Darmok
pfm Member
Mikhail Gorbachev is 91 today. We wish him good health.
https://twitter.com/BBCSteveR/status/1498949561712324612
https://twitter.com/BBCSteveR/status/1498949561712324612
I do agree that our feet-dragging is disgraceful, but realistically, given that so many other countries have applied sanctions already, who are they going to sell to?
As I think someone posted upthread, 'Nazi' seems to have slightly different connotations in Russia. While Western Europe thinks primarily of the holocaust, the Russian memory of WWII is dominated by the 27m Russian deaths at the hands of the Nazis. So 'Nazi' becomes shorthand for any military oppressors who seek to invade Russia.
I didn't hear it this morning, but it tallies with things said in the last day or two about that convoy. I hear it isn't one 40km long convoy, but a series of shorter convoys mostly stuck by logistical issues of one form or another, or blocked by the convoy in front being stuck... And the odd blown-up bridge, apparently also contributing to the mix.According to reports on BBC Today this morning the 40 mile long Russian military convoy heading towards the capital Kyiv has hit problems due to breakdowns and shortages of petrol and food. I have no links or sources other than the BBC but the information was said to have come from "British intelligence". If true I find it astounding, and vaguely encouraging, that the Russian cannot maintain an effective logistical supply line so close to home, and which as far as I'm aware hasn't - yet? - come under serious enemy ground or air attack. Anyone else hear this?
I think a lot of the stuck vehicles are the supply trucks carrying fuel, etc.Perhaps the convoy is somehow engaged by the Ukranian army?
If they are simply waiting for supplies that is indeed a surprise.
I agree it would be difficult to intervene directly should Putin turn his ire to Moldova however my gut feeling is it would be fistie cuffs time over Finland/Sweden despite them not being in NATO due to there historical connections to western europe and more so than the former Soviet baltic states.1 & 2 are tricky but 3 is, sadly, more straightforward. They're NATO member states and have NATO forces deployed there.
yes, the “Nazi” is the most easily recognisable, immediately inflaming and easy “enemy” to throw in, manipulate and brainwash the Russian people and public opinion to unite against the West and justify atrocities in UkraineAs I think someone posted upthread, 'Nazi' seems to have slightly different connotations in Russia. While Western Europe thinks primarily of the holocaust, the Russian memory of WWII is dominated by the 27m Russian deaths at the hands of the Nazis. So 'Nazi' becomes shorthand for any military oppressors who seek to invade Russia.
(Russian members - please correct me if I've misunderstood)
But stealing a country via violence is still deemed acceptable? A strange set of morals these people have, they even take the piss after we complain about a nerve agent attack on our soil during peace timeLavrov complains that the western sanctions amount to theft. Source: Der Spiegel.
According to reports on BBC Today this morning the 40 mile long Russian military convoy heading towards the capital Kyiv has hit problems due to breakdowns and shortages of petrol and food. I have no links or sources other than the BBC but the information was said to have come from "British intelligence". If true I find it astounding, and vaguely encouraging, that the Russian cannot maintain an effective logistical supply line so close to home, and which as far as I'm aware hasn't - yet? - come under serious enemy ground or air attack. Anyone else hear this?
I didn't hear it this morning, but it tallies with things said in the last day or two about that convoy. I hear it isn't one 40km long convoy, but a series of shorter convoys mostly stuck by logistical issues of one form or another, or blocked by the convoy in front being stuck... And the odd blown-up bridge, apparently also contributing to the mix.
They're also vulnerable to attack while stationary though.
Ideal targets for local insurgents, though.Clearly, the Russians think they're not. Ukrainian forces are too busy focused on keeping major cities under their control. Attacking logistics lines is a lower priority and harder if you have no ground attack aircraft you can spare / risk.
A military expert was on this morning saying that a lot of the wheeled hardware is not really up to the job.
It's primary purpose being to look good in a procession at home to show off military strength.
Not so good at the long haul or mud.