Ukraine Invasion: Part 28

[MagicFox]

Thread 28 begins, thanks all for the company and resources

@MagicFox · Today 15:26
Article that develops what @notimagain was saying earlier:
warontherocks.com/2022/07/a-modern-day-frederick-the-great-the-end-of-short-sharp-wars/

The article is saying that this war in UKraine shows the likelihood that other future wars may not be short, but rather grinding wars of attrition.

Perhaps this is true, but is the war in Ukraine proof? This war has to some degree been pushed into being longer because of Ukraine not having had at its disposal the arms and systems needed to defend itself right at the start; and even now only getting arms like droplets in a slow drip.

@MagicFox · Today 17:06
Er, wtf is this?!

Iran, Russia, China To Run War Drills in Latin America

freebeacon.com/national-security/iran-russia-china-to-run-war-drills-in-latin-america/

That seems extremely alarming. Is The freebeacon reliable?

I am not sure what these war games would be like: how many soldiers and what equipment?

If they all really wanted to ally each other and go to war against America, would flying so many disparate peoples over to attack be logistically feasible?

@MagicFox @ScrollingLeaves

Safe to say I went straight to search the news source Doesn't look to be too legitimate, I know this is only Quora but I'm happy to take it.

www.quora.com/Is-Free-Beacon-a-credible-news-source

Hopefully it's hooey but who knows!

@katem98 · Today 17:42
@MagicFox @S@ScrollingLeaves
Safe to say I went straight to search the news source Grin Doesn't look to be too legitimate, I know this is only Quora but I'm happy to take it.
www.quora.com/Is-Free-Beacon-a-credible-news-source

That is a relief, it’s good you checked. I wonder what story, including the parts not mentioned, might be at the root of it?

I am doing a temporarily sentimental post to say I'm grateful for all the great women on here.

Likewise, I am grateful to you for your posts and links every day, and to all the posters here

Same here. Intelligent comments and sensible

Plus notimagain and a couple other male posters, you can be honourary females for a while nodnod

😀

Yes, sorry I'm including @notimagain et al in that :-)

Group hug. Thank you all contributors and people who support quietly. I cannot say that enough.

Yes - also no secret how much I love and appreciate this thread and the posters within!

Found this really useful from RUSI:
"Elective Affinities: Iran, India and China’s Responses to the Ukraine War"

rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/elective-affinities-iran-india-and-chinas-responses-ukraine-war

Same here, this thread provides a lot of clarity and information but interspersed with humour which makes it a bit less heavy to read. Thank you all.

Agree @MagicFox 🥰

I am concerned with the turmoil in our government. If boris ends up going, how will this affect our support for Ukraine as boris (and Ben Wallace) have been outstanding.

Same here. Boris' troubles are worrisome. I think it will hit Ukraine morale if he goes - they really like him.

Yep think you're all ace 🥰

I am worrying about what happens to Ukraine without Boris but he is so far gone there can be no recovery. I voted them in (apologies) and I can barely look at the man. Appalled doesn't cover it.

It certainly is a worry. It is one place where his bluster mixed with certainty is morale boosting, and he has conveyed a sense of energy and passion too at the same time as actually getting arms and training given.

On the news at 10, there was such a dreadful thing reported: March 4 members of the territorial defence in (?) encircled by Russians and marched to a nearby courtyard. This was caught by CCTV and also someone through their window.

In the courtyard they were all shot. The soldiers who shot them cheery and joking. One man survived and pretended to be dead till they had left. It is all a definite war crime.

A particularly heartbreaking part of the report was that the widow of one was talking about her husband, and of their little children missing him. Everyday she goes to his grave with flowers and two cups of coffee, one for him, and one for herself.

A particularly heartbreaking part of the report was that the widow of one was talking about her husband, and of their little children missing him. Everyday she goes to his grave with flowers and two cups of coffee, one for him, and one for herself.

This is heartwrenching. It is a punch to the gut to read this. It is hard not to feel utter despair for their whole family and loathe the casualness that the Russian soldiers take human life in equal measure.

I don't think that support for ukraine will lessen if Boris goes. Ben Wallace is staying, the government and the UK as a whole are strongly behind Ukraine. Boris has to some extent used Ukraine for his own benefit so worry about support if he goes partly comes from his success there imo.

Of course Ben Wallace won't stay if Boris goes because any new leader will create their own Cabinet.

I don't think Johnson going (if he does) would change the actual level of support for Ukraine from the UK, but you might hear less about it and read less about it on the front pages of certain newspapers - which at times might not be a bad thing.

Russia promised a 'response' to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, this isn't exactly what I was expecting:

"Russian army has sent at least one BTG from the 80th Arctic motorized rifle brigade to Ukraine.
Previously the 80th, stationed close to the Finnish border at Alakurtti, has only sent a recce company to Ukraine."

Essentially - Finland joins NATO - Russia reduces military presence close to Finnish border, sends it to Ukraine. Just more proof it was never about NATO.....

Also not sure if its been recommended before, it may well have been, but if not definitely worth giving the R4 podcast "Putin" a listen. Really interesting and helpful in understanding just how Putin came to power and the life experiences that shaped his thinking and how he gained so much influence.

Sorry for the spam on a Wednesday morning.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky (speaking to the Independent):
“I think if the war goes on as it is, for now, in a month or so the fight probably will be in Kyiv and in Odesa”