Rumour has it that their rapid advance, the AFU are running into serious logistic problems. They are running out of Ukrainian flags to raise in the liberated villages.
AFU is currently attacking Lysychansk and sweeping around towards Sievierodonetsk. All the blood spilled by the Russian military in taking those cities will be fore nothing an a couple days.
The weird thing is that north of Donetsk city the Russians are still shelling and making frontal attacks as if nothing has changed. They don't get far.
Yes, the Kherson area is seeing rapid changes. The Russian military on the west bank of the Dnipro river have pulled back so they can be covered by artillery on the east bank. There are currently negotiations for surrender of some units though how many, I don't know. They are running out of food.
The rainy season has started. It has been raining at home for the past two days. Tanya said that all day yesterday, last night, and again today Russian missiles have been flying over head. They are doing their best to terrorize and destroy civilians even if they can't fight, she said. Some are being shot down by Ukrainian air defense. One so close that our house shook.
There are pro-Russian people in Zhovti Vody who are claiming that the American military is why the Russians are loosing. Tanya told one of them to go to Russia, using not nice words she said. I love that woman.
Allen, I think that the bottom line with this war is that Putin must be defeated. The inner circle of the power structure - oligarchs, military brass, etc., has to turn on him. As the Russian military retreats, Putin will break Ukraine - destroy the infrastructure, starve the populace and freeze the people. Aleppo is the example that occurs to me. What do you think of this line of reasoning?
More than defeated. He must be humiliated and destroyed. Russia must sue of peace under Ukrainian terms before Ukraine is safe. He has apparently retired to his Billion dollar mansion in Sochi. Kadyrov is moving Chechens to Moscow in case of a popular uprising but it will more likely be an inside job.
Of course Biden, Macron and Schultz do not want to see this happen or they would have long ago given Ukraine the weapons it needs instead of just trickling them in a bit at a time.
FFS, Russia will not go nuclear. Honest to God, Americans are the most frightened people on the F'ing planet. The countries nearest Ukraine are less worried than Americans, They worry about Russia winning as it puts them in immediate danger. America has supplied a huge number of weapons to Ukraine but never as many as needed nor in a timely manner. Germany has supplied weapons but only begrudgingly and has done everything in its power to stymie help for Ukraine. I have no idea why.
Allen, I'm not one of those 'Americans'. I brought up nuclear asking you if that is the reason Biden et al. don't want to absolutely stick it Putin to force him out, if we can. Why do you think 'they' don't want him out?
They don't care what happens to Putin. They kept saying escalation, escalation, escalation. All the time Ukrainian civilians are dying or wounded by the tens of thousands.
The powers that be do not want to see Russian break up into independent countries which it is quite likely to do over the next few years especially if there is a leadership vacuum at the top with several people fighting it out. They did not want to USSR to break up either.
Germany I do not understand. The German people are solidly behind Ukraine but the top people are not.
Tanya told the person "to go to Russia"; I was guessing that Allen cleaned it up a bit for this family thread and the actual destination is a bit warmer than most Russians are used to. Alternatively, the way things are going under Putin, Russia could already be a hellish place to live.
The expressions on the faces of Ukrainian men, women and children in the liberated regions tells you exactly what Ukrainians experienced of Russian occupation. There is still a long way to go, and the western democracies must not back down from supplying all that the Ukrainians will need to push Russia out of their country and back within their own borders. It is fascinating to read of political leadership in Moscow and St. Petersburg (city leadership) publishing a public statement demanding Putin resign. No chance of that. A good chance the signatories will find themselves rounded up and put in a basement somewhere. But the statement from Mr. Fukuyama says so much. Now it is important not to get carried away but to do all we can by supporting with money Ukrainian civic organizations as well as making sure our own government does not flag. And recently, there have been gop "leaders" suggesting the US has done enough. I'd say this presents one more reason NOT to vote for any gop candidates.
As Putin fails and it becomes obvious...those who wondered what the point of the war was may decide that they have had enough. Combine national shame and embarrassment with Russians in body bags and sanctions...
And then there are all the fired generals and advisors...anything is possible.
Terrific news on the Western Front. Looks like the conscript army is folding somewhat. And the Chechen leader doesn't sound happy with Putin. How significant (or accurate) is the Brit. news report that several thousand Chechen soldiers have been sent to Moscow (to reinforce security for UKW)?
and, this might sound silly, but what the fuck is the deal with these Ferris wheels. there are Ferris wheels blighting the London skyline. Paris has one, and it looks like shit. at this point, since the Manhattan skyline (which is definitely about as "iconic" as things get, and "iconic" is a word I almost always refuse to use in this new-ish lazy broadcaster and just-as-lazy reporter misuse of the word, although using it to apply to a visual phenomenon is closer to the original meaning...I am nothing if not pedantic) has been completely ruined by these new and completely hideous buildings that look like giant hypodermic needles, when are we gonna get OURS? remember: "You never know how great a kiss can feel/Till you stop at the top of the Ferris wheel?" obviously I do (Freddy Cannon/"Palisades Park").
I can see why you don’t like the way the giant Ferris wheels change a city’s skyline. I will say that I rode the London wheel twenty years ago, and it provides spectacular views of the city from heights otherwise unavailable except by helicopter.
In addition to David's explanation, Putin reportedly opened a very expensive Ferris wheel in Moscow and was criticized for doing so instead of spending the money on his troops. In a show of poetic justice, the wheel broke down about 5 hours after it opened.
The media in Russia are so calibrated for Russian victory that they don't know what to do with the setbacks. I saw several clips on Twitter of obviously agitated on-air personalities trying to spin it favorably for Russia but not doing it convincingly at all. That, plus news that will inevitably reach the public from Kharkiv and the northeast, may severely compromise Putin's legitimacy. We might be looking at 1905 all over again.
And consider the effect upon the Chinese Communist Party. Xi appears to have picked the wrong horse. What might that do to the strength of his support for another term as emperor (or whatever the hell they call it), when he exhibits such poor judgment? Supporting the “special military operation” is not truly linked to a national interest of China; rather it is Xi personally backing a strong man ruler to justify strong man ruler as a governing form generally. I suspect the senior Party cadre are not that invested in strong man rule as opposed to Party rule consistent with Party dogma.
And, of course, the question of Taiwan. Ukrainian success, and Putin surrounding himself with Cossacks to stave off an uprising, must give Xi and the CCP pause.
GarySanDiego, Putin and Xi are meeting next week. QUESTIONS hang over it. What are Xi's intentions?
'Next week, Mr. Xi is to meet with Mr. Putin, this time in Uzbekistan at a summit meeting of Asian leaders.'
'With Moscow a pariah among many Western nations since its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, good relations with Beijing have become more important to it than ever. Not only has China refrained from condemning the attack, it has also helped keep Russia’s economy afloat by stepping in to buy Russian oil as Western nations curtail their purchases.'
'There are parallels between Mr. Xi’s trip in 2013 and the one planned for next week.'
'A decade ago, relations between the United States and China were growing tense. Beijing suspected that the Obama administration’s campaign to bolster American ties with Asian countries was really an attempt to contain China.'
'Relations now are, if anything, even worse. Amid talk of a new cold war, President Biden and Mr. Xi appear to be on a collision course. Tensions only grew worse in July, when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi infuriated Chinese leaders by making a trip to Taiwan, the disputed democratic territory that China claims.'
'Now, with the West intent on punishing Russia over the war in Ukraine, it is Moscow that has set out to strengthen its ties in Asia. “No matter how much someone wants to isolate Russia, it is impossible to do,” Mr. Putin said in a speech last week. “You just need to look at the map.”
'But Beijing appears far more open to Russia’s overtures to Asian countries than it was to similar efforts by the United States. Where the West points to Ukraine and warns of Russian aggression and expansionism, Moscow and Beijing say that the real problem is American attempts at hegemony.'
'Still, events in Ukraine in recent days have left a question hovering over next week’s meeting: Might Russia’s significant military setbacks lead Mr. Xi to rethink just how closely he wants to throw his lot in with the Russian leader?' (NYTimes)
China - Russia relationship now -- TO BE DETERMINED!
Putin has either forgotten or ignored the fate of multiple Roman emperors at the hands of their Praetorian guard. The Chechens owe him nothing and, if a paycheck bounces, might react with extreme prejudice.
Smell test of Putin; a tug of war within Russia about how to proceed with the war against Ukraine and/or is it time to measure Russia’s political heat index?
‘While some urged the Kremlin to start peace negotiations, others demanded that its forces double down. The divergence of views, even on tightly controlled state television networks, highlighted how Moscow’s narrative has quickly shifted from a conviction that it was only a matter of time before Russia subjugated Ukraine to a sense of alarm over the rapid progress of Kyiv’s forces. And it was a contrast from the muted response after Russia’s drive to take Kyiv failed in the spring.’
“We have been dealt a very serious psychological blow,” said Aleksandr Kazakov, a member of the Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament. “We must destroy the infrastructure that is being used for military purposes.”
'Others questioned the main ideological pretext that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia used to launch the invasion — that Russians and Ukrainians constitute one nation. (NYTimes) Gifted ink to live updates below.
Rumour has it that their rapid advance, the AFU are running into serious logistic problems. They are running out of Ukrainian flags to raise in the liberated villages.
AFU is currently attacking Lysychansk and sweeping around towards Sievierodonetsk. All the blood spilled by the Russian military in taking those cities will be fore nothing an a couple days.
The weird thing is that north of Donetsk city the Russians are still shelling and making frontal attacks as if nothing has changed. They don't get far.
Yes, the Kherson area is seeing rapid changes. The Russian military on the west bank of the Dnipro river have pulled back so they can be covered by artillery on the east bank. There are currently negotiations for surrender of some units though how many, I don't know. They are running out of food.
The rainy season has started. It has been raining at home for the past two days. Tanya said that all day yesterday, last night, and again today Russian missiles have been flying over head. They are doing their best to terrorize and destroy civilians even if they can't fight, she said. Some are being shot down by Ukrainian air defense. One so close that our house shook.
There are pro-Russian people in Zhovti Vody who are claiming that the American military is why the Russians are loosing. Tanya told one of them to go to Russia, using not nice words she said. I love that woman.
Allen, I think that the bottom line with this war is that Putin must be defeated. The inner circle of the power structure - oligarchs, military brass, etc., has to turn on him. As the Russian military retreats, Putin will break Ukraine - destroy the infrastructure, starve the populace and freeze the people. Aleppo is the example that occurs to me. What do you think of this line of reasoning?
More than defeated. He must be humiliated and destroyed. Russia must sue of peace under Ukrainian terms before Ukraine is safe. He has apparently retired to his Billion dollar mansion in Sochi. Kadyrov is moving Chechens to Moscow in case of a popular uprising but it will more likely be an inside job.
Of course Biden, Macron and Schultz do not want to see this happen or they would have long ago given Ukraine the weapons it needs instead of just trickling them in a bit at a time.
How could Biden and Shultz not want it? They must want to eliminate him. I don't understand Allen. Putin could go nuclear at any point.
FFS, Russia will not go nuclear. Honest to God, Americans are the most frightened people on the F'ing planet. The countries nearest Ukraine are less worried than Americans, They worry about Russia winning as it puts them in immediate danger. America has supplied a huge number of weapons to Ukraine but never as many as needed nor in a timely manner. Germany has supplied weapons but only begrudgingly and has done everything in its power to stymie help for Ukraine. I have no idea why.
Allen, I'm not one of those 'Americans'. I brought up nuclear asking you if that is the reason Biden et al. don't want to absolutely stick it Putin to force him out, if we can. Why do you think 'they' don't want him out?
They don't care what happens to Putin. They kept saying escalation, escalation, escalation. All the time Ukrainian civilians are dying or wounded by the tens of thousands.
The powers that be do not want to see Russian break up into independent countries which it is quite likely to do over the next few years especially if there is a leadership vacuum at the top with several people fighting it out. They did not want to USSR to break up either.
Germany I do not understand. The German people are solidly behind Ukraine but the top people are not.
Love to Tanya! ❤️
I love her, too!
Guessing "Russia" is a contemporary euphemism for the intended destination. Good show Tanya.
Dave, Please explain your first line to me -- 'intended destination'? Thanks.
Tanya told the person "to go to Russia"; I was guessing that Allen cleaned it up a bit for this family thread and the actual destination is a bit warmer than most Russians are used to. Alternatively, the way things are going under Putin, Russia could already be a hellish place to live.
Thank you, Dave, and I agree that 'Russia' is another name for hell .
Always a pleasure Fern and I pray that we don't become the same.
Иди в баню (get to the sauna) is a slang phrase I picked up early. She may have said that too
Okay, you comic. I LOL; now, please read my question about what I think the objective of the war needs to be by Ukraine and NATO.
The expressions on the faces of Ukrainian men, women and children in the liberated regions tells you exactly what Ukrainians experienced of Russian occupation. There is still a long way to go, and the western democracies must not back down from supplying all that the Ukrainians will need to push Russia out of their country and back within their own borders. It is fascinating to read of political leadership in Moscow and St. Petersburg (city leadership) publishing a public statement demanding Putin resign. No chance of that. A good chance the signatories will find themselves rounded up and put in a basement somewhere. But the statement from Mr. Fukuyama says so much. Now it is important not to get carried away but to do all we can by supporting with money Ukrainian civic organizations as well as making sure our own government does not flag. And recently, there have been gop "leaders" suggesting the US has done enough. I'd say this presents one more reason NOT to vote for any gop candidates.
Haters. Screw them.
🗽
As Putin fails and it becomes obvious...those who wondered what the point of the war was may decide that they have had enough. Combine national shame and embarrassment with Russians in body bags and sanctions...
And then there are all the fired generals and advisors...anything is possible.
Terrific news on the Western Front. Looks like the conscript army is folding somewhat. And the Chechen leader doesn't sound happy with Putin. How significant (or accurate) is the Brit. news report that several thousand Chechen soldiers have been sent to Moscow (to reinforce security for UKW)?
Hadn't heard that, but it seems "prudential" on Putin's part. When the dam breaks, he's going to be swept away in the flood.
from your mouth, Tom, to wherever.
and, this might sound silly, but what the fuck is the deal with these Ferris wheels. there are Ferris wheels blighting the London skyline. Paris has one, and it looks like shit. at this point, since the Manhattan skyline (which is definitely about as "iconic" as things get, and "iconic" is a word I almost always refuse to use in this new-ish lazy broadcaster and just-as-lazy reporter misuse of the word, although using it to apply to a visual phenomenon is closer to the original meaning...I am nothing if not pedantic) has been completely ruined by these new and completely hideous buildings that look like giant hypodermic needles, when are we gonna get OURS? remember: "You never know how great a kiss can feel/Till you stop at the top of the Ferris wheel?" obviously I do (Freddy Cannon/"Palisades Park").
I can see why you don’t like the way the giant Ferris wheels change a city’s skyline. I will say that I rode the London wheel twenty years ago, and it provides spectacular views of the city from heights otherwise unavailable except by helicopter.
Wait, why are we talking about Ferris wheels here?…
In addition to David's explanation, Putin reportedly opened a very expensive Ferris wheel in Moscow and was criticized for doing so instead of spending the money on his troops. In a show of poetic justice, the wheel broke down about 5 hours after it opened.
Ah. I was insufficiently informed to get David Levine’s allusion. Got it now. Thanks!
obviously because I'm weird.
David, at least TC ❤️ your train of thought.
Hahahahaha 😂
This story?:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1668201/putin-news-coup-fears-chechens-sent-to-moscow-russia-ukraine-war
That’s it.
The media in Russia are so calibrated for Russian victory that they don't know what to do with the setbacks. I saw several clips on Twitter of obviously agitated on-air personalities trying to spin it favorably for Russia but not doing it convincingly at all. That, plus news that will inevitably reach the public from Kharkiv and the northeast, may severely compromise Putin's legitimacy. We might be looking at 1905 all over again.
And consider the effect upon the Chinese Communist Party. Xi appears to have picked the wrong horse. What might that do to the strength of his support for another term as emperor (or whatever the hell they call it), when he exhibits such poor judgment? Supporting the “special military operation” is not truly linked to a national interest of China; rather it is Xi personally backing a strong man ruler to justify strong man ruler as a governing form generally. I suspect the senior Party cadre are not that invested in strong man rule as opposed to Party rule consistent with Party dogma.
And, of course, the question of Taiwan. Ukrainian success, and Putin surrounding himself with Cossacks to stave off an uprising, must give Xi and the CCP pause.
GarySanDiego, Putin and Xi are meeting next week. QUESTIONS hang over it. What are Xi's intentions?
'Next week, Mr. Xi is to meet with Mr. Putin, this time in Uzbekistan at a summit meeting of Asian leaders.'
'With Moscow a pariah among many Western nations since its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, good relations with Beijing have become more important to it than ever. Not only has China refrained from condemning the attack, it has also helped keep Russia’s economy afloat by stepping in to buy Russian oil as Western nations curtail their purchases.'
'There are parallels between Mr. Xi’s trip in 2013 and the one planned for next week.'
'A decade ago, relations between the United States and China were growing tense. Beijing suspected that the Obama administration’s campaign to bolster American ties with Asian countries was really an attempt to contain China.'
'Relations now are, if anything, even worse. Amid talk of a new cold war, President Biden and Mr. Xi appear to be on a collision course. Tensions only grew worse in July, when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi infuriated Chinese leaders by making a trip to Taiwan, the disputed democratic territory that China claims.'
'Now, with the West intent on punishing Russia over the war in Ukraine, it is Moscow that has set out to strengthen its ties in Asia. “No matter how much someone wants to isolate Russia, it is impossible to do,” Mr. Putin said in a speech last week. “You just need to look at the map.”
'But Beijing appears far more open to Russia’s overtures to Asian countries than it was to similar efforts by the United States. Where the West points to Ukraine and warns of Russian aggression and expansionism, Moscow and Beijing say that the real problem is American attempts at hegemony.'
'Still, events in Ukraine in recent days have left a question hovering over next week’s meeting: Might Russia’s significant military setbacks lead Mr. Xi to rethink just how closely he wants to throw his lot in with the Russian leader?' (NYTimes)
China - Russia relationship now -- TO BE DETERMINED!
To be a fly on that wall….
By the way, just call me Gary.
Absolutely, Gary.
Putin has either forgotten or ignored the fate of multiple Roman emperors at the hands of their Praetorian guard. The Chechens owe him nothing and, if a paycheck bounces, might react with extreme prejudice.
Smell test of Putin; a tug of war within Russia about how to proceed with the war against Ukraine and/or is it time to measure Russia’s political heat index?
‘While some urged the Kremlin to start peace negotiations, others demanded that its forces double down. The divergence of views, even on tightly controlled state television networks, highlighted how Moscow’s narrative has quickly shifted from a conviction that it was only a matter of time before Russia subjugated Ukraine to a sense of alarm over the rapid progress of Kyiv’s forces. And it was a contrast from the muted response after Russia’s drive to take Kyiv failed in the spring.’
“We have been dealt a very serious psychological blow,” said Aleksandr Kazakov, a member of the Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament. “We must destroy the infrastructure that is being used for military purposes.”
'Others questioned the main ideological pretext that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia used to launch the invasion — that Russians and Ukrainians constitute one nation. (NYTimes) Gifted ink to live updates below.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/09/12/world/ukraine-russia-war?
When is Putin getting the smell test?
As Putin falls, what mechanism exists to prevent him from saying “Fu&k it, I’m taking all of you with me?”
One hopes he wouldn't be alone in the room when he came to that point.