As many observers have noted, up to and including Zelenskyy..with respect to some fever dream of ww3, Putin is a not a man that seems eager to end this world. To some extent, he continues his war in ukraine because he isn't certain that (or hasn't quite figured out how) he would survive losing it (politically and/or physically - we all know how dangerous windows in russia can be). Apparently, they had no real plan for what happened, as opposed to the three day weekend fantasy they went in with. As for nukes, specifically, as another poster on these boards once opined...they're most useful when you're holding them, not when you're using them.

The trouble for russia, was that their armed forces were simply not designed for this fight. Their tactics were not suited to this fight. Their organizational structure was not adequate for this fight. Their equipment is not capable of winning these engagements. None of it was ever even intended to be. They imagined themselves fighting a war against a technologically superior invading force that leaned overwhelmingly on air power...fighting off the rail lines. Ukraine knew this, because they were once an integral part of the russian war plan. So, they knew exactly how to exploit it - before..and even without, any western assistance. The combination of the ukranian will, insider info, and select western tech, is something that russian planners must be furiosly looking for a workaround to - their initial thought being that the workaround could be global isolation through nuclear brinksmanship...and that failed. Plan b, insomuch as it existed, appears to be terror attacks....and that's not working - worse, it's making their situation even more dire by the day.

It actually amazes me how little Russia's tactics have evolved. It's like they are stuck in a time warp. You would think that if they were not going to go all out on modernization they at least fix the glaring flaws in their old military doctrines. Especially against a country like Ukraine, which would know them well and be able to exploit those flaws.

Their tactics evolved, but they aren't fighting the battle their tactics were designed for, so it tends to look like they don't have a clue wtf they're doing. Institutions aren't easily able to turn on dimes.

Guess who is being praised on Russian state TV.

(December 23, 2022 at 3:21 pm)Fake Messiah Wrote: Guess who is being praised on Russian state TV.

What a tool -- in every sense of the word.

Shouldnt he be tanning his balls, or whatnot?

(December 23, 2022 at 3:27 pm)The Grand Nudger Wrote: Shouldnt he be tanning his balls, or whatnot?

If he's got any balls, he ought to spit 'em out -- they ain't his.

The Ukrainian national anthem is one massive FU to Russia and is an assertion of a free and independent Ukrainian state.

Quote:Never perished is Ukraine's
Glory and freedom!
Still upon us, young brethren,
Fate shall smile!
Our enemies shall vanish
Like dew in the sun;
We too shall rule
In our beloved country.

Soul and body shall we lay down
For our freedom
And show that we are brethren
Of the Cossack nation,
Hey, hey dearest brothers
Onward, take to battle
Hey, hey, time to rise,
Time to gain freedom!

Nalyvaiko, Zalizniak
And Taras Triasylo
Call us from beyond the grave
To the holy battle.
Recall the famous death of
Chivalrous Cossacks
Not to lose vainly
Our youth.

Soul and body ...
Oh Bohdan, Bohdan
Our great hetman
What for did you give Ukraine
To wretched muscovites?!
To return her honor,
We lay our heads
We shall call ourselves Ukraine's
Faithful sons!

Soul and body ...
Our Slavic brothers
Already took up arms
No one shall see
That we should stay behind.
Unite together all,
Brothers Slavs:
So that enemies perish,
And freedom comes!
Soul and body ...

Anything less than victory makes all these words hollow

(December 18, 2022 at 2:06 pm)Deesse23 Wrote:

(December 18, 2022 at 12:05 pm)Irreligious Atheist Wrote: Where did I backtrack? I was asking a question when I questioned the US' involvement in the attack on the base, not making a declarative statement.

Everything you posted is irrelevant. We know Russia invading Ukraine was bad, for the millionth time. Ukraine attacking the nuclear triad is an awful escalation when you think that the war on the ground is already won by Ukraine. Why escalate such a massive degree when you are already winning?

You are still arguing countries should let other countries invade and just roll over, for the sole reason the invader is supposed to be stronger. Ironically enough, what we currently see is that the russian army is not able to defeat the ukrainian one. None brings nuclear war to the table, but cowards / idots like you. You want Ukrainians to give up everything because your pants are brown up to your neck!? Tough shit.
If your house would be in a country that was invaded, if your freedom, culture and life would be at stake you wouldnt pontificate this bullcrap.

Fuck you, hypocrite.

(my bold)

I'm betting the little weasel would be intimidated into capitulation and become a collaborator.

After a severe and unforeseen draw down in ordnance during the Special Military Operation in Ukraine, Russia today unveiled plans for a next-generation torpedo to be manned by newly-mobilized conscripts.