Russia is wrong about the Ukrainian government supporting neo-nazis, but there ARE a lot of neo-nazi militias in the country.
On the upside for Ukraine, while poorly disciplined and trained, there's quite a lot of them and they're highly motivated to fight Russian invaders.
On the downside, they have a track record of war crimes from previous conflicts, including rape and torture, and you just gave them more weapons, and there's a lot of them, and they're effing neo-nazis
It makes sense strategically in this situation, but...
Sounds like Afghanistan all over again (the Russian conflict). Bunch of crazies, you arm them and that's a short term win. Long term, though, maybe not.
Yeah, there are definitely some serious issues with some of the Ukrainian militias, particularly in the East. And the Azov Battalion is even officially part of the National Guard.
I've also seen pictures of people waving the red and black UPA flag at North American protests, which is pretty insane. They were a fascist insurgent army that was responsible for the deaths of a huge number of Polish people through ethnic cleansing during WWII and they played a role in assisting the Germans in the Holocaust.
I've also seen pictures of people waving the red and black UPA flag at North American protests, which is pretty insane. They were a fascist insurgent army that was responsible for the deaths of a huge number of Polish people through ethnic cleansing during WWII and they played a role in assisting the Germans in the Holocaust.
UPA was a unique entity. Unfortunately, the Polish question is true. At that time, the goal was to get out from under Polish rule and establish a Ukrainian state. Interestingly, historians suspect that just as many Ukrainians (who did not support their nationalistic ideals) died by the hands of UPA as the Poles. The assisting Germans question is similar. The pogroms against the jewish people, the Poles, and the Soviets during the German occupation was all done in an effort to rid anyone who could be seen as an opponent of building a Ukrainian state. The Germans were seen as visitors who would eventually leave. They weren't, however, targetting jews in particular. There are accounts of jews being among their ranks who supported the cause.
But yeah, Ukraine does have a dark history, starting with the pogroms (1900-1920), the famine (1932-1933), the UPA (1942-1956), etc.
Timothy Snyder wrote a great book (Bloodlands) about this time that talks at length about UPA.
The fact that the North Korean elite remain wealthy tells me that sanctions on Russia likely will do nothing to their country’s rich of the rich.
Big difference, N Korea's wealthy dont own Premier League Football Clubs and Mansions in Florida and London, being part of the North Korean elite means your life sucks balls compared to most of us, it just sucks less balls than the ordinary folk, being Russian elite means you live like a King
Cuz the Brits can't afford it anymore, no more empire to fund them and Brexit is killing their finances. Brexit was another beautifully executed Putin misinformation operation coupled with massive self-own by stupid/complicit Brits.
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Yeah, there are definitely some serious issues with some of the Ukrainian militias, particularly in the East. And the Azov Battalion is even officially part of the National Guard.
Case in point: there was that video of the mayor of Konotop giving a rousing speech (that was the same day and place as when the Russian soldier was walking through the crowd of Ukranians with two grenades in his hands) that was shown all over the news. PBS even gave him airtime with an interview. Unfortunately, this isn't his first time making the news:
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According to reports, Semenikhin drives around in a car bearing the number 14/88, a numerological reference to the phrases “we must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children” and “Heil Hitler”; replaced the picture of President Petro Poroshenko in his office with a portrait of Ukrainian national leader and Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera; and refused to fly the city’s official flag at the opening meeting of the city council because he objected to the star of David emblazoned on it. The flag also features a Muslim crescent and a cross.
Obviously it doesn't change the ugliness and insanity of what Russia is doing to Ukrainians. But hopefully when the Russians are driven out of Ukraine, it isn't guys like this in charge of picking up the pieces afterwards.
Yeah, there are definitely some serious issues with some of the Ukrainian militias, particularly in the East. And the Azov Battalion is even officially part of the National Guard.
I've also seen pictures of people waving the red and black UPA flag at North American protests, which is pretty insane. They were a fascist insurgent army that was responsible for the deaths of a huge number of Polish people through ethnic cleansing during WWII and they played a role in assisting the Germans in the Holocaust.
Resurgent ethnic nationalism is a major problem all over Europe, and has been for twenty years. Russia, who may have some of the worst problems, invading Ukraine in the name of preventing fascism is comical though.
Resurgent ethnic nationalism is a major problem all over Europe, and has been for twenty years. Russia, who may have some of the worst problems, invading Ukraine in the name of preventing fascism is comical though.
It plays well in Russia though. The idea of fighting fascist enemies is red meat for the Russian public and most them seem like they're fully behind the war for that reason, even if its a comically flimsy justification to any outside observer.
It plays well in Russia though. The idea of fighting fascist enemies is red meat for the Russian public and most them seem like they're fully behind the war for that reason, even if its a comically flimsy justification to any outside observer.
It's interesting that the Russians can't see how they are perceived from the outside. With the exception of maybe Belarus, it's the closest thing to an ethnic based fascist government in Europe right now. Rife with racism, no free press, cult of personality based lifelong dictator, arresting and even assassinating political discentors and opponents, capital in the hands of a few but widely Putin controlled/influenced, etc....
Yeah, being an ethnic nationalist authoritarian regime doesn’t mean you don’t hate other ethnic nationalist authoritarian regimes. No love lost between Poland and Russia, for instance.
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If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
France announced that they are going to conduct fast-jet training exercises over Bosnia citing security concerns in the region, I can't say I know exactly why fast-jet training exercises are a big deal, but it seems to be newsworthy.
Interesting background on disputed islands near Japan. In December Russia deployed missile defense systems on one of the islands. Japan has just claimed sovereignty over 4 of them. The Russian deployment was further north.
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