Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So we are back to BS about Ukrainian victories. Need to push the narrative for the next package. Tools of K street; Masters of War.

While there are undoubtedly military industrial complex people and entities reaping massive financial windfalls, it remains true that Ukraine is fighting for its independence.

Putin’s delusional unprovoked invasion of a neighboring sovereign nation has been a tragedy for Ukraine and Russia.

Ukraine is winning though. For too long we have been too weak with Russia so I’m glad that we finally toughened up under the Biden administration.

Terrible move by Russia - agreed.

Ukraine winning- bs. Country is being destroyed by the day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would care about sending Ukraine billions in aid if it was, say - coming from funds for our southern border. But it’s not. We do not spend money on immigration solutions.

America wastes so much money on dumb things sending billions to blow up Russians is actually a good investment.

Plus it is just kind of fun.

Also, sending old tanks and surplus military equipment to get blown up in Ukraine is actually cheaper than decommissioning them in many cases. So the argument could be made that we are actually saving some money for once. But mostly destroying Russian military is the why we have no concerns on spending billions.
Maybe when NFL and NBA seasons start we will lose some interest - but for now Russian losses are good entertainment value.

Get ready because those losses are going to continue accelerating. The mine fields behind the main defense line are noticeably less dense (with documented lanes of travel) because the Russians needed space to operate. Combined with Ukraine's artillery advantage and cluster munitions, they're going to keep pushing hard south.

And why would Ukraine want to negotiate now, when it has momentum on a clear path to victory? Just look:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-05/eu-set-to-double-output-of-artillery-shells-after-slow-start

While Russia is forced to go begging to North Korea for old surplus artillery shells and fuses (which frequently fail), Ukraine is set to revive increasing supplies of fresh, western artillery shells from Europe.

Along with Ukraine’s other allies, we can keep this up indefinitely. But Russia is facing a failing economy, a demographic time-bomb, and increasing external pressure through sanctions.

It remains to be seen whether the Wagner PMC Operation in Africa will continue to turn a profit in the wake of Putin assassinating Piggy.

Speaking of demographic time bombs...Bloomberg reports on a new study that shows up to 3.3 million Ukrainians (or 8% of the population) may not return home. This is 600K more than a similar study showed in December. Most of the non-returning refugees are women who want a better future for their children.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-05/more-ukrainians-who-fled-war-may-never-return-study-shows#xj4y7vzkg

Young men dying, young women gone. This is not good.

Yes. That's war. If Russia didn't invade Ukraine, things would be fine. But Russia did invade Ukraine and so there are consequences.

The biggest one is that Russia is destroyed for generations. You want to talk about demographic time bombs? 300,000 young Russian men are done. Most dead. Others with catastrophic injuries. And all the smart ones with means have fled - Indonesia, Turkey, and elsewhere.

Eventually Ukraine will defeat Russia. The only thing Russia will have left to sell are brides.

This war is a disaster for Russia. Long may it last.

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t that a bit of magical thinking? Last I checked, most LAC, MENA and African countries plus china are happy to deal with them.

China seems happy enough to take advantage of a weakened Russia.
So… good for Russia?

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t that a bit of magical thinking? Last I checked, most LAC, MENA and African countries plus china are happy to deal with them.

With what? Talk about optimism... Those countries all have their own problems to deal with.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But if you are Ukrainian, take heart - things are looking up.

"Maksim Kuzminov, the 28-year-old Russian pilot of the Mi-8 helicopter who surrendered to Ukraine after landing in a Ukrainian airfield on Aug. 23, called on other Russian pilots to follow his example."
"If you do what I did, this kind of thing, you will not regret it at all. You will be provided for the rest of your life with absolutely everything," Kuzminov stated. "You will be offered work everywhere, whatever you want to do. You will just discover for yourself the world of colors."
"What is happening now is simply the genocide of the Ukrainian people. Both Ukrainian and Russian. The basis of my action is not to contribute to these crimes. Ukraine will definitely win this war simply because the people have rallied very much... No one wants this war. When Ukraine wins is only a matter of time."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-pilot-transferred-ukraine-calls-214209549.html

Until the budget runs out, that is.

The MI-8 pilot who defected to Ukraine will be paid half a million dollars, as advertised. (LOL you thought it was about "not wanting to kill Ukrainians" or some other romantic thing?)

Speaking of not contributing to crimes...the young Maksim did not see fit to tell his crew members he plans to defect to Ukraine and land in a Ukrainian airfield. Seems the crew members were not pleased with this development at all, and had no intention of defecting.

They were shot after landing.

Terrific camaraderie there. Really brings to life an old adage about defectors - "if you bought him for a million, he'll sell you for two."

https://meduza.io/news/2023/09/05/rossiyskomu-letchiku-ugnavshemu-vertolet-v-ukrainu-poobeschali-polmilliona-dollarov

This is one of those stories that basically summarizes modern Ukraine in one poignant vignet.

The Ukraine wanted EU/NATO money, so they turned their back on their cousins. They are getting their 30 pieces of silver, but doubt they will enjoy spending it. Whatever emerges out of this conflict will be unrecognizable to those that started down this path in 2014.

Who needs Russian cousins, who break into your house, shoot your dad, rape your daughter, and steal all your stuff and then burn your house down? Nobody needs cousins like that.

Isn’t that a bit of magical thinking? Last I checked, most LAC, MENA and African countries plus china are happy to deal with them.

Eh - it’s a good news bad news story with this war. Most estimates have Ukraine with almost 70.000 KIA; 100,000 wounded.
good news is that russia is closer to 120,000 dead, 200,000 wounded and it is going up faster and faster. That is a lot of dead/missing limb russians in 20 months - so that is a big upside.

Not to Mention how much equipment russia has lost; economic issues and their educated citizens fleeing. Especially males of military service age. Russia has spent over 100b on this war. That is a lot for a small country like them. America can do that no problem, but america has the largest economy on earth. Russia not so much.

Also russia now has like 3 terrible countries as “friends”. No one remotely likes them outside a few lame places because they launder money through them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would care about sending Ukraine billions in aid if it was, say - coming from funds for our southern border. But it’s not. We do not spend money on immigration solutions.

America wastes so much money on dumb things sending billions to blow up Russians is actually a good investment.

Plus it is just kind of fun.

Also, sending old tanks and surplus military equipment to get blown up in Ukraine is actually cheaper than decommissioning them in many cases. So the argument could be made that we are actually saving some money for once. But mostly destroying Russian military is the why we have no concerns on spending billions.
Maybe when NFL and NBA seasons start we will lose some interest - but for now Russian losses are good entertainment value.

Get ready because those losses are going to continue accelerating. The mine fields behind the main defense line are noticeably less dense (with documented lanes of travel) because the Russians needed space to operate. Combined with Ukraine's artillery advantage and cluster munitions, they're going to keep pushing hard south.

And why would Ukraine want to negotiate now, when it has momentum on a clear path to victory? Just look:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-05/eu-set-to-double-output-of-artillery-shells-after-slow-start

While Russia is forced to go begging to North Korea for old surplus artillery shells and fuses (which frequently fail), Ukraine is set to revive increasing supplies of fresh, western artillery shells from Europe.

Along with Ukraine’s other allies, we can keep this up indefinitely. But Russia is facing a failing economy, a demographic time-bomb, and increasing external pressure through sanctions.

It remains to be seen whether the Wagner PMC Operation in Africa will continue to turn a profit in the wake of Putin assassinating Piggy.

Speaking of demographic time bombs...Bloomberg reports on a new study that shows up to 3.3 million Ukrainians (or 8% of the population) may not return home. This is 600K more than a similar study showed in December. Most of the non-returning refugees are women who want a better future for their children.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-05/more-ukrainians-who-fled-war-may-never-return-study-shows#xj4y7vzkg

Young men dying, young women gone. This is not good.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So we are back to BS about Ukrainian victories. Need to push the narrative for the next package. Tools of K street; Masters of War.

While there are undoubtedly military industrial complex people and entities reaping massive financial windfalls, it remains true that Ukraine is fighting for its independence.

Putin’s delusional unprovoked invasion of a neighboring sovereign nation has been a tragedy for Ukraine and Russia.

Ukraine is winning though. For too long we have been too weak with Russia so I’m glad that we finally toughened up under the Biden administration.

Interesting. So you're willing to admit that there are lobbying arms out there for virtually every industry, from mohair wool to peanuts, but the military industrial complex is content to just sit there and wait for the windfalls when the wind brings it? You don't think, for just a second, that these industries might possibly be invested in the war lasting longer rather than shorter? With a similarly well funded lobbying effort of their own?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But if you are Ukrainian, take heart - things are looking up.

"Maksim Kuzminov, the 28-year-old Russian pilot of the Mi-8 helicopter who surrendered to Ukraine after landing in a Ukrainian airfield on Aug. 23, called on other Russian pilots to follow his example."
"If you do what I did, this kind of thing, you will not regret it at all. You will be provided for the rest of your life with absolutely everything," Kuzminov stated. "You will be offered work everywhere, whatever you want to do. You will just discover for yourself the world of colors."
"What is happening now is simply the genocide of the Ukrainian people. Both Ukrainian and Russian. The basis of my action is not to contribute to these crimes. Ukraine will definitely win this war simply because the people have rallied very much... No one wants this war. When Ukraine wins is only a matter of time."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-pilot-transferred-ukraine-calls-214209549.html

Until the budget runs out, that is.

The MI-8 pilot who defected to Ukraine will be paid half a million dollars, as advertised. (LOL you thought it was about "not wanting to kill Ukrainians" or some other romantic thing?)

Speaking of not contributing to crimes...the young Maksim did not see fit to tell his crew members he plans to defect to Ukraine and land in a Ukrainian airfield. Seems the crew members were not pleased with this development at all, and had no intention of defecting.

They were shot after landing.

Terrific camaraderie there. Really brings to life an old adage about defectors - "if you bought him for a million, he'll sell you for two."

https://meduza.io/news/2023/09/05/rossiyskomu-letchiku-ugnavshemu-vertolet-v-ukrainu-poobeschali-polmilliona-dollarov

This is one of those stories that basically summarizes modern Ukraine in one poignant vignet.

The Ukraine wanted EU/NATO money, so they turned their back on their cousins. They are getting their 30 pieces of silver, but doubt they will enjoy spending it. Whatever emerges out of this conflict will be unrecognizable to those that started down this path in 2014.

Pretty sure the Ukrainians are not blowing away Russians by the thousands with their backs turned.
Pretty sure the mass exodus of military age russian males (educated) was not caused by Ukrainians.

Russia just sucks as a country for most who live there and the rest of us who have to endure coexistence with it.

Anonymous wrote:
So we are back to BS about Ukrainian victories. Need to push the narrative for the next package. Tools of K street; Masters of War.

While there are undoubtedly military industrial complex people and entities reaping massive financial windfalls, it remains true that Ukraine is fighting for its independence.

Putin’s delusional unprovoked invasion of a neighboring sovereign nation has been a tragedy for Ukraine and Russia.

Ukraine is winning though. For too long we have been too weak with Russia so I’m glad that we finally toughened up under the Biden administration.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But if you are Ukrainian, take heart - things are looking up.

"Maksim Kuzminov, the 28-year-old Russian pilot of the Mi-8 helicopter who surrendered to Ukraine after landing in a Ukrainian airfield on Aug. 23, called on other Russian pilots to follow his example."
"If you do what I did, this kind of thing, you will not regret it at all. You will be provided for the rest of your life with absolutely everything," Kuzminov stated. "You will be offered work everywhere, whatever you want to do. You will just discover for yourself the world of colors."
"What is happening now is simply the genocide of the Ukrainian people. Both Ukrainian and Russian. The basis of my action is not to contribute to these crimes. Ukraine will definitely win this war simply because the people have rallied very much... No one wants this war. When Ukraine wins is only a matter of time."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-pilot-transferred-ukraine-calls-214209549.html

Until the budget runs out, that is.

The MI-8 pilot who defected to Ukraine will be paid half a million dollars, as advertised. (LOL you thought it was about "not wanting to kill Ukrainians" or some other romantic thing?)

Speaking of not contributing to crimes...the young Maksim did not see fit to tell his crew members he plans to defect to Ukraine and land in a Ukrainian airfield. Seems the crew members were not pleased with this development at all, and had no intention of defecting.

They were shot after landing.

Terrific camaraderie there. Really brings to life an old adage about defectors - "if you bought him for a million, he'll sell you for two."

https://meduza.io/news/2023/09/05/rossiyskomu-letchiku-ugnavshemu-vertolet-v-ukrainu-poobeschali-polmilliona-dollarov

This is one of those stories that basically summarizes modern Ukraine in one poignant vignet.

The Ukraine wanted EU/NATO money, so they turned their back on their cousins. They are getting their 30 pieces of silver, but doubt they will enjoy spending it. Whatever emerges out of this conflict will be unrecognizable to those that started down this path in 2014.

Your spiel is that whatever Russia inflicts on Ukraine is deserved because Ukraine "turned its back" on Russia?

Ha ha ha. I don't know why you keep posting. No one on here would ever be swayed by such drivel.

It's one thing for Ukraine sympathizers to propose ceding a small amount of land to Russia out of concern that too many lives are lost on both sides, knowing very well that Russia is to blame for everything. But it's quite another to believe people like you, who suggest the most laughably outrageous moral equivalencies. The way it's going, Ukraine will retake Crimea before it takes the eastern territories. And then they will retake everything, Putin will threaten nukes, but if NATO tells him "you want to play roulette? we'll reply in kind", he won't. Regardless, I don't think there is any scenario where Ukraine would ever cede an inch of territory, knowing they have the advantage now, and F-16s are coming later.

So. You're wasting your time. But I expect a paroxysm of increasingly desperate posts from you the more Ukraine takes its land back from Russia! The more you post, the more Ukraine wins, apparently

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But if you are Ukrainian, take heart - things are looking up.

"Maksim Kuzminov, the 28-year-old Russian pilot of the Mi-8 helicopter who surrendered to Ukraine after landing in a Ukrainian airfield on Aug. 23, called on other Russian pilots to follow his example."
"If you do what I did, this kind of thing, you will not regret it at all. You will be provided for the rest of your life with absolutely everything," Kuzminov stated. "You will be offered work everywhere, whatever you want to do. You will just discover for yourself the world of colors."
"What is happening now is simply the genocide of the Ukrainian people. Both Ukrainian and Russian. The basis of my action is not to contribute to these crimes. Ukraine will definitely win this war simply because the people have rallied very much... No one wants this war. When Ukraine wins is only a matter of time."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-pilot-transferred-ukraine-calls-214209549.html

Until the budget runs out, that is.

The MI-8 pilot who defected to Ukraine will be paid half a million dollars, as advertised. (LOL you thought it was about "not wanting to kill Ukrainians" or some other romantic thing?)

Speaking of not contributing to crimes...the young Maksim did not see fit to tell his crew members he plans to defect to Ukraine and land in a Ukrainian airfield. Seems the crew members were not pleased with this development at all, and had no intention of defecting.

They were shot after landing.

Terrific camaraderie there. Really brings to life an old adage about defectors - "if you bought him for a million, he'll sell you for two."

https://meduza.io/news/2023/09/05/rossiyskomu-letchiku-ugnavshemu-vertolet-v-ukrainu-poobeschali-polmilliona-dollarov

Both of your posts are true.
War is a terrible thing, and puts a lot of people in morally untenable positions, where any option leads to a high risk of death.

Who started it? Ah yes, Putin.

And we all know that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But if you are Ukrainian, take heart - things are looking up.

"Maksim Kuzminov, the 28-year-old Russian pilot of the Mi-8 helicopter who surrendered to Ukraine after landing in a Ukrainian airfield on Aug. 23, called on other Russian pilots to follow his example."
"If you do what I did, this kind of thing, you will not regret it at all. You will be provided for the rest of your life with absolutely everything," Kuzminov stated. "You will be offered work everywhere, whatever you want to do. You will just discover for yourself the world of colors."
"What is happening now is simply the genocide of the Ukrainian people. Both Ukrainian and Russian. The basis of my action is not to contribute to these crimes. Ukraine will definitely win this war simply because the people have rallied very much... No one wants this war. When Ukraine wins is only a matter of time."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-pilot-transferred-ukraine-calls-214209549.html

Until the budget runs out, that is.

The MI-8 pilot who defected to Ukraine will be paid half a million dollars, as advertised. (LOL you thought it was about "not wanting to kill Ukrainians" or some other romantic thing?)

Speaking of not contributing to crimes...the young Maksim did not see fit to tell his crew members he plans to defect to Ukraine and land in a Ukrainian airfield. Seems the crew members were not pleased with this development at all, and had no intention of defecting.

They were shot after landing.

Terrific camaraderie there. Really brings to life an old adage about defectors - "if you bought him for a million, he'll sell you for two."

https://meduza.io/news/2023/09/05/rossiyskomu-letchiku-ugnavshemu-vertolet-v-ukrainu-poobeschali-polmilliona-dollarov

This is one of those stories that basically summarizes modern Ukraine in one poignant vignet.

The Ukraine wanted EU/NATO money, so they turned their back on their cousins. They are getting their 30 pieces of silver, but doubt they will enjoy spending it. Whatever emerges out of this conflict will be unrecognizable to those that started down this path in 2014.

So we are back to BS about Ukrainian victories. Need to push the narrative for the next package. Tools of K street; Masters of War.