If Westerners are openly opining about a(nother) coup to replace the leadership of a sovereign country, I'm sure Putin is just crazy to view the West as a threat to Russian sovereignty.
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If Westerners are openly opining about a(nother) coup to replace the leadership of a sovereign country, I'm sure Putin is just crazy to view the West as a threat to Russian sovereignty.
Putin is literally dragging men off the street at gunpoint in some cases, sending them to "basic training" for a whopping two weeks, and then deploying them to Ukraine where they bumble and stumble around as cannon fodder.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
Putin is crazy, and he's evil too. All the more reason to "take him out." Hopefully that'll be done by some sensible Russians who use some peaceful way to remove him from office. But, failing that, a coup is needed. Putin is deranged. He is a modern Hitler, Stalin, Genghis Khan.... murderers all! And to say Putin views the West as a threat, well, duh! He's only been saying that for 20 years. He is nutso anti-NATO making claims that NATO has it in for Russia. That NATO exists to isolate Russia and it's unfair all those countries would gang up against "him" and not take kindly to Russian aggression. So, to prove the point why NATO is needed, Putin has been hostile to those nations, such as Georgia, Ukraine, and others because they are without the protection of NATO membership.Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Dawg
Speaking of Georgia. A Russian cruise ship pulled into a port in a resort city in Georgia and angry Georgians met the ship and refused to allow Russian tourists to disembark. Riot police were called and eventually to avoid violence the ship departed. The Russian tourists just wanted to catch a Braves' game in Atlanta... :icon_roll:
Russia and Russians are getting a cold shoulder and they deserve it.
(that bolded sentence is meant as a joke...)
Confirmed: Ukran sea drone struck a Russian light cruiser which was sitting at anchor. No casualties reported and Russian source says the crew was ashore and only about 100 Russian marines were aboard guarding the ship. Well, good job Russian marines! Video released this morning by the British news media The Telegraph showing the cruiser being towed listing badly to port. The drone struck near the bow, left side of ship. Ironically this ship, which name I cannot possibly pronounce or spell, was sitting with other Russian navy vessels where they thought they were safe since they have suffered so many losses to Ukran drones when out to sea. Try again, Putin. :laugh:
Two Russian officers dead and 15 hospitalized in critical condition after being poisoned. Ukran partisans posing as a catering business put poison into food items for a Russian officers' gathering of some celebration. Reports say it was cyanide, but whatever it was, good show Ukran partisans! Next time use more poison.
Over 300 Russian soldiers are dead/wounded after an unwise "beach day" was authorized for R&R. Ukran HIMARS missiles struck the gathering on the beach. Yep, life can be a "beeetch" sometimes!
In the past 72 hours over 30 recruiting centers across Russia were firebombed as resistance to the war, and to Putin, continues to grow. Various reports on the damage, but regardless, it shows the Russian people have tired of this immoral war.
Not a cruiser, it is an amphibious assault ship, designed to deliver tanks and troops to shore. It was anchored in a port in Russia, not in an occupied Ukrainian port. This ship is the largest such ship in the Russian navy and was on-loan from the Baltic Sea fleet. It will be out of action for many months.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80
The Ukrans have also attacked a Russian oil tanker, which was struck in the same vicinity as the warship. No reports of oil leakage but the tanker is dead in the water pending repairs. This tanker is not a military tanker which are used to refuel navy vessels, but rather a private company's tanker and it was enroute with Russian crude to a Persian Gulf refinery. It is a Russian oil company ship, not under a foreign flag. Not clear if the Ukrans knew the exact identification of the ship, as it was night and the tanker was not lit with all available lights, as is the norm with civilian tankers for safety reasons. Whether they knew the identity of the ship or not the Ukrans are not apologizing for the attack, citing the blatant Russian attacks against Ukrainian grain ships and grain facilities.
Another criminal terrorist attack by Putin. Russian missiles hit a civilian area in the city of Pokrovsk, Ukraine destroying one and damaging other apartment buildings. That was bad enough, but about 30 minutes later while rescue workers, firemen and other first responders, were busy trying to save lives, another round of missiles slammed into the exact same spots, killing and injuring some of the rescue workers. Exact casualty numbers have not been released since there are victims trapped in the rubble and now local officials are hesitant to send workers back in, fearing still another missile attack. There is little doubt this was planned. Putin is beyond an evil piece of shit. Yet, there are still many idiots who are cheering him on, including supposed conservative YouTuber Dr. Steve Turley, who hails every Putin attack as some great thing. Turley, and some of his followers, think Putin represents "old school" values, that Putin is anti-woke, anti-lbgtqxyz+, anti-lefty...whatever. Really? Putin is nothing but a self-serving thug. A modern-day Hitler. And a murderer.
One pundit, who happens to be a former Soviet Union government official, now living in England, summed up Putin's motivation and goals as wanting to resurrect the old Soviet Union and bring east Europe back under Russian control. And Putin thinks that end justifies any means...including wanton murder.
Update on dastardly attack on Pokrovsk... 7 dead: 5 civilians, 1 rescue worker, 1 soldier; with many dozens injured, some in serious condition.
The Ukrans have crossed the Dnieper River in a second place, apparently catching the Russians by surprise with a nighttime boat crossing. If they can establish a foothold and expand their position, they are right now only 1.5 miles from a major highway, which is the only supply route for most of the Russian forces in southern Donbas. The Ukranian strategy is starting to reveal itself. It is cleverly thought out and they do not have to successfully overwhelm/defeat all the Russians in eastern/southern Ukraine. The bulk of Putin's thugs will give up once some key points fall to the Ukrans. It'll be a mass surrender, which is good, there has been too much bloodshed already.
More news from the north, that Russian bulge, once 40 sq miles is down to 3 sq miles. They hold one ridge a little west from their original starting point. Putin's big push with 100,000 troops and 900 tanks has been utterly crushed.
Mostly quiet along the rest of the front. Plenty of fighting in spurts but neither side gaining any ground to speak of. The Ukran offensive south of Bakhmut has been halted, not by the Russians, but by the Ukrans. They are holding some key high ground and seem content to sit for the time being.
Very early report: Russians get clobbered in a major tank battle in southern Ukraine region. Sketchy reports reveal the entire Ukraine 1st Tank Brigade, 5 battalions of tanks and Bradley Fighting Machines, joined elements of other armor battalions (unidentified at this time) in what started as a probing attack but quickly developed into a full-scale battle. Official Putin propagandists made it a point to interrupt regular network programming to announce a big victory, but Russian independent sources quickly dispelled that fake news. Ukran tanks approached the town of Urozhaine and were fired upon with anti-tank guns, which up to now, would compel the armor to retreat to safety. But reports say the Ukran tanks accelerated and rolled over the Russian gunners and just kept going. More Ukran tanks appeared from various woods and stormed into and through the town, scattering Russian forces before them. About a 1/2 mile east Russian tanks appeared and the two sides went into combat in the open fields of the local farms. Too early for accurate losses/casualties, but it is clear from the reports from both sides the Russians got smoked.
This battle took place near the important crossroads town of Tomack, which is 60 miles northwest of the coast and the port of Berdyansk, the critical port city that remains the lone supply port for Russian forces via shipping.
Expect the YouTubers I follow to provide more information later tonight.
Little more news on the battle at Urozhaine...
The Vostok Battalion, which is a local militia unit loyal to Russia/Putin composed mostly of locals, those eastern Ukrainians with Russian cultural/family ties, has been obliterated. Their commander appeared on social media making a plea for prayers and for information on the whereabouts of his soldiers. Hah! I can tell where some of them are, bud, crushed under the tracks of Ukran tanks that rolled over them! Drone video shows Ukran tanks crushing a trench with Russkie soldiers trapped in it. Apparently, these were Vostok soldiers. The battalion scattered, running for their pathetic lives. I'm sure many of them will eventually turn up, with crap in their pants.
As for the tank battle, still no independent confirmation of the outcome, but early reports say 14 Russian tanks were destroyed, another 20+ damaged, and apparently the Ukrans suffered zero losses, at least that's what's being reported thus far. The Ukran 1st Tank Brigade is an elite unit, with mostly enhanced Russian T-72 tanks, as its main battle tank. Better than the Russian version of the T-72, but nothing special. Poland and Israel have supplied improved T-72s to Ukraine. Mostly the 1st Brigade's tankers, the crews, are highly-trained, professional soldiers and that makes them very good at their jobs. Read accounts saying the 1st Brigade would be equipped with Leopard and Challenger tanks, but I don't think that has actually happened yet.
Very latest...there are surrounded Russkie troops in the town of Urozhaine, and they are being shelled by Ukran artillery without mercy. One pro-Russian blogger was in tears begging for the Ukrans to cease the shelling and give the Russkies a chance to surrender. Very confused, chaotic situation, as the Ukrans say they have given them two chances to surrender already and they refused...or, did not respond. It's possible they want to surrender but communications have been knocked out. Raise a f--king white flag then.
Another breakthrough by Ukran forces, near the town of Robotyne. Using drones the Ukrans have mapped the Russian trenches/defenses and are targeting weak points to attack. There is still the problem of minefields and Russian artillery, but this is war. The Ukrans are going to suffer some losses, but they are doing a very good job of minimizing them, both in personnel and equipment.
President Z and his staff concluded an audit of his military organization, and Z fired every recruiting station director citing corruption. There were also dismissals and reassignments in other departments, especially supply and logistics. Asked for details Z's officials declined to respond offering only that corruption will not be tolerated and those responsible have been dealt with. Not sure what that entails, exactly. Personally, all the army officers caught should be handed an old rifle and sent to the front.
Does this ease all the concerns about President Z's/Ukrainian government corruption? I can't say. But it does seem to indicate that Pres. Z is trying to be a good steward of his nation's resources.
I know for a fact the US government in infinitely more corrupt than Ukraine's. But, I suppose there's the notion it's OUR money our guvmint is pilfering, while Ukraine, if corrupt, is pilfering US taxpayers' dollars. You outside fellows can't do that; only our crooked politicians are allowed to steal :icon_roll:
Ouch...some officials bought fancy cars and real estate elsewhere, mostly in Spain. All those guilty have been caught, fired, and will have to surrender all the ill-gotten booty. But, what else? Perhaps public executions will deter any such behavior in the future. Better yet, hand them an old K98 Mauser and have them attack a Russian machinegun nest. Can say, we could have equipped you better, but someone spent the money on a villa in Spain...
And here's another news story, one straight from some movie which seems totally ridiculous, not possible. Russian agents have been trying to buy western equipment, tanks, trucks, cannons, rifles, ammo, etc...via western arms-dealers. No chit! The Russians have lost so much equipment, between it being destroyed and captured* and the Russian economy is in shambles that their domestic military industry can't provide replacements fast enough. So, the Russians have been actually trying to buy equipment on the open market. This is nuts.
* Poland has been the #2 supplier of equipment/supplies to Ukraine. Israel, Turkey, Germany, and Great Britain have all been big suppliers, as has the US too, of course. But, the #1 provider of equipment/spare parts/supplies/ammo to Ukraine is Russia! This week the Ukrans found three tanks, two T-80s and a T-90, abandoned in a barn in a town recently liberated by the Ukrans. The tanks are in great shape, no damage, and they run just fine. Putin's guys are starting to mimic the French. "This tank has only been driven once, the gun never fired..."
Something behind the scenes has happened between Israel and Ukraine. I searched for news/details but can't find anything of substance. But, there is a war of words between the two nations and Ukrainian officials saying they will not attend a summit if Israel is also invited to it. I post this here on the "Russia" thread because the proposed summit is to address Russia's aggression and its stance on the world stage. Whatever has happened they need to reconcile their differences.
Speaking of Russian aggression, they have moved into Niger and are stirring up unrest there. The Wagner Group and the Soros Foundation have been involved in Niger and other African nations at least since 2017, and probably longer than that. The main target of the "protestors" is France, but the US and other western countries have a vested interest in Niger, and Russian-backed propagandists are attacking the US presence there too. Niger is a HUGE supplier of uranium to the world market, and there ya go, the reason the civilized world even cares about backwards Niger. And of course, China is sticking its dirty fingers in Niger as well.
The Kerch Bridge was struck again, at least one Ukran cruise missile hit the structure causing more damage. There were hundreds of witnesses to the attack as it occurred in broad daylight. Russian beach goers on the Russian side of the channel watched as anti-missile missiles were launched by the Russians trying to shoot down the incoming cruise missiles. It was quite a display, much better than a July 4th fireworks show, and many of the beach goers captured it on their phones. One fellow decided to go public with his video and added commentary about how the Ukrainians continue to best Russian attempts to protect the bridge. This guy was promptly arrested, and part of his penance was to make another video apologizing for his comments and that he loves and supports President Putin and he knows Russia is winning the war. He didn't sound very sincere making those comments.
Along the 900-mile front fighting continued overnight with the Ukrans make some small gains, but nothing too spectacular. They have enlarged and reinforced their second foothold across the Dniper River. It's been confirmed that this crossing was originally intended to be a commando raid, but it met with so much success the troops were told to dig in and hold their position, and now the Ukrans are expanding this incursion. This crossing point is 50 miles from the Crimean border.
And "Putin's tank" the T-14 Armata designed by Putin has met with complete failure and all of them have been withdrawn from Ukraine. Propagandists tried to downplay the withdrawal blaming inexperienced crews and saying that the T-14s and their crews will undergo further training and return to the battlefront soon. BS! Western experts had long ago said there was nothing special about the T-14 Armata that would increase its survivability. The Ukrans claim to have destroyed 6 T-14s the first week they appeared and then the tanks retired from the combat zone quickly. These numbers are unconfirmed. There is one video shot from a drone showing a kamikaze drone striking and blowing up a T-14 Armata tank and two other T-14s abandoning their position and hightailing it down the road.
I don't think the American Abrams Tank, as good as it is, is going to fair much better in this new drone-dominated combat environment. The very good German Leopard II tank has been having a hard time with Russian anti-tank drones and Russian artillery guided by drone surveillance. The tank is going the way of the battleship...it is obsolete on the modern technological battlefield.
Hundred+ Russian soldiers retreating from Urozhaine on foot because all their vehicles had been destroyed were targeted by Ukran artillery. Whoa! brutal video. Only a handful of the invaders escaped with their lives and even they were wounded. Ukran drone was hovering at a crossroads and watching the retreating Russians approaching, coordinates had already been fed to the artillery batteries. No escape, no mercy for the Putinites.Quote:
Originally Posted by dawg80