Yes, that is an apposite quote. Is it true? If it is true today, must it always be so? — Srap Tasmaner
a glimpsed alternative, a revelation of potential that is denied or constantly threatened by circumstances
Obviously Putin does have his supporters, no doubt.
But one should notice that Putin's Russia is authoritarian, and spontaneity is usually controlled "spontaneity". Letting people to be spontaneous is not the correct way in Russia. — ssu
On Friday there will be a rally in Luzhniki to celebrate an anniversary of the integration of Crimea into RF. Attendance is STRICTLY MANDATORY
(This is how "non-Slavic" people are often referred to in Russia, regardless of where they are actually from.)Attention! Urgent update! We just received a direction that only persons of Slavic appearance are requested for the demonstration - no migrants.
Need extras for a concert on 18.03 at 14:00, 2 hours, Luzhniki Stadium (...) 300 rubles
Payment transferred next day to your bank card
What likely isn't fake news is that Russia has lost many generals (perhaps four or five) and high ranking commanders in the war. This does tell about that the operation hasn't gone well and that in a hierarchial organization like the Russian army, lower commanders taking initiative isn't supported, hence the generals have to come and lead from the front. It also tells about a highly working SIGINT of the Ukrainians that they can find the location of the generals and then use artillery at them. That the West has it's finger on this, can be likely.
In a documentary of the Russo-Georgian war these's footage of the 58th Army commander doing exactly this: before the drive to South Ossetia, a the general spoke a huge crowd of various officers and soldiers just how the lead formations will move Tskhinvali. — ssu
My understanding from what I've read is that Putin won't agree to a ceasefire until he's negotiating from a position of strength, which he hasn't yet achieved. One metric for achieving that would be to cut the Ukranian forces off from the sea. Another, would be to take some of the major cities. If that is true and the Ukranians are provided with more weapons and encouraged not to back down to Russian demands where does that leave us?
It seems to me the worst case scenario for Ukraine is a continued war of attrition that they're not losing quickly but can't win either and lose slowly until Putin achieves his military position of strength. And so they continue fighting while their cities are reduced to rubble; their citizens lose access to food, water and electricity; civilian casualties mount; and the cost of reconstruction both in terms of time and money skyrockets. And seeing as NATO has explicitly ruled out intervening militarily, which of the following do you think is the more likely outcome? — Baden
So, my cold assessment is that the Ukranians are in an impossible situation and at some point will be forced to acquiesce to all or most of Russian demands. — Baden
In short, the whole adventure has been a catastrophic error of judgement which is going to end in disaster for the Russian government. — Wayfarer
Yes, I'm aware this is the Western propaganda line. — Baden
Explain to me where you see this situation in three months time. — Baden
Hopefully with massive civil unrest in Russia culminating in the fall of Putin. — Wayfarer
Tell me what you think is going to happen over the next few months and how Putin's strategic objectives will not be achieved — Baden
What's the line of reasoning here. His soldiers will get demoralised and give up? He'll admit it was a whoopsie and back down? What? — Baden
Russia quit Afghanistan — RogueAI
According to some posters in this thread, all the coverage back in February on Russia being about to invade Ukraine was also 'Western propaganda'... — Changeling
Nothing to do with me. — Baden
You seem to be looking for some middle ground here — Changeling
I've yet to see any evidence that he'll lose at all. — Baden
OK, what military objectives has Russia achieved so far. — RogueAI
Western propaganda>It's a complete disaster
Russian propaganda>It's all going to plan
Any non-idiotic impartial observer>Neither of those is true. They are both just propaganda. — Baden
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