This might be a little tougher than Putin thought...

[seminole97]

Because those are covered and because I have spent my life talking to people who run countries in various countries and have concluded the following: that every leader kills people, including my leader.

'Every leader kills people, some kill more than others.

'Leadership requires killing people, sorry, that's why I wouldn't want to be a leader.

According to the new book “Double Down,” in which journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann chronicle the 2012 presidential election, President Barack Obama told his aides that he’s “really good at killing people” while discussing drone strikes.

Peter Hamby of The Washington Post noted the moment in his review of the book.

The reported claim by the commander-in-chief is as indisputable as it is grim.

…

His administration also expanded the drone war: There have been 326 drone strikes in Pakistan, 93 in Yemen, and several in Somalia — killing upwards of 4,000 people overall — under Obama, compared to a total of 52 strikes under George Bush.

In 2011 two of those strikes killed American-born al-Qaeda propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki and his American-born, 16-year-old son within two weeks.

Under Obama U.S. drone operators began practicing “signature strikes,” a tactic in which targets are chosen based on patterns of suspicious behavior and the identities of those to be killed aren't necessarily known. (The administration counts all “military-age males” in a strike zone as combatants.)

Furthermore, the disturbing trend of the “double tap” — bombing the same place in quick succession and oftenhitting first responders — has become common practice under Obama's eye.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

I mean, you do tend to post negative stories. But, maybe people think it is going too well there and Ukraine does not need any more help, and this is good long term.

My take is he has a contrarian streak and has different sources than some of us do. Adds to the tapestry of the thread if not simply has a more sobering view than some posters.

 

[seminole97]

Ukrainian troops retreating from the eastern frontline town of Avdiivka have been captured during a dangerous retreat, a Ukrainian military commander has revealed.

“At the final stage of the (withdrawal) operation, under the pressure of the overwhelming enemy forces, a certain number of Ukrainian servicemen were captured,” Ukrainian Brigadier-General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi wrote on Telegram.

He said Ukrainian troops had now moved to the second line of defences near Avdiivka.

The withdrawal from Avdiivka was announced by the newly-appointed Ukrainian military chief Oleksandry Syrskyi earlier on Friday.

It is the first Ukrainian area to fall to Russia since the takeover of the nearby besieged Bakhmut last May, an attack that was led by the mercenary Wagner Group.

“Based on the operational situation around Avdiivka, in order to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of servicemen, I decided to withdraw our units from the city and move to defence on more favourable lines,” Gen Syrskyi wrote.

Earlier this week, a crack 3rd Assault Brigade was rotated in to defend the city from a Russian encirclement after the Kremlin’s forces pushed into the northeast and south of the city.

Key Points​

• Ukrainian forces pull back from Avdiivka to dodge encirclement, army chief says
• Ukraine's Avdiivka at risk of falling to Russian forces, White House says
• Putin’s troops advancing along ‘entire front line’, Kyiv warns

 

[seminole97]

Ukraine says Russia has fired at least 24 North Korean ballistic missiles at its territory in recent weeks, killing at least 14 civilians.

The Friday announcement was given by Andriy Kostin, Ukraine’s prosecutor general, who said this figure is based on Ukrainian intelligence data since Dec.30. Kiev is trying to spotlight the deepening relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang, also in hopes of more Western action like sanctions against both.

But Ukraine is also spotlighting what it points to as the largely inaccurate nature of the North Korean missiles. "The accuracy of the missiles is questionable," Kostin said.

He described that merely two of the missiles were "relatively" accurate, citing attacks on an oil refinery and an airfield. They appear to be ballistic missiles and have been observed making very large impacts (see below video).

"In total, between December 30, 2023 and February 7, 2024, the enemy launched at least 12 attacks on seven regions of Ukraine with this type of (North Korean) missile," the prosecutor said.

Washington has over the course of the Ukraine conflict at various points accused North Korea of supplying the Russian military with additional artillery ammo. The two countries actually share a small border and large transfers are able to be made by train.

Late last month a senior Biden admin official said, "We are deeply concerned about the recent testing of weapons. We are deeply concerned about the growing relationship between Russia and the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] and what that might mean for Mr. Kim’s intentions."

And this week CNN revealed the following:

The Biden administration is concerned enough that national security adviser Jake Sullivan raised the issue with the Chinese foreign minister during a January meeting, a senior White House official told reporters late last month.
If North Korea is able to use a tighter relationship with Russia to loosen China’s influence, officials fear, that could remove what some believe has been an important handbrake on Pyongyang’s nuclear testing program.
“I think [Kim] is constantly looking for some kind of an edge,” a senior defense official said.

While it has long been reported that hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds are being supplied from North Korea to Russia, potential Russian military reliance on North Korean ballistic missiles would be a new unexpected development.

Close US ally South Korea has recently asserted that Ukraine is a big "test site" for North Korean missiles and weaponry.

 

[seminole97]

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

@seminole97 why do you believe this is the reception Zelenskyy receives?

 

[h-hawk]

 

[seminole97]

@seminole97 why do you believe this is the reception Zelenskyy receives?

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Because they didn't limit the applause to countries spending at least 2% of GDP on 'defense'?

 

[h-hawk]

Now send them 500 more.

 

[h-hawk]

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

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That’s the acft that probably fits Ukraines needs the best. F-16 is just too susceptible foreign object damage with the intake location.

Not sure Ukraines airfields are up to snuff for it…

 

[seminole97]

https://kyivindependent.com/borrell-we-cant-impose-sanctions-on-third-countries-that-help-russia/

According to the Kyiv School of Economics, revenues from Russian oil exports hit $183 billion in 2023, with the income comparable to pre-full-scale war levels.

According to Bloomberg, over 45% of Russia’s oil exports were managed by a "shadow fleet," built to bypass European and American sanctions. Russia also rerouted its trade routes and sold its hydrocarbons to countries like China and India that are not bound by sanctions.

And it seems the EU has no plan on how to deal with this issue.

"Look, the European sanctions are not extraterritorial, we can put sanctions on our subjects because they are subject to our law, but we cannot impose sanctions on third countries," Borrell said.

Meanwhile, statistics from the Institute of International Finance found that between March 2022 and October 2023, German exports of cars and parts to Kyrgyzstan had risen by 5,500%.

Kyrgyzstan, a member of the Moscow-led economic union, is one of the primary destinations through which military and non-military technology now enters Russia, bypassing EU sanctions.

 

[h-hawk]

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

Because they didn't limit the applause to countries spending at least 2% of GDP on 'defense'?

Tangent non-answer. Cool cool cool.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

https://kyivindependent.com/borrell-we-cant-impose-sanctions-on-third-countries-that-help-russia/

According to the Kyiv School of Economics, revenues from Russian oil exports hit $183 billion in 2023, with the income comparable to pre-full-scale war levels.

According to Bloomberg, over 45% of Russia’s oil exports were managed by a "shadow fleet," built to bypass European and American sanctions. Russia also rerouted its trade routes and sold its hydrocarbons to countries like China and India that are not bound by sanctions.

And it seems the EU has no plan on how to deal with this issue.

"Look, the European sanctions are not extraterritorial, we can put sanctions on our subjects because they are subject to our law, but we cannot impose sanctions on third countries," Borrell said.

Meanwhile, statistics from the Institute of International Finance found that between March 2022 and October 2023, German exports of cars and parts to Kyrgyzstan had risen by 5,500%.

Kyrgyzstan, a member of the Moscow-led economic union, is one of the primary destinations through which military and non-military technology now enters Russia, bypassing EU sanctions.

Sanction Kyrgyzstan.

 

[seminole97]

Tangent non-answer. Cool cool cool.

If you didn't expect snark for that stupid question, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

If you didn't expect snark for that stupid question, I don't know what to tell you.

Why was it a stupid question?

Because you don’t like the answer?

The fact that he has the moral support of Europe?

Would Putin ever receive this kind of ovation from a non captured audience? No, he would not. Because he is murderous evil scum.

People can distinguish between good and evil. It’s not so hard. Can you? Do you?

 

[seminole97]

Why was it a stupid question?
Because you don’t like the answer?

You're the one who didn't like the answer.

The fact that he has the moral support of Europe?

His country was unjustly attacked, of course he has the moral support of Europe.

Hard to load artillery tubes with moral support, amirite?

Would Putin ever receive this kind of ovation from a non captured audience? No, he would not. Because he is murderous evil scum.

Did you figure this out on your own?

People can distinguish between good and evil. It’s not so hard. Can you? Do you?

I consider the people who provoked this war evil, my list of those people is just longer than yours.

 

[lucas80]

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While Speaker Johnson pisses himself in fear and lets the MAGAs run wild, this is the kind of stuff I hope the Biden Administration is doing behind the scenes. Scouring the globe for stockpiles of arms, and quietly lining up donors.

 

[lucas80]

That’s the acft that probably fits Ukraines needs the best. F-16 is just too susceptible foreign object damage with the intake location.

Not sure Ukraines airfields are up to snuff for it…

1. I trust the Ukrainians will have a plan to use them effectively.
2. The Russians have been unable to extend the airspace over Ukraine despite having an incredible edge in equipment. Adding F-16s pushes the lines back, and gives the Russians something new to think about. Then, let's hope the Swedes hand over some jets.
3. Hopefully the Ukrainians have enough pilots. I assume they'll retire the Soviet stuff?

 

[noleclone2]

 

[h-hawk]

Not sure this is a good idea-keep something in case Russia comes after you or if NATO is counting on this equipment.

 

[h-hawk]

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

1. I trust the Ukrainians will have a plan to use them effectively.
2. The Russians have been unable to extend the airspace over Ukraine despite having an incredible edge in equipment. Adding F-16s pushes the lines back, and gives the Russians something new to think about. Then, let's hope the Swedes hand over some jets.
3. Hopefully the Ukrainians have enough pilots. I assume they'll retire the Soviet stuff?

I’m sure the Ukrainians will make great use of the F-16’s. Especially in the SEAD mission.
My concern has always been Ukrainian airfields. Had to cancel a training deployment to Slovakia for our 16’s because of the airfield, the A-10’s went…
Just think the Grippen will be easier to maintain there.


I think the Ukrainians will still fly the Soviet stuff till the wings fall off…

 

[noleclone2]

 

[Tenacious E]

Reflects the 3 planes

 

[MitchLL]

GET UKRAINE AIR POWER NOW!

TIA

 

[billanole]

Not sure this is a good idea-keep something in case Russia comes after you or if NATO is counting on this equipment.

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Wow. That is taking a bold leap forward. What a roll of the dice.
BTW, wood.

 

[billanole]

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Splash.

 

[HawkinK.C.1]

Splash.

Splash one Fullback.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

It quite frankly is idiotic that all the air support is not already being used by Ukraine

 

[Herky T Hawk]

Wow. That is taking a bold leap forward. What a roll of the dice.
BTW, wood.

The only way Denmark needs these artillery is if Poland and Germany fall. And Russia wouldn’t invade those if Ukraine doesn’t fall first. Why not give them to the people at the front line? We aren’t talking about large numbers of anything here either. Honestly, this is what most countries in Europe west of Poland should be doing. Why keep these in reserve when the front line of Poland, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Ukraine are all that really matter? The larger ones like England and France are a bit different as they have defense obligations overseas.

 

[noleclone2]

It quite frankly is idiotic that all the air support is not already being used by Ukraine

I do believe a part of the problem is the massive training it requires for not just the pilots but the ground and maintenance crews. And intact airfields. The thing I don’t like is not sending way more out of service tanks and artillery along with unleashing way more longer distance ATCAMS. It’s time.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

I do believe a part of the problem is the massive training it requires for not just the pilots but the ground and maintenance crews. And intact airfields. The thing I don’t like is not sending way more out of service tanks and artillery along with unleashing way more longer distance ATCAMS. It’s time.

We have an unimaginable amount of jets just sitting outside Tucson.

 

[Slappy Pappy]

To clarify, Turkey has ratified Sweden to NATO. Lone holdout is Orban, doing Putin's business to the very last, keeping Ukraine from getting aircraft it needs to defend itself.

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Why is Orbán blocking Sweden’s entry to Nato – and what happens next?

After Turkey’s parliament ratified Sweden’s membership of the military alliance, attention turns to Hungary, the final hurdle

www.theguardian.com

 

[h-hawk]

 

[h-hawk]

 

[h-hawk]

"Guys from 47th defended one of their own #Leopard2A6 in #Avdiivka with #Bradley (25mm Bushmaster) so that it didn't fall into the hands of the Russians . Here you get an idea of the hell the boys went through."

 

[mnole03]