Ukraine – Russia … not more of the last thread

[highfigh]

According to sources that I have followed (sorry, can't recall all of them) is Putin has had a Russian doctor and thyroid cancer specialist follow his entourage everywhere over the past year. In addition, Putin's face appears similar to someone who has been taking large doses of Prednisone ( a corticosteroid ). This drug is also used to treat auto-immune diseases. We call this appearance "Cushing-oid" in reference to Cushing's Disease ( look it up ).

There are reports that he will undergo surgery in the near future for cancer ( type was not specified ) and will hand over control of the government to the architect of the invasion “Viktor Mikhailovich” former FSB aka Nickolai Patrushev ( https://nypost.com/2022/05/02/nikolai-patrushev-could-be-in-charge-of-russia-should-putin-be-sidelined/ ).

Perhaps, Putin seeing that his days are numbered wants to be remembered in Russian "history" as Vladimir the Great, who conquered Ukraine and restored the Russian Empire. In other words, finishing the job he started 23 years ago.

Maybe he's paranoid (warranted, or not) that someone might try to poison him in one of the ways he has had people poisoned. It would be very fitting.

 

[highfigh]

The "plan", as I understand it, is to materially support Ukraine and gradually tighten the sanctions screws on Russia. I'm not sure what else we can do, short of taking direct military action against Russia.

What do you suggest?

Something covert. Or, COVID- he's very paranoid about that too, from what I have read.

 

[Mr._Clark]

Last week in an intercepted call. Russians discuss Russian causalities as 25,900.

At the risk of picking nits, according to the on-screen translation, 25,900 are dead. If that number is correct, the number of casualties would be even higher.

 

[GO-NAD!]

I mean, he did laugh at his own screw up. Probably thinking "damnit, they're going to have a field day with this one".

It's odd that we've had so many presidents or vice presidents that can't seem to speak properly. G.W. had fun with it and just leaned into the fact that he misspoke so much.

Well, Biden does have a stammer that he has to work hard at to suppress. That can lead to mis-speaking at times.

 

[Swerd]

Well, when it comes to dealing with Russia, vis a vis Ukraine, I'd prefer an addled Biden over TFG any day.

Right. This thread is meant to be about the Ukraine - Russian war. I'd much rather see anyone but that criminal Trump in the White House while Putin runs amok in Ukraine.

Suggesting that Biden is in "cognitive decline" strongly resembles the GOP Message of the Day (as broadcast by its mouthpiece Faux News). Don't you have anything better to contribute?

 

[Mr._Clark]

It looks like the Russians are making a big push to take the Azovstal plant in Mariupol right now:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1521872661915344896

 

[Mr._Clark]

Ukrainian forces have actually retaken several villages:

Ukrainian forces have retaken another village in the northern Kharkiv region as a counteroffensive continues against Russian forces.
. . .
The counteroffensive to retake territory in Kharkiv has retaken a number of villages — about half a dozen in the area — in the last two weeks.

Not only are forces in the region nearing the Russian border, but they are also inching closer to vital Russian supply lines that run from the border down to Russian-occupied Izium and into the Donetsk region.<<<

Ukraine retakes a Kharkiv region village and inches closer towards Russian border

More than 150 people evacuated from the besieged city of Mariupol arrived in the city of Zaporizhzhia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday night, while another government official said four more evacuation corridors were planned for Wednesday.

www.cnn.com

 

[rnatalli]

Over 65. Honestly, there shouldn't be a single elected official over 65.

I understand this argument, but also a counter-argument. Some cultures in the past intentionally elected older folks to ensure they could not consolidate power in the short time they had left to live.

 

[Mr._Clark]

The UK Ministry of Defence states that the Russian military is now significantly weaker as a result of it's invasion of Ukraine.

>>>"Russia's military is now significantly weaker, both materially and conceptually, as a result of its invasion of Ukraine. Recovery from this will be exacerbated by sanctions. This will have a lasting impact on Russia's ability to deploy conventional military force," the report added.<<<

'Russia's military now significantly weaker': UK Ministry of Defence

Russia's military is now significantly weaker as a result of its invasion of Ukraine, the UK Ministry of Defence has said in its latest military intelligence report, The Guardian reported

www.nationalheraldindia.com

 

[Danzilla31]

I don't mean disrespect to any one but the title of this thread was Ukraine Russia not more of the last thread. Well the last 4 pages or so are turning into exactly that the last thread.

I'm sick and tired of every thread turning into a thread about Trump. A$$$hole is not even in office and I still can't get a break. I drop into this thread to try to catch up on anything I night have missed on Russia and Ukraine

I mean if we really want to debate who would be better in this situation Trump or Biden or which policies or administrations had a hand in it leading up to this maybe respectfully just start a different thread. We can bicker on it for about 2 to 3 days until it overheats and gets modded down like the other ones do but at least this thread will stay open for Russia and Ukraine

 

[Swerd]

… Debate is a good thing.

But only when its done without excessive amounts of nonsense.

I prefer what @Mr._Clark said: "I will select a different non-existent universe for debate".

 

[shadyJ]

I don't mean disrespect to any one but the title of this thread was Ukraine Russia not more of the last thread. Well the last 4 pages or so are turning into exactly that the last thread.

I'm sick and tired of every thread turning into a thread about Trump. A$$$hole is not even in office and I still can't get a break. I drop into this thread to try to catch up on anything I night have missed on Russia and Ukraine

I mean if we really want to debate who would be better in this situation Trump or Biden or which policies or administrations had a hand in it leading up to this maybe respectfully just start a different thread. We can bicker on it for about 2 to 3 days until it overheats and gets modded down like the other ones do but at least this thread will stay open for Russia and Ukraine

This is a good point Dan, and I might go back and delete much of the Trump bickering later if I get some free time, including my own crap. However, if there is to be discussion of the origins of the war or America's response to it, it's hard to avoid Trump. Like it or not, he has involvement. But that probably belongs in another thread.

 

[highfigh]

They need to test drivers often. Very often. Especially when folks start getting older and reacting slower.

OTOH, we have kids stealing cars and driving on the sidewalk in front of schools, so I guess we need to pick our battles. Lots of pedestrians killed here in the last week, too.

Cell phones need to disable the car's ignition or the car needs to disable cell phones for calls other than 911. I see far too many people with their face looking down into their laps and they have no freaking idea what's happening around them. Then, they look at me like I'm the bad guy when I honk.

 

[Danzilla31]

But only when its done without excessive amounts of nonsense.

I prefer what @Mr._Clark said: "I will select a different non-existent universe for debate".

Whats nonsense all too often these days now depends on what side of the political or ideological spectrum your viewpoint is. Both sides may actually have good points the other side can learn from that is where the debate can be had

In audioholics those universes are called posting a new thread that doesn't derail this one.

 

[Danzilla31]

This is a good point Dan, and I might go back and delete much of the Trump bickering later if I get some free time, including my own crap. However, if there is to be discussion of the origins of the war or America's response to it, it's hard to avoid Trump. Like it or not, he has involvement. But that probably belongs in another thread.

And for the record @shadyJ I'm not taking sides I have my own thoughts and feelings and opinions regarding this and your right it's hard not to avoid it since it's related but it just seems like lately it gets so heated and threads just get closed down.

This has been a great thread and like the coronavirus thread has done a good job of keeping the politics out if it.

 

[shadyJ]

And for the record @shadyJ I'm not taking sides I have my own thoughts and feelings and opinions regarding this and your right it's hard not to avoid it since it's related but it just seems like lately it gets so heated and threads just get closed down.

This has been a great thread and like the coronavirus thread has done a good job of keeping the politics out if it.

I just deleted a lot of recent conversation in this thread that did not pertain to the conflict in Ukraine. Hopefully that will get it back on track.

 

[panteragstk]

OTOH, we have kids stealing cars and driving on the sidewalk in front of schools, so I guess we need to pick our battles. Lots of pedestrians killed here in the last week, too.

Cell phones need to disable the car's ignition or the car needs to disable cell phones for calls other than 911. I see far too many people with their face looking down into their laps and they have no freaking idea what's happening around them. Then, they look at me like I'm the bad guy when I honk.

That's a parental or lack of parenting issue. I doubt not having a license would stop them from stealing cars.

I agree on the phone thing. It's so much of a problem and I don't think people realize how bad it really is.

 

[Mr._Clark]

I have to say, the guys who are still fighting in the Azovstal plant have cojones. It reminds me of the battle of Thermopylae (as depicted in the film 300).

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1522224805830963201

According to this twitter account, the Russian fleet is now hammering the plant with heavy artillery.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1522175799398473728

It's not entirely clear why Putin is trying to take the plant by force rather than just wait it out.

My best guess is that 1) for symbolic reasons he wants to show that the Russian forces can crush those who resist, and/or 2) he wants to be able to announce at the May 9 Victory Day event that he has cleansed the region of Nazis.

By fighting to the death, the remaining fighters at the Azovstal plant may be diverting Russian forces and buying time for the weapons from the U.S. and other countries to be deployed. I also heard an unverified report that many of the remaining fighters were there with their wives and children. According to this (again unverified) report, they believe that if they surrender, they will be killed, their wives will be raped and killed, and their children will also be killed.

 

[GO-NAD!]

I suppose listing all the criminal behaviour of Russian forces is becoming redundant, but this just makes me vibrate:
Ukraine farm thefts: Russians steal vast amounts of grain and equipment, threatening this year's harvest - CNN

They are just as bad as ISIS.

 

[Mikado463]

Read an interesting article in the WSJ this AM where the family of killed in action Russian soldier blames it all on 'America'. It really is amazing that here we are in the year 2022 and a country can be so isolated from the truth like Russia.