so russians have been holding back from pounding ukr and only now finally have a reason to let loose? i’m thinking this won’t make a material diff other than rallying internal public opinion/support for war.
This might be a little tougher than Putin thought...
- Thread starter Nole Lou
- Start date
I think this might be a pretext for an attack on the government of Ukraine, specifically Zelensky. There have been reports of assassins in Ukraine, but nothing focused. An attack on the Kremlin justifies an attack on the presidential palace in Kyiv, and saying the Ukrainians tried to kill Putin allows for overt actions against Zelensky. In their world, that is.
Another point, there is some belief that the Russians have been attempting to stockpile missiles, and modify older ones designed for other targets to be used against cities. Think anti-ship missiles. The Russians for months targeted electrical infrastructure and transportation hubs. Yes, they have had attacks against civilian targets, but not aimed at governmental targets.
They are losing their minds. Sure seems like both sides know there is a spectacular collapse of front getting ready to happen when this counter offensive starts.
"Images from the Ukrainian drone that tonight the Ilsky refinery, south west of the city of Krasnodar."
Guessing these go together.
Guessing these go together.
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China...not a fan.
Opinion
The Biden administration appears to be weighing whether to work with China to seek a negotiated settlement of the Ukraine war after what U.S. officials predict will be Ukrainian gains in their long-planned offensive.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly described the administration’s views in a Washington Post Live interview Wednesday to mark World Press Freedom Day. His comments echoed what senior officials have been saying privately in recent days about potential American and Chinese cooperation to mediate the brutal conflict.
The predicate for any such diplomatic effort would be Ukrainian gains on the battlefield, which could put Kyiv in a stronger bargaining position. Asked about Kyiv’s prospects in its anticipated counterstrike in eastern Ukraine, Blinken answered: “I feel confident that they will have success in regaining more of their territory, and I think it’s also important to note that for Russia, this is already a strategic failure.”
Opinion
The U.S. warms to a role for China in resolving the Ukraine war
The Biden administration appears to be weighing whether to work with China to seek a negotiated settlement of the Ukraine war after what U.S. officials predict will be Ukrainian gains in their long-planned offensive.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly described the administration’s views in a Washington Post Live interview Wednesday to mark World Press Freedom Day. His comments echoed what senior officials have been saying privately in recent days about potential American and Chinese cooperation to mediate the brutal conflict.
The predicate for any such diplomatic effort would be Ukrainian gains on the battlefield, which could put Kyiv in a stronger bargaining position. Asked about Kyiv’s prospects in its anticipated counterstrike in eastern Ukraine, Blinken answered: “I feel confident that they will have success in regaining more of their territory, and I think it’s also important to note that for Russia, this is already a strategic failure.”
" Occupied Horlivka is now being cleansed bit by bit of the Russian measure"
"It begins": Wagner Group leader says Ukrainian Armed Forces launch offensive
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Group private military company, whose forces are fighting in eastern Ukraine, has claimed that Ukrainian forces launched an offensive. He believes the "active phase" of the Ukrainian counteroffensive is about to begin.
Vodka?
"Russian media report that an Iskander crashed into a fence in St. Petersburg "
"Russian media report that an Iskander crashed into a fence in St. Petersburg "
"Ukraine frontline city of Kherson announces 58-hour curfew from Friday The city of #Kherson near the front line in southern Ukraine will be under curfew for 58 hours from Fri, a local official said, as Ukraine prepares for a spring offensive"
"
I think I've seen a couple dozen "the offensive has started" posts in the last month....
"It begins": Wagner Group leader says Ukrainian Armed Forces launch offensive
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Group private military company, whose forces are fighting in eastern Ukraine, has claimed that Ukrainian forces launched an offensive. He believes the "active phase" of the Ukrainian counteroffensive is about to begin.www.yahoo.com
So, it’s imminent.
I watched the assassination video. Is there any doubt Putin’s dead? There was an M80 size explosion in the air near the flag. The guy’s gone.
Who leads Russia now?
Who leads Russia now?
To me it’s a good signal. I don’t trust China to be altruistic, but if the war ends to Ukraine’s satisfaction I’m okay with China being involved.
It seems like China is very concerned about a Russian collapse. On the battlefield and politically. They like causing instability for adversaries, but hate it when it’s uncontrolled and affects their money. Xi and Zelensky have spoken recently, and the tenor from Zelensky after the call was different from his earlier comments about a possible Chinese involvement.
So, cautious optimism for me.
"The Military Commissariat is on fire in the Novgorod region ''Russia''. not a day without fire"
Oh I know, but I think the reported destruction of materiel today is a tell that something is afoot.
If they can make F-16s work logistically, then we should go for it. It is just my understanding from reading what others have written, that they are a poor fit for the conditions on the ground in Ukraine.
Fair enough....I think China is just using this to expand their influence as always. Probably made some $$$ commitments to Zelensky for reconstruction. China has played both sides of the fence pretty expertly...Kudos to them.
I get it, and I’m fine with some investment in reconstruction. Just as long as they keep on the sidelines when it comes to providing artillery shells, or tanks and missiles that work. Zelensky will not accept that.
Very interesting. Just a quick search tells me that the Netherlands purchased 200+ F-16s starting in the 1980s, went through multiple variants, and still have 60-68 in their inventory. They are adding F-35s currently. If they have a few usable retired airframes they could easily donate 10-12 serviceable jets. My hope is they are having intense conversations with other users of the F-16 about training, parts and technical support, or even adding more airframes.
Make this happen, now!
"I can say that the use of nuclear weapons in response to a drone is, of course, out of the question,” Prigozhin said.
“First of all, the person in charge of the fight against drones has to be tortured. We should find out how this could have happened at all, and then make every effort to ensure that we become a leading country in the development of UAV technologies and respond with the same drones. Otherwise, we look like clowns threatening to nuke a child's drone.”
www.yahoo.com
“First of all, the person in charge of the fight against drones has to be tortured. We should find out how this could have happened at all, and then make every effort to ensure that we become a leading country in the development of UAV technologies and respond with the same drones. Otherwise, we look like clowns threatening to nuke a child's drone.”
Prigozhin ridicules nuclear strike idea in wake of alleged drone attack on Kremlin
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of Russia’s Wagner mercenary company, in a video published online on May 4 ridiculed Kremlin officials who demanded to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine after theattack of unknown drones on the Kremlin.
Can’t investigate system failures without torture."I can say that the use of nuclear weapons in response to a drone is, of course, out of the question,” Prigozhin said.
“First of all, the person in charge of the fight against drones has to be tortured. We should find out how this could have happened at all, and then make every effort to ensure that we become a leading country in the development of UAV technologies and respond with the same drones. Otherwise, we look like clowns threatening to nuke a child's drone.”
Prigozhin ridicules nuclear strike idea in wake of alleged drone attack on Kremlin
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of Russia’s Wagner mercenary company, in a video published online on May 4 ridiculed Kremlin officials who demanded to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine after theattack of unknown drones on the Kremlin.
I bet even if it is accidental, it only adds to their paranoia. Other tweets call it an administration building.
"In Moscow, apparently, there was also spontaneous combustion"
"In Moscow, apparently, there was also spontaneous combustion"
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"There's a fire in Uspenka in Russia. isn't anyone thinking about a smoking ban?"
Might be time to edit thread title to “a lot tougher than Putin thought”
Think it was a Russian Korsar drone. Very similar to Bayraktar.
Luch Korsar - Wikipedia
