If Russia invades Ukraine (more)...

[Zhivago]

Puja, I'm sorry but the signs really aren't subtle. I'm disappointed in you for defending these barbarians.

-on tv talking about killing 10% of Ukrainian population: https://youtu.be/I5yvjyJdDW0
-on tv talking about wiping Ukraine off the map https://youtu.be/G5dyEPK2UlU
-on tv saying Ukraine should be eliminated /n6k9A5KzRqA
-on tv threatening to send Ukrainians to Gulags to cleanse them https://youtu.be/Sgzb0BlRZSs
-on tv talking about invading other countries /g6PSOjPLxXs
-on tv suggesting to kill Ukrainian children to wipe out Ukraine https://youtu.be/8lkshypC2Rk

That's just a selection. Moscovian culture is barbaric. It hasn't moved on much since Ivan the Terrible. Who they glorify by the way. As they do Stalin. Anyone who claims otherwise is a fool.

Moscow doesn't believe in tears afterall... москва не вярва на сълзи

Shockingly, I am not in favour of demonising an entire group of people. The leadership are clearly iniquitous and I don't want to give any impression that I think they are anything but evil, but I am unwilling to classify a whole nation's people as "barbarians".

Puja

I said the (hegemonic) culture is barbaric. Not everyone. But the majority.

[Son of Mathonwy]

There's a limit on how much slack we can cut the public for being misinformed. Maybe if they're young and naive, but anyone over ~25 really should question why their country is invading a country that isn't threatening them, whether it's Ukraine or Iraq or whatever.

They were begged to intervene by the ethnic Russians that were being genocided by the evil Nazis. Desperate people in the independent states of Donetsk and Luhansk were being brutally slaughtered all because they wanted to be free - it's not an "invasion", it's a humanitarian mission of rescue.

It's very easy to say that you would be able to see through propaganda if you were the one locked in the bubble, but I suspect it'd be a lot harder than most people think. It's not something that only works on the stupid or gullible.

Puja

Must be really difficult. The signs of evil must be really subtle and difficult to spot.

That logo is hilarious. It's like something from a bad SciFi film or a video game for 10 year old boys.

[Which Tyler]

That logo is hilarious. It's like something from a bad SciFi film or a video game for 10 year old boys.

Was Andrew Tate the face of Wagner?

[Zhivago]

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/r ... s-tells-us

[Zhivago]

[Son of Mathonwy]

This is the kind of thing Prigozin should avoid. Like ice picks. And ever leaving whatever bunker he finds to live out the rest of his life.

[Sandydragon]

This is the kind of thing Prigozin should avoid. Like ice picks. And ever leaving whatever bunker he finds to live out the rest of his life.

High rise buildings with balconies (or even opening windows), people with umbrellas, light aircraft. The list is nearly endless. Hope his 15 minute mutiny was worth it.

[Zhivago]

Putin met with Prigozhin, and 35 Wagner commanders after the rebellion. Putin suggested the Wagner fighters could continue in Ukaine and remain under the command of their field commander. Prigozhin says 'No the guys won't agree to this'.

Putin told this to Kommersant, basically complaining to the public about Prigozhin.

Bizarre.

[Sandydragon]

Putin met with Prigozhin, and 35 Wagner commanders after the rebellion. Putin suggested the Wagner fighters could continue in Ukaine and remain under the command of their field commander. Prigozhin says 'No the guys won't agree to this'.

Putin told this to Kommersant, basically complaining to the public about Prigozhin.

Bizarre.

Does anyone think Progozhin is still alive?

[Zhivago]

Putin met with Prigozhin, and 35 Wagner commanders after the rebellion. Putin suggested the Wagner fighters could continue in Ukaine and remain under the command of their field commander. Prigozhin says 'No the guys won't agree to this'.

Putin told this to Kommersant, basically complaining to the public about Prigozhin.

Bizarre.

Does anyone think Progozhin is still alive?

Seems so

[Sandydragon]

Has he actually been seen in public?

[Zhivago]

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1682 ... 00482.html

[Galfon]

The march to Mariupol ?..
Rus.fortifications reportedly thickest around Urozhaine and also Heorhiivka, five miles further south.
Urozhaine well under the cosh from various angles it seems..
around 50 mi. to the Azov and breaking the land bridge - just depends if the defences bend, or cave...He'll want to take the focus elsewhere pronto you'd think.

[Sandydragon]

The following is in the Prevail Partners weekly update. Not much reporting on this; clearly a lot less significant than say a chemical weapon strike using VX or similar, but use by Ru forces somewhat odd and surely authorised at the highest level.

On 6 August 2023, Russian troops reportedly fired rockets containing a chemical agent in the region of Novodanylivka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The use of chemical agents by Russia during its war with Ukraine has been reported before this most recent event. Reports indicated that Russian forces have previously used drones to drop K-51 grenades containing cheryomukha (a non-lethal incapacitating agent, similar to CS gas used for riot control) onto Ukrainian positions. However, firing chemical agents from a heavy Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) would be a considerable escalation in Russian tactics. Explaining why Russia might risk the severe consequences of a large chemical attack, even with a non-lethal agent, without gaining any tactical advantage is challenging. The authority to use special munitions rests at Division level and requires further clearance from the National Command Authority (The Kremlin). Initially, the use of chemical weapons is likely to be subject to the same level of decision making as nuclear weapons, but they are likely to be used more freely once the initial authority has been given. It can be speculated that Russia might be gauging reactions as to whether there would be international condemnation for breaking Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), but if they truly intended to use chemical warfare, they would likely employ a lethal agent on a larger scale for greater impact before facing any significant response. Chemical weapons offer a unique value within Russian military operations. These weapons are designed to have a broad impact, aiming to decrease enemy combat capabilities by causing casualties and incapacitating personnel, as well as contaminating equipment and surroundings. Additionally, coordinating a chemical warfare attack with widespread distribution of functional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which hasn’t been observed, poses further questions. Broadly speaking, chemical warfare proves most impactful when individuals lack means to shield themselves from exposure. Modern militaries possess defensive training and protective gear, nullifying potential advantages of deploying non-lethal chemical agents. Employing such agents would compel both parties to wear Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) protective gear, hampering tactical operations. However, a potential scenario where chemical weapons might hold relevance involves using a persistent agent for area denial, especially to impede a Ukrainian advance. This approach could serve as an alternative when conventional methods aren’t feasible – aligning with Soviet military doctrine, which is likely similar to current Russian doctrine. The utilisation of chemical weapons in Ukraine seems to offer Russia limited advantages, however on the other hand, there aren’t substantial drawbacks from a Russian viewpoint either. Public sentiment doesn’t appear to trouble Kremlin officials, and the employment of chemical weapons isn’t likely to dissuade backers of Moscow’s Ukrainian invasion, as supporters of Putin’s war already ignore accusations of Russian forces violating international law. However, in this latest instance, deploying chemical warfare in civilian areas, even with non-persistent agents, holds no military benefit and is likely disingenuous Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) disinformation, which undermines their legitimate requests for assistance.

[Zhivago]

The march to Mariupol ?..
Rus.fortifications reportedly thickest around Urozhaine and also Heorhiivka, five miles further south.
Urozhaine well under the cosh from various angles it seems..
around 50 mi. to the Azov and breaking the land bridge - just depends if the defences bend, or cave...He'll want to take the focus elsewhere pronto you'd think.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/8 ... -I-thought

[Sandydragon]

Russian command underestimated Ukrainian ability to flank and surround the narrow salient. As a result, an unexpected near-encirclement prompted a panicked daytime retreat, through Ukrainian fire controlled roads south of Urozhaine.

A reoccurring theme. I wonder if the Russian commanders are believing their own propaganda a bit too much?

[Galfon]

The slog south inching onward - a slightly different angle:

Fierce fighting is reportedly taking place in a key village on the war’s southern front after Ukrainian troops forced their way into the centre of Robotyne..
...The settlement is strategically significant because it allows Ukraine to launch assaults on the city of Tokmak, as it pushes south towards Melitopol in a bid to cut Russia’s so-called “land bridge” to Crimea.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/ ... -zelensky/

[Sandydragon]

Allegedly, Prighozin has been killed and in an air crash somewhere between Belarus and Moscow. Obviously a tragic and unexpected accident.

There’s even a video of it on YouTube.

[Puja]

Allegedly, Prighozin has been killed and in an air crash somewhere between Belarus and Moscow. Obviously a tragic and unexpected accident.

There’s even a video of it on YouTube.

I am shocked. Shocked!

Well, not that shocked.

Puja

[Puja]

Appears to be true. What a phenomenal idiot. Why on earth would you fly in a plane over Russian airspace when you attempted a coup against Putin? Did he have no brains? No sense of self-preservation? Was he actually so gormless that he believed him and Putin were chill now because Lukashenko said so?

Puja

[Sandydragon]

Appears to be true. What a phenomenal idiot. Why on earth would you fly in a plane over Russian airspace when you attempted a coup against Putin? Did he have no brains? No sense of self-preservation? Was he actually so gormless that he believed him and Putin were chill now because Lukashenko said so?

Puja

Who knows? It was only a matter of time really and I don’t think he had too many options on hiding places.

[J Dory]

What happens to the Wagner troops now?

[Zhivago]

Putin pretends to let bygones be bygones and things carry on as normal. In 6 months Prigozin has an unforeseen tragic accident.

Putin didn't even wait 6 months. Just two. To the day.

[Sandydragon]

What happens to the Wagner troops now?

I imagine they will be offered new contracts under the leadership of one of Putins mates. What they are doing in Africa is too useful for them to be disbanded.

[Sandydragon]

Putin pretends to let bygones be bygones and things carry on as normal. In 6 months Prigozin has an unforeseen tragic accident.

Putin didn't even wait 6 months. Just two. To the day.

And not even a tragic accident. A missile or bomb doesn’t tend to be accidental, but I’m sure a full and thorough investigation will show that an electrical fault at a SAM battery caused a misfire.