Ukraine War Thread Part 2
Like so much else in that strange corner of our world, Russia's propaganda capabilities are a hollow shell compared to the large and very capable machine that the USSR fielded. The few pro Russia commentators that cop such a beating on forums and wider social media lately, appear to be mostly enthusiastic amateurs, those misfits that used to cling to the mantra; "when the revolution comes". I'd go so far as to say that there is a greater chance of the Russian Federation falling apart, than of them winning this match, either medium or long term.
They are losing any campaign to influence “the next generation” big time!
Concerts, parties, events nearly all have a Ukrainian flag as a backdrop and the awareness of the young of the evil intent of Putin’s Russia and the enormous crime of the Ukranian invasion is high.
You should be more concerned with the attitude of far right Republicans like Trump and co, that are the only crack in the west’s solid and enduring support for Ukraine.
As for this mythical Russian propaganda capability, the nonsense of the average Russian TV host and pundit highlights their irrelevance and total ineffectiveness.
Concerts, parties, events nearly all have a Ukrainian flag as a backdrop and the awareness of the young of the evil intent of Putin’s Russia and the enormous crime of the Ukranian invasion is high.
You should be more concerned with the attitude of far right Republicans like Trump and co, that are the only crack in the west’s solid and enduring support for Ukraine.
As for this mythical Russian propaganda capability, the nonsense of the average Russian TV host and pundit highlights their irrelevance and total ineffectiveness.
As they scroll through the videos, a tweet by a seemingly credible European man dressed in a suit, declares that the US started the war, Biden is a fool and its all NATO's fault. They briefly register this and then move on to the next video. The seed is sown.
The lie repeats for 10-20 years. Is the same thing happening in Russian or Chinese schools? I doubt it. They've put an information diode in the way. I think the threat is real - the information diode allows countries like Russia and China to have a much greater impact than they would otherwise have, but it's slow.
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2 years in, support is still strong...but over 10-20? Imagine, if you will, a group of young boys in a school browsing twitter watching the latest death videos from Ukraine.
As they scroll through the videos, a tweet by a seemingly credible European man dressed in a suit, declares that the US started the war, Biden is a fool and its all NATO's fault. They briefly register this and then move on to the next video. The seed is sown.
The lie repeats for 10-20 years. Is the same thing happening in Russian or Chinese schools? I doubt it. They've put an information diode in the way. I think the threat is real - the information diode allows countries like Russia and China to have a much greater impact than they would otherwise have, but it's slow.
As they scroll through the videos, a tweet by a seemingly credible European man dressed in a suit, declares that the US started the war, Biden is a fool and its all NATO's fault. They briefly register this and then move on to the next video. The seed is sown.
The lie repeats for 10-20 years. Is the same thing happening in Russian or Chinese schools? I doubt it. They've put an information diode in the way. I think the threat is real - the information diode allows countries like Russia and China to have a much greater impact than they would otherwise have, but it's slow.
The present youngsters are extremely media and social media savvy and very aware of what is going on around the world as posted by the actual people experiencing events as opposed to polished news and propaganda outlets.
This is an obvious benefit and advantage of social media often overlooked by critics.
And 20 years? Russia? Really?
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
China 🇨🇳, Uzbekistan 🇺🇿and Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬 signed a document on the next steps to build a railway bypassing Russia 🇷🇺.
Thus, these countries may have a shorter route to Europe.
Russia, of course, will lose income from the transit of freight trains through its territory.
Well, good luck, "partners" - Lavrov wrote on his telegram channel.
Thus, these countries may have a shorter route to Europe.
Russia, of course, will lose income from the transit of freight trains through its territory.
Well, good luck, "partners" - Lavrov wrote on his telegram channel.
Putin cannot 'accept defeat'. To lose this battle is almost certainly a death sentence for him. He may be MUCH more willing to roll the dice with a nuke if the situation deteriorates further. He's got very little to lose.
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That depends on the response, they could hit all his bunkers, homes and yacht. With all the stuff going on behind the lines hitting his car with the likes of a smuggled in javelin in Moscow would be feasible?
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It's almost impossible to know what Russia's factories are producing. The fuel oil that powers them must be used. What can't be sold must be burnt to keep the flow going. If the flow stops then the supply wells are lost. It follows that oil will be used in the factories that were always using it whether they are producing anything or not. Must be nice to have an abundance of energy to burn for no other reason that it must.
They are said to be preparing a resumption of nuclear testing. If this is true, it does suggest that they may not be 100% confident in predicting what will happen (if anything) in the unlikely event that someone unhinged should actually hit the button(s).
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Russia says Bakhmut has fallen but Zelenskyy says no, but destroyed.
Remind me - how many times have various Russians claimed to have taken Bakhmut? I've lost count.
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Many fewer tanks on a battlefield to aim at than fast-moving cars on city streets. Standard security procedure would, I believe, be several identical cars with the target choosing a different one for each journey. Zelensky has, in any case , said that they are not trying to kill him ( which I believe).
If Wagner now withdraws and goes back to Africa as is being reported, the UKA will have removed one of the more determined foes from the fight.
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Er, check in with the Tory Government! They have Typhoons they are planning on retiring and some they have already retired…
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Er, check in with the Tory Government! They have Typhoons they are planning on retiring and some they have already retired…
https://questions-statements.parliam...2-12-07/105283
They could be handed over if cash was available to buy replacement parts fir the RAF instead - plus cash to buy spares to support them in Ukrainian service of course,. But, as I said, there is no indication the government or RAF wants to go down that path.
There were those, including myself, urging it be done, even if not militarily significant, to “prime the pump” for others to supply F-16s (as we did with tanks) - but the recent commitments to do so make it unnecessary.
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F-16 has been Ukrainians preference for a long time, and now that the US has approved it there's a plan to provide them with what they want. The UK appears to have a role in this plan, as it has in many other weapons and training procurement plans since all this started. An attempt to introduce a sly anti-Tory political slant into the discussion is unwarranted.
There is only one Government in the whole of Europe current downsizing and reducing military capability. Every other Government is increasing and expanding defence, except our bunch.
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Some very thoughtful posts above since this question was posed, but I would add that currently the word 'Russia' and 'the Kremlin" are practical synonyms for Vlad Putin. There is very little evidence that anyone but Vlad has much influence on events on the Russian side.
Putin cannot 'accept defeat'. To lose this battle is almost certainly a death sentence for him. He may be MUCH more willing to roll the dice with a nuke if the situation deteriorates further. He's got very little to lose.
Putin cannot 'accept defeat'. To lose this battle is almost certainly a death sentence for him. He may be MUCH more willing to roll the dice with a nuke if the situation deteriorates further. He's got very little to lose.
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