Couldn't you just contrast real versus imaginary/fictional?
So fictions exist too, they're just not real?

Anyway, it seems like the opening post is more about temporality.
Other thread on the topic:

What's the big mystery about time?

, right, Russia with Crimea is in a stronger power position than without. And a land corridor helps.
That's disregarding Ukrainian defense/resistance, which weakens Russia.
I suppose something similar would hold for other areas; Crimea stands out for mentioned geographical-political-military reasons.
Russia without isn't doomed for destruction, though, but militarily (and resources-wise) weaker.

Hope both Ukrainians and Russians got into 2023 without too much carnage. Not sure if there are any here on the forum.

On the chess board, the frontlines haven't moved much recently, despite much blighting.

Roughly four questions of relevance ...

1. How is voluntary exposure to so-called "Western culture" destroying Russia? Is this up to Putin to decide for all Russians anyway...?
2. What has Kyiv done and continues doing to be labeled a Nazi regime? Needing to be liberated/assimilated by Russia, under Moscow/Kremlin control?
3. What dire existential threat is NATO to Russia? Say, is Russia doomed to destruction, can't go on, without Crimea being a part of Russia?
4. What warrants depriving Ukraine (the chance) to develop via (further democratic) self-determination/governance?

Inquiries (not answers), derived from public statements, including supposed rationale for war.

Putin uses New Year address for wartime rallying cry to Russians
^{— Jake Cordell, Kevin Liffey · Reuters · Dec 31, 2022}

• Blunt address on main family festival puts war centre-stage
• Putin casts war as fight for survival that requires sacrifices
• Russia is "defending our people and our historical territory"
• President accuses West of provoking conflict — Summary

Nothing new I guess, that's what he wants others to hear

• Nazis
• West out to destroy Russia
• existential fight
• historical territory (Ukraine)
• preserve Russia's greatness and independence
• call for nationalism

So, naught towards reconciliation/peace, more like the opposite :/

Russia says it is extremely concerned by Ukrainian missile downed over Belarus
^{— Jake Cordell, Kevin Liffey · Reuters · Dec 27, 2022}

This is an incident that causes extreme concern, not only for us, but for our Belarusian partners. — Dmitry Peskov

:D Meanwhile, Kyiv is extremely concerned about 1000s of missiles/drones having bombed (and continue to bomb) Ukraine regularly, leaving behind destruction (and deaths).

As far as I recall (unreliable), three stray missiles have originated from Ukrainian anti-missile/drone efforts, in each of Poland, Moldova, Belarus, though I'd sort of expect more that haven't been found (yet).

While stray missiles certainly is a concern, it looks like the Kremlin is attempting to divert attention. Not sure if they're trying to goad Belarus, though a more active Belarusian role would be in their interest.

2022 Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure
^{— Wikipedia · ongoing}

National Bank: Ukraine’s GDP to fall by one third in 2022; Russian attacks on energy system imperil economy
^{— Dinara Khalilova · Kyiv Independent via Yahoo News · Dec 27, 2022}

, FYI, if you hover at the bottom of a post, you can click the three dots (•••) and then the flag (⚑), to report unhinged nonsense rants, whatever against the site guidelines. :up:

are neither support nor deductive proof — Lambert Strether

Yep, they're support. Not deductive proof, but support, yep. Not sure why you'd contradict that. Oh well.

Nazi — Lambert Strether

As far as the invasion goes, the concern (at least that I've commented on lately) is what Kyiv possibly could have done, is doing, to be deemed a Nazi rule — a Nazi rule is what the Putinistas have claimed, their public rationale, and it's bunk. — Dec 20, 2022 (765405)

Anyway, several references quotes observations whatever have already been posted in ↑ that regard. There's also a bit irony in that, given the claimants. :D

Neither Maria Lvova-Bulova's biased claims or [...] — Lambert Strether

What claims are they again...?

your denials of my very accurate denials — Lambert Strether

that actually describes you — Lambert Strether

has been yours — Lambert Strether

You're the one — Lambert Strether

You, however, — Lambert Strether

Tu quoque'ish.

ties to the American defense industry — Lambert Strether

Isn't that what we call a poisoning the well fallacy, this being a philosophy forum an'all?

, ye olde Nazi thing has been discussed already, keep up, e.g. comments 765405, 765255, 757789, ...

adopting orphans isn't kidnapping or genocide — Lambert Strether

Any Ukrainian children that has been taken to Russia, shipped off by/to someone they don't know, will have to be documented in sufficient detail and publicly, especially so that remaining family/guardians can find them. So far, Russian kidnapp...err authorities haven't provided much. Some Ukrainian parents/families have nonetheless managed to find their children — already documented in posted reports — examples.

, support yes (a fair amount at that), deductive proof no (if that's what you're looking for). If you just dismiss what's been reported with a casual handwave, then you haven't contributed anything here, which might be why some have used the t word.

Anyway, personally I'm not inclined to repeat yet again. (In particular not to someone that waltzes in and repeats/parrots old cruft yet again.) :) Have a good New Year. :up:

, there has been a few independent reports, sort of consistently for a while now, but it's just about impossible to figure out under the current circumstances. Returning them is part of Zelenskyy's peace plan. Seems likely that children were taken, and also likely some of the claimed numbers were inflated. Anyway, kidnapping is usually considered a serious crime.

Child abductions in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
^{— Wikipedia · ongoing}

Putin’s Advocate for Child Welfare Is Straight-Up Stealing Kids in Ukraine, U.K. Says
^{— Allison Quinn · The Daily Beast · Jun 16, 2022}

Canada sanctions Russian ‘architect’ of Ukraine child abduction scheme
^{— The Associated Press via Global News · Aug 25, 2022}

Children of war
^{— Alina Rohach · New Eastern Europe · Sep 12, 2022}

the Russian Federation is preparing changes to the legislation that will allow the adoption of Ukrainian children using a simplified procedure

"Now, they are ours". Russia and child abduction, the evidence of trafficking.
^{— Jean-Marc Adolphe · les humanités · Sep 19, 2022}

Ukraine parents ‘want their children back’ from Russia
^{— Al Jazeera · Oct 7, 2022}

How Moscow grabs Ukrainian kids and makes them Russians
^{— Sarah El Deeb, Anastasiia Shvets, Elizaveta Tilna, Lori Hinnant, Cara Anna, Erika Kinetz · AP News · Oct 13, 2022}

Russia abducting Ukrainian children, putting up for adoption in Russia
^{— The Jerusalem Post · Oct 17, 2022}

How a Mariupol father survived a Russian POW camp and traveled to Moscow to save his kids
^{— Svetlana Martova, Sam Breazeale · Meduza · Nov 4, 2022}

Russia's forced deportation of Ukrainian children is genocide with identifiable perpetrators
^{— Halya Coynash · Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group · Dec 9, 2022}

20 children abducted by the Russian Federation were returned to Ukraine: among them is the daughter of a servicewoman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
^{— Khrystyna Velychanska, Julia Sokolova · Fakty ICTV · Dec 17, 2022}

May have been posted before (in which case I apologize). This Reuters article was just published.

Explainer: What is Zelenskiy's 10-point peace plan?
<sup>— Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry · Reuters · Dec 27, 2022

1. Radiation and nuclear safety, focusing on restoring safety around Europe's largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine, which is now-Russian occupied.
2. Food security, including protecting and ensuring Ukraine's grain exports to the world's poorest nations.
3. Energy security, with focus on price restrictions on Russian energy resources, as well as aiding Ukraine with restoring its power infrastructure, half of which has been damaged by Russian attacks.
4. Release of all prisoners and deportees, including war prisoners and children deported to Russia.
5. Restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity and Russia reaffirming it according [to] the U.N. Charter, which Zelenskiy said is "not up to negotiations".
6. Withdrawal of Russian troops and cessation of hostilities, restoration of Ukraine's state borders with Russia.
7. Justice, including the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes.
8. Ecocide, protection of environment, with focus on demining and restoring water treatment facilities.
9. Prevention of escalation of conflict, and building security architecture in the Euro-Atlantic space, including guarantees for Ukraine.
10. Confirmation of the war's end, including a document signed by the involved parties.</sup>

The article has a few more comments. Unlikely that Putin + team will accept this plan.

Peripherally, regarding 2/5...

Larger Wheat Harvest in Ukraine Than Expected
^{— NASA · Dec 4, 2022}

However, Russia will likely reap the benefit of a significant portion of the close to 27-million-ton wheat crop, said Skakun. The analysis showed that 5.8 million tons of wheat was harvested from areas that were not under Ukrainian control. That represents a loss of at least $1 billion, Abbassian noted.

Exclusive: Crimea showers Syria with wheat, Ukraine cries foul ^{(via US News)
— Jonathan Saul, Maha El Dahan, Maya Gebeily, Nigel Hunt, Pavel Polityuk, Frank Jack Daniel · Reuters · Dec 19, 2022}

Hmm... :chin:

Wait, , didn't the thread already establish that "Everyone bad"?

Lavrov is just reiterating their ultimatum, i.e. it's not talks.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is looking at talks with UN as mediator.

Ukraine Wants Peace Summit At UN By End Of February
^{— RFE/RL · Dec 26, 2022}

Ukraine live briefing: Putin bans sale of Russian oil to countries involved in price cap; Kyiv seeks U.N. peace summit
^{— Kelsey Ables, Leo Sands, Sammy Westfall · Washington Post · Dec 27, 2022}

Putin + team is going to read the fineprint and opt out, is my guess, unless something changes.
Taking the reins would be pushing ahead with the proposal either way.

Russia's Lavrov: West and Ukraine Want to Destroy Russia ^{(via US News)
— Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry · Reuters · Dec 27, 2022}

Notice how Lavrov's rhetoric would apply the same if Russia was to assimilate those five oblasts.
Apparently they ignore that Russia will just have to make due without Ukraine (if Ukraine + supporters have their way)?
Russia without Ukraine is doomed for destruction...? Absurd. That would take quite a lot, though admittedly Putin ain't helping.

Further east ...

A Russian critic of Putin died after falling out of a hotel window in India
^{— Niharika Sharma · Quartz · Dec 27, 2022}

Hmm seems like a trend of sorts? Critique brings bad luck?

There's no such thing as a perfect social system; the more individuals, the more unhappy about something, that's just history and statistics, and homo sapiens.

Democracy itself is more about how rulers are picked than about what they do, though, and so they sort of become representatives empowered by a majority (at least in theory), which is also due to practical matters (some sort of temporary hierarchy if you will). They tend to promise different than what they (can) keep — a marketing type thing.

Any one person is outnumbered by two with a different sentiment/attitude. Individuals in a society could be ruled by organized thugs or a (transparent) democratic majority. Personally, I'll run with the least bad. Don't like democracy? Then just leave the ruling to me. ;)

However democracy is or might be implemented, the details, is another matter, and could be discussed/voted until kingdom come, is my guess.

(link injected by me)

Despite the all-encompassing crackdown on domestic civil society groups across Russia, curiously the Russian Imperial Movement continues to operate. — OSCE

... and Rusich ... :/ The invasion wasn't about that stuff anyway. A ruse, an excuse.

Extremists...

Secret Service Members Found To Be Part of Far-Right Extremist Group—Report
^{— Darragh Roche · Newsweek vis MSN · Dec 13, 2022}

2018 Chemnitz protests
^{— Wikipedia · ongoing}

Some reemergence lately...

White Crusade: How to Prevent Right-Wing Extremists from Exploiting the Internet (pdf)
^{— Christina Schori Liang, John Cross · GCSP · Jul 2020}

Anyway, warring breeds hate. I'm expecting some of that among Ukrainians.

:/

Meanwhile, Dnipro, Ukraine, Ukrainian soldier sips coffee amid firefight (52s). Certainly, coffee is a requirement in any civilized society, but... :D

The mercs are on the move they say.

US believes Wagner mercenary group is expanding influence and took delivery of North Korean arms
^{— Kevin Liptak · CNN · Dec 22, 2022}

In certain instances, Russian military officials are actually subordinate to Wagner’s command. It’s pretty apparent to us that Wagner is emerging as a rival power center to the Russian military and other Russian ministries. [...] It seems as though Mr. Prigozhin is willing to just throw Russian bodies into the meat grinder in Bakhmut. In fact, about 1,000 Wagner fighters have been killed in the fighting in just recent weeks, and we believe that 90% of those 1,000 fighters were, in fact, convicts. [...] It’s all about how good he looks to Mr. Putin, and how well he’s regarded at the Kremlin. In fact, we would go so far as to say that his influence is expanding. — John Kirby

Everyone knows that it’s been a long time since North Korea has supplied weapons to the Russian Federation. And no other such attempts have even been made. Therefore, these arms deliveries from the DPRK are nothing more than gossip and speculation. — Yevgeny Prigozhin

Allegedly, prisoners with "serious medical conditions" are fair game, and Navalny of all people.

Navalny: mercenary boss visited his jail to recruit for Ukraine war
^{— Alex Richardson · Reuters · Dec 21, 2022}

No one can deprive a person of the right to defend his motherland, his mother and his family by all available means. — Yevgeny Prigozhin

The foundations of law are being destroyed in Russia for the sake of a future defeat in a shameful war. — Alexei Navalny

With recruiting from state prisons, granting pardons, whatever, those groups (Wagner, Rusich, ...) are already plugged into the system. But how much of a difference are they making? Can they become a political force in Russia?

I guess talks are looking unlikely by either side at the moment.

Kremlin says no chance of Ukraine talks as Zelenskiy travels to Washington ^{(via jpost, alarabiya)
— Reuters · Dec 21, 2022}

Didn't really seem like there was much chance earlier, either.

The Ukrainian side needs to take into account the realities that have developed during this time. And these realities indicate that new subjects have appeared in the Russian Federation. They appeared as a result of referendums that took place in these territories. Without taking these new realities into account, no kind of progress is possible. — Dmitry Peskov (Dec 13, 2022)

Crimea Donetsk Kherson Luhansk Zaporizhzhia constitute something in the range of a quarter of Ukraine, where Russia occupies a bit less at the moment, a sizeable part of Ukraine.

Any takeaways from Zelenskyy's visit to the US, apart from PR I mean?
(At least it's good to see that disagreement is open/unblocked (unlike ...), e.g. Gaetz, Boebert, though I'll have to admit finding it strange why anyone would vote for Boebert.)

Ukraine welcomes 'transparency' from GOP scrutiny of war aid, ambassador says
^{— ABC News via MSN · Dec 18, 2022}

... The Ukrainians did prepare a bit.

One lever is that if Russia meets certain demands of the international community, such as withdrawing from the areas occupied since the beginning of the war, the sanctions imposed as a result can be suspended. We have to increase the diplomatic pressure so that exactly that happens. — Martin Schirdewan (Dec 22, 2022)

That might be a bit optimistic; seems doubtful that Putin + team would get into talks on that background.

EDIT: Putin commented ...

Putin says Russia wants end to war in Ukraine
^{— Mark Trevelyan, Peter Graff, Frances Kerry · Reuters · Dec 22, 2022}

Our goal is not to spin the flywheel of military conflict, but, on the contrary, to end this war. We will strive for an end to this, and the sooner the better, of course. I have said many times: the intensification of hostilities leads to unjustified losses. All armed conflicts end one way or another with some kind of negotiations on the diplomatic track. Sooner or later, any parties in a state of conflict sit down and make an agreement. The sooner this realization comes to those who oppose us, the better. We have never given up on this. An antidote [to the Patriot air defense system] will always be found. So those who do it are doing it in vain. It's just prolonging the conflict, that's all. — Putin

What stands out with the usual "unjustified losses", "prolonging the conflict", is that he could give the order now. Unless there are others (forcefully) expecting Russia to continue (and "crack" defense shielding), like people that ought to take up knitting. Maybe there's nervousness in the Kremlin about the Ukrainian support.

EDIT: Zakharova (peripherally) and Darchiev commented ...

Russia denounces EU for granting Bosnia candidacy status
^{— Daria Sito-Sucic, Tomasz Janowski · Reuters · Dec 23, 2022}

In the context of the current situation in the world and the West's expansionist line, it is obvious that this decision was primarily prompted by a task of the total geopolitical conquering of the region. — Maria Zakharova

Russian diplomat says NATO instructors must leave Ukraine before talks can start
^{— Edmund Klamann · Reuters · Dec 23, 2022}

No talks on security guarantees without recognition of true Ukrainian situation — diplomat
^{— TASS · Dec 23, 2022}

It will be premature to launch any serious negotiations on security guarantees in the context of Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic region as long as weapons and funds are being pumped into [Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s] regime, as long as US and NATO servicemen/mercenaries/instructors remain in the country and unless certain practical developments on the ground are recognized. — Alexander Darchiev

Taken together: No foreigners (EU bad too by the way), no aid, a fifth is now part of Russia, period, Ukraine to be on their own (and no voice in the matter) subject to Russian plans.

Belarus restricts access to parts of region bordering Ukraine, Russia
^{— Lidia Kelly, Robert Birsel · Reuters · Dec 21, 2022}

... so, "anti-sabotage drills" starting Oct 11 in Belarus, Russian troops arriving Oct 15, Putin + Shoigu + military staff meet to discuss their "special military operation" on Dec 16, Putin visits Dec 19, Lavrov speaks on Belarusian TV (about Ukraine) Dec 19, ...

Putin says Russian army must tackle problems it has suffered in Ukraine
^{— Mark Trevelyan, Jake Cordell, Andrew Osborn, Hugh Lawson · Reuters · Dec 21, 2022}

... while subtly diverting/distancing ...

Maybe Putin is pushing Lukashenko's Belarus into the war? That'd be a significant escalation. Would it still be illegal to call it a war? Maybe Poland and the Baltics (and Ukraine) should annex Minsk because of the danger it poses. Wouldn't dragging Belarus in be seen as a weakness, though...? I guess it could be played as Belarus accusing Ukraine of whatever transgression.

And again the hubris of Ukrainians not having any role here... :smirk: — ssu

:up:

The murderer accusing his victims of a "lack of concern". :vomit: — Olivier5

:up:

Für Russland ist Selenskyj größenwahnsinnig: „Er sprudelt nur vor Ideen“ ^{(english via google translate)
— ZLIVE-NEWS · Dec 20, 2022}

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his "lack of understanding of the seriousness of the moment and lack of concern for his people".

I don't personally think Lavrov is delusional, but this doesn't look promising. I suppose, if we're talking propaganda, working the Belarusians, then it does make some sense.

, well, those Azov folks befriended the Israelis, no one detained. I suspect they enjoy Israel's warmer clime for their visit.

Meanwhile in Germany:

German court convicts 97-year-old ex-secretary at Nazi camp
^{— Geir Moulson · AP News · Dec 20, 2022}

Did she make a run for it, in 2021, in her 90s? :grin: Anyway, a young peripheral at the time (and with her current age), she was given a mild sentence, no living in fear of harsh repercussions.

And, on the subject of Nazis, they simply don't bother to address the main stream media (bbc, vice, guardian, reuters) reporting on these organisations before this year, don't even try to explain where these Nazi's supposedly disappeared to, the mere fact that only the "extreme right" or the "extreme left" needs to be linked to making making the same point, and everything can be dismissed. — boethius

As far as the invasion goes, the concern (at least that I've commented on lately) is what Kyiv possibly could have done, is doing, to be deemed a Nazi rule — a Nazi rule is what the Putinistas have claimed, their public rationale, and it's bunk. I imagine Ukrainian Nazis are doing whatever such extremists do. Going by the report, those Azov folks ain't it (unless Mossad screwed up royally).

Seems a bit surprising with the Nazi thing an'all ...

Ukraine's Azov Regiment visits Israel: 'Mariupol is our Masada'
^{— Tzvi Joffre · The Jerusalem Post · Dec 20, 2022}

A ruse, an excuse.
Will the Putinistas keep it up?

Giles opines:

Opinion: Russia has shouted about escalation long enough
^{— Keir Giles · CNN · Dec 20, 2022}

There are effective NASAMS, however expensive, some have been delivered, more planned (the Netherlands, Norway, the UK, the US).
Of course, when Russia generously sprays missiles throughout, there will be damage; seems clear enough that it's an attempt to bomb/force/intimidate the Ukrainians into submission.
Where these weapons would mostly be for defense (shield, not an escalation), they can (and will likely) also be used for attacks, though, whatever the Russian response might be, if any in particular.

, the UK stopped being a global (colonial) power, the US retreated from Vietnam, the USSR pulled out of Afghanistan, ... I'm sure there have been bruised egos. Should Ukraine be intact sometime in the foreseeable future, Russia will continue on without, perhaps even a bit improved, maybe along the lines of what suggested. Hardly impossible or unheard of.

Some parallel developments, FYI

Council adopts decision not to accept Russian documents issued in Ukraine and Georgia
^{— European Council · Dec 8, 2022}

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim A.A. Khan KC, announces conclusion of the investigation phase in the Situation in Georgia
<sup>— Karim Ahmad Khan · International Criminal Court · Dec 16, 2022

• Russo-Georgian War (Wikipedia)
• Responsibility for the Russo-Georgian War (Wikipedia)</sup>

A couple of scattered, peripherally related news items ...

Russia sends St. Petersburg riot police to Mariupol to stop new protests
^{— Daniel Stewart · News 360 · Dec 16, 2022}

Someone, quick, the coast is clear, incite some bigtime protests in St Petersburg. :up: :grin:

Israeli-tied Moldovan TV channels halt Russia-Ukraine war reporting
^{— Reuters via The Jerusalem Post · Dec 17, 2022}

Ilan Shor, "the young one", is done with corruption/subversion in Moldova I guess.

Russia rejects Zelenskiy call for troop pullout, saying Ukraine must accept 'realities'
^{— Mark Trevelyan, Guy Faulconbridge · Reuters · Dec 13, 2022}

The Ukrainian side needs to take into account the realities that have developed during this time. And these realities indicate that new subjects have appeared in the Russian Federation. They appeared as a result of referendums that took place in these territories. Without taking these new realities into account, no kind of progress is possible. — Peskov

The sham annexations may have to break, one way or other.
If that causes collisions in Moscow, then so be it; if they don't break, then so be it as well.
I guess it's illegal to criticize in Russia; they can break, however. ^{(2014, 2022)}

Isn't that one of those unanswerable questions? If by "God" is meant "know-it-all" and such? :) Until omniscient, it's not really possible to answer.

Other than that (2m:22s)...

:D

Ukrainian man reunited with his rabbit after Russia destroyed his house
^{— Josh Milton · Metro News · Dec 14, 2022}

Gave me a chuckle

Putin says Russia may be fighting in Ukraine for a long time
^{— Mark Trevelyan · Reuters · Dec 7, 2022}

They consider Russia a second-class country that has no right to exist. This is the whole problem, the whole trouble. — Putin

, I guess I could repeat, though the thread is rife with repeats already. It so happens that some of the bolder Kremlin'ers say that Washington set up a coup and installed a Nazi junta in Kyiv, other of those folk say Russia need to liberate Ukraine from a Nazi regime. Sure, it's propaganda (good point :up: :wink:), because it's false, yet there you have their justification, what government officials and TV broadcast. (Already posted whatever sources, quotes, speeches, commentaries, propaganda, situation reports on the ground, comparisons, whatever.) The implication is that their supposed justification was a ruse, an excuse, plus there are additional reasons for this implication, outside of their propaganda — as (also) mentioned, you may inspect their actions. Hence the point, a ruse, an excuse. On the other hand, if you wish to justify what the Kremlin'ers claim, then you'll have to show the supposed Ukrainian Nazi regime (from memory, you ignored/declined that prior), that it's not propaganda after all. While rounding up what characterizes Nazi rule, I noticed some indicators that...nevermind, you'll just designate it all propaganda (again). :D

Zelenskiy shuts court, says Ukraine can fight graft, Russia at same time
^{— Dan Peleschuk · Reuters · Dec 13, 2022}

This story has drawn to a close. But the story of reforms continues – it continues, even in the time of such a war. — Zelenskyy

Ukraine's parliament enacts reform laws recommended by EU - Speaker
^{— The Jerusalem Post · Dec 14, 2022}

Such likes ↑ at least, look positive.

While reading ...

Exclusive: The global supply trail that leads to Russia’s killer drones (via MSN)
^{— Stephen Grey, Maurice Tamman, Maria Zholobova · Reuters · Dec 15, 2022}

I was vaguely reminded of ...

Stop funding Russia’s nuclear weapons
^{— Henry Sokolski; The Hill; Nov 13, 2022} — Nov 14, 2022

Florida, Hong Kong, in addition to US/EU funds going to Rosatom, ..., the plot thickens.

, if you think something's off then hit the report button/link. It's a small flag at the bottom of posts (hover → •••).

It's about the Ukraine crisis, not just your own take, though that's cool too, despite the occasional curious tunnel vision.
Some reports might suggest getting the diplomats scrambling immediately, others suggest some un/predictability factor of the Kremlin, other reports still may suggest whatever other things. Without data, there isn't anything to chat (or reason) about.
You keep ignoring that Putin, Pavlov, Solovyov, Patrushev, Medvedev, Chernyshov, with Peskov, Matviyenko, and others in tow, speak of liberating Ukraine from a Nazi regime (previous posts, all over actually) — a ruse, an excuse — fail. For that matter, it's pretty clear that Kremlin has no particular concern for the Ukrainians (also prior posts).
Anyway, I suppose we could designate it all propaganda, though government officials and public TV characters are influential enough, more so with the oppression in place and enforced.

I am happy you agree that Nazi's are indeed a problem — boethius

I'm glad too. Have you seen (indications of) Nazism here...? Fascism racism ... for that matter? Anyone belonging in Tzeentch's fiery pit?

We could also keep one line of the chit-chat purely on the military tactics, which would exclude speculation about ulterior motives and such.

Medvedev of the Russian Security Council:

Pseudo-Ukrainian rabid mongrels with Russian surnames, choking on their toxic saliva, declare that their enemy is located within the borders of Russia, from the West to Vladivostok. Rabies has no cure.
It is much more difficult for us - our enemy has dug in not only in the Kyiv province of our native Little Russia. It's in Europe, North America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and a whole host of other contemporary Nazi-sworn places.
Therefore, we are increasing the production of the most powerful means of destruction. Including those based on new principles. — Dmitry Medvedev · Dec 11, 2022

Impressive

Photographers Kostyantyn Liberov and Vlada Liberova published a photo of the "graveyard" of shells that Russia fired at Kharkiv this year.
^{— Reserve Petty Officer · Dec 4, 2022}

Inside Bakhmut: The strange and senseless death trap draining Ukraine's tired army
^{— Justin Yau, Ben Farmer · The Telegraph · Dec 9, 2022}

More or less Prigozhin's and Kadyrov's free playground ...

wave of assaults carried out by Russian mercenaries and poorly-equipped reservists

Grotesque.

I'd suggest footage be broadcast all over Russia, well all over really, without propagandist editing that is.

EDITORIAL: The high cost of peace at any price
^{— Toronto Sun · Dec 9, 2022}

The editorial doesn't really make a whole lot of points, just the usual (which is not a dismissal of them).
Allowing the invaders to get away with it is too close to being complicit.
They'll learn from success, others (autocrats, despots, tyrants, dictators, whatever) will take note, and thus we may end up putting it off to our children (or their children).
It's not new and not that hard to understand; we ought to learn from history.
^{(Plato Tacitus Burke Mill Niemöller Wiesel)}
But, in this case, it's for the Ukrainians to decide, their homes (whatever is left of them), their self-governance, are on the line.

By Covid? — Tzeentch

By "The fiery pit" (and whatever else you have in store for people).

Lies and Vladimir Putin's political culture: "Intelligence Matters"
^{— Michael Morell, Andrew Weiss, Paulina Smolinski · CBS News · Dec 7, 2022}

Well, the (sociopathic) opportunism über alles is something Putin shares with der Führer.

Russia's Putin Vows More Strikes On Ukraine Energy Infrastructure
^{— Via NDTV · Dec 8, 2022}

I guess the Ukrainians aren't really allowed to try throwing the invaders out? Such goes Putin's rhetorical move. Not the best excuse. Destruction continues.

Slovakia compares negotiating peace with Russia to the dialogues with Hitler that led to WWII
^{— Daniel Stewart · News360 · Dec 8, 2022}

, Macron is "Absolute scum", belonging in "The fiery pit"? :D I guess, by your take, humans best go extinct, or at least be markedly decimated. Not quite a realistic outlook. Or maybe just another hyperbole.

He threatened the people of France for exercising their human right to bodily autonomy. "Dictator" is being kind. Absolute scum of the Earth, better? The fiery pit is too good for that man. — Tzeentch

Surely you jest.

Volodymyr Zelensky named TIME's Person of the Year 2022

2022 was year the horror of war returned to Europe (minor warning: graphic)
^{— Jill Lawless · AP News · Dec 8, 2022}

, bit trigger happy there?
I'd question McKitrick's take on the matter, hence asking.

Not quite sure what to make of this...

Opinion: The Parliamentary Budget Officer just debunked climate alarmism
^{— Ross McKitrick · Financial Post · Dec 7, 2022}

Either way...
Don't panic :up:
Get your (our) act together :up: