Russia invades Ukraine *** READ RULES IN POST 6 BEFORE POSTING ***

[Reality]

 

[triplets_93]

Ukraine war: Russia plans to annex Ukrainian land

Russia plans to annex more Ukrainian territory using a similar "playbook" to its takeover of Crimea, the US says.

Citing US intelligence, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Russia is already laying the groundwork for annexation.

Occupied regions of Ukraine could hold "sham" referenda on joining Russia as soon as September, he said.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 after a referendum which was widely viewed as illegitimate.

"We want to make it plain to the American people," Mr Kirby told reporters. "Nobody is fooled by it. [Russian President Vladimir Putin] is dusting off the playbook from 2014."

He accused Russia of installing illegitimate pro-Russian officials to run occupied regions of Ukraine, with the aim of organising referenda on becoming part of Russia.

The results of the votes would be used by Russia "to try to claim annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory", Mr Kirby said.

Russia has already installed its own regional and local officials in the parts of Ukraine it has occupied.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62231936

 

[Reality]

 

[triplets_93]

 

[triplets_93]

Russia Doing Better Than Expected Despite Sanctions: IMF

https://www.barrons.com/news/russia-doing-better-than-expected-despite-sanctions-imf-01658841007

 

[triplets_93]

Russia building Death Star near Earth ? ? ?

 

[triplets_93]

 

[triplets_93]

Britain to see 80% spike in energy bills as crisis deepens

https://apnews.com/article/inflation-boris-johnson-london-prices-261588f042ffe5cfeac3ea8e1db0f637

 

[triplets_93]

Mikhail Gorbachev, final leader of Soviet Union, dies at 91

https://abcnews.go.com/International/mikhail-gorbachev-soviet-president-dies-91/story?id=89067527

 

[Montanalo]

Mikhail Gorbachev, final leader of Soviet Union, dies at 91

https://abcnews.go.com/International/mikhail-gorbachev-soviet-president-dies-91/story?id=89067527

I read an interesting article recently (will post the link when I find it again) postulating that glasnost (the attempt at more open and transparent government) and Perestroika (movement within the communist party for political and economic reforms) were not necessarily the desired outcome Gorbachev sought.

In the article, Gorbachev was portrayed as a rather staunch socialist, that he didn't necessarily support the capitalistic movement, and that circumstances dictated the direction he took. Basically, having supported early efforts to reform government, he couldn't control the speed, breath and depth of change.

To coin a CowboysZone phrase, he was a "bus driver".

I am not sure I agree with this interpretation of events. Family members in Russia don't really support the idea that Gorbachev was not masterminding the changes.

The truth is probably somewhere in theiddle.

 

[Hoofbite]

This war will not end until Putin dies. He's all-in, has reportedly gotten a bunch of drones from Iran, and he can't let his later years be plagued by failure.

This was the dumbest move he could have ever made. He got away with Crimea and thought the rest of the country was on the table. Even if he succeeds, NATO countries have nothing to worry about now. Their combined forces would wipe out the outdated Russian army in no time. The only risk is that he's just crazy enough to push the button while he lays on his death bed. And that's kind of scary because he's out of his mind.

 

[nobody]

This war will not end until Putin dies. He's all-in, has reportedly gotten a bunch of drones from Iran, and he can't let his later years be plagued by failure.

This was the dumbest move he could have ever made. He got away with Crimea and thought the rest of the country was on the table. Even if he succeeds, NATO countries have nothing to worry about now. Their combined forces would wipe out the outdated Russian army in no time. The only risk is that he's just crazy enough to push the button while he lays on his death bed. And that's kind of scary because he's out of his mind.

Aaaand the other two people he needs to push that button haven't been seen publicly in a while, if I recall correctly.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Somewhat amazing...

The Russian front around Kharkiv and areas south of there are collapsing at a speed that is even surprising the experts... Seems to be a massive rout at this point.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Really do not know what to make of what's going on in the eastern part of Ukraine at the moment.

May have been a certain amount of "rope-a-dope" at play with all the talk out of Ukraine about a southern offensive which caused the Russians to redeploy troops to that region.

But from what I've heard is the Ukraine thrust in the east was made with very few units– The Russian defense was apparently thinner than expected. Also by this point of the conflict no doubt the best Russian troops have been worn down.

Also it has been said the US supplied HARM missiles (anti-radiation missiles) have been very effective at targeting Russian radar which has had a big affect on the Russian Air Force being able to fly any sort of aircraft.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

 

[Cowpolk]

Really do not know what to make of what's going on in the eastern part of Ukraine at the moment.

May have been a certain amount of "rope-a-dope" at play with all the talk out of Ukraine about a southern offensive which caused the Russians to redeploy troops to that region.

But from what I've heard is the Ukraine thrust in the east was made with very few units– The Russian defense was apparently thinner than expected. Also by this point of the conflict no doubt the best Russian troops have been worn down.

Also it has been said the US supplied HARM missiles (anti-radiation missiles) have been very effective at targeting Russian radar which has had a big affect on the Russian Air Force being able to fly any sort of aircraft.

They are abandoning military equipment that have no ammo even the rifles' are empty tanks have no fuel run away run away

 

[MichaelWinicki]

They are abandoning military equipment that have no ammo even the rifles' are empty tanks have no fuel run away run away

This has the capability of turning into a catastrophe for the Russians–very quickly.

Against a quality opponent what typically happens with the type of thrust the Ukrainians put forth is that the opponent with attack the "shoulders" of the breakthrough hoping to entrap the attacking force.

But the Russians were incapable of doing that and the breech keeps widening.

The Ukrainians are now threatening to encircle a large Russian force.

 

[Montanalo]

This has the capability of turning into a catastrophe for the Russians–very quickly.

Against a quality opponent what typically happens with the type of thrust the Ukrainians put forth is that the opponent with attack the "shoulders" of the breakthrough hoping to entrap the attacking force.

But the Russians were incapable of doing that and the breech keeps widening.

The Ukrainians are now threatening to encircle a large Russian force.

This is concerning in that it may prompt Putin to do something drastic

 

[MichaelWinicki]

 

[MichaelWinicki]

This is concerning in that it may prompt Putin to do something drastic

This is true.