🇷🇺🇺🇦 Discussion: Relations with Russia and the war in Ukraine

[:eek:]

Zelensky faces unprecedented criticism over failure to warn of war - The Washington Post

 

[Iceman]

Putin revives Stalin-era 'Mother Heroine' award for women with 10 children - CNN

He just wants to breed more disposable soldiers he (or his successor) can send out to their deaths.

 

[Iceman]

Russia and China's little buddy North Korea.

100,000 wow, that's not good. More disposable troops in the power of another dictator.

 

[samsnee]

This is hilarious. The logo is a clear knockoff

Russian duo hail Stars Coffee as successor brand to Starbucks

 

[Marvolo]

Russia and China's little buddy North Korea.

Russia's scraping the bottom of the barrel.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

The Washington Post - Russia’s spies misread Ukraine and misled Kremlin as war loomed

So certain were FSB operatives that they would soon control the levers of power in Kyiv, according to Ukrainian and Western security officials, that they spent the waning days before the war arranging safe houses or accommodations in informants’ apartments and other locations for the planned influx of personnel…

An agency whose domain includes internal security in Russia as well as espionage in the former Soviet states, the FSB has spent decades spying on Ukraine, attempting to co-opt its institutions, paying off officials and working to impede any perceived drift toward the West. No aspect of the FSB’s intelligence mission outside Russia was more important than burrowing into all levels of Ukrainian society.

And yet, the agency failed to incapacitate Ukraine’s government, foment any semblance of a pro-Russian groundswell or interrupt President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hold on power. Its analysts either did not fathom how forcefully Ukraine would respond, Ukrainian and Western officials said, or did understand but couldn’t or wouldn’t convey such sober assessments to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

 

[InCali]

It sounds as though Ukraine is picking up some momentum in the fight against Russia. If that starts to happen, I wonder what kind of scorched earth policies they'll take. Ukraine has started attacking Russian military facilities in Crimea and has warned people to stay away from them.

Also, I can't help but think that a nuclear deal with Iran; which would open up another oil pipeline and, presumably, further drive down prices, would be detrimental to Russia funding its war effort.

 

[Iceman]

Ukraine's Crimean fightback having 'psychological impact' on Russia

 

[Iceman]

More drone attacks against Russian targets in Crimea - reports - BBC News

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

Daughter of Putin Propagandist Killed in Car Bomb Outside Moscow, Reports Say

Darya Dugina had been outspoken in her support of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and she was sanctioned by the U.S. government in March in connection with her role in a Kremlin-run influence operation known as Project Lakhta.

Project Lakhta: Russian national charged with US election meddling

She was also sanctioned by the U.K. and presumably other nations.

It could be an accident but some reports of Dugin reportedly switching cars beforehand.

See also: Search Results | The SuperHeroHype Forums
See also: Foundations of Geopolitics - Wikipedia

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

NBC News - About that kiss ... Putin explains himself (2006)
In between answering questions Thursday about burning world issues, Russian President Vladimir Putin answered what was for many observers a more burning question: What made him kiss the bare tummy of a boy in a Kremlin courtyard?

--------------------------

The Daily Beast - Russia Vows Revenge at the Latest Country [Latvia] to Cross Putin
A new terror sponsor label has sent the Kremlin into full-on rage mode.

 

[squeekness]

Daughter of Putin Propagandist Killed in Car Bomb Outside Moscow, Reports Say



Project Lakhta: Russian national charged with US election meddling

She was also sanctioned by the U.K. and presumably other nations.

It could be an accident but some reports of Dugin reportedly switching cars beforehand.

See also: Search Results | The SuperHeroHype Forums
See also: Foundations of Geopolitics - Wikipedia

I've never been crazy about the idea of assassination. Sometimes it just inspires the other side to dig in even harder.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

It's possible Putin believe Dugin has outlived his usefulness and needs him as the spiritual leader of the hardliners gone (Dugin also has issues with China which presents a problem for the Russia/China alliance) or another faction inside Russia that simply wanted him gone like angry oligarchs. Provided, of course, there isn't some other cause of the vehicle's explosion.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

Media Matters - Alex Jones Brags About Praise From “Top Putin Advisers” [such as Dugin] On Russian TV For His Pro-Trump Coverage

 

[squeekness]

Crazy how praise from dictator bootlickers is something to be prized.

 

[InCali]

Crazy how praise from dictator bootlickers is something to be prized.

Fascist is as fascist does.....

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

NBC News - Dennis Rodman says he's going to Russia to seek release of Brittney Griner
The former NBA player has tried to cultivate an image as an informal U.S. diplomat to North Korea and Russia.

 

[InCali]

I'm sure everyone is comforted by his diplomatic efforts.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

NBC News - Russia launches murder investigation after car bomb kills daughter of key Putin ally

Serbian President implores NATO to do more in Kosovo as tensions rise

Serbia, along with its allies Russia and China, has refused to recognise Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence.

Guy's just trying to stir **** up with Russia and China behind him.

 

[InCali]

NBC News - Russia launches murder investigation after car bomb kills daughter of key Putin ally

Serbian President implores NATO to do more in Kosovo as tensions rise



Guy's just trying to stir **** up with Russia and China behind him.

I'm sure their "investigation" will get to the bottom of it. I wonder who the scapegoat will be. Everyone better mind their Ps and Qs.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

Biden announces another $3 billion in arms for Ukraine [to defend against Russia's invasion] -- but Kyiv still frets about long-term US commitment - CNN

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

 

[Iceman]

Biden announces another $3 billion in arms for Ukraine [to defend against Russia's invasion] -- but Kyiv still frets about long-term US commitment - CNN

All these contributions must be adding up. Russia’s military budget in 2021 was $66B but every penny with Ukraine will be used to defend against Russia right now.

 

[squeekness]

Biden announces another $3 billion in arms for Ukraine [to defend against Russia's invasion] -- but Kyiv still frets about long-term US commitment - CNN

If we run out of money to send arms, does that count as losing commitment? We're spending big bucks here. We need to spend it to be sure, but how can it keep being not enough?

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

CBS partially retracts documentary that outraged Ukraine by claiming that US weapon shipments were going missing (August 8, 2022)

They never had a good source for the claim in the first place.