Ukraine

[Daehawk]

Ill be glad to get off this page as that video Is linked always autoplays and makes me jump.

EDIT>....well never mind then

[Defiant]

[Defiant]

Turkish workers at the Gemont factory in Russia's Tatarstan region have protested that their U.S.-dollar pegged salaries are being paid using an exchange rate from before the ruble plunged in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Officials in Tatarstan's Nizhnekamsk district, where the Turkish-owned factory is located, said on March 5 that the workers demanded their salaries be paid at the current rate, which is 111 rubles to $1, instead of the 79.5 rubles to $1 they were paid this week.

According to the officials, the workers stopped the protest after the factory administration agreed to pay the salary at a rate of 90 rubles to $1.

https://www.rferl.org/a/tatarstan-ruble ... 37960.html

[Drazzil]

This is one horrible tricky spot Putin got himself into. To say that I am disappointed in him is an understatement. I always admired Putin for the way he was able hold onto power and stand Russia up as a counterpoint to the west. I never liked him, I admired him for being able to play a shitty hand to the best.

Ukrane I believe is going to be Putin's bleeding ulcer for as long as he is in power and alive.

Spoiled for a flight of fancy.

Spoiler:

If I were magically elected Tzar Drazzil the First tomorrow; the first thing I'd do is have my soldiers withdraw in the quickest way possible. I'd have them just leave all the equipment and material right where they dropped it (Call it a tribute to the Ukrainian people) I'd also withdraw immediately from the contested regions of the Ukraine, offering fat bribes of money and land (on the Russian side of the fence) to those "settlers" who decided to emigrate to Ukraine to contest the region.

My larger term goals for Russia would be to turn every Ruble of oil revenue into green technology and infrastructure investment. After I brought every last oglarch to some sort of fair trial and justice, I'd stick around long enough to see my green technology and infrastructure investment bear fruit, the laws re-written and the courts cleaned out. I'd rewrite the constitution, set up a parliamentary government with ranked choice voting, and relegate myself to being a figurehead. My ugly mug would be on one half of the coinage till I died of old age or everything fell apart and I'm machinegunned in a basement. Hey magic only goes so far.

Also I should have thrown in, I'd also petition to join NATO and the EU. Get lots and lots of Allies to make it painful for China to attack Russia if they ever decided that Russia "had always been a part of China"

[Archinerd]

Translation of a supposedly leaked letter from a FSB analyst.

We are plowing to create a scenario to blame everything on Ukraine. Naryshkin (Director of Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia) and his SVR is digging the ground to prove that Ukraine was secretly building nuclear weapons. F*&K.

They are hammering at what we’ve already analyzed and closed the book on: We can’t just make up any evidence or proof and existence of specialists and Uranium. Ukraine has a ton of depleted isotope 238 – this is nothing. The production cycle is such that you can’t do it in secret

A dirty bomb can’t be created in secret. Ukraine’s old nuclear power plants can only produce the material as a by-product in minimal amounts. The Americans have such monitoring at these plants with MAGATE that even talking about this is stupid.

Apparently #TeamPutin didn't get the memo and they're already pushing that narrative.

BREAKING: Russian intelligence claim that Ukraine was close to developing a nuclear weapon.

"Creation of a nuclear explosive device, which could later be used in the design of nuclear warheads, was carried out using both uranium and plutonium."

I thought Ukraine already had nukes... but a quick google search turns up that they used to have nukes.

I guess it comforts me that Russia is still trying to find some justification for this war. At some level, they still think it matters what the rest of the world thinks of them, therefore may be less inclined to blow us all up.

[IceBear]

I feel more it's more of a justification to the Russian people. The Ukraine (and the West) were getting ready to nuke us...guess we'd better nuke them first

[Defiant]

I thought Ukraine already had nukes... but a quick google search turns up that they used to have nukes.

... until they gave them up in exchange for assurances that their borders and sovereignty would be respected that were signed by countries that included (checks notes) Russia.

[paulbaxter]

Ugh, I've succumbed to "somebody on the internet was wrong" on facebook. I've been watching and studying Ukraine for almost 20 years now, so I know a little bit. That, plus having several friends there who have been posting heartbreaking stories has gotten me emotionally involved. I really wish I wasn't.

Fwiw, two of my Ukrainian friends have their daughter and son-in-law living with them in Kyiv, and they are expecting a baby at any time. She's at 40 weeks now. Every night since this began they've had to evacuate their apartment around 2am when the air raid sirens go off and move down to the bomb shelter.

I pray for them, and if you're so inclined I'm sure they'd appreciate your thoughts and prayers as well.

[xwraith]

An interesting briefing about what types of tanks and equipment are being lost (and where) in Ukraine.

[Daehawk]

President Nixon pretty much spot on warned the first Bush administration of this. He advised Clinton until his stroke in 94. I cant find the exact text I wanted to post. But it was pretty much word for word in detail what Putin has done that Nixon was warning them about.

Heres a link to some info on his letters to HW and his advising Clinton. With this stuff he was sorta like a modern day Nostradamus.

Richard Nixon's 'prescient' prediction about Russia from 1992 resurfaces

You'd have to look up the letters Nixon sent to Bush Sr about Russia to find the text I wanted. I cant find it.

[Max Peck]

President Nixon pretty much spot on warned the first Bush administration of this. He advised Clinton until his stroke in 94. I cant find the exact text I wanted to post. But it was pretty much word for word in detail what Putin has done that Nixon was warning them about.

Heres a link to some info on his letters to HW and his advising Clinton. With this stuff he was sorta like a modern day Nostradamus.

Richard Nixon's 'prescient' prediction about Russia from 1992 resurfaces

You'd have to look up the letters Nixon sent to Bush Sr about Russia to find the text I wanted. I cant find it.

[Holman]

Ugh, I've succumbed to "somebody on the internet was wrong" on facebook. I've been watching and studying Ukraine for almost 20 years now, so I know a little bit. That, plus having several friends there who have been posting heartbreaking stories has gotten me emotionally involved. I really wish I wasn't.

Fwiw, two of my Ukrainian friends have their daughter and son-in-law living with them in Kyiv, and they are expecting a baby at any time. She's at 40 weeks now. Every night since this began they've had to evacuate their apartment around 2am when the air raid sirens go off and move down to the bomb shelter.

I pray for them, and if you're so inclined I'm sure they'd appreciate your thoughts and prayers as well.

Wishing the best for them. I hope they know that the civilized world sees what they're going though.

[Carpet_pissr]

Sorry guys, I’m not going to try to ‘quote’ replies anymore - it’s just too painful on mobile.

Re: Kraken’s post above, the author asserts:

“Russia realized that the rest of the world is utterly dependent upon its fossil fuel exports.“

While ROW may be affected by changes in Russian fossil fuel exports (due to Europe being dependent, and Europe being such a big part of the interconnected global economy) , I would probably replace “rest of the world” with “Europe”, no? Or change the word ‘dependent’.

Maybe too pedantic, but there’s a pretty big difference between ‘dependency’ and ‘affected by’.

Do you use Tapatalk?

It's literally one button

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

Used to, until it started draining battery like crazy and heating my phone til it was super hot to touch.

[Drazzil]

I said the same thing to my wife about 6 hours ago: That someone close to him, just needs to poison his tea.

[Drazzil]

I thought Ukraine already had nukes... but a quick google search turns up that they used to have nukes.

... until they gave them up in exchange for assurances that their borders and sovereignty would be respected that were signed by countries that included (checks notes) Russia.

So here's a stupid question. Do Russia and the other beligerants in this stupid stupid war realize that North Korea and Iran and every other non nuclear power are taking notes? Don;t they think that the NN powers realize that the only way you get to be left alone is to "join the club"? Good luck on getting any country give up their nukes ever. Treaties mean shit paper.

[UsulofDoom]

I thought Ukraine already had nukes... but a quick google search turns up that they used to have nukes.

... until they gave them up in exchange for assurances that their borders and sovereignty would be respected that were signed by countries that included (checks notes) Russia.

So here's a stupid question. Do Russia and the other beligerants in this stupid stupid war realize that North Korea and Iran and every other non nuclear power are taking notes? Don;t they think that the NN powers realize that the only way you get to be left alone is to "join the club"? Good luck on getting any country give up their nukes ever. Treaties mean shit paper.

You can't think that way. Thats what the people who want to keep the second amendment think.

[Daehawk]

I have 2 arms....and they're nekkid.

[Carpet_pissr]

If you’re interested in helping out Ukrainians in a direct way, consider renting Airbnb’s there. We did it today and the message we got back was heart warming.

[LawBeefaroni]

I thought Ukraine already had nukes... but a quick google search turns up that they used to have nukes.

... until they gave them up in exchange for assurances that their borders and sovereignty would be respected that were signed by countries that included (checks notes) Russia.

So here's a stupid question. Do Russia and the other beligerants in this stupid stupid war realize that North Korea and Iran and every other non nuclear power are taking notes? Don;t they think that the NN powers realize that the only way you get to be left alone is to "join the club"? Good luck on getting any country give up their nukes ever. Treaties mean shit paper.

You can't think that way. Thats what the people who want to keep the second amendment think.

You have one of the first countries to give up nukes and here they are being invaded. Not sure how you spin it any other way. They're invaded because they don't have nukes and no one is stopping Russia because they do have nukes.

Side note to Drazzil: North Korea already has nukes.

[LawBeefaroni]

If you’re interested in helping out Ukrainians in a direct way, consider renting Airbnb’s there. We did it today and the message we got back was heart warming.

Interesting.

WLS-TV People around the world are booking Airbnbs in Ukraine. They don't plan to check in.
...
The idea has picked up momentum. On March 2 and March 3, guests from around the world booked more than 61,000 nights in Ukraine, according to an Airbnb spokesperson. More than half of those nights were booked by Americans, the spokesperson said.

[Defiant]

Russia is demanding that Ukraine cease military action, change its constitution to enshrine neutrality, acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory and recognise the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk as independent territories, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Peskov told Reuters that Russia had told Ukraine it was ready to halt its military action "in a moment" if Kyiv met its conditions.

It was the most explicit Russian statement so far of the terms it wants to impose on Ukraine to halt what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine, now in its 12th day.

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/artic ... conditions

[Defiant]

Could be disinformation, but...

The Russian invasion of Ukraine will be a “total failure” and could result in “real international conflict” in the coming months, according to a whistleblower from Russia’s security service.

An anonymous report thought to be written by an analyst in the FSB said the security agency was not forewarned of the invasion of Ukraine and was unprepared to deal with the effects of crippling sanctions.

When US intelligence services are more informed than Russian services about (checks note) Russia's plans.

The whistleblower added that no one in the Kremlin knew the true figure of Russian casualties because “we have lost contact with major divisions”, but that an estimated 10,000 soldiers have died since fighting began last month. Russia has only acknowledged the deaths of 498 of its soldiers in Ukraine.

The letter said Russia has a “provisional deadline of June” to complete the war “because by June we will have no economy left”.

“Is there a possibility of a local nuclear strike? Yes,” they said. “Not for military purposes (it will not give anything — this is a defence breakthrough weapon), but with the aim of intimidating others.”

https://inews.co.uk/news/russian-invasi ... er-1501734

[IceBear]

Russia is demanding that Ukraine cease military action, change its constitution to enshrine neutrality, acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory and recognise the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk as independent territories, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Peskov told Reuters that Russia had told Ukraine it was ready to halt its military action "in a moment" if Kyiv met its conditions.

It was the most explicit Russian statement so far of the terms it wants to impose on Ukraine to halt what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine, now in its 12th day.

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/artic ... conditions

I know it's selfish of me and would just be a temporary fix but a lot of me says take it if it's true. I think if they don't Russia will use a tactical nuke on Kyiv to end their losses.

[Defiant]

Even if this offer is genuine (and I suppose it might be a face saving way of cutting their losses in a disastrous war before things get worse for them), I wouldn't trust Putin's word at all (between their violation of the Budapest Memorandum to their repeated violations of ceasefires (in Ukraine, Syria, Georgia), so even if Ukraine considered this offer acceptable, it would need something to ensure that Russia abides by it. How about we give Ukraine a nuke or two that fell off the back of a truck?

[Kraken]

Those terms amount to “surrender unconditionally,” so I reckon they’re a non-starter. It does reveal Putin’s definition of victory, though.

[IceBear]

Yes, Russia's word means nothing.

[Unagi]

Russia is demanding that Ukraine cease military action, change its constitution to enshrine neutrality, acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory and recognise the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk as independent territories, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Peskov told Reuters that Russia had told Ukraine it was ready to halt its military action "in a moment" if Kyiv met its conditions.

It was the most explicit Russian statement so far of the terms it wants to impose on Ukraine to halt what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine, now in its 12th day.

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/artic ... conditions

I know it's selfish of me and would just be a temporary fix but a lot of me says take it if it's true. I think if they don't Russia will use a tactical nuke on Kyiv to end their losses.

I fear that opinions and attitudes like this are exactly what empowers and empowered Putin, and it must stop.

And to wish Ukraine took/takes the offer?! What problem do you have if they want to fight for their democracy?

I feel completely gross thinking that Ukraine needs to agree to Russias demands. It’s the last thing I feel they should do.


I know it will be painful, but (also selfish of me) I want this to be the end of Putin.

He’s a fucking monster. True villain.

[malchior]

I know it's selfish of me and would just be a temporary fix but a lot of me says take it if it's true. I think if they don't Russia will use a tactical nuke on Kyiv to end their losses.

Not likely. Kyiv is the center of Russian identity. They might use one but it won't be on that city.

[Skinypupy]

Russia is demanding that Ukraine cease military action, change its constitution to enshrine neutrality, acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory and recognise the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk as independent territories, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Peskov told Reuters that Russia had told Ukraine it was ready to halt its military action "in a moment" if Kyiv met its conditions.

It was the most explicit Russian statement so far of the terms it wants to impose on Ukraine to halt what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine, now in its 12th day.

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/artic ... conditions

I know it's selfish of me and would just be a temporary fix but a lot of me says take it if it's true. I think if they don't Russia will use a tactical nuke on Kyiv to end their losses.

I fear that opinions and attitudes like this are exactly what empowers and empowered Putin, and it must stop.

And to wish Ukraine took/takes the offer?! What problem do you have if they want to fight for their democracy?

I feel completely gross thinking that Ukraine needs to agree to Russias demands. It’s the last thing I feel they should do.

I have no problem with them fighting for their democracy, if that's what they want to do. But that's very easy for me to say from halfway across the world in absolutely zero danger.

The rubble that Ukrainian cities are currently being reduced to and the bodies in the streets might cause people to strongly consider Russia's offer.

I know it will be painful, but (also selfish of me) I want this to be the end of Putin.

He’s a fucking monster. True villain.

No arguments there.

[Unagi]

The irony only struck me just now…

There are actually no chickens in Kyiv.

[Unagi]

I have no problem with them fighting for their democracy, if that's what they want to do. But that's very easy for me to say from halfway across the world in absolutely zero danger.

Yes, but Icebear feels so much the other way - that he felt selfish in declaring it. To me, that doesn't make sense. Literally. I don't understand how that's him being selfish, when I feel massively selfish wishing the Ukranians had unlimited will and resolve - enough to actually maybe bring an end to Putin's existence. (And my god, do I wish we and the world supported them more)

The rubble that Ukrainian cities are currently being reduced to and the bodies in the streets might cause people to strongly consider Russia's offer.

I mean, I guess Icebear is already at this point and that's why he feels selfish in crying "Uncle" ? That's the impression I'm left with.

I don't mean to pick on you Icebear, I certainly admire your desire for peace... I just (as you said yourself) think your wishes only lead to a temporary peace and I'd rather pay a little more for what could be a more lasting one.

[IceBear]

I honestly, and maybe this is just the pessimist in me, but I 100% believe this will lead to nuclear war. Yes, I know Putin is evil and this is just a repeat of Nazi Germany. I would very much like for this to end with Putin's defeat and trial for war crimes. I have zero faith that's going to happen. He will go to nukes before much longer. I have seen nothing that convinces me otherwise. I mean, it's insane...Ukraine is sacred Russian soil in his opinion so there should be no way he would nuke it, but he will rather than lose and be embarrassed.

So, yeah, if they want those two territories that were trying to break away and for the Ukraine to remain neutral I am all for it. I haven't really had a night's sleep since the 24th as I'm sure there will be a headline that he has launched nukes any day now. Again, it's not rational for him to do that...whaaa, you're hurting my economy, stop or I'll nuke you...dude, there will be 0 economy if you do that. I honestly have no faith there's anyone left to stand up to him when that moment comes otherwise I'd be all for us doing more.

I do hope that I'm 100% wrong...and honestly I'm at the point in my life where I no longer give a fuck about my future, but when I look at my son just starting his I just really want to avoid a nuclear war.

And I do know that giving in to Putin only encourages him to do more...but I'm hoping that the next step takes time and he just dies before then (again not likely, but he's almost 70 so one can hope)

[Unagi]

When you say that, what do you mean? That no one would engage him, militarily, even if he started using tactical nukes in Kyiv?

[El Guapo]

Those terms amount to “surrender unconditionally,” so I reckon they’re a non-starter. It does reveal Putin’s definition of victory, though.

Well, not exactly. Putin's maximalist gains at the start of this invasion were likely some form of regime change - installing a Kremlin-friendly puppet government, and possibly splitting off parts of Ukraine (beyond just the separatist regions) and making them part of Russia proper.

So this deal wouldn't give Putin everything that he wants, although it is a lot. I do wonder whether Ukraine would take a deal that recognized Russian takeover of Crimea but not the eastern regions, though.

[IceBear]

No, I'm pretty sure at that point everyone would, including maybe even China as nuclear war wouldn't be in their interest either

[IceBear]

Just so you all understand my level of pessimism, when I was in university, every semester while I was waiting for the grades to be posted I was confident that I had flunked out. That's just how my freaking brain works and I know it's not healthy

[Unagi]

I honestly have no faith there's anyone left to stand up to him when that moment comes otherwise I'd be all for us doing more.

You have a country doing that, right now - and you are kinda wishing they would stop standing up to him. That's what I don't get. I would think you would join me in the thought (with the goal being to keep a future available to our kids) that we may actually truly need (Need!) Ukraine to stand up to Putin right now, and win it.

[IceBear]

I honestly have no faith there's anyone left to stand up to him when that moment comes otherwise I'd be all for us doing more.

You have a country doing that, right now - and you are kinda wishing they would stop standing up to him. That's what I don't get. I would think you would join me in the thought (with the goal being to keep a future available to our kids) that we may actually truly need (Need!) Ukraine to stand up to Putin right now, and win it.

I don't disagree with any of that. The problem is, they won't win. Putin will go to the nuclear option first and then we all lose. I hope to God I'm wrong.

[Unagi]

Just so you all understand my level of pessimism, when I was in university, every semester while I was waiting for the grades to be posted I was confident that I had flunked out. That's just how my freaking brain works and I know it's not healthy

I'm fine with your pessimism, personally, I just want to focus it on the long-term pending doom, instead of the kneejerk-panic-short-term one.

[LawBeefaroni]

Russia is trotting out WMD claims now. That the US built bio weapon labs in Ukraine.

Q-Anon has picked this up, saying that Trump and Putin are working together to destroy Fauci led labs there. Presumably where we made COVID?



I guess such an angle was inevitable:

From 2020:

Ex-Soviet Bioweapons Labs Are Fighting COVID-19. Moscow Doesn’t Like It.

A network of Soviet-era laboratories once used to track plague outbreaks and develop bioweapons during the Cold War is at the front line of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic in Central Asia and the Caucasus. That hasn’t stopped Russia from instigating a propaganda and disinformation campaign against these labs, which were modernized and converted to civilian purposes long ago. That’s because these disease-control labs, located in former fiefs of the Soviet empire, are a legacy of one of the most successful and benevolent foreign-policy programs the United States has ever undertaken.