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January 29, 2023
Ukraine Open Thread 2023-25
Comments
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 19:42 utc | 90
Base on current demographic trends there wont be many Russians left in the world. Same for all other indigenous European nations.
Bollocks.
Based on current demographic trends there won’t be much of any Western (and some Asian) ethnic group left in the world – so your argument is a moot one.
If we’re all dying off at roughly the same rate then the kind of nonsense argument you’re injecting into the narrative makes no sense at all.
Especially since any of it’s disadvantage you’re ascribing to Russians apply equally or more so to the side currently trying to do them in.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 19:57 utc | 101
” 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 | 92 ”
Yes, I’m a professional troll in the pay of Mossad and various three letter agencies. You got me Archie. Your counter-intelligence skills are superb and I need to retire to my cave and re-calibrate my online identity.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 19:58 utc | 102
” 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 | 97 ”
No, absolutely not. I want Russia and the rest of the ” resistance ” to roll over and submit to the ZioWest. As long as it prevents violence.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 19:59 utc | 103
Of course deplorable c, I agree Russia has the initiative and Odessa beckons and the longer Russia dawdles on the Steppes the lower their chances will be to bring this to a swift conclusion, cause just like today, outside nefarious forces will try to cause disruption upon the enemies in their twisted imagination.
~
So, what is the solution?
I reckon local commerce is where it all begins, and locally just decided, to let the dimwits kill each other.
Knowing all along, they might kill us all, but not a one of us has our fingers on the button I reckon, and those that do, might want to consider other forces that may come into play….in fact, I suspect this tragedy has reached its conclusion or soon will, and then maybe we all will have a chance to get on with serious business demanded – either that, we all will be dead I reckon.
Posted by: Buffalo_Ken | Jan 29 2023 19:59 utc | 104
The US isn’t fighting sandals and AK47s.
The fatal mistake is the distain and lack of respect for Russian interests, concerns and most of all abilities as a peer adversary.
The US has never been agreement capable as Putin observed.
That arrogance and hubris might very well be about to be their undoing.
Might be ours too!
Posted by: jpc | Jan 29 2023 20:15 utc | 105
Hey Deplorable C – I think your mention of the role played by China is fair and valid.
I think China might be in trouble if it has gotten too mixed up with fiat currency, because it ought be evident, fiat based upon nothing but good will, is diminishing RAPIDLY.
~
So, if China has a bunch of debt associated with building more stuff than was needed, then China is beholden to the debt pushers. I don’t think Russia has that trouble being all the sanctions been pushed down upon them, and frankly it could be Russia needs to “go-it-alone” and then maybe later China will figure out the mistake they made, but probably too late for China in that regard, and if it goes down this way, then we all can hope the leaders in Israel get a clue, because actions today apparently causing fires in Iran I suspect will backfire tremendously and then when Justified Retribution gets delivered precisely, perhaps we all can take a breath and think about what really matters to us all collectively being we all are connected no denying that now in the 21st century when change happens quick cause FLUX big time is in the air.
~
Now or never it seems to be for the sake of homo sapein sapein…..
So, ask Rommel about the importance of initiative – once it is lost you can’t get it back.
I hope wise leaders are out there, but regardless, my focus will be local, and then what happens happens.
Seems all an unnecessary diversion, a shame needless, but tis the times we live in I reckon. Signs of the times.
BK
Posted by: Buffalo_Ken | Jan 29 2023 20:18 utc | 106
Posted by: Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 19:22 utc | 83
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.
**********************************
Hard to tell about that. US has never faced a peer adversary, so who knows what the US would when it realizes the other guy (Russia) has the means and methods to actually shoot back with deadly force, using weapons the US doesn’t even recognize exist???
Posted by: Garry Owen | Jan 29 2023 20:21 utc | 107
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 ?
Posted by: Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 19:10 utc | 79
###
The red line is an attack on sovereign Russia. It always has been. Russia doesn’t have a first strike doctrine.
When the West hits Russia proper (without a proxy, which is why a proxy is used), and Putin doesn’t respond then you can make an argument that he’s weak.
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 | 79
###
You do know you have the ratio on losses backwards, right?
Sending messages and shock and awe are NATO things. That’s not how the Russians operate. Some folks are so consumed with perception rather than the tangible and real facts on the ground. Caught up in the propaganda spell of the NATO powers.
What matters is that Russia continues to slowly gain territory, ready more troops, pump out more ammo, test more new weapons platforms and lose a fraction of the men they kill. That’s really the entire story, regardless of how many subplots people are heavily invested in.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 29 2023 20:22 utc | 109
@ Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 29 2023 18:55 utc | 72
As I was reading your comment, it reminded me of the NS2 sabotage.
Prior to its completion I wondered how they were letting it proceed in the silent manner in which they did…until after it was completed and in ‘certification’ limbo.
Not by slip of the tongue, as is expected of a senile president, but by an obviously staged question, replied to, without hesitation, and repeated (something we would NOT expect of a senile president) came the thug’s threat – We’re taking it DOWN!
They had been planning this war for a while, at least since the RAND report. They had time then, letting Russia build the pipelines while NATO built the UKie armed forces.
It appears the Russian response will also be based on the time it takes to build a NATO force, and the cost benefit of taking it DOWN – when the time is right.
If this is the opening battle of a world war, then phase 1 is still not anywhere near the resolution stage. It is still developing and from an analytical perspective it is fascinating to observe. So far there are too many unknowns.
Regardless, if one were truly honest with themselves and did not dismiss facts outright, one cannot but appreciate the Russian response as being highly restrained thus far and morally unchallengeable.
Eventually, the hammer will fall.
Posted by: spinworthy | Jan 29 2023 20:23 utc | 110
I was intrigued by the remarks about Titanium in Ukraine.
The first thing I wanted to know was, “Geographically, where are those titanium deposits?” Potentially, that could make a big difference.
My research showed that most, if not all, of the titanium mines were located to the West of the Dnieper River – mostly up North.
It’s been my observation that Russia isn’t very interested in acquiring that territory. Russia seems interested in the coast and East of the Dnieper River.
It seems probable to me that Ukraine will retain most, if not all, of the territory in the Northwest.
The Southeast is destined to become part of Russia. (My Opinion)
I have often wondered how much territory a neutered Ukraine might lose to its Western neighbors.
Posted by: ElizabethConley | Jan 29 2023 20:24 utc | 111
Judging by the huge uptick in trolls blowing smoke today the Empire is up to something again. Heavy trolling on a Sunday? That is a bad sign.
Posted by: William Gruff | Jan 29 2023 20:32 utc | 112
Posted by: spinworthy | Jan 29 2023 20:23 utc | 109
What I don’t understand is why were there not cameras down there upon the pipelines because the cost of putting that in place would be a trivial fraction of the costs to repair damage done, and in the world today, when it comes to infrastructure it is a good idea to have camera’s in place transparent.
~
The other thing I don’t understand, and really this is maybe even more important is what makes Sweden think they got the right to keep the terrorist who blew up the gas lines incognito? Shouldn’t any valid safety investigation be transparent to facilitate lessons learned and yes indeed that question is rhetorical because getting to the root cause of matters is not what the power that be desire.
~
So Sweden, the folks that live there should appreciate that Turkey is denying entry and Finland needs a clue because Russia could take Finland after a sneeze and really if there is more escalation, then I suspect Russia, whether led by Putin or any other who loves the Motherland, will take matters into their own hands and then let the chips fall where they will.
~
Sometimes the option of doing nothing is worse than the option of asserting will – so I hope will is asserted, Odessa returns to the Motherland, the *kraine gets its due, and the conflict comes to an end. After that, let those who caused the harm face Justified Retribution we all know they got coming because the evidence is in and the peasants demand better.
~
Either that or we all are dead I reckon.
Posted by: Buffalo_Ken | Jan 29 2023 20:34 utc | 113
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 19:59 utc | 102
I want Russia and the rest of the ” resistance ” to roll over and submit to the ZioWest. As long as it prevents violence.
If you think Russia rolling over and submitting to the Anglo/Zio/American paedo complex will result in less violence you’re out of your mind.
The very reason Russia (or anyone) should never submit to the West is because there’s no guarantee of a drop in violence and a sure guarantee that your culture, history, ethnicity will eventually be consumed as fuel for their global murder machine.
The paranoid Anglo-Zionist mindset can result in entire nations being wiped out if the wrong neocon wakes up from a fever dream on a bad day.
This is the arc of history for those submitting to Western rule. Ask the Palestinians for a start.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 20:35 utc | 114
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 | 83
###
Tell me more about how successful America was in Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Iraq. LOL
The US will never be in Russia’s shoes because America is a secular materialist civilization still in its relative infancy.
I am enjoying very much your commentary on how wars on won, ostensibly based on all of the wars you have commanded to victory.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 29 2023 20:37 utc | 115
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 19:58 utc | 101
I’m a professional troll in the pay of Mossad and various three letter agencies.
Well, we could quibble about whether you’re paid or employable.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 20:38 utc | 116
Years ago I read that not titanium mines are the problem but the finished product, which Russia seems to make the best. Boeing was buying for many years from Russia when Japan makes it too, but not good enough. They extended the contract for more decades but now they’ve sanctioned themselves and don’t buy it anymore. I think Airbus was buying too. So this titanium mines story seems like a simple story for web traffic to me.
Posted by: rk | Jan 29 2023 20:41 utc | 117
@56 psychohistorian
There are certainly two fairly diametrically opposed financial/political systems at work… curious as to your thoughts on bitcoin though?
Both china/public and western/debt systems have proven reticent to “accept” bitcoin, yet it just keeps on producing blocks of transactions with no regard for either giant… it is tiny in usage/size but it also seems quite Lindy at this point, no?
Posted by: EJ | Jan 29 2023 20:46 utc | 118
No, absolutely not. I want Russia and the rest of the ” resistance ” to roll over and submit to the ZioWest. As long as it prevents violence.
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 19:59 utc | 102
Say Russia were to capitulate unconditionally tomorrow, retreat vom Donezk und guarantee to never cross it’s borders again.
What’s next?
With Ukraine, who have not only killed 14000 of their own citizens, who have made absolutely clear there is no place for anybody with Russian roots in Ukraine. Not alive, anyway. We’re are talking about several million Ukrainians here, and a NATO that has happily supported the earlier butcherings.
Oh, and then there are all those accused of “collaboration.”
And then there will be NATO on steroids. What we are seeing now is a NATO who have just lost a war in Afghanistan, a defeat on the scale of losing the Vietnam war, a NATO who has only a fraction of the weapons they had after the cold war. They are currently turning our economies into war economies to maximize the production of weapons and ammunition.
Corporate profits hit one record after the other, because Putin.
What do you think will happen if NATO and Ukraine win this war?
Posted by: Marvin | Jan 29 2023 20:48 utc | 119
For the bar. Some interesting numbers, and lost revenue.
Why Germany really shied from sending Leopards to Ukraine
Berlin concerned European states who donate Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine may replace their stocks with US Abrams instead
By CHRISTOPH BLUTH
JANUARY 27, 2023
https://asiatimes.com/2023/01/why-germany-really-shied-from-sending-leopards-to-ukraine/
Germany is reluctant, for good reason, to send its Leopard tanks to Ukraine. The decision to provide heavy tanks to Ukraine in significant numbers constitutes a step change in western military support for Ukraine. For the first time, western countries are providing substantial offensive capabilities to support a major campaign to regain lost territory.
…
In addition to a general fear of escalation, there was much public discussion of Germany’s aversion to involvement in armed conflict (understandable given its 20th-century history) and Berlin’s hopes to rebuild relations with Moscow eventually. [???]
But this is not the whole story. Scholz is keenly aware of Germany’s reliance on the US for its security. So he would only take such a major decision with clear US approval and – most importantly – with evidence that the US would participate in a similar deal to supply its own tanks. Until this week, the US was adamant it wouldn’t send Abrams tanks to Ukraine, saying they were unsuited to the conditions of warfare there.
Germany’s other problem is its relatively low stocks of Leopard 2 tanks (about 320 for all of Germany’s own defense needs down from 4,000 main battle tanks during the Cold War period). Readying its existing stock for battle will take some time.
But the underlying issue is that the Germans fear that if the various European states that have bought Leopard 2 tanks from Germany supply them to Ukraine, they may well opt to replace their own inventories with US equipment instead.
This would destroy a massive export market for Germany as the country exported 2,399 battle tanks between 1992 and 2010. This is already in progress in fact as Poland announced the purchase of 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks with associated equipment with delivery starting this year in a deal worth US$1.4 billion.
…
Initially, Germany will provide 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks from its inventory, with the goal of eventually providing 112 overall.
Germany will deliver the most modern version of the Leopard 2 which is deemed the most capable tank in the modern world except for the US M1 Abrams. Poland has pledged another 14 and Norway will send spare parts and up to eight units. Between them, different European countries have a total of about 2,000 Leopard 2 tanks. Ukraine is seeking 300 tanks overall – so far 105 have been pledged for delivery in the next few months.
The three types of tanks that Ukraine will receive each require very different training, with different supply chains for maintenance and operations. Once integrated these tanks will combine with other top-of-the-range modern fighting machines supplied by Western allies to make for a formidable armored force.
Christoph Bluth is Professor of International Relations and Security, University of Bradford
Posted by: daffyDuct | Jan 29 2023 20:52 utc | 120
Titanium? We’ve heard this sort of nonsense before.
I am old enough to remember the South Vietnam gov. claiming that all sorts of natural resources would be lost if the North won. Didn’t happen.
Then we have the claim that perhaps trillions in minerals exist in North Korea or Afghanistan. In the Afghan case, they threw in the horror of the Taliban subjugating women again – so We Must Continue To Defend Them. Tough Luck, ladies – you should have picked up some AK’s and fought.
I never see anyone commenting that mining takes many years and huge investments to get to profitability. If you doubt this, I’ve got some under a dollar stocks to show you.
Posted by: Eighthman | Jan 29 2023 20:53 utc | 121
how far down on the paid shill pecking order do you have to be to be assigned Sunday duty, I wonder.
Posted by: pretzelattack | Jan 29 2023 20:53 utc | 122
Posted by: daffyDuct | Jan 29 2023 20:52 utc | 119
Berlin concerned European states who donate Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine may replace their stocks with US Abrams instead
By CHRISTOPH BLUTH
JANUARY 27, 2023
Christoph Bluth is Professor of International Relations and Security, University of Bradford
Consider that it took a Phd. to figure out what my plumber uncle could tell the EU on a beer Friday.
Martyanov was right, the West is ruled by imbeciles.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 20:55 utc | 123
@ Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 29 2023 18:55 utc | 72
As I was reading your comment, it reminded me of the NS2 sabotage.
Prior to its completion I wondered how they were letting it proceed in the silent manner in which they did…until after it was completed and in ‘certification’ limbo.
Not by slip of the tongue, as is expected of a senile president, but by an obviously staged question, replied to, without hesitation, and repeated (something we would NOT expect of a senile president) came the thug’s threat – We’re taking it DOWN!
They had been planning this war for a while, at least since the RAND report. They had time then, letting Russia build the pipelines while NATO built the UKie armed forces.
It appears the Russian response will also be based on the time it takes to build a NATO force, and the cost benefit of taking it DOWN – when the time is right.
If this is the opening battle of a world war, then phase 1 is still not anywhere near the resolution stage. It is still developing and from an analytical perspective it is fascinating to observe. So far there are too many unknowns.
Regardless, if one were truly honest with themselves and did not dismiss facts outright, one cannot but appreciate the Russian response as being highly restrained thus far and morally unchallengeable.
Eventually, the hammer will fall.
Posted by: spinworthy | Jan 29 2023 20:23 utc | 109
###
I am quite pleased that you understood the meaning of my comment.
I’m not a very good chess player, I am quite impatient. The Russians are very patient. The Chinese much more so. The benefit of old civilizations who know who they are, who their ancestors were, what their values are.
Any strategy that eschews patience (as increasingly more of the posts here recommend) is a poor strategy. It doesn’t matter who makes the first move. It matters who makes the last move, particularly in an existential war that is no closer to ending today than it was 8 months ago.
The sense of fear and desperation prompted by discussion of nukes is meant to make people fearful and unsettled. Emotional people are easy to control, and to defeat. Fear is the mindkiller.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 29 2023 20:56 utc | 124
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
Yea, we are acutely aware of how the Nazis commit grotesque atrocities and blame them on the Russian troops such as the quite obvious mass murder of white armband wearing Russian sympathizers in Bucha, just as you are doing at present.
Posted by: nwwoods | Jan 29 2023 20:56 utc | 125
Posted by: Ahole | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 4
Tibet? You are seriously ranting about Tibet?
Did your handlers accidentally hand you an old script from the 90’s or something? Aren’t you supposed to be rambling about Uighers and Taiwan these days?
Posted by: Ghan-buri-Ghan | Jan 29 2023 21:00 utc | 126
Posted by: Marvin | Jan 29 2023 20:48 utc | 118
~
I think, but I know I could be wrong, that deplorable commissar (DC for short) was being facetious in a way, and that in reality, DC doesn’t want Russia to submit. With that said, any objective observer, ought be able to discern that Russia is in the “driver’s seat” in this conflict – they have the troops, they have the artillery, they have superior missiles compared to the “West”, they have all it takes to bring this conflict to an end.
~
So seems to me only question left is does Russia have the will? I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know, historically speaking, that sometimes when the initiative is in your corner and you let the moment pass, then history has to go around again to figure out what the best ideas are……problem is, nowadays, if history “goes around again”, and when I say this I think directly of the Zionist and their misbegotten ideas of superiority, and I think of old farts who know nothing but war from the 20th century…..well, I just think there is not gonna be another time to go around again, because if the harm pushers assert their will of large-scale war upon the rest of us, then it is likely we all will be dead. If that is how it goes down, then I hope I finishing the painting the room I’m working on just now, and if it doesn’t go down that way, then I will have a well painted room made better for the sake of a peasant future.
~
It ought be obvious DC and everything associated with it, all the 3-letter agencies, they have not been acting in accordance with those who vested them with authority, so their authority is soon coming to an end. If Russia can’t do what must be done, then who will – the time is now for Russia to rise to its place in history and be the 3rd entity after Rome and Constantinople according to the theory of some for which I give heed.
~
If Russia can’t do what must be done, then I reckon, the human species is a failed one, and the Slavs really would be advised to keep their squabbles amongst themselves because there are some of us focused local. Problem is nowadays, there are blinking dimwit dipshits in the state department disconnected by purpose from the Constitution and they think their hateful ideas take precedence and it pisses me off to have been lied to since the day I was born, and really – time for something better don’t you think?
~
BK
Posted by: Buffalo_Ken | Jan 29 2023 21:03 utc | 127
Specifically, Blinken the effing Secretary of State has created a situation where nobody believes a god-damn thing said by the us of a, and frankly, I don’t consider myself represented by dimwits in the State Department causing harm left and right along with the 3-letter agencies, and so I think it is time for matter to come to a head – one way or the other.
Posted by: Buffalo_Ken | Jan 29 2023 21:08 utc | 128
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? (…) Why aren’t trucks and trains coming in from Poland, Slovakia and Romania being bombed?”
Both these questions have received many answers. The first one is not a real question as it implies the Russian have tried but “not been able to” without providing the evidence for it.
As for the second question, others have already given answers. I just want to add the cost-benifit aspect here. It seems much more cost effective and almost risk-free to wait until all equipment has been off loaded of the train and stored in a warehouse which a single or a couple precision missiles can easily destroy. Of course, precision missiles are useless against a moving target like a train as they have to be programmed with the coordinates of the (stationary) target.
Even if the equipment, such as a Leopard 2, is used in battle it is much more valuable to attack and destroy a tank in action, including its highly trained crew of 4, as this would eliminate not just the material but also the valuable and highly trained personnel from further use in war.
Posted by: Konrad | Jan 29 2023 21:11 utc | 129
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.
Posted by: Ahole | Jan 29 2023 15:29 utc | 4
——————————————–
Golly Cheese Whiz Ahole, you really chose the right moniker, it fits you too a T. But you left something out of your tongue and cheek diatribe: The EU belongs to the US (the master of the uniPOLARverse) and it must submit to its master or become the enamine of the US.
South Korea, Japan, and all the nations of the 5-eyes, belong to the US and must submit to the Great Hegemon of the world. The bought and sold US approved leaders love their master, but will their people love it so much when the dollar is no longer the supreme international currency, and the US/NATO gangsters can no longer maintain its unipolar hegemonic position in the world without endless war and military-economic coercion.
Will the blood lust of the collective west MIC be sufficient to maintain their love? Will the people who love the US continue to love the US when war, economic deprivation, Nuclear Holocaust is their future? Well, Ahole, what do you think? Is a multipolar world preferable to the uni-Hegemon we all know?
Posted by: Ed | Jan 29 2023 21:18 utc | 130
Posted by: Mark2 | Jan 29 2023 19:56 utc | 98
If I recall correctly, col. Douglas Macgregor recently cited George Soros saying that they need, after the Ukrainians, to utilize the rest of East Europe, Poles, Romanians and Bulgarians to fight Russia. I also recall a report saying that Bulgarians and Romanian soldiers are being offered raised pay and other benefits for going into Ukraine. Really chilling stuff, but that’s how it seems to be going. The Soros empire of chaos…
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 29 2023 21:20 utc | 131
Yesterday Outraged made this comment when concerning the amount of artillery shells available to Ukraine: “AFUs biggest problem is tubes/launch rails to actually fire shells/rounds/rockets”
The Wall Street Journal must be reading his comments. They ran this article today: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-covert-polish-repair-shop-patching-up-ukrainian-arms-11674920742?mod=e2tw It mentions artillary barrels.
This is in addition to similar work being done in some of the Baltics and other Eastern European countries.
Posted by: Bill Smith | Jan 29 2023 21:22 utc | 132
Posted by: Bill Smith | Jan 29 2023 21:22 utc | 131
Well, that’s the thing, innit. It might be rather hard to get your broken down tanks and twisted and blown up artillery platforms to Poland 800km and back. A lot of these repair shops in Ukraine have been destroyed by missile strikes, so whatever gets refurbished in Poland is probably a fraction of what is repairable.
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 29 2023 21:28 utc | 133
Posted by: Deplorable Commissar | Jan 29 2023 16:35 utc | 25
Talk about circular logic and poor reasoning. The countries you mention don’t “band together” for fear of a US strike? LOL. The US isn’t capable of fighting a peer or near-peer in a one-front war.
The reason that Russian S-400s haven’t been used, and S-300s incredibly sparingly in Syria, is that all of the Israeli airstrikes are against insignificant targets, phoned in to both the US and Russia in advance. Further, the Russians don’t want to risk showing the real capabilities (and weaknesses) of the S-400 in a meaningless situation.
Iran is biding its time. Israel will be hit soon enough.
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Jan 29 2023 21:33 utc | 134
Re: Posted by: Down South | Jan 29 2023 15:14 utc | 1
TITANIUM
If Titanium is such an important strategic resource at stake in Ukraine and The West currently rely heavily on importing titanium from Russia & China I have only one question.
Why in the heck is Russia still exporting so much titanium to The West?!?
Posted by: Julian | Jan 29 2023 21:37 utc | 135
In response to
”
There are certainly two fairly diametrically opposed financial/political systems at work… curious as to your thoughts on bitcoin though?
Both china/public and western/debt systems have proven reticent to “accept” bitcoin, yet it just keeps on producing blocks of transactions with no regard for either giant… it is tiny in usage/size but it also seems quite Lindy at this point, no?
Posted by: EJ | Jan 29 2023 20:46 utc | 117
”
I will respond in the current Week In Review Open Thread
Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 29 2023 21:42 utc | 136
Why in the heck is Russia still exporting so much titanium to The West?!?
Posted by: Julian | Jan 29 2023 21:37 utc | 134
###
Globally traded commodity. If Russia is going to sell to anyone, America can get in on that supply chain somewhere.
The only way to keep Russian Titanium away from the US is for Russia to stop exporting it to anyone.
This paradigm applies to all commodities. Russian oil goes to India and gets processed and the processed oil ends up in the US, despite US sanctions. Most of this economic warfare is nonsense and propaganda, IMO.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 29 2023 21:44 utc | 137
“Why has Russia not been able to cut off the flow of these weapons into Ukraine?“
Hitting mobile targets at large distances without planes is the conundrum of the Russian military. Drones are the only cost effective method and Russian planners did not predict the importance of drones and woefully underprepared its development and production.
I guess the Russian planners assumed electronic jamming would make drones obsolete.
The mind boggles at what China could do after observing this conflict. With quick production capacity and reasonable tech, China could hit every single military target in Taiwan without a single soldier leaving its shore.
Even the most sophisticated anti aircraft ship defences could not withstand a swarm of cheap drones.
Posted by: Johnycomelately | Jan 29 2023 21:45 utc | 138
Posted by: Derek Henry | Jan 29 2023 19:10 utc | 79
Your question may be rhetorical. But we dont need much imagination among the plethora of arm chair generals here. Let me slip into my armchair. A fascist attack that threatened the sovereignty of the Federation in Crimea would be an obvious red line. The nuclear weapons would be used in Ukraine against military targets. Would the Fascist Internationale (aka NATO) led by the US, retaliate for their Keeeve proxies and really risk LA or London being obliterated? Well would they? Do you feel lucky punks? Well do ya? Hence Russia wins. And for this reason cannot be defeated. General lifts arse out of armchair and finishes cup of tea and Vegemite toast.
Posted by: Paul McGrory | Jan 29 2023 21:48 utc | 139
Both china/public and western/debt systems have proven reticent to “accept” bitcoin, yet it just keeps on producing blocks of transactions with no regard for either giant… it is tiny in usage/size but it also seems quite Lindy at this point, no?
Posted by: EJ | Jan 29 2023 20:46 utc | 117
###
The Lindy effect is predicated on age. Bitcoin doesn’t have much age “momentum” behind it.
A Lindy argument could be made for Bitcoin practically disappearing within a decade.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jan 29 2023 21:48 utc | 140
Re: Posted by: Chris | Jan 29 2023 16:37 utc | 26
I suspect this will be reinforced here shortly. Al tanf in particular is a festering boil just waiting to be lanced.
So, for years and years – why isn’t it ”lanced” then?
Posted by: Julian | Jan 29 2023 21:50 utc | 141
Posted by: Julian | Jan 29 2023 21:50 utc | 140
So, for years and years – why isn’t it ”lanced” then?
Because an attack on U.S military assets in Syria might result in a decapitating strike on the Assad Government in Damascus.
The State is still too fragile to fight back, it is still balancing on an existential knife edge …
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 29 2023 21:55 utc | 142
Why oh Why do we keep hearing that the Leopards are the best of the best? They performed dismally in Syria, they never encounterd a T90. It’s the same old mantra: German engineering must be superior, Russian engineering must be substandard. It’s ridiculous. Well, I admit: Miele made some really good washing machines and you can see some 30 year old Mercedes cars still driving, but look at the Middle East: what kind of tanks keep fighting there, if not old T64’s that keep going through the desert dust no matter what? Many other examples too: what automatic rifle do you choose in the desert or in the snow?
Posted by: Anthony | Jan 29 2023 21:57 utc | 143
In response to Deplorable Commissar@95,
I can tell that you didn’t actually read what I wrote, if you think we came to the same conclusion. What does a formal alliance actually contribute to your plan of attacking the US from multiple angles? If it’s the best approach, as you claim, I would expect a long list of exclusive benefits. I, personally, fail to see any.
If the US is prone to retaliate irrespective of what steps are taken, what is the benefit of counter-escalation? Generally, those in favor of demonstrative strikes on the US operate under the principle of escalation as a tool for de-escalation, i.e scaring the US straight. Neither of us seemingly believes in the effectiveness of such an approach, and yet you seem to favor it. Why is that?
What China does or doesn’t do, and the strategy employed in the SMO, shouldn’t be conflated as being some single algorithm. China will act out of its own self-interest and Russia will conduct its SMO the way they think is best. If Russian success comes to depend on the Chinese getting their hands dirty, their commitment to supporting Russia will be tested, but they won’t be pushed into making decisions that they consider detrimental to their core interests. We’re talking about sovereign countries, not poodles and satrapies.
Posted by: Skiffer | Jan 29 2023 21:58 utc | 144
source: https://www.kp.ru/daily/27458.5/4713234/
Ivan Okhlobystin promises 10 million rubles for every downed Abrams
Such money, according to him, was promised by Russian businessmen
Hunters for the American Abrams tanks , which the United States promised to supply to Ukraine in the amount of 31 pieces, seem to be especially numerous. After all, for each lined copy they promised good prize money.
“With undisguised pleasure, I hasten to inform you that some representatives of large Russian business have authorized me to inform about the appointment of a bonus of 10 million rubles for each downed Abrams. Goida! – the famous Russian actor Ivan Okhlobystin wrote in his social networks .
It is understandable why generous patriotic businessmen do not want to advertise their names. Surely, in order not to fall under unnecessary sanctions.
But if Ivan Okhlobystin’s message is true, it means that Russian business has begun to join with its wallet in support of the Special Operation .
By the way, the Russian Ministry of Defense has long introduced its rewards to soldiers for destroyed enemy equipment. Of course, they are not as round as 10 million for Abrams, but they also play a role.
So, for every destroyed Ukrainian tank, a Russian fighter receives 100,000 rubles .
For a plane – 300 thousand rubles.
For a helicopter – 200 thousand rubles .
For an attack drone, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled guns, S-300, Buk, or a MLRS combat vehicle – 50 thousand rubles .
The money is transferred to the fighter’s card.
Posted by: Oblomovka daydream | Jan 29 2023 22:02 utc | 145
It’s good news week.
The Russian allied troops have finalized the Artemovsk “Motti”. The complete surrender of the fewer remaining Country 404 odds and sods ad hoc starving low on all munitions militia units is due any day now!
The new secret weapon clones of the mobile WW2 “Finnish Soup Kitchen” has moved to the front line. Upwind of the targetted odds and sods troop concentrations.
Posted by: Bad Deal Motors On | Jan 29 2023 22:13 utc | 146
I would like to get the barflies thoughts on whether the next color revolution is scheduled for Turkey after the May elections due to Erdogan’s lack of cooperation in the Ukrainian War. I understand Erdogan is expected to lose the election. Erdogan being Erdogan I expect him to cook the election, which will lead to protests. This seems to be the perfect opportunity for Bolton’s project to oust Erdo. Given Erdogan’s resistant to the Empires Ukraine project, I can’t see how they would lose this once in a lifetime opportunity to crush Erdogan and Turkey.
Posted by: Turk 152 | Jan 29 2023 22:17 utc | 147
how far down on the paid shill pecking order do you have to be to be assigned Sunday duty, I wonder.
Posted by: pretzelattack | Jan 29 2023 20:53 utc | 121
Sundays duty gets OT pay, usually time and a half. Internet trolling is low pay flunkie work so the OT really helps. No need to assign, weekend work is coveted.
Posted by: Daemos Aerothaine | Jan 29 2023 22:21 utc | 148
Posted by: Turk 152 | Jan 29 2023 22:17 utc | 146
OT (apologies)
Next color revolution may be India. Just a guess.
Posted by: Digital Spartacus | Jan 29 2023 22:22 utc | 149