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January 29, 2023
Ukraine Open Thread 2023-25
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The United States and its allies want Ukraine’s titanium.
This is one of the key reasons for West’s unconditional support for the Nazi regime.
Now, there is a nascent effort underway in the U.S. and allied nations to identify, develop, and utilize Ukraine’s vast resources of a key metal crucial for the development of the West’s most advanced military technology which will form the backbone of future deterrence against Russia and China.
Titanium is a lightweight yet strong metal used extensively in advanced military applications like fighter jets, helicopters, naval ships, tanks, long-range missiles, and many others.The U.S. still imports more than 90 percent of its iron ore, and not all from friendly nations.The U.S. no longer holds titanium sponge in its National Defense Stockpile, and the last domestic producer of titanium sponge closed down in 2020.
If Ukraine wins, the U.S. and its allies will be in pole position to cultivate a new conduit of titanium. But if Russia manages to seize the country’s deposits and plants, Moscow will boost its global influence over increasingly strategic resource.
Ukraine is one of only seven nations producing titanium sponge, the basis for titanium metal. China and Russia—America’s most prominent strategic rivals—are among this select group.
Western dependence on Russian titanium means the metal has so far escaped the sanctions campaign launched against Moscow by the U.S.
A source told Newsweek that titanium “is a key vulnerability.”
“We’re talking about our ability to produce more planes, we’re talking about our ability to produce munitions. They all rely on titanium, and we’ve allowed ourselves to grow reliant on foreign suppliers for these things. Russia has previously been one of those primary suppliers.”
Last year’s annual defense-spending bill ordered the State Department to investigate “feasibility of utilizing titanium sources from Ukraine as a potential alternative to Chinese and Russian sources.”
“Ukraine has really significant deposits of rare earth minerals, and if we play our cards right could actually be a really attractive alternative to Russian and Chinese sources, which is where a lot of dependency currently is,” writes the Newsweek.
“As there are increasing debates throughout the West about why it’s in our interest to keep supporting Ukraine, I think this is one of the arguments that you’re going to start hearing more.” the souce said.
https://t.me/Slavyangrad/31295
Posted by: Down South | Jan 29 2023 15:14 utc | 1
🇶🇦 Ukrainian national security force has said that the Arab TV channel Al-Jazeera is helping the Russian offensive in Bakhmut
In a recent story, the channel’s journalists revealed a scheme of the city’s defense.
The video report shows military monitor screens showing the locations of the 10th brigade of the AFU, the 61st brigade of the AFU, and other armed formations.
The Nazis also suspect that the full version of the footage might have ended up with Russian intelligence.
https://t.me/Slavyangrad/31313
Posted by: Down South | Jan 29 2023 15:16 utc | 2
Translated:
Summary of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on the progress of a special military operation (29.01.2023)
◽️ In the Kupyansk direction, the assault, army aviation and artillery of the “Western” group of troops inflicted fire on the manpower and equipment of the 14th and 92nd mechanized brigades of the AFU in the areas of Sinkovka, Tabayevka of Kharkiv Region and Novoselovskoye of Luhansk People’s Republic.
💥 Four Ukrainian armed forces sabotage and reconnaissance groups were suppressed near Liman Perviy, Olshana and Krakhmalnoye in Kharkiv Oblast. During the day in this direction destroyed up to 50 Ukrainian soldiers, an armored personnel carrier and a self-propelled howitzer “Acacia”.
◽️ In the Krasno-Limansky direction, strikes of operational and tactical aviation, army aviation and artillery fire of the Group of Forces “Center” defeated accumulations of manpower of the 92nd Mechanized, 25th Airborne, 80th, 95th Airborne Assault Brigade of the AFU and the 27th National Guard Brigade in the areas of Stelmakhivka, Chervona Dibrova of the Lugansk People’s Republic, as well as Yampolovka, Torskoye and Serebryanka of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
💥 The enemy losses in this direction during the day amounted to 110 Ukrainian servicemen, an infantry fighting vehicle, four armored fighting vehicles, the Nona C self-propelled gun and the Grad MBLRS combat vehicle.
◽️ In the Donetsk direction, in the course of continuing offensive operations, units of the “Southern” group of troops took more advantageous lines and positions, and inflicted fire on the enemy in the areas of Kurakhovo and Antonovka settlements of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
💥 An ammunition depot of the 81st Air Mobilization Brigade of the AFU was destroyed near Kramatorsk, Donetsk People’s Republic. The enemy losses in this direction amounted to 90 Ukrainian soldiers, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armored fighting vehicles, 14 vehicles, two Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers, two D-20 and D-30 howitzers and two units of Olha and Smerch MBLRS.
💥 Also destroyed were two US-made M777 artillery systems, two US-made Paladin self-propelled artillery units and one US-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station.
◽️ In the South Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya directions, units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued their offensive actions and defeated the enemy in the areas of Ugledar, Prechistovka, Shevchenko of the Donetsk People’s Republic and Dorozhnyanka of the Zaporizhzhya region.
💥 Two artillery ammunition depots of the 68th Jaeger and 72nd Mechanized Brigades of the AFU were destroyed in the areas of Prechistovka and Ugledar settlements of the Donetsk People’s Republic. The losses of the AFU in these directions during the day amounted to up to 100 servicemen killed and wounded, one tank, two armored combat vehicles, three pickup trucks, two vehicles and two self-propelled howitzers “Acacia”.
◽️ In the Kherson direction near the city of Kherson and the village of Novoalexandrovka, Kherson region, two US-made AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radar stations were destroyed, as well as an AFU artillery ammunition depot.
💥 Operational-tactical aviation, missile troops and artillery of the groups of troops (forces) of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation struck 103 AFU artillery units at firing positions, manpower and military equipment of the enemy in 143 areas during the day.
💥 Russian air defense forces shot down four Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in the areas of Yakovlevka of Donetsk People’s Republic, Zhytlovka, Chervonaya Dibrova of Luhansk People’s Republic.
💥 Sixteen HIMARS, Olha and Uragan MBRLS rockets were intercepted near Marinka, Gorlovka, Zlatoustovka, Ilovaysk in Donetsk People’s Republic and Chaplynka in Kherson region.
💥 In addition, a US-made HARM anti-radar missile was shot down near Novy Svit settlement of Donetsk People’s Republic.
📊 In total, since the beginning of the special military operation destroyed ((+?) over preceding 24hrs):
381 aircraft,
204 helicopters,
2980(+4) unmanned aerial vehicles,
402 surface-to-air missile systems,
7670(+14) tanks and other armored combat vehicles,
995(+3) multiple rocket launcher combat vehicles,
3956(+12) field artillery guns and mortars, and
8218(+20) pieces of special military vehicle.
Comment:
Average AFVs & above average Vehicles destroyed.
Three MBLRS destroyed last 24hours. Twelve Howitzers & Self-Propelled Howitzers(SPHs) destroyed. High single days rate of Artillery losses.
Four US counter-battery radar stations were destroyed. A daily event.
One ammunition depot & three artillery ammunition depots were destroyed. A daily event.
Now continuous daily destruction of ammo, fuel or arty dumps/depots rear of FEBA. Sustained high priority tasking of destruction of AFU Indirect Fire Support assets.
Significant increase in daily Op tempo given number of targeted Locs. Sustained localized assaults & limited offensive action on multiple frontages along the FEBA.
PS One Main Battle Tank was destroyed. Assessed with ‘High Confidence’ it was caught unawares, with its armored skirts down, briefly removed from its camouflaged hide, due to be run through an abandoned truck wash, in Ugledar(?).
Freedom of thought? The evil NWO, whose boundaries we do not know, plays with us all, perhaps with good intentions? I hide in a forest, keep my weapon clean. Ukraine belongs to Russia, and must submit! Just as Tibet belongs to PRC China, and must submit, forget their silly superstitions and gods. Russia and PRC friendship forever! Perhaps Xi will take over Ukraine operations? Ukraine and Tibet will learn to love their masters! Russia and China offer the whole world the shining example of hope and progress. Everyone wants the beautiful Russian and PRC societies to thrive within! No one wants the life of South Korea, Japan, Germany, France, California, etc….
Posted by: Ahole | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 4
Regarding the delivery of NATO weapons into Ukraine, here is a serious question for supporters of Russia. Why has Russia not been able to cut off the flow of these weapons into Ukraine? From what I understand, Ukraine no longer has an air force which would imply that Russian jets can fly freely over that territory. Why aren’t trucks and trains coming in from Poland, Slovakia and Romania being bombed?
Posted by: ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 5
Us Strikes on Iran. Ww3 has probably begun. This conflict will go nuclear before the end of the year at this rate.
Posted by: Posadism | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 6
” Us Strikes on Iran. Ww3 has probably begun. This conflict will go nuclear before the end of the year at this rate.
Posted by: Posadism | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 6 ”
Sadly, I predict Iran wont do anything in retaliation. I hope I’m wrong though.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 15:32 utc | 7
An Air Defense Battery of the AFU successfully engaged and shot down an Su-25 ground attack aircraft near Kramatorsk on January 27. The liquidated pilot, Major Daniil Murashko, was the commander of the aviation squadron of the 299th tactical aviation brigade of the Ukrainian Air Force.
Yet again proving another of Murphy’s Laws of Combat: The only thing more accurate & deadly than enemy fire is, “Friendly Fire”.
Dear #5 ReinhardVS… Russia has sadly never enjoyed air dominance over Ukraine due to anti aircraft missiles. One can fire a multi hundred million ruble missile at the tracks, but a dirt berm and some track can be repaired for a few thousand rubles… if the missile even hits the tiny target. Now, why not hit the train itself, and the locomotives? Poor intelligence and timing, perhaps? Russia has been firing from its own airspace, or Belarus, with most of its jets, in the hope Ukraine will not fire back into Russia too aggressively. That will probably change ever more though, now, don’t you think? Do you think Putin and Xi are agents of the NWO?
Posted by: Ahole | Jan 29 2023 15:35 utc | 9
Barflies –
question; what are your thoughts on likely response to Tel Aviv’s attacks on Iran ?
Posted by: Exile | Jan 29 2023 15:38 utc | 10
Ahole @ 9
Russia does have air dominance. They do not have air supremacy. There is a difference.
We are also watching a situation where RF is extremely averse to losses. There is curently no need to accept losses. We simply do not knw what would unfold if they were to accept such losses. Except we do know that such losses would be flogged endlessly in media and social media.
Posted by: oldhippie | Jan 29 2023 15:47 utc | 11
I have just listened to the Podcast Donbass Debreshnuk on which Martyanov was the guest. Also, yesterday I watched Brian Beletic’s broadcast on which he had Alex, one of the presenters of the Podcast on (BTW, Alex talks with a cut glass English accent. He has a lovely voice). Both were really interesting discussions and clarified a lot of battlefield in terms of tactics, munitions.
What I took away from both discussions is that Russian Military tactics and the array of weapons currently being used and those that have not yet been so are the gold standard of strategy, planning and the best use of combined arms warfare. Martyanov said he was absolutely stupified by the appalling incompetence in the USA Military and its related intelligence agencies. There was a complete negation on their part of understanding the Russian military arsenal and just how advanced the weapons both on the battlefield and in reserve actually are. Alex (serving in the Russian Militia in the Medical Corp) was really interesting too. Apparently, there are two new pieces of equipment about to be introduced by Russia to the battlefield. One is a super dooper tank which Alex said, the soldiers who have used it absolutely raved about in terms of the array of what it could do. I cannot remember what the second piece of equipment was. The link to the Podcast is on Martyanov’s Blog.
One of the things Martyanov pointed out was that the USA developed weapons ostensibly for PR about USA military might and know how not for actual conventional warfare. He also made the relevant point that the USA military has never had to fight to defend its Motherland so it has no concept of what would be needed to defend the realm so to speak.
I learned a lot about the whole battlefield scenario in Donbass and I mean alot. Both Alex and Martyanov come from a military background and it was an excellent peer discussion. I would recommend it.
What I took from it is that the USA are essentially, in really desperate hot water now with this proxy war which they started and with no forseeable way out for the collective West. The issue of F16’s was discussed Alex and Martyanov agreed that these would be issued to Ukraine but would be unable to launch from Ukrainian runways as they have all been destroyed. Therefore, they would have to be flown from Poland and Romania. Once launched from these airfields Russia has an absolute and legitimate right to destroy those airfields and they probably will.
Fasten your seatbelts, we’re in for a very bumpy ride but, having listened to this podcast I am now very optimistic that Russia will end this sooner rather than later. There will not be any prolonged war.
Posted by: Jo Dominich | Jan 29 2023 15:49 utc | 12
ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 5
you don’t kill terrorist combatants by shooting up trains…..
bombing trains is expensive and in ww ii did not matter much in france.
Posted by: paddy | Jan 29 2023 15:53 utc | 13
Ahole @4
As rent extraction from the “jungle” tapers, the “garden” begins to look like the “jungle”. Look around and watch it happening now, in real-time 😉
Posted by: upstater | Jan 29 2023 15:55 utc | 14
Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 15:32 utc | 7
a drone strike here and there….
provocative, but not a wory for iran …..
headlines for nazi’s cheerleaders!
Posted by: paddy | Jan 29 2023 15:56 utc | 15
Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 15:32 utc | 7
They can’t really do anything. This “multipolar” idiocy isn’t a military alliance, which is the only think that matters. It looks like China, India and Turkey will milk the cheap resource cow of Russia as much as possible, reselling everything back to natostan for a small fee. Iran and Syria will be bombed into nothing, much like Donbass and the other regions today, and Russia will be surprised as always.
2 civilians killed, 7 wounded in bridge strike in Zaporozhye
Posted by: rk | Jan 29 2023 15:57 utc | 16
Why has Russia not been able to cut off the flow of these weapons into Ukraine? (…) Why aren’t trucks and trains coming in from Poland, Slovakia and Romania being bombed?
Posted by: ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 5
This falsely naive way of asking the first question is, of course, a clumsy attempt at opinion manipulation.
Alone, the second question is the right one
Why is this not happening?
The answer, perhaps, is that it is a decision of Russia, which monitors and controls the flow by regulating energy capacity. And it quietly maps all transits and regularly cleans storage facilities.
Demilitarization, disarmament and … Denazification.
But this can only really take place if the locals themselves do it.
That what in 1945 unfortunately only in East Germany managed. West was just putting some lipstick on the pig. And organizing staybehind nazi network.
Posted by: Nuremberg | Jan 29 2023 16:05 utc | 17
Outraged | Jan 29 2023 15:17 utc | 3
The day to day stuff goes on but standing back and looking at the forest, I see Nato preparing for a major spring offensive and Russia preparing for the battle of Kursk. How well that feeling will age I don’t know but that is what I am seeing now.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 29 2023 16:11 utc | 18
The low morale of the Russian soldiers…
https://twitter.com/colonelhomsi/status/1619534753627258883/mediaviewer
Love it!
Posted by: Mary | Jan 29 2023 16:12 utc | 19
The low morale of the Russian soldiers…
https://twitter.com/colonelhomsi/status/1619534753627258883/mediaviewer
Love it!
Posted by: Mary | Jan 29 2023 16:12 utc | 20
The low morale of the Russian soldiers…
https://twitter.com/colonelhomsi/status/1619534753627258883/mediaviewer
Love it!
Posted by: Mary | Jan 29 2023 16:12 utc | 21
” Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 15:32 utc | 7
They can’t really do anything. This “multipolar” idiocy isn’t a military alliance, which is the only think that matters. It looks like China, India and Turkey will milk the cheap resource cow of Russia as much as possible, reselling everything back to natostan for a small fee. Iran and Syria will be bombed into nothing, much like Donbass and the other regions today, and Russia will be surprised as always.
Posted by: rk | Jan 29 2023 15:57 utc | 16 ”
Very true. There are a myriad of questionable things about this conflict.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 16:13 utc | 22
@ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 5
Why aren’t trucks and trains coming in from Poland, Slovakia and Romania being bombed?
Let the West + Ukraine spend their resources transporting it all 1000 km to Donbass where the demolition happens, where the Russian supply lines are short.
Posted by: Norwegian | Jan 29 2023 16:15 utc | 23
Posted by: ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 5
Why has Russia not been able to cut off the flow of these weapons into Ukraine?
As has been discussed many times. Russia is not going to publicize her strategy but allowing Western, stripped of modernity, and antiquated, worn-out, used weapons into Ukraine helps kill Uke Nazis.
The 31 Abrams (31 ?) are high mileage, tired, stripped tanks that will make their Ukrainian/Polish crews emulate Iraqi tank crews in the Gulf War. With NATO and the U.S. on her side, Ukraine does not need enemies.
As to Iran, Israel will be on fire if they persist on acts of war against Persia. Some Brits must have had a sense of long term vengeance for the Hotel David, when they abandoned Palestine so Israel could be set up, surrounded by those who hate them. Even the Arab states that tolerate the existence of Israel, won’t lift a finger to help.
Posted by: kupkee | Jan 29 2023 16:26 utc | 24
” As to Iran, Israel will be on fire if they persist on acts of war against Persia.
Posted by: kupkee | Jan 29 2023 16:26 utc | 24 ”
Strange logic sir . Isnt it popular consensus here that Russia doesnt shoot down Israeli planes in Syria because the US might get involved, yet, Iran will retaliate against the same
” shity country ” ? Wouldnt that be a US wet dream ?
Also, the easiest way to stand up to the ZioWest is by publicly banding together in a formal alliance, yet, somehow Iran, China, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Venezuelan, Cuba, and others fail to do that. Why ? Once again, the popular consensuses here is that the US might retaliate.
The illogical circular reasoning should be obvious to most.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 16:35 utc | 25
Iran demonstrated that they are quite capable of hitting US military bases with precision missiles, and there is nothing f that the hegemon can do to defend them.
I suspect this will be reinforced here shortly. Al tanf in particular is a festering boil just waiting to be lanced.
Posted by: Chris | Jan 29 2023 16:37 utc | 26
Ahole #9
Russia operates air superiority aircraft from behind their air defence bubble as per Russian doctrine. They don’t fight out in front of their air defences like western air forces do they engage enemy aircraft using long range air to air missiles from behind the screen. People for whatever reason believe what’s they’ve seen from US and NATO wars is “modern warfare” … Russia has their own way of waging war which may or may not resemble the way NATO fights. They operate an air defence system that defends Russian airspace and the Russian battle space.
Their air force numbers less that 1/10 that of NATO’s and NATO’s doctrine relies on air supremacy over the battle space so hopefully you can understand why Russia doesn’t risk losing aircraft over Ukraine at a time when there is ever increasing risk of a full blown war with NATO
Posted by: HB_Horica | Jan 29 2023 16:42 utc | 27
@ReinhardVonSiegfried 5
many paid experts were wondering in fact.
1) I like: Russians were cautious not to escalate by unintentionally killing some poor US personnel or hit NATO territory
2 apparently Chinese Rust & Belt Program is relying heavily on train routes through Ukraine. And would not want to see those completely destroyed.
Posted by: AG | Jan 29 2023 16:43 utc | 28
Posted by: Nuremberg | Jan 29 2023 16:05 utc | 17
Why has Russia not been able to cut off the flow of these weapons into Ukraine?
This falsely naive way of asking the first question is, of course, a clumsy attempt at opinion manipulation.
How then would you restate my question so as not to offend you, enlightened one?
Posted by: ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023 16:49 utc | 29
” Iran demonstrated that they are quite capable of hitting US military bases with precision missiles, and there is nothing f that the hegemon can do to defend them.
Posted by: Chris | Jan 29 2023 16:37 utc | 26 ”
Will Iran give the Israeli’s a two hour warning like they gave the Americans ? Iran seemed very concerned not to kill any ‘merikans in their grand retaliation. Must be because they were afraid of the mythical US escalation we keep hearing about here.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 16:51 utc | 30
Posted by: kupkee | Jan 29 2023 16:26 utc | 24
Why has Russia not been able to cut off the flow of these weapons into Ukraine?
As has been discussed many times. Russia is not going to publicize her strategy but allowing Western, stripped of modernity, and antiquated, worn-out, used weapons into Ukraine helps kill Uke Nazis.
But many Russians are also being killed and seriously injured. Are they collateral damage?
As to Iran, Israel will be on fire if they persist on acts of war against Persia.
Judging by how Iran “avenged” Soleimani, I highly doubt that your statement is true.
Posted by: ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023 16:51 utc | 31
@ Ahole 4
Katya Kutubaeva, 12 years old, was murdered by the “soldiers of light” with french missiles in intentional strike on residential area the 4 of August 2022. This is not the only child killed in Dombass since 2014. She won’t be the last alas. Those who oppose SMO should know her name for nobody would ever speak of her in MSM. Should Ukraine win, MSM will pretend she never existed.
So the persons who support NWO and Ukrainians banderists are ever scumbags who want ethnical cleansing or idiots who believe in so-called western prosperity built on debt and statute of dollar. In both cases, they are deeply despicable persons.
Posted by: America is defeated | Jan 29 2023 16:58 utc | 32
“Russia operates air superiority aircraft from behind their air defence bubble as per Russian doctrine. They don’t fight out in front of their air defences like western air forces do they engage enemy aircraft using long range air to air missiles from behind the screen. People for whatever reason believe what’s they’ve seen from US and NATO wars is “modern warfare” … Russia has their own way of waging war which may or may not resemble the way NATO fights. They operate an air defence system that defends Russian airspace and the Russian battle space. ”
Very hard to believe with so many bombs landing on Donesk.
If the air defence was so good the number of bombs landing in Donesk would be zero.
Posted by: Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 16:58 utc | 33
In response to Deplorable Commissar@25,
First I’ve ever heard of this popular consensus. Who is worried that US might get involved in Syria and what rock are they living under? And when were Israeli planes in Syrian airspace, for that matter? When the overall objective is to guarantee the survival of the Syrian state, getting involved in optional peripheral conflicts on that state’s behalf is counterproductive. Just look at US involvement in Ukraine.
Also, a formal alliance between states in radically different weight categories carries with it a whole host of problems — there’s nothing easy about it, not in terms of organization nor effectiveness. It’s not like there isn’t the perfectly appropriate example of NATO to study, what membership in this organization actually implies for the various demilitarized statelets involved, and what political pressures it puts on members with armies or a semblance thereof. A guarantor of international peace and security it is not.
Meanwhile, whatever such a configuration adds to the table can just as well be accomplished via situational bilateral agreements, while still allowing the states party to the agreement to remain sovereign and pursue their national interests. The US will “retaliate” to any development that they feel encroaches on their global hegemony, with whatever means that they have available, directly or through proxies, irrespective of any formal treaty or agreement designed to prevent it.
Posted by: Skiffer | Jan 29 2023 17:07 utc | 34
@ ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 5
Read the past month of comments, for the answers you seek.
Posted by: boobtard | Jan 29 2023 17:08 utc | 35
For me it is getting to the stage Russia needs to “send a message”
A crystal clear message that says to the West – Stop and reassess your lives.
It’s lucky I don’t rule Russia as I would have nuked the US base in Poland by now. Sump!y on the belief that there is now way the US would nuke Russia as a response.
The reason being those that run the US are only interested in money and their own power within the US. When push comes to shove they would bottle it knowing they and their families would lose everything. There’s no chance in bell these people would nuke Russia because of shitty little Poland.
After the base in Poland was nuked the rest of Europe would shit themselves and would immediately stop sending anything to Ukraine.
That’s the Crystal clear message I would have sent it I was Putin.
Posted by: Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 17:08 utc | 36
Posted by: Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 16:58 utc | 33
Pantsir, Tor etc. systems are much better than anything ukronato has. If the Russians started similar terror bombing of Kiev with their long range Tornado or similar MLRS as Ukraine is doing in Donbass with Himars, you would see concrete evidence of approximately 0 interceptions and a lot more damage and casualties.
Himars are evidently intercepted at relatively high rates.
“Pantsir” shoots down two packages of HIMARS – 12 missiles. They are intercepted at the same place on the video
(https://t.me/polk105/1703)Advertisement for “Pantsir”
Next should be Russian ATGMs and tanks on “Leopards” and “Abrams”.
Then Su-35 and S-400 on the F16.
https://t.me/azmilitary11/35071
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 29 2023 17:10 utc | 37
@ Peter AU1 | Jan 29 2023 16:11 utc | 18
Indeed the day to day so does.
What I’m seeing is desperate & panicking Vampyres caught in a in Bear-Trap. In the process of considering gnawing it’s own limb off to desperately escape, even though it will be seriously wounded as a consequence
Empire made a panicked offer to ‘ease’ sanctions on Russia if they would agree to negotiate, at the same time they announced unleashing the German cats. As Turkey & Hungary openly de facto desert NATO, whilst 40 of 50 member States go, no thank you, have better things to do.
Delusion meet hubris.
No Air. No CAS. No AD. Ever diminishing, soon No Artillery Fire Support. Logistics train on life support.
Not because of the crippling shortage of shells, but because they have no capacity to replace the physical losses of Artillery & MBRLS at the current ongoing rate of destruction. They’ve already pillaged their own arsenals of Arty going back to WWII 105mm which was a rip-off of a WWI era German Howitzer.
US/NATO supposedly preparing for a spring offensive ? See above.
Will AFU still even exist by spring ? Now Civilian police and previous exempt officials/technicians/engineers/drivers/medics/emergency services staff are impressed, zero training, into the trenches.
This supposed Tank/Mech force is in reality a single weak Division. RF has up to 24 heavy Divisions equivalent from Mobilized active reserves plus volunteers uncommitted, that it could deploy to crush this ‘force’ should it so choose.
Or simply create the equivalent of the Defense-in-Depth lines of Kursk you refer to, using it’s recently constructed major defensive works in Kherson Oblast, wait for them to break as they are slaughtered on the dragons teeth, bombed, strafed, crippling barrages, massed AT weapons, etc. Thence again re Kursk, launch a counter-offensive with those as yet uncommitted three Armies and roll right over the remnants.
@ ReinhardVonSiegfried
@ Deplorable Commissar
See.
@ Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 16:58 utc | 33
Really ? You are of the insightful opinion that the shells/rockets periodically landing on Donetsk are being dropped by AFU aircraft that RF AD should be intercepting ?
In any case, RuAF Engels got it right: “ALL Nazi’s must DIE!“, Agreed ?
The vast majority of Titanium-ore deposits appear to be west of the Dnipro. So far so good. Unfortunately, Titanium sponge is made in Zaporizhzhia/Zaporozhye city (apparently the only manufacturer of titanium sponge in Europe). It’s east of the Dnipro. Which is not ideal – even though it is currently under the ‘control’ of Ukraine.
Posted by: Awe | Jan 29 2023 17:17 utc | 39
🔞 WARNING: DISTURBING IMAGES
🪖 Wagner private military company finds dead foreign mercenaries with HANDS and HEADS cut off in hideous attempt to hide their identities in Artyomovsk-Bakhmut, Donetsk Republic (ex-Ukraine) – mercenaries were reportedly citizens of Poland and Israel fighting for Ukraine.
https://t.me/IntelRepublic/12921
Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin commented on the information about the corpses of foreign mercenaries:
“Today in Bakhmut, units of the Wagner PMC found bodies with severed heads and hands as well as telephones and other information that these bodies belonged to the foreign mercenaries.
Due to the dense fighting, the enemy was unable to pull out these bodies and thus tried to hide the identities of these corpses. However, the electronic devices were found along with the bodies. “All the bodies and other evidence will soon be handed over to the investigating authorities for further decisions.”
https://t.me/Slavyangrad/31318
Posted by: Down South | Jan 29 2023 17:26 utc | 40
” Due to the dense fighting, the enemy was unable to pull out these bodies and thus tried to hide the identities of these corpses. However, the electronic devices were found along with the bodies. “All the bodies and other evidence will soon be handed over to the investigating authorities for further decisions.”
https://t.me/Slavyangrad/31318
Posted by: Down South | Jan 29 2023 17:26 utc | 40 ”
So they cut off the hands and heads but left the cell phones ? Hardly likely.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 17:27 utc | 41
ReinhardVonSiegfried@31…what makes you think the General’s death has been avenged? When the Martyrs Flag is raised in Iran you along with the rest of us will know.
Interesting strategy from USUK using the Apartheid State to attack Iran, two birds, several drones, makes any country aiding and abetting The RF a target….
Monkeywerx commented the day before about the size of the US/Apartheid State air exercise, esp that seven US B52s were involved. Looking at the type of aircraft involved, he was…hmm, suspicious….rightly so.
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jan 29 2023 17:28 utc | 43
Zelinsky ordered all State Documents tying Bidens to Ukrainian Bio Labs destroyed.
https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/1619598583258578945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1619598586446254080%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es2_&ref_url=
Posted by: jgalt | Jan 29 2023 17:29 utc | 44
” Empire made a panicked offer to ‘ease’ sanctions on Russia if they would agree to negotiate, at the same time they announced unleashing the German cats.
Posted by: Outraged | Jan 29 2023 17:13 utc | 38 ”
Panicked offer ? You must be kidding. The ZioWest basically told Russia to surrender and then they MIGHT ease sanctions. Doesnt very desperate to me.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 17:30 utc | 45
@ ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023 16:49 utc | 29
Sei nicht beleidigt, mein Schatz. Vielleicht schaffst du es beim nächsten Mal
Posted by: Nuremberg | Jan 29 2023 17:32 utc | 46
” ReinhardVonSiegfried@31…what makes you think the General’s death has been avenged? When the Martyrs Flag is raised in Iran you along with the rest of us will know.
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jan 29 2023 17:28 utc | 43 ”
That flag was raised a long time ago and Iran hasnt done anything since. Hope springs eternal though.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 17:32 utc | 47
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 17:30 utc | 45
The empire has had sanctions since 2014 – and 10 or more sanction packages since the beginning of 2022. US has itself evaded those sanctions and EU pay the premium price for all the stuff they need to import. There is a law of diminishing returns at work here, which apparently empire’s leaders have never heard about. The main problem in Russia right now seems to be rising wages and lack of workers in several industries. Inflation is relatively low.
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 29 2023 17:36 utc | 48
” The main problem in Russia right now seems to be rising wages and lack of workers in several industries. Inflation is relatively low.
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 29 2023 17:36 utc | 48 ”
Its sad that you see rising wages as a problem, however, I understand what you mean by that. Its the same ploy in the West. When the native workers get to comfortable financially, then its time to flood the target nation with foreign labor to destroy that comfort. Thats planned for Russia whether it wins or not.
Russia also faces a severe demographic problem in regards to its native / Russian population and this stupidly run war is not helping that. The male Slav population is being damaged on both sides, just as designed.
I think Putin said that the world will not survive without Russia in it, however, can Russia survive without Russians in it ?
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 17:47 utc | 49
So they cut off the hands and heads but left the cell phones ? Hardly likely.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 17:27 utc | 41
That was my initial reaction as well, but what if they swapped the cell phone with someone else’s. Perhaps a clever Ukrainian conscript who wanted to appear dead and then vanish.
Posted by: Opport Knocks | Jan 29 2023 17:48 utc | 50
@ ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023
The Ukrainians (the dirty few) play “Axe Porridge” with NATO.
https://www.longlongtimeago.com/once-upon-a-time/folktales/axe-porridge
The Ukrainians offer illusions of victory, NATO the illusion of endless support. Thus, in the echo chamber, Loose-Loose becomes Win-Win.
The situation either suits the Russians, or cutting off supplies requires a cost-benefit negative balance.
But in 10 years we will know more.
Problems are also only solved when the cause is removed. Fighting the consequences does not achieve the goal.
In order to selectively combat moving targets on the Polish border, weapon carriers would have to be on site 24 hours a day, e.g. kamikazedrons. If no target can be found within the dwell time, the only option would be self-destruction, a cost factor given the target area.
The area would have to be permanently monitored in real time, of course from the air.
Then there is the creativity of transport, passenger trains, normal cars and trucks, dismantled and packed, on country roads and forest tracks….
It is not only Ukraine’s air defences that interfere. The latter uses Starlink, Iceye and benefits from the satellite reconnaissance of the individual Nato states and the evaluation by their personnel, 24h/7.
Also with regard to a conflict with NATO, I think it makes more sense to start in space, even if the war is decided on the ground.
Posted by: 600w | Jan 29 2023 17:50 utc | 51
Posted by: 600w | Jan 29 2023 17:50 utc | 51
The question of “cutting” the Polish Ukrainian border is an interesting and been pondered for a very long time.
The actual reason for not attempting it, could eventually be that if those weapons can’t reach Donbass, they will still be used against Russians wherever they can’t go further. Of course, trying to cut the border is an absolutely massive undertaking.
Just a thought, but the cost analysis might favor fighting those weapons in the east, where they are furthest away from maintenance and other support. But then, should Nato send, lets say an imaginary 10 tank divisions across the Dneper, at that point the cost analysis would well begin to favor in destroying the Dneper bridges in order to trap them without any rear support. You can only burn the bridge once, so the time needs to be chosen wisely, for maximum effect.
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 29 2023 18:02 utc | 52
Deplorable Commissar @ 41
So they cut off the hands and heads but left the cell phones ? Hardly likely.
Hopefully they remembered not to write their name on their underwear.
Those gruesome images are not fake. Very fucked up stuff happening in Ukraine, even more indications of a gangster nazi state.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jan 29 2023 18:03 utc | 53
If we look at the whole battlefield and not just the one in Ukraine you can understand why Russia has gone for a “lite” war we will see that Russia is keeping its military might in reserve to a) avoid domestic disruptions, and b) keep the options open in case NATO decides to go all out in Ukraine or elsewhere which would, if Russia were not ready to meet the threat, lead to the temptation of nuclear war. Russia seems to believe that the longer they string this war out the more international support they will have (if they continue to go war-lite) and the more division will emerge within the Empire. The reluctance of Germany to send its tanks shows that the trend in Germany is towards establishing limits to what NATO will do. It’s obvious that the tanks are an escalation but not one that will seriously change the ground war. Russia is in no hurry they seem to believe that, while the Washington-oriented leadership class may be all-in on escalation, the population of the Empire will not support a wider war except some Eastern European nations who fanatically hate Russia but I don’t think Poland or the Baltics are willing to destroy their countries even with the massive support of Washington money.
Posted by: Chris Cosmos | Jan 29 2023 18:05 utc | 54
Posted by: Exile | Jan 29 2023 15:38 utc | 10
question; what are your thoughts on likely response to Tel Aviv’s attacks on Iran ?
I suggest it will be like Russia’s responses – asymmetric: at the time and place and manner of their choosing rather than at the time of their enemy’s choosing…
TheBAG
Posted by: TheBAG | Jan 29 2023 18:05 utc | 55
I am getting tired of reading the ongoing drive-by barflies bemoaning the lack of Might-Makes-Right response to the barbarism of empire.
They just don’t get the fact that it is not positive to beat a bully by becoming one.
These drive-by barflies are bringing down the level of discourse at the bar like the ones discussing the myths of capitalism/socialism/communism/marxism while ignoring the realities of the China/public and West/private finance structure and what it means to the way society operates.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 29 2023 18:07 utc | 56
” Those gruesome images are not fake. Very fucked up stuff happening in Ukraine, even more indications of a gangster nazi state.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jan 29 2023 18:03 utc | 53 ”
Except, we have no way of knowing who cut off those appendages. If you think Wagner doesnt engage in psychological operations you would be very wrong.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 18:10 utc | 57
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 17:47 utc | 49
Russia also faces a severe demographic problem in regards to its native / Russian population and this stupidly run war is not helping that.
If you think it’s bad for Russia, it’s going much worse for Ukrainians, and as bad or worse for (white) Europe/UK/US.
You also seem to be under the delusion that Russia is all Slavs, and that it’s all Slavs doing the fighting.
That’s in character – you’ve always been prone to severe tunnel vision.
Chechens, Buryats, Tuvans and 190 other ethnic groups in the RF piss in your general direction – if only to get your attention.
How are their birth rates doing? Are they aborting and contracepting their offspring at the rate the West is? I think not.
I think Putin said that the world will not survive without Russia in it, however, can Russia survive without Russians in it ?
Meaningless wordplay on your part. A Russia without Russians implies a world without the West – because that’s the only way it gets like that for at least the next 100 years.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 18:15 utc | 58
psychohistorian | Jan 29 2023 18:07 utc | 56
Multitudes of fish feeding on berley.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 29 2023 18:15 utc | 59
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 17:27 utc | 41
So they cut off the hands and heads but left the cell phones ? Hardly likely.
They said electronic devices. Not specfically cellphones (unless this is a truly bad translation).
That could imply digital name-tags (rfid etc.). Tiny SD cards. Cheap digital recording devices used for voice logs …
Then again, you’ve always had a problem with tunnel vision …
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 18:18 utc | 60
@deplorable commissar
The reduction of a male population does usually not result in a long term decline of the population.
Men are easily replaced. You dont need a lot of men to impragnate a lot of women. (And they do because of the lack of available men women become less choosy and rigid) Look at germany after ww2 for evample. The population continues to grow regardless of such dips.
Problems do not occur when men die (even if its 10% of the male population), problems occur when women stop becoming mothers.
Posted by: Orgel | Jan 29 2023 18:20 utc | 61
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 18:10 utc | 57
Except, we have no way of knowing who cut off those appendages.
Who’s interest does it serve most:
a) Those who wish to conceal the identities of foreign actors.
b) Those who benefit from revealing their identities
The scale leans heavily away from Wagner.
Your argument is heavily contrived.
If you think Wagner doesnt engage in psychological operations you would be very wrong.
You’d know, wouldn’t you?
I think Wagner’s mere existence is psyop enough – Western media does most of their psyops for them.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 18:24 utc | 62
@ Ahole | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 4
Government has been a total failure throughout its entire history.
It is a parasite that destroys its host and this time the parasites have nuclear weapons. Unfortunately for the few sane people, the government lovers won’t be the only ones to perish.
Posted by: Drapetomaniac | Jan 29 2023 18:24 utc | 63
Poland or the Baltics are willing to destroy their countries even with the massive support of Washington money.
Posted by: Chris Cosmos | Jan 29 2023 18:05 utc | 54
Don’t know about that. Ukr did it and they love it. Generals in Poland suggest preemptive strikes in Russia and Belarus. When Finland and Sweden join nato more kamikazes will join the terrorist club, and they have a large part of weapons sent to Ukr, that was by design. Czech republic, now a junta, is giving state awards to “mercenaries” returned from Ukr, national “heroes”. Give a month or two and it will be Finland giving awards
Posted by: rk | Jan 29 2023 18:24 utc | 64
chriscosmos@54
(1. “domestic disruptions”…In Russia? Not quite hardly.
Posted by: aristodemos | Jan 29 2023 18:39 utc | 66
Regarding the delivery of NATO weapons into Ukraine, here is a serious question for supporters of Russia. Why has Russia not been able to cut off the flow of these weapons into Ukraine? From what I understand, Ukraine no longer has an air force which would imply that Russian jets can fly freely over that territory. Why aren’t trucks and trains coming in from Poland, Slovakia and Romania being bombed?
Posted by: ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 5Ukraine may not have a functioning airforce but it’s ground based air defenses are still numerous and dangerous enough to cause casualties in unsustainable numbers to the Russian airforce. Secondly, these trains and trucks are ALWAYS parked, and moved in between and alongside civilian traffic. This isn’t the US in Yugoslavia, Russia does not want to bomb passenger trains and highways. Ukraine is a *MASSIVE* country, much larger than any theatre in which the west used an overwhelming bombing campaign (remember that in Serbia, NATO used 1000 combat aircraft for a country of 7.5 million people). Russia does not have such a capability due to having to use many of it’s planes in reserve in case NATO tries something grander. The resources to monitor and strike 10s of billions of dollars worth of aid (hundreds of pieces of military equipment, thousands of convoys of ammunition and fuel) is impossible. Russia still can escalate if it finds that it is being overwhelmed by NATO support but something tells me that it suits them to destroy the equipment where its in the open on the frontline in fields and warehouses where they CAN monitor 24/7 and even then, I doubt that it makes much difference on the battlefront itself. Russia may choose to bomb Dnieper bridges and transit hubs if they wish to make logistics harder for Ukraine. We shall see what happens!
Posted by: Alex | Jan 29 2023 18:43 utc | 67
For me it is getting to the stage Russia needs to “send a message”
A crystal clear message that says to the West – Stop and reassess your lives.
It’s lucky I don’t rule Russia as I would have nuked the US base in Poland by now. Sump!y on the belief that there is now way the US would nuke Russia as a response.
The reason being those that run the US are only interested in money and their own power within the US. When push comes to shove they would bottle it knowing they and their families would lose everything. There’s no chance in bell these people would nuke Russia because of shitty little Poland.
Posted by: Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 17:08 utc | 36
###
No shortage of armchair tough guys here who want to destroy and maim. Had no idea there were so many Straussians in this audience.
Russia is doing fine. This is not the scenario they chose, rather the one they are forced to deal with. Increasingly, international support is on their side. Economic strength is on their side. Military accomplishment is on their side. The West is fracturing trying to maintain a series of lies. Time is entirely working for the Russians.
I can only assume that the bloodthirsty in the bar enjoy the idea of someone else getting blown up because if they really wanted to see action themselves, they would find a way to the front. Safer to criticize on the internet, pseudo-anonymously.
Talk without meaningful “skin in the game” is noise.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 29 2023 18:44 utc | 68
” Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 18:10 utc | 57
Except, we have no way of knowing who cut off those appendages.
Who’s interest does it serve most:
If you think Wagner doesnt engage in psychological operations you would be very wrong.
You’d know, wouldn’t you?a) Those who wish to conceal the identities of foreign actors.
b) Those who benefit from revealing their identities
The scale leans heavily away from Wagner.
Your argument is heavily contrived.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 18:24 utc | 62 ”
I know as much about Wagner’s internal operations as many of the posters here know about what Russian plans are, including you. Fair enough ?
As far as your other weak point goes, everyone and their grandma knows that Ukraine is crawling with foreign troops , volunteers, and mercs. Concealing their identities / involvement serves absolutely no purpose at this point. The video evidence that Wagner provided supports this as it shows low level mercs / or volunteers in thrown together military gear. So whats the extreme need to hide their identities ? In fact, I’m more interested in the identities of the Western spooks and SpecOps troops Putin keeps releasing after capturing them.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 18:46 utc | 69
Posted by: 600w | Jan 29 2023 17:50 utc | 51
Been thinking about this problem myself. Probably the most plausible way to shut down overland weapon shipments into Ukraine would be drones that attack anything with an engine signature (spark ignition systems emit a distinct radio signal).
Belarus is the most plausible base for running automated / semi-automated drone patrols up and down Ukraine’s western border. There might be some value in flying patrols out of Crimea and other most-westerly areas under RF control but these would still be very long flights.
I haven’t seen any existing system perform this kind of vehicle interdict mission but it’s plausible enough that a long range, multi-flight drone could fire small laser guided bombs or belt-fed machine gun rounds at small vehicle targets.
The intention would be purely to immobilise, not cause injury, but the risks are obvious. Perhaps a guided drop-bomb could target the engine hot-spot with a miniature shaped charge to reduce off-target effects?
If successful, this sort of campaign could put a stop to almost all overland traffic into UA along its western border. Essential items might be allowed in via Belarus?
Already in the realms of speculation, the real question is whether RF would even want to do this, would it actually be advantageous or would it come with its own controversies and potentially force NATO into a conspicuous corner.
Posted by: anon2020 | Jan 29 2023 18:46 utc | 70
BLINKEN CONCEDES WAR IS LOST – OFFERS KREMLIN UKRAINIAN DEMILITARIZATION; CRIMEA, DONBASS, ZAPOROZHYE; AND RESTRICTION OF NEW TANKS TO WESTERN UKRAINE IF THERE IS NO RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE
http://johnhelmer.net/blinken-concedes-war-is-lost-offers-kremlin-ukrainian-demilitarization-crimea-donbass-zaporozhe-and-restriction-of-new-tanks-to-western-ukraine-if-there-is-no-russian-offensive/
—
Posted by: Andrew | Jan 29 2023 18:50 utc | 71
Been thinking about this problem myself. Probably the most plausible way to shut down overland weapon shipments into Ukraine would be drones that attack anything with an engine signature (spark ignition systems emit a distinct radio signal).
Posted by: anon2020 | Jan 29 2023 18:46 utc | 70
###
What have we seen the Russians set out to do, that they have not pursued with conviction?
If they wanted to intercept materiel on the way in, they would. That they do not, tells us a lot, if we choose to take notice.
Personally, I’d want my enemy to consolidate my targets while consuming time and resources to put all of them within my striking range. If I am in an attrition war, I don’t want to expend any more energy than is absolutely necessary, and every trade of contact has to yield a profit for me. By virtue of NATO having to transport these weapons to the front, makes them much more valuable a target than if they were struck in some warehouse in Poland.
It’s not just the actual weapon but the time setting up a logistics chain, staging fuel and parts for that machine, investing weeks in training soldiers to operate it. Only when all of that investment is made, do I want to strike the final blow rendering it all ineffective.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 29 2023 18:55 utc | 72
Been thinking about this problem myself. Probably the most plausible way to shut down overland weapon shipments into Ukraine would be drones that attack anything with an engine signature (spark ignition systems emit a distinct radio signal).
Posted by: anon2020 | Jan 29 2023 18:46 utc | 70
###
What have we seen the Russians set out to do, that they have not pursued with conviction?
If they wanted to intercept materiel on the way in, they would. That they do not, tells us a lot, if we choose to take notice.
Personally, I’d want my enemy to consolidate my targets while consuming time and resources to put all of them within my striking range. If I am in an attrition war, I don’t want to expend any more energy than is absolutely necessary, and every trade of contact has to yield a profit for me. By virtue of NATO having to transport these weapons to the front, makes them much more valuable a target than if they were struck in some warehouse in Poland.
It’s not just the actual weapon but the time setting up a logistics chain, staging fuel and parts for that machine, investing weeks in training soldiers to operate it. Only when all of that investment is made, do I want to strike the final blow rendering it all ineffective.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 29 2023 18:55 utc | 73
Posted by: Andrew | Jan 29 2023 18:50 utc | 71
Also, US agreement to restrict the deployment of HIMARS, US and NATO infantry fighting vehicles, and the Abrams and Leopard tanks to a point in western Ukraine from which they can “manoeuvre…as a deterrent against future Russian attacks.”
Blinken is on some heavy drugs if he thinks this is a serious offer and Helmer is spinning this way out of proportion (I suspect he’s generally on some kind of medication as well).
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 18:56 utc | 74
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 29 2023 18:02 utc | 52
What you said, I type too slowly.
Posted by: anon2020 | Jan 29 2023 18:57 utc | 75
Re: the coalition of the multipolar world,
Link below was from a poster here at the bar. It’s an excellent primer on BRICS and the purpose it serves. It is not a military alliance and that’s not the point. It is a loose confederation aiming at dedollarizing. But unlike US based alliances nobody’s in charge and giving orders so it behaves both with general long term goals and specific short term goals pursued by individual members. What’s most important is that the study was published in 2/22. Everything the study talks about is accelerating.
As to whether it needs to be a military alliance, no. Because effectively the US is not a military empire but a financial one. At this point Russia is destroying the bulk of the military power possessed by most of the US’s allies. And it’s making a pretty good dent in US capability too. Realistically, the US is afraid to use its capability directly against a near peer so it’s not a serious military threat. It is used as a threat, but the big stick is actually financial access. Yes, defeating the US militarily likely destroys the financial empire but down that road are nukes. So BRICS is about eroding and replacing the financial empire.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/can-brics-dedollarize-the-global-financial-system/0AEF98D2F232072409E9556620AE09B0
Posted by: Lex | Jan 29 2023 18:58 utc | 76
Posted by: Opport Knocks | Jan 29 2023 17:48 utc | 50
Yup, but more likely the guy with the chainsaw was simply too dim to frisk the bodies. Sick.
Posted by: UBAH | Jan 29 2023 19:02 utc | 77
Deplorable Commissar @ 57
Except, we have no way of knowing who cut off those appendages. If you think Wagner doesnt engage in psychological operations you would be very wrong.
I doubt it was Wagner, they wouldn’t be filming it, they are all about being the Holy Knights and Righteous Avengers.
So, what heinous beast doesn’t want someone somewhere to know they were killed? Or how important could a front line soldier’s real identity be that it can’t even be excused as a mercenary freelancer? Maybe they were super thrifty and said just ship my head and hands to my mom. Calm down that’s a joke.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jan 29 2023 19:03 utc | 78
LoveDonbass
The only reason the West keeps escalating AND stepping over every Putin red line. Is because they are gambling that Putin won’t use nukes. So when does a red line actually be a red line ? All the West are saying now whenever a red line is spoken is ” ah, we’ve heard that before” The West are now calling his bluff everytime. Russian lives lost let’s say 20k . American lives lost 5. Who’s winning ?
I’m just saying what I would do to save Russian lives. How would you send a message to let the Americans know when a red line is a red line and not a bluff? As they have all been bluffs up to now. How would you Save Russian lives who are dying every day. 20k and counting when America loses are less than 10 in total.
Posted by: Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 19:10 utc | 80
Love donbass @ 68
Sorry but I think your wrong.
Your talking on a blog that mostly supports Russia the inocent victem (as you know)
‘re read your comments and imagine they were directed at US polaticians and milatry. Becouse thats where they belong.
‘They don’t have skin in the game’s
And that right there is the reason they do what they do.
No checks and balances. No rule of natural law. No consequence.
Untill the west is made to pick up the bill they will continue. And I don’t just meen money.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jan 29 2023 19:12 utc | 81
@ Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 17:08 utc | 36
Re : “ It’s lucky I don’t rule Russia as I would have nuked the US base in Poland by now. ”
AMEN. I’d do something like that too. You’re right, that it would probably be a mistake, and the Russians in charge obviously know better. The Rest of World would not be unanimous in agreeing with our approach, and Russia would lose support, which it doesn’t want to do.
Similarly, I wish Iran would retaliate heavily against Israel, and without a two hour heads up, but in this case, Israel would probably nuke Iran, even if it means Iran emptying their arsenal at Israel. Even if Jews don’t believe in an afterlife, I think they’re mean enough to make that sacrifice. Maybe I’m just “antisemitic”.
Posted by: Featherless | Jan 29 2023 19:14 utc | 82
@79
only fascists do the body count score.
as with the bararian war in Vietnam body count is meaningless.
America and its Nazis are dealing with a force that does not react to media idiocy
Posted by: paddy | Jan 29 2023 19:17 utc | 83
LoveDonbass
Let’s put it another way. If the US were in Russia’s shoes. The base in Poland and in Germany and Romania would have been flattened months ago. The US would have sent a crystal clear message that anybody thinking of supplying weapons would suffer the same fate. We all know this is what would have happened. When you are at war and that’s how you win at war.
Posted by: Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 19:22 utc | 84
” @79
only fascists do the body count score.
as with the bararian war in Vietnam body count is meaningless.
Posted by: paddy | Jan 29 2023 19:17 utc | 82 ”
I guess you missed the daily briefings from the Russian ministry of defense.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 19:31 utc | 85
It’s a very interesting question. With no easy answers.
How would YOU send a crystal clear message to the West so that no more red lines are crossed. Your answer will probably depend if you are playing the long game or short game. Accept loss of Russian lives or avoid loss of Russian lives. If their was poll done you would get many different answers.
Posted by: Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 19:33 utc | 86
” I doubt it was Wagner, they wouldn’t be filming it, they are all about being the Holy Knights and Righteous Avengers.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jan 29 2023 19:03 utc | 77 ”
I guess you havent seen the sledgehammer video.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 19:33 utc | 87
It is probable that Artemisvk has fallen.
This evening we had a nice piece of propaganda to open the national news on (government owned) french second channel. It was titled “Children under the bombs in Bakhmut” and it was quite some time that the SMO didn’t hit the evening news’ first rank.
After showing old people living with children in a cave in what was supposed to be a Artemisvk neighborood, we had a ukrainian militiaman in army uniform telling the camera that the city was soon to be lost, and that “they were retreating to regroup their best unit and show their force later on”. The guy was no older than 40 and looked rather fit, so I guess it was one of these Kraken scums that like to opress their owwn civilans rather than fight russians on the front.
Then we had a “journalist” in helmet and body armour repeat to the camera that “the city was to fall and that the russians forces were making new progresses every day”.
That stupid children abuse in what was probably a staged set-up filmed several days ago, and the weird repetition in front of the camera that “Bakhmut is going to fall” indicates that the city is probably already completely in the RF control as I write these lines.
Take care, gentlemen.
Posted by: Pierrot | Jan 29 2023 19:34 utc | 88
As compelling as it may be to launch a nuke or a massive missile attack at a base in Poland to demonstrate that enough is enough, over the months a curious boomerang effect has occurred due to US/UK/Poland/German fifth column’s continuous escalations. Yes, they commit escalatory acts and yes, it costs Russian lives but at the same time the hyper belligerence has alienated pretty much the whole world, possibly scared Taiwanese elites from suiciding the way Ukrainian ones have (and this is a much more important battlefield), and drawn NATO ever deeper into a losing proposition of supporting a corpse with a serious loss of face that probably awaits the outcome of the war. If Russia gets its way, the way its running the war right now the message that the rest of the world will receive will be that NATO has done everything imaginable and still lost to a single country, supposedly a weak one at that. In a sense, it will be the end of the alliance,even though it probably won’t disappear.
Posted by: Boo | Jan 29 2023 19:35 utc | 89
Deplorable Commissar @ 86
I guess you havent seen the sledgehammer video.
I did but I choose to believe in The Righteous Avengers.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jan 29 2023 19:37 utc | 90
” Meaningless wordplay on your part. A Russia without Russians implies a world without the West – because that’s the only way it gets like that for at least the next 100 years.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 18:15 utc | 58 ”
Base on current demographic trends there wont be many Russians left in the world. Same for all other indigenous European nations. However, in your Utopian vision Russia will continue to be Russian even when it will be soley populated by Chechens, Buryats, Tuvans and 190 other ethnic groups. Have fun with that.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 19:42 utc | 91
Posted by: Orgel | Jan 29 2023 18:20 utc | 61
You state above in response to @deplorable commissar
Problems do not occur when men die (even if its 10% of the male population), problems occur when women stop becoming mothers.
Wow – I agree with that. I’ve seen it up close when the ladies don’t care about their own children – it is a mystery and a shame.
Posted by: Buffalo_Ken | Jan 29 2023 19:45 utc | 92
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 18:46 utc | 69
… whats the extreme need to hide their identities ?
What psyops benefit does Wagner get from de-identifying a couple of mercenaries?
What’s the extreme need for that particular method of psyops?
Everybody and his gran knows Wagner are bad men who will vapourize you where you stand – so why the need for the psyops?
Seems to me it works out as an act of mercy if it was Wagner doing it: At least they preserve the last shreds of your dignity by not picturing your bullet riddled mug on telegram!
Either way, your argument still doesn’t make sense and your attempt to throw the “everybody is just as clueless” screen into the mix is clearly an obfuscation. It stands as an example of tailored propaganda.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 19:46 utc | 93
@ Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 19:22 utc | 83
“If the US were in Russia’s shoes..”
True, US will do that. Flatten everything in adjoining countries, create utter misery wherever they could, not caring about hearts and minds, devastating as much as they could, and probably leave as soon as any questions of rebuilding the conquered nation arise.
Luckily, Russia is not like US or other colonial nations, waging war by all means and destroying lands and especially the majority of Ukraine which is and has been seen as Russian lands and people, more or less.
Not to confuse two different reasons and approaches.
And for Russia to win this, it is not to occupy and conquer territory that it doesn’t want or thinks it is expensive to hold in logistics and manpower.
It is to degrade Ukrainian military, so it becomes useless, gain Donbass at some point and has the all the time in the World at its disposal to move real slow, as it is.
Remember, it is SMO. Not really a real war.
Russia is not at war. Yet.
Posted by: whirlX | Jan 29 2023 19:49 utc | 94
@57, 86:
say whatever you want about Wagner, but they do have a surprisingly high ethical standard. A flyer about it was published on Colonel Cassad’s website some days ago (yes yes, I know what people say about Cassad) – in comparison, Western “mercenenaries” are a bunch of degenerates. Wagner makes evey effort to bring the bodies of those whom they killed in battle back home: respect for the adversary is ingrained. The “hammer” of Wagner? If you mean the Syrian video – yes that one was a pretty gruesome revenge, I agree – but then, ISIS… If you mean the recent Ukrainian one: that was Ukrainian propaganda, disavowed by Wagner Telegram channels. There are many men worse than Prighozin you know (and he does have a sharp wit, vide his own Telegram posts).
Posted by: Anthony | Jan 29 2023 19:49 utc | 95
” The US will “retaliate” to any development that they feel encroaches on their global hegemony, with whatever means that they have available, directly or through proxies, irrespective of any formal treaty or agreement designed to prevent it.
Posted by: Skiffer | Jan 29 2023 17:07 utc | 34 ”
You sure took alot of words to arrive at the same conclusion I’ve been talking about. The US will retaliate no matter what, so its best to take the gloves off and attack it from multiple angles and directions at once. This is best accomplished through an alliance or alliances. The stupid SMO go slow approach, while China sits on its ass, is pointless and just wastes more Russian, and Slavic lives.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 19:50 utc | 96
” Men are easily replaced. You dont need a lot of men to impragnate a lot of women. (And they do because of the lack of available men women become less choosy and rigid) Look at germany after ww2 for evample. The population continues to grow regardless of such dips.
Problems do not occur when men die (even if its 10% of the male population), problems occur when women stop becoming mothers.
Posted by: Orgel | Jan 29 2023 18:20 utc | 61 ”
Your German example left out one minor point. Germany was flooded with Turks because of the ” lack of workers ” forever changing its population. Your second point is valid, although Russian women are also not having enough children.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 19:54 utc | 97
At #95 above, deplorable c – that seems like a statement somebody would make just wants more conflict – is that what you want?
If so, I refute you.
Posted by: Buffalo_Ken | Jan 29 2023 19:54 utc | 98
Here in England and I guess the US,
We have got used to seeing ‘forien’ people die in western initiated war and ther citys turned to rubble, year by year.
But never in The US or England. Perish the thought. Not us, good greaf that cant be allowed to happen.
Result ….
No empathy.
If you want to understand another’s pain you need to understand the concept of pain.
In this case you need to understand how Russia feels having its entire country threatened with none existence.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jan 29 2023 19:56 utc | 99
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 29 2023 18:44 utc | 68
It’s lucky I don’t rule Russia as I would have nuked the US base in Poland by now. Sump!y on the belief that there is now way the US would nuke Russia as a response.
No need to use nukes when non-nuclear missiles would suffice. Haven’t you heard of “daisy cutters” or the Massive Ordinance Air Blast?
Posted by: ReinhardVonSiegfried | Jan 29 2023 19:56 utc | 100