Russia and Ukraine

[ShinyCrystals]

So, in terms of the something i said and a question I asked earlier, and just to make sure about the responses I have received for what I said; are most people here saying that; after I talked about Ukraine having a smaller population and me thinking that they won't win the war, that Russia might be the one that ends up losing here?

Again, I am asking just to make sure.

I think Russia will be tired out, and that Putin will be either deposed or dead, and that Russia will then see the folly of its ways. They will not be able to subjugate Ukraine, just as they couldn't subjugate Afghanistan and had to slink home from there too.

Note that that defeat destroyed the Communist regime. If Russia suffers much more, Putin might be deposed before rather than after Russian defeat.

I see. I do hope that happens.

Not only is Russia currently losing, though, but they have wasted people (for soldiers) as well as money or resources, as I said before. I know Russia is a big country, but yeah, this still can't be good for them.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I see. Still, on Russia currently losing and all, how long might that last?

War is a contingent activity. No one knows how long this will last.

It will take Ukraine breaking through to the Sea of Azov and isolating Crimea. This will break the Russian front in half allow Ukraine to pivot either north or south and defeat Russian forces in detail. Putin cannot afford to lose Crimea, politically. This means that his forces are more pinned to that sector, and less able to assist the offensives near the central front.

The Russians are in a bad situation. They may hold quite a while --or they may crack under a successful thrust.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Not only is Russia currently losing, though, but they have wasted people (for soldiers) as well as money or resources, as I said before. I know Russia is a big country, but yeah, this still can't be good for them.

Even if Russia wins militarily, that victory will be pyrrhic. Ten years from now, they will still leave Ukraine the poorer and worse for it.

This is not only Putin's biggest blunder ever, it is one of the biggest blunders of the last few hundred years.

[ShinyCrystals]

Not only is Russia currently losing, though, but they have wasted people (for soldiers) as well as money or resources, as I said before. I know Russia is a big country, but yeah, this still can't be good for them.

Even if Russia wins militarily, that victory will be pyrrhic. Ten years from now, they will still leave Ukraine the poorer and worse for it.

This is not only Putin's biggest blunder ever, it is one of the biggest blunders of the last few hundred years.

I can imagine. So far, Putin's leadership, at least to me, is as bad as or is worse than Hitler during the last parts of Germany's participation of World War II before they surrendered. Not that I think Hitler is comparable to Putin wholly or that WWII is comparable to the War on Ukraine wholly and directly, for I do not. I think that Putin is being just as bad here so far, if not, worse. You see where I am getting at, right?

[Thumpalumpacus]

I can imagine. So far, Putin's leadership, at least to me, is as bad as or is worse than Hitler during the last parts of Germany's participation of World War II before they surrendered. Not that I think Hitler is comparable to Putin wholly or that WWII is comparable to the War on Ukraine wholly and directly, for I do not. I think that Putin is being just as bad here so far, if not, worse. You see where I am getting at, right?

Putin is surely as amoral as Hitler. I think he was wiser than Hitler in that he didn't rely on military as much as diplomatic energy ... until 2022. I think I understand your point, that there are similarities; I think there are, myself. Putin's definitely showing signs of distrust of his staff and military leadership; Hitler suffered an assassination attempt while Putin suffered armed rebellion; neither of them give a shit about the common citizen. They share those traits.

I don't think Putin is paranoid like Hitler was. I think he trusts his generals more. He doesn't seem to be interfering in day-to-day operations as ole Adi did. Prig's rebellion shook him, though. He's more quiet and less boastful.

Down here in Tejas, back in the day, when someone told you "I'mma kick your ass", the normal reply was "best pack a lunch, you'll be all day". Putin's in that spot where he remembers he left his sack-lunch on the kitchen table -- just as his "victim" is digging his blackjack out of his backpack.

You just know it's gonna be a long day.

[ShinyCrystals]

I can imagine. So far, Putin's leadership, at least to me, is as bad as or is worse than Hitler during the last parts of Germany's participation of World War II before they surrendered. Not that I think Hitler is comparable to Putin wholly or that WWII is comparable to the War on Ukraine wholly and directly, for I do not. I think that Putin is being just as bad here so far, if not, worse. You see where I am getting at, right?

Putin is surely as amoral as Hitler. I think he was wiser than Hitler in that he didn't rely on military as much as diplomatic energy ... until 2022. I think I understand your point, that there are similarities; I think there are, myself. Putin's definitely showing signs of distrust of his staff and military leadership; Hitler suffered an assassination attempt while Putin suffered armed rebellion; neither of them give a shit about the common citizen. They share those traits.

I don't think Putin i paranoid like Hitler was. I think he trusts his generals more. He doesn't seem to be interfering in day-to-day operations as ole Adi did. Prig's rebellion shook him, though. He's more quiet and less boastful/

Down here in Tejas, back in the day, when someone told you "I'mma kick your ass", the normal reply was "best pack a lunch, you'll be all day". Putin's in that spot where he remembers he left his sack-lunch on the kitchen table -- just as his "victim" is digging his blackjack out of his backpack.

You just know it's gonna be a long day.

Um, yeah, like i said, I was not comparing Hitler and Putin fully and directly as I may have said, as I know there are differences between them.

Otherwise, on the long day part you said...

You can say that again!

[Thumpalumpacus]

Um, yeah, like i said, I was not comparing Hitler and Putin fully and directly as I may have said, as I know there are differences between them.

Otherwise, on the long day part you said...

You can say that again!

I'm discussing and opining, but not correcting, so the "um, yeah" etc reads a little off. Lighten up, we're just shooting the shit, eh?

[ShinyCrystals]

Um, yeah, like i said, I was not comparing Hitler and Putin fully and directly as I may have said, as I know there are differences between them.

Otherwise, on the long day part you said...

You can say that again!

I'm discussing and opining, but not correcting, so the "um, yeah" etc reads a little off. Lighten up, we're just shooting the shit, eh?

Oh, I forgot about that! Granted, I was just saying, just in case (Even if it was unnecessary as that may be), but I forgot about the "Um yeah" part. My bad!

[Thumpalumpacus]

On the same day the temperature reached -21 degrees Celsius outside, Kazimir Belev's heating stopped working.

It's been patchy in the past, but this time, things are different.

It's not just his apartment or his building that's affected.

"It turned out that the problem is much bigger than in previous cases," the 31-year-old said.

"Two large districts of the city with a population of over a million people were left without heating."

[...]

As temperatures plunge, Russia's aging patchwork of central heating systems is a major concern.

In some cases, entire cities rely on one Soviet-era boiler plant to stay warm.

[...]

The rumblings come at an inconvenient time for the Russian president, who is preparing for an election in March.

While the result is considered a foregone conclusion — allegations of electoral fraud have accompanied Putin's previous victories — any insinuation the country is crumbling will be unwelcome at the Kremlin, which has diverted significant public funds to prop up its invasion of Ukraine.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-21/f.../103323062

[The Grand Nudger]

The Duma has discussed amendments to a bill to allow the state to seize the assets and property of any Russian who openly criticizes the military or the so-called special military operation. It seems to be primarily aimed at writers and musicians, who have found themselves sideways with the regime in recent months. Putin has approved such amendments in the past, deeming independent russian news outlets and human rights organizations "foreign agents", forcing them out of the country.

Hot damn, I wonder how The Great Western Satan made them do all that?