You have to feel badly for poor old Vladimir Putin. No matter how much money he has his buddies spend or how much arm-twisting his thugs do, ordinary people just keep rejecting Russia. Georgia will vote next week, with 100,000 demonstrating against Russia's proxies last night in (appropriately) Freedom Square, Tbilisi.

It's a good day.

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...on/ar-AA1sBs9h

Well yeah, when a threat looms get under the US NATO flag.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

Like Sweden and Finland?

The bigger the EU and NATO are, the more safe and prosperous we all are. Freedom matters.

Saw a report yesterday that N. Korea is sending in troops to help the Russians in Ukraine. Gotta wonder how that will turn out.

That depends on what the West does in response. Authorizing use of longer range missiles could be countermeasure #1; a ‘dump’ of US/NATO F-16s, the fighter designed in part to kill the Tu-160 Black Swan, might be another now that UKR has some internal training/maintenance capacity on the platform.

Looks like the NK troops aren’t happy with their prescribed assignment:

North Korean Troops Deserting Ukraine Frontline: Report - Newsweek

Good for Moldova! However, I don’t know if they have the resources to hold up their NATO obligations; their message speaks volumes.

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213th FBINA

Russia will have to put a new railroad train into service: The Trans-Siberian Coffin Express. Runs eastbound only.

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What, me worry?

I hired a plumber a few years ago. I noted he had an odd accent and asked where he came from. "Moldova," he replied. I asked how he ended up in the US. He proceeded to tell me about all the (Surprise, surprise) corruption there. Sounds like Moldova might not be a good candidate for the EU, other than to rub Putin's nose in it.

All of the old Soviet countries share the same problem with old Spanish colonies and most of post-colonial Africa.

Before new proposed EU members get final membership, they have to put transparency and anti-corruption laws with enforcement entities in place. None of that is quick nor is it easy.

That will present a serious problem to the Ukrainians.

What are they going to do with all the dead bodies?

You’d think they are getting pretty good at dealing with large amounts of dead enemy soldiers.

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213th FBINA

NY Governor Kathy Hochul thinks Moldova should have to have a background check.

If you gave me a map and put a gun to my head and told me to find Moldova, go ahead and pull the trigger.

NK troops don't have recent experience in combat operations. Any that survive the experience and return to NK in one piece will be able to share what they learned.

Of course they were all "volunteers" I'm sure.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Go to Romania and hang a right...

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Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins

I would expect South Korea to supply the Ukraine from it's state-of-the-art defense industry, to counter the Russian/NorK alliance. Could radically change the calculus for the Ukraine.

I love it!

I agree with GaryS. The norks can get some OJT if they decide to mess with the South.

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No baby we aint

The ones that survive Russian 'tactics?' Not sure the platoon would be that useful.

That little country is an absolute hole. I've watched a couple of Ewe-Boobs on it. Quick Google turned up this, LOL....

Top 10 Poorest Countries in Europe
(by 2020 GNI per capita, Atlas method, current US$)*

Ukraine $4,270
Moldova $5,340

Sure, their poor...and corrupt. What better way to give them a leg up to improve their country, join civilized society and stick it to vlad at the same time? A win for everybody.

Like the cartoon of the Finnish sergeant in 1939, "So many Russians. Where will we bury them all?"

good for both parties.
To N Korea, their military is kinda like livestock you'll never get a return from. send out the worst units, its less you have to maintain. Meanwhile Russia gets minions to play games of "Rock or landmine" and "are they really out of ammo"

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it just needs more voltage

Quite badly, I'm afraid. The North Korean Army is little more than cannon fodder. But cannon fodder can be bad enough. Ask any old infantryman from the Korean War about the Chinese Army back then.

North Korea is a nation led by a regime bent on national suicide. While they have always been known to be loose cannons per se, the fact that they are doing what they are now and the actions they are taking indicated to me two possibilities: 1)- The strings on Kim Jung Un are actually being pulled by China- to me this is the most likely for many reasons. 2) There are serious internal problems within North Korea that we are not aware of yet (political or peoplewise doesn't matter) and the Kims are looking to have the nation go out in a blaze of glory.

Not to fear, the Kims will survive...probably being given sanctuary when the time comes by a "friendly" nation and will take millions in ill gotten gain with them like most dictators do. However I suspect they will find those few friends they do have will feed them to the wolves at the first opprotunity.

Right now, there is a power vaccuum on the world stage and I won't delve further as it would get political. Suffice to say the problems around the world have been festering for decades and are now coming to the surface due to that vaccuum. The results will not end well for anyone in either east or west.

As for the North Korean troops, they are supposed to be their version of special forces troops....and take that for what it is worth. But one must remember Kipling and to paraphrase: "A boy with a ten dollar rifle can kill just as effectively as a well trained soldier with the latest weapons."

Underestimate no one. Especially on the world stage.

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The Last Standing Knight

If they haven't trained them and supplied them better than they used to, the NK soldiers will fall like wheat. Listen to what these NK defectors had to say about the differences in the daily lives of them and US soldiers. Particularly about the food, medicine and materiel supply. "3-4 bullets a year." "They picked the ones without malnutrition to do the tests."

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The best I can with what I got

Didn't Bruce Willis and John Malkovich have a job there once?

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Common sense isn't so common.

If you choose to believe any of several reports, the NKs are already trying to desert to Ukraine.

Hmmm smart Moldovians! They see the money rolling into the Ukraine fat cats and know the play book for free money!

Joe Wilson, Congressman from South Carolina on Moldova and Georgia:

“Despite war criminal Putin illegally occupying parts of the country & sending blood $ and thugs to steal Moldova’s future, courageous Moldovans chose sovereignty & prosperity. On Oct 26, the will of the freedom-loving people of Georgia will prevail. #MoldovaVotes #MEGOBARI”

Saw a headline that 8 nork officers were KIA yesterday.

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No baby we aint

The Norks have taken 30% casualties according to UK intelligence. ISW assesses they are not always supported with combat vehicles, which makes them really vulnerable.

In other news, Moldova's Russian-affiliated breakaway region, the Transdniestra, has no gas now that Ukraine closed the last Russian pipeline crossing UKR territories after the Gazprom contract expired. The Transdniestrans had been getting free gas from Russia as Putin tried to lure them into the Russian orbit. Now their illegitimate 'president' to telling people to burn wood - all schools are closed.

Sometimes free is too expensive.

Can't be. We've been told time and again that the Ukrainian forces are overwhelmed and the Russians will crush the last resistance any day now.

"Free stuff" is the most expensive kind.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Hehehe.

"Ukrainian forces recently made tactical advances amid continued intensified offensive operations in the Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast on January 6. Geolocated footage published on January 5 and 6 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced in southern Berdin, central Russkoye Porechnoye, and central Novosotnitsky (all northeast of Sudzha).[1] The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and Russian milbloggers claimed on January 6 that Russian forces repelled a Ukrainian roughly reduced platoon-sized mechanized assault near Berdin and that Russian forces, including elements of Rosgvardia's "Talib" Group, repelled Ukrainian attacks near Novosotnitsky.[2] Russian milbloggers claimed that elements of the Russian 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment (72nd Motorized Rifle Division, 44th Army Corps [AC], Leningrad Military District [LMD]), 2nd Spetsnaz Brigade (Russian General Staff's Main Directorate [GRU]), 11th Airborne (VDV) Brigade, and Akhmat Spetsnaz units cleared areas near Berdin and Novosotnitsky.[3] One Russian milblogger characterized recent Ukrainian attacks in Kursk Oblast as enhanced reconnaissance in force operations that could be a diversionary effort for unspecified future operations.[4] Increased Ukrainian offensive operations in Kursk Oblast may be the beginning stages of a concerted Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast or elsewhere in the theater, though ISW is unprepared to offer any specific forecast." Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 6, 2025 | Institute for the Study of War

Presumably because they're taking the schools apart for the wood?

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

How did the first Kursk offensive go?

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Thread Killer.

As designed, and far better than Russia's initial assault on Kyviv. The Russians had inadequate reserves in Kursk and had to bring in Norks. Every day the UKR is in Russia is a stiff thumb in Putin's eye.

"Ukrainian forces may be continuing to conduct long-range strikes against Russian rear areas in Kursk Oblast as part of efforts to use integrated strike capabilities to support ground operations. Geolocated footage published on January 5 indicates that there were audible explosions near the Russian 3754th Central Aviation Technical Base (military unit 13830) in Kursk City.[10] ISW cannot independently confirm if Ukrainian forces successfully struck the base. A Russian milblogger claimed on January 6 that Ukrainian forces targeted Russian forward and rear positions in Kursk Oblast with missiles several times.[11] The Russian Kursk Oblast Operational Headquarters claimed on January 6 that Russian forces destroyed two Ukrainian missiles over Kursk Oblast.[12] ISW previously assessed that Ukrainian forces may be attempting to integrate longer-range precision strike capabilities and electronic warfare (EW) systems activity to support ground operations."

The Ukrainians got routed the first time around. That why they are attacking AGAIN. They might want to look at the main logistic supply route as the Russians are working on the southern flank.

BTW, what's the point of the Kursk offensive? Looking at the map Kursk looks like a typical Russian cauldron. But what do I know.

Meanwhile, Donbas is falling apart, the Russians just captured Kurakhove and expanded their bridgehead at Ivanivka. And they keep advancing.

But hey, keep attacking hoping for a pyrrhic victory at Kursk while ignoring more pressing needs.

Again, what do I know.

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Thread Killer.

And there's this:

Desertion threatens to starve Ukraine’s forces at a crucial time in its war with Russia
BY SAMYA KULLAB AND VOLODYMYR YURCHUK
Updated 10:24 PM MST, November 28, 2024

Russia-Ukraine war: Thousands of tired troops have deserted the Ukrainian army | AP News


I know what you're going to do, you'll try to deflect and say "But, but, but, but, what about Russian desertions?"

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Thread Killer.

Pay attention. At current rate of gain it would take Russia two more years and another 100,000 casualties to to capture all of Donbas Oblast. In the meantime, they've lost nearly all of their T-90s, T-80s, and have industrial capacity to build 250 more per year and repair/refit a like number.

The Afghans outlasted the Russians (and us) by simply never giving up. The Ukrainians will as well, as they know the Holodomor will be pale compared to what Putin will do to them for resistance. There is new surveillance of Russians shooting 3 bound Ukrainians yesterday.

I am paying attention. I'm looking at the map and seeing Russians taking ground and more and more places/territory falling under Russian control.

The afghans out lasted us because the only wars the us gets involved in are endless wars with no exit strategy.

If the Ukrainians were serious about defeating the Russians they would've committed to total war and mobilized their ENTIRE population. They haven't, they're not, and they won't. Tell me I'm wrong.

Tell me is Ukraine going to get back ANY of its captured territory when this is over? Yes or No?

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Thread Killer.

Yes. UKR will regain its original borders. They don't have to do it militarily - Afghanistan War failure and Western pressure crushed the Soviet Union when it had far more influence and economic resources than does Russia now. Russia's GDP falls nicely between that of Italy and Mexico, and Putin has burned through the (unfrozen) financial reserves he amassed specifically for expansionism and has likewise burned through nearly his entire stock of modern weaponry for land war. His air force could not establish air superiority even before UKR had F-16s and in two weeks, Mirage 2000 5F fighters.

In the meantime, Europe has found other sources for gas and accelerated reliance on alternative energy - world fossil fuel demand is slumping as current US and Qatari production is going all out, depriving Putin of his best tool for soft power. His friends, the PRC, are at 40% EV in their fleet and growing exponentially while flooding the world with cheap EV built on technology stolen from Teslas and improved. In the meantime, Finland and Sweden are now in NATO.

Putin over-reached; the main question now is how long the Russian collapse will take. Only Putin's fan boys seem unwilling to grasp this. A central bank prime rate of 21% and climbing? Really?

If they aren't going do it militarily, then why not end the war and negotiate instead of sacrificing people?

. Deflection.

For years, you have been making predictions about Russia and other things that haven't happened. Not a single one. None. Zip. Zero. Nada. Wake me up when the "collapse" actually happens.

The only people who are delusional enough to believe Ukraine will get territory back are US .gov/media believers, the Tesla trump tower crispy guy and the guy hiding near a golf course with an SKS.

But what do I know.

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Thread Killer.

You really should go see what is happening on Russia's borders. The view is more accurate from there. Reading or watching video is a poor substitute for seeing what is there and talking with people who live there and watched the Russians for centuries.

What is going to happen we will see in good time.

Putin will ask Trump to abandon NATO. Just my thoughts.

We know what has happened…..maybe. Let me consult my crystal ball for what will happen.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

Trump needs a good laugh, I'm sure he'll enjoy the joke.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Even if we abandoned UKR, NATO is now all of Europe, including the Swedish defense industrial base. The EU has been providing far more to UKR than have we, as they have seen this movie before. Would us backing away hurt? Sure - but what just the EU provides UKR is on parity with Russian defense budgeting.

Again, Russia has burned through their once-huge stocks of modern weaponry and are reactivating 1960s tanks and armored vehicles. And not one of the 2014 model T-14 Armata Russian tanks have been deployed in this war because there are only a handful and they are extremely expensive and complex. F-16s and Mirage 5Fs are more than a match for anything Russia can field, and they couldn't establish air superiority even when UKR had only Soviet-era aircraft.

The notion that Russia winning is inevitable because of population is prima facie untenable - population doesn't replace fiscal and industrial capacity. Remember - Russia can build 250-300 new T-90s annually, and repair/refit a like number.

Russia has overall lost over 3,600 main battle tanks and nearly 8,000 armored vehicles since it began its invasion in February 2022, the U.K. defense department said.

This has led to the Russian military increasingly relying on its stockpile of Soviet-era equipment, which is outdated and poorly maintained. Satellite Images Show Scale of Russian Losses As 'Outdated' Vehicles Used - Newsweek

I've enjoyed how some on this forum have always been ready to throw in the towel on Ukraine. They have been that way since the first days of the Russian invasion.

And one of the reasons is that U.S. involvement will cost too much money. I guess freedom has always been a dollar and cents proposition.

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Ubi Est Mea

Seems to me that the best thing we can do for Ukraine can be done right here in the good ole US of A... drill and frack, export oil & gas and crater the world market. Without oil & gas revenue Vlad will have nothing but a seemingly endless supply of unequipped raw meat. Cut off his main source of revenue...starve the beast. And as an added bonus, this would put the hurt on the usual suspects that also use oil revenue to prop up their regimes.

Here's an other illuminating example of Russia's situation:

Russia has even called upon MosFilm, its renowned state movie studio, to supply vintage military equipment. The studio has sent 28 T-55 tanks from the 1950s, along with 8 PT-76 amphibious armored vehicles, 6 BMP armored transport vehicles, and 8 tractors from its warehouses. These vehicles initially used as props for film productions, are now being deployed in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. This event highlights Russia's growing need to resort to alternative means to maintain its capabilities on the ground, despite the outdated nature and unsuitability of this equipment for modern conflict. The use of tanks and armored vehicles that would typically serve cultural purposes underscores the extent of the logistical and material challenges the Russian army faces amid the intensity of the current conflict. Russia Refurbishes Armored Vehicles Following Heavy Losses in Ukraine