All Things Russia & Ukraine

[Farfromgeneva]

Your framing of positions creates a ton of assumptions you present as fact and are, at best, a semi reasonable interpretation but not fact.

You don’t know nearly enough about Bush to declare “he’s power hungry” at all. I think he was some things and flawed surely but that’s an interpretation I think is way off base. That’s one example. You embed these all over and claim fact and incontrovertible things that are no such thing. Cool your principle is consistent but your interpretations are not facts and the nature of your statements to turn around and complain I attacked you while doing the same thing are PB territory.

To suggest Putin’s claims are equal to others is crazy specious yet again presented as hard truth. Either you’re so literal as to be wildly obtuse or intentionally presenting these things in a manner of heuristic that’s very similar to homeboy down under. I hope you understand the concept of a dynamic model and that variables exist. But you don’t present arguments as if you do.

Are your claims "fact" or truth?

Bush not power hungry??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvUEsm0 ... atlmcm1900

Freudian slip, I suppose. Patriot {sic} Act ring a bell? Even conservatives such as Larry Pratt, James Sensenbrenner, and Bob Barr said it was unAmerican. Oh, in case you forgot it was Bush who pushed for it.


'Putin's claims equal to others.' Depends, his views on Donbas are valid as that is a Russian region. If the people vote on a referendum for freedom from Ukraine then it is as valid as Ukraine breaking away from the Russian Federation. And again, if you want to condemn Putin for having soldiers cross the border, then to be consistent you need to do the same with Madrid when it invaded Catalonia. It's just a matter of consistency in the application of principles which is something you right wingers fail to do so often. That's the truth and no amount of tears will change that.

Right winger. You can’t help yourself but it makes you wrong. Maybe you have some effete Bill Kristol type friends in your circle you can strong-arm with tough talk but it just puts you in the win/lose at all costs no care for real truth category. See PB. But you made the allegations and statements and then question the rebuttal without proving your claims.

It’s this simple-you aren’t in a guys mind. You are as angry as these true right wingers. And call people names without bothering to listen. And whine and complain and cite the mod when you feel attacked while doing the same. But don’t see the difference. I give you way more credit than some but maybe I shouldn’t.

My claims are either tongue in cheek or my opinion where I hope to find more universal truths like the Native American chief going for his girl on the other side of the lake at night and sees the reflection of the moonlight off the lake from a number of different views.

Or we could say Bush was gay because he saw a good souls in Putin’s eyes…rather than a mistake based on a strong belief/wishful thinking that was wrong and colored by his own historical perspective…

[seacoaster]

an explanation of Russia's tactical restraint, so far.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-stu ... 1646000303

Initial setbacks spur fears that Russians will step up firepower

The Russian military has faltered early in its invasion of Ukraine, as stiff resistance threatens to turn Moscow’s hopes for a swift victory into a protracted and costly war...

The Kremlin’s ongoing invasion represents the most formidable challenge for the Russian military since it was modernized under Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s top military officer who was appointed to his post in 2012. Yet no Ukrainian cities have been taken by the Russian military. Some of the Ukrainian Air Force and air defenses are still intact.

Western officials and analysts say that Russia’s strategy had been based on the premise that an initial barrage of missile strikes and a thrust toward Ukraine’s capital would bring about the quick collapse of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government. Mr. Zelensky, however, remains defiant while facing long odds.

The Russian military has a prodigious array of artillery, rockets and air power. Employing these weapons, however, would only further antagonize the population that Moscow is hoping to draw into its sphere of influence and make it harder for the Kremlin to control a country of 44 million.

Since the start of the conflict, Russia has fired more than 320 missiles. Its ground forces have advanced from Belarus to within 30 kilometers of Kyiv’s city center. Russian forces have also moved swiftly from their bases in Crimea and carried out a rare amphibious landing from the Sea of Azov.

Now, the Pentagon says there are signs that Russia is resorting to more firepower, including rockets, in its attempt to take Chernihiv, a city 150 kilometers northeast of Kyiv.

Mick Ryan, a retired Australian Army major general who has studied advanced warfare, says Russia’s failure so far to achieve decisive gains and its potential depletion of precision-munition supplies “probably will force them to use older weapons that are less precise and more deadly.”
“In the next 72 hours I expect greater lethality on the battlefield,” he added.

Western analysts say that there are few parallels between Russia’s approach so far in Ukraine and how it would face off against a NATO force, where mass firepower would be used from the outset and the potential use of nuclear weapons could also be threatened.

The Russian military has improved considerably since its wars to subdue insurgents in Chechnya, which lasted until 2000, and intervention eight years later in Georgia, which succeeded in securing two breakaway regions.

Russia’s operations since then had been limited and sometimes were carried out in areas where there was a reservoir of support. In 2014, the Russians quietly infiltrated Crimea with special forces, naval infantry and intelligence operatives and secured the peninsula with nary a shot. That same year, Russia intervened in the Donbas region in southeast Ukraine and marshaled a proxy force of separatists.

Russia’s 2015 intervention in Syria to buttress Syrian President Bashar al-Assad showcased its air power and long-range missile capability. In contrast to the invasion of Ukraine, however, the Syria operation didn’t include the deployment of a large number of Russian ground forces or combat against an organized army.

“This isn’t the small, handpicked Syria task force that was lavished with support and made relatively few mistakes,” said Dara Massicot, an expert on the Russian military at the Rand Corporation, referring to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. “A force of this size is too large to hide readiness and personnel problems within the Russian military.”

The longstanding U.S. policy of modulating the supply of arms to Ukraine so as not to provoke Russia has also affected the country’s military capability. Stinger antiaircraft systems weren’t sent to Ukraine until January when the Biden administration approved a request by Latvia and Lithuania to provide the U.S.-made systems from their arsenals. The U.S. has since opted to send antiaircraft missiles from its own inventory. Experts say, however, that it takes time to distribute the weapons and train Ukrainian forces in how to use them. The U.S. hasn’t outfitted the Ukrainians with antiship missiles.

The Ukrainian forces have benefited from the U.S., British and other allied training, however, as well as U.S. intelligence about Russia military moves. The Ukrainians have also been adept at moving their surface-to-air systems and turning them off at times to make them harder to be targeted by the Russians, Western analysts say. As a result, Russia has yet to achieve air superiority in the country.

A senior U.S. defense official said Sunday that the Russians have been frustrated by the slow pace of their offensive but will try to adjust their strategy and tactics in the face of setbacks. “To some degree, they’ve done it to themselves in terms of their fuel and logistics and sustainment,” the official said. “We would expect them to learn from these issues and adapt to them and try to overcome them.”

Russia still retains advantages in personnel and equipment, though movement could now be more difficult than before since bridges have been destroyed and the Ukrainians have had time to better prepare defenses.

The course of the conflict, analysts say, will now turn on whether Ukraine can hold Kyiv and what kind of guerrilla battle the Ukrainians can maintain in the longer run.

Jack Watling, an expert on land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute, a British defense think tank, says that his analysis before Russia’s invasion had been that Ukraine’s conventional forces would hold out for 10 days before shifting to more unconventional resistance warfare.

Previous conflicts, Mr. Watling said, have shown that “the Russians always take more military losses than they should.” But a question is how much public support Mr. Putin will have at home, as the war drags on and Russian soldiers die.

Moscow’s hope, he said, had been to avoid this prospect by planning a “shock and awe” demonstration that involved rapid advances and the seizure of a few key objectives in the hope the Zelensky government would quickly surrender or flee.

“That failed,” he said.

Thanks for posting this and a couple of other articles Old Salt; much appreciated. Keep it going please.

[Kismet]

Moscow stock exchange did not open today (Monday).

Rooskies using heavier weapons in Kharkiv including GRAD rocket launchers and other cluster munitions in urban neighborhoods. Suspect that they will start to ramp things up with all sorts of conventional weapons. Highly unlikely that Vlad is going to sue for peace. US just evacuated the embassy staff in Minsk as reports of Belarussian troops possibly joining in. The West will bury them along with the Russians on sanctions.

BP to ‘Exit’ 20% Stake in Russian Oil Giant Rosneft - resigned two seats on the board. Ditto for Shell who says it will exit Russian oil and gas investments.

Targeting the Russian Central Bank for sanctions reduced the ruble to almost zero. Currently trading at one cent to one ruble.....incarnation of the phrase "one red cent" comes to mind.

Switzerland just announced they were joining the EU banking sanctions including asset freezes in Swiss banks.

West in unison really playing hardball here on economic side. Never thought I'd see this kind of unity (and maybe neither did Vlad)

Anonymous hackers took down the Russian Government website and also the TASS news agency. A few days ago they got into Russia’s Department of Defense database and got that too.

[MDlaxfan76]

Do you know what will happen to Kiev if Zellinsky & his govt & military forces don't relocate to the west of the country & declare Kyiv an open city?

How about you spell the man's name correctly. He has earned much more than that.

I'm workin' on it, ... sticky [L] key. I got it right most of the time, like in the following sentence (which you did not quote).
Do you think it should have 2 Y's ? I've seen it that way on FNC.

Most of the time the second Y is dropped. But not 2 Ls and it's an e not an I. You keep misspelling it, though it varies how you do so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy

other than the stuck key 2nd L, how do I misspell it ? Several news sources used just 1 L.

E not I.

Zelensky. Or with a second y.

I'm not accusing you of doing it on purpose.

Roger that. No disrespect was intended. Aaron Zelinsky was stuck in my head from the Roger Stone case.

Check out how the Brussels correspondent for Politico spells it.

https://www.politico.eu/article/court-d ... ason-case/

obtw -- he's a Dartmouth man.

Go Big Green

Zelenskiy

added that i at the end instead of 2 y's

Still two e's...

[cradleandshoot]

Do you know what will happen to Kiev if Zellinsky & his govt & military forces don't relocate to the west of the country & declare Kyiv an open city?

How about you spell the man's name correctly. He has earned much more than that.

I'm workin' on it, ... sticky [L] key. I got it right most of the time, like in the following sentence (which you did not quote).
Do you think it should have 2 Y's ? I've seen it that way on FNC.

Most of the time the second Y is dropped. But not 2 Ls and it's an e not an I. You keep misspelling it, though it varies how you do so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy

other than the stuck key 2nd L, how do I misspell it ? Several news sources used just 1 L.

E not I.

Zelensky. Or with a second y.

I'm not accusing you of doing it on purpose.

Roger that. No disrespect was intended. Aaron Zelinsky was stuck in my head from the Roger Stone case.

Check out how the Brussels correspondent for Politico spells it.

https://www.politico.eu/article/court-d ... ason-case/

obtw -- he's a Dartmouth man.

Go Big Green

Zelenskiy

added that i at the end instead of 2 y's

Still two e's...

Suddenly I'm remembered about the 100 ways to spell Quadafi.

[Farfromgeneva]

Moscow stock exchange did not open today (Monday).

Rooskies using heavier weapons in Kharkiv including GRAD rocket launchers in urban neighborhoods.

BP to ‘Exit’ 20% Stake in Russian Oil Giant Rosneft - resigned two seats on the board.

Targeting the Russian Central Bank for sanctions reduced the ruble to almost zero. Currently trading at one cent to one ruble.....incarnation of the phrase "one red cent" comes to mind.

West in unison really playing hardball here on economic side. Never thought I'd see this kind of unity (and maybe neither did Vlad)

Anonymous hackers took down the Russian Government website. A few days ago they got into Russia’s Department of Defense database and got that too.

Treasury just sanctioned the DIF (sovereign wealth fund). We’re getting to where I wanted to be just took a couple of days.

[Essexfenwick]

Every 50-100 years Europe rises up into a seething bloodbath.

Here we go.

[MDlaxfan76]

Moscow stock exchange did not open today (Monday).

Rooskies using heavier weapons in Kharkiv including GRAD rocket launchers in urban neighborhoods.

BP to ‘Exit’ 20% Stake in Russian Oil Giant Rosneft - resigned two seats on the board.

Targeting the Russian Central Bank for sanctions reduced the ruble to almost zero. Currently trading at one cent to one ruble.....incarnation of the phrase "one red cent" comes to mind.

West in unison really playing hardball here on economic side. Never thought I'd see this kind of unity (and maybe neither did Vlad)

Anonymous hackers took down the Russian Government website. A few days ago they got into Russia’s Department of Defense database and got that too.

Treasury just sanctioned the DIF (sovereign wealth fund). We’re getting to where I wanted to be just took a couple of days.

Step by step.
Russian economy crashing now. Bank runs. 20% interest rates. Ruble crashing.

6,000 Russian protestors arrested so far...

some oligarchs speaking out against the war...

Dangerous times with Putin at the helm and no one in power to say 'no'.

Chinese worried about getting sanctions overflow to them for doing business with Russia...pulling back support.

[Farfromgeneva]

Moscow stock exchange did not open today (Monday).

Rooskies using heavier weapons in Kharkiv including GRAD rocket launchers in urban neighborhoods.

BP to ‘Exit’ 20% Stake in Russian Oil Giant Rosneft - resigned two seats on the board.

Targeting the Russian Central Bank for sanctions reduced the ruble to almost zero. Currently trading at one cent to one ruble.....incarnation of the phrase "one red cent" comes to mind.

West in unison really playing hardball here on economic side. Never thought I'd see this kind of unity (and maybe neither did Vlad)

Anonymous hackers took down the Russian Government website. A few days ago they got into Russia’s Department of Defense database and got that too.

Treasury just sanctioned the DIF (sovereign wealth fund). We’re getting to where I wanted to be just took a couple of days.

Step by step.
Russian economy crashing now. Bank runs. 20% interest rates. Ruble crashing.

6,000 Russian protestors arrested so far...

some oligarchs speaking out against the war...

Dangerous times with Putin at the helm and no one in power to say 'no'.

Chinese worried about getting sanctions overflow to them for doing business with Russia...pulling back support.

Just sanctioned the Russian Central Bank. I like stepping on Putin’s neck like this. Wish we could’ve saved 2-3 days of misery for the Ukrainians but we’re there now. Wonder how much crypto they are using/stealing at this point - the post Mortem for that “asset class” will be interesting when this is done.

The Euro banks did a lot of business w Russia, especially BNP/SocGen but also the German, Benelux and Italians but they aren’t complaining (yet). China needs to shut up on this.

[MDlaxfan76]

Moscow stock exchange did not open today (Monday).

Rooskies using heavier weapons in Kharkiv including GRAD rocket launchers in urban neighborhoods.

BP to ‘Exit’ 20% Stake in Russian Oil Giant Rosneft - resigned two seats on the board.

Targeting the Russian Central Bank for sanctions reduced the ruble to almost zero. Currently trading at one cent to one ruble.....incarnation of the phrase "one red cent" comes to mind.

West in unison really playing hardball here on economic side. Never thought I'd see this kind of unity (and maybe neither did Vlad)

Anonymous hackers took down the Russian Government website. A few days ago they got into Russia’s Department of Defense database and got that too.

Treasury just sanctioned the DIF (sovereign wealth fund). We’re getting to where I wanted to be just took a couple of days.

Step by step.
Russian economy crashing now. Bank runs. 20% interest rates. Ruble crashing.

6,000 Russian protestors arrested so far...

some oligarchs speaking out against the war...

Dangerous times with Putin at the helm and no one in power to say 'no'.

Chinese worried about getting sanctions overflow to them for doing business with Russia...pulling back support.

Just sanctioned the Russian Central Bank. I like stepping on Putin’s neck like this. Wish we could’ve saved 2-3 days of misery for the Ukrainians but we’re there now. Wonder how much crypto they are using/stealing at this point - the post Mortem for that “asset class” will be interesting when this is done.

The Euro banks did a lot of business w Russia, especially BNP/SocGen but also the German, Benelux and Italians but they aren’t complaining (yet). China needs to shut up on this.

yes, I think we all share that sentiment. But I think the world needed to see the Ukrainians standing up to the assault that Putin claimed wouldn't happen as he ordered it.

These sanctions needed agreement, and we're seeing a rather amazing set of moves by both NATO and "neutral" countries.

It'll be interesting to see what the UN does this week, though certainly not the critical element. The EU has already taken steps to enable Ukraine to obtain EU status...Sweden sending anti-tank weapons, Turkey enabling drones...Germany committing to 2%...all huge long term implications.

But right now Ukraine needs to stand firm. The world needed to see that resolve. Makes it clear it's not just leadership that wants no part of Russia.

I think it comes down to someone getting it done in Moscow.

Unfortunately, that may not happen soon...I don't think Putin can take the "L" which means they're very likely going to triple down on destruction, both of Ukraine and ultimately of Russia.

But the Russian military on the ground may well balk at some point.

[Essexfenwick]

Silly.

If Russia is destroyed the world will be destroyed.

It’s called a tie and there is no reason Putin wouldn’t do it. If the USA was being destroyed we would do the same thing and we are nicer.

[Peter Brown]

Moscow stock exchange did not open today (Monday).

Rooskies using heavier weapons in Kharkiv including GRAD rocket launchers in urban neighborhoods.

BP to ‘Exit’ 20% Stake in Russian Oil Giant Rosneft - resigned two seats on the board.

Targeting the Russian Central Bank for sanctions reduced the ruble to almost zero. Currently trading at one cent to one ruble.....incarnation of the phrase "one red cent" comes to mind.

West in unison really playing hardball here on economic side. Never thought I'd see this kind of unity (and maybe neither did Vlad)

Anonymous hackers took down the Russian Government website. A few days ago they got into Russia’s Department of Defense database and got that too.

Treasury just sanctioned the DIF (sovereign wealth fund). We’re getting to where I wanted to be just took a couple of days.

Step by step.
Russian economy crashing now. Bank runs. 20% interest rates. Ruble crashing.

6,000 Russian protestors arrested so far...

some oligarchs speaking out against the war...

Dangerous times with Putin at the helm and no one in power to say 'no'.

Chinese worried about getting sanctions overflow to them for doing business with Russia...pulling back support.

Just sanctioned the Russian Central Bank. I like stepping on Putin’s neck like this. Wish we could’ve saved 2-3 days of misery for the Ukrainians but we’re there now. Wonder how much crypto they are using/stealing at this point - the post Mortem for that “asset class” will be interesting when this is done.

The Euro banks did a lot of business w Russia, especially BNP/SocGen but also the German, Benelux and Italians but they aren’t complaining (yet). China needs to shut up on this.

Did you mean “STEP UP” on this? I assume you did, but think about it.

China will own half of Russia as the west marginalizes Russia. China will seize the opportunity to buy companies and start managing. A world of commodities and natural resources right on their back door. It’s a back door for both Russia and China. The new oligarchs will be from Beijing.

Careful what you wish for.

If Biden Administrators were smart, no sure thing, they’d be trying to stay a step ahead of what’s the obvious end game here. Assuming Putin doesn’t launch nukes of course. I’m not sure a much wealthier China is in our best interest.

[Farfromgeneva]

Moscow stock exchange did not open today (Monday).

Rooskies using heavier weapons in Kharkiv including GRAD rocket launchers in urban neighborhoods.

BP to ‘Exit’ 20% Stake in Russian Oil Giant Rosneft - resigned two seats on the board.

Targeting the Russian Central Bank for sanctions reduced the ruble to almost zero. Currently trading at one cent to one ruble.....incarnation of the phrase "one red cent" comes to mind.

West in unison really playing hardball here on economic side. Never thought I'd see this kind of unity (and maybe neither did Vlad)

Anonymous hackers took down the Russian Government website. A few days ago they got into Russia’s Department of Defense database and got that too.

Treasury just sanctioned the DIF (sovereign wealth fund). We’re getting to where I wanted to be just took a couple of days.

Step by step.
Russian economy crashing now. Bank runs. 20% interest rates. Ruble crashing.

6,000 Russian protestors arrested so far...

some oligarchs speaking out against the war...

Dangerous times with Putin at the helm and no one in power to say 'no'.

Chinese worried about getting sanctions overflow to them for doing business with Russia...pulling back support.

Just sanctioned the Russian Central Bank. I like stepping on Putin’s neck like this. Wish we could’ve saved 2-3 days of misery for the Ukrainians but we’re there now. Wonder how much crypto they are using/stealing at this point - the post Mortem for that “asset class” will be interesting when this is done.

The Euro banks did a lot of business w Russia, especially BNP/SocGen but also the German, Benelux and Italians but they aren’t complaining (yet). China needs to shut up on this.

yes, I think we all share that sentiment. But I think the world needed to see the Ukrainians standing up to the assault that Putin claimed wouldn't happen as he ordered it.

These sanctions needed agreement, and we're seeing a rather amazing set of moves by both NATO and "neutral" countries.

It'll be interesting to see what the UN does this week, though certainly not the critical element. The EU has already taken steps to enable Ukraine to obtain EU status...Sweden sending anti-tank weapons, Turkey enabling drones...Germany committing to 2%...all huge long term implications.

But right now Ukraine needs to stand firm. The world needed to see that resolve. Makes it clear it's not just leadership that wants no part of Russia.

I think it comes down to someone getting it done in Moscow.

Unfortunately, that may not happen soon...I don't think Putin can take the "L" which means they're very likely going to triple down on destruction, both of Ukraine and ultimately of Russia.

But the Russian military on the ground may well balk at some point.

That’s why fast action is needed to built the consensus within Russia to take that dude out. Get him away from the ability to go all Slim Pickens at the end of Dr Strangelove on Ukraine.

Trumps spin: Putin is amazing! He brought together many Republicans and Democrats, brought europe together, etc!

[Farfromgeneva]

Silly.

If Russia is destroyed the world will be destroyed.

It’s called a tie and there is no reason Putin wouldn’t do it. If the USA was being destroyed we would do the same thing and we are nicer.

Come on son. You can’t be using that thinking brain right?

[Farfromgeneva]

Moscow stock exchange did not open today (Monday).

Rooskies using heavier weapons in Kharkiv including GRAD rocket launchers in urban neighborhoods.

BP to ‘Exit’ 20% Stake in Russian Oil Giant Rosneft - resigned two seats on the board.

Targeting the Russian Central Bank for sanctions reduced the ruble to almost zero. Currently trading at one cent to one ruble.....incarnation of the phrase "one red cent" comes to mind.

West in unison really playing hardball here on economic side. Never thought I'd see this kind of unity (and maybe neither did Vlad)

Anonymous hackers took down the Russian Government website. A few days ago they got into Russia’s Department of Defense database and got that too.

Treasury just sanctioned the DIF (sovereign wealth fund). We’re getting to where I wanted to be just took a couple of days.

Step by step.
Russian economy crashing now. Bank runs. 20% interest rates. Ruble crashing.

6,000 Russian protestors arrested so far...

some oligarchs speaking out against the war...

Dangerous times with Putin at the helm and no one in power to say 'no'.

Chinese worried about getting sanctions overflow to them for doing business with Russia...pulling back support.

Just sanctioned the Russian Central Bank. I like stepping on Putin’s neck like this. Wish we could’ve saved 2-3 days of misery for the Ukrainians but we’re there now. Wonder how much crypto they are using/stealing at this point - the post Mortem for that “asset class” will be interesting when this is done.

The Euro banks did a lot of business w Russia, especially BNP/SocGen but also the German, Benelux and Italians but they aren’t complaining (yet). China needs to shut up on this.

Did you mean “STEP UP” on this? I assume you did, but think about it.

China will own half of Russia as the west marginalizes Russia. China will seize the opportunity to buy companies and start managing. A world of commodities and natural resources right on their back door. It’s a back door for both Russia and China. The new oligarchs will be from Beijing.

Careful what you wish for.

If Biden Administrators were smart, no sure thing, they’d be trying to stay a step ahead of what’s the obvious end game here. Assuming Putin doesn’t launch nukes of course. I’m not sure a much wealthier China is in our best interest.

We’re backdooring Xi right now like Danny Ferry described Luol Deng to get himself fired a few years back.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/nepal-parl ... 57?mod=mhp

[Peter Brown]

Moscow stock exchange did not open today (Monday).

Rooskies using heavier weapons in Kharkiv including GRAD rocket launchers in urban neighborhoods.

BP to ‘Exit’ 20% Stake in Russian Oil Giant Rosneft - resigned two seats on the board.

Targeting the Russian Central Bank for sanctions reduced the ruble to almost zero. Currently trading at one cent to one ruble.....incarnation of the phrase "one red cent" comes to mind.

West in unison really playing hardball here on economic side. Never thought I'd see this kind of unity (and maybe neither did Vlad)

Anonymous hackers took down the Russian Government website. A few days ago they got into Russia’s Department of Defense database and got that too.

Treasury just sanctioned the DIF (sovereign wealth fund). We’re getting to where I wanted to be just took a couple of days.

Step by step.
Russian economy crashing now. Bank runs. 20% interest rates. Ruble crashing.

6,000 Russian protestors arrested so far...

some oligarchs speaking out against the war...

Dangerous times with Putin at the helm and no one in power to say 'no'.

Chinese worried about getting sanctions overflow to them for doing business with Russia...pulling back support.

Just sanctioned the Russian Central Bank. I like stepping on Putin’s neck like this. Wish we could’ve saved 2-3 days of misery for the Ukrainians but we’re there now. Wonder how much crypto they are using/stealing at this point - the post Mortem for that “asset class” will be interesting when this is done.

The Euro banks did a lot of business w Russia, especially BNP/SocGen but also the German, Benelux and Italians but they aren’t complaining (yet). China needs to shut up on this.

yes, I think we all share that sentiment. But I think the world needed to see the Ukrainians standing up to the assault that Putin claimed wouldn't happen as he ordered it.

These sanctions needed agreement, and we're seeing a rather amazing set of moves by both NATO and "neutral" countries.

It'll be interesting to see what the UN does this week, though certainly not the critical element. The EU has already taken steps to enable Ukraine to obtain EU status...Sweden sending anti-tank weapons, Turkey enabling drones...Germany committing to 2%...all huge long term implications.

But right now Ukraine needs to stand firm. The world needed to see that resolve. Makes it clear it's not just leadership that wants no part of Russia.

I think it comes down to someone getting it done in Moscow.

Unfortunately, that may not happen soon...I don't think Putin can take the "L" which means they're very likely going to triple down on destruction, both of Ukraine and ultimately of Russia.

But the Russian military on the ground may well balk at some point.

That’s why fast action is needed to built the consensus within Russia to take that dude out. Get him away from the ability to go all Slim Pickens at the end of Dr Strangelove on Ukraine.

Trumps spin: Putin is amazing! He brought together many Republicans and Democrats, brought europe together, etc!

Maybe dodderin’ Joe should ship Trump to Moscow to negotiate with Putin.

[Essexfenwick]

Trump said Putin’s move is politically and strategic genius because the west isn’t going to stand up to him and that’s sad.

The media is dishonest and just couldn’t put the rest of the sentence in its reporting because Trump being so honest and correct makes liberals look incompetent. This is why the Joe Rogans of the world now have more influence and respect. Honest dialogue and exposing all sides with no editing or spin.

[Dip&Dunk]

Misc:
Building on previous post about air superiority, a tipping point will be approaching soon. Russia's ability to maintain air superiority, and thus stop Ukraine's ability to maneuver/resupply, versus Russia's air attrition due to combat losses, mechanical issues, crew issues. Right now that superiority is in question as Ukraine continues to maneuver effectively and Russia's deployments indicate they did not plan for this situation.

Should the claimed donations of Berlin providing 1,000 antitank weapons and 500 Stinger missiles, The Netherlands providing 200 Stingers and 50 Panzerfaust 3 antitank weapons with 400 rockets and Sweden's antitank weapons alone make it onto the battlefield, Russia will be forced to take the war farther west than it really wants to right now.

Three favorite quotes so far:

This is a lesson in the price of freedom that ought to instruct Westerners offended by “microaggressions.” Real aggression is a tank rolling down your street. - WSJ Editorial

“I need ammunition, not a ride,” -Mr. Zelensky (supposedly in response to US's offer to help him flee Ukraine)

“Russian warship, go f*** yourself.” -Ukrainian solder over BTB on Snake Island.

[MDlaxfan76]

I don't think the gator deserves attention on this topic. Bad faith.
Essex looks like an alias for the gator. Ridiculous statements.

On the actual subject of China, it appears that the sphincters are tightening there on how the spillover from a united West could effect them. What made sense a week ago is in a new context. Sanctions on their banks and businesses that do business with sanctioned Russia. I don't think they want an actual confrontation with the West on this, so they're very likely to comply, though to a lesser and slow walked degree, to the West's desire to choke off Putin's economy.

In some ways, however, it is in our interest to allow some energy and raw materials through to the world markets. Total choke off only heightens the inflation pressures more. So, the gradual constriction of those Russian exports may be better than elimination. We may well be quietly telling China that.

As it is, Russia's economy is crashing.
In one week of escalating moves.

[MDlaxfan76]

Misc:
Building on previous post about air superiority, a tipping point will be approaching soon. Russia's ability to maintain air superiority, and thus stop Ukraine's ability to maneuver/resupply, versus Russia's air attrition due to combat losses, mechanical issues, crew issues. Right now that superiority is in question as Ukraine continues to maneuver effectively and Russia's deployments indicate they did not plan for this situation.

Should the claimed donations of Berlin providing 1,000 antitank weapons and 500 Stinger missiles, The Netherlands providing 200 Stingers and 50 Panzerfaust 3 antitank weapons with 400 rockets and Sweden's antitank weapons alone make it onto the battlefield, Russia will be forced to take the war farther west than it really wants to right now.

Three favorite quotes so far:

This is a lesson in the price of freedom that ought to instruct Westerners offended by “microaggressions.” Real aggression is a tank rolling down your street. - WSJ Editorial

“I need ammunition, not a ride,” -Mr. Zelensky (supposedly in response to US's offer to help him flee Ukraine)

“Russian warship, go f*** yourself.” -Ukrainian solder over BTB on Snake Island.

I was interested in the footage of drones hitting Russian column. Apparently operated out of Turkey.

More of that, please.