Ukraine

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Sun Apr 30, 2023 11:53 pm

Yes, targeting civilians is a war crime, and Putin is definitely targeting civilians.

waitingtoconnect · Post by **waitingtoconnect** » Mon May 01, 2023 6:49 am

Daehawk wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 12:49 pm I heard something about the way China is talking and phrasing stuff that they might want back that part of Siberia and such Russia took hundreds of years ago. Whoops. Man China could steamroll Russia in that area.

It’s easier to make Russia a vassal and then have the benefits of ownership without the cost.

Best case scenario for China the US Republicans retreat to the homeland and leave the pacific to them and Eastern Europe to Putin. Their ambassador to France let slip the other day that basically Ukraine doesn’t exist (has no sovereignty).

Putins idea is to create a grand “conservative” alliance with the “conservatives” in Europe and the Americas. And he has many in his camp Orban, Farange, Tucker Carlson, many billionaires, LePen, MTG, Modi etc.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Wed May 03, 2023 8:44 am

Sure Vlad.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Wed May 03, 2023 12:47 pm

And as expected - a flat denial. And I actually believe it. I mean look at the shot above. It is perfectly framed to capture the drone exploding.

gilraen · Post by **gilraen** » Wed May 03, 2023 1:04 pm

My mother is utterly convinced that the civilians butchered in Ukrainian towns and villages is a "false flag" operation by Ukrainian militias to frame Russia (don't get me started...) And ironically, when it comes to false flag operations, *this* shit is practically textbook.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Wed May 03, 2023 1:46 pm

Sending drones to attack Putin at the Kremlin is such a low percentage move, it's absurd to think Ukraine would waste time and resources on it. It's more something Putin would be afraid of than something anyone would try. If it's not a false flag, it's probably some internal mischief makers fucking with Putin.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Wed May 03, 2023 2:11 pm

Christ, next they'll be claiming Ukrainians sent Landshark from SNL.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Wed May 03, 2023 3:20 pm

hepcat wrote: ↑Wed May 03, 2023 2:11 pm Christ, next they'll be claiming Ukrainians sent Landshark from SNL.

Candygram for Moscow

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Wed May 03, 2023 6:03 pm

Killing Putin is one thing. Tipping your hand by blowing up a few tiles on top of the Senate dome in the middle of the night when you know full well that Putin is out of town because you're tracking him, however, seems like a plan of questionable merit, which doesn't seem very Zelensky.

On the other hand, it seems like a way for Putin to drum up support / find an excuse. It's still too obvious, but we're talking about Putin.

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Wed May 03, 2023 6:28 pm

Is that the reflection of the drone operator in the upper right of the second video?

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Wed May 03, 2023 6:38 pm

Alefroth wrote: ↑Wed May 03, 2023 6:28 pm Is that the reflection of the drone operator in the upper right of the second video?

Lol. Hilarious. You are right.

They have decided to hide something in that video.

Maybe it’s just a reflection of some copies of The Sims 4?

gbasden · Post by **gbasden** » Wed May 03, 2023 10:15 pm

Blackhawk wrote: ↑Wed May 03, 2023 6:03 pm Killing Putin is one thing. Tipping your hand by blowing up a few tiles on top of the Senate dome in the middle of the night when you know full well that Putin is out of town because you're tracking him, however, seems like a plan of questionable merit, which doesn't seem very Zelensky.

On the other hand, it seems like a way for Putin to drum up support / find an excuse. It's still too obvious, but we're talking about Putin.

Exactly. If there's one thing that's a given it's that Zelinsky has been playing it smart so far. Blowing up a tiny drone on top of the Kremlin would be useless for Ukraine, but an excellent propaganda piece for Putin.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Fri May 05, 2023 7:40 am

This is a WOW moment if true. Essentially Prigozhin went on tv and blamed the Ministry of Defense for lack of supplies, says his men died because of the corrupt men back in Moscow, and says he is quitting Bakhmut. In any case, something has happened behind the scenes.

(Updated) Version with subs

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Fri May 05, 2023 7:53 am

Whhhaaat?

Ok so Wagner is announcing to the world that they are very low on ammunition, and that fat Moscow cats are holding back giving them what they needs.

So, Wagner is announcing to the world that they are going to quit, until they get that ammo?

And it sounds like he’s saying that he needed to make this public announcement in some part because no one in Moscow will call him back?

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Fri May 05, 2023 8:29 am

Its a stage play.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Fri May 05, 2023 8:33 am

Prigozhin has been whining about ammo for awhile. Wagner has made the most progress in Bakhmut so there was talk that Putin was worried about his political power and cut his supplies back a bit. It also could be just a rival in the Ministry of Defense as well. Or it was a true shortage (very likely). Or it didn't happen at all. You never know because they are all corrupt, liars. You can't take anything they say for face value. He could have been stealing the supplies and selling them for all we know.

However, several Kremlinologists think he is basically going to withdraw because they've long been on the edge of military exhaustion and needed to stop advancing. Barring clearing the city he can't declare victory so this is a preparation if/when Bakhmut is overrun that he can point at the MoD as being at fault.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Fri May 05, 2023 8:36 am

Here is his rant losing it last night as well. Warning: Visible bodies. -- I didn't realize the subtitled version cut the bodies at the beginning of the video.

All of this is a major indicator that something is happening behind the scenes for him to lash out so directly and publicly.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Fri May 05, 2023 10:48 am

I guess a couple possibilities come to mind:

(1) Wagner does not think that they can hold their positions in Bakhmut, and are using this (alleged or real) ammo shortage to cover themselves / blame others for their planned withdrawal;
(2) the infighting between Wagner and the Russian military has escalated to the point that it's life or death, and Wagner is trying to win that struggle.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Fri May 05, 2023 10:53 am

That screen capture of "somebody's fathers. Somebody's sons." really offends my sensibilities. These are mercenaries who have been murdering fathers and sons and civilians who have nothing to do with wealthy Russian political aspirations for years and years.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Fri May 05, 2023 10:54 am

El Guapo wrote: ↑Fri May 05, 2023 10:48 am I guess a couple possibilities come to mind:

(1) Wagner does not think that they can hold their positions in Bakhmut, and are using this (alleged or real) ammo shortage to cover themselves / blame others for their planned withdrawal;
(2) the infighting between Wagner and the Russian military has escalated to the point that it's life or death, and Wagner is trying to win that struggle.

Probably both. And it's potentially Prigozhin v. Putin at some level. A small percentage of Kremlinologists says there is a "high alert" against a coup and this might be cover for Prigozhin to bolster his forces for an internal fight. That seems far-fetched. Plus in the end it isn't something to hope for since Prigozhin is just another monster.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Fri May 05, 2023 10:58 am

LordMortis wrote: ↑Fri May 05, 2023 10:53 am That screen capture of "somebody's fathers. Somebody's sons." really offends my sensibilities. These are mercenaries who have been murdering fathers and sons and civilians who have nothing to do with wealthy Russian political aspirations for years and years.

Yeah.

Yes.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Fri May 05, 2023 4:43 pm

malchior wrote: ↑Fri May 05, 2023 10:54 am
El Guapo wrote: ↑Fri May 05, 2023 10:48 am I guess a couple possibilities come to mind:

(1) Wagner does not think that they can hold their positions in Bakhmut, and are using this (alleged or real) ammo shortage to cover themselves / blame others for their planned withdrawal;
(2) the infighting between Wagner and the Russian military has escalated to the point that it's life or death, and Wagner is trying to win that struggle.
Probably both. And it's potentially Prigozhin v. Putin at some level. A small percentage of Kremlinologists says there is a "high alert" against a coup and this might be cover for Prigozhin to bolster his forces for an internal fight. That seems far-fetched. Plus in the end it isn't something to hope for since Prigozhin is just another monster.

Yeah, could definitely be a mix. Also could be that given how high profile the fight over Bakhmut has been, that Prigozhin figured that if they had to withdraw that Putin would be looking for a fall guy, and that fall guy might well be him, so better to try to strike first to see if he can get someone else to be the fall guy.

waitingtoconnect · Post by **waitingtoconnect** » Mon May 08, 2023 6:09 am

Daehawk wrote: ↑Fri May 05, 2023 8:29 am Its a stage play.

Yes it may be a ploy to lure the ukranians into attacking Wagner positions and then be crushed.

Now is the time to worry about tactical nukes -if Ukrainians counter attack goes well…. Putin will be tempted.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Mon May 08, 2023 6:01 pm

Ukrainian Patriot missile battery has taken down a Russian hypersonic missile. Something it was never designed for. US is studying this engagement in detail.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Mon May 08, 2023 6:38 pm

Only 244 others got thru.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon May 08, 2023 6:50 pm

You gotta start somewhere.

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Mon May 08, 2023 6:51 pm

dbt1949 wrote: ↑Mon May 08, 2023 6:38 pm Only 244 others got thru.

I know you're joking, but that's not even remotely accurate.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Mon May 08, 2023 11:15 pm

Well, they show these stories without any reference. I'm sure the rate is better the 1 in 250 too but if they would give a statistic like 45% or something, that's something I can count on.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Mon May 08, 2023 11:40 pm

I often see reports that 1-2 missiles get through out of 20-30 launched. Interception is common enough to require a large fusillade to hit anything. 'Course, those intercepted missiles sometimes ruin someone's day when they fall.

Russia's new hypersonic cruise missile is a different story. Fortunately they don't have a lot of those, because until last week they were considered invincible.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Tue May 09, 2023 10:03 am

Not only are a majority of Russian missiles being intercepted, they're being wasted on terror attacks against civilians instead of military targets for the most part.

Ukraine downs 23 Russian cruise missiles.

Russian forces launched a total of 25 Kalibr and X-101/X-555 cruise missiles overnight on May 9, the Ukrainian Air Force said in its morning update.

The "hypersonic" missile that was allegedly downed wasn't a fancy cruise missile superweapon. It was a Khinzal, which is essentially an Iskander ballistic missile that has been modified to be launched from an aircraft instead of a ground based launcher. It's fast, but given that all ballistic missles are technically hypersonic, it's not really game-changing technology.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Tue May 09, 2023 10:10 am

Today is Victory Day in Russia, and the highlight of the day is the military parade in Moscow.

By popular request:

List Of Tanks That Took Part In #Russia’s 2023 Victory Parade

- 1 T-34/85

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Tue May 09, 2023 10:38 am

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Tue May 09, 2023 10:46 am

So one that can still move and a couple that can't. Seems about right for the Russian military in 2023.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Tue May 09, 2023 11:34 am

CNBC is reporting Putin as announced the parade was scaled back because of the real war waged against his country.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue May 09, 2023 12:47 pm

Russian mercenary chief says he's been told to stay in Bakhmut or be branded traitor

The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary force fighting in eastern Ukraine said on Tuesday he had been told he and his men would be regarded as traitors if they abandoned their positions in the city of Bakhmut.

But Yevgeny Prigozhin said for the second time in a matter of days that his forces would leave Bakhmut if they did not receive the ammunition they needed to press the battle.

He delivered his latest tirade in a profanity-laced audio message which coincided with Russia marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two with its traditional parade on Moscow's Red Square.

"A combat order came yesterday which clearly stated that if we leave our positions (in Bakhmut), it will be regarded as treason against the motherland. That was the message to us," Prigozhin said.

"(But) if there is no ammunition, then we will leave our positions and be the ones asking who is really betraying the Motherland. Apparently, the one (betraying the Motherland) is the person who signed it (the order to supply too little ammunition."

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Tue May 09, 2023 4:12 pm

Prigozhin seems confident that there are no windows remaining in Bakhmut from which he might fall.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Tue May 09, 2023 7:43 pm

Just read an article where Ukrainian farmers are towing away Russian armored vehicles and transforming them into farm equipment. Ukrainian government says it's okay and they won't have to pay taxes on them.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed May 10, 2023 9:01 am

Max Peck wrote: ↑Tue May 09, 2023 4:12 pm Prigozhin seems confident that there are no windows remaining in Bakhmut from which he might fall.

I think he understands that he has chosen a high risk high reward profession.

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Wed May 10, 2023 9:22 am

So, May 10th was the day they said they would be leaving. IIRC.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed May 10, 2023 9:59 am

Unagi wrote: ↑Wed May 10, 2023 9:22 am So, May 10th was the day they said they would be leaving. IIRC.

He reversed course on that a few days ago. Says that Putin has agreed to give him additional supplies and operational freedom. Obviously not to be taken at face value, of course.