War with Russia

[Pblakeney]

FTFY

Ian

Thanks! 😢

 

[Pinno718]

2. Who replaces Putin is a big question. Given how little influence the "electorate" has it could be somebody who has far more extreme plans to return to USSR. That said, I don't see what "might happen" as any reason not to change what is happening.

Ian

Whoever takes over will have a huge mess to sort out long before any future aggression. The concessions to lift sanctions will be paramount and therein, lies opportunity.

 

[Pinno718]

[CNN}

Hegseth did not inform the White House before he authorized pause on weapon shipments to Ukraine, sources say​

This statement reveals that there are individuals in a power grab - Miller being one of them. Trump is so blissfully unaware that decisions are being made behind his back.
The CNN report basically states that Hegseth authorised the pause and after some dressed up PR Tennis, Trump ordered the arms shipment to continue.
In what administration historically would take such a senior decision without informing the President?!
Trump: "I don't know who did this", Bizarre.

It's almost like a pretext for a coup (although I am getting ahead of myself)

The full article is here:

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/08/politics/hegseth-did-not-inform-white-house-ukraine-weapons-pause

 

[briantrumpet]

[CNN}

Hegseth did not inform the White House before he authorized pause on weapon shipments to Ukraine, sources say​

This statement reveals that there are individuals in a power grab - Miller being one of them. Trump is so blissfully unaware that decisions are being made behind his back.
The CNN report basically states that Hegseth authorised the pause and after some dressed up PR Tennis, Trump ordered the arms shipment to continue.
In what administration historically would take such a senior decision without informing the President?!

It's almost like a pretext for a coup (although I am getting ahead of myself)

The full article is here:

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/08/politics/hegseth-did-not-inform-white-house-ukraine-weapons-pause

If Trump doesn't throw Hegseth under the bus for it I'll be surprised (even if Trump did actually originally order the pause and then forgot he'd done it). The only dilemma is where he'd get someone quite as unqualified as Hesgeth from, given the last thing he wants is anyone with expertise or conscience.

 

[Pinno718]

Watch Hegseth's body language and the CIA director next to him:
[Try and ignore the hyperbolic screen headline, not atypical of both sides of the press. It gets a bit tedious]


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojG0VvYmXOM

 

[Pinno718]

The leaked audio in the above video is '.revealing'

 

[Pinno718]

• Ukrainian forces destroy an ammunition depot in Donetsk. whilst killing a general and commanders. The assembly of ordinance and military equipment was being stock piled as part of the 'summer offensive. The Ukrainians described it as an 'inferno'.
• China says that it cannot abide by Russia loosing the conflict in a meeting with EU ministers. They expressed concerns about what America would do if Russia lost the war.
• The Netherlands and Germany have collated evidence that Russia is using 'chemical drones'. These drones are used to flush Ukrainian troops out into the open where they are more vulnerable.
• In Toretsk, a Russian offensive that was escalated in January has ground to a halt. Russian soldiers have been taken to moving around by foot and the Ukrainian forces have not seen an armoured vehicle for 6 weeks. The soldiers are sent in to the 'meat grinder' - a term used to describe soldiers with no hardware as back up. The Russians have lost thousands of troops this way. The 'meat' assaults have been occurring more frequently and have been used throughout the war when military vehicles are in short supply. Estimates vary but experts have stated that Russia has lost 20,000 military vehicles and that any push requires more sue of ground troops. Without back up, they are classed as 'naked'.
• Ukraine defence ministry estimates of Russian losses:

Tanks - 11,000
Armoured lighting vehicles (people carriers) - 22969
Artillery systems - 30,000
MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems) - 1434
Anti aircraft artillery - 1193
Planes - 421
Helicopters - 340
UAV (unmanned ariel vehicle) - 44,457
Cruise missiles - 3439
Ships/Boats - 28
Submarines - 1
Cars and cisterns (vehicles that carry fluids) - 54,575
Special equipment - 3929
Personnel - 1029660

 

[BoldonLad]

Do you want a deal? Does Ukraine want a 'deal'? I think Putin would use a deal (cessation in conflict) to re-build. I would rather the West see an opportunity to f*ck Putin over proper. Only when he's strung on a lamp post or falls through a high window will there be a chance of long term cessation of aggression.
He's lost generals to assassination, he arrested and seized a gold Oligarch's estate, he's assassinated 2 of his own military leaders because he's probably under severe pressure. It's time to stick the knife in. Finish the job.
A 'deal' is not going to do the Ukraine or Europe any favours. A severely weakened and impotent Russia leaves China with a lame duck ally, if it isn't already. China and N Korea will only support Russia as long as the spondoolicks roll in. It's simple maths. If the money stops flowing because the Russian economy is teetering and there is signs the debt can't be paid off...
Trump is an idiot. With the USA on board with the West, there was manageable attrition. Now there are less restrictions to inhibit the spread of China's tentacles.

I like the idea of "finish the job", but, backing the leader of Russia into a corner, makes me uneasy.

 

[Pinno718]

I like the idea of "finish the job", but, backing the leader of Russia into a corner, makes me uneasy.

Not if that 'backing into a corner' comes from within. We don't have to resort to direct conflict or aggressive rhetoric.
Putin does not want to loose face in this conflict. He is though. He's a bit like Trump - Ukraine will be taken in a day (sort of). We are 4 years down the road. He has failed in that respect. I have no doubt that there are high up Russians who think that the war is not going well and Putin has f*cked up and needs to go.
Ukraine continues to destroy Russian facilities - deep inside Russia. That means, air defence systems are either lacking or non existent. Given the troop and military hardware losses, Putin couldn't conduct a bigger conflict. They are barely holding off the Ukrainians.
Lets not get paranoid about a 'wider' conflict. I am in no doubt that the EU/UK are more than aware of the wider implications of provocation of Russian ally's. China, although aggressive in resource procurement, state subsidised commerce and expansion of military presence in the Pacific, have yet to resort to direct military conflict. They are in that far eastern cultural mould of reticence. It's in no one's interest to engage in a 'wider conflict'.

 

[Ian H]

Not if that 'backing into a corner' comes from within. We don't have to resort to direct conflict or aggressive rhetoric.
Putin does not want to loose face in this conflict. He is though. He's a bit like Trump - Ukraine will be taken in a day (sort of). We are 4 years down the road. He has failed in that respect. I have no doubt that there are high up Russians who think that the war is not going well and Putin has f*cked up and needs to go.
Ukraine continues to destroy Russian facilities - deep inside Russia. That means, air defence systems are either lacking or non existent. Given the troop and military hardware losses, Putin couldn't conduct a bigger conflict. They are barely holding off the Ukrainians.
Lets not get paranoid about a 'wider' conflict. I am in no doubt that the EU/UK are more than aware of the wider implications of provocation of Russian ally's. China, although aggressive in resource procurement, state subsidised commerce and expansion of military presence in the Pacific, have yet to resort to direct military conflict. They are in that far eastern cultural mould of reticence. It's in no one's interest to engage in a 'wider conflict'.

My face gets looser as I get older. I suppose I'm about the same age as Putin.

 

[First Aspect]

• Ukrainian forces destroy an ammunition depot in Donetsk. whilst killing a general and commanders. The assembly of ordinance and military equipment was being stock piled as part of the 'summer offensive. The Ukrainians described it as an 'inferno'.
• China says that it cannot abide by Russia loosing the conflict in a meeting with EU ministers. They expressed concerns about what America would do if Russia lost the war.
• The Netherlands and Germany have collated evidence that Russia is using 'chemical drones'. These drones are used to flush Ukrainian troops out into the open where they are more vulnerable.
• In Toretsk, a Russian offensive that was escalated in January has ground to a halt. Russian soldiers have been taken to moving around by foot and the Ukrainian forces have not seen an armoured vehicle for 6 weeks. The soldiers are sent in to the 'meat grinder' - a term used to describe soldiers with no hardware as back up. The Russians have lost thousands of troops this way. The 'meat' assaults have been occurring more frequently and have been used throughout the war when military vehicles are in short supply. Estimates vary but experts have stated that Russia has lost 20,000 military vehicles and that any push requires more sue of ground troops. Without back up, they are classed as 'naked'.
• Ukraine defence ministry estimates of Russian losses:

Tanks - 11,000
Armoured lighting vehicles (people carriers) - 22969
Artillery systems - 30,000
MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems) - 1434
Anti aircraft artillery - 1193
Planes - 421
Helicopters - 340
UAV (unmanned ariel vehicle) - 44,457
Cruise missiles - 3439
Ships/Boats - 28
Submarines - 1
Cars and cisterns (vehicles that carry fluids) - 54,575
Special equipment - 3929
Personnel - 1029660

I'm not quite following China's position. Are they saying they are worried what Russia will do if they lose, or is it a precursor to more overtly supporting Russia if it looks like they are going to lose?

 

[Pinno718]

I'm not quite following China's position. Are they saying they are worried what Russia will do if they lose, or is it a precursor to more overtly supporting Russia if it looks like they are going to lose?

Here's the link to the article:

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/55666

 

[C R]

I'm not quite following China's position. Are they saying they are worried what Russia will do if they lose, or is it a precursor to more overtly supporting Russia if it looks like they are going to lose?

The second I imagine. They don't want an erratic emboldened US.

 

[First Aspect]

Here's the link to the article:

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/55666

Ah, Taiwan. Basically, if the US if the US "wins" it's proxy war in Ukraine, it somehow serves as a precedent for future actions.

Bit tenuous given what they've already said about Taiwan.

 

[Pinno718]

The second I imagine. They don't want an erratic emboldened US.

Odd when Trump is waging war on US citizens/the constitution/the press and has effectively contracted US influence globally.
Surely the Chinese see the US as a diminishing threat?