You’re overlooking the price average Europeans are paying to sustain the sanctions against Russia. The average American has sacrificed little or nothing to support Ukraine. If they had to pay what Europeans will be spending this winter to heat their homes, there would be riots.
Americans don't sacrifice anymore. Even wearing a mask to save grandma is too much.
Europeans have a shared history of uniting and sacrificing. This may sound crass, but I think Europeans are generally more intelligent than your typical American and has some critical thinking skills. I think they will handle this winter, Russia will get absolutely curb stomped on the battlefield, and come 2023, Russia will have no choice but to begin selling energy to Europe again.
Europe, I'll warrant, will try to renew and normalize relations with Russia after this. The ultimate goal of the European community idea is to prevent war. Having a big enemy on your doorstep is harder to manage compared to having a big friend there instead. Or, at least a big guy you don't love, but you are nice to him and hi to him each morning as you leave for work, and he grunts back.
Municipal deputies from Moscow and St. Petersburg call for Putin’s resignation.
Quote:
Dozens of municipal deputies from Moscow and St. Petersburg have called on President Vladimir Putin to resign in an open letter published Monday. “President Putin's actions are detrimental to the future of Russia and its citizens," reads the petition shared on Twitter by Ksenia Torstrem, a deputy for St. Petersburg’s Semyonovsky district.
“We demand the resignation of Vladimir Putin from the position of President of the Russian Federation,”
Stumbled upon this guy "Civ Div" who appears to be a U.S born marine vet who decided to go help fight in Ukraine.
Very eye opening video, first hand combat via gopro from back in March.
No death footage or anything, but it is from the front lines so there's shooting/shelling/mortar fire etc.
Cant imagine trying to live whilst this is going on in your city.
Cant get the youtube link to work on here so here's the hard video link:
I always assumed that Putin had so much power no one would dare to speak out against him. Maybe it's more complex and regional leaders have their own share of goons to keep order and provide protection.
One person killed in recent shelling by Ukrainians in Belgorod area. The deceased person is a citizen of Ukraine, or so Russian media report. Given that it is some village close to the border it's not entirely impossible to have Ukrainian over there.
Anytime I see clips from Russian TV, it just makes me feel a deep hopelessness.
Even with the differing views, this whole discussion is happening in such a deep, dark place filled with misinformation, hatred and lack of understanding of the outside world that I don't see how any real peace is possible.
Russians will never know peace without sweeping aside the current regime and their lackeys.
There's just no shared ground with anyone outside Russia, no basis from which to build a genuine, lasting peace.
At least they're admitting they're in war.
"Special military operation". Mention of the word war carries a 15 year sentence.
New video from Niki on how the news is representing the current Russian collapse and provides a unique perspective on how dangerous media can be when used at a control tool (and frankly this is why I am so against bills in Canada like the online censorship bill and online harms bill).
Nearly 60% of Russians use Yandex for internet search which is Russian state controlled, and that is if they use the internet. For most, Russian TV is what is viewed and according to the news, Russia is doing well and merely regrouping to strengthen Donbas (along with 5 pieces to show how great leader Putin is).
This is why Pointman points out early in the thread that the reaction we see from Russia is not what the west would think Russians would do. And he himself offers a unique perspective that while you can be objective as a person, you are likely to still be influenced when you are surrounded with misleading propaganda.
Based on the recent state media videos coming out though like the one you linked, it appears that the cracks have occurred. But this will likely end with more window jumping in the short term.
Last edited by Firebot; 09-12-2022 at 09:41 AM.
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Unreal odds for sure! Maybe we can help donate as well. Any chance we can pitch in too?
Thanks! I'm definitely still sort of in shock about it. I'm not really sure what else they most need at this point. We are reaching out today to find out more about specific needs, etc. I will try to get something coherent together and post it.
What do these names mean now that they have been made official? Baron can tell us as most are all on the map he eloquently provided to us 10 days ago of the 'failed' Ukrainian offensive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baron von Kriterium
The truth of the Kherson "offensive" is written on the maps for all to see: Ukraine bashed their way into the Russian line with no way to exploit of solidify their breach. AFU attacks; Russia hits them hard, then pulls back. AFU advances; Russia hits them again, but pulls back more. AFU adds forces to salient, Russia flanks them in force and cuts off their rear. Trap closed; turkey shoot.
The Ukrainians came no where close to achieving any type of operational objective.
A gentle reminder to not drink the Russian koolaid.
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Unless the subtitles are off, no one is talking about "special military operation" in the clip I posted, they're all speaking openly about war.
1 notably said colonial war. and continuously mentioned war..and was warned of such talk for good reason as he may be passing through a window soon.
We all know it's a war, they all know its a war. In the heat of the moment in an argument they will still call a spade a spade (war).
Still, the word is still banned in terms of Ukraine. And I mentioned "special military operation" (not related to the video) as this is still how it's officially being called in Russia, not a war.
That debate on Russian TV had no sound so I can't tell whether they were saying "war" or not. Generally, media say "special military operation", but "military" and "war" is the same word in Russian, so they literally say "special wary operation", thus actually using the word "war". At work we use the terms "before all those events" and "after all those events" to describe pre- and post- 02/24 world. When I talk with my wife we say "war". My six year old says kids use the word "war" in pre-school.
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Stumbled upon this guy "Civ Div" who appears to be a U.S born marine vet who decided to go help fight in Ukraine.
Very eye opening video, first hand combat via gopro from back in March.
No death footage or anything, but it is from the front lines so there's shooting/shelling/mortar fire etc.
Cant imagine trying to live whilst this is going on in your city.
Cant get the youtube link to work on here so here's the hard video link: