To think the adoration of Zelensky in the UK feels very wrong?

[WarWhatIsItGoodFor]

Exactly that. Why are UK politicians lapping it all up and hanging on to his every word? The laughter from MPs when he said he enjoyed English tea but now wants English planes… in what sense is that funny? He is wanting war planes to cause more bloodshed, death and destruction. I hope this doesn’t lead to Russian retaliation.

I agree. MN should be banning these accounts.

My last thought is that anyone attempting to justify Putin needs to have a very close look at their moral compass, because there is no possible justification for what he's done. He is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians and even larger numbers of Russians. The West didn't start this. Zelensky didn't start this. The world should have learned by now that sometimes all it takes is a megalomaniac with a bit of a plan and the ability to convince people that it will work.

I dunno, I did an advanced search and there is some unrelated posting history. I think that this one is just a bit thick. Probably calls themselves "Jane of the family SMITH", sings "Oh Jeremy Corbyn", glues themselves to public transport for a hobby, and thinks that cannabis is harmless.

Clearly plenty of actual bots on this thread though. The thread is at more than 10 pages of mostly pro-Putin drivel. The Siberian farm must be on overtime.

Precisely.

If this is the standard of AI, then I think that our jobs are safe from automation.

Well this has taken me down a rabbit-hole.

There's now a dedicated Wikipedia page about the IRA troll farm.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Research_Agency

Following some of the references has taken me back on journey back at least 10 years. You can follow the journalists putting the picture together as troll-world grows.

From 2012:
Hacked emails discuss Nashi strategies to boost pro-Putin coverage on the internet and discredit opposition figures
www.theguardian.com/world/2012/feb/07/nashi-emails-insight-kremlin-groups-priorities

From 2014:
The readers' editor on… pro-Russia trolling below the line on Ukraine stories
Guardian moderators, who deal with 40,000 comments a day, believe there is an orchestrated pro-Kremlin campaign
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/04/pro-russia-trolls-ukraine-guardian-online

From 2015:
The Russian troll factory at the heart of the meddling allegations
Former workers tell how hundreds of bloggers are paid to flood forums and social networks at home and abroad with anti-western and pro-Kremlin comments
Thirteen Russians charged with interfering in US election
www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/29/russia-troll-sues-former-employer

From 2017:
Russian troll factory paid US activists to help fund protests during election
Investigation finds Russians posing as Americans made payments to activists
www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/17/russian-troll-factory-activists-protests-us-election

And in 2022 there was a UK govt report:

‘Troll factory’ spreading Russian pro-war lies online, says UK
St Petersburg outfit hijacks discussions on Twitter, TikTok, world leaders’ social accounts and media websites, as well as manipulating opinion polls
www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/01/troll-factory-spreading-russian-pro-war-lies-online-says-uk

The study details how the Russian president’s regime is trying to manipulate public opinion on social media, as well as in the comments sections of major media outlets.

Targets include the social media accounts of Boris Johnson, the British prime minister; the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz; and the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.

The research said TikTok influencers were being paid to amplify pro-Kremlin narratives. Operatives also amplified genuine messages by legitimate social media users that happen to be consistent with the Kremlin’s viewpoint – seemingly to evade social media platforms’ measures to combat disinformation.

The analysis suggests one main activity is “brigading”, to steer attention of discussion on social media and in comments sections of newspapers towards favoured opinions. Manipulation of polls in western media was also observed, including to skew the results of a survey on whether sanctions against Russia were supported.

Activities on Twitter and Facebook were detected, but were found to be particularly concentrated on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. A key role in the network is said to be performed by a Telegram channel called “Cyber Front Z”, with the letter Z signifying Russian support for the war.

Social media accounts of bands and musicians including Daft Punk, David Guetta, Tiesto and Rammstein appear to have been targeted by the disinformation operation.

@ReleaseTheDucksOfWar aye sure, the yanks supplied the money. But the Russians supplied the bodies. And that, in the savage Russian winter, is what ended the attack on the Eastern front. It was piles and piles of dead russians, bombed Russians, shot Russians, starved Russians, that halted the advance. The Germans themselves complained that they couldn't move to where they needed because they were held up by the mounds of Russian dead. This is documented. Russians know about German Nazis, they really do.

Yes indeed!
Not all Putin supporters are bots (some are just 'misguided' to put it as politely as I can) but certainly all the bots come out in force whenever a thread like this pops up.

If Russia isn't stopped in Ukraine then we certainly won't have enough resources to stop them advancing across Europe. This is the UK's and NATO's chance to "nip it in the bud".

😀yes, he was very popular as a comedian but it's his serious side that makes him sexy. I'm sure he surprised himself how manly he can be.

We can not leave ourselves without planes and tanks. Johnson should just shut up- he's trying to turn himself into some sort of hero. He's an oaf.

They did. It's their great grandfather's times, maybe even great great grandfather's time by now, and most of the reality has been taken over by propaganda.

It's Russia invaded Ukraine, not anyone invading Russia.

You're either a complete nut job or a Russian Bot.
You've completely blown your cover either way. Better choose a new user name and try again.

The US sent investigators and have stated that there is no misuse of US funds. Categorically.

Would you like to say the same of Russia?

Russia has just signed a law that governors and other officials no longer have to provide evidence of where theor funds originate and irc (not 100% on this) they no longer have to provide tax returns.

Russia's own military bloggers scream to high heaven about the misuse of funds.

The ONLY Aircraft carrier that Russia owns is on the verge of being scrapped because it's no longer functional, largely seen as due to corruption in maintenance and refitting. The one and only aircraft carrier. Not a low status project.

www.google.com/url?q=ukdefencejournal.org.uk/russian-aircraft-carrier-admiral-kuznetsov-on-fire-again/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiimbCFoYf9AhXf9rsIHYJwBDUQFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw2iUotGyT76bV6IG8QFQE1V

Why is there such a whiff of misdirection in your post?

This. I'm sure Zelensky wishes he could live a peaceful family life as we do, but his country has been invaded by an aggressor and he's right to defend Ukraine in any way he can.

If Russia isn't stopped, Ukraine won't be the only country oppressed. Unfortunately, until Russia gives up, there is no alternative.

“The US sent investigators” it’s convenient that the investigators are the same types who are facilitating the funneling of the funds. It’s easy to commit crimes when you’re also the investigator, ‘journalist’, law enforcer, and judge.

Everything I said in my post is not my opinion but facts. You are apparently willfully ignorant of Biden’s criminal dealings and threats even though it is public knowledge and Biden is on video with his threats. He gets away with it because it’s people with his political ideology that control most of the media and global orgs and govts, and the public is constantly fed by them and swallow every spoonful they’re told. Then they censor and ban anyone, and accuse them of being bots and anti this and pro that, for daring to question the people who hold the power raking in billions with no accountability whatsoever. I think and research for myself. I question and examine everything and look at all sides because that is how to get at the truth. That used to be called journalism.

Too right. That Putin guy is simply outrageous. How did Russians put up with him for so long? Hopefully not for much longer.

The thing that winds me up is every time Bojo is in trouble he fucks off to Ukraine,he must have a time share over there. Putin must be stopped before he does a Hitler & invades all of Europe.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

—Martin Niemöller

I posted this on another thread. It's well worth a read if you have the time.

This is a very interesting and sobering document from the US think tank the Rand Corporation - an august body funded by the US arms industry and the Pentagon so you can assume that such a piece of work carries a lot of weight in informing and helping to shape US foreign policy. It has been released with virtually no press interest so one could assume it is intended to leak slowly into the debate of how this war could end.

My take is that we will start to see a pivot in the narrative shortly as Biden calculates what is the off ramp and can he deliver a peace that brings the oil price down and a resurgent economy before the next election and that the war in uniting NATO , spurring rearmament and degrading and exposing Russian weakness has been a big win for US foreign policy. Just a shame that Zelenskiy and Ukraine has to suffer so terribly as a consequence.

In short they assert that US interests are not the same as Ukrainian interests and US policy must put the US economic and military first.

They say that maximalism in Ukraine demands to return all their territory from the Russians are unrealistic.

The primary focus should be on China not Russia and the Ukraine war is a distraction.

Peace should be brokered and maintained by potentially withholding further US military and economic aid if Ukraine doesn't agree.

A partial removal of sanctions from Russia should be considered as part of the peace deal.

That no side can win and that there is a high risk of escalation that risks the situation spiraling out of control.

That rebuilding Ukraine would take enormous investment from western partners and that will only be forthcoming if some sort of DMZ / international partnership brokers a lasting peace which benefits both Russia and Ukraine.

https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PEA2510-1.html

Did you notice Liz Truss was there also shaking his hand. I find it horrible that he is been glorified also while young men give their lives. We are the same here in Ireland the politicians are licking his ass also. I do not mind helping the ordinary Ukrainian citizen but I never liked him at all. Hate been dragged into this war when we are supposed to be a neutral country, and so many homeless on our streets and people waiting years for operations while our government hand over millions to him to kill young men.

Yeah, why bother with this "quarrel in a far away country, between people of whom we know nothing” as someone once said. Let’s go for what the same fellow called “peace in our time.” Because it worked out so well last time, right?

That RAND report I quoted up thread (and it's worth noting they have been pushing for escalation until quite recently) ends the report with this conclusion but they obviously want that debate to begin. Zelenskiy is no doubt facing huge pressures keeping the US on board. If they stop then he will have no choice except to sue for a dirty peace. Sadly they want the focus to shift to China and worry western armies are running out of ammo to prosecute any war.

A dramatic, overnight shift in U.S. policy is politically impossible—both domestically and with allies—and would be unwise in any case. But developing these instruments now and socializing them with Ukraine and with U.S. allies might help catalyze the eventual start of a process that could bring this war to a negotiated end in a time frame that would serve U.S. interests. The alternative is a long war that poses major challenges for the United States, Ukraine, and the rest of the world.

Agree. We have problems of our own .