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Many of the troops are permanently based near the border anyway so no change. They've probably made a killing shorting on the European bourses.
Have we seen Putins latest long table?
Poor old Vlad is apparently very worried about Covid
call me cynical, but the Russian Govt just saying we’re moving troops back to bases doesn’t really fill me with any confidence that they’re actually doing it.
I reckon that they are just taking a longer run up
Have we seen Putins latest long table?
Is that the control panel for the nukes in the foreground?
Is that the control panel for the nukes in the foreground?
Is that an ironing board in the background?!
I think its a Corby Trouser Press
They probably always have a stretcher and defib to hand. He’s not a young man.
quite why you feel the need to smear others with that biased tripe I do t know.
Lighten up man! Looks like we're not going to be bombed back to the stone age. It's all good. 🙂
Poor old Vlad is apparently very worried about Covid
His long table thing is a perfect visual representation of how successful the Sputnik vaccine has been
And the great thing is that Lavrov can still get him with a well-placed cough from there.
I think its a Corby Trouser Press
Corby really do have the market stitched up. What happened to all the other trouser press manufacturers?
Is that the control panel for the nukes in the foreground?
Those are linked to the trapdoors. You see Putin reaching for one, grab hold of the table or its off to the incinerator 😉
Incinerator? I would have had him down as more of a Rancor person. Well maybe a bearpit.
https://twitter.com/carolecadwalla/status/1493509238714478592?s=21
I'm shocked to hear that Nigel agrees with Vlad.
'The night of the long tables'
‘The night of the long tables’
😆 😆
‘The night of the long tables’
I reckon nige' has heard about London awash with Russian money and is looking to get some of it.
More than likely it's because he just hates the EU, so anything to bash them is good for his point of view. A bit like Thols in reverse.
He does get very cagey if you ask him whether he's taken Russian money...But I think he just loves him a bit of the 'ole fascist dictator
How’s the invasion going? I believe it was supposed to start at 1am last night.
Biden is saying its still imminent, kind of. Ben Wallace is saying Russia could drag this on for months.
I'm still going through the US papers, but nothings presenting itself as a reason as yet. And I doubt it will. Usual US press is to claim one thing, then instead of backtracking, they just ignore the fact they said it in the first place, and move on to a whole new set of accusations.
Biden is saying its still imminent, kind of. Ben Wallace is saying Russia could drag this on for months.
And Keir Starmer weighed in with his best 'look how hard I am' face by demanding sanctions be imposed on Russia now even though that would almost certainly force them to invade by giving them nothing to lose. Tony Blair contented himself with killing innocent and defenceless arabs but not Starmer, he wants to take on the big boys.
It should be noted that Russia sells the US some 18 million barrels of oil per year, so it wouldn't only be Europe that ends up in an energy crisis should Russia decide to lay sanctions of it's own.
so it wouldn’t only be Europe that ends up in an energy crisis should Russia decide to lay sanctions of it’s own.
I think the bigger issue with sanctions is that Putin, being the autharitarian oligarch despot that he is, doesn't give a shit about the effect of sanctions on the russian population, even the rich ones. The americans, europeans and british however are at the mercy of public opinion and corporate power. Once the power cuts and fuel shortages kick in and the associated inflation, support for action against russia will quickly drain away.
The U.S. is basically trolling Russia. Normally they are very reluctant to release any classified info but in this case they are. What they have done is reminded Russia that they have access to Russian communications about their plans. Russia would have already suspected that, but making it public like this will unnerve them and make them wonder exactly what else the U.S. has access to. Of course, if the U.S. says Russia is preparing to invade on the 18th, then Russia will change the date to another day. If the U.S. keeps making predictions like that, Russia will have to decide whether to just go ahead with it and confirm the U.S. prediction or cancel the whole thing. The U.S. goal is for Russia to cancel it, so it's win-win for the U.S. I'm hopeful that the U.S. strategy will pay off and Russia will realize that the only win they can get out of this is to not invade and claim that it was all overblown hysteria.
authoritarian oligarch despot that he is
Not ever being one to stir the pot...ahem.
Who do we have to confirm such a charge ? The British government, the US state department, the tabloids both US and UK.
It's pretty much the same rhetoric placed against every country's leader we dont like.
Sure we could point out that they assassinate people, but so does Israel, and we know for a fact the US does too.
Putin appears too be a far more capable leader than either Biden or Johnson, and in Russian culture it is all about strength, which for a country of that size you're pretty much going to need.
Oligarchs formed under Gorbachev and continued under Yeltsin, and until Putin came on the scene paid little to no tax(sound familiar 😆 ) Putin made them pay, he also did a lot for the Russian economy, increased their GDP, raised living standards, and cut poverty figures in half.
Meanwhile under the Tory party here in the UK poverty has increased exponentially.
Putin appears too be a far more capable leader than either Biden or Johnson
His country is a shambles, it's a corrupt mafia-state that is only propped up by exporting oil and gas. Capable leaders don't need to poison opposition politicians, ban opposition parts, murder journalists and human-rights advocates. Putin has to do those things because he has been a disastrous leader for Russia and he is afraid of an open election and honest journalism.
His country is a shambles, it’s a corrupt mafia-state that is only propped up by exporting oil and gas.
Sorry, are you implying Russia or Britain here. ?
Putin appears too be a far more capable leader than either Biden or Johnson
What are you basing that on? 'Better' at oppressing any freedom of speech, crushing dissent, bumping off or imprisoning any opposition and facilitating a corrupt elite strip-mining the countries resources?
Unfortunately our own glorious leader would agree with you and is looking on enviously at what Putin continues to get away with. He's something to aim for. But luckily we don't live in a dictatorship. Yet.
Putin appears too be a far more capable leader than either Biden or Johnson, and in Russian culture it is all about strength, which for a country of that size you’re pretty much going to need.
Oh dear, ignoring this poster from now on 🤷♂️
Oh dear, ignoring this poster from now on
Well, if you'd been keeping up with his posts, you'd see that he thinks Russia is the victim of bullying and is just engaging in legitimate self-defense so invading Ukraine and killing thousands of its people is all fine and good.
Who do we have to confirm such a charge ?
It's pretty undeniable that he is an authoritarian despot. Oligarch? Well he's the head oligarch, reportedly the richest man in the world, except he doesn't have a penny to his name officially. When the subservient oligarchs step out of line we know how that ends.
The question of whether he is a good/capable leader is an interesting one. Depends how you define it I guess. Strategically I'd say he regularly runs rings around the US, Europeans and British. Less so China as he's up against an equally clever strategists in the form of Xi Jinping and the Chinese administration. I don't think the assassinations etc demonstrate weakness or incapability, quite the opposite in fact.
Would I want to live under such 'capable' leadership? Not a f***** chance! Neither am I under any illusions as to the leadership of the US and UK though. I don't really want to live under any of them, and their pathetic macho power games don't benefit any of us normal people.
It’s pretty much the same rhetoric placed against every country’s leader we dont like.
Is that a royal "we"? I don't think anyone is going out on limb or flying off into the realms of fantasy when it's suggested that Russia, under Putin is increasingly authoritarian, isn't a functioning democracy in any sense of the word, has changed the country's constitution in order to cling onto power, during the last election manipulated the results and appointed ministers without the need for voting through parliament and has excluded, imprisoned, and murdered political opponents. It's not rhetoric that closed newspapers and TV stations that are too critical, or used police to violently disperse legitimate protests.
If you frame his threatened expansion into Ukraine as part of a continuum of his behaviour i.e. The criminal head of a a group of sycophantic oligarch billionaires wanting to occupy (peacefully or otherwise) land they think should be theirs. Then the idea that NATO, Ukraine, or the EU are somehow the aggressors is revealed to be the nonsense it clearly is.
The question of whether he is a good/capable leader is an interesting one. Depends how you define it I guess. Strategically I’d say he regularly runs rings around the US, Europeans and British.
I'm sure most people could 'run rings around' leaders of democracies, with all those pesky laws and democratic restrictions and stuff, whereas they just get to make up the rules as they go along and have anyone who tries to stop them bumped off.
Not like you're on a level playing field, is it?
Russia was indeed a basket case when Putin took over. He stabilized the country, did his two terms then Medvedev took the reins as Putin 'stepped back' into the Prime Miniserial role. So to the outside world everything looked normal and it looked like the Cold War was a thing of the past.
Then we got Putin 2.0. and a blueprint for how to hijack a democracy was established. Johnson and Trump started taking notes.
The failed coup in America was a semi botched affair because until covid came along the thought that he wouldn't easily win a second term hadn't crossed Trump's mind. Notice how few foreign escapades Trump got involved with, (something was consistent with the platform he got elected).
Trump's original plan was to start a war somewhere a year or so before the 2024 election and either find a way to force a third term or more likely, copy what Putin did and step back, (perhaps into the Mitch McConnell role) and get the constitution changed so that he could be back on the ticket for 2028.
Just like what Putin done.
Strategically I’d say he regularly runs rings around the US, Europeans and British
Easy when you don't have to abide by anything, pay any attention to diplomacy or laws that are inconvenient, or pay attention to public opinion, or worry about the views or critical stages-off voices.
Yeah...wot Binners said
Trump’s original plan was to start a war somewhere a year or so before the 2024 election and either find a way to force a third term or more likely, copy what Putin did and step back, (perhaps into the Mitch McConnell role) and get the constitution changed so that he could be back on the ticket for 2028.
Is this known now?
Corby really do have the market stitched up. What happened to all the other trouser press manufacturers?
My Kettering Slacks Flattener is still going strong. Some still on ebay if you know where to look.
Trump’s original plan
Trump (as far as I can tell from the books I've read about his presidency) doesn't do planning further than what's headlining on Fox in the Morning. The idea that there was some plans involving a war and third terms is fantasy
find a way to force a third term
He was asked multiple times about a third term... and said it was a good idea, with one of those "what do I really mean" smirks that he and Johnson have learnt from share with Putin.
Oh dear, ignoring this poster from now on
Yeah, best you stick to F1 and playing board games 😉
Well, if you’d been keeping up with his posts, you’d see that he thinks Russia is the victim of bullying and is just engaging in legitimate self-defense so invading Ukraine and killing thousands of its people is all fine and good.
Whereas thols posts come across as an apologist for all the 'interventions' the western leaders have perpetrated recently across the middle east, . Americas behaviour is ok, because its not Russia.
He's even managed to ignore the leaked conversation by the US where they were discussing deposing the Ukrainians lawfully elected leader in favour of a US chosen one.
Is this known now?
No he just made it up 😀
Strategically I’d say he regularly runs rings around the US, Europeans and British.
No, this is a myth. Putin's strategy is just to try to disrupt democracies. That's fairly simple to do. What he doesn't have is any coherent strategy for building something new or better. The Russian economy is still a basket case, its GDP is roughly the size of Italy's and it has no allies apart from other corrupt dictatorships. The invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine was a strategic blunder, Ukraine didn't collapse the way Putin thought it would and the result was just that Russia became more isolated. Not the work of a strategic genius, just a desperate despot lashing out blindly.
Putin’s strategy is just to try to disrupt democracies. That’s fairly simple to do
Indeed, just watch the Americans, thats their standardized policy.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26072281
The Russian economy is still a basket case
And the US and UK economies aren't? In the past two years western billionaires have doubled their wealth whilst the rest of us cope with higher taxes, lower wages and higher prices. The top 25 billionaires have more wealth than 50% of the global population put together. In the US billionaires have an effective tax rate of 3.4% compared to 24% for a nurse. I could go on with examples like these all day. And these aren't the signs of a basket case economy?
If the claimed de-escalation is real and continues what, if anything, will johnson and his acolytes do about reforming Londongrad?
Rivers of dirty money being laundered and the associated 'professional services' required; libel tourism as favoured by oligarchs; overt buying of political influence; inept companies house which does nothing to prevent shell/front companies.
My prediction?
Nothing will change and, regrettably, I doubt a Labour administration would do much either.
In the past two years western billionaires have doubled their wealth whilst the rest of us cope with higher taxes, lower wages and higher prices.
Earning minimum wage in the U.S. still means you are richer then most people in most countries. Countries like Russia and China have even worse inequality than the U.S. - their billionaires are just as rich as the western ones but their lowest income people are much worse off.
Astounding Thols, comparing US minimum wage with 'other' countries. Just which do you mean ?, Africa or some other 3rd world power.
$7.25(£5.35p) is even lower that the UK.
The average minimum wage in Russia is $8.09
what, if anything, will johnson and his acolytes do about reforming Londongrad?
The culture of welcoming dodgy money, not just from Russia, to be laundered in London is now so endemic in the UK, that I doubt they could do much about it even if they wanted to. And they don't want too.
If anything it's only going to get worse. Now we're 'free of EU regulation' I expect that 'we' will presently tear up what little regulation exists and declare absolute open season for dictators, drug cartels, war criminals and all manner of tax avoiders to come on in and take full advantage of UK Money Laundering PLC - a tax haven off the shores of the EU
The upshot of all this is that no UK government will lift a finger to do anything about the current state of affairs in Russia and its aggression towards its neighbours
The average minimum wage in Russia is $8.09
How can you have an 'average' minimum wage?
No, this is a myth. Putin’s strategy is just to try to disrupt democracies. That’s fairly simple to do. What he doesn’t have is any coherent strategy for building something new or better. The Russian economy is still a basket case, its GDP is roughly the size of Italy’s and it has no allies apart from other corrupt dictatorships.
Russia's economy really is still a basket case - much needed modernisation and reform have taken a back seat to filling the coffers of oligarchs and financial crime is rampant.
The threat to Ukraine is about Russia's long-term strategy of countering western democracy and even if Russia were to recall all their troops from the Ukraine border back to barracks today, they'd still want to push their objectives over the longer term. We do know that Russia sought to interfere in US elections and have courted the Republican Party, which seems to be beholden to the whim of a few reactionary billionaires post Citizens United vs FEC (2010). All this would seem to have cost Russia a relatively small amount of money, but it's not going to go away any time soon.
If the claimed de-escalation is real and continues
Putin might've blinked in response to concerted international pressure regarding Ukraine, but his objectives haven't changed and we should expect much the same sort of shenanigans from Russia that we've seen since 2006.
Indeed, just watch the Americans, thats their standardized policy.
With the greatest of respect to dyna-ti, can we please step away from the whataboutery in this thread too? We could be here all day with the fallout from US interventions overseas (Iran, Chile, etc) not to mention our own shameful behaviour in the past. We know, we really do. Can we keep this on topic please?
The average minimum wage in Russia is $8.09
No it isn't
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_minimum_wage
Most of the world's population live in Asia and Africa. An average income in rich countries would make you very well off for most people in the world. Being poor in Russia is much worse than being poor in western Europe.
The rapid income polarization that accompanied the transformation process of the 1990s still shapes inequality in Russia today. While top incomes have soared, the 90% of the population with the lowest incomes have seen their share of national income decrease. Today, incomes are still considerably more polarized in Russia than in Eastern Europe. In 2019, the highest-earning 10% of Russian society received about 46% of national income vs. 36% in Eastern Europe. We also stress that better data quality and transparency are highly needed to improve the precision of inequality estimates for the Russian Federation and to enable a more in-depth inequality analysis.
Some very convenient cyberattacks hitting Ukrainian targets right now, primarily banks and civil services, including the Ministry of Defence.
That link is currently flaky by the way, reporting Error 400 and "Maintenance", but Recorded Future have an English assessment here: https://therecord.media/ddos-attacks-hit-websites-of-ukraines-state-banks-defense-ministry-and-armed-forces/
This has parallels to Estonia, South Ossetia and, weirdly, the Crimea annexation.
No, this is a myth. Putin’s strategy is just to try to disrupt democracies. That’s fairly simple to do
Agreed - Putin's just worked out that the West doesn't really have a way with dealing with countries other than putting them on the 'naughty step' (if they're too powerful to be invaded or susceptible to an insurgency/coup...)
filling the coffers of oligarchs and financial crime is rampant.
Are you talking about Russia or the west here because I can't see any real difference. The only difference is that here in the west the oligarchs are celebratted as successful and benevolent 'wealth creators' rather than avaricious criminals.
"He was asked multiple times about a third term… and said it was a good idea, with one of those “what do I really mean” smirks that he and Johnson have learnt from share with Putin"
Thanks Kelvin, I wasn't making it up, Trump let us know what his intentions were. Just depends wether one listens or not.
Maya Agelou: "When people show you who they are, believe them the first time"
Are you talking about Russia or the west here because I can’t see any real difference.
To paraphrase someone more eloquent than me, in western countries, corruption is a problem for the system of government, in Russia, it is the system of government.
Are you talking about Russia or the west here because I can’t see any real difference. The only difference is that here in the west the oligarchs are celebratted as successful and benevolent ‘wealth creators’ rather than avaricious criminals.
Well... that and benevolent ‘wealth creators’ aren't actually physically 'disappearing' their enemies and people who object to their activities. But do carry on with your nonsense.
I don't think anyones trying to maintain that western capitalism is anywhere near perfect but any comparison with Russia and the carry on on Putin and his mates is absolutely ludicrous.
Seriously mate... have a word with yourself
"Are you talking about Russia or the west here because I can’t see any real difference."
I can still see the difference because currently there still is a difference. Some of us think that Trump, Johnson and their acolytes are looking at what Putin has done with Russia and would like to do similar to Western democracy.
that and benevolent ‘wealth creators’ aren’t actually physically ‘disappearing’ their enemies and people who object to their activities.
Apart from the western oil and mining companies who not only kill their opponents in places like Africa and Indonesia but also kill thousands more with their shocking safety record and barely disguised corruption. And then there's the wars that are fought by our honourable governments on their behalf which kill millions. Apart from that they're fluffy teddy bears.
There's very little difference between what happens in Russia and what happens in the west. The Russians are just more open and brazen about it.
No it isn't
You are absolutely correct.
The average hourly wage in Russia is $8.09, the minimum hourly rate is far lower. The minimum in the UK is dependent on age, ranging from £4.62 to £8.91.
So the minimum rate in the UK is £4.62. But for the majority is £8.91, which is what is stated by the government whenever its quoted, much like the Russian hourly rate which is also quoted at its highest.
Seriously mate… have a word with yourself
I'm not sure such a charge is warranted towards anyone here.
Yeah, but you're splitting hairs and apparently not acknowledging that in the UK, seemingly one of the richest countries in the world. thousands of kids are still going to bed cold and hungry.
Clearly, Russia aside, the hourly rate and overall wage in the UK is completely inadequate.
And who is it sets these rates 😕
With the greatest of respect to dyna-ti, can we please step away from the whataboutery in this thread too? We could be here all day with the fallout from US interventions overseas (Iran, Chile, etc) not to mention our own shameful behaviour in the past. We know, we really do. Can we keep this on topic please?
And with the greatest of respect returned to my learned fellow member, these are the important points that drive policy towards Russia and other countries. So in terms of relevancy, what is happening in the Ukraine is a mirror to what has happened elsewhere in the world, which makes it very much on topic. we cannot deny our own behaviors and motives, then claim this crisis has nothing to do with it, especially when other think tanks are saying the exact same thing. We may disagree with one or other of them, or claim they're in some way bias as to their opinion, but we shouldn't deny them their say, we should always take all points on board, and not readily dismiss it.
The Putin apologists are busy. Hope you’re not doing it for free.
The rest of us know our governments in the West are not without blame and their own disgraces, some of us go on about little else (sorry). Stop using that to excuse Putin, the way he runs the RF, and that he is acting to expand it via force. The false equivalence stuff is embarrassing.
The rest of us know our governments in the West are not without blame
Well doesnt that really take the biscuit.
On one breath you call anyone who disagrees with you a Putin apologist, then on the other show yourself to be a western apologist.
Im sorry Kelvin, but this entire thread you've followed the same path of demonizing Russia, and therefore claiming the Ukrainian crisis is nothing to do with those western powers you now claim to be equally dastardly.
You have to accept the Ukrainian crisis has come about because of the imperial nature of those in NATO, namely the US and UK and their quest to be the only players in the game of who runs the world.
Accept that and we can move forward, dont and its around we go again.
the same path of demonizing Russia
Demonising Putin, not Russia, if you don’t mind. He paints that picture with his own words and actions, including military actions. Ignore him if you want.
So ....the average wage in Russia (in dollars) is less than minimum wage in the UK (in sterling) so therefore Russia is betterer?
That's maffs right there folks
@The stabilizer.
I think you're being deliberately offensive. Nobody has stated that other than yourself.
If you cannot follow the narrative and need to resort to posting nasty messages, please find another thread. Maybe one with cartoons or a colouring in section.
You are absolutely correct.
The average hourly wage in Russia is $8.09, the minimum hourly rate is far lower. The minimum in the UK is dependent on age, ranging from £4.62 to £8.91.
So the minimum rate in the UK is £4.62. But for the majority is £8.91, which is what is stated by the government whenever its quoted, much like the Russian hourly rate which is also quoted at its highest.
How do you manage to come up with this horseshit?
Russian min wage 3.22 USD
UK min wage 11.14 USD
Looked at two different sites. Simple mistake to make.
Though none of that is that important other than to take digs is it. Doesnt change the fact about Russia, Ukraine or NATO.
Distraction, derailment, take your pick.
@Sharmer75
I've admitted i was wrong. Wish others who throughout the course of this thread have insisted that my point that I understand that Russia has security concerns are also wrong in their consistent attacks that i and others sharing this stance are some sort of apologist.
It is interesting to note how they have set about jumping to one minor meaningless point to another before finally stating that they agree that the west is not as white and cuddly as they first stated and that the conflict such as it is could well have been avoided but for the imperial nature of NATO under US/UK leadership.
@Sharmer75
What you are now engaging in is trolling.
You arent stating anything we have covered, nor are providing a stance but feel posting abusive massages and playing for laughs is how you conduct yourself on this thread is ok.
There is a name for that, and yourself, and i guess it reaches as far back as your example. but only has 4 letters.
I'm sorry if you're offended by my post, I could have merely stated the inacurracy and left it at that and am happy to acknowledge your retraction
I think presenting the Russian perspective is important and there's no debate that the executive view their neighbors joining NATO and the EU as a threat, there also a significant proportion of the Russian people that share that view. Whether you believe that assessment or not there's only one country adopting a stance on the border of another having already compromised that border and territory for the last eight years. NATO and the EU have no claim or intent to occupy orannex the donbas and Crimea
I’m sorry if you’re offended by my post, I could have merely stated the inaccuracy and left it at that and am happy to acknowledge your retraction
Nope, no problems here and no need to retract anything. Just a bit touchy from all the trolling on nothing points people make rather than debating the point of how this conflict came about.
I snapped at you and tbh that wasnt fair on you, so as such its me who should be offering an apology.
When you take into account US history, how they've acted over the last 70 years, and thats not just the middle east but also South America, CIA trained deaths quads, arms used to mass murder of children and babies linked directly back to US arms factories, its understandable that my distrust of the US i feel is justified,and that colours my opinion of them through this crisis.
I fully knowledge that if Russia under Putin is a bad lot, compared to the United states, who are not only equally as bad but far far worse. Anything they do is tainted by their recent and past history, which we know includes genocide.
My country is in bed with this country.
Think it'll all blow over now, Ukraine and it's people have stood up well and not panicked, unfortunately some western countries have panicked more for them!
Reality is that for Russia to invade, it would require a lot more infrastructure and support, they tried a bit of destabilisation, same as in the Crimea conflict, but this time there was no internal conflict to allow Russia to invite themselves in.
Ukraine are in a tough position though, a lot of thinking and action will be required after this eases off to work out how to stop it escalating in future, on all sides.
No, I acknowledge YOUR retraction. You raised minimum wage and was wrong.
Re the rest: AK47
Well actually Thols raised the point on minimum wage. I felt that was yet another misdirection taking us away from the main point of the thread, so looked at a couple of sites for comparison. I admit i got the numbers wrong.
The premise of US compared to UK still stands, and the US wage is much lower than the UK. Russia as has been pointed out, is significantly lower than that of western Europe, but the point initially being made was oligarchs are a Russian invention, and nothing we in the west would go in for. Stemming from the earlier point that we cant really tell the difference between Russian, UK, or US when the entire truth of the matter and the point that the rich are getting richer and the poor getting poorer and those in bed with big business are the ones saying the people should tighten their belts while coining it in for themselves.
People were trying to hit out against Putin using this concept, but ignoring the concept is universal, and while we should stand against such notions, playing the game as demonizing one but not the other isnt helping anyone.
But even if we ignore minimum wages, the basic still is that i feel Russia taking an action they feel is justified. That was the point of my stance, only instead of disagreeing and showing the working of how that is wrong, people prefer to ignore the actual truth and engage in petty sniping. or trolling or whatever you want to label it as.
" I could have merely stated the inaccuracy and left it at that "
Well perhaps you should have. Then I most likely wouldn't have snapped at you.
Ive no idea what you mean by re: AK47.
i feel Russia taking an action they feel is justified.
Russia invaded annexed Crimea and invaded eastern Ukraine years ago, leaving thousands of Ukrainians dead, and you think Russia is the victim in this?
Yes yes thols, you keep trotting out the same crap this entire thread.Had a fight with Ukraine, leaving 5000+ dead, Russia annexed Crimea due to the government according to the voters being illegitimate brought about by a coup d'etat, killed 2 Ukrainian soldiers and promptly pinched it from from Ukraine.
We invaded a country based upon a web of lies, left the country in ruins. Total dead approximate 650,000.
Then syria - Total dead about 1/2 million.
Then Afghanistan Total dead about 200,000
Oh woe the Ukraine.
And lets not forget the main power in NATO the US. Operation Condor- Estimated dead in South America- 60,000, mostly civilians brutally tortured to death.
.
But yeah, clearly Russia is a bad dude 🙄
Yes Russia has its faults, its as brutal a country as we are. But so much easier to ignore everything we do. Maybe that allows up to sleep better at night.
Then syria – Total dead about 1/2 million
The Russians have been involved more than any western country
Had a fight with Ukraine, leaving 5000+ dead, Russia annexed Crimea due to the government according to the voters being illegitimate brought about by a coup d’etat, killed 2 Ukrainian soldiers and promptly pinched it from from Ukraine.
After years of being setup as a client state of Russia by a pro Russian elite. The war in the Donbas saw IT professionals from Kiev joining the Ukrainian frontline as ideological volunteers. The Ukrainian state was essentially taken off life support and a "not Russia" identity forged in the fighting with regular Russian troops. The relative lack of casualties is arguably the one bit of good news