NOTE: When providing a source, please provide a very brief summary on what it's about and what purpose it adds to the discussion. The supporting statement should clearly explain why the subject is relevant and needs to be discussed. Please follow this rule especially for tweets.
Your supporting statement should always come BEFORE you provide the source.
On May 14 2022 16:25 Ardias wrote: Wombat nailed it. I could only add that yes, English is indeed my second language (first being Russian ofc), and there is also the thing I've observed in comments of foreigners visiting Russia (though it's probably true to the most of the former USSR) that Russians are sometimes seem to be sort of rude and offensive in their casual conversation while in fact it is just the general way of talking here, more direct and straightforward (and my friend who worked in US kinda agreed with that). In my post I simply described the chain of events, without any kind of moral evaluation of them.
On May 12 2022 15:32 Ardias wrote: Previously I was asked not to discuss moral aspects of this war.
So I abstain from any comments regarding reported war crimes, atrocities etc. The only first-hand account that I have on the matter your mentioned is my friend in Kherson, currently he and his family are doing fine, well, except for the lack of job, since only the most essential stuff like utility services, food stores and markets, gas stations (Russia ship fuel from Crimea) etc. are working now. He has personally heard about suppression of pro-Ukrainian protests and search for former members of Territorial Defence and Ukraine's Security Service, as well as weapon looters (there was a big clash in few first days of war near the Antonov bridge near Kherson, so there was a lot of stuff lying around) but that's it for now.
Then maybe you shouldn't try to explain how Russia didn't want to kill civilians if you don't want to talk about the cases where Russia killed civilians
Shortly before the invasion, Russia updated their legislation regarding preparation of mass graves. They also purchased mobile crematoria and prepared lists of people for execution (as per several intelligence agencies). There is ample evidence of Russian soldiers being given direct orders to kill civilians by their superiors.
The claim that they tried to minimize the number of civilian casualties doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Especially considering the expressed wish to eradicate any pro-Ukrainian elements in the Ukrainian society. They simply didn't want the world to see their mass killings and they underestimated the share of the Ukrainian population that opposed their invasion.
This is a pretty serious accusation one which Zelensky would have no reason to lie about, while Macron on the hand has a history of trying to "appease", can't think of another word, Putin.
The Elysee Palace said French President Emmanuel Macron never discussed anything with Vladimir Putin without the agreement of President Volodymyr Zelensky and has never asked him for any concession. “He has always said that it was up to the Ukrainians to decide the terms of their negotiations with the Russians,” Anne-Sophie Bradelle, in charge of the international communication at the Elysee Palace, said on May 13.
On May 14 2022 22:59 {CC}StealthBlue wrote: This is a pretty serious accusation one which Zelensky would have no reason to lie about, while Macron on the hand has a history of trying to "appease", can't think of another word, Putin.
The Elysee Palace said French President Emmanuel Macron never discussed anything with Vladimir Putin without the agreement of President Volodymyr Zelensky and has never asked him for any concession. “He has always said that it was up to the Ukrainians to decide the terms of their negotiations with the Russians,” Anne-Sophie Bradelle, in charge of the international communication at the Elysee Palace, said on May 13.
FR seems to have figured out that RU defeat is also a defeat of their pan-Eurasia plans, and that's why they are pushing for Minsk 3 and grumbling at the diplo level about FI and SE joining NATO. I expect this to be a half hearted effort which will fall in line when push comes to shove.
Probably unwise to have annoyed every country in the world all at the same time. I feel like Putin’s government could make enemies in a room full of golden retrievers.
On May 15 2022 05:42 KwarK wrote: Probably unwise to have annoyed every country in the world all at the same time. I feel like Putin’s government could make enemies in a room full of golden retrievers.
CNN was able to verify the 79th Rocket Artillery Brigade as the origin of cluster bomb attacks that took place during the early days of the war. I'm certain more evidence will come out to reveal many more of these random attacks on civilian population.
It is really surprising to me how Russia, being quite famous for its hackers, can be so oblivious when it comes to modern world's information gathering. It's like they're living in the Cold War bubble and don't want to acknowledge that we live in the age of information now, where it's almost impossible to hide anything.
Even their own propaganda towards their people, it's not like they can keep things under wraps forever. Unless they want to completely cut themselves off from the outside world, like North Korea.
On May 15 2022 15:10 Manit0u wrote: It is really surprising to me how Russia, being quite famous for its hackers, can be so oblivious when it comes to modern world's information gathering. It's like they're living in the Cold War bubble and don't want to acknowledge that we live in the age of information now, where it's almost impossible to hide anything.
Even their own propaganda towards their people, it's not like they can keep things under wraps forever. Unless they want to completely cut themselves off from the outside world, like North Korea.
That doesn't matter. Their propaganda teaches people that everybody lies and no one can be trusted. Faced with evidence that shows Russia in a bad light, they naturally assume it's a lie invented by the West.
Ukraine unsurprisingly won the Eurovision Song Contest, helped by landslide televote. The winner of the previous year typically hosts the finals the following year. It is not certain what will happen this time, but Zelinsky's made the most out the moment: "We will do our best to one day host the participants and guests of Eurovision in Ukrainian Mariupol. Free, peaceful, rebuilt!"
UK Intel estimates that since the War began that Russia has lost over a third of its' forces... a third. Staggering.
Russia has probably lost around a third of the ground forces it deployed to Ukraine and its offensive in the Donbas region "has lost momentum and fallen significantly behind schedule", British military intelligence said on Sunday.
"Despite small-scale initial advances, Russia has failed to achieve substantial territorial gains over the past month whilst sustaining consistently high levels of attrition," the British defence ministry said on Twitter.
"Russia has now likely suffered losses of one third of the ground combat force it committed in February."
It said Russia was unlikely to dramatically accelerate its rate of advance over the next 30 days.
Since Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, Ukraine's military has forced Russia's commanders to abandon an advance on the capital Kyiv, before making rapid gains in the northeast and driving them away from the second biggest city of Kharkiv.
A Ukrainian counteroffensive has been under way near the Russian-held town of Izium, though Ukraine's military reported on Sunday that Russian forces were advancing elsewhere in the Donbas region, the main theatre of war over the past month.
On May 15 2022 22:30 {CC}StealthBlue wrote: UK Intel estimates that since the War began that Russia has lost over a third of its' forces... a third. Staggering.
Russia has probably lost around a third of the ground forces it deployed to Ukraine and its offensive in the Donbas region "has lost momentum and fallen significantly behind schedule", British military intelligence said on Sunday.
"Despite small-scale initial advances, Russia has failed to achieve substantial territorial gains over the past month whilst sustaining consistently high levels of attrition," the British defence ministry said on Twitter.
"Russia has now likely suffered losses of one third of the ground combat force it committed in February."
It said Russia was unlikely to dramatically accelerate its rate of advance over the next 30 days.
Since Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, Ukraine's military has forced Russia's commanders to abandon an advance on the capital Kyiv, before making rapid gains in the northeast and driving them away from the second biggest city of Kharkiv.
A Ukrainian counteroffensive has been under way near the Russian-held town of Izium, though Ukraine's military reported on Sunday that Russian forces were advancing elsewhere in the Donbas region, the main theatre of war over the past month.
A third of the forces it commited in February. That’s really not the same of a third of its forces, and not even the same than a third of the forces that are currently deployed in Ukraine.
But yeah, it’s crazy. This is an unbelievably bitter war.
Finland confirms it will seek NATO membership, which is likely to gain the support its parliament. Sweden's ruling Social Democrats say they will also look for NATO membership. (Link)
It's a drastic shift in officially stated neutrality for both countries. Both countries are already quite integrated into NATO's command and weapons systems, and are partners with NATO, so any formal application would be processed rather quickly from what I read. A major failure for Putin, given this war was waged to halt NATO expansion and spit in the eye of the alliance and the U.S.-led hegemony.
Turkey is the biggest roadblock to their ascension due to various reasons, but I wouldn't be surprised if those are ironed out rather quickly.
On May 16 2022 03:18 PhoenixVoid wrote: Finland confirms it will seek NATO membership, which is likely to gain the support its parliament. Sweden's ruling Social Democrats say they will also look for NATO membership. (Link)
It's a drastic shift in officially stated neutrality for both countries. Both countries are already quite integrated into NATO's command and weapons systems, and are partners with NATO, so any formal application would be processed rather quickly from what I read. A major failure for Putin, given this war was waged to halt NATO expansion and spit in the eye of the alliance and the U.S.-led hegemony.
Turkey is the biggest roadblock to their ascension due to various reasons, but I wouldn't be surprised if those are ironed out rather quickly.
Erdogan just sees this as a chance for (personal) enrichment. He will want something and in return will agree. News says something about "arms deal" Will try to find a English source
Speaking with Turkish reporters after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Berlin, he said that Sweden and Finland must stop supporting terrorists in their countries, provide clear security guarantees and lift export bans on Turkey.
Yeah he just smells an opportunity to get some goodies. He knows everyone else wants this, and he can afford to be obstructive because he's too important to NATO's staging to boot out.
Uncle Sam or the euros will give him some random kickback, everyone will roll their eyes and wish they weren't in bed with Turkey, and then he'll shut up. I assume that's the "ironed out rather quickly" part.
EPT
