Predicted the war between Ukraine-Russia in 1995, and it’s still as relevant as it was back then when it comes to russia:
Last edited:
Russian invasion of Ukraine | Fewer tweets, more discussion
- Thread starter Wednesday at Stoke
- Start date
Someone once told me that visiting the town I live in is like traveling back in time, it's not changed much in 30 years, at least on the surface.
Russia seems the same way, it's not had the experiences most of the world has had with democracy and civil rights, and much else.
One commentator said it came from Mongolian culture when they conquered Russia, in that system the will of the leader is all powerful, tribute to the leader was a way to power and the leader didn't much care about the rights of people, you could manipulate them as an underling if it was part of getting the leader what he wants.
I've also read Russians see themselves as subjects of an empire instead of citizens of a country. They've not developed a sense of having a government who serves them, where power is derived from the governed.
Don't know, not a mod. I can think of a few reasons, but I'm not going to speculate. Firestarter thinks I'm wrong, though, which wouldn't be the first time.
Huge loss for the football forum, huge win for CE and the general.
Are you sure? He stopped posting mid frenzy, and I'm pretty certain his profile turned inaccessible at the same time, which means either a ban or a coincidental switch of privacy settings timing wise.
chillingly accurate. And then they killed him.
Crazy to think how effectively Russia has subdued Chechnyan independence through sheer unbridled brutality and oppression.
Parody account
What a weird guy. He was born and raised in Ukraine as well (if he’s to be believed at all). Although scratch that, not weird, just stupid (and hypocritical).
Edit: yeah, it looks like a parody account
Battle for Lyman draws near, if there is going to be one.
Obviously, if you delve just a little deeper, it's a parody account. But, this thread shows just how fast people are to jump on comments that suit their narrative, without checking for context. It's not the first time, we've seen in this thread tweets posted that were obviously not true, unverified or just straight up parodies (that people took seriously). Although, most at fault from my recollection was Glaston, who's been banned apparently.
I love reading this thread and use it as my main source of news regarding the war. It really is that great. But would love if people would check tweets that at least sound too good to be true.
I highly recommend watching this to anyone that wants to truly get why russia will keep coming back unless stopped with all the means available and the containment strategy should be developed in the west (i.e. no sanctions lifted etc. until full denuclearization and decommunization).
Really is isn't it? Wow.
Interesting development. Really looks like he doesn't want to risk the military power he needs to stay in his Office.
I am currently reading "Wages of Destruction" By Adam Tooze, this is right out of the hitler/dictator playbook. Almost word for word, action for action. They just can't help themselves because they essentially believe they are a deity.
That is the case.
I believe the best evidence that there's much truth in this is the whole "it's a special operation, not a war" narrative pushed by the Kremlin as well as the fact that it took Putin so long to announce the mobilisation. From a psychological perspective, I think the situation of the Russian population is a bit similar to abducted people suffering from Stockholm syndrome. Being honest to yourself (as in accepting that Putin is an autocrat who attacked a sovereign country without provocation and suppresses his own people) would mean that you have to go to the streets and fight for justice and freedom, which is very dangerous. So people instead buy into the lies because it is more comfortable to them. Thing is, this changes when your own well being or that of your family members is at stake. Then suddenly, you can't stay out of the fight anymore. Instead you're forced to decide between fighting in a war or fighting your own government.
This is a landmark decision by Putin and the fact that it took him so long to make it shows a) that he knows this and b) that he's getting more desperate. I find it hard to imagine that he's going to launch a nuke in this kind of situation because it would definitely swing the mood completely against him. Even without Western retaliation, he'd most likely be finished politcally (and as a human being probably as well).
In general, he seems to be losing any grip he had over the whole Ukraine war. He already pulled his strongest economic lever and it seems to be already biting him in the ass. Now he's calling for mobilisation and risks losing the Russian people's support/indifference. And his propaganda machinery increases the pressure on the oligarchs as well. All smells as if Putin's system of government is about to implode.
Beautiful border crossing
Seem to be in good spirits for now, would like to see before/after compilation.
Shockingly low percentage, expected it to be more than 99%.
@Pexbo it's finally done.
The guy in the military uniform looks either super tired or very drunk. He was barely pushed and fell like a ton of bricks
If these are the reinforcements then I'm sorry for the poor lads once they discover real war.Iranian drones are doing considerable amount of damage and according to reports, Russia has over 2000 of them. Attack just happened on the ports of Odessa, some were shot down but a few hit the targets.
Even the old US woodland camo uniforms you find in your military surplus stores are in better shape than these uniforms. Feck, I sure feel old myself if I bring up the old woodland.
Don't know what more the Americans, Europeans and Israel need to see to start sending over whatever Ukraine asks for.
The guy in the military uniform looks either super tired or very drunk. He was barely pushed and fell like a ton of bricks
Find myself agreeing with this:
Best choice for the mobilized civilians: go to the battlefront, get drunk, get surrounded, surrender. Altough the high command could confiscate/destroy the booze, which of course will cause unrest and rebellions in the troops. IIRC it has worked in other conflicts in the past.
If they are using loitering munitions against infrastructure targets they really must be running low on precision missiles and rockets.
I think the ones who want to see, have seen enough. Unfortunately lots of politicians in important roles are clearly swimming in russian money.
Yeah but booze could be a "courage" factor for many. Make them sober and face the reality of war and surrender is the best option. Either way, normal, non military people will not face well in such a war. It is very different for the poor Ukrainians because they are fighting for their homes and families; but the Russian recruits? They are meat to the grinder. I feel a bit sorry for all those poor men that instead of living a normal decent life will die and, have died for the egomania of a dictator. I know it's wrong to say but for how much pain putin is creating I hope even his family will suffer for it.
It was obvious though. Most Ukrainians wanted both EU and NATO; getting as far away from Russia's influence as possible. It is the same story as the Baltic states, Poland, Romania, etc. It was predictable.
I think Putin realized that allowing democracy to entrench itself in a prominent neighboring nation so tightly affiliated with the Soviet past, would quickly spread to Russia, and threaten his own regime from within. So instead of attempting to contain it, he simply went on attack, using nationalism and empire building Soviet nostalgia to "reclaim" lost territory. Ironically, the result will be the same as the one he feared by allowing democracy to entrench in Ukraine - the demise of his own regime and his almost certain death.
I think a million people is closer to reality than 300k. Plenty of evidence point to that.
What the feck are they going to do with all those men? What are they going to equip and feed them with?
Very well put. I agree.
One of the Russian propaganda weapons is that nations that were under the Soviet boot were "stolen" by the EU and NATO (NATO expansion). Of course, these nations voted to be part of the West while they had no choice but to be annexed to the Soviet's in 45. Putin, being a soviet at heart IMO, still is looking at countries as non entities that should not have a right to self determination. His original manifesto before the invasion was that the former Soviet republics be kicked out of NATO
. The man truly is Stalin's heir in terms of imperialism. Good that today we have NATO to stand up to this type of imbeciles.