https://caityjohnstone.medium.com/when-even-the-nazis-arent-nazis-411a55a8a06b
Posted by: Lavrov’s Dog | Oct 6 2023 0:59 utc | 82
No such page!

Posted by: RB | Oct 6 2023 8:25 utc | 203

Posted by: unimperator | Oct 6 2023 8:05 utc | 101

.. the entire planet if Hariri, Soros, Schwab, Gates and other sick freaks disappear. Better yet, along with their bloodlines. ..

It’s a hard staement, Dear “unimperator”, you mentioned here.
Their “bloodlines” everyone may follow-up elsewhere, e.g. by my last MoA’s post (@102) URL to follow by these days starting since 2023-10-06 , this day, and the following days ..
What do you expect – hoping only on “Putin’s Gov” anf RF-Power ever ongoing by its MIL-Production ?
I don’t Know – You don’t know – That’s OK !

Posted by: spare_truth | Oct 6 2023 8:29 utc | 205

Why is Dima, the military expert, always somehow pessimistic?
After listening to him I begin to think that this war shall never and and that Ukrainian resources are endless.

Posted by: simplex | Oct 6 2023 8:50 utc | 207

Posted by: unimperator | Oct 6 2023 8:05 utc | 101
Even your proposed Link within your comment @101 is no longer callable.
So, we’ve to be aware of some “masters” here, to blog further more any truth .. ?
Pls. remeber my latest comment (@100 + @102), a few seconds after plublished here thereto, the referenced URLs have been blocked .. Wonder why? I don’t. Listen what RF-President said today .. – interesting stuff to learn by CIA/MI6 ! ..

Posted by: spare_truth | Oct 6 2023 8:52 utc | 209

Our source in the OP said that the Office of the President is ready to use NBU funds to support the budget for 2024.
If the West does not allocate 42 billion to support the Ukrainian budget, then the Office of the President will lower the hryvnia to 50 per dollar and begin to use the NBU’s gold and foreign exchange reserves.
According to experts, we will need 20-25 billion dollars of NBU reserves, as well as increase taxes and nationalize part of the property of the oligarchs.

https://t.me/rezident_ua/19910

Our source from the OP reported that the Head of the NBU received a warning from the US Embassy in Ukraine; our partners did not like the idea of ​​the Office of the President to use the gold and foreign exchange reserves of the National Bank to cover the budget deficit.
The Americans warned Pyshny that he would be personally responsible for this step.

https://t.me/rezident_ua/19979

Posted by: Down South | Oct 6 2023 9:17 utc | 211

Posted by: simplex | Oct 6 2023 8:50 utc | 105

.. Why is Dima, the military expert, always somehow pessimistic?
After listening to him I begin to think that this war shall never and and that Ukrainian resources are endless. ..

Whether the Mr. Dima is an “military expert” – or even may be not, he is one to daily have looked by other sources like Rybar etc.). He never claimed himself to tell “the truth” or latest reports and current infos to be ‘verified’ (even – just today not yet available verified by himself?).
So wait – and give another URL from any MoA’s just posting here, where to get “The newest infos” on UKR/RF war.. Kept that wish of getting actual infos (beside the big “Thinker”?
Get Your’s approach ..

Posted by: spare_truth | Oct 6 2023 9:23 utc | 213

Burevestnik has been tested
9M730 “Burevestnik” according to the NATO classification SSC-X-9 Skyfall is equipped, presumably, with a gas turbine engine – with a low temperature (up to 1000 hd.Celsius) heating of atmospheric air taken by the missile from the outside, heated from a small-size nuclear reactor and ejected back.
According to foreign military experts, “the nuclear propulsion system removes restrictions on the amount of fuel, which allows the missile to use trajectories not tracked by the enemy and to strike at poorly protected objects. In the increasingly complex global military and political situation, this will be a very serious trump card.
The most important task of creating the Burevestnik is to redress the balance: the range of U.S. cruise missiles is twice less than that of the longest-range Russian ones. But this is enough for them: NATO countries have given the United States opportunities to deploy cruise missiles in Europe. The START Treaty, which is no longer in force, does not prevent them from putting nuclear warheads on the Tomogavkas. In this case, after the first wave of nuclear exchanges, Washington can also strike with cruise missiles from carrier bombers on airborne duty.
Russia, on the other hand, could retaliate by striking only Europe with its existing cruise missiles with thermonuclear warheads. The Tu-160, without departing from Russian territory, can reach the Pacific coast with cruise missiles, hitting San Francisco or Los Angeles. But more distant American cities and military bases – with a 100% guarantee to hit will not work, you have to fly closer and get into the zone of air defense – and this is a risk.
In addition to the range of Tu-160 missiles, there is also the question of price. Russia is not the richest country on the planet.
According to the calculations of Western experts in the series it will cost at most a few million dollars. That is, even a dozen of these missiles will be much cheaper than one Tu-160 at the purchase price (the aircraft carries 12 long-range cruise missiles). Given that the Burevestnik needs neither kerosene nor crews, it will be even cheaper to operate
A serial ICBM with a dozen warheads in Russia costs somewhat less than a hundred million dollars. But together with a silo, a mobile complex on wheels, or a launch boat, this price increases several times over. Even a thousand Burevestnikovs – which need only a simple ground-based launch facility for launch, which is easy to hide and hard to find – would cost as much as several dozen ICBMs. This is not a very large figure against the total cost of nuclear arsenals.
For that money, the Burevestnik offers the ability to hit targets on U.S. territory. U.S. missile defense is designed to defeat ICBMs flying from predetermined basing areas, and missile sites were chosen based on this data. “Storm Petrel” can come from any side, the creation of a missile defense system on the perimeter of the country is not affordable to the U.S., ie, the vulnerability of the likely enemy has increased, which gives Russia the opportunity to more actively defend its interests, to negotiate on an equal footing

https://t.me/Slavyangrad/65853

Posted by: Down South | Oct 6 2023 9:27 utc | 215

Why did Black Sea Fleet ships leave Sevastopol and relocate to Novorossiysk and Feodosiya?
The movement of the Black Sea Fleet ships is evident from satellite images, sparking discussions on the web. Is it a retreat or a planned relocation? Let’s uncover the truth.
The primary reason for relocating the ships is the threat of missile attacks on the fleet using Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG missiles, which are supplied to the Kiev regime.
To ensure the Black Sea Fleet’s security, it needs full control not only over the Black Sea waters but also the airspace. The enemy has access to the sea, and NATO aviation is targeting drones and missiles, posing a persistent threat to the Black Sea Fleet.
Relocating ships to Feodosia can create obstacles to potential attacks, while relocating to Novorossiysk eliminates such a possibility altogether. Additionally, Kalibr missiles can be launched from there. However, it’s worth noting that the Kiev regime is prohibited from hitting Russian Federation territory.
The security of Crimea will also be guaranteed; only a portion of the fleet will move from Sevastopol. Resupply operations will now take place in Krasnodar Krai and Feodosiya.

https://t.me/Slavyangrad/65861

Posted by: Down South | Oct 6 2023 9:33 utc | 217

Posted by: Down South | Oct 6 2023 9:27 utc | 109
as referred to: https://t.me/Slavyangrad/65853
the creation of a missile defense system on the perimeter of the country is not affordable to the U.S., ie, the vulnerability of the likely enemy has increased, which gives Russia the opportunity to more actively defend its interests, to negotiate on an equal footing..
Dear Down_South, hopefully You have a better weather than we (in Europe) have today..
But for serious constraints:
You may having cited furthermore a long more days of Your ever enclosed Links, that’s valuable and interesting day-by-day. Sure.
But when do You come back into this current discussian personnaly ?

Posted by: spare_truth | Oct 6 2023 9:41 utc | 219

@ Down South #107
Ukraine’s gold reserves (about 40 tons) were reportedly flown from Ukraine to the U.S. hastily in 2014, so Pyshny’s “personal responsibility” might take a very serious toll on him personally, should he try.

Posted by: Billb | Oct 6 2023 9:42 utc | 221

To be the following ‘next RF strategies” I repeatedly focus on RF-Naval forces – as:
Posted by: Down South | Oct 6 2023 9:33 utc | 110
as linked here by ‘Down South” and reported by reference https://t.me/Slavyangrad/65861

.. Why did Black Sea Fleet ships leave Sevastopol and relocate to Novorossiysk and Feodosiya?
..
The movement of the Black Sea Fleet ships is evident from satellite images, sparking discussions on the web. Is it a retreat or a planned relocation? Let’s uncover the truth.
..
The primary reason for relocating the ships is the threat of missile attacks on the fleet using Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG missiles, which are supplied to the Kiev regime.
To ensure the Black Sea Fleet’s security, it needs full control not only over the Black Sea waters but also the airspace. The enemy has access to the sea, and NATO aviation is targeting drones and missiles, posing a persistent threat to the Black Sea Fleet.

I repeat this, as understanding “What’s going on now (2023-10-06).
. “Relocating ships to Feodosia can create obstacles to potential attacks, while relocating to
Novorossiysk eliminates such a possibility altogether. Additionally, Kalibr missiles can be launched from there. .. However, it’s worth noting that the Kiev regime is prohibited from hitting Russian Federation territory. (oh, kitting me!)
The security of Crimea will also be guaranteed; only a portion of the fleet will move from Sevastopol. Resupply operations will now take place in Krasnodar Krai and Feodosiya.
WELL, hope so …

Posted by: spare_truth | Oct 6 2023 9:59 utc | 223

Putin at Valdai talking directly and dropping the truth bombs whilst declaring Old Europe completely fucked by its vassal status.
Calls the Canucks applauding the murderer ukrop Nazi from WW2 idiots as best if they claim ignorance and bastards at worst if they knew the Nazi was a Nazi.
True dat!
https://nitter.net/apocalypseos Has full translation of his speech too – it is vital we all read it – because it nails the dying bullshit Rules based imperialism.
He states exactly what the rest of the world is collectively working towards – along with six principles that enshrine the rights of all states big and small guaranteeing rights by Law.
He is inviting the deluded Collective Wasters to join the New train as equals and to stop pretending being superiors of humanity and civilisation.
Will we? Sooner rather than later would be nice.

Posted by: DunGroanin | Oct 6 2023 10:11 utc | 225

So people were talking about the (portion of) Russian fleet moving from Crimea to Novorossyisk or Feodosia.
It is obvious. If Nato can take free potshots and fly their recon aircraft in range, sooner or later they will get some hits. The alternative option of course is to start clearing out Nato recon assets within 250-300km of Crimea, but the opted choice is to strategically relocate the fleet to where it is much harder for Nato aircraft to operate and maintain the SMO without giving Nato more options.
For sure, if Nato does something more aggressive, they might opt to start shooting down Nato recon aircraft, which will disable targeting on Crimea and return the fleet to Sevastopol.

Posted by: unimperator | Oct 6 2023 10:18 utc | 227

Ukraine Weekly Update – May be Useful to Some: https://robcampbell.substack.com/p/ukraine-weekly-update-e70

Posted by: Robert Hamilton Camp | Oct 6 2023 11:10 utc | 229

the pessimist | Oct 5 2023 14:38 said THIS:
“… Remember, Russia is evil and anything bad that happens is their fault.”

Please include the sarcasm tag where it’s appropriate.

Posted by: LongCovid | Oct 6 2023 11:11 utc | 231

@karlof1 | Oct 6 2023 1:16 utc | 85

This buttresses my argument made last Monday that the West deliberately rescued Nazism and is now using it as a weapon against Russia via Ukraine. Crooke makes a critical observation that Nazism is now part of the “European Family” which absolves Germany of its criminality in both world wars.

“Nazism is now part of the “European Family” which is why UvdL, Stoltenberg, Borrell et al can talk about “European values” while stealing Russian money, shunning Russian culture, using sanctions with the goal of ruining the Russian economy, and supplying weapons to be used to kill Russians.

Posted by: cirsium | Oct 6 2023 11:15 utc | 233

unimperator @ 115

For sure, if Nato does something more aggressive, they might opt to start shooting down Nato recon aircraft, which will disable targeting on Crimea and return the fleet to Sevastopol.

Russia is incredibly restrained, or constrained. Their intelligence must be pretty clear that NATO is absolutely begging for a full on confrontation if not with infantry, where the west is weak, then to challenge the air space over Ukraine and the Black Sea with NATO air power – flown by NATO. IMO this is what is going on here and Russia is doing everything it can to avoid this escalation either because it’s not yet ready, or it’s just too critical, a too large and existential challenge – and ultimately too nuclear. Very understandable.
USA with NATO has a huge air force, they can fly in from Germany, Poland, the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea, from NATO bases and aircraft carriers. When has the West fought anywhere without its aircraft carriers? Talk about wargasm coitus interruptus. West would lose a lot men and machines but they can afford to lose a lot, can the RF air force and fleet afford to lose as much?
The Pentagon has been itching for this wargasm for 78ys, so far they’ve been testing the army branch, the Pentagon’s red headed step-child, but their air force and navy still hasn’t had their wargasm testing their pilots, planes, and naval AD against their vaunted arch nemesis. That’s a big deal, real or imagined the air force and navy are the true power and prestige of the USA and UK, you damn well know the air force generals and admirals feel left out and are chomping at the bit.
This is all I can figure out. NATO just shot down a several million dollar Turkish drone over Syria, what is Russia’s hang up? Russia not shooting down at least the no-NATO-human-life involved Global Hawks makes no sense otherwise.

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Oct 6 2023 11:25 utc | 235

@119
Carriers are pretty useless in a NATO RF war in European scenario, there are enough terrestrial airbase, a carrier in the Mediterranean would change nothing.
Are you so Shure that NATO has so overwhelming aircraft superiority?

Posted by: Mario | Oct 6 2023 11:51 utc | 237

Hollywood Air Force…

Posted by: Jzo | Oct 6 2023 12:09 utc | 239

@119 “That’s a big deal, real or imagined the air force and navy are the true power and prestige of the USA and UK”
Considering the UK’s only operational aircraft carrier doesn’t have any planes belies your assertion.
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/uks-only-operating-aircraft-carrier-travelling-without-fighter-jets-on-board#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Daily%20Mail,from%20RAF%20bases%20to%20practice.

Posted by: canuck | Oct 6 2023 12:09 utc | 241

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Oct 6 2023 11:25 utc | 117
You are probably correct. Russia avoided Nato’s attempt of getting more pretext at the cost of a small inconvenience. The fleet will continue supporting SMO regardless.
Nato aircraft will otherwise need to come within 100km of Crimea to negate this move, which while possible, is less likely.

Posted by: unimperator | Oct 6 2023 12:22 utc | 243

Now we have some clue…
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/10/6/7422888/index.amp&ved=2ahUKEwjIkprUuOGBAxWc_rsIHYHrDigQFnoECA0QBQ&usg=AOvVaw1n7KRi75I2pF0vnAfC6vf-

Posted by: Mario | Oct 6 2023 12:42 utc | 245

This morning I would like to thank karlof1 again for linking to Putin’s speech at Valdai on the open not Ukraine thread. I encourage all to take the time to read it plus the Q and A, as karlof1 has kindly posted it on his substack.
On Ukraine, my thought is that as Putin sets out what he believes a state-civilization to be, the best case scenario would be that Odessa remains within its borders, if indeed it is possible to have that country be a sovereign entity, neutral as Russia has needed it to be all along.
That is, there ought still to remain the memory of what the nation itself has suffered, of all who have made honorable sacrifice for that nation. As he pointed out in his Valdai address, Russia itself has no borders, in that Russian microcosms exist all over the world. So, there should remain one in the nation of Ukraine if it is to be a viable, multicultural nation.
I am one who had wished it to come again inside Russia’s official border, but this could be a sign of the new multipolarity, a concession to the necessary statehood which would restore some dignity and a new existance as a peaceful, multicultural hub for the region, with Kiev and Odessa as its two historically important centers of culture.
I’m not saying this will happen, just that it should. Ultimately it will be their decision – the people of the region will have the last say.

Posted by: juliania | Oct 6 2023 13:09 utc | 247

Mario @ 118

Carriers are pretty useless in a NATO RF war in European scenario, there are enough terrestrial airbase, a carrier in the Mediterranean would change nothing.

It’s about playing with their toys, not practical use, when since WW2 have carriers been critical? So far the glory of the Pentagon, the USA navy has been punked in this lovely little war, how long do you think that’s going to last? Dirty, snotty Army gets to order all shiny new stuff because they wrecked all their toys, I’m sure the navy wants all new stuff, air force too. Congress seems ever more tight on cash, last call, you can only get it if you wreck it.

Are you so Shure that NATO has so overwhelming aircraft superiority?

NATO includes the US Air Force, I googled the numbers NATO on the continent has like 3300 fighters and interceptors, granted most are probably not fit to fly and they probably don’t have 3300 aces, but if it’s a third that’s a lot, and anyway in modern war fighters are mostly missile platforms probaly don’t need aces just well trained. Then there’s the USA carriers and planes stationed nearby like the middle east, not to mention the one’s they can fly over the pond to EU bases.
canuck @ 120

Considering the UK’s only operational aircraft carrier doesn’t have any planes belies your assertion.

Sure, one just having been retrofitted is being dismantled to keep the other one afloat, but I’m pretty sure there are a fair number of smaller UK ships in the Mediterranean ready to launch missiles at Russia if needed.
So ok, if you want we can leave the UK out, but you really think the UK admiralty will stay away from war with Russia because they are in reality blustering wankers? When has that ever stopped the UK? I recall just before the SMO a British destroyer provoking Russia right up to the coast of Crimea in a puerile wargams, Brit admiralty were probably jerking off all over each other when the Russians didn’t sink it thinking they had just re-won Trafalgar.

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Oct 6 2023 13:14 utc | 249

Odessa is a pipe dream and not only unrealistic at the moment but doesnt fit in the plans. Russia could much more easily take everything East of Dnieper and come into shelling distance of Kiev. Then they can easily dictate to what remains of Ukraine anything they want.
Why sacrifice tens of thousands of Russians and come close to ww3 for a city that they will have trouble holding anyway? Use it as bargaining chip to end the war. I think thats what Putin is doing.
I know even guys like Ritter and Macgreggor think Odessa is seriously on the menu. But it just doesnt make sense.

Posted by: Comandante | Oct 6 2023 13:18 utc | 251

you damn well know the air force generals and admirals feel left out and are chomping at the bit.

Of course they are. They have after all so much experience with wargaming.
No doubt there are one or two with brains who are aware their vaunted and expensive air force will suffer catastrophic losses up against Russian SEAD. These clowns have never fought against a peer adversary ever. Mostly they have bombed defenseless ground pounders and can loiter all day with no risk since camels dont fly. Not sure how this prepares them for anything other than surprise death from afar.
Based on how far from reality NATOs military strategies and assessments have been so far, they are complete and utter imbeciles to test their luck. What is certain is losses would be significant, even though of course that means they could deliver some serious hits first. What they absolutely will not be able to do is establish air superiority. And that means this effort is doomed to fail.
Another brain child of the insipid pseudointellectuals that run Maerica.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Oct 6 2023 13:48 utc | 253

I cannot see Russia not taking Odessa, but I also cannot see them willing to take it by force, as then there will be too much destruction of the city. There are plenty of other directions Russia can take to force the regime in the Ukraine to capitulate.

Posted by: William Gruff | Oct 6 2023 13:51 utc | 255

@124
Infac you confirm that carrier are useless, just a costly toy and, maybe prone to be damaged if not sinked.
Number of planes doesn’t automatically means air superiority. As a matter of fact NATO, after ww2 never engaged in a symmetric or quasi symmetric war and, even then, most of the time they did not win.

Posted by: Mario | Oct 6 2023 13:51 utc | 257

Posted by: Urban Fox | Oct 6 2023 4:26 utc | 89

“fled conscription or maybe repression”, in early 2022

—-
Perhaps you left out a period, but according to his bio, his family left Russia when he was eight years old.

Levine’s family emigrated from the Soviet Union in 1989 when Levine was 8-years-old,[10][4] first living in a Gresten, Austria refugee camp before living in Castelfusano, Italy (near Ostia, Rome) for five months.[5] In 1990, Levine and his family left Italy for New York
“>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasha_Levine

I simply do not get that an eight year old “fled conscription”. Plus, your punctuation implies he did that in 2022, not the actual 1989 when he was eight.

Posted by: john brewster | Oct 6 2023 13:52 utc | 259

I was greatly amused some two decades ago while in the midst of anti submarine maneuvers a Pacific carrier group was surpsied entirely by a Chinese submarine surfacing directly next to the carrier. In the kill zone.
Im not sure if the submarine commander got out and blew kisses, but that little incident tells me everything about the war readiness – against a peer adversary – of the US navy.
Times have changed. Carriers look like overpriced and highly vulnerable whales.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Oct 6 2023 13:59 utc | 261

Moving naval assets out of Crimea is a rational decision. Most of them are primarily used as missile launchers at the moment and the relocation doesn’t change their ability to do that. It reduces high value military targets for NATOkraine, which likely won’t stop missile attacks but does change the calculus. In the long term it dovetails with Putin calling Odessa a “Russian city” at Valdai and some other hints. As the conflict has dragged on, Russia’s requirements for ending it have expanded. Odessa, which many of us suggested was necessary all along, will be taken back by Russia.
Here’s another geostrategic failure by DC/London when it spiked the Spring 2022 negotiations. They would have kept access to Odessa in that scenario and now will be reduced to Constanta and Varna with some smaller port access but that’s not going to be enough to implement the plan of pushing the Russians out of the Black Sea.

Posted by: Lex | Oct 6 2023 14:00 utc | 263

>>Why sacrifice tens of thousands of Russians and come close to ww3 for a city that they will have trouble holding anyway? Use it as bargaining chip to end the war. I think thats what Putin is doing.
Posted by: Comandante | Oct 6 2023 13:18 utc | 125
What Putin wants, apparently, is a friendly or neutral Ukraine. I don’t think he is going to be able to get it. Second best is a weak Ukraine that can go on hating Russia but isn’t strong enough to do much damage. Thinking along that line, Russia should take the western third that is easily annexed with Russia, and that third should include Odessa because it would be part of keeping what is left weak and impotent.

Posted by: Jmaas | Oct 6 2023 14:05 utc | 265

William Gruff | Oct 6 2023 13:51 utc | 127
“There are plenty of other directions Russia can take to force the regime in the Ukraine to capitulate.”
This Kiev regime will never capitulate. The Russians would have to impose full regime change. As things are anyone in the Borderland who tried to capitulate would be assassinated, either by the home nazis or by the empire.

Posted by: Flying Dutchman | Oct 6 2023 14:07 utc | 267

This war is having the biggest effect of making Maerican military ‘might’ look limp dicked, its weapons ineffectual and overpriced. This can’t be an intended outcome. Sure they get some short term orders from vassals reupping, but long term they’re losing their market. Good for humanity but bad for the parasites feeding off the defense budgets which includes the strategic leadership. These people are almost comically inept.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Oct 6 2023 14:07 utc | 269

Posted by: unimperator | Oct 6 2023 12:22 utc | 121
The naval move also limits the global hawk observation capabilities as well as increasing the distance for sea and air borne drones to strike, making the warning time longer.

Posted by: HERMIUS | Oct 6 2023 14:07 utc | 271

Posted by: Jmaas | Oct 6 2023 14:05 utc | 132
Oops, I mean6 eastern third of Ukraine.

Posted by: Jmaas | Oct 6 2023 14:08 utc | 273

Besides, the Russians have long since gone all in calling the Kiev leaders war criminals that have to be put on trial. So how could any of them capitulate.

Posted by: Flying Dutchman | Oct 6 2023 14:09 utc | 275

Howsomever, Arabs have been known to fire guns in the air as a form of celebration and recognition. Inkan might not be familiar with the works of Sir Isaac Newton, but it translates like this: ‘Once the bullets go up to where they go down, is not my department’ said Inkan1969.’
Credits and inspiration to Tom Lehrer, for those old enough.
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Oct 5 2023 23:48 utc | 74
###################
I got the reference.
Mexicans and Native North Americans also liked to fire their weapons in the air for celebratory purposes.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Oct 6 2023 14:09 utc | 277

@ 118 “Are you so Shure that NATO has so overwhelming aircraft superiority?”
I cant say for NATO. But the US is lacking somewhat in the Air Superiority department. From this report I doubt they are ready to fight sustained total war
GAO Weapons Sustainment

Posted by: Golddigger | Oct 6 2023 14:19 utc | 279

I would expect that the Ukers are accumulating men and material (missiles and armor) for attempt of final punishing blows against Crimea and somewhere. They likely will cause some damage.
Maybe this time they will not pre-announce.
Is for PR – something for sponsors to take home.
I just think people show be prepared for such – from emotional stand-point.

Posted by: jared | Oct 6 2023 14:33 utc | 281

@ Comandante 125
“Odessa is a pipe dream and … doesn’t fit in the plans.”
Actually, a Russian Odessa seems necessary for Russia’s postwar plans. 3 reasons:
1. It largely removes the NATO threat on the Black Sea. NATO would still have
Romanian bases, but after Russia’s victory, Romania won’t provoke the bear.
2. Any surviving rump Ukraine without a Black Sea port would have a bleak future.
3. Taking Odessa is retaliation for the May 2, 2014 Nazi-style burning of over
200 people who took shelter at the Trade Union building. The people in Odessa
deserve and want liberation, and the Nazis need to be shamed over it. There
will be a referendum to see if the people want to join Russia, and I suspect
the Kremlin already knows the outcome; if people in Odessa don’t want to join
Russia, then Russia will give the city some sort of neutral status. But really,
it’s pretty clear that Odessa is Slavic and multi-cultural, not Nazi.
“Why … come close to ww3 for a city that they will have trouble holding anyway?”
If the West chooses to start WW3, it would not be for something as minor as Odessa.
Also, Russia would have less trouble “holding” Odessa than letting the Nazis have it,
so that’s one more reason for Russia to liberate it.

Posted by: JessDTruth | Oct 6 2023 14:46 utc | 283

One more thing. Russia wants the criminals behind the Trade Union building massacre to stand trial. If Russia has Odessa, it will be easier for witnesses to speak out without fear of reprisals.

Posted by: JessDTruth | Oct 6 2023 14:49 utc | 285

William Gruff 127 shows another important detail. Russia doesn’t want to see Odessa ruined like Mariupol was. Urban combat always leaves cities looking like Berlin 1945. So Russia will wait to liberate it until after the Ukro-Nazis are too weak to destroy the city.

Posted by: JessDTruth | Oct 6 2023 14:56 utc | 287

My fear with Odessa is that Nazi forces will ‘do a Kherson’ and attempt to isolate post Russian capture and force a withdrawal.
I am not completely familiar with the terrain and logistics of Odessa compared to Kherson.
Will the above be a serious ongoing concern for any Russian attempt to annexe Odessa?

Posted by: Night Tripper | Oct 6 2023 14:57 utc | 289

What Putin wants, apparently, is a friendly or neutral Ukraine. I don’t think he is going to be able to get it. Second best is a weak Ukraine that can go on hating Russia but isn’t strong enough to do much damage…
Posted by: Jmaas | Oct 6 2023 14:05 utc | 132
Remember Eastern Germany (DDR). Defeated nazi stronghold was turned into a friendly socialist society. So much so that even today many Germans in the Eastern part still are friendly to Russia, notwithstanding the failed socialist project, secret police excesses etc.

Posted by: Pagan | Oct 6 2023 14:58 utc | 291

Re the discussion of capitulation.
Ukraine has no leadership at all and no initiative at all. If they had a leader- one – we would not have the spectacle of Zelensky.
US/UK war party has no reverse gear. They will continue on course until it becomes completely impossible. Then they will switch gear to terrorism. Then it will be a pure media fantasy with no connection whatever to actual events.
Ukraine is going to run out of capable men who can play bit parts in acts of terrorism. The number of mercs who want to go to 404 to die seems to be dwindling.
US/UK is going to do everything imaginable to prolong the death throes of Ukraine. I agree with the speculation on this page past few days that 404 population is nearer 10 million than 20. It will go much lower. “To the last Ukrainian” was always a more correct analysis than those saying it guessed.
US could lose it’s mind and do something really stupid at any time. Otherwise when 404 is down to 5 million pensioners and 50,000 insane Nazis with no functioning infrastructure we see the long awaited big arrow push. 404 has been a failed state and an empty shell for a decade. On its way to an absolute vacuum.

Posted by: oldhippie | Oct 6 2023 15:07 utc | 293

… IMO this is what is going on here …
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Oct 6 2023 11:25 utc | 119
Thanks for all that. Related news might be Zircon going into serial production and there is apparently a ground-based mobile launcher for it, the implication being that knocking out naval launch platforms won’t save NATO ships from counter strikes once that system is deployed in relevant numbers.
Although Biden has managed to launder vast sums through Ukraine, RF has never handed him the sort of casus belli that could justify a true war footing.
Your conjecture of keeping things on a low boil to play for time makes sense.

Posted by: anon2020 | Oct 6 2023 15:42 utc | 295

For those that missed it, Putin came out with a statement that they just tested a nuclear-capable, global-range, hypersonic missile. This missile could very well bomb ANY target on earth from their launch site. No limits AND no contest!!

Posted by: bisfugged | Oct 6 2023 16:06 utc | 297

Moscow‘s stated war aims include NATO rollback to 1997 members. That goal kinda makes the status of Odessa a trivial item.

Posted by: Exile | Oct 6 2023 16:34 utc | 299