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Ukraine
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Markov was "interviewed" in R4 Today at about 8.10-8.15 today, issuing threats of nuclear attacks. He said the US and GB are principal aggressors fighting in Ukraine with a proxy, threatening Russia with nuclear weapons, so he specified us as a target in return. Interviewer hardly got a word in. Later in the programme, a measured assessment of the situation from a former ambassador to Moscow.
Sabre rattling, I'm sure (well, one has to be sure for peace of mind) but nonetheless unsettling.......Last edited by Cockney Sparrow; 21-09-22, 15:38. Reason: Correction : Markov, (not Medvedev). Thanks FF-#1248
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Medvedev? I read that it was Sergey Markov, an ex-member of the Duma. For him Ukraine and the West have invaded Russia, which is how Putin is presenting it.
Originally posted by Cockney Sparrow View PostMedvedev was "interviewed" in R4 Today at about 8.10-8.15 today, issuing threats of nuclear attacks. He said the US and GB are principal aggressors fighting in Ukraine with a proxy, threatening Russia with nuclear weapons, so he specified us as a target in return. Interviewer hardly got a word in. Later in the programme, a measured assessment of the situation from a former ambassador to Moscow.
Sabre rattling, I'm sure (well, one has to be sure for peace of mind) but nonetheless unsettling.......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.
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Originally posted by Cockney Sparrow View PostMarkov was "interviewed" in R4 Today at about 8.10-8.15 today, issuing threats of nuclear attacks. He said the US and GB are principal aggressors fighting in Ukraine with a proxy, threatening Russia with nuclear weapons, so he specified us as a target in return. Interviewer hardly got a word in. Later in the programme, a measured assessment of the situation from a former ambassador to Moscow.
Sabre rattling, I'm sure (well, one has to be sure for peace of mind) but nonetheless unsettling.......
"...And he is making yet more bogus claims and sabre-rattling threats. This will not work.”
I don't follow such things regularly so perhaps this sort of statement is considered OK, but my first reaction was that when dealing with an unstable person holding a loaded gun you don't treat that person as a minor irritation and scorn the threats, which almost inevitably will be interpreted as goading and/or bluff calling - very much not what is wanted when nuclear weapons are involved I would have thought. It needs much more diplomacy to get across a message than she appears to possess?
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Originally posted by oddoneout View Postmy first reaction was that when dealing with an unstable person holding a loaded gun you don't treat that person as a minor irritation and scorn the threats
You threaten us fellow - do your worst,
Blow your pipe until you burst.
With an unfortunate consequence. A diplomat is another thing that Truss isn't, obviously. I just hope the protests take hold and there aren't enough prison inmates to make up for the Russian losses.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.
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Originally posted by Historian View PostAs Putin's offensives have slowed, in the face of unexpected Ukrainian resistance, he has reverted to type (cf. Grozny, Aleppo). Mariupol and other cities are besieged and under heavy bombardment, regardless of civilian casualties. Worst-case scenario might be a stalemate with both sides entrenched and neither able to force a win.
Happily, I was overly pessimistic: Ukraine is clearly winning now. Their ultimate victory will probably be delayed by the so-called 'partial mobilisation' but a horde of unwilling, effectively untrained men without proper equipment and leadership will not stop Ukraine taking back Luhansk, Donetsk and, with any luck, Crimea.
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Originally posted by Historian View PostOut of interest I have been going through this thread from the beginning. This is what I wrote just over six months ago - 20th March - when the war was entering it's second month.
Happily, I was overly pessimistic: Ukraine is clearly winning now. Their ultimate victory will probably be delayed by the so-called 'partial mobilisation' but a horde of unwilling, effectively untrained men without proper equipment and leadership will not stop Ukraine taking back Luhansk, Donetsk and, with any luck, Crimea.
All prescient and correct!
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Originally posted by Historian View Post(Probably too many posts from me on this memorable day but couldn't resist.)
Those of you who have been following events may remember the prolonged battle for Severodonetsk beginning in May and ending with Ukraine's retreat on 24th June.
I believe that today Ukraine has begun the recapture of Severodonetsk.
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Originally posted by Historian View PostNot entirely prescient I'm afraid. Lyman, mentioned above, has yet to fall. Severodonetsk is still under Russian control.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.
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Kherson is the only oblast capital the Russians have taken this year. Even Putin would struggle to claim that he holds Kherson Oblast without holding the city. Hence the political imperative supersedes military reality.
As an organisation the Russian army has never set much store on the lives of its personnel and there is little chance of withdrawing much of their equipment as the bridges are too far damaged and/or within range of Ukrainian artillery. The Russian military leadership has been shown to be very poor, which may give Putin some reason for his evident contempt of his defence minister Shoigu. As you point out, he is not the first dictator to try to run a war unsuccessfully.
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