
Overall I feel association with a growing enterprise would trump association with a business ‘going down’. And I don’t see how the West can be seen as other than a business ‘going down’ in comparison with BRICS etc.
Specifically ‘in comparison’. I mean the two are in a conflict. And the RoW holds all the cards it seems to me. All of them. What does the rest of the world want that only the West has to give?
This is entirely the fundamental of the Ukraine conflict to my mind.
The war on the ground is merely theatre. Sad tragic theatre. But these machinations for power and money they are what will decide when where and how the war ends. We will better understand the Ukraine conflict the more we understand about this aspect I think
It is what we should be looking at rather than whether or not a T-umpty whatnot can cross a Ukrainian bridge.
The question is can Bill Gates, for instance, increase his power and wealth if he gave support to Russia, India, China, etc.. in this, that or the other way? And the other side of that: just how much in jeopardy is his wealth if the USA loses its hegemony and the petrodollar does stop being the US dollar?
It ought to be, I’d think, by now, well measured, quantified, estimated, described, defined, discussed, the effect upon the USA if the dollar stops being the currency for oil and that revenue stream falls, leading to less demand, leading to a measure of global impoverishment of dollar holders on one side but possibly increased sales of cheaper US goods (if it makes anything) on the other.
All of that is what the world is about right now, isn’t it?
The writing is on the wall and there should be some fine print somewhere delineating the details…

Posted by: abrogard | Jan 2 2023 7:09 utc | 134