Originally posted by Bryn
View Post
Ukraine
Collapse
X
-
This is how Channel 4 wrote up the latest headline story:
"In an apparent retaliation for the sinking of the Moskva warship, Russia hit Kyiv with rocket fire today. Among its targets was a factory making anti-ship missiles – the kind Ukraine claims sank the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet yesterday."
How could it be retaliation? The Moskva had a fire and that caused an ammunitions explosion. And the vessel sank in stormy seas when it was being towed away. Nothing to do with the Ukrainians, was it? . I assume the story about the Ukrainians launching rocket attacks on Russian border towns will be given as the "real" justification for Kyiv coming under attack again. That would strike me as not being the most effective way for Ukraine to use dwindling weaponry.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
Comment
-
-
It is now getting serious - R4 is reporting that Russia has 'hinted' that Russia has threatened use of small tactical Nukes - WW3 is almost upon us as the retaliation for the sinking (the Ukrainian claims re sinking seem to have been verified by reported photos from a Ukrainian drone) demonstrates to me that irrationality has started to take place which added to the state media pushing the line that Russia is effectively fighting the west.
Comment
-
-
Like the first use of poison gas in 1915, it is difficult to contain the effects of even a “tactical nuke”. A change in the wind can cause radiation to be spread to other countries, including NATO countries. This is essentially an attack on NATO countries, inviting retaliation. So far Putin has shown himself to be somewhat casualty averse, as in the gingerly why they handled Chernobyl and the hiring of Syrian Mercenaries
Comment
-
-
Noam Chomsky on the Russian invasion of Ukraine:
Noam Chomsky and Jeremy Scahill on the Russia-Ukraine War, the Media, Propaganda, and AccountabilityNoam Chomsky spoke with The Intercept’s Jeremy Scahill in a wide-ranging discussion on Russia’s war in Ukraine, the media, propaganda, and accountability.
JR
Comment
-
-
Just been looking at Andrew's database. If I've worked it out correctly Valentyn Silvestrov was played 3-4 times per year over the past 13 years until this year. Since 22 February he's been played every 6-7 days, once on 22nd, 23rd and 25th February and 5 times since. Guess who's been banned from visiting Russia?It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by teamsaint View PostSort of a random thought, but Pacifism isn’t a word you hear too often these days.
At least I don’t.
Comment
-
-
Don't know how many if any saw the Ross Kemp documentary on nationalism and the far right in Ukraine of 2015. This link to the programme informs another perspective on the conflict, the opposing forces already then at work in the east of the country, and many of those who have been driven to take on the invaders in the spirit of patria o muerte.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Serial_Apologist View PostDon't know how many if any saw the Ross Kemp documentary on nationalism and the far right in Ukraine of 2015. This link to the programme informs another perspective on the conflict, the opposing forces already then at work in the east of the country, and many of those who have been driven to take on the invaders in the spirit of patria o muerte.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7vpslq
As for the Azov Battalion, a sad example of 'My enemy's enemy is my friend'.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
Comment
-
-
The BBC reports a Russian general as saying that control over southern Ukraine will give them a corridor into Transnistria in Moldova where Russian speakers are also 'being oppressed'.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by french frank View PostThe BBC reports a Russian general as saying that control over southern Ukraine will give them a corridor into Transnistria in Moldova where Russian speakers are also 'being oppressed'.
It may be that, if they make considerable progress in the new offensives in the east of Ukraine, then they might start to aim higher. However, the fighting power of the Russian army has been massively reduced, something which is not apparent from looking at mere numbers. The Russians do not show many signs of having learned from their earlier failures as they are again attacking on a broad front with a substantial number of units which will not have had time to recover from their earlier losses. There is no large reserve for them to use and they have thrown away the chance to rebuild their army to make it more effective.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Historian View PostI understand your point of view but I think it's another example of Russia stirring things up rather than a realistic statement of policy (assuming that it was 'authorised'). Whatever their long-term plans for 'Transnistria' there is, at present, no chance of Russia securing a land corridor to link up what they hold of southern Ukraine with the anti-Moldovan separatists.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
Comment
-
-
I can see why Estonia severely downgraded the Russian Language usage on gaining independence - any sizable Russian speaking population would appear to provide an excuse for more Russian Imperialism and the emergence of little green men - I wonder just how long the now sizeable Russian contingent will be welcomed in Georgia .
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by french frank View PostAs you may realise, I follow these events pretty closely but when they say "The first casuality of war is truth", I never know who to believe when the Western generals assert that the war is going very badly for Russia. Of course, it's what I'd like to believe and, on the face of it, it seems 'obvious' that the war is not going how Putin and his generals planned. In the south they still don't have full control of pro-Russian Donbas, so … They just seem to have a lot left to carry out a great deal of destruction. But you're right: the statement didn't have official backing. I wonder whether Moldovan views on a constitutionally neutral Moldova will change. They were 2 to 1 against joining Nato. They're now being threatened for banning pro-'Special military operation' insignia.
Yes, we have to be careful to evaluate the information we are receiving. However, information from Ukraine is much more reliable than that originating from Russia (as I am sure you have worked out for yourself). Information from 'friendly' governments and armed forces will also have a view as will, to a lesser degree, that from think tanks such as the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
The very fact that Russia continues to rain destruction on what are obviously civilian targets shows their lack of success in dealing with the unexpected military challenge posed by the Ukrainian forces. Russia's supply of guided weapons is not infinite hence the use of blunter instruments in the hope that Ukraine's will to resist will crumble. This inevitably results in huge destruction and civilian casualties which is mostly what we get to see. There is relatively little coverage (as far as I can see) of the ground war along the line of contact between the two sides (not surprisingly).
I suspect that Moldovan views are undergoing something of a change, in a similar way that Putin seems to have converted Finland and Sweden to being much more likely to seek membership of NATO. This is not a desired outcome for the 'special military operation'.
Comment
-
Comment