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#88301
Just now, Pig Bellmont said:

Well I guess instead of creating an asylum policy to remedy the wrongs of turning away a ship full of refugees running from Hitler and sending them home to war, torture, and death - we decided we wanted to embrace that tradition and repeat it on a larger scale 

See, but if they were rich and had $5M we would welcome them. It is there fault for being poor and in need.

Ok, gotta go, some burmese generals want to look at some Florida properties.

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  • AUS-97HORN
    AUS-97HORN

    For the love of Christ woman,  stop posting the same fucking thing every 20 mins just to make your neurotic self feel better.     Bring something useful to the thread other than your inane babbli

  • Im_smarter_then_you
    Im_smarter_then_you

  • InkaUtexas
    InkaUtexas

    I volunteered today. Log/Admin role to replace people for 30-60 days. The operation is in the west, or should the Orcs win will be pulled back behind the NATO wall. Either way the humanitarian effort

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  • Popular Post
#88302
1 hour ago, mchookem said:

even China is like

image.gif.d4751ef15c295ae4c0a947d8f60ca863.gif

🤣🤣🤣

Here is my take on it-

Russia and China have never truly been partners. Their historical relationship is competitive, not cooperative. Covertly supporting Moscow’s war effort (while not giving them enough to achieve an actual battlefield victory) was a strategic play to counter US influence.

Now that it has become clear that the US is hell-bent on self-immolating, the biggest victory they could achieve would be strengthening their economic and political ties with Europe. If they can present themselves as a stable and sane partner, there’s a lot of money and influence to be gained.

  • Popular Post
#88303
Here is my take on it-
Russia and China have never truly been partners. Their historical relationship is competitive, not cooperative. Covertly supporting Moscow’s war effort (while not giving them enough to achieve an actual battlefield victory) was a strategic play to counter US influence.
Now that it has become clear that the US is hell-bent on self-immolating, the biggest victory they could achieve would be strengthening their economic and political ties with Europe. If they can present themselves as a stable and sane partner, there’s a lot of money and influence to be gained.

TLDR; Russia and the US are busy shooting themselves in the dick, and China is all

a38b6c879cc0da28c8becb2b7d07e7bd.gif
#88304
15 minutes ago, Auto Driller said:

Here is my take on it-

Russia and China have never truly been partners. Their historical relationship is competitive, not cooperative. Covertly supporting Moscow’s war effort (while not giving them enough to achieve an actual battlefield victory) was a strategic play to counter US influence.

Now that it has become clear that the US is hell-bent on self-immolating, the biggest victory they could achieve would be strengthening their economic and political ties with Europe. If they can present themselves as a stable and sane partner, there’s a lot of money and influence to be gained.

100% this.  It's China's best play.  Long game - China has it.

#88305
3 hours ago, Foosters said:

My daughter's 3rd grade class has a Ukrainian boy. Mom, dad, and kid all here since 2022. Lovely family. Guess they have to go back. Maybe I should have them reach out to @HellesBier so he can explain to them why this will be good for them.

We've got a Ukrainian first grader at my school that my daughter is friends with.  Great family as well.  I'm hoping they are able to stay - they are from an area that was under threat.  Thankfully the dad has a work visa (his company does business between Ukraine and the US) so maybe they get to stay.

#88306
3 hours ago, MillerEP said:

https://www.threads.net/@ukrpravda_eng/post/DG3DNrtt6UO?xmt=AQGzkSWB8kAup5W969dQj0juf88spk6aS216M-wJEkd71w

😯 🇹🇷 Türkiye reportedly says it is ready to send to troops to Ukraine "if necessary"

We are leaving a power vacuum and France and Turkey are stepping up.  Kind of embarrassing, but great that somebody is.

2 hours ago, MillerEP said:

^What is going on!? Even China is piling on. Is this just to be antagonistic to the US regardless of what stance we take, or are things so bad even the friend of our enemy is siding with our friends over us? We live in a crazy world. 

China would love for Russia to collapse.  When Putin dies, they are going to hoover up a lot of stuff.  Not by sending troops over the border, but through financial means.

35 minutes ago, Auto Driller said:

Russia and China have never truly been partners. Their historical relationship is competitive, not cooperative. Covertly supporting Moscow’s war effort (while not giving them enough to achieve an actual battlefield victory) was a strategic play to counter US influence.

Now that it has become clear that the US is hell-bent on self-immolating, the biggest victory they could achieve would be strengthening their economic and political ties with Europe. If they can present themselves as a stable and sane partner, there’s a lot of money and influence to be gained.

China has also been dancing around crossing the line that would get them sanctioned, but they have happily tried to buy oil & gas, lumber, etc. at well below-market prices from Russia.

Europe is the US's largest trading partner, and you nailed it - China wants to replace us.

  • Popular Post
#88308
16 hours ago, MillerEP said:

https://www.threads.net/@kyivpost.official/post/DG1EMp2s1ha?xmt=AQGz0i2iTOx7P00SgZ0GaWyJzMzlARCp7EzXUibljV64pA

Macron doesn’t rule out the deployment of European troops in Ukraine.
He also announced his decision to start a discussion on the use of France’s nuclear weapons to defend the entire EU.

 

https://www.threads.net/@reuters/post/DG1yHWOuzX-?xmt=AQGz0i2iTOx7P00SgZ0GaWyJzMzlARCp7EzXUibljV64pA

France's Macron says he will hold meeting of European army chiefs in Paris next week reut.rs/3F8z7…

 

^I'll take back every French surrender joke I've ever said if France swoops in and saves the World.

We make surrender jokes about France, but that overlooks a few big points about France and French history that are at play here:

1) France is historically the power player in Western Europe.  From the Thirty Years War straight through to World War II, France was the power that dictated the course of European history.  Broadly speaking, coalitions were formed to counter French influence and expansionism.

The French actually teach history in their schools, and the French people are aware of their historical role in Europe.  There is a strong constituency in France that would like to see that country regain its role of military and diplomatic preeminence on the continent.

2) That constituency largely overlaps with the Gaullists.  De Gaulle envisioned France as a third pole in a tri-polar world with the United States and the Soviet Union.  It never really worked out because the UK was so closely tied to the United States and Germany was largely unwilling to join in a French-led European military/diplomatic project.

But this is de Gaulle's dream come true--the United States sidelining itself and taking itself out of European affairs.  That severs the Anglo-American relationship and aligns the UK much more closely with France (kind of reverting to the status quo ante World War I).  France has always been a leader among the post-WWI Eastern European democracies, and so that just leaves Germany to get in line.

France right now is ascendent.

3) And France has the military capability to back it up.  It has a real nuclear deterrent.  It doesn't have counterforce capability like we do.  But it has enough warheads to really fuck Russia up.  And apart from its current nuclear force--France has plenty of access to material and reactors to build additional weapons quickly.  It can also build a bunch of intermediate-range missiles if it wants.

And by the way--if it combines nuclear forces with the UK, the count of total warheads goes up to around 300.  It's still not enough to present a counterforce option.  But it is enough to be a really strong deterrent.  

3 hours ago, MillerEP said:

https://www.threads.net/@kyivindependent_official/post/DG2ge2nopWz?xmt=AQGzkSWB8kAup5W969dQj0juf88spk6aS216M-wJEkd71w

️ France providing intelligence to Ukraine, minister assures after US freeze."We have intelligence resources that we are providing to the Ukrainians," French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on air on France Inter.

 

https://www.threads.net/@ukrpravda_eng/post/DG3DNrtt6UO?xmt=AQGzkSWB8kAup5W969dQj0juf88spk6aS216M-wJEkd71w

😯 🇹🇷 Türkiye reportedly says it is ready to send to troops to Ukraine "if necessary"

You know--we haven't had a good Russo-Turkish war in more than a century.  It used to be that those things would come around every 20 or 30 years.

I like that we're getting back to basics.

And the "basics" are that the Russians and the Turks fucking hate each other.  They have overlapping spheres of influence from the Balkans clear through to Central Asia.  Erdogan doesn't get the press that Putin does for his expansionist views, but don't be misled--Turkey has its eyes on being the leader of a pan-Turkic coalition that includes everything from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan straight through to Albania.  And yeah--that's real contrary to Russia's goals in Central Asia and the Black Sea regions.

You want to see a Turk get a hard-on?  Tell Recep Erdogan that if Turkey helps Ukraine retake the Crimea, then Turkey could have basing rights at Sevastopol akin to the American navy's rights at HMNB Clyde.   

  • Popular Post
#88310

https://www.threads.net/@infantajo/post/DG3zQ10SoTh?xmt=AQGzewUctFRRbmfiAYITk8Y2wPEzJ-yDvgFM-rF8F9ApNA

France is now launching spy satellites. france24.com/en/li…

 

^France is serious about leaving US behind

 

https://www.threads.net/@24hoursofukraine/post/DG4Azb9oplT?xmt=AQGzDcLceH31b2SdHatCF4_3JkzGuk3bPbe4yZXrt8OmYA

He is bacccckkkk 🤗A war veteran removes a banner with his face from the Alley of the Missing in Action. He turned back from russian captivity.

#88312
1 hour ago, Parliament said:

This one kind of falls in the “meh” category for me. Russia will have to pay Ukraine for the pleasure. Ukraine can continue to wreck Russian O&G production. This means slightly less reliance on Russia’s fleet that’s already created one environmental disaster 

#88313
6 hours ago, Chad Fuck said:

100% this.  It's China's best play.  Long game - China has it.

there is zero chance that by the end of my kids lifetime China will not have appropriated all of the land in eastern Russia and Siberia.   

  • Popular Post
#88315
🇫🇷🛰️🇺🇦 French Eutelsat is preparing to replace Starlink in Ukraine and plans to send about 40,000 communication terminals.

 

#88316
10 hours ago, MillerEP said:

https://www.threads.net/@kyivindependent_official/post/DG2ge2nopWz?xmt=AQGzkSWB8kAup5W969dQj0juf88spk6aS216M-wJEkd71w

️ France providing intelligence to Ukraine, minister assures after US freeze."We have intelligence resources that we are providing to the Ukrainians," French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on air on France Inter.

 

https://www.threads.net/@ukrpravda_eng/post/DG3DNrtt6UO?xmt=AQGzkSWB8kAup5W969dQj0juf88spk6aS216M-wJEkd71w

😯 🇹🇷 Türkiye reportedly says it is ready to send to troops to Ukraine "if necessary"

When fucking Turkey is willing to do the right thing and your country isn’t 

#88317

Some info here I haven't seen elsewhere

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-ukraine-us-delegations-to-meet-next-week-zelensky-announces/ 

Spoiler

Istanbul talks can't serve as basis for Ukraine-Russia peace deal, Kellogg says

The Istanbul talks can't serve as the basis for a Ukraine-Russia peace deal, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said on March 6.

"The Istanbul accords happened 30 days after the invasion, and the demands in Istanbul were fairly significant on a very weakened Ukraine," Kellogg said at the Council on Foreign Relations discussion.

He described the agreements as a starting point for future negotiations but doubted they represented a fair framework for all parties.

The Istanbul agreements refer to negotiations between Ukraine and Russia held in Turkey in late March 2022, which outlined potential terms for a peace deal. They included Ukraine adopting a neutral status, abandoning NATO aspirations, imposing military restrictions, and delaying negotiations over Russian-occupied Crimea's status for 10-15 years.

Trump's envoy emphasized that conditions today differ significantly from those in 2022. He also noted that the Trump administration aims to reset U.S.-Russia relations, criticizing previous U.S. leadership for avoiding direct engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kellogg's remarks follow U.S.-Russian talks in Istanbul on Feb. 27 and an earlier round in Riyadh on Feb. 18, which are part of Washington's push for a swift peace settlement.

Trump expressed interest in meeting Putin, marking a stark departure from his predecessor, U.S. President Joe Biden, who had refused to engage with the Russian leader since the full-scale invasion began.

Earlier, U.S. envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff suggested that the 2022 Istanbul agreements could serve as a foundation for a future Ukraine-Russia peace treaty.

Despite his role as Trump's special envoy, Kellogg has been sidelined in recent peace efforts and excluded from both the Saudi and Turkish negotiations.

Analysts suggest this may be due to his perceived pro-Ukraine stance and alleged Russian objections to his involvement.

 

#88318

All of this happening makes me wonder to what extent the Biden administration was restraining the Euros for the past 3 years. They seem out for blood; and with the US abdicating, they may get their wish

Edited by Sawbonz

#88321
19 minutes ago, pops said:

What are the percentages of the astroid today? Leaving See Ya GIF by Mike Hitt

Sorry, no such luck. It's a vanishingly small chance of 0.004% now. We'll just have to do it ourselves.

  • Popular Post
#88322
✈️✊ F-16's and Mirage-2000 were involved in repelling the attack. Ukrainian Air Defence shot down: ▪️100/194 Russian drones; ▪️86 UAVs suppressed by EW; ▪️25/35 Kh-101/Kh-555 missiles; ▪️8/8 Kalibr cruise missiles; ▪️0/3 Iskander-M/KN-23 missiles; ▪️0/4 S-300 ballistic missiles; ▪️1/8 Kh-59/69 missiles.
Reports have appeared that Maxar satellite company has closed access to its satellite images following a request from the US Administration. There has been no official confirmation.

 

Edited by KYHorn

#88323
As of today, everyone understands the situation: you must be strong or no one will defend you. If you want to survive - get nuclear weapons. Obviously, the issue of a nuclear umbrella and strategic deterrence is the key one for Europe.

 

 

#88324

France's insistence on maintaining nuclear reprocessing plants is going to be a massive boon to nuclear re-armament in Europe.

...

...

Wait a minute, I thought this president was supposed to help prevent nuclear war?? What gives??? 

Edited by Captainant

#88325
9 hours ago, Sawbonz said:

All of this happening makes me wonder to what extent the Biden administration was restraining the Euros for the past 3 years. They seem out for blood; and with the US abdicating, they may get their wish

Europe share some of the blame as well.  Many countries (Germany) haven't taken this seriously.

#88326

The constant whipsaw is so exhausting, but we seem to be on the positive side of it for now. 

Trump threatens new sanctions and tariffs on Russia to force peace talks

https://www.axios.com/2025/03/07/trump-tariffs-russia-ukraine-war-cease-fire-deal

Spoiler

President Trump on Friday threatened new sanctions and tariffs on Russia as he ramped up pressure on the Kremlin to agree to a ceasefire and peace settlement with Ukraine.

Why it matters: This is the first time since taking office that Trump has issued a public threat against Russia, after taking a softer line toward Vladimir Putin while hammering Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.

  • A senior White House official said "Trump's rage has been intensifying" in recent days due to Russia's behavior and its escalation of strikes on Ukraine at the same time that he's been pushing for a ceasefire.

Driving the news: Earlier this week, Trump made the decision to suspend weapons supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine to force negotiations.

  • Trump's pressure led Ukraine to agree to the idea of a ceasefire and to express willingness to engage in peace talks with Russia.
  • Senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials will meet next week in Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible ceasefire and a framework for a peace agreement with Russia.
  • The meeting comes several weeks after a high-level meeting between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia.

What he's saying: "Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely 'pounding' Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED. To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!" Trump posted on Truth Social.

Reality check: Tariffs would likely have little impact, given that the U.S. only imported about $3 billion worth of goods from Russia in fiscal 2024, per the Census Bureau.

 

Edited by KYHorn

#88327
9 minutes ago, KYHorn said:

The constant whipsaw is so exhausting, but we seem to be on the positive side of it for now. 

Trump threatens new sanctions and tariffs on Russia to force peace talks

https://www.axios.com/2025/03/07/trump-tariffs-russia-ukraine-war-cease-fire-deal

  Reveal hidden contents

President Trump on Friday threatened new sanctions and tariffs on Russia as he ramped up pressure on the Kremlin to agree to a ceasefire and peace settlement with Ukraine.

Why it matters: This is the first time since taking office that Trump has issued a public threat against Russia, after taking a softer line toward Vladimir Putin while hammering Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.

  • A senior White House official said "Trump's rage has been intensifying" in recent days due to Russia's behavior and its escalation of strikes on Ukraine at the same time that he's been pushing for a ceasefire.

Driving the news: Earlier this week, Trump made the decision to suspend weapons supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine to force negotiations.

  • Trump's pressure led Ukraine to agree to the idea of a ceasefire and to express willingness to engage in peace talks with Russia.
  • Senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials will meet next week in Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible ceasefire and a framework for a peace agreement with Russia.
  • The meeting comes several weeks after a high-level meeting between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia.

What he's saying: "Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely 'pounding' Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED. To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!" Trump posted on Truth Social.

Reality check: Tariffs would likely have little impact, given that the U.S. only imported about $3 billion worth of goods from Russia in fiscal 2024, per the Census Bureau.

 

Serious question. What else is there? Are we going to hit the countries still dealing with the russians? Make Russia overflight for aircraft coming into the US illegal (I would love to see that)?

What else is there? And if that much is out there what the fuck were we doing?

#88328
2 minutes ago, InkaUtexas said:

Serious question. What else is there? Are we going to hit the countries still dealing with the russians? Make Russia overflight for aircraft coming into the US illegal (I would love to see that)?

What else is there? And if that much is out there what the fuck were we doing?

Real secondary sanctions of the type we have against North Korea.  Any company that does any business with North Korea might as well be a North Korean company; it is completely barred from doing business with an American company.

There has been a lot of reluctance to do that because of the extended consequences of that action, particularly with respect to Chinese companies.  But there's some concern about it with Indian companies too.  And it would further incentivize de-dollarization.

But maybe if we're going to trash the dollar in favor of crypto or other such nonsense, we don't really care about those consequences anymore.

#88329
5 minutes ago, Ghost of LL said:

Real secondary sanctions of the type we have against North Korea.  Any company that does any business with North Korea might as well be a North Korean company; it is completely barred from doing business with an American company.

There has been a lot of reluctance to do that because of the extended consequences of that action, particularly with respect to Chinese companies.  But there's some concern about it with Indian companies too.  And it would further incentivize de-dollarization.

But maybe if we're going to trash the dollar in favor of crypto or other such nonsense, we don't really care about those consequences anymore.

Understood. Add to that the Gulf States.

So again, do more mean shit? This is a "look at what I did." We will get some hot takes, etc, maybe push their economy down a bit, but there cannot be that much left. So I hope.

#88330

Some options White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs said are still available: impose sanctions on all Russian banks, sanctions on Chinese banks that are working with Russia, and additional oil sanctions

#88331
1 hour ago, Ghost of LL said:

Real secondary sanctions of the type we have against North Korea.  Any company that does any business with North Korea might as well be a North Korean company; it is completely barred from doing business with an American company.

There has been a lot of reluctance to do that because of the extended consequences of that action, particularly with respect to Chinese companies.  But there's some concern about it with Indian companies too.  And it would further incentivize de-dollarization.

But maybe if we're going to trash the dollar in favor of crypto or other such nonsense, we don't really care about those consequences anymore.

That and take the money they have frozen in American banks.  Ideally to buy weapons for Ukraine.  But if he wants to use it against the tab they already have, that would hurt too.

#88333
Russian infantryman intercepts Ukrainian FPV
#88334
30 minutes ago, Schulz2.0 said:

Poland raising the size of their army from 200,000 to 500,000 including reservists. 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/donald-tusk-announces-military-training-plan-for-all-polish-men/ar-AA1AshYu

 

We say Russia has 1.5 million troops, although I find that hard to believe.

 

https://crsreports.congress.gov

Updated October 10, 2024

Russian Military Performance and Outlook

Despite advantages of a larger recruitment base and defense industrial capacity, the Russian military has been unable to decisively defeat the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Russian military has suffered significant losses in personnel and equipment. Its performance arguably has been hindered by a rigid command and control structure, a weakened corps of trained and professional units, and a reliance on tactics with high casualty rates. The Russian military, however, remains a resilient and capable adversary and continues to make steady progress capturing territory in Ukraine. It appears likely to sustain its operational tempo for the immediate future.

Since 2022, Congress has supported Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s renewed invasion. Members may consider the Russian military’s condition and performance as they evaluate the state of the war, assess the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions on Russia and assistance to Ukraine, and deliberate about whether to appropriate further military or other assistance for Ukraine.

Command and Control

Despite attempted reforms to increase lower-level leadership and autonomy, the Russian military continues to operate with a Soviet-style centralized command. This command style at the tactical level often has contributed to the types of inflexible operations that contributed to previous failures and casualties.

In May 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin replaced longtime Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu with civilian economist Andrei Belousov. This change came after persistent criticism of the defense leadership and poor performance of the Russian military. Some observers note that Belousov’s appointment reflects a recognition by the Russian leadership that the war in Ukraine is a longer-term challenge and that managing economic and defense industrial resources may be crucial to sustaining Russia’s war effort. President Putin did not replace Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, possibly out of concern that doing so could provoke instability among the military leadership.

Some observers argue that Russia’s leadership prioritizes the perceived political loyalty of officers over their battlefield effectiveness. Multiple Russian military leaders, including some reported to be among the most competent, have been relieved of command, apparently for perceived criticism of, or insufficient loyalty to, Russian political leaders.

Nevertheless, the Russian military leadership remains a cohesive force. It has gradually consolidated various semi-independent security force units and organizations fighting for Russia and brought them under its central command. Additionally, the Russian military leadership has proven capable of adaptation and of implementing changes in force structure, operations, and equipment since the 2022 invasion. Observers continue to debate the speed and breadth of these changes, as reforms in some cases appear isolated to addressing specific problems or implemented after extended debate that leads to delays.

Personnel

Recruiting sufficient troops remains a key challenge for Russia’s leadership. Continued casualties and challenges fielding well-trained troops have hindered, but not stopped, Russian military operations.

Casualties

In October 2024, U.S. officials stated that Russia has suffered at least 600,000 killed or wounded. That estimate, however, is possibly low given recent fighting and continued Russian losses. These rates arguably reflect the continued use of tactics that resulted in high casualty rates in the past, including a reliance on massed personnel attacks, massed artillery fire, and limited operational-level flexibility. Casualty totals likely include mobilized personnel, volunteers, National Guard, recruited prison convicts, and personnel from Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions. The loss of experienced soldiers has been particularly detrimental to the Russian military’s effectiveness and capability. Many of Russia’s casualties have been among elite and professional soldiers, as well as the junior officer corps. New recruits, including new junior officers, often have less training than those they are replacing, exacerbating the impact of the losses and apparently eroding the effectiveness of some Russian military units. Some observers say the loss of such experienced troops will have a long-term detrimental effect on Russian military capabilities.

Recruitment and Mobilization

In September 2024, President Putin increased the size of the military to 1.5 million active-duty troops. Russia’s draft budget for 2025-2027 allocates 30 billion rubles ($315 million at current exchange rates) annually for sign-on bonuses for new recruits. Russian authorities announced a mobilization of 300,000 personnel in September 2022 but have yet to announce another large-scale mobilization, likely due at least in part to domestic politicalconsiderations.

Russian Military Performance and Outlook

https://crsreports.congress.gov

Russian law prohibits the deployment of conscripts to combat, forcing the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) to prioritize recruitment of contract soldiers. The MoD salaries that can be several times the average Russian monthly wage (including sign on bonuses, as high as 22 times the monthly wage), as well as bonuses and payments should soldiers be killed or wounded. Volunteers in units formed by local authorities and mercenary units reportedly receive the same pay and benefits. In addition, Russia continues to recruit prisoners with a promise of amnesty, but these recruitment rates reportedly have declined.

The MoD also employs more coercive recruitment methods, including increased penalties for ignoring draft summons, pressure on conscripts to sign contracts, and punishments for canceling contracts. In addition, Russia has instituted a number of “stop-loss” policies to prohibit soldiers from resigning and bolster the number of soldiers available. Russia likely continues to recruit sufficient personnel, with some observers estimating 20,000-30,000 new recruits a month, to replenish and rotate units for operations in Ukraine. In July 2024, Russian officials stated that almost 200,000 people had signed contracts since the beginning of the year. Some observers assert these figures are exaggerated and do not accurately reflect the often ad hoc nature of current Russian military recruitment. The bonuses and payments for new recruits also have risen, possibly suggesting increased difficulties with recruitment.

Additionally, reports suggest the training of recruits is often substandard and rushed, undermining the Russian military’s ability to conduct complex offensive operations. Equipment and Ammunition In addition to inflicting heavy personnel losses on the Russian military, the UAF has destroyed large quantities of Russian equipment, including tanks (according to some open-source estimates, Russia has lost more tanks than its entire pre-war active duty force), armored personnel carriers, artillery and rocket systems, helicopters, and naval vessels. Russia has responded to those losses by mobilizing its economy to support the war effort. Among other actions, it has directed civilian enterprises to produce products with military applications, has transitioned the defense industry to round-the-clock production, and plans to spend 40% of the 2025 federal budget on the military and security services (an increase of 25% from 2024). Russia also has received assistance from Iran and North Korea. Such efforts have contributed to the Russian defense industry’s resilience in the face of sanctions restricting the import of critical components. U.S. and other Western officials state that China is a crucial source of components for Russia’s defense industry.

Russia has continued to increase its production capacity and output—including substantially scaling up drone production. However, a lack of sufficient components and manufacturing tools, maxed out factory space, and labor shortages, combined with the need to continue producing equipment and ammunition, arguably have forced the Russian defense industry to prioritize quantity over quality. Examples include the use of dual-use items (which are less effective than components designed exclusively for the military) and the reactivation of Soviet-era tanks and artillery. According to some observers, a majority of Russia’s equipment replacements consist of older models refurbished from storage facilities.

Currently, Russia’s defense industry appears capable of upgrading and repairing most equipment and weapon systems for current operations, but it is constrained by dwindling stockpiles and maximized production capacity. It remains unclear whether the defense industry can produce advanced weapon systems or increase production over the long term.

Current Military Performance and Outlook

After several defeats in spring 2023, Russian forces constructed extensive defensive lines in southern Ukraine and stabilized their command situation. Russian forces have resumed localized offensive operations, focusing on eastern Ukraine. Russian operations often retain many of the same characteristics as previous operations that resulted in heavy casualties and limited territorial gains. However, the Russian military has reportedly adjusted its tactics to focus on small unit assaults, improved communication, and improved targeting by Russian artillery. It has deployed new equipment and tactics to counter UAF operations, including the increased use of drones and electronic warfare. Russian logistics also have successfully adapted several times over the course of the conflict in response to improved UAF long-range strike capabilities provided by the United States and other Western allies. This has enabled the Russian military’s strategy of wearing down the UAF in several sectors across the frontline, including capturing the Ukrainian town of Vuhledar in early October 2024.

UAF long-range strikes continue to challenge Russian operations, but arguably may be insufficient on their own to halt Russian advances. Russia also continues its own long- range precision strike campaign targeting key Ukrainian military and infrastructure targets, including destroying much of Ukraine’s energy grid.

The Biden Administration, allied partners, and the Ukrainian government have warned that recent Russian military successes will continue absent continued U.S. security assistance. Others, including some Members of Congress, assert the UAF cannot defeat the Russian military regardless of U.S. security assistance. Some observers also note the continued presence of some Western components in Russian military equipment, leading some Members of Congress to call for greater oversight of sanctions on Russia’s defense industry.

“70% of the machine tools that Russia is importing are coming from China; 90% of the microelectronics that Russia is importing—coming from China. And that’s enabled it to sustain its aggression against Ukraine.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, July 10, 2024

Russian Military Performance and Outlook

https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF12606 · VERSION 4 · UPDATED

Andrew S. Bowen, Analyst in Russian and European

Affairs IF12606

Edited by Bevo

#88335

https://www.threads.net/@meanwhile_in_ua/post/DG6Vjw8Mc5x?xmt=AQGzBPVzBxL6zzFxlU92eJdhf_oKBGlARMNHFMVnmzqgkg

Historical photos from a Ukrainian pilot!
Ukrainian Air Force Mirage-2000 fighters, provided by France to Ukraine, shoot down X-101 cruise missiles in Ukrainian skies during a Russian attack on March 7, 2025!

 

https://www.threads.net/@gizmodo/post/DG6LwQBtGzP?xmt=AQGzBPVzBxL6zzFxlU92eJdhf_oKBGlARMNHFMVnmzqgkg

Russia Is 'Grooming' Global AI Models to Cite Propaganda Sources gizmodo.com/russi…

#88337
5 hours ago, InkaUtexas said:

Serious question. What else is there? Are we going to hit the countries still dealing with the russians? Make Russia overflight for aircraft coming into the US illegal (I would love to see that)?

What else is there? And if that much is out there what the fuck were we doing?

I keep hearing that the sanctions on Russia are like a 6 out of 10 and enforcement of them is like a 3 out of 10… unfortunately, I don’t know the specifics.

#88338
5 hours ago, Ghost of LL said:

 

But maybe if we're going to trash the dollar in favor of crypto or other such nonsense, we don't really care about those consequences anymore.

I thought the dumb fucking sTrAtEgIc rEsErVe was just going to be confiscated funds so he can check off the campaign promise. Please tell me we’re not taking on debt to buy crypto and undercut the dollar. 

#88339
3 hours ago, Parliament said:

That and take the money they have frozen in American banks.  Ideally to buy weapons for Ukraine.  But if he wants to use it against the tab they already have, that would hurt too.

It’s only $5B. Vast majority of the frozen assets are in Europe. Still, that buys about 1,250 patriot missiles. 

Edited by B00M

#88341

Summary of the latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Kremlin rejects possibility of compromise and refuses to discuss ceasefire – ISW

Russia has rejected the possibility of any concessions in future peace talks regarding the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has stated that it will not make compromises, denied the possibility of deploying peacekeepers in Ukraine and dismissed the prospect of a ceasefire through talks.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: During a visit to the Moscow branch of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation on 6 March, Russia's ruler Vladimir Putin emphasised that Russia will not "give in to anyone" and intends to achieve peace conditions that will provide it with long-term guarantees.

Quote: "Putin has also declared 2025 the 'Year of the Defender of the Fatherland' – underlining Putin's efforts to prioritise militarising Russian society and rallying support behind Russia's war effort in Ukraine in 2025.

Putin stated that Russia 'will not give up' its 'own' territory in future peace negotiations – likely referring to illegally annexed territory in occupied Ukraine."

Details: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated at a press conference that Moscow will not consider any initiatives to deploy European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. According to Lavrov, such actions would be tantamount to the deployment of NATO forces and therefore Russia would consider this move to be direct involvement of the Alliance in the war.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also stressed that any proposals that might give Ukraine a "respite" on the battlefield are unacceptable to the Kremlin.

Furthermore, Lavrov emphasised that Russia will insist on taking into account the so-called "root causes" of the war, which, as he claims, include halting NATO expansion and security guarantees for Russia. He claimed that US President Donald Trump understands these demands, whereas European countries are ignoring them.

Quote: "Russian officials often invoke the concept of 'root causes' to allude to their demands for NATO to abandon its open-door policy and to blame the West and Ukraine for Putin's decision to invade Ukraine."

To quote the ISW's Key Takeaways on 6 March:

  • Russian leader Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin officials explicitly rejected making any concessions in future peace negotiations or accepting any US, European, or Ukrainian peace proposals and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the possibility of a negotiated ceasefire on 6 March.
  • Russian officials will likely take advantage of the suspension of US military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine to spread a longstanding Russian information operation meant to falsely portray Russian victory as inevitable.
  • The Kremlin welcomed a Trump administration official's recent comments mischaracterising Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine as a "proxy war", and Russian media portrayed the statement as an admission that the United States is a participant in the war.
  • US and Ukrainian delegations will conduct bilateral meetings in Saudi Arabia next week.
  • Ukrainian opposition politicians rejected the possibility of holding elections in Ukraine before the end of the war.
  • European countries continue to announce new military assistance packages and other measures to support the Ukrainian military.
  • Ukrainian forces recently advanced on the Pokrovsk front and Russian forces recently advanced on the Kupiansk, Borova, Siversk, Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts.
  • Russian leader Vladimir Putin attempted to assuage Russian fears about conscripts going to war amid continued reports that Russian military units are forcing conscripts to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD).
#88342
12 minutes ago, bolverk said:

Putin stated that Russia 'will not give up' its 'own' territory in future peace negotiations – likely referring to illegally annexed territory in occupied Ukraine."

But what about Kursk…

#88343
1 hour ago, atomheartbevo said:

But what about Kursk…

There are reports the Ukrainians have started losing some of Kursk, unfortunately. Although Russians may have overhyped their success.

👀👀👀☠️🔼

Edited by Schulz2.0

  • Popular Post
#88344
Russian Z-bloggers, who were celebrating the unstoppable march of Russian troops toward Sudja this morning and already reporting the city's capture, have deflated like balloons and, as usual, are now trying to find someone to blame for their failures.

 

#88346
4 hours ago, bolverk said:

Summary of the latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Kremlin rejects possibility of compromise and refuses to discuss ceasefire – ISW

Russia has rejected the possibility of any concessions in future peace talks regarding the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has stated that it will not make compromises, denied the possibility of deploying peacekeepers in Ukraine and dismissed the prospect of a ceasefire through talks.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: During a visit to the Moscow branch of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation on 6 March, Russia's ruler Vladimir Putin emphasised that Russia will not "give in to anyone" and intends to achieve peace conditions that will provide it with long-term guarantees.

Quote: "Putin has also declared 2025 the 'Year of the Defender of the Fatherland' – underlining Putin's efforts to prioritise militarising Russian society and rallying support behind Russia's war effort in Ukraine in 2025.

Putin stated that Russia 'will not give up' its 'own' territory in future peace negotiations – likely referring to illegally annexed territory in occupied Ukraine."

Details: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated at a press conference that Moscow will not consider any initiatives to deploy European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. According to Lavrov, such actions would be tantamount to the deployment of NATO forces and therefore Russia would consider this move to be direct involvement of the Alliance in the war.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also stressed that any proposals that might give Ukraine a "respite" on the battlefield are unacceptable to the Kremlin.

Furthermore, Lavrov emphasised that Russia will insist on taking into account the so-called "root causes" of the war, which, as he claims, include halting NATO expansion and security guarantees for Russia. He claimed that US President Donald Trump understands these demands, whereas European countries are ignoring them.

Quote: "Russian officials often invoke the concept of 'root causes' to allude to their demands for NATO to abandon its open-door policy and to blame the West and Ukraine for Putin's decision to invade Ukraine."

To quote the ISW's Key Takeaways on 6 March:

  • Russian leader Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin officials explicitly rejected making any concessions in future peace negotiations or accepting any US, European, or Ukrainian peace proposals and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the possibility of a negotiated ceasefire on 6 March.
  • Russian officials will likely take advantage of the suspension of US military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine to spread a longstanding Russian information operation meant to falsely portray Russian victory as inevitable.
  • The Kremlin welcomed a Trump administration official's recent comments mischaracterising Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine as a "proxy war", and Russian media portrayed the statement as an admission that the United States is a participant in the war.
  • US and Ukrainian delegations will conduct bilateral meetings in Saudi Arabia next week.
  • Ukrainian opposition politicians rejected the possibility of holding elections in Ukraine before the end of the war.
  • European countries continue to announce new military assistance packages and other measures to support the Ukrainian military.
  • Ukrainian forces recently advanced on the Pokrovsk front and Russian forces recently advanced on the Kupiansk, Borova, Siversk, Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts.
  • Russian leader Vladimir Putin attempted to assuage Russian fears about conscripts going to war amid continued reports that Russian military units are forcing conscripts to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD).

 

Trump holds grudges - It may be unwise for Putin to tell him to fuck off.

#88347
17 minutes ago, Bevo said:

 

Trump holds grudges - It may be unwise for Putin to tell him to fuck off.

Counterpoint -- Trump is a bottom bitch when facing anyone who asserts power.  Trump only has "power" when he is punching way, way down.

trump-putin-GettyImages-1000209212.jpg?w

He'll do as he's told.  Because that's what little bitches do.

#88348
23 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Counterpoint -- Trump is a bottom bitch when facing anyone who asserts power.  Trump only has "power" when he is punching way, way down.

trump-putin-GettyImages-1000209212.jpg?w

He'll do as he's told.  Because that's what little bitches do.

 

c074f298-df53-4097-a546-cf0979e17318_text.gif

#88349
Maxar confirms US government blocked Ukrainian access to satellite data Soldiers in Kursk and near Pokrovsk described lost functionality in battle software, though some called it "an inconvenience" rather than a blow, per WP. https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/03/08/maxar-confirms-us-government-blocked-ukrainian-access-to-satellite-data/

image.thumb.png.6a21c939dd261c3d43e39ed779845057.png

 

#88350
‘All these latest advances, in most cases, are thanks to them [🇰🇵,” Pohorily said. Once the North Koreans break through, Russian troops follow them to secure the positions, pushing back Ukrainian defenses.’ https://www.wsj.com/world/russian-north-korean-troops-push-ukrainian-forces-back-in-kursk-591486c0?st=3NhsNc&reflink=article_copyURL_share

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