Pretty stunning if true, I was under the belief that Rus has 300k+ in Ukraine. If these numbers are remotely accurate then Ukr building an offensive force of 100k plus its regular troops would be at 4-1 or 3-1 advantages in most areas. Shit their offensive might work
Ukraine bought 200 of these from Poland last week https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/KTO_Rosomak seems pretty capable and uses NATO ammo 100 are to be delivered right away, 100 into production- pretty huge boost to Ukraine counter offensive firepower (paid for by the EU) Ukr also is getting more Soviet BMP-1s right away from Greece and Poland although number is unclear. These will probably go to the frontline units right away to replace losses
So much depends on Putin and he's just fucking nuts. If you haven't watched this interview with Julia Ioffe (about as knowledgeable as it gets on Putin) it's worth looking at even though it was upoloaded March 9 of last year. He's been beyond isolated from so much info that we never really know anything about what's going on at that level. We stupidly spent so much in Vietnam (men, money, arms, etc) to avoid the perception of "losing face" (worked out perfectly right), just imagine what Russia will do with zero regard for anything to avoid "losing face".
Was driving home from a hike the other day with my uncle from San Antonio. There was an Antonov plane parked with the nose up near Ft Bliss. My uncle is a retired economist for the government and he said, "I can't believe we're giving those fuckers more tanks". I then called him a god damned commie and not a word a spoken since. He served through Vietnam so I assume that struck a nerve or some inner reflection
Conservatives didn’t want us to get involved in WWII either. It’s just an inherent gut reaction for them. Sometimes the sane people in government have to override them. I’m moderate fyi. I just think they’re wrong on this issue. If you can’t inderstand the importance of checking a dangerous regime’s hegemony , I can’t really debate this issue with you.
Not sure if we have a separate thread for Taiwan but it looks like the ROC carried out a mock attack on the island this weekend and essentially surrounded it.
From what I read, that's what I understood. What a mess. It's ironic how much Europe is prepared to be left behind in the 21st Century world. Their star is descending rapidly. So parsimonious with anything, when small adjustments could maintain what they need domestically and also support democracy.
I imagine it’s a show after the Taiwan president’s visit, but there are some definite signs that shit is about to get real. Biden has cut them off from the American chip brain trust, the West is being taxed by providing material and money to Ukraine, and the US is rapidly trying to build up its fab infrastructure. The iron is almost hot enough to strike.
Pretty solid thread on the fact that China is doing a lot of building and investing in hardened and capable airfield infrastructure to give them the ability to stage fighter and bomber aircraft further outside the mainland. This has the potential to create a larger boundary area to deny the US the ability to support Taiwan if that became a necessity.
Seems super doubtful that China would use military force to block US shipments in support of Taiwan. That would lead to WWIII
Works until either domestic power structure crumbles. Desperation for a common enemy isn’t a long-term win, but pretty much always the route.
Yea my bad for not being more clear. I was saying if the shots started firing, they are in a much better position to defend against it. It’s more of investment into strategic positioning.
It's infuriating that Russia hasn't already been expelled from the UN. Whenever China takes material and clear steps in mobilization towards Taiwan they should be removed as well. Here is the process for removing a charter member: https://thehill.com/opinion/international/3717566-how-to-expel-russia-from-the-un/
Is there any point in being in the UN and financially supporting it etc if the UN is completely impotent?
What does the UN even do? Sit in a room and chit chat and then go do Michelin star restaurants. It’s a scam
legitimately a ton of shit if your expectation isn’t “prevent NATO, China, and Russia from doing what they want to”
Speaking of war crimes. I have seen this same message shared by a few people so I trust they are telling the truth. I have not looked for nor will look for the video.
I was just about to comment on this. Stumbled on it in one of the Ukraine war subreddits. I clicked on it for one second before closing. Learned my lesson long ago not to watch that shit. My blood is boiling. No peace with this scum. 5 word description for what they did: Spoiler they beheaded a Ukrainian pow. Pure isis shit
Also there is this coming out. “According to the document, dated 23 March, the UK has the largest contingent of special forces in Ukraine (50), followed by fellow Nato states Latvia (17), France (15), the US (14) and the Netherlands (1).” Damn those Brits hate the Russians.
yea, do not watch that video under any circumstances, it's a step beyond your usual cartel/ISIS beheadings.
so, this should go without saying because all beheadings are not equal, but the cartels and ISIS will often drug their victims prior to shooting a video so that it "goes well". if the person is kicking and screaming or difficult to kill it makes them look like amateurs and that's not the message they want to send. this video is the opposite of all that, which makes it a lot worse. this is not a quick, "easy" beheading, it's a really bad one and made all the worse by the jerkoff filming it essentially hazing the murderer for not doing it well and talking about how easy it is to behead someone which is either a bluff for the camera or means these psychos are doing this to POWs more than we think.
Just donated to United24 and Save the Children. Have avoided donating to military funds previously but I'm in now.
This is a really eye raising claim as if Russia can do it, you can be sure China is able to do this and they are probably planning on selling this technology to Iran/N Korea.