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Ukraine Invasion: Part 37

997 replies

MagicFox · 14/01/2023 15:52

Welcome all to thread 37. Thanks to everybody contributing to the backbone of these threads (extra hat tip to Ducks and Desdemona for posting daily updates) and to all lurkers too.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
129
minsmum · 09/02/2023 11:23

Just read that thread, my blood pressure is through the roof

Greenshake · 09/02/2023 12:39

I had to stop myself from wading in as there simply isn’t the opportunity for any rational debate with some of the posters on there. There are there to stir the pot and nothing more.

ExistenceOptional · 09/02/2023 12:56

Igotjelly · 09/02/2023 08:15

Yes it is.

I do think (and worry) there is a bit of a shift going on towards the fact that Russia may still win this. Even the ISW are saying they have regained the initiative and a new offensive has started.

I thought Vietnam had shown that a country can not win a war against another country where the citizens refuse to be invaded. Or at least not without destroying most of the country.

Positivethought · 09/02/2023 12:59

De-lurking alert!
First time posting anywhere, ever. Thank you to all for sharing your expertise and the time and effort taken to provide well informed and measured updates over the past year. This must be one of the most courteous threads ever. Really very much appreciated 🙏🏻.
Slava Ukraini!

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2023 13:14

Hello @Positivethought ! lovely username =)

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2023 13:19

Key Takeaways

Russian forces have regained the initiative in Ukraine and have begun their next major offensive in Luhansk Oblast.

The commitment of significant elements of at least three major Russian divisions to offensive operations in this sector indicates the Russian offensive has begun, even if Ukrainian forces are so far preventing Russian forces from securing significant gains.

Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) People’s Militia command reportedly assumed control over a Russian artillery battalion, likely in support of an effort to strengthen degraded DNR forces ahead of an imminent Russian offensive.

The reported subordination of Russian mobilized personnel to DNR formations could also suggest that Russian military command may be continuing efforts to integrate ad hoc DNR and Luhansk People‘s Republic (LNR) formations into the Russian Armed Forces, but will likely face significant difficulties.

Russian officials continue to propose measures to prepare Russia’s military industry for a protracted war in Ukraine while also likely setting further conditions for sanctions evasion.

Russian forces continued offensive actions northwest of Svatove and intensified offensive operations near Kreminna.

Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks in the Avdiivka-Donetsk City area and western Donetsk Oblast.

Russian and Ukrainian forces reportedly continue small-scale skirmishes and reconnaissance activity in the Dnipro River delta and on the Kinburn Spit.

The Wagner Group is reportedly resorting to more coercive tactics in its prison recruitment campaign, possibly in response to the campaign’s declining effectiveness.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 37
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2023 13:38

Kyiv Independent Telegram

UK to train (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/uk-to-train-ukrainian-pilots-marines-and-supply-longer-range-weapons-to-kyiv) Ukrainian pilots, marines and supply longer-range weapons to Kyiv.

⚡️Investigators: There is evidence that Putin supplied (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/investigators-there-is-evidence-that-putin-supplied-missile-that-downed-mh-17) missile that downed MH17.

⚡️UK imposes (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/uk-imposes-new-sanctions-targeting-putins-war-machine-financial-networks) new sanctions targeting 'Putin’s war machine,' financial networks.

⚡️Zelensky meets King Charles III.

⚡️Corruption case against MP from Poroshenko's party sent (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/corruption-case-against-mp-from-poroshenkos-party-sent-to-court) to court.
Prosecutors said on Feb. 8 that they had sent a corruption case against Artur Herasymov, a lawmaker frome ex-President Petro Poroshenko's European Solidarity party, to a court.

⚡️Minister: Germany will give (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/minister-germany-will-give-ukraine-more-missiles-gepard-vehicles-this-month) Ukraine more guided missiles, five Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and five Pioneer Panzer 2A1 Dachs combat support vehicles by the end of February, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said
Five Biber bridge-laying vehicles will be delivered to Ukraine in March, he said.

⚡️Bloomberg: Berlin concerned (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/bloomberg-berlin-concerned-about-allies-leopard-2-commitments) about allies' Leopard 2 commitments.
Germany is pushing European allies to provide Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 8, citing an unnamed source familiar with the matter. [wtf? lol, am I reading that correctly?]

⚡️Summit planned (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/summit-planned-for-countries-that-will-send-leopard-2-tanks-to-ukraine) for countries that will send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukrain

Survivors of Russian torture chamber in Kherson share stories of abuse ()

⚡️Swiss poll: 55% in favor (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/swiss-poll-55-in-favor-of-lifting-ban-on-export-of-swiss-weapons-to-conflict-zones) of lifting ban on export of Swiss weapons to conflict zones.

⚡️Detective who investigated (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/detective-who-investigated-tatarovs-alleged-corruption-removed-from-nabu-contest) Tatarov's alleged corruption removed from NABU contest.

⚡️Media: Security service classifies (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/media-security-service-classifies-data-on-inspection-into-former-sbu-chief) data on inspection into former SBU chief.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has classified the results of an inspection into its former chief Ivan Bakanov, Ukrainska Pravda, an online newspaper, reported.
Bakanov was fired in July 2022, with 265 lawmakers supporting his dismissal. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, endemic treason in the SBU was the main reason for removing his childhood friend Bakanov.

⚡️Media: Russia's state censor to track (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/media-russias-state-censor-to-track-putin-memes-with-help-of-ai) Putin memes with help of AI.
Russia's federal agency for monitoring and censoring communications, Roskomnadzor, is planning to use AI to try to track online posts, comments and memes critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a report by Russian investigative outlet iStories.
The report stated that a unit of over 1,000 employees within Roskomnadzor specializes in tracking content ranging from speculations about Putin's health to memes that mock the Russian leader.

Sweden approves $400 million in new military aid to Ukraine. (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/sweden-approves-40-million-in-new-military-aid-to-ukraine)
The aid package, first announced in mid-January, was reported to include advanced Archer self-propelled artillery systems, Stridsfordon 90 armored personnel carriers, anti-tank weapons, assault rifles and de-mining equipment.

⚡️European ombudsman institute accused (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/european-ombudsman-institute-accused-of-sending-ukrainian-children-from-austria-to-russia) of sending Ukrainian children from Austria to Russia.

⚡️Russia threatens (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/russia-threatens-consequences-if-uk-gives-jets-to-ukraine) 'consequences' if UK gives jets to Ukraine. [yeah yeah, as my little boy would say]

⚡️Portugal confirms (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/portugal-confirms-it-will-provide-3-leopard-tanks-to-ukraine) it will provide 3 Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

⚡️Zelensky meets Macron, Scholz in Paris.

⚡️Biden: Aid to Ukraine is 'open-ended (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/biden-aid-to-ukraine-is-open-ended).'

⚡️Reuters: SpaceX curbed (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/reuters-space-x-president-says-company-curbed-ukraines-use-of-starlink-internet-for-drones) Ukraine's use of Starlink Internet for drones.
Elon Musk's SpaceX has put measures in place to prevent Ukraine's Armed Forces from using the company's Starlink satellite internet service for controlling drones, SpaceX's president said on Feb. 8, Reuters reports.

⚡️EU calls on Russia to stop ‘absurd' claims of victimhood in war against Ukraine.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 37
Positivethought · 09/02/2023 13:39

Thank you! I have really enjoyed your duckling updates.

Igotjelly · 09/02/2023 14:13

Positivethought · 09/02/2023 13:39

Thank you! I have really enjoyed your duckling updates.

Let’s be honest we’re all just set here for the duck 🦆 Grin

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2023 14:47

LOL

One of them .. get this ... ate a mouse the other day. Dead one that the cat had caught, but that I hadn't cleaned up yet.

We observed him choking it down in awe.

The one at the front was the guilty party.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 37
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 09/02/2023 14:54

Yeuk! I had no idea Ducks could be carnivore given an opportunity 🤮

Day 348, February 6th. Summary of Arestovych and Feygin broadcast
Posted on 07 February 2023

⚡️ Wagner now terrorists:
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine voted to recognize PMC Wagner as a terrorist organization. This can now be asked of other countries. The 🇺🇸 U.S. has currently recognized Wagner as a criminal organization. A terrorist organization is usually outside the law, and there can be more actions taken against it. Expecting actions to be taken against their partners and agents in Syria and several African countries.

⚡️ Rosatom sanctions:
🇪🇺 European Parliament voted to stop using uranium nuclear fuel from Russia. Rosatom’s income from Europe was about € 100 bn/year. Rosatom is building nuclear power plants in 🇭🇺 Hungary and 🇹🇷 Turkey, which will become problematic.
Planned sanctions include: stop any contracts on enriching or reprocessing nuclear fuel freeze new contracts on constructing nuclear power plants
 exclude Rosatom from global energy deals establish control on investments related to Rosatom
 exclude Rosatom from any international research agreements decrease dependence at existing plants, replacements by 🇫🇷 France and 🇺🇸 U.S.
Both of those topics are significant enough, for extra live-stream, they present huge changes in attitude. The schedule of streams is now changed to weekly unless there are important news happening.

⚡️ 10th pack of sanctions:
The next pack of sanctions should be approved on the 24th of February, the yearly anniversary of the war. It would close most of the loopholes that are being abused. For example, microchip export started to raise recently. Hopefully, sanctions against Rosatom will be implemented there. Some of the loopholes are due to 🇭🇺 Orban and corruption. However, Europe has proven already twice, that it can make 🇭🇺 Hungary cooperate.

⚡️ Oil:
🇯🇵 Japan joined fixed max oil products price, it would now buy fuel from 🇮🇳 India and 🇨🇳 China, which gets to buy crude oil even below production cost, just so that Russia doesn’t have to stop production and it gets at least some foreign currencies. Profit from this stays with 🇮🇳 India and 🇨🇳 China. Currently, fixed prices are $45 per barrel of oil and $100 per barrel of diesel. Prices will be reviewed every 2 months, and are likely to tighten.

⚡️ Russian budget deficit:
For January, the deficit makes up 10% of the yearly plan, and the reason for that is a sudden rise in expenses combined with a sudden drop in income. Today Russian Ministry of Finance started selling small amounts of gold, which is unseen in recent history. This means, sanctions are showing their delayed effect, which is very important in decreasing military efforts.

⚡️ Battlefield update:
🇺🇦 Ukraine General Staff published the direction of the main Russian offensive – that is Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Novopavlivka (Vuhledar) – it is slowly starting with regrouping in the rear, creation of 2nd and 3rd echelons, creation of rear reserves and headquarters at depth of 90km (to stay out of HIMARS range for now).
There will be no offensive on Kyiv, and none of the western embassies is considering evacuation. Some provocations in the north are possible, but there are no forces to reach even 5km depth.
The main objectives will be to cut off Siversk and encircle Bakhmut.
Multiple bombings by Russia, 1 civilian killed, 1 wounded in last day.
🇺🇦 Ukraine’s air force did 9 strikes.
In the last 2 days 🇺🇦 Ukraine did 2 large hits in Nova Kahovka, dozens of vehicles, and dozens of enemy soldiers were destroyed.

⚡️ Bakhmut:
Rogue reports of 🇺🇦 Ukraine forces doing counterattacks today near road Konstantynivka-Bakhmut in direction of Klishchiivka did push back at some locations. There is maneuver defense.
Bakhmut positions are ideal for grinding enemy forces, Russia is taking incredible losses. From a military perspective, one or two such positions are totally worth it. It can be compared to Donetsk Airport, which was held for 242 days, and the ratio of enemy losses was 10-15 to one.

⚡️ New Ukrainian units:
New 🇺🇦 Ukraine brigades did receive 9000 volunteer sign-ups in a week (that’s 3 out of 8 planned brigades).

⚡️ Weapons:
🇫🇷 France will supply 2 medium range radars to be used with SAMP-T air defense provided by 🇮🇹 Italy, which will allow 🇺🇦 Ukraine to intercept ballistic missiles.

⚡️ Seized assets:
🇺🇦 Ukraine seized the property of Russian Mikhail Shelkov valued at approximately € 50 million – a mining factory, 2 apartments, investments in 4 companies, 19 vehicles, and money. A couple of days before the war started, the factory was transferred to Ukrainian women at price 3000 times lower than its value. This is the first precedent when a property is seized from false holders.

⚡️ Prigozhin and Wagner:
Prigozhin is now making bold moves because nobody is even treating him seriously. That’s the only way, how he can stay in control, otherwise, he will be made the underdog. It’s a one-way road and is causing disgust in Russia’s hierarchical structure.
The size of Wagner is decreasing due to several reasons:
 they did not fulfill Putin’s desperate hopes Prigozhin broke all possible laws of behavior
 the military doesn’t like them, due to conflicts and personal insults there is not much recruitment potential left, the military can also now recruit prisoners, but not many will choose Wagner.
— they are useless for foreign operations, as members will be arrested anywhere in transit

⚡️ Mikheil Saakashvili:
Court declined treatment outside prison.
Planning for protests around the world on the 20th of February, 12:00 at local parliament or government buildings, to put international pressure on 🇬🇪 Georgia

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2023 16:39

Kyiv Indep Telegram update

⚡️President’s Office: Long-range weapons, fighter jets (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/presidents-office-long-range-weapons-fighter-jets-for-ukraine-seems-resolvable) for Ukraine seems resolvable.

⚡️Zelensky: Several European countries ready to provide Ukraine with fighter jets (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/zelensky-several-european-countries-ready-to-provide-ukraine-with-fighter-jets).

⚡️UK says there won’t be immediate transfer of combat aircraft
(kyivindependent.com/news-feed/uk-says-there-wont-be-immediate-transfer-of-combat-aircraft-to-ukraine)to Ukraine.

⚡️Reznikov: Over 600 officials of Armed Forces, Defense Ministry prosecuted (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/reznikov-over-600-officials-of-armed-forces-defense-ministry-prosecuted-after-internal-audits) after internal audits.
According to the minister, 497 officials were fined, and 124 faced disciplinary liability.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2023 16:49

Live: Ukraine Telegram

❗️Corrector of targeted missile strikes on Kyiv gets 15 years behind bars

The Joint Investigation Team to investigate the downing of flight MH17 has published an intercepted conversation between Putin and former LPR leader Igor Plotnitsky. The conversation took place on November 15, 2017.

The Cabinet of Ministers begins to actively prepare for the liberation of Crimea
This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Ministry Iryna Vereshchuk. According to her, an expanded interagency meeting on the de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea was held today with the involvement of the expert community.

Russian Federation has prepared thousands of tanks, armored vehicles, hundreds of fighter jets for the offensive - Foreign Policy, citing a Ukrainian military official.
The Ukrainian official also told the publication that Ukraine expects "a new, huge invasion in the next 10 days."

Volodymyr Zelensky managed to convince the French President and German Chancellor to provide Ukraine with aircraft and long-range weapons, Bild reports.

The North Korean capital Pyongyang hosted a military parade, which, according to analysts, was the largest demonstration of intercontinental ballistic missiles in the country's history, the BBC reports.
More than 10 missile systems capable of carrying nuclear weapons passed through the central square of Kim Il Sung. In fact, Kim Jong-un has challenged the US nuclear defense system. Potentially, the launch of these missiles can penetrate the American shield.

Japanese intelligence has estimated that 20 Russian generals have been killed in Ukraine. These estimates are based on information gathered by the Japanese in cooperation with the United States and the European Union, Nikkei reports.
Intelligence data indicates that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are successfully locating high-ranking enemy officers. The practice of traveling to the combat zone also contributes to their deaths.

THE 351TH DAY OF THE WAR
A fresh overview of the situation at the front. In the article, we also analyze the recent situation with the supply of weapons to Ukraine.
telegra.ph/Russia-is-stepping-up-its-offensive-in-Donbas-The-Ukrainian-army-may-have-to-withdraw-from-Bakhmut-Analysis-of-the-situation-at--02-09

The German concern Rheinmetall is negotiating with Kyiv on the possible supply of a modern battle tank KF51 Panther, which was first presented in June 2022

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has confirmed the destruction of the much-hyped Russian tank support vehicle Terminator. It was destroyed by soldiers of the 140th Marine Reconnaissance Battalion.

Russia may have lost up to half of its operational tank fleet in the war with Ukraine - CNN.
The Oryx monitoring group said it has confirmed 1,000 different losses of Russian tanks, while another 544 tanks were captured by Ukrainian forces, 79 were damaged and 65 were abandoned.
At the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia had about 3,000 serviceable units.
However, these losses do not include those that Oryx cannot confirm visually.

⚡️EU is preparing the 10th package of sanctions against Russia and considers it legitimate to use frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine, - Michel.

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 09/02/2023 16:52

⚡️Russia threatens ( kyivindependent.com/news-feed/russia-threatens-consequences-if-uk-gives-jets-to-ukraine ) 'consequences' if UK gives jets to Ukraine. [yeah yeah, as my little boy would say]

Russian spokesthings keep saying there will be consequences for this or that, and of course they are right. In this case, if the UK gives jets to Ukraine the consequence will be that Ukraine is better able to defend itself against the illegal invasion of its territory.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2023 17:17

Ukraine24: Media Telegram

Russian occupier Igor Mangushev, who previously received a bullet wound to the head in the temporarily occupied Kadiivka, died in hospital, – Russian mass media

Russia is probably running out of the second batch of Shahed drones, which is why the Russian Federation has not attacked Ukraine with Iranian UAVs in recent weeks, said Yuriy Ignat, the spokesman of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

❗️"Ukroboronprom" signed a cooperation agreement with the Czech manufacturer of armored vehicles VOP CZ.
The press service of the state concern reported that the contract provides for the production, repair, and joint development of armored vehicles, as well as the creation of supply chains for parts and products.

The first group of Ukrainian rescuers has already arrived in the Turkish city of Gaziantep to eliminate the consequences of the earthquake, – State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Germany handed over another aid package to Ukraine, — the Bundesregierung
The list includes:
▫️ 2 Gepard anti-aircraft self-propelled guns and 6,000 anti-aircraft ammunition (32 in total);
▫️ 5 cars for border guards (120 in total);
▫️ 29 electric generators (total – 245);
▫️ 6 trucks with hook loading system (8 in total);
▫️ 6 mobile antenna systems (16 in total);
▫️10 containers.

The training of US Ukrainian military instructors in Grafenwehr, Bavaria, will continue for several more weeks, Washington expects the continuation of this program, Pentagon press secretary Patrick Ryder said.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is increasing pressure on the current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to provide Typhoon fighter jets to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, — The Guardian

The G7 countries are considering the possibility of introducing sanctions against companies from Iran, China, and North Korea for helping Russia in the military sphere by February 24, — Bloomberg

Japan's Asahi Glass Company, the world's largest glassmaker, has begun considering the possibility of selling two of its factories in Russia, saying the future of the business is uncertain because of the war in Ukraine, — NHK

Ukrainian pilots and engineers are able to master Western aircraft in three months, – Major of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Vadym Voroshylov
In an interview with The Guardian, Voroshylov said that it would take him "up to three months" to learn all the combat missions, given his many years of experience flying Soviet MiG-29s.
It would take the same amount of time for engineers to learn how to fix an aircraft like the F-16. Because pilots and engineers can train in parallel — in the sky and on the ground. [@notimagain what do you make of this?]

❗️ The occupying authorities of Crimea raise the level of "terrorist danger" in anticipation of the liberation of the peninsula

"The tanks will arrive in Ukraine ahead of schedule," – Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Danilov
The delivery of Abrams tanks will take some time, but the Leopards may arrive in Ukraine earlier. He added that the training of Ukrainian tankers takes 3-4 weeks instead of 3-5 months

❗️The United Kingdom, with the agreement of the United States, introduced sanctions against seven Russian cybercriminals, who are involved, in particular, in the development of ransomware viruses Conti and Ryuk.
These viruses affected 149 British individuals and companies and stole at least £27 million.
The Conti group was also one of the first cybercriminal groups to support Russia's war in Ukraine.

Ukraine, together with one of the NATO member countries, began to produce ammo of 120 mm caliber, — "Ukroboronprom"
According to the State Concern, the production is located in one of the European countries.
"This ammunition is guaranteed to hit enemy infantry within a radius of 25 to 60 m, and fragments can fly up to 250 m away. In addition, a 120-mm mine is capable of destroying engineering structures and lightly armored vehicles," Ukroboronprom said in a statement.

Wow, is it LEGO-HIMARS with a signature smile? Yes! The set also includes a soldier in Ukrainian uniform
Funds from the sale of the Ukrainian add-on will go to charity — the UNITED24 platform.
The toy can be purchased on the Brickmania website

Ukraine Invasion: Part 37
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2023 17:26

Washington Post Telegram

Here's the latest from Ukraine.

(www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/09/russia-ukraine-war-latest-updates/?utm_source=telegram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=wp_main)- President Zelensky is set to continue his Western Europe visit Thursday in Brussels, where he will meet with leaders and address the European Parliament, according to E.U. officials, who said the meetings will explore legal pathways to use frozen Russian assets to pay for reconstruction in Ukraine.

  • Shelling in the Kharkiv region killed two civilians and injured five, its governor, Oleh Synyehubov, said Wednesday.
  • NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met in Washington on Wednesday with top U.S. officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. “We must continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons it needs to retake territory and prevail as a sovereign independent nation,” Stoltenberg said.
  • E.U. sanctions against Russia “will continue” and “may even be enhanced,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told German lawmakers Wednesday.
BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 09/02/2023 19:54

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 09/02/2023 16:52

⚡️Russia threatens ( kyivindependent.com/news-feed/russia-threatens-consequences-if-uk-gives-jets-to-ukraine ) 'consequences' if UK gives jets to Ukraine. [yeah yeah, as my little boy would say]

Russian spokesthings keep saying there will be consequences for this or that, and of course they are right. In this case, if the UK gives jets to Ukraine the consequence will be that Ukraine is better able to defend itself against the illegal invasion of its territory.

It's been a year now. If there were going to be 'consequences' they'd have done it already.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2023 21:12

www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/02/09/tourism-to-russia-plummets-to-4-of-pre-pandemic-levels-amid-ukraine-war-a80181

4% of previous levels?

That has got to hurt!

Greenshake · 09/02/2023 21:15

Ouch. It’s actually somewhere I had always wanted to visit, but that’s definitely shelved now. I am desperate to get over to Ukraine as soon as I am able to though.

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 09/02/2023 21:24

I don't think the Griner fiasco helped.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2023 21:36

Some of it is because China's been in lockdown so it will probably improve next year.

Mb76 · 09/02/2023 22:00

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2023 21:36

Some of it is because China's been in lockdown so it will probably improve next year.

I agree that it is largely down to the absence of Chinese tourists but I hope it won’t improve next year or for a long time (tourism not Covid). Yes I’m bitter.

Mb76 · 09/02/2023 22:10

@ReleaseTheDucksOfWar your ducks are huge! I can’t believe how they’ve grown. Eating a dead mouse? I haven’t heard of such a thing before, do you suppose they may eat frogs etc in wild habitat?

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 09/02/2023 22:25

Ducks are like chickens: some of them will hunt, catch and eat mice. Some are not interested; it depends on the duck. (Or chicken.)

strawberriesarenot · 09/02/2023 22:27

I just read this, and it seems very bad. I hope I am wrong, because really I know nothing.
www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/09/zelenskiy-aide-takes-aim-at-curbs-on-ukraine-use-of-starlink-to-pilot-drones-elon-musk