Putin and the West

[D41]

Maybe they intend to let the bridge become a choke point for retreating Russian forces??

[Kwacky]

They've not got the air superiority to exploit it though, so it would have to be done on the ground

[Kwacky]

According to a map from the Russian MoD, the RuAF have retreated to behind the Oskil river. This would mean Ukraine just liberated 8370 km2.

[StMarks]

According to a map from the Russian MoD, the RuAF have retreated to behind the Oskil river. This would mean Ukraine just liberated 8370 km2.

I have to frank, in saying that I actually feel slightly wary that they do too well.: Whilst we would all like to see Ukraine under control of their democratically selected government as soon as possible, indications are that Putin's ego is too precious to him that he would allow that.
It may therefore simply result in escalation, as Russian retaliation.
We must remember; the Russian forces have no qualms about destroying infrastructure or loss of life. However they will be held accountable for any perceived failings, and that's something to be avoided at any cost (to others).

[Kwacky]

That is my fear - Putin is pulling his troops back to do something stupid

[Cav]

The silence before the storm

[Perkles]

That is my fear - Putin is pulling his troops back to do something stupid

Thats what I was thinking this morning ,the more desperate he gets the more stupid he will be

[Kwacky]

The Russian border crossings are full with tiny men fleeing the country to escape mobilisation.

In the meantime Russian police are busy beating up then arresting hundreds of protestors.

I wonder if Putin is losing his grip?

[StMarks]

.... wonder if Putin is losing his grip?

In many ways, I rather hope not.
If he looses out in Ukraine, so good.
However his fight to not loose control may have no constraints whatsoever. Fwiw that has me more than a little nervous.

[D6Nutz]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMFd1VjJ5/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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[Kwacky]

I mean losing his grip on power. Him being ousted is probably the best we can hope for at the moment.

[D6Nutz]

I mean losing his grip on power. Him being ousted is probably the best we can hope for at the moment.

I guessed that as it's evident he's lost a grip on a lot of other things already.

The problem is communism in general, there will be a queue of equivalent nutters ready to take over.. what may be worse would be a Russian version of Johnson funded by pissed off oligarchs

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[Kwacky]

Russia hasn't been communist for decades. It's all about power and wealth. The rich and Putin protect each other.

[Kwacky]

https://m.jpost.com/international/article-718618" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can see NATO packing the Russian borders with a wide range of anti aircraft measures

[Kwacky]

It's not a good day for Russia

They've withdrawn from Lyman, which is a key city in the West. Taking it cuts off a key supply route for Russia.

It's a rout from what I can make out. I've seen hundreds of POWs in the last hour on social media. There's lots of injured and dead Russians as well.

A key airport in Crimea, Belbek, is also on fire.

High ranking Russian officers are publicly slagging each other off, as well as calling for the use of nukes.

[Kwacky]

As Ukraine troops approached Lyman they gave the impression of an encirclement action. It looks like they purposely left an escape corridor, which the Russians took.

[D41]

Or it offers a good enfilade position to blast the crap out of them as they retreat.

[Kwacky]

My bad, I didn't make it clear, that was the plan and that's what happened. That corridor was the kill zone.

[Kwacky]

It looks like a truck carrying explosives blew up on the Kerch Bridge next to a fuel train.

Two traffic lanes have collapsed and the rail lines look buckled.

This is the main supply route in to Crimea.

[Cav]

Oh no. That's terrible.