Ukraine has accused Russia of attacking civilian infrastructure after strikes on the country’s power grid caused widespread blackouts.

Officials said the bombardment was revenge for a rapid weekend offensive which drove Russia from its main bastion in the Kharkiv region.

They said targets included water facilities and a thermal power station in Kharkiv.

“No military facilities, the goal is to deprive people of light and heat,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter late on Sunday.

The US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, also denounced the strikes.

“Russia’s apparent response to Ukraine liberating cities and villages in the east: sending missiles to attempt to destroy critical civilian infrastructure,” she tweeted.

Moscow denies its forces deliberately target civilians.

I mean, I’m no military strategist, but this seems pretty legitimate tactic…

diddly-squat said:

I mean, I’m no military strategist, but this seems pretty legitimate tactic…

At least it isn’t a change in Russian tactics.

wonder if anyone ever used graphite bombs to shut down powers

SCIENCE said:

wonder if anyone ever used graphite bombs to shut down powers

US military used them in Iraq, Serbia, and Venezuela.

I see.

Russia “attacks” cities.
Ukraine “liberates” them.

mollwollfumble said:

I see.

Russia “attacks” cities.
Ukraine “liberates” them.

Yes, the difference being that these are Ukrainian cities, invaded by Russia.

It’s not rocket science.

mollwollfumble said:

I see.

Russia “attacks” cities.
Ukraine “liberates” them.

If they are your cities then yes

Cymek said:

mollwollfumble said:

I see.

Russia “attacks” cities.
Ukraine “liberates” them.

If they are your cities then yes

it’s a bit more complicated in the Donbass or in Crimea though…

diddly-squat said:

Cymek said:

mollwollfumble said:

I see.

Russia “attacks” cities.
Ukraine “liberates” them.

If they are your cities then yes

it’s a bit more complicated in the Donbass or in Crimea though…

^

There are Russian minorities in all Russia’s neighbouring countries. I suppose that means Russia should be free to overrun them.

There are 20,425 Russians living in Australia, so we’d better get ready to welcome a justified Russian invasion.

Bubblecar said:

There are Russian minorities in all Russia’s neighbouring countries. I suppose that means Russia should be free to overrun them.

There are 20,425 Russians living in Australia, so we’d better get ready to welcome a justified Russian invasion.

If Ukraine fires missiles into Russian territory in Russia its attacking them.

Cymek said:

Bubblecar said:

There are Russian minorities in all Russia’s neighbouring countries. I suppose that means Russia should be free to overrun them.

There are 20,425 Russians living in Australia, so we’d better get ready to welcome a justified Russian invasion.

If Ukraine fires missiles into Russian territory in Russia its attacking them.

but seriously it’s fair play we agree that the jack shit should be removed from the Australian flag, use the black yellow red one say

SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

Bubblecar said:

There are Russian minorities in all Russia’s neighbouring countries. I suppose that means Russia should be free to overrun them.

There are 20,425 Russians living in Australia, so we’d better get ready to welcome a justified Russian invasion.

If Ukraine fires missiles into Russian territory in Russia its attacking them.

but seriously it’s fair play we agree that the jack shit should be removed from the Australian flag, use the black yellow red one say

Yeah I thought that for years, even not being the symbol for what it is, its a nicer flag.

Bubblecar said:

There are Russian minorities in all Russia’s neighbouring countries. I suppose that means Russia should be free to overrun them.

There are 20,425 Russians living in Australia, so we’d better get ready to welcome a justified Russian invasion.

Nods.

anyway when they roll back the American colonialism to the rightful custodians as well then we’ll accept all the other simplistic geopolitics, hell it was all Africa once upon a time

Bubblecar said:

There are Russian minorities in all Russia’s neighbouring countries. I suppose that means Russia should be free to overrun them.

There are 20,425 Russians living in Australia, so we’d better get ready to welcome a justified Russian invasion.

My point is that Crimea and Donbas have been existing as “independent” states for the best part of the last decade. Any military action on those cities could be viewed by the locals as an “attack” – but I fully acknowledge that these places are sovereign Ukrainian territory.

Cymek said:

SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

If Ukraine fires missiles into Russian territory in Russia its attacking them.

but seriously it’s fair play we agree that the jack shit should be removed from the Australian flag, use the black yellow red one say

Yeah I thought that for years, even not being the symbol for what it is, its a nicer flag.

No, no, it has to have a kangaroo on it, or foreign people won’t know which country it represents.

Whenever there’s a design-a-flag competition, the front-runners always seem to have a kangaroo on them, to make sure people know it’s Australian.

Just like the American flag has Mickey Mouse on it, and the British flag has a badger, and the Finnish flag has a reindeer, and…

Russia will conscript citizens with military experience to fight in the war against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced. Follow live.

roughbarked said:

Russia will conscript citizens with military experience to fight in the war against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced. Follow live.

Gee, didn’t Tsar Nicholas II have a lot of conscripts who did not really want to fight and die/be maimed in a futile war just to prop up the Tsar’s rotten regime?

And, IIRC, that didn’t end all that well for Nicky.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

Russia will conscript citizens with military experience to fight in the war against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced. Follow live.

Gee, didn’t Tsar Nicholas II have a lot of conscripts who did not really want to fight and die/be maimed in a futile war just to prop up the Tsar’s rotten regime?

And, IIRC, that didn’t end all that well for Nicky.

Putin can also do a purge of all his able bodied generals in case they usurp him

Flights out of Russia sell out after Putin orders military call-up

Hehehehe

sibeen said:

Flights out of Russia sell out after Putin orders military call-up

Hehehehe

Armageddin outta ere

I reckon we should offer half a billion to any Russian crews who defect with a nuclear submarine.

party_pants said:

I reckon we should offer half a billion to any Russian crews who defect with a nuclear submarine.

Next month.

Heather Cox Richardson
5 h ·
September 20, 2022 (Tuesday)
There is big news today out of Russia, where the legislative body abruptly passed harsh penalties on those who don’t report to military duty, who surrender, or who refuse to fight against Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian-installed officials in the parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia announced referenda for later this week on joining those territories to Russia.
Once those territories vote to join Russia—as authorities will undoubtedly declare, no matter what any actual vote might look like—Russia says it will see any attack on that region by Ukraine as an attack on Russia itself.
This looks quite as if Putin is worried the recent Ukrainian advance is going to force the Russians out of the Ukrainian territory they invaded in 2014, and is setting up a scenario to be able to hold that territory, at least.
Today, Putin was scheduled to make a major speech, but after several hours of delay, media figures announced the speech would take place tomorrow.
The news out of Russia made the Moscow Stock Exchange drop almost 7%

sibeen said:

Flights out of Russia sell out after Putin orders military call-up

Hehehehe

как сломать руку is Russian for “How to break your arm”

sarahs mum said:

Heather Cox Richardson
5 h ·
September 20, 2022 (Tuesday)
There is big news today out of Russia, where the legislative body abruptly passed harsh penalties on those who don’t report to military duty, who surrender, or who refuse to fight against Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian-installed officials in the parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia announced referenda for later this week on joining those territories to Russia.
Once those territories vote to join Russia—as authorities will undoubtedly declare, no matter what any actual vote might look like—Russia says it will see any attack on that region by Ukraine as an attack on Russia itself.
This looks quite as if Putin is worried the recent Ukrainian advance is going to force the Russians out of the Ukrainian territory they invaded in 2014, and is setting up a scenario to be able to hold that territory, at least.
Today, Putin was scheduled to make a major speech, but after several hours of delay, media figures announced the speech would take place tomorrow.
The news out of Russia made the Moscow Stock Exchange drop almost 7%

I wonder if the minutes to midnight clock has been updated?

Dark Orange said:

sibeen said:

Flights out of Russia sell out after Putin orders military call-up

Hehehehe

как сломать руку is Russian for “How to break your arm”

The ruble-denominated Moscow Exchange (MOEX) fell by as much as 10%, while stocks of energy giants Rosneft and Gazprom at one point dropped by 12%.

The Russian ruble also fell close to 63 versus the dollar, its weakest in more than two months.

With his forces taking weeks of major battlefield losses in Ukraine amid Kyiv’s counteroffensive, Putin ordered an immediate mobilization of what his defense minister said was 300,000 reservists.

But human rights lawyers noted that Putin’s decree for “partial” mobilization leaves wiggle room to mobilize even more troops than publicly stated.

——

People can tell pollsters whatever they like but actions speak louder

Russia cuts deal to sell the Taliban discounted petrol, oil, gas and wheat
The Taliban signs a provisional deal for Russia to supply gasoline, diesel, gas and wheat to Afghanistan, according to Acting Afghan Commerce and Industry Minister Haji Nooruddin Azizi.
link

mollwollfumble said:

I see.

Russia “attacks” cities.
Ukraine “liberates” them.

Russia literally lobs artillery and missiles at buildings, while Ukraine lobs artillery and missiles at Russians.

Dark Orange said:

mollwollfumble said:

I see.

Russia “attacks” cities.
Ukraine “liberates” them.

Russia literally lobs artillery and missiles at buildings, while Ukraine lobs artillery and missiles at Russians.

Yeah, seems that way.

Don’t tell them.

roughbarked said:

Russia cuts deal to sell the Taliban discounted petrol, oil, gas and wheat
The Taliban signs a provisional deal for Russia to supply gasoline, diesel, gas and wheat to Afghanistan, according to Acting Afghan Commerce and Industry Minister Haji Nooruddin Azizi.
link

Sounds Strategic

Anyone reckon Putin will hold onto power?

Tau.Neutrino said:

Anyone reckon Putin will hold onto power?

Yes. For the medium term say next 2-5 years. There seems to be nobody in the system who can replace him. They are all Putin appointees to begin with and get very well looked after in terms of money and perks. Anyone capable of independent thought has already been purged, defenestrated or forced into exile.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Dark Orange said:

mollwollfumble said:

I see.

Russia “attacks” cities.
Ukraine “liberates” them.

Russia literally lobs artillery and missiles at buildings, while Ukraine lobs artillery and missiles at Russians.

Yeah, seems that way.

Don’t tell them.

so the Russians are the good guys now

The leaks are pumping huge volumes of methane into the Baltic Sea and atmosphere, likely the largest such release on record, and far greater than the Aliso Canyon disaster.

It is also the equivalent of one third of Denmark’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Danish official.

The dual pipes run from Russia to Germany, supplying much needed gas for heating and industry. However, they have been decommissioned by Russia for several weeks.

Explosions registered in Denmark, Norway and Finland shortly before the leaks were discovered.

The Kremlin has been accused of causing the leaks, which will push up energy prices.for more reading

roughbarked said:

The leaks are pumping huge volumes of methane into the Baltic Sea and atmosphere, likely the largest such release on record, and far greater than the Aliso Canyon disaster.

It is also the equivalent of one third of Denmark’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Danish official.

The dual pipes run from Russia to Germany, supplying much needed gas for heating and industry. However, they have been decommissioned by Russia for several weeks.

Explosions registered in Denmark, Norway and Finland shortly before the leaks were discovered.

The Kremlin has been accused of causing the leaks, which will push up energy prices.for more reading

It doesn’t seem to mention if they are still pumping gas or if it was just the gas in the pipes

Cymek said:

roughbarked said:

The leaks are pumping huge volumes of methane into the Baltic Sea and atmosphere, likely the largest such release on record, and far greater than the Aliso Canyon disaster.

It is also the equivalent of one third of Denmark’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Danish official.

The dual pipes run from Russia to Germany, supplying much needed gas for heating and industry. However, they have been decommissioned by Russia for several weeks.

Explosions registered in Denmark, Norway and Finland shortly before the leaks were discovered.

The Kremlin has been accused of causing the leaks, which will push up energy prices.for more reading

It doesn’t seem to mention if they are still pumping gas or if it was just the gas in the pipes

On the ABC news this morning they said it was just the gas in the pipes.

roughbarked said:

The leaks are pumping huge volumes of methane into the Baltic Sea and atmosphere, likely the largest such release on record, and far greater than the Aliso Canyon disaster.

It is also the equivalent of one third of Denmark’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Danish official.

The dual pipes run from Russia to Germany, supplying much needed gas for heating and industry. However, they have been decommissioned by Russia for several weeks.

Explosions registered in Denmark, Norway and Finland shortly before the leaks were discovered.

The Kremlin has been accused of causing the leaks, which will push up energy prices.for more reading

But, but, but Wookie said it was the Yanks!

Cymek said:

roughbarked said:

The leaks are pumping huge volumes of methane into the Baltic Sea and atmosphere, likely the largest such release on record, and far greater than the Aliso Canyon disaster.

It is also the equivalent of one third of Denmark’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Danish official.

The dual pipes run from Russia to Germany, supplying much needed gas for heating and industry. However, they have been decommissioned by Russia for several weeks.

Explosions registered in Denmark, Norway and Finland shortly before the leaks were discovered.

The Kremlin has been accused of causing the leaks, which will push up energy prices.for more reading

It doesn’t seem to mention if they are still pumping gas or if it was just the gas in the pipes

It’s just the gas in the pipes (still a significant volume). The Russians turned off the taps a while back.

so it’s a perfect opportunity to end dependence on fossil fuels but who would use it that way when they can point fingers and start wars

SCIENCE said:

so it’s a perfect opportunity to end dependence on fossil fuels but who would use it that way when they can point fingers and start wars

A spoilt child like PooTin?

Michael V said:

It’s just the gas in the pipes (still a significant volume). The Russians turned off the taps a while back.

Oh, who knows?

It’s Russia, there’s an even money chance that the gas people told Moscow that they’d turned it off, but kept the supply going for cash under the table.

captain_spalding said:

Michael V said:

It’s just the gas in the pipes (still a significant volume). The Russians turned off the taps a while back.

Oh, who knows?

It’s Russia, there’s an even money chance that the gas people told Moscow that they’d turned it off, but kept the supply going for cash under the table.

Fair comment.

I’d forgotten about the kleptocracy…

SCIENCE said:

so it’s a perfect opportunity to end dependence on fossil fuels but who would use it that way when they can point fingers and start wars

Germany is already the Green Revolution poster child, closing down coal plants and planting turbines.

That’s why they became so dependant on Russian oil.

Dark Orange said:

SCIENCE said:

so it’s a perfect opportunity to end dependence on fossil fuels but who would use it that way when they can point fingers and start wars

Germany is already the Green Revolution poster child, closing down coal plants and planting turbines.

That’s why they became so dependant on Russian oil.

So fossil fuel by proxy

Somebody wants to either punish Europe short term, or Russia long term.

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1575297931053244419

The Swedish Coastguard has found a 4th leak from the Nord Stream pipelines.
It comes from Nord Stream 2, is located in Sweden’s Economic Zone and measures 200 meter in diameter.

Dark Orange said:

Somebody wants to either punish Europe short term, or Russia long term.

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1575297931053244419

The Swedish Coastguard has found a 4th leak from the Nord Stream pipelines.
It comes from Nord Stream 2, is located in Sweden’s Economic Zone and measures 200 meter in diameter.

Bloody hell.

I have no idea of the commercial side of this stuff.

If it were Russia, they could have easily damaged their end and kept all the hardware for any future negotiations, but this damage is permanent.

Cymek said:

Dark Orange said:

SCIENCE said:

so it’s a perfect opportunity to end dependence on fossil fuels but who would use it that way when they can point fingers and start wars

Germany is already the Green Revolution poster child, closing down coal plants and planting turbines.

That’s why they became so dependant on Russian oil.

So fossil fuel by proxy

it was all lies, the poster was fake

Dark Orange said:

Somebody wants to either punish Europe short term, or Russia long term.

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1575297931053244419

Why Not Both ¿

exactly … fuck CHINA it’s all their fault

SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

Dark Orange said:

Germany is already the Green Revolution poster child, closing down coal plants and planting turbines.

That’s why they became so dependant on Russian oil.

So fossil fuel by proxy

it was all lies, the poster was fake

Actually they’ve ramped up their use of coal, to make up for closing their nuclear plants for some reason

dv said:

SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

So fossil fuel by proxy

it was all lies, the poster was fake

Actually they’ve ramped up their use of coal, to make up for closing their nuclear plants for some reason

Damn and here we were still barracking for thorium…

SCIENCE said:

dv said:

SCIENCE said:

it was all lies, the poster was fake

Actually they’ve ramped up their use of coal, to make up for closing their nuclear plants for some reason

Damn and here we were still barracking for thorium…

I haven’t heard much on thorium lately

dv said:

SCIENCE said:

dv said:

Actually they’ve ramped up their use of coal, to make up for closing their nuclear plants for some reason

Damn and here we were still barracking for thorium…

I haven’t heard much on thorium lately

Though a bit of goog reckons China is nearly ready to go live

https://www.deassociation.ca/newsfeed/chinese-molten-salt-reactor-cleared-for-start-up

Chinese molten-salt reactor cleared for start up

The Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP) – part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) – has been given approval by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment to commission an experimental thorium-powered molten-salt reactor, construction of which started in Wuwei city, Gansu province, in September 2018.

0

Open Menu

Chinese molten-salt reactor cleared for start up

IN THE NEWS

Source: | · WORLD NUCLEAR NEWS · | August 9, 2022

The Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP) – part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) – has been given approval by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment to commission an experimental thorium-powered molten-salt reactor, construction of which started in Wuwei city, Gansu province, in September 2018.

Source: A cutaway of the TMSR-LF1 reactor (Image: SINAP)

In January 2011, CAS launched a CNY3 billion (USD444 million) R&D programme on liquid fluoride thorium reactors (LFTRs), known there as the thorium-breeding molten-salt reactor (Th-MSR or TMSR), and claimed to have the world’s largest national effort on it, hoping to obtain full intellectual property rights on the technology. This is also known as the fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (FHR). The TMSR Centre at SINAP at Jiading, Shanghai, is responsible.

Construction of the 2 MWt TMSR-LF1 reactor began in September 2018 and was reportedly completed in August 2021. The prototype was scheduled to be completed in 2024, but work was accelerated.

“According to the relevant provisions of the Nuclear Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Safety Supervision and Administration of Civilian Nuclear Facilities, our bureau has conducted a technical review of the application documents you submitted, and believes that your 2 MWt liquid fuel thorium-based molten salt experimental reactor commissioning plan (Version V1.3) is acceptable and is hereby approved,” the Ministry of Ecology and Environment told SINAP on 2 August.

It added: “During the commissioning process of your 2 MWt liquid fuel thorium-based molten salt experimental reactor, you should strictly implement this plan to ensure the effectiveness of the implementation of the plan and ensure the safety and quality of debugging. If any major abnormality occurs during the commissioning process, it should be reported to our bureau and the Northwest Nuclear and Radiation Safety Supervision Station in time.”

https://www.deassociation.ca/newsfeed/chinese-molten-salt-reactor-cleared-for-start-up

President Vladimir Putin says the world faces its most dangerous decade since World War II, accusing what he cast as a declining West of engaging in nuclear blackmail against Russia.

Mr Putin said he had no regrets about sending troops into Ukraine, and accused the West of inciting the war and playing a “dangerous, bloody and dirty” geopolitical game that was sowing chaos across the world.

“The historical period of the West’s undivided dominance over world affairs is coming to an end,” Mr Putin, Russia’s paramount leader, told the Valdai Discussion Club, a gathering of Russian specialists.

“We are standing at a historical frontier: Ahead is probably the most dangerous, unpredictable and, at the same time, important decade since the end of World War II.”

… Read the whole thing

Mr Putin also repeated an assertion that Ukraine could detonate a “dirty bomb” laced with radioactive material to frame Moscow and dismissed as false Kyiv’s suggestion that the allegation might mean Russia plans to detonate such a device itself.

roughbarked said:

President Vladimir Putin says the world faces its most dangerous decade since World War II, accusing what he cast as a declining West of engaging in nuclear blackmail against Russia.

Mr Putin said he had no regrets about sending troops into Ukraine, and accused the West of inciting the war and playing a “dangerous, bloody and dirty” geopolitical game that was sowing chaos across the world.

“The historical period of the West’s undivided dominance over world affairs is coming to an end,” Mr Putin, Russia’s paramount leader, told the Valdai Discussion Club, a gathering of Russian specialists.

“We are standing at a historical frontier: Ahead is probably the most dangerous, unpredictable and, at the same time, important decade since the end of World War II.”

… Read the whole thing

Mr Putin also repeated an assertion that Ukraine could detonate a “dirty bomb” laced with radioactive material to frame Moscow and dismissed as false Kyiv’s suggestion that the allegation might mean Russia plans to detonate such a device itself.

Philip Adams was recently talking about Ukraine and Putin with Gideon Rose, author of ‘How Wars End’. (Gideon Rose is the editor of Foreign Affairs and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He served as Associate Director for Near East and South Asian Affairs on the staff of the National Security Council from (1994 to 1995) under the Clinton Administration.)

The upshot is that they agreed that Putin has realised that it’s most unlikely that Russia can beat the Ukrainians on the battlefield, which is why Putin has moved to a campaign of bombardment, threat, and terror against Ukraine’s population.

Adams suggested that the Five Stages of Grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance) are working on Putin. There’s signs that he’s been through the first stage, and may be transitioning from ‘anger’ to ‘bargaining’.

There was also talk of it being unlikely that Russia would use nuclear weapons, as that would bring Western/NATO action to a new level, and really damage Russian forces very quickly. It would be absurd, said Rose, for Putin to use nuclear weapons on the homes of the very people he claims to be trying to ‘protect’.

Rose also drew a parallel with Nixon’s and Kissinger’s ‘madman’ strategy where the suggestion that Nixon was just crazy enough to use nukes was supposed to force ‘the other side’ in the Middle East and Asia to come to the negotiating table, and that perhaps Putin is presenting his own copy of that strategy.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

President Vladimir Putin says the world faces its most dangerous decade since World War II, accusing what he cast as a declining West of engaging in nuclear blackmail against Russia.

Mr Putin said he had no regrets about sending troops into Ukraine, and accused the West of inciting the war and playing a “dangerous, bloody and dirty” geopolitical game that was sowing chaos across the world.

“The historical period of the West’s undivided dominance over world affairs is coming to an end,” Mr Putin, Russia’s paramount leader, told the Valdai Discussion Club, a gathering of Russian specialists.

“We are standing at a historical frontier: Ahead is probably the most dangerous, unpredictable and, at the same time, important decade since the end of World War II.”

… Read the whole thing

Mr Putin also repeated an assertion that Ukraine could detonate a “dirty bomb” laced with radioactive material to frame Moscow and dismissed as false Kyiv’s suggestion that the allegation might mean Russia plans to detonate such a device itself.

Philip Adams was recently talking about Ukraine and Putin with Gideon Rose, author of ‘How Wars End’. (Gideon Rose is the editor of Foreign Affairs and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He served as Associate Director for Near East and South Asian Affairs on the staff of the National Security Council from (1994 to 1995) under the Clinton Administration.)

The upshot is that they agreed that Putin has realised that it’s most unlikely that Russia can beat the Ukrainians on the battlefield, which is why Putin has moved to a campaign of bombardment, threat, and terror against Ukraine’s population.

Adams suggested that the Five Stages of Grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance) are working on Putin. There’s signs that he’s been through the first stage, and may be transitioning from ‘anger’ to ‘bargaining’.

There was also talk of it being unlikely that Russia would use nuclear weapons, as that would bring Western/NATO action to a new level, and really damage Russian forces very quickly. It would be absurd, said Rose, for Putin to use nuclear weapons on the homes of the very people he claims to be trying to ‘protect’.

Rose also drew a parallel with Nixon’s and Kissinger’s ‘madman’ strategy where the suggestion that Nixon was just crazy enough to use nukes was supposed to force ‘the other side’ in the Middle East and Asia to come to the negotiating table, and that perhaps Putin is presenting his own copy of that strategy.

It appears to be the case, yes. It is his way of telling is he wants to negotiate his version of the truth.

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

President Vladimir Putin says the world faces its most dangerous decade since World War II, accusing what he cast as a declining West of engaging in nuclear blackmail against Russia.

Mr Putin said he had no regrets about sending troops into Ukraine, and accused the West of inciting the war and playing a “dangerous, bloody and dirty” geopolitical game that was sowing chaos across the world.

“The historical period of the West’s undivided dominance over world affairs is coming to an end,” Mr Putin, Russia’s paramount leader, told the Valdai Discussion Club, a gathering of Russian specialists.

“We are standing at a historical frontier: Ahead is probably the most dangerous, unpredictable and, at the same time, important decade since the end of World War II.”

… Read the whole thing

Mr Putin also repeated an assertion that Ukraine could detonate a “dirty bomb” laced with radioactive material to frame Moscow and dismissed as false Kyiv’s suggestion that the allegation might mean Russia plans to detonate such a device itself.

Philip Adams was recently talking about Ukraine and Putin with Gideon Rose, author of ‘How Wars End’. (Gideon Rose is the editor of Foreign Affairs and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He served as Associate Director for Near East and South Asian Affairs on the staff of the National Security Council from (1994 to 1995) under the Clinton Administration.)

The upshot is that they agreed that Putin has realised that it’s most unlikely that Russia can beat the Ukrainians on the battlefield, which is why Putin has moved to a campaign of bombardment, threat, and terror against Ukraine’s population.

Adams suggested that the Five Stages of Grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance) are working on Putin. There’s signs that he’s been through the first stage, and may be transitioning from ‘anger’ to ‘bargaining’.

There was also talk of it being unlikely that Russia would use nuclear weapons, as that would bring Western/NATO action to a new level, and really damage Russian forces very quickly. It would be absurd, said Rose, for Putin to use nuclear weapons on the homes of the very people he claims to be trying to ‘protect’.

Rose also drew a parallel with Nixon’s and Kissinger’s ‘madman’ strategy where the suggestion that Nixon was just crazy enough to use nukes was supposed to force ‘the other side’ in the Middle East and Asia to come to the negotiating table, and that perhaps Putin is presenting his own copy of that strategy.

It appears to be the case, yes. It is his way of telling is he wants to negotiate his version of the truth.

Hopefully he hurries to the “depression” stage and ends up in a bunker with a hand gun.

CNN —

Russian lawmakers agreed to toughen the country’s discriminatory law against so-called same-sex “propaganda,” moving to ban all Russians from promoting or “praising” homosexual relationships or publicly suggesting that they are “normal.”

Moscow’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, approved unanimously amendments to strengthen the law against “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations,” making such propaganda illegal among Russians of all ages, according to the parliament’s official website.

The original version of the law adopted in 2013 banned “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” among minors.

“Our bill is not an act of censorship. We are only saying that propaganda, that is, positive promotion, praise, saying that this is normal, and maybe even better than traditional relations, should be banned,” head of the State Duma’s Information Policy Committee, Alexander Khinshtein, said during the parliament session.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/27/europe/russia-gay-propaganda-law-toughened-intl/index.html

‘It’s not censorship. Just don’t say anything that doesn’t agree with what we think or say.’

dv said:

CNN —

Russian lawmakers agreed to toughen the country’s discriminatory law against so-called same-sex “propaganda,” moving to ban all Russians from promoting or “praising” homosexual relationships or publicly suggesting that they are “normal.”

Moscow’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, approved unanimously amendments to strengthen the law against “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations,” making such propaganda illegal among Russians of all ages, according to the parliament’s official website.

The original version of the law adopted in 2013 banned “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” among minors.

“Our bill is not an act of censorship. We are only saying that propaganda, that is, positive promotion, praise, saying that this is normal, and maybe even better than traditional relations, should be banned,” head of the State Duma’s Information Policy Committee, Alexander Khinshtein, said during the parliament session.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/27/europe/russia-gay-propaganda-law-toughened-intl/index.html

Not censorship.

Just saying some things can’t be said!

The Rev Dodgson said:

dv said:

CNN —

Russian lawmakers agreed to toughen the country’s discriminatory law against so-called same-sex “propaganda,” moving to ban all Russians from promoting or “praising” homosexual relationships or publicly suggesting that they are “normal.”

Moscow’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, approved unanimously amendments to strengthen the law against “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations,” making such propaganda illegal among Russians of all ages, according to the parliament’s official website.

The original version of the law adopted in 2013 banned “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” among minors.

“Our bill is not an act of censorship. We are only saying that propaganda, that is, positive promotion, praise, saying that this is normal, and maybe even better than traditional relations, should be banned,” head of the State Duma’s Information Policy Committee, Alexander Khinshtein, said during the parliament session.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/27/europe/russia-gay-propaganda-law-toughened-intl/index.html

Not censorship.

Just saying some things can’t be said!

And the penalties for saying that it’s censorship are probably pretty tough, too.

captain_spalding said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

dv said:

CNN —

Russian lawmakers agreed to toughen the country’s discriminatory law against so-called same-sex “propaganda,” moving to ban all Russians from promoting or “praising” homosexual relationships or publicly suggesting that they are “normal.”

Moscow’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, approved unanimously amendments to strengthen the law against “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations,” making such propaganda illegal among Russians of all ages, according to the parliament’s official website.

The original version of the law adopted in 2013 banned “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” among minors.

“Our bill is not an act of censorship. We are only saying that propaganda, that is, positive promotion, praise, saying that this is normal, and maybe even better than traditional relations, should be banned,” head of the State Duma’s Information Policy Committee, Alexander Khinshtein, said during the parliament session.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/27/europe/russia-gay-propaganda-law-toughened-intl/index.html

Not censorship.

Just saying some things can’t be said!

And the penalties for saying that it’s censorship are probably pretty tough, too.

9gag used to be chockers with people idolising VP because of his “tough” stance against gays, trans folks, ethnic and religious minorities. Now those folks have switched to “why are there so many memes about the war, it’s so boring.”

We share your pain

Putin meets with mothers of soldiers killed in Ukraine President Vladimir Putin meets with more than a dozen mothers of Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, telling those who had lost sons that he and the entire leadership shares their suffering.

roughbarked said:

We share your pain

Putin meets with mothers of soldiers killed in Ukraine President Vladimir Putin meets with more than a dozen mothers of Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, telling those who had lost sons that he and the entire leadership shares their suffering.

In an interesting plot twist, those “mothers” are actors. One of them pulled out a photograph of her “son” whom she claims was killed earlier this year, and the photo she produced was of a soldier who died in 2019. Notice the beautifully set table? I have not watched the video, but apparently not one of them touches anything in front of them, or even drinks the tea provided.

And to make things even weirder, the video footage of Putin speaking at the event shows signs of the glitches and artifacts associated with deep fakery. Either Putin wasn’t actually there, or he was in such poor health that they super-imposed older footage to make him appear healthy.

Dark Orange said:

roughbarked said:

We share your pain

Putin meets with mothers of soldiers killed in Ukraine President Vladimir Putin meets with more than a dozen mothers of Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, telling those who had lost sons that he and the entire leadership shares their suffering.

In an interesting plot twist, those “mothers” are actors. One of them pulled out a photograph of her “son” whom she claims was killed earlier this year, and the photo she produced was of a soldier who died in 2019. Notice the beautifully set table? I have not watched the video, but apparently not one of them touches anything in front of them, or even drinks the tea provided.

And to make things even weirder, the video footage of Putin speaking at the event shows signs of the glitches and artifacts associated with deep fakery. Either Putin wasn’t actually there, or he was in such poor health that they super-imposed older footage to make him appear healthy.

Yep.

Dark Orange said:

roughbarked said:

We share your pain

Putin meets with mothers of soldiers killed in Ukraine President Vladimir Putin meets with more than a dozen mothers of Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, telling those who had lost sons that he and the entire leadership shares their suffering.

In an interesting plot twist, those “mothers” are actors. One of them pulled out a photograph of her “son” whom she claims was killed earlier this year, and the photo she produced was of a soldier who died in 2019. Notice the beautifully set table? I have not watched the video, but apparently not one of them touches anything in front of them, or even drinks the tea provided.

And to make things even weirder, the video footage of Putin speaking at the event shows signs of the glitches and artifacts associated with deep fakery. Either Putin wasn’t actually there, or he was in such poor health that they super-imposed older footage to make him appear healthy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novorossiya

have better look later, not much into reading and absorbing information this morn, too tired, up late wetting the yard down

Russia’s ex-president Dmitry Medvedev says the country is ramping up production of new-generation weapons to protect itself from enemies in Europe, the United States and Australia.

President Vladimir Putin has cancelled his traditional televised year-end news conference this month — 10 months into Russia’s stuttering invasion of Ukraine.

The event is a staple of Mr Putin’s calendar, giving him the chance to showcase his command of issues and his stamina as he sits alone on a stage in a large auditorium for a question-and-answer session with reporters that can last more than four hours.

But the war, which began on February 24, has not gone well for Mr Putin.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has sought proposals from his armed forces commanders on how they think the war in Ukraine should proceed, during a visit to the operation’s headquarters, according to the Kremlin.

roughbarked said:

Russian president Vladimir Putin has sought proposals from his armed forces commanders on how they think the war in Ukraine should proceed, during a visit to the operation’s headquarters, according to the Kremlin.

I hope they all said: “NFI mate, it was all your stupid idea in the first place”.

roughbarked said:

Russian president Vladimir Putin has sought proposals from his armed forces commanders on how they think the war in Ukraine should proceed, during a visit to the operation’s headquarters, according to the Kremlin.

He looks like someone pickled his egg.

Don’t mention the war

roughbarked said:

Don’t mention the war

Basil Fawlty mentioned it once last night on TV.

Tamb said:

roughbarked said:

Don’t mention the war

Basil Fawlty mentioned it once last night on TV.

… but I think he got away with it.

Mr Putin described Russia as a “unique country” and said the vast majority of its people were united in wanting to defend it.

“As for the main part — the 99.9 per cent of our citizens, our people who are ready to give everything for the interests of the Motherland — there is nothing unusual for me here,” Mr Putin said.

“This just once again convinces me that Russia is a unique country and that we have an exceptional people. This has been confirmed throughout the history of Russia’s existence.”

> They’ll end up dead Russians if he keeps this bullshit up.

roughbarked said:

Mr Putin described Russia as a “unique country” and said the vast majority of its people were united in wanting to defend it.

“As for the main part — the 99.9 per cent of our citizens, our people who are ready to give everything for the interests of the Motherland — there is nothing unusual for me here,” Mr Putin said.

“This just once again convinces me that Russia is a unique country and that we have an exceptional people. This has been confirmed throughout the history of Russia’s existence.”

> They’ll end up dead Russians if he keeps this bullshit up.

Every nation that believes they are special or different to everyone else ends up acting ike cunts until such time as they are stopped by force. Then they wonder what went wrong.

party_pants said:

roughbarked said:

Mr Putin described Russia as a “unique country” and said the vast majority of its people were united in wanting to defend it.

“As for the main part — the 99.9 per cent of our citizens, our people who are ready to give everything for the interests of the Motherland — there is nothing unusual for me here,” Mr Putin said.

“This just once again convinces me that Russia is a unique country and that we have an exceptional people. This has been confirmed throughout the history of Russia’s existence.”

> They’ll end up dead Russians if he keeps this bullshit up.

Every nation that believes they are special or different to everyone else ends up acting ike cunts until such time as they are stopped by force. Then they wonder what went wrong.

did the libertarian supremacists ever have a sense of exceptionalness, even a secret dimension to the sense of, so secret it was in some part kept kept secret from their individual selves

Russia seeks arms-for-food deal with North Korea, US says

How Russia plans to use technology to crack down on draft dodgers

what Nixon said

Russia accused mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin of calling for an armed mutiny on Friday after he alleged, without providing evidence, that the military leadership had killed 2,000 of his fighters and vowed to stop what he called its evil.

Russia’s FSB security service opened a criminal case against him for calling for an armed mutiny, the TASS news agency said on Friday, citing the National Anti-terrorism Committee.

The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had been informed and that “necessary measures are being taken”.

Let’s talk about Putin’s speech….

Let’s talk about why it happened…

Beau of Fifth column.

Let’s talk about good and bad guys in Russia….

Waiting for the Wookie report on what’s happening, pretty sure he’s the shadow pulling all the strings in Russia.

Cymek said:

Waiting for the Wookie report on what’s happening, pretty sure he’s the shadow pulling all the strings in Russia.

Anything Goes (In) Court-Martial ~ Monty Python’s Flying Circus

roughbarked said:

Let’s talk about good and bad guys in Russia….

Are there any ugly ones?

Woodie said:

roughbarked said:

Let’s talk about good and bad guys in Russia….

Are there any ugly ones?

Woodie said:

roughbarked said:

Let’s talk about good and bad guys in Russia….

Are there any ugly ones?

and I did grok the humour in this part of a report on the situation.

The leader of the mutiny, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been transported into exile in Belarus. Reportedly staying in the only hotel in the capital of Belarus without opening windows, it is unlikely he will remain quiet or inactive for long.

roughbarked said:

and I did grok the humour in this part of a report on the situation.

The leader of the mutiny, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been transported into exile in Belarus. Reportedly staying in the only hotel in the capital of Belarus without opening windows, it is unlikely he will remain quiet or inactive for long.

Which comes from the ABC analysis of the situation.

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

and I did grok the humour in this part of a report on the situation.

The leader of the mutiny, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been transported into exile in Belarus. Reportedly staying in the only hotel in the capital of Belarus without opening windows, it is unlikely he will remain quiet or inactive for long.

Which comes from the ABC analysis of the situation.

about the sledgehammer
https://theintercept.com/2023/02/02/wagner-group-violence-sledgehammer/

he’s got some extensive criminal background, he’s a former jailbird. i’ve been aware of his rants and have ignored them since he started up. there was no coup, the whole thing was orchestrated by the KGB/ FSB to see what shakes out of the tree and perhaps find moles/ anything else (they would have war gamed this scenario to see what maximum benefit they could get out of it). when we see him again is anyone’s guess (wagner was created by the russian military he was only ever a figurehead with no actual power and no military experience, he was going into prisons to recruit soldiers for the war. wagner is used to clean out urban areas as far as i can see. base of operations has supposedly shifted to belarus but in reality its just rebranded and gone anywhere else.

in the meantime the red army pushes westwards in some places and sits back defensive lines and greyzones. the greyzones are where ukrainian manpower is killed. strikes to the rear are continuous. the ground never fully froze this winter so that was the end of the russian push west in practical terms.

the purpose of this war from the russian side is to denazify and demilitarise ukraine (its been building up weapons, soldiers since 2014 and bombing residential zones in the break away republics – they are still using HIMARS to hit these places, you’ll see the aftermath where someone walking down the street has been hit).

the purpose of the war from the ukrainian side is to kill all the ukrainian men of breeding age and dispossess the women and children from the country, its to eradicate the ukrainian people. currently zelensky is selling land and assets to blackrock and other western countries. poland wants to cut off a slice of ukraine, the russians to live in the west of ukraine but were killed in a genocide, the poles used to live their too and they were murdered too. the government is actively trying to wipe out its own people. any sensible strategy would be for ukrainian forces to withdraw right back to defendable lines where they can defend their artillery and surface to air systems. given current weapons you’d need to create a 50km – 100km grey zone. in reality uko forces would need to retreat and concentrate their forces and fortified positions. currently they are spread thin and the only thing they have to look forward to is marching into russian minefileds and drone/missile/bombs.

i think it will take about 50 trillion at the very least to hold back russia, maybe the war goes on for another ten years. the russian tactic at the moment is to bleed NATO. as long as the war goes on in ukraine NATO can’t attack china. afghanistan was bleeding resources, the only reason NATO couldn’t pour more money into ukraine was because of afghanistan, as soon as they realised the russians were building up for an invasion of a client state they pulled out of afghanistan (remember that 20 year war?) and transferred money and weapons to ukraine. the russians struck first – from previous encounters with the west allowing themselves to take the first hit just meant they lost more money and men.

if i were the russians i’d be transferring maybe a 100,000 north korean troops to ukraine for artillery practice, you could get another 100,000 chinese troops and feed maybe a million artillery rounds from china a month into the conflict. the russians would concentrate attacking the rear. the chinese and north korean economy would be bolstered by making and supplying weapons/ soldiers to russia. it would give north korea and china some experience fighting NATO, learn its tactics etc. there would no doubt be casulaties on their side , NATO losses might well be around 2 – 5 million assuming it goes on for a while. the danger of prolonging the conflict means that the risks mount.

Wookie, I prefer the Japanese science on all this.
The current science says that the development of special fighter aircraft is likely to end in the realisation of not making war instruments any more.
Since the Japanese engineers were intent on producing a fighter aircraft tthat was better than anything else. Their conclusions came after examinig all the variables.

wookiemeister said:

in the meantime the red army pushes westwards in some places and sits back defensive lines and greyzones. the greyzones are where ukrainian manpower is killed. strikes to the rear are continuous. the ground never fully froze this winter so that was the end of the russian push west in practical terms.

the purpose of this war from the russian side is to denazify and demilitarise ukraine (its been building up weapons, soldiers since 2014 and bombing residential zones in the break away republics – they are still using HIMARS to hit these places, you’ll see the aftermath where someone walking down the street has been hit).

the purpose of the war from the ukrainian side is to kill all the ukrainian men of breeding age and dispossess the women and children from the country, its to eradicate the ukrainian people. currently zelensky is selling land and assets to blackrock and other western countries. poland wants to cut off a slice of ukraine, the russians to live in the west of ukraine but were killed in a genocide, the poles used to live their too and they were murdered too. the government is actively trying to wipe out its own people. any sensible strategy would be for ukrainian forces to withdraw right back to defendable lines where they can defend their artillery and surface to air systems. given current weapons you’d need to create a 50km – 100km grey zone. in reality uko forces would need to retreat and concentrate their forces and fortified positions. currently they are spread thin and the only thing they have to look forward to is marching into russian minefileds and drone/missile/bombs.

I see
lights pipe

Peak Warming Man said:

wookiemeister said:

in the meantime the red army pushes westwards in some places and sits back defensive lines and greyzones. the greyzones are where ukrainian manpower is killed. strikes to the rear are continuous. the ground never fully froze this winter so that was the end of the russian push west in practical terms.

the purpose of this war from the russian side is to denazify and demilitarise ukraine (its been building up weapons, soldiers since 2014 and bombing residential zones in the break away republics – they are still using HIMARS to hit these places, you’ll see the aftermath where someone walking down the street has been hit).

the purpose of the war from the ukrainian side is to kill all the ukrainian men of breeding age and dispossess the women and children from the country, its to eradicate the ukrainian people. currently zelensky is selling land and assets to blackrock and other western countries. poland wants to cut off a slice of ukraine, the russians to live in the west of ukraine but were killed in a genocide, the poles used to live their too and they were murdered too. the government is actively trying to wipe out its own people. any sensible strategy would be for ukrainian forces to withdraw right back to defendable lines where they can defend their artillery and surface to air systems. given current weapons you’d need to create a 50km – 100km grey zone. in reality uko forces would need to retreat and concentrate their forces and fortified positions. currently they are spread thin and the only thing they have to look forward to is marching into russian minefileds and drone/missile/bombs.

I see
lights pipe

you’re gunna need a bigger pipe.

ChrispenEvan said:

Peak Warming Man said:

wookiemeister said:

in the meantime the red army pushes westwards in some places and sits back defensive lines and greyzones. the greyzones are where ukrainian manpower is killed. strikes to the rear are continuous. the ground never fully froze this winter so that was the end of the russian push west in practical terms.

the purpose of this war from the russian side is to denazify and demilitarise ukraine (its been building up weapons, soldiers since 2014 and bombing residential zones in the break away republics – they are still using HIMARS to hit these places, you’ll see the aftermath where someone walking down the street has been hit).

the purpose of the war from the ukrainian side is to kill all the ukrainian men of breeding age and dispossess the women and children from the country, its to eradicate the ukrainian people. currently zelensky is selling land and assets to blackrock and other western countries. poland wants to cut off a slice of ukraine, the russians to live in the west of ukraine but were killed in a genocide, the poles used to live their too and they were murdered too. the government is actively trying to wipe out its own people. any sensible strategy would be for ukrainian forces to withdraw right back to defendable lines where they can defend their artillery and surface to air systems. given current weapons you’d need to create a 50km – 100km grey zone. in reality uko forces would need to retreat and concentrate their forces and fortified positions. currently they are spread thin and the only thing they have to look forward to is marching into russian minefileds and drone/missile/bombs.

I see
lights pipe

you’re gunna need a bigger pipe.

Can get cheap imported tobacco online. Might need to smoke the cheap organic stuff from Indonesia.

ChrispenEvan said:

Peak Warming Man said:

wookiemeister said:

in the meantime the red army pushes westwards in some places and sits back defensive lines and greyzones. the greyzones are where ukrainian manpower is killed. strikes to the rear are continuous. the ground never fully froze this winter so that was the end of the russian push west in practical terms.

the purpose of this war from the russian side is to denazify and demilitarise ukraine (its been building up weapons, soldiers since 2014 and bombing residential zones in the break away republics – they are still using HIMARS to hit these places, you’ll see the aftermath where someone walking down the street has been hit).

the purpose of the war from the ukrainian side is to kill all the ukrainian men of breeding age and dispossess the women and children from the country, its to eradicate the ukrainian people. currently zelensky is selling land and assets to blackrock and other western countries. poland wants to cut off a slice of ukraine, the russians to live in the west of ukraine but were killed in a genocide, the poles used to live their too and they were murdered too. the government is actively trying to wipe out its own people. any sensible strategy would be for ukrainian forces to withdraw right back to defendable lines where they can defend their artillery and surface to air systems. given current weapons you’d need to create a 50km – 100km grey zone. in reality uko forces would need to retreat and concentrate their forces and fortified positions. currently they are spread thin and the only thing they have to look forward to is marching into russian minefileds and drone/missile/bombs.

I see
lights pipe

you’re gunna need a bigger pipe.

A bigger crack pipe, wookies jumped the shark this time.

Kingy said:

ChrispenEvan said:

Peak Warming Man said:

I see
lights pipe

you’re gunna need a bigger pipe.

A bigger crack pipe, wookies jumped the shark this time.

Let’s never forget that the original purpose of the invasion was a lightning-swift takeover of all of Ukraine.

All over in three days, a week at the outside. Grateful peasants lining the streets, throwing flowers in front of the Russian liberators, whole country taken over with little or no damage to infrastructure or assets.

Putin gets the glory, shores up his position, has lots of goodies to distribute among his oligarch friends who will give him a cut of future proceeds. Lots of money from gas and mineral resources now under Russian control, Russian forces right up to Poland’s big border, yeah we’re back, Jerzy, remember us?

Instead it got bogged down because Russia believed its own bullshit, didn’t allow for the staggeringly massive laziness, shoddiness, inefficiency and corruption endemic to the Russian system, and it became a war for Putin’s ego and leadership standing.

Now, well over a year later, for the Russians it’s become all about rescuing whatever prizes and esteem they can from the situation, hoping to wear down Ukraine until it cedes the eastern part of Ukraine and its natural resources to Russia. And about preserving face for Putin, who knows that being seen as a loser is going to make his position very shaky indeed.

And, it is a sort of war of extermination. Russia will never let Ukrainian refugees return to those areas in significant numbers, but will colonise it with Russians, and make life there miserable enough for native Ukrainians that they’ll be only too glad to leave.

captain_spalding said:

Kingy said:

ChrispenEvan said:

you’re gunna need a bigger pipe.

A bigger crack pipe, wookies jumped the shark this time.

Let’s never forget that the original purpose of the invasion was a lightning-swift takeover of all of Ukraine.

All over in three days, a week at the outside. Grateful peasants lining the streets, throwing flowers in front of the Russian liberators, whole country taken over with little or no damage to infrastructure or assets.

Putin gets the glory, shores up his position, has lots of goodies to distribute among his oligarch friends who will give him a cut of future proceeds. Lots of money from gas and mineral resources now under Russian control, Russian forces right up to Poland’s big border, yeah we’re back, Jerzy, remember us?

Instead it got bogged down because Russia believed its own bullshit, didn’t allow for the staggeringly massive laziness, shoddiness, inefficiency and corruption endemic to the Russian system, and it became a war for Putin’s ego and leadership standing.

Now, well over a year later, for the Russians it’s become all about rescuing whatever prizes and esteem they can from the situation, hoping to wear down Ukraine until it cedes the eastern part of Ukraine and its natural resources to Russia. And about preserving face for Putin, who knows that being seen as a loser is going to make his position very shaky indeed.

And, it is a sort of war of extermination. Russia will never let Ukrainian refugees return to those areas in significant numbers, but will colonise it with Russians, and make life there miserable enough for native Ukrainians that they’ll be only too glad to leave.

If that is; that Putin doesn’t crumble and a new regime rises from the ashes.

Rumours swirl about fate of Russia’s top generals who have not been seen in public since aborted mercenary mutiny

A New York Times report, based on a US intelligence briefing, said General Sergei Surovikin had advance knowledge of the mutiny and that Russian authorities were checking if he was complicit.

wookiemeister said:

if i were the russians i’d be transferring maybe a 100,000 north korean troops to ukraine for artillery practice, you could get another 100,000 chinese troops and feed maybe a million artillery rounds from china a month into the conflict. the russians would concentrate attacking the rear. the chinese and north korean economy would be bolstered by making and supplying weapons/ soldiers to russia. it would give north korea and china some experience fighting NATO, learn its tactics etc. there would no doubt be casulaties on their side , NATO losses might well be around 2 – 5 million assuming it goes on for a while. the danger of prolonging the conflict means that the risks mount.

He may or not be there for long but he is this at the moment.

It appears very dangerous this situation where Wagner are both supposed to be in Belarus but nno one knows for sure. It could easily be false flagging to allow Putin to use Belarus for blocking supplies from the west or even to attack Poland or Lithuania, Moldova. NATO has no real way to rush military equipment to the places it needs to be if needed quickly because of the fact that it would all have to go through the red tape of crossing from country to country.

roughbarked said:

It appears very dangerous this situation where Wagner are both supposed to be in Belarus but nno one knows for sure. It could easily be false flagging to allow Putin to use Belarus for blocking supplies from the west or even to attack Poland or Lithuania, Moldova. NATO has no real way to rush military equipment to the places it needs to be if needed quickly because of the fact that it would all have to go through the red tape of crossing from country to country.

I find it difficult to believe that Lukashenko brokered the supposed deal with Putin to take Prigozhin out of Russia.
I have doubts that anyone tells Putin what to do.
Putin told us all that there would be consequences if the west helped Ukraine.

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

It appears very dangerous this situation where Wagner are both supposed to be in Belarus but nno one knows for sure. It could easily be false flagging to allow Putin to use Belarus for blocking supplies from the west or even to attack Poland or Lithuania, Moldova. NATO has no real way to rush military equipment to the places it needs to be if needed quickly because of the fact that it would all have to go through the red tape of crossing from country to country.

I find it difficult to believe that Lukashenko brokered the supposed deal with Putin to take Prigozhin out of Russia.
I have doubts that anyone tells Putin what to do.
Putin told us all that there would be consequences if the west helped Ukraine.

A group of former police, security and justice officials known as BYPOL found that there was widespread use of Russian weapons and ammunition by the Belarusian KGB when it cracked down on those peaceful protests after the dubious election outcome in 2020.

The help from Moscow didn’t stop there. The Russian president promised Belarus a $1.5 billion loan to help avoid an economic crisis, as well as “comprehensive security assistance” in dealing with the protesters.

But, the more Mr Putin helped prop up Mr Lukashenko’s rule, the greater the debt he owed to Moscow.

Russian parliament takes step toward banning gender reassignment surgery
The bill bans medical workers from “performing medical interventions designed to change the sex of a person,” including prescribing hormone therapy to patients.
18m ago@urabc

Someone’s getting ready to commit some atrocities under implausible deninability…

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-14/russias-putin-snubs-prigozhin-biden-jokes-about-poison/102605210

A Chinese consular building has been damaged in a third successive night of air strikes on southern Ukrainian port cities, Ukrainian officials have said..

Good one Vlad. Keep it up mate and someone will be deploying tactical nukes at your place of residence.

Russian state prosecutors ask a court to sentence jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny to a further 20 years in a penal colony on extremism and other criminal charges at the close of his trial, according to his supporters.

Link

Tourist ~ trailer

Mali’s leaders have increasingly turned their backs on Western help and instead enlisted mercenaries from the Wagner Group, the shadowy Russian paramilitary outfit led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.

In Timbuktu, a town bordering Mali’s vast, dry heartland, Wagner men patrol busy streets and marketplaces shoulder to shoulder with Malian soldiers.

In the Central African Republic, where statues depict Wagner forces as heroes and the president often appears in public flanked by Kalashnikov-wielding Wagner men, hundreds more mercenaries recently arrived ahead of a July 30 referendum.

Many Malians know some version of what happened in the town of Moura last March, where over the course of five days, soldiers led by Wagner forces slaughtered more than 500 people — nearly all of them unarmed civilians.

Malian troops and “armed white men” who appeared to be in charge summarily executed hundreds of people and sexually assaulted many women.

SCIENCE said:

Mali’s leaders have increasingly turned their backs on Western help and instead enlisted mercenaries from the Wagner Group, the shadowy Russian paramilitary outfit led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.

In Timbuktu, a town bordering Mali’s vast, dry heartland, Wagner men patrol busy streets and marketplaces shoulder to shoulder with Malian soldiers.

In the Central African Republic, where statues depict Wagner forces as heroes and the president often appears in public flanked by Kalashnikov-wielding Wagner men, hundreds more mercenaries recently arrived ahead of a July 30 referendum.

Many Malians know some version of what happened in the town of Moura last March, where over the course of five days, soldiers led by Wagner forces slaughtered more than 500 people — nearly all of them unarmed civilians.

Malian troops and “armed white men” who appeared to be in charge summarily executed hundreds of people and sexually assaulted many women.

Russians are evil, pure evil.

Peak Warming Man said:

SCIENCE said:

Mali’s leaders have increasingly turned their backs on Western help and instead enlisted mercenaries from the Wagner Group, the shadowy Russian paramilitary outfit led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.

In Timbuktu, a town bordering Mali’s vast, dry heartland, Wagner men patrol busy streets and marketplaces shoulder to shoulder with Malian soldiers.

In the Central African Republic, where statues depict Wagner forces as heroes and the president often appears in public flanked by Kalashnikov-wielding Wagner men, hundreds more mercenaries recently arrived ahead of a July 30 referendum.

Many Malians know some version of what happened in the town of Moura last March, where over the course of five days, soldiers led by Wagner forces slaughtered more than 500 people — nearly all of them unarmed civilians.

Malian troops and “armed white men” who appeared to be in charge summarily executed hundreds of people and sexually assaulted many women.

Russians are evil, pure evil.

I’m sure there are some Russians who aren’t thus.

roughbarked said:

Peak Warming Man said:

SCIENCE said:

Mali’s leaders have increasingly turned their backs on Western help and instead enlisted mercenaries from the Wagner Group, the shadowy Russian paramilitary outfit led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.

In Timbuktu, a town bordering Mali’s vast, dry heartland, Wagner men patrol busy streets and marketplaces shoulder to shoulder with Malian soldiers.

In the Central African Republic, where statues depict Wagner forces as heroes and the president often appears in public flanked by Kalashnikov-wielding Wagner men, hundreds more mercenaries recently arrived ahead of a July 30 referendum.

Many Malians know some version of what happened in the town of Moura last March, where over the course of five days, soldiers led by Wagner forces slaughtered more than 500 people — nearly all of them unarmed civilians.

Malian troops and “armed white men” who appeared to be in charge summarily executed hundreds of people and sexually assaulted many women.

Russians are evil, pure evil.

I’m sure there are some Russians who aren’t thus.

Ah it’s The Rev Dodgson.

SCIENCE said:

roughbarked said:

Peak Warming Man said:

Russians are evil, pure evil.

I’m sure there are some Russians who aren’t thus.

Ah it’s The Rev Dodgson.

No, I was going to say that I’m sure there are plenty of evil people who aren’t Russian.

The Rev Dodgson said:

SCIENCE said:

roughbarked said:

I’m sure there are some Russians who aren’t thus.

Ah it’s The Rev Dodgson.

No, I was going to say that I’m sure there are plenty of evil people who aren’t Russian.

six of one….

roughbarked said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

SCIENCE said:

Ah it’s The Rev Dodgson.

No, I was going to say that I’m sure there are plenty of evil people who aren’t Russian.

six of one….

Why Knot Both¿

SCIENCE said:

roughbarked said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

No, I was going to say that I’m sure there are plenty of evil people who aren’t Russian.

six of one….

Why Knot Both¿

I left that to your imagination.

All right yous thought we were just being ironic laughing but this one is actually f’ing LOL.

The emails were meant for the Pentagon, whose domain name is “.mil”, but accidentally sent to Mali inboxes, which have the domain name “.ml”, the Times newspaper reported.

How Ukraine has destroyed Russia’s economy

Right up Wookie’s alley. A grand Russian achievement against those Nazi Ukranians. Wiped out 13,000 tonnes of valuable grain, just so Russia can sell the Africans their brand of humanitarianism. Never mind the Egyptians and Romanians.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-23/russia-attacks-ukraine-port-and-school/102768324

roughbarked said:

Right up Wookie’s alley. A grand Russian achievement against those Nazi Ukranians. Wiped out 13,000 tonnes of valuable grain, just so Russia can sell the Africans their brand of humanitarianism. Never mind the Egyptians and Romanians.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-23/russia-attacks-ukraine-port-and-school/102768324

yeah…. that’ll learn them

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

esselte said:

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

Well it could be an accident..

esselte said:

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

That was an exceptionally high window out of which he fell.

monkey skipper said:

roughbarked said:

Right up Wookie’s alley. A grand Russian achievement against those Nazi Ukranians. Wiped out 13,000 tonnes of valuable grain, just so Russia can sell the Africans their brand of humanitarianism. Never mind the Egyptians and Romanians.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-23/russia-attacks-ukraine-port-and-school/102768324

yeah…. that’ll learn them

Wookie will be along soon to explain to us how this is all the fault of NATO/the US is to blame/Ukraine brought this on themselves/Australia will soon be sending thousands of schoolchildren armed with garden stakes to fight for Ukraine.

captain_spalding said:

esselte said:

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

That was an exceptionally high window out of which he fell.

I wonder if it was shot down by MIG’s?

Ian said:

esselte said:

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

Well it could be an accident..

They do occur and sometimes to famous people, possibly because they can afford to fly more often and increase their risk.

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

esselte said:

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

That was an exceptionally high window out of which he fell.

I wonder if it was shot down by MIG’s?

No, Russian warplanes only shoot down Korean airliners.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

That was an exceptionally high window out of which he fell.

I wonder if it was shot down by MIG’s?

No, Russian warplanes only shoot down Korean airliners.

Maybe they took fuel out rather than put it in?

esselte said:

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

I know there’s a shortage of a lot of things in Russia, but I didn’t know there was a shortage of 10th floor open windows.

Woodie said:

I know there’s a shortage of a lot of things in Russia, but I didn’t know there was a shortage of 10th floor open windows.

I’d say they have to go up a floor or three, as the pile of bodies just keeps getting larger. Harder to die from a fall if you only fall about 5 metres and land on a heap of soft decomposing bodies.

Gees that’s bad luck.

esselte said:

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

Audible gasp

dv said:

esselte said:

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

Audible gasp

Really, it was just about inevitable.

They took a little while to get around to it (‘a decent interval’?), and did it in a fairly messy way, but this is how it was always going to go.

Prigozhin is several years younger than me.

While my youthful movie-star good looks have begun to fade, i do not look anywhere near as old as he does.

What was he doing to fall apart like that?

captain_spalding said:

Prigozhin is several years younger than me.

While my youthful movie-star good looks have begun to fade, i do not look anywhere near as old as he does.

What was he doing to fall apart like that?

Wodka ?

I wonder when the footage of people falling out the plane door by accident will turn up

captain_spalding said:

dv said:

esselte said:

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

Audible gasp

Really, it was just about inevitable.

They took a little while to get around to it (‘a decent interval’?), and did it in a fairly messy way, but this is how it was always going to go.

This.

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

dv said:

Audible gasp

Really, it was just about inevitable.

They took a little while to get around to it (‘a decent interval’?), and did it in a fairly messy way, but this is how it was always going to go.

This.

Its raining men

wookiemeister said:

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

Really, it was just about inevitable.

They took a little while to get around to it (‘a decent interval’?), and did it in a fairly messy way, but this is how it was always going to go.

This.

Its raining men

Maybe this is all lies

(Again)

captain_spalding said:

Prigozhin is several years younger than me.

While my youthful movie-star good looks have begun to fade, i do not look anywhere near as old as he does.

What was he doing to fall apart like that?

Too much rich food and not enough exercise?

Cymek said:

captain_spalding said:

Prigozhin is several years younger than me.

While my youthful movie-star good looks have begun to fade, i do not look anywhere near as old as he does.

What was he doing to fall apart like that?

Wodka ?

That too plus all the jet lag he must have had to endure. Jetting around the world gatheriing up everyone else’s gold and diamonds and uranium to add to his stockpile that he caoulfn’t take with him. Nobody told him that the hearse doesn’t have a tow bar.

esselte said:

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

Not really been one to celebrate anyone else’s death, but in his case I’m happy yo make an exception.

party_pants said:

esselte said:

Yevgeny Prigozhin
1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023

Russia’s civil aviation authority says Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner commander Dmitry Utkin were on board a private jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver region north of Moscow, with no survivors.

Not really been one to celebrate anyone else’s death, but in his case I’m happy yo make an exception.

This whole story Snell’s fishy

Let’s wait a bit to see what shakes out

🔹🇷🇺 The key points from the latest briefing of the Russian Defense Ministry:

➡️In the Kupyansk direction, the successful conduct of offensive operations in the designated areas of responsibility continued. Five enemy attacks were repelled, up to 50 Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed;

➡️Five enemy attacks were repulsed in the Zaporozhye direction. Enemy losses amounted to more than 110 Ukrainian servicemen;

➡️Six attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were successfully repelled in the Donetsk direction. During the day, up to 125 Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed. In addition, an ammunition depot was destroyed;

➡️In the South-Donetsk direction, an enemy attack was repelled in the area of the settlement of Priyutnoye. Up to 230 Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed per day;

➡️Three enemy attacks were repulsed in the Krasnolimansky direction. The total losses of the enemy per day amounted to 80 Ukrainian servicemen;

➡️Up to 30 Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the Kherson direction. In addition, the activities of the Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group were stopped;

➡️Manpower and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were hit in 153 districts;

➡️In the Nikolaev region, a command post, a radar station and two launchers of the S-300PS anti-aircraft missile system were destroyed;

➡️Destroyed four enemy ammunition depots in the regions of Kherson, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk regions and the DPR;

➡️Air defense systems intercepted four HIMARS projectiles, destroyed 42 Ukrainian UAVs.

🔴 @DDGeopolitics

https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-not-winning-war-russia-lies-douglas-macgregor-1821690

Retired United States Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor claimed during a Monday broadcast that not only is Ukraine not winning its war against Russia, but that the country’s military has lost 400,000 people killed in battle.

wookiemeister said:

https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-not-winning-war-russia-lies-douglas-macgregor-1821690

Retired United States Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor claimed during a Monday broadcast that not only is Ukraine not winning its war against Russia, but that the country’s military has lost 400,000 people killed in battle.

You can multiple that by 4 for seriously wounded.

But don’t worry about it, I’m sure I’m wrong and this is just disinformation

wookiemeister said:

But don’t worry about it, I’m sure I’m wrong and this is just disinformation

Correct.

From all reports the bear is on the move, over running previously hardened positions.

The NATO tactic is to fortify the towns and hope the russians will bypass them – that was the plan for fighting the soviets anyway. If they bypass the towns the soviets leave their rear vulnerable. By holding the towns it forces the russians into fighting in urban areas.

Russian strategy is shaping up into simply using artillery and drones to kill troops and snipers. If the LANCET drone doesn’t destroy armoured columns then special artillery shells and ground attack helicopters will.

Now the frontal assault of uko forces has been wiped out the russians areback on the move taking key positions that set the stage for more effective defence and further advance.

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

But don’t worry about it, I’m sure I’m wrong and this is just disinformation

Correct.

:)

Kingy said:

Pffft Ukraine has lost X10 more than the Russians. It’s all on Telegram. Do your research.

- one lunar lander of course.

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

But don’t worry about it, I’m sure I’m wrong and this is just disinformation

Correct.

Well Newsweek seems to agree:

““Secondly, his arguments are the quintessential example of ‘cherry-picking.’ He actively seeks out data points that affirm his biases, rather than analyze the data as a whole, which shows that Russia is being destroyed,” Smart said.

“Sadly, Macgregor is hungry for media attention and is willing to say whatever is necessary to have some relevance. However, he remains wholly irrelevant to world affairs, except when Carlson needs someone to console him.”“

party_pants said:

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

But don’t worry about it, I’m sure I’m wrong and this is just disinformation

Correct.

:)

Its time Australia committed 100,000 troops, armour and aircraft to this conflict – it will be a cakewalk. Thus is the most justified war for Australia to get involved in since ww2. I’m sure everyone will agree. A new tax should be introduced so EVERYONE in Australia contributes 10,000 dollars to this endeavour – even the unemployed and those on benefits , its only right.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

But don’t worry about it, I’m sure I’m wrong and this is just disinformation

Correct.

Well Newsweek seems to agree:

““Secondly, his arguments are the quintessential example of ‘cherry-picking.’ He actively seeks out data points that affirm his biases, rather than analyze the data as a whole, which shows that Russia is being destroyed,” Smart said.

“Sadly, Macgregor is hungry for media attention and is willing to say whatever is necessary to have some relevance. However, he remains wholly irrelevant to world affairs, except when Carlson needs someone to console him.”“

I was just thinking that it was kind of strange that most military experts didn’t expect Ukraine to last a month, even a week. Now they are getting vocal about Ukraine not winning the war.

But this makes more sense. Just someone out to further his own media career by spouting any old rubbish.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

But don’t worry about it, I’m sure I’m wrong and this is just disinformation

Correct.

Well Newsweek seems to agree:

““Secondly, his arguments are the quintessential example of ‘cherry-picking.’ He actively seeks out data points that affirm his biases, rather than analyze the data as a whole, which shows that Russia is being destroyed,” Smart said.

“Sadly, Wookie is hungry for media attention and is willing to say whatever is necessary to have some relevance. However, he remains wholly irrelevant to world affairs, except when Carlson needs someone to console him.”“

fixed.

wookiemeister said:

From all reports the bear is on the move, over running previously hardened positions.

The NATO tactic is to fortify the towns and hope the russians will bypass them – that was the plan for fighting the soviets anyway. If they bypass the towns the soviets leave their rear vulnerable. By holding the towns it forces the russians into fighting in urban areas.

Russian strategy is shaping up into simply using artillery and drones to kill troops and snipers. If the LANCET drone doesn’t destroy armoured columns then special artillery shells and ground attack helicopters will.

Now the frontal assault of uko forces has been wiped out the russians areback on the move taking key positions that set the stage for more effective defence and further advance.

Wow. With all that going on, Mr Meister, they’ll be in Kyiv by lunchtime.

Woodie said:

wookiemeister said:

From all reports the bear is on the move, over running previously hardened positions.

The NATO tactic is to fortify the towns and hope the russians will bypass them – that was the plan for fighting the soviets anyway. If they bypass the towns the soviets leave their rear vulnerable. By holding the towns it forces the russians into fighting in urban areas.

Russian strategy is shaping up into simply using artillery and drones to kill troops and snipers. If the LANCET drone doesn’t destroy armoured columns then special artillery shells and ground attack helicopters will.

Now the frontal assault of uko forces has been wiped out the russians areback on the move taking key positions that set the stage for more effective defence and further advance.

Wow. With all that going on, Mr Meister, they’ll be in Kyiv by lunchtime.

In March, last year.

wookiemeister said:

party_pants said:

Kingy said:

Correct.

:)

Its time Australia committed 100,000 troops, armour and aircraft to this conflict – it will be a cakewalk. Thus is the most justified war for Australia to get involved in since ww2. I’m sure everyone will agree. A new tax should be introduced so EVERYONE in Australia contributes 10,000 dollars to this endeavour – even the unemployed and those on benefits , its only right.

We’d be better of destroying Vladivostok and then the offshore islands with all the oil and gas. Then sell those off to Japan and return home with all our loot.

wookiemeister said:

🔹🇷🇺 The key points from the latest briefing of the Russian Defense Ministry:

➡️In the Kupyansk direction, the successful conduct of offensive operations in the designated areas of responsibility continued. Five enemy attacks were repelled, up to 50 Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed;

➡️Five enemy attacks were repulsed in the Zaporozhye direction. Enemy losses amounted to more than 110 Ukrainian servicemen;

➡️Six attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were successfully repelled in the Donetsk direction. During the day, up to 125 Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed. In addition, an ammunition depot was destroyed;

➡️In the South-Donetsk direction, an enemy attack was repelled in the area of the settlement of Priyutnoye. Up to 230 Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed per day;

➡️Three enemy attacks were repulsed in the Krasnolimansky direction. The total losses of the enemy per day amounted to 80 Ukrainian servicemen;

➡️Up to 30 Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the Kherson direction. In addition, the activities of the Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group were stopped;

➡️Manpower and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were hit in 153 districts;

➡️In the Nikolaev region, a command post, a radar station and two launchers of the S-300PS anti-aircraft missile system were destroyed;

➡️Destroyed four enemy ammunition depots in the regions of Kherson, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk regions and the DPR;

➡️Air defense systems intercepted four HIMARS projectiles, destroyed 42 Ukrainian UAVs.

🔴 @DDGeopolitics

I remember on the old forum clever people telling me that footage of fukushima nuclear plant EXPLODING was nothing to worry about , everything was cool. Fukushima is still in the news.

With ukraine I hear the same voices defying gravity. This is a blood letting exercise now. Drag the war out, destroy the economies of western Europe. The russian arms industry is expanding, guess this war is planned to go for much longer? Maybe the russians figure they’ll be going ti war with NATO in the next few years. Prepare now for later. Australia will get involved and get hit with hypersonic weapons – knock out the power stations and refineries/ fuel storage. The cities go dark, the taps run dry.

Woodie said:

wookiemeister said:

From all reports the bear is on the move, over running previously hardened positions.

The NATO tactic is to fortify the towns and hope the russians will bypass them – that was the plan for fighting the soviets anyway. If they bypass the towns the soviets leave their rear vulnerable. By holding the towns it forces the russians into fighting in urban areas.

Russian strategy is shaping up into simply using artillery and drones to kill troops and snipers. If the LANCET drone doesn’t destroy armoured columns then special artillery shells and ground attack helicopters will.

Now the frontal assault of uko forces has been wiped out the russians areback on the move taking key positions that set the stage for more effective defence and further advance.

Wow. With all that going on, Mr Meister, they’ll be in Kyiv by lunchtime.

As I said

We should commit troops to the Ukraine conflict , its how we will be forged in fire

party_pants said:

wookiemeister said:

party_pants said:

:)

Its time Australia committed 100,000 troops, armour and aircraft to this conflict – it will be a cakewalk. Thus is the most justified war for Australia to get involved in since ww2. I’m sure everyone will agree. A new tax should be introduced so EVERYONE in Australia contributes 10,000 dollars to this endeavour – even the unemployed and those on benefits , its only right.

We’d be better of destroying Vladivostok and then the offshore islands with all the oil and gas. Then sell those off to Japan and return home with all our loot.

I agree

Send the Royal Australian Navy to accomplish this – a unilateral strike

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

🔹🇷🇺 The key points from the latest briefing of the Russian Defense Ministry:

➡️In the Kupyansk direction, the successful conduct of offensive operations in the designated areas of responsibility continued. Five enemy attacks were repelled, up to 50 Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed;

➡️Five enemy attacks were repulsed in the Zaporozhye direction. Enemy losses amounted to more than 110 Ukrainian servicemen;

➡️Six attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were successfully repelled in the Donetsk direction. During the day, up to 125 Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed. In addition, an ammunition depot was destroyed;

➡️In the South-Donetsk direction, an enemy attack was repelled in the area of the settlement of Priyutnoye. Up to 230 Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed per day;

➡️Three enemy attacks were repulsed in the Krasnolimansky direction. The total losses of the enemy per day amounted to 80 Ukrainian servicemen;

➡️Up to 30 Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the Kherson direction. In addition, the activities of the Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group were stopped;

➡️Manpower and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were hit in 153 districts;

➡️In the Nikolaev region, a command post, a radar station and two launchers of the S-300PS anti-aircraft missile system were destroyed;

➡️Destroyed four enemy ammunition depots in the regions of Kherson, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk regions and the DPR;

➡️Air defense systems intercepted four HIMARS projectiles, destroyed 42 Ukrainian UAVs.

🔴 @DDGeopolitics

Its taken them months to get to this village that’s in the grey zone they’ve lost thousands maybe 10,000 men to get there – now the russians hit them with artillery at their leisure.

I see wookie has gone click happy. sure sign he is desperate to be relevant.

Strangely I hear no one backing me up on this attack on Russia

Its not like going to war with 14 year old kids with AKs – is it ?

wookiemeister said:

Woodie said:

wookiemeister said:

From all reports the bear is on the move, over running previously hardened positions.

The NATO tactic is to fortify the towns and hope the russians will bypass them – that was the plan for fighting the soviets anyway. If they bypass the towns the soviets leave their rear vulnerable. By holding the towns it forces the russians into fighting in urban areas.

Russian strategy is shaping up into simply using artillery and drones to kill troops and snipers. If the LANCET drone doesn’t destroy armoured columns then special artillery shells and ground attack helicopters will.

Now the frontal assault of uko forces has been wiped out the russians areback on the move taking key positions that set the stage for more effective defence and further advance.

Wow. With all that going on, Mr Meister, they’ll be in Kyiv by lunchtime.

As I said

We should commit troops to the Ukraine conflict , its how we will be forged in fire

Ukraine are already kicking Putins arse, why would we get involved?

I have asked you before, why do you get on here and repost putins propaganda that has absolutely no basis in reality, when this is ostensibly a science forum which requires facts and evidence?

When you are questioned on it, you just change the subject and pretend that your previous post doesn’t exist.

Bogsnorkler said:

I see wookie has gone click happy. sure sign he is desperate to be relevant.

I’m about to turn in

I’ll be back in a few weeks ( maybe)

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

Woodie said:

Wow. With all that going on, Mr Meister, they’ll be in Kyiv by lunchtime.

As I said

We should commit troops to the Ukraine conflict , its how we will be forged in fire

Ukraine are already kicking Putins arse, why would we get involved?

I have asked you before, why do you get on here and repost putins propaganda that has absolutely no basis in reality, when this is ostensibly a science forum which requires facts and evidence?

When you are questioned on it, you just change the subject and pretend that your previous post doesn’t exist.

Its called reality

Ukraine ain’t winning

Write to your local MP and demand MORE weapons be sent to Ukraine ( they really need it )

wookiemeister said:

Strangely I hear no one backing me up on this attack on Russia

Its not like going to war with 14 year old kids with AKs – is it ?

The attack is on Ukraine.

Reality doesn’t seem to have any effect on you, does it?

Australia needs to commit to this war

I think everyone agrees

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

Strangely I hear no one backing me up on this attack on Russia

Its not like going to war with 14 year old kids with AKs – is it ?

The attack is on Ukraine.

Reality doesn’t seem to have any effect on you, does it?

Australia fought hillsmen for 20 years and LOST.

wookiemeister said:

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

Strangely I hear no one backing me up on this attack on Russia

Its not like going to war with 14 year old kids with AKs – is it ?

The attack is on Ukraine.

Reality doesn’t seem to have any effect on you, does it?

Australia fought hillsmen for 20 years and LOST.

Australian troops were hacking off the hands of enemy combatants in Afghanistan

Its outlawed to mutilate the dead in war

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

Kingy said:

The attack is on Ukraine.

Reality doesn’t seem to have any effect on you, does it?

Australia fought hillsmen for 20 years and LOST.

I put my money on the red army

wookiemeister said:

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

Australia fought hillsmen for 20 years and LOST.

I put my money on the red army

The one that’s been losing comprehensively for over a year?

At least four educational workers were killed and four other people were wounded in a Russian attack on a school in north-eastern Ukraine, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

He said the bodies of the school director, deputy director, secretary and a librarian had been pulled from the rubble by rescue workers.

He said four local residents were injured as they had been passing the school in the city of Romny, which is part of the Sumy region.

Kingy said:

The one that’s been losing comprehensively for over a year?

the red army hasn’t existed since 1946.

wookiemeister said:

party_pants said:

wookiemeister said:

Its time Australia committed 100,000 troops, armour and aircraft to this conflict – it will be a cakewalk. Thus is the most justified war for Australia to get involved in since ww2. I’m sure everyone will agree. A new tax should be introduced so EVERYONE in Australia contributes 10,000 dollars to this endeavour – even the unemployed and those on benefits , its only right.

We’d be better of destroying Vladivostok and then the offshore islands with all the oil and gas. Then sell those off to Japan and return home with all our loot.

I agree

I wasn’t being serious. I wasn’t even being sarcastic; just posting the most outrageous bullshit I could make up on the spot.

party_pants said:

wookiemeister said:

party_pants said:

We’d be better of destroying Vladivostok and then the offshore islands with all the oil and gas. Then sell those off to Japan and return home with all our loot.

I agree

I wasn’t being serious. I wasn’t even being sarcastic; just posting the most outrageous bullshit I could make up on the spot.

You’d have to do better than that to outdo wookies stream of textual diarrhea.

I sometimes wonder if he actually believes his idiotic posts, or if he is just trolling.

Kingy said:

party_pants said:

wookiemeister said:

I agree

I wasn’t being serious. I wasn’t even being sarcastic; just posting the most outrageous bullshit I could make up on the spot.

You’d have to do better than that to outdo wookies stream of textual diarrhea.

I sometimes wonder if he actually believes his idiotic posts, or if he is just trolling.

trolling.

Kingy said:

wookiemeister said:

Strangely I hear no one backing me up on this attack on Russia

Its not like going to war with 14 year old kids with AKs – is it ?

The attack is on Ukraine.

Reality doesn’t seem to have any effect on you, does it?

that funny

prolific
- Producing or characterized by abundant works or results

courtesy my search engine, the machine, from wordnik in fact
https://www.wordnik.com/words/prolific

ABC News:

Prigozhin ‘offically’ dead.

Ooh, it feels so 1934!

Presumably, like the SA, the Wagner group will now be assimilated, Borg-like, into the Russian party/military structure.

I see that Putin has demanded that the Wagnerites pledge allegiance to the Russian state apparatus.

This may benefit the Ukranians. Whereas previously, the Wagner people could operate without regard to the command structure of the Russian military, they might now perhaps be subject to the same organisation and leadership as has so vastly benefited the average Russian blyat in Ukraine.

Window
Window…
Plane
Window
Window…

The downfall of Yevgeny Prigozhin.

OCDC said:

:)

New Wagner chief has attacked Putin.

roughbarked said:

New Wagner chief has attacked Putin.

Is this chatGP?
Putin Disappeared! Kremlin Declares State of Emergency in Fear! Wagner is on his way to Moscow!

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

New Wagner chief has attacked Putin.

Is this chatGP?
Putin Disappeared! Kremlin Declares State of Emergency in Fear! Wagner is on his way to Moscow!

It’s just filler, mostly.

They have to put something out, so rehash the history of everything up until now, and present some day-dreaming as ‘fact’. That’ll do until some real news comes along.

I reckon that Wagner is finished as a PMC. With Putin demanding that Wagner ‘soldiers’ swear an allegiance to the Russian nation, it’s become a part of the Russian military structure. Putin isn’t going to allow it, or any similar outfit, to get too uppity again.

They might be kept a little bit separate as an outfit which can do the clandestine and dirty jobs that Russia doesn’t want to be too openly associated with (a lot, if not all, of the recent military coups and flexing in African countries is due to Russian/Wagner support). A degree of plausible deniability is always nice to have.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

New Wagner chief has attacked Putin.

Is this chatGP?
Putin Disappeared! Kremlin Declares State of Emergency in Fear! Wagner is on his way to Moscow!

It’s just filler, mostly.

They have to put something out, so rehash the history of everything up until now, and present some day-dreaming as ‘fact’. That’ll do until some real news comes along.

I reckon that Wagner is finished as a PMC. With Putin demanding that Wagner ‘soldiers’ swear an allegiance to the Russian nation, it’s become a part of the Russian military structure. Putin isn’t going to allow it, or any similar outfit, to get too uppity again.

They might be kept a little bit separate as an outfit which can do the clandestine and dirty jobs that Russia doesn’t want to be too openly associated with (a lot, if not all, of the recent military coups and flexing in African countries is due to Russian/Wagner support). A degree of plausible deniability is always nice to have.

Yeah. :)

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

New Wagner chief has attacked Putin.

Is this chatGP?
Putin Disappeared! Kremlin Declares State of Emergency in Fear! Wagner is on his way to Moscow!

It’s just filler, mostly.

They have to put something out, so rehash the history of everything up until now, and present some day-dreaming as ‘fact’. That’ll do until some real news comes along.

I reckon that Wagner is finished as a PMC. With Putin demanding that Wagner ‘soldiers’ swear an allegiance to the Russian nation, it’s become a part of the Russian military structure. Putin isn’t going to allow it, or any similar outfit, to get too uppity again.

They might be kept a little bit separate as an outfit which can do the clandestine and dirty jobs that Russia doesn’t want to be too openly associated with (a lot, if not all, of the recent military coups and flexing in African countries is due to Russian/Wagner support). A degree of plausible deniability is always nice to have.

I didn’t not did open both links, I sees what popped up and some commentary below I bothered to read a few, thought for a moment there are people with not much brian activity, little error correction of the not much activity, a sort of native poverty wants something to fill itself, a drill and suitable hole saw applied the top of the head could do similar, stuff some shit in there

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-04/why-ukraine-counteroffensive-could-be-close-to-major-prize/102801456

A Ukrainian soldier surveys the damage to one of the country’s tanks on the road to Robotyne.(Reuters: Viacheslav Ratynskyi)

Ukrainian soldier *Vono vidpoliruyetʹsya, yak nove”

Cymek said:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-04/why-ukraine-counteroffensive-could-be-close-to-major-prize/102801456

A Ukrainian soldier surveys the damage to one of the country’s tanks on the road to Robotyne.(Reuters: Viacheslav Ratynskyi)

Ukrainian soldier *Vono vidpoliruyetʹsya, yak nove”

The Ukrainians don’t have to go all the way to the coast. Just south of Melitopol is the Molochnyi Estuary, over 30 km long and 8 km wide, with no rail or road routes across through it. So that stretch of country is already ‘captured’.

They need not waste resources and lives capturing Melitopol itself. Its the road and rail supply routes that are important. Once they can be brought under artillery and rocket attack, then the Russian supply from Crimea is enormously curtailed.

As the article says, even the threat or high risk of being killed or taken prisoner is going to make the civilian transport contractors employed by Russian forces think more than twice before continuing to carry supplies to Russian forces to the north and east of Melitipol.

captain_spalding said:

Cymek said:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-04/why-ukraine-counteroffensive-could-be-close-to-major-prize/102801456

A Ukrainian soldier surveys the damage to one of the country’s tanks on the road to Robotyne.(Reuters: Viacheslav Ratynskyi)

Ukrainian soldier *Vono vidpoliruyetʹsya, yak nove”

The Ukrainians don’t have to go all the way to the coast. Just south of Melitopol is the Molochnyi Estuary, over 30 km long and 8 km wide, with no rail or road routes across through it. So that stretch of country is already ‘captured’.

They need not waste resources and lives capturing Melitopol itself. Its the road and rail supply routes that are important. Once they can be brought under artillery and rocket attack, then the Russian supply from Crimea is enormously curtailed.

As the article says, even the threat or high risk of being killed or taken prisoner is going to make the civilian transport contractors employed by Russian forces think more than twice before continuing to carry supplies to Russian forces to the north and east of Melitipol.

The inspect the tank for damage I found amusing as it looks pretty out of action

Cymek said:

captain_spalding said:

Cymek said:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-04/why-ukraine-counteroffensive-could-be-close-to-major-prize/102801456

A Ukrainian soldier surveys the damage to one of the country’s tanks on the road to Robotyne.(Reuters: Viacheslav Ratynskyi)

Ukrainian soldier *Vono vidpoliruyetʹsya, yak nove”

The Ukrainians don’t have to go all the way to the coast. Just south of Melitopol is the Molochnyi Estuary, over 30 km long and 8 km wide, with no rail or road routes across through it. So that stretch of country is already ‘captured’.

They need not waste resources and lives capturing Melitopol itself. Its the road and rail supply routes that are important. Once they can be brought under artillery and rocket attack, then the Russian supply from Crimea is enormously curtailed.

As the article says, even the threat or high risk of being killed or taken prisoner is going to make the civilian transport contractors employed by Russian forces think more than twice before continuing to carry supplies to Russian forces to the north and east of Melitipol.

The inspect the tank for damage I found amusing as it looks pretty out of action

It’ll need more than one trip to Supercheap auto to put right.

Russia moves Putin opposition politician Alexei Navalny to a prison in the Arctic

let’s add “regime Change” to our list of demands.

party_pants said:

let’s add “regime Change” to our list of demands.

Russia is always on the knife edge of another revolution. Putin is skilled at staying upright.

party_pants said:

let’s add “regime Change” to our list of demands.

Is there an alternative that doesn’t wish to possess Ukraine?

Dark Orange said:

party_pants said:

let’s add “regime Change” to our list of demands.

Is there an alternative that doesn’t wish to possess Ukraine?

Dunno. But out of a population of 140 million or so there’s bound to be a few. The economic sanctions should stay in place until regime change happens, even if there is a ceasefire or some vague form peace happens in Ukraine.

party_pants said:

Dark Orange said:

party_pants said:

let’s add “regime Change” to our list of demands.

Is there an alternative that doesn’t wish to possess Ukraine?

Dunno. But out of a population of 140 million or so there’s bound to be a few. The economic sanctions should stay in place until regime change happens, even if there is a ceasefire or some vague form peace happens in Ukraine.

The Russians are used to suffering, and the tree of decency has been pruned back so far there is no realistic option for change for at least a generation. Russia is fucked. And they still have Nukes.

Dark Orange said:

party_pants said:

Dark Orange said:

Is there an alternative that doesn’t wish to possess Ukraine?

Dunno. But out of a population of 140 million or so there’s bound to be a few. The economic sanctions should stay in place until regime change happens, even if there is a ceasefire or some vague form peace happens in Ukraine.

The Russians are used to suffering, and the tree of decency has been pruned back so far there is no realistic option for change for at least a generation. Russia is fucked. And they still have Nukes.

Yes. But that is the very reason why we can’t let them back into the fold in their current configuration. Can’t trust them not to just rinse and repeat after a short hiatus to rebuild their military.

party_pants said:

Dark Orange said:

party_pants said:

Dunno. But out of a population of 140 million or so there’s bound to be a few. The economic sanctions should stay in place until regime change happens, even if there is a ceasefire or some vague form peace happens in Ukraine.

The Russians are used to suffering, and the tree of decency has been pruned back so far there is no realistic option for change for at least a generation. Russia is fucked. And they still have Nukes.

Yes. But that is the very reason why we can’t let them back into the fold in their current configuration. Can’t trust them not to just rinse and repeat after a short hiatus to rebuild their military.

Oh, I’m not advocating their readmittance into civilised society.
It’s just that we (everyone but Russia) are going to have to be very careful about how we handle things once this has all settled. Imagine the rise of fascism in post-WWI Germany, but with nukes.

Dark Orange said:

party_pants said:

Dark Orange said:

The Russians are used to suffering, and the tree of decency has been pruned back so far there is no realistic option for change for at least a generation. Russia is fucked. And they still have Nukes.

Yes. But that is the very reason why we can’t let them back into the fold in their current configuration. Can’t trust them not to just rinse and repeat after a short hiatus to rebuild their military.

Oh, I’m not advocating their readmittance into civilised society.
It’s just that we (everyone but Russia) are going to have to be very careful about how we handle things once this has all settled. Imagine the rise of fascism in post-WWI Germany, but with nukes.

Yeah, it’s a tough one. But we can’t appease Russia, they will only see it as weakness and be emboldened by it. It will need some wise heads in charge in Washinton, Brussels and NATO.

“Because first of all, these vigilante citizens are xenophobic, but they don’t even know any nationalities; Uzbeks, Tajiks, Turkmens, they think it’s all the same thing. And this level of suspicion Russians have, it’s very dangerous for people.”

Vavara says the tenants in her apartment are being unfairly targeted by other building residents.

A 2021 report by Amnesty International — well before the Crocus City Hall attack — said “violent racism” was “out of control” in the country.

“Racist attacks and killings of foreigners and ethnic minorities are reported with shocking regularity in Russia and, disturbingly, their frequency seems to be increasing,” it said.

The Amnesty International report outlined how anyone who didn’t look Slavic was at particular risk, but that: “Even ethnic Russians who are seen as sympathising with foreigners or ethnic minority groups, for example, fans of rap or reggae music, members of other youth sub-cultures, and campaigners against racism, have also been targeted as they are perceived as ‘unpatriotic’ or ‘traitors’.”

Link

Two completely

Johnny* has been steering clear of places like busy train platforms since the Islamic State attack on March 22, but he’s worried about racism, not terrorism.

different things¡

SCIENCE said:

Two completely

Johnny* has been steering clear of places like busy train platforms since the Islamic State attack on March 22, but he’s worried about racism, not terrorism.

different things¡

Yes. That was clearly stated.

“As more violent criminals come back from the battlefield, the Kremlin has been forced to defend its policy.“https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-06/russian-convict-soldiers-return-to-communities-as-free-men/103770698

In November, Putin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reminded reporters that convicts had to adhere to “certain conditions that are related to being on the front line” and were “atoning with blood for their crime on the battlefield”.

While the accounts of conditions in Russian trenches are carefully controlled by Putin’s propaganda machine, videos posted to the encrypted messaging service Telegram by disgruntled soldiers offer a glimpse into the harsh reality of war.

A bomb at a luxury apartment block in Moscow has killed a pro-Russian paramilitary leader, according to state news agency TASS and other Russian media.

Armen Sarkisyan, from eastern Ukraine, died when the explosive detonated in the lobby of ‘Scarlet Sails’, a complex on the banks of the Moskva River just 12 kilometres from the Kremlin.

One bodyguard was killed and three more injured, the Kommersant newspaper said.

TASS called the bombing, on Monday, local time, a well-planned assassination.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-04/ukranian-pro-russia-leader-armen-sarkisyan-killed-in-bomb-blast/104892800

Captain of the cargo Ship that collided with and oil tanker in the North Sea is a Russian, now the question is did he do it on purpose or and accident ?.
Arrested captain of ship is Russian national
The captain of the Solong cargo ship arrested after a collision with a tanker in the North Sea is a Russian national, the ship’s owner has confirmed.
Humberside Police said the 59-year-old man remained in custody after being arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter on Tuesday.
The Portuguese-flagged Solong and the US-registered tanker Stena Immaculate crashed off the East Yorkshire coast at about 10:00 GMT on Monday.
A missing crew member from the cargo ship is presumed dead after a search and rescue operation was called off late on Monday.
Humberside Police said it had begun a criminal investigation into the cause of the collision and was working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
“Detectives are continuing to conduct extensive lines of enquiry alongside partners in connection with the collision,” the force said.
Both ships caught fire after the collision triggering a major response from emergency services.
HM Coastguard said 36 people had been rescued and taken safely to shore.
Grimsby-based Windcat, which provides support to offshore wind farms, assisted in the rescue operation.
The company said it had two ships in the area at the time.
“Both vessels were called to assist in the rescue operation,” a spokesperson said.
“They immediately responded and they brought around 17 people involved to safety ashore.”
Whitehall sources have told the BBC there were Russians and Filipinos among the crew of the Solong.
The BBC understands all of the crew on board the Stena Immaculate are Americans who are currently in Grimsby and will be repatriated in due course.
The Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of aviation fuel to be used by the US military.
Its co-owners, Florida-based Crowley, said it had been at anchor waiting for a berth to become available at the Port of Killingholme on the Humber Estuary.
The firm added the crash had caused “multiple explosions” on board and an unknown quantity of jet fuel to be released.

The original poster didn’t give a reference but I’d say it is from the BBC, knowing him.

roughbarked said:

Captain of the cargo Ship that collided with and oil tanker in the North Sea is a Russian, now the question is did he do it on purpose or and accident ?.
Arrested captain of ship is Russian national
The captain of the Solong cargo ship arrested after a collision with a tanker in the North Sea is a Russian national, the ship’s owner has confirmed.
Humberside Police said the 59-year-old man remained in custody after being arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter on Tuesday.

I wouldn’t read too much into the ‘Russian national’ thing.

At sea, you’ll find incompetents from almost every nationality.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

Captain of the cargo Ship that collided with and oil tanker in the North Sea is a Russian, now the question is did he do it on purpose or and accident ?.
Arrested captain of ship is Russian national
The captain of the Solong cargo ship arrested after a collision with a tanker in the North Sea is a Russian national, the ship’s owner has confirmed.
Humberside Police said the 59-year-old man remained in custody after being arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter on Tuesday.

I wouldn’t read too much into the ‘Russian national’ thing.

At sea, you’ll find incompetents from almost every nationality.

is this like the accidental anchor dragging

SCIENCE said:

is this like the accidental anchor dragging

The anchor-dragging was a bit different.

Firstly, it was the sort of thing that you might hope to get away with, without attracting the blame for it.

Secondly, it was the kind of thing you might hope to get away with, without too much risk to yourself.

Driving your ship full-tilt at an anchored tanker filled with jet fuel doesn’t really meet either of those criteria.

People can be devious, and people can be stupid. It’s the latter which is, by a very long way indeed, at the root of most debacles.

captain_spalding said:

SCIENCE said:

is this like the accidental anchor dragging

The anchor-dragging was a bit different.

Firstly, it was the sort of thing that you might hope to get away with, without attracting the blame for it.

Secondly, it was the kind of thing you might hope to get away with, without too much risk to yourself.

Driving your ship full-tilt at an anchored tanker filled with jet fuel doesn’t really meet either of those criteria.

People can be devious, and people can be stupid. It’s the latter which is, by a very long way indeed, at the root of most debacles.

Experts have told the ABC there is no evidence the cargo ship tried to take evasive action before Monday’s collision.
Video shows cargo ship hitting US military fuel tanker in North Sea

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

SCIENCE said:

is this like the accidental anchor dragging

The anchor-dragging was a bit different.

Firstly, it was the sort of thing that you might hope to get away with, without attracting the blame for it.

Secondly, it was the kind of thing you might hope to get away with, without too much risk to yourself.

Driving your ship full-tilt at an anchored tanker filled with jet fuel doesn’t really meet either of those criteria.

People can be devious, and people can be stupid. It’s the latter which is, by a very long way indeed, at the root of most debacles.

Experts have told the ABC there is no evidence the cargo ship tried to take evasive action before Monday’s collision.
Video shows cargo ship hitting US military fuel tanker in North Sea

I am not all that surprised.

Merchant ships rarely maintain any sort of lookout. Many collisions at sea happen precisely because absolutely no-one was paying any attention to what was in front of them. Or around them. If you’re hoping for a merchant ship to spot you in a time of trouble, well, good luck with that.

In these days of automation, there’s quite often no-one actually steering the ship. The waypoints get programmed into the ‘autopilot’ at the start of the journey, and that’s it, until near the end of the voyage.

There may be some little Filipino or Indonesian or whatever chap ‘on watch’ on the bridge, but he’s unlikely to have his binoculars in action, and far more probably asleep or engrossed in a magazine.

At night, in the open sea, it’s far from unknown for there to be no-one at all on the bridge of merchant ships. Not having anyone on the bridge in a heavy-traffic area like the North Sea would be very unwise, indeed, but, again, i wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn that such was the case.

More vacuous threats.

roughbarked said:

More vacuous threats.

for “vacuous” they are holding that eastern area of previous NATO/american influence, and have had a very consistent message, I mean really consistent message

transition said:

roughbarked said:

More vacuous threats.

for “vacuous” they are holding that eastern area of previous NATO/american influence, and have had a very consistent message, I mean really consistent message

They have been at it for more than a decade.

roughbarked said:

transition said:

roughbarked said:

More vacuous threats.

for “vacuous” they are holding that eastern area of previous NATO/american influence, and have had a very consistent message, I mean really consistent message

They have been at it for more than a decade.

the west has the thought error of being blinded by casual contempt, so liberated, delusional

Sure And We’re Old Enough To Remember The Vacuous Threats To Invade Ukraine Three Days Of Special Military Operation Ago

roughbarked said:

Can we daddy, can we go to war with Mr Putin please?

Witty Rejoinder said:

roughbarked said:

Can we daddy, can we go to war with Mr Putin please?

Sounds like the Putin play trumpet tactic.