The main problem for you and your propaganda: actions of Ukraine are not so recognized, either.
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United States of America
The US Naval Handbook (2007) states:
Proper objects of attack also include enemy lines of communication, rail yards, bridges, rolling stock, barges, lighters, industrial installations producing war-fighting products, and power generation plants. Economic objects of the enemy that indirectly but effectively support and sustain the enemy’s war-fighting capability may also be attacked.
United States of America
In 1992, in its final report to Congress on the conduct of the Gulf War, the US Department of Defense stated that Iraq’s electricity production facilities, its oil refining and distribution facilities and its military production sites had been included among the 12 target sets for the coalition’s attacks.
All your quotes are merely reinforcing mine that the Kherson Bridge was (and is) a perfectly legal Ukrainian wartime target.
But thank you for beginning to cite your sources.
I am totally ANTI-WAR.
I view War as a systemic breakdown in humanity and one of the greatest failures of mankind - where the innocent always suffer the consequences of those with great power who are blind to their own blindness. And this applies to any/all countries on Earth.
Well, I never named Ukrainian actions as a "terrorist". I clearly wrote "diversion"
I just wrote: they got lessons. After diversion in August they lost few power plants. After diversion on the bridge they lost again, even more. Do they want to lost more industry? I have no idea, but I know how will react Russia each time.
Perhaps you did not name the Ukrainian actions as "terrorist," but Putin has done so - repeatedly, e.g., "Putin accuses Ukraine of Crimea bridge blast ‘terrorism.’ Russian president to convene security council amid calls for reprisals over attack that damaged key Crimea supply route" (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/...last-terrorism).
The article states: "“There is no doubt. This is an act of terrorism aimed at destroying critically important civilian infrastructure,” Putin said on Sunday in a video posted on the Kremlin’s Telegram channel. “This was devised, carried out and ordered by the Ukrainian special services.” Putin is due to convene a meeting of the country’s security council on Monday with the body’s Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev saying that Russia should kill the “terrorists” responsible for the attack."
Putin still has not provided any proof of this allegation that the Ukrainian special services ordered and carried out any such attack.
He ignores, too, the fact that his actions in launching his "special military operation" are responsible for all the destruction on both sides but, like all bullies, complains when his victim fights back.
That you ignores fact what Russian actions are response for almost 8 years of Ukrainian bombing of Donetsk and Luhansk, of 8 years of genocide Russians at the East of Ukraine. There was Minsk agreement which Ukraine didn't implement. Well, now they have what they have...
I told about "soft hands", you didn't believe. Now in 2 days 30% of Ukrainian energy system became ruins. I hope lesson is learned. If not - then they still have 70% more. Don't. Tease. Russian. Bear.
For anyone interested, Jake Tapper got an exclusive with President Biden regarding the Ukraine war. It's here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpzMfAKN9aQ
i don't ignore it because those eight years covered the period when ethnic Russian separatists attempted to unite the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk with the Russian Federation which was assisting the citizens of another country with special forces, and deniable military advisors. It was not just Ukraine that did not observe the 2014 Minsk agreement 's provisions of prisoner exchanges, deliveries of humanitarian aid and the withdrawal of heavy weapons. The agreement quickly broke down because there were violations by both sides.
"Six years of genocide of Russians" is a Russian lie, as determined by the International Criminal Court - "Adjudge and declare that the Russian Federation cannot lawfully take any action under the Genocide Convention in or against Ukraine aimed at preventing or punishing an alleged genocide, on the basis of its false claims of genocide in the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts of Ukraine (https://newlinesinstitute.org/wp-con...ish-Report.pdf). You are repeating Putin's propaganda, something that you repeatedly claim that other do while doing it itlself in every post you make.
I see little difference between Ukraine's attempts to retake their territory and the Russian Federation's various attempts in the Chechen wars and its other 2009-2017 Caucasus wars with Ingushetia, etc.
I never said that I didn't believe your "soft hands" comment as I had read up the record of Colonel General Sergey Surovikin and his history in Syria. I am sure the war will end as he deserves.
No. It just not worth to answer.
I can read Russian and Ukrainian, have relatives on both side of border, including Crimea, receive information from both sides daily. What he can contrast to it? Propaganda from filtered Western news? Biden-Alzheimer messages what Russian economy is totally destroyed because of sanctions and currency rate is 200:1?
Yesterday "The Economist" "As Europe falls into recession, Russia climbs out"
Note: prices for gas are different btw regions, but for example in Moscow price is $0.95 per month with no limits in amount of gas. Yes, less than $1 per month and no limits. Prices are "per person". So if in apts are living father+mother+son, then they will pay $2.85 in total per month. If in apts aren't centralized hot water supply and family uses boiler for water heat, then price per month will be $1.15 per person.Quote:
These days Russians do not have much to boast about, so they take what they can get. Social-media trolls are posting videos, intended for European audiences, showing gas stoves left on full blast. What might cost hundreds of euros in Berlin comes to a few roubles in Moscow. The taunting is childish, but it hints at a deeper truth: the economic war between Russia and the West is at a delicate moment. While Europe teeters on the brink of recession, Russia is emerging from one.
You state that you "have relatives on both side of border, including Crimea, receive information from both sides daily." So you rely on family gossip for your information?
You missed two important sentences in the report: (1) "Despite these difficulties, the recession has probably now come to an end," and (2) nor do you mention how increased budgetary spending will affect those living inside Russian territory - "the budget implies large increases in war-related spending in the coming years—particularly on internal “security”.
The article relies, in part, on data from Goldman-Sachs: "Goldman Sachs, a bank, produces a “current-activity indicator”, which suggests how economies are doing from month to month. The data indicate that Russian activity is quite a bit livelier than it is in big European countries." Just remember that Goldman-Sachs doesn't always get its data right. For example, following its involvement in securitization during the US subprime mortgage crisis, it suffered during the financial crisis of 2007–2008, and received a $10 billion investment from the United States Department of the Treasury as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
The rest of your response merely repeats what you have posted many, many times before, suggesting you are running out of good things to say about the present position of the ordinary Russian in the Federation today.
Putin seems to be gradually taking a more resigned position (I think) and has been recently quoted as saying things like; "he doen't want to destroy Ukraine...no more mass bombings are necessary...all his strategic targets have been hit...and he's open to negotiations.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/putin-say...133121369.html
Always the optimist, I'm hoping that this thing can be coming to some sort of end soon.
I have to imagine that Putin (and the West) knows that playing the "Nuclear Card" just isn't an option...not for anyone. That said, the only other option, at least the way I see things, is for some kind of compromise to be reached.
Persoanlly, and I say this knowing that many would vehemently disagree, Ukraine should just agree to let Russia have Crimea and a slice of those other eastern regions and call it a day. Of course Putin would have to agree to any/all other conquests into neighboring Ukraine and acknowledge the fact that Ukraine is a free nation and can do as it choses going forward - and that would include joining NATO or any other alliance of its choosing.
Too many people are dying...too much destruction...too much risk for western Europe, as well as the citizens of Russia (and beyond). It's time to drive a stake in the ground and allow the World to refocus its energies and finances on saving the Planet from Global Warming before we're all dead.
Here's hoping!
====and that would include joining NATO or any other alliance of its choosing.====
No, neutral status of Ukraine is within conditions...
Ukraine has already stated many times they won't compromise, and in my mind, rightfully so. They have full intention of taking back every square meter of their land including Crimea, and I can't blame them for that.
They've already been through hell and back, and when you hear the Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs speak about how emotional it is to see the videos when soldiers liberate various towns and villages, and the soldigers are greeted with residents with tears of jobs in their eyes because they thought the Ukrainians would never be back and they'd be under Russian occupation froever is just heart breaking.
Russia is currently on its back heels, I wouldn't expect Ukraine to compromise. They're going to go ahead with their military operations, and retake every single square meter of their land.
Plus the EU Foreign Policy Chief was on CNN earlier today publicly saying if Russia were to use a nuclear weapon, the Russian military would be met with such a powerful response it would be annihilated:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A46YLrhuRtU
See what happems.
I agree with everything you said, but without some sort of compromise this thing could go on till hell freezes over.
I wouldn't want to see any compromise unless Ukraine had the freedom to join NATO. Putin has to pay the price and having NATO straddling his entire western border would be a good starting place. The whole world would be safer as a result.
To you point, right now Ukraine has the upper hand, and with that comes leverage (control) at the negotiating table. If Putin can't meet Ukraine's conditions than of course all bets would have to be off.
Listen to what Ukrainian officials say, and I can promise you, there will be no compromise. They're not stopping until they reclaim every square meter of their land, regardless of how hard or long it takes.
This is totally unrealistic, but just play along with me here. Say China invaded the US, and there was a long, drawn out and bloody war. Would you as an American be willing to concede say California and half of Texas to Chinese occupation in order to end the war?
Of course not, right? You're not going to be willing to give up a single square meter of American soil to China, nor would you be willing to allow your fellow Americans to live under Chinese occupation, correct? Exact same case here. The Ukrainian military has already made it very clear, they will not allow their fellow citizens to live under Russian occupation, especially considering the amount of war crimes that have already been uncovered. They don't care, they're not going to stop until ever square meter of their land is liberated.
Russia is already on its back legs, and it's just a matter of time now. Ukraine said this war will be over spring of 2023, and considering how things are going, I'm guessing they're right. There's videos out there of Russian conscripts bitching because the only training they got was firing off three cartridges of bullets. That was is, then onto the train and off to the front lines you go. How effective of a fighting force do you think they are?
Just think what will happen if the US pulls the trigger and decides to supply Ukraine with those M1 Abrams they've been asking for, or if Germany pulls they trigger and sends Leopard 2s to Ukraine? Ukraine has already made it very clear, they have no intention of compromising with Putin, so all we in the West can do is support them. We actually have a few Ukrainian families here in the small town I'm in, and I promise, they don't go without. I'm sure they probably have enough shit now to furnish 6 homes.
Go read a history book, because that's not how this works.
There's literally videos out there of Russian conscripts complaining because they were picked up, got to shoot three cartridges of ammo for their training, then were sent to the front lines. That basically means 50 Russians = 1 Ukrainian soldier, if that.
I promise you, Ukraine with the West's support will win this war, which Russia waged by the way under false pretenses of Nazis or some such shit. If Putin decides to use a tactical nuclear weapon, both NATO and the EU have already promised that Russia will very shortly no longer have a military.
Darling, 145:22.
West for sure may supply "till last Ukrainian", but end is unavoidable. Russia just in 2 days destroyed 30% of Ukrainian electro generation network. Zelenskiy now hiding somewhere in bunker of the far West of Ukraine.
When mobilized will arrive to region and will start to control region - that will make regular army free to make strike instead of guarding whole region. They will start to arrive in 2-3 weeks. Also green will be transparent for drones. no more shelters.
Yeah, yeah... comes from the same guy who said 6 months ago he's sude the war will be over in a couple weeks.
I suggest you stop being rude and offensive (which reveals so much about you), and start your own reading of Ukrainian history (and perhaps Russian history) - because there is so much wrong with your reply.
Read, e.g., "Ukraine Votes To Abandon Neutrality, Set Sights On NATO," December 23, 2014 13:26 GMT (https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-parl.../26758725.html). The report includes the reason why Ukraine's parliament so voted in 2014: "The legislative amendment submitted by President Petro Poroshenko last week was approved with 303 "yes" votes in the 450-seat Verkhovna Rada on December 23.
A note explaining the changes in Ukraine's law on domestic and foreign policy said that the "non-bloc" status codified under then-President Viktor Yanukovych in 2010 had left Ukraine vulnerable to "external aggression and pressure."
It said that "the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine, its illegal annexation of Crimea...its military intervention in eastern regions" and other forms of pressure created the need for "more effective guarantees of independence, sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity."
The pro-Western leaders who came to power after Yanukovych fled in the face of protests last February have spoken for months of plans to renounce the neutral status, which prevented Ukraine from seeking NATO membership.
Kyiv and NATO accuse Russia of providing direct military support to pro-Russian separatists who have seized parts of two provinces in eastern Ukraine and fought government forces in a conflict that has killed more than 4,700 people since April."
The Ukrainian parliament adopted an amendment to its Constitution on Feburary 7, 2019 (not 2021). The amendment did/does not specify any particular dates or efforts in this regard. However, it clearly states that it is no longer possible to not move the country closer to the West. Consequently, any attempts by politicians to change the course of Ukraine towards Russia will be treated as a violation of the Constitution of Ukraine. It will make any attempts to reorient the country back toward Russia impossible.
In addition, this amendment removes a clause in the Constitution that allowed the Russian military to have access to Ukrainian military bases. Specifically, the Russian Navy will no longer have access to any Ukrainian Navy ports, including the ports in Crimea where the Russians now have vessels stationed. See, e.g., "Ukrainian Parliament Amends Constitution to Set Path for EU and NATO Membership" (https://uatv.ua/en/ukrainian-parliam...to-membership/).
In other words, until Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, Ukraine was, or a least regarded itself as, neutral with a non-bloc status that prevented it seeking NATO membership, which prompted the first amendment. The continued annexation and attitude of Russia prompted the second amendment.
On 18 February 2022, a German blog (https://verfassungsblog.de/would-ukr...-its-nato-bid/) published an article entitled "Would Ukraine Breach its own Constitution if it Dropped its NATO Bid?" The article concluded: "As of now, Ukraine is bound by its Constitution and stepping back from its NATO aspirations does not seem to be a real prospect. That said Ukraine may be coming close to a fork in the road where it may be forced (by Russia or even its Western allies) to choose between fully upholding the Constitution (as amended in 2019) and protecting the territorial integrity of the State. One can only hope that the diplomatic efforts of the last few days will prove to be successful thus overcoming what would be a lose-lose situation for Ukraine and its people."
Shortly after that, of course, Russia began its euphemistically termed "special military operation."
Apparently, there's now green on green attacks at Russian military training camps. Russia calls them terrorist acts, but I'm assuming it's just people pissed off because they got conscripted.
Now the Russians are killing themselves....
Without a Military that's highly-trained, well-equipped, extremely motivated, being led by extremely competent officers, winning a war against a modernized military that's well-financed, well-equipped, with highly motivated soldiers led by competent officers, supported by military intelligence and special forces input/oversight from 30 galvanized nations, achieving a military victory is IMPOSSIBLE.
Putin and his military leaders know this now. The oligarchs and brain power of Russia have known this for the past 7 months. The tens of thousands of Russians (mostly highly educated) who are fleeing Russia know this...and worst of all, the soldiers who lack training and any/all motivation to enter Putin's war know this better than anyone. NATO and the UN know this. Ukraine knows this, The U.S. knows this. China and India know this.
Who does that leave?
This whole thing is just stupid. Moses, if you're so insistent that Russia is so awesome, why don't you strap on a rifle and head to Easstern Ukraine? From the sounds of things, Russia needs all the soldiers it can get.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_wBv-Tm800
Heil Putin!
145:22 Matt... 145:22
Think whatever you want Moses. You're forgetting the entire Western world and NATO is behind Ukraine.
The US is already heavily involved in this war, and they're better at war than Russia is, quite obviously. Most likely, it was the US that blew up Nordstream 1 pipeline, plus the bridge in Crimea.
Always remember, Russia is the one who started this war, not the West. If you Russians want to live in abject poverty for the next couple generations, that's kind of on you guys for not marching on the Kremlin. We're still waiting for you guys to march on the Kemlin and tell Putin he's out of a job btw.... seems like Russians have decided to flee the country in a mass exodus instead, so whatever, we'll work with that too.
I'm curious Moses, what in your mind is victory? What does the Russian military need to accomplish for you to conclude Russia has been victourious in the war?