Russian invasion of Ukraine | Fewer tweets, more discussion

[Pintu]

This MEP is a complete nutter. Check her Wikipedia page. She's a complete fringe, extremist element of the European Parliament.

Luhaschenko, Hezbollah, and Maduro… She’s got some friends.

 

[TwoSheds]

The 36th Marine Brigade in Maripol posted what is effectively a farewell message today. They are out of supplies. You have to imagine the city will now fall within a few days. Translation below, taken from Reddit:


Dear Ukrainian people. We are the 36th Navy Brigade named after the counter-admiral Mikhail Bilinsky, left Crimea without betraying the oaths of 2014 and continued to perform the duty of defense of Ukraine. From the beginning of the exit we have been defending Mariupol for 47 days. We were bombed from airplanes, we were shot from artillery, tanks and other firematerials. We kept the defense worthy by doing the impossible. But any resources have a potential to run out.

During the combat, we were once handed 50 122 guns, 20 min a little enlavs and starlink Elon Musk - spybo Elon, he had a lot of air strikes and still works. We have not been handed over any more. Without the possibility of defending themselves, the opponent gradually pushed us to the Azovmash plant, surrounded the fire and now is trying to destroy us. There was an option to bring us reserves to strengthen and boost the defense. There were options for the brigade to make a breakthrough and join their troops. We reported this to OTU East and they started planning the operation. Sodol, Delatitsky tried to do something, but their senior headquarters were closed. We reported about it in the OOS they said hold on we are working, promised a helicopter that never flew. We talked to the commander in chief who promised to unblock. We talked with a Garantee who guaranteed us either a political or military solution of the situation.

For more than a month, the Marines fought without refilling ammunition, without food, without water, almost a lacquer from the puddle and died in packs. The mountain of wounded makes up almost half of the crew. Those who have unbroken limbs and can walk, return in order. Infantry all died and gunfighters are led by gunmen, zenitich, contacts of the driver and the police. Even an orchestra. Dying but fighting. Gradually we are coming to an end. Wise generals advise taking ammunition from your enemy. Probably not extinct these Sava parquettes, so many people will die for them in vain. There were chances. There were opportunities, but due to the silliness, they were not implemented.

No one wants to communicate with us anymore because we are written. Today will probably be an extreme fight since there is no BC left. Next up into the palm of the hand. Further is death for some, but captivity for some. Dear Ukrainian people. I don't know what's next, but I really ask you to remember the Marines with a kind word and no matter how they develop further.

Do not talk badly about the Marines. They did everything possible and impossible. For we are FAITHFUL FOREVER! 11.04.2022.

Sounds understandably rather bitter, hope they are treated as fairly as possible and they can make it home.

 

[GlastonSpur]

On a verified basis, Russia has so far lost 17% of the tanks in its invasion force.

However, the actual figure (including those not verified from photographic or video evidence) is likely to be significantly higher.

The Ukrainians claim the Russian have lost more than 680 tanks, which equals 25% of the invading total.

Ukraine conflict: Why is Russia losing so many tanks? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-61021388

 

[Frosty]

Sounds understandably rather bitter, hope they are treated as fairly as possible and they can make it home.

I would be surprised if they were not all executed. Bearing in mind Russia has those mobile crematoria destroying all the evidence as they go.

 

[TwoSheds]

I would be surprised if they were not all executed. Bearing in mind Russia has those mobile crematoria destroying all the evidence as they go.

Me too but maybe some can escape or maybe there are some good Russian soldiers who knows.

 

[Pintu]

The European Parliament has little say in anything though, and it's individual members do not speak for nations or even not necessarily for anything other than themselves. Like in national parliaments across the EU, there are nutters voted in and those will say nutty things. I mean, Trudeau was there a few weeks ago and also attacked with all kinds of inflammatory and conspiracy nonsense:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/european-members-parliament-attact-trudeau-1.6397579

This person and people like her in the EP will have little or zero influence on EU and national positions.

That's an exaggeration though. They are lawmakers (or "co-legislators"), they vote for the laws and directives that later become laws in our respective countries.

And the EP can depose the entire commission or individual commissioners with a no-confidence vote. Normally the president tries to make sure the majority will approve their cabinet but sometimes it is impossible. Von der Leyen in 2019 got 2 of her candidates (pre-approved by the head of states) rejected by the EP.

But the main power they have is the budget. They approve a multiyear budget (adjusted yearly) and once it is there the Comission + the Council (head of states) basically run everything.


Agree with the last part though, good example with the nutters attacking Trudeau with their fake news.
I didn't know this Irish one though, I just saw she was left. Most of the left MEPs are relatively normal politicians. It is mostly the far right that keeps sending nutters to the EP. But she seems to fit very well into the horseshoe theory.

 

[SmashedHombre]

I would be surprised if they were not all executed. Bearing in mind Russia has those mobile crematoria destroying all the evidence as they go.

Same. Or worse - they'd be given to the Chechens. I suspect a lot of these marines would prefer to go down fighting anyway. Awful to think that after weeks of heroism and defiance they were brought down by a lack of bullets.

 

[Simbo]

I haven’t followed the debates in EP, but it is not only Orban against the arm deliveries. Some Western European are sounding very harsh and kind of arrogant toward the “extremist” from the East.

This is an MEP from Ireland lecturing her Bulgarian colleague.

It won’t impact the short term. There are billions in the EPF for the council to do as they please with and they will keep supporting Ukraine defence capabilities. But I am not sure how long the Unity can stand.

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There's plenty of nutters on the EP, Clare Daly is another that likes to parrot Kremlin talking points.

 

[Simbo]

The 36th Marine Brigade in Mariupol posted what is effectively a farewell message today. They are out of supplies. You have to imagine the city will now fall within a few days. Translation below, taken from Reddit:

Spoiler: Message from 36th Marine Brigade

Dear Ukrainian people. We are the 36th Navy Brigade named after the counter-admiral Mikhail Bilinsky, left Crimea without betraying the oaths of 2014 and continued to perform the duty of defense of Ukraine. From the beginning of the exit we have been defending Mariupol for 47 days. We were bombed from airplanes, we were shot from artillery, tanks and other firematerials. We kept the defense worthy by doing the impossible. But any resources have a potential to run out.

During the combat, we were once handed 50 122 guns, 20 min a little enlavs and starlink Elon Musk - spybo Elon, he had a lot of air strikes and still works. We have not been handed over any more. Without the possibility of defending themselves, the opponent gradually pushed us to the Azovmash plant, surrounded the fire and now is trying to destroy us. There was an option to bring us reserves to strengthen and boost the defense. There were options for the brigade to make a breakthrough and join their troops. We reported this to OTU East and they started planning the operation. Sodol, Delatitsky tried to do something, but their senior headquarters were closed. We reported about it in the OOS they said hold on we are working, promised a helicopter that never flew. We talked to the commander in chief who promised to unblock. We talked with a Garantee who guaranteed us either a political or military solution of the situation.

For more than a month, the Marines fought without refilling ammunition, without food, without water, almost a lacquer from the puddle and died in packs. The mountain of wounded makes up almost half of the crew. Those who have unbroken limbs and can walk, return in order. Infantry all died and gunfighters are led by gunmen, zenitich, contacts of the driver and the police. Even an orchestra. Dying but fighting. Gradually we are coming to an end. Wise generals advise taking ammunition from your enemy. Probably not extinct these Sava parquettes, so many people will die for them in vain. There were chances. There were opportunities, but due to the silliness, they were not implemented.

No one wants to communicate with us anymore because we are written. Today will probably be an extreme fight since there is no BC left. Next up into the palm of the hand. Further is death for some, but captivity for some. Dear Ukrainian people. I don't know what's next, but I really ask you to remember the Marines with a kind word and no matter how they develop further.

Do not talk badly about the Marines. They did everything possible and impossible. For we are FAITHFUL FOREVER! 11.04.2022.

There are doubts over the legitimacy of this, their site was hacked apparently.

 

[MoskvaRed]

But would that really be enough to take the heat off him? Let's say Ukraine agree, can the world just dust it off and forget, lift all sanctions on Russia? If they are still in place, take ages to go or the world still understandably wants him for war crimes then what's the point (for him) to agree and just stop as he'd still be screwed?

I doubt much would fundamentally change in respect of sanctions. But, if the French presidential run off goes the wrong way in two weeks time, there is a chance that one of Europe’s big three will have a pro-Russian president.

 

[VorZakone]

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[stefan92]

There are doubts over the legitimacy of this, their site was hacked apparently.

Sounds plausible to me. We know that they were resupplied during the siege, while this text makes it sound like they got (almost) nothing.

And there have been both Russian and Ukrainian sources that prove that they were resupplied. Of course the amount is unknown, but it wasn't only some guns, they got stuff like RGW-90 and some small reconaissance drones.

 

[Pintu]

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[Suedesi]

I fundamentally don't understand US foreign goals here. This is a very dangerous path we're taking and it's going to have major repercussions for years to come.

It's been an open secret in Washington, that the goal here is regime change in Russia. Uncle Joe went ahead and actually spelled it out "for God's sake this man cannot remain in power". Throughout this war, US does not seem to be involved whatsoever in any peace talks - unlike say Macron, Erdogan or Naftali. The US goal here doesn't seem to be not a speedy resolution to the conflict but rather to protract it in order to make Russia bleed and hopefully destabilize and topple the Russian regime.

We should want this thing to be over as quickly as over - I think peace can be achieved if there's a will here, which sadly seems to be lacking.

 

[Suedesi]

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Organize a referendum and let the people decide - something short of independence but with more autonomy seems fairly reasonable, no?

 

[GlastonSpur]

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[MoskvaRed]

I fundamentally don't understand US foreign goals here. This is a very dangerous path we're taking and it's going to have major repercussions for years to come.

It's been an open secret in Washington, that the goal here is regime change in Russia. Uncle Joe went ahead and actually spelled it out "for God's sake this man cannot remain in power". Throughout this war, US does not seem to be involved whatsoever in any peace talks - unlike say Macron, Erdogan or Naftali. The US goal here doesn't seem to be not a speedy resolution to the conflict but rather to protract it in order to make Russia bleed and hopefully destabilize and topple the Russian regime.

We should want this thing to be over as quickly as over - I think peace can be achieved if there's a will here, which sadly seems to be lacking.

If the Ukrainians are prepared to continue fighting, then the West, in my view, is morally obliged to support them with all means short of direct intervention. If the Ukrainians want peace (understandably given the devastation wreaked on their country), then we can’t make them fight, even if we think that it is in our interests to bleed Russia dry. In any case, I can’t imagine that any “peace” would be anymore than a ceasefire to be honest before Russia tries again in the next few.years.

 

[Frosty]

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[Organic Potatoes]

I fundamentally don't understand US foreign goals here. This is a very dangerous path we're taking and it's going to have major repercussions for years to come.

It's been an open secret in Washington, that the goal here is regime change in Russia. Uncle Joe went ahead and actually spelled it out "for God's sake this man cannot remain in power". Throughout this war, US does not seem to be involved whatsoever in any peace talks - unlike say Macron, Erdogan or Naftali. The US goal here doesn't seem to be not a speedy resolution to the conflict but rather to protract it in order to make Russia bleed and hopefully destabilize and topple the Russian regime.

We should want this thing to be over as quickly as over - I think peace can be achieved if there's a will here, which sadly seems to be lacking.

You can’t negotiate with a mad tyrant; showing up to ‘peace talks’ won’t suddenly make him change his mind. I am not sure what you expect the US to do here that would actually be effective other than supply weapons and cripple the Russian economy.

 

[GlastonSpur]

I fundamentally don't understand US foreign goals here. This is a very dangerous path we're taking and it's going to have major repercussions for years to come.

It's been an open secret in Washington, that the goal here is regime change in Russia. Uncle Joe went ahead and actually spelled it out "for God's sake this man cannot remain in power". Throughout this war, US does not seem to be involved whatsoever in any peace talks - unlike say Macron, Erdogan or Naftali. The US goal here doesn't seem to be not a speedy resolution to the conflict but rather to protract it in order to make Russia bleed and hopefully destabilize and topple the Russian regime.

We should want this thing to be over as quickly as over - I think peace can be achieved if there's a will here, which sadly seems to be lacking.

Biden is entirely correct in his view. It will never be over - there will never be peace - whilst Putin and his cronies have power. Until then the Russian state must be reduced in every way possible - ground down into dust - short of direct military combat.

Otherwise, there will only be a phoney "peace", during which time Russia will regroup and re-equip its forces prior to attacking again. Nothing Russia says or agrees to can be trusted.

 

[Pintu]

Organize a referendum and let the people decide - something short of independence but with more autonomy seems fairly reasonable, no?

After Russia withdraws maybe.

 

[Spark]

Organize a referendum and let the people decide - something short of independence but with more autonomy seems fairly reasonable, no?

A level of autonomy is fine, yes, if a Ukrainian government decides. But there should be no referendum ever. It’s fundamentally Ukraine, there is no basis to ask the population that live there what they want. It’s purely manufactured by Russia and is their modus operandi.

 

[GlastonSpur]

Western officials says that 37 or 38 of the Battalion Tactical Groups that Russia originally brought into the invasion are no longer combat effective – leaving just over 90 still available.

If true, that's an incredible 30% of their invading BTGs no longer combat effective.

The BBC reports:

"The Russians are trying to double or even perhaps treble the amount of forces to fight in the Donbas, Western officials say, but this will take time and there remain questions about how effective they will be.

That makes the coming period crucial, the officials say.

They believe 37 or 38 of the Battalion Tactical Groups that Russia originally brought into the invasion are no longer combat effective – leaving just over 90 still available.

They say the Russians are now re-equipping, refurbishing and redeploying forces.

"This will take quite some time," says one official. "The Russians are going to have to re-equip and refurbish their units, incorporate fresh personnel, and generally organize themselves to make a fresh attack.

"When they will do that, I don't know. It will presumably take a bit of time. That does give us [an] incredibly important window."

They say that, in particular, this means providing Western military support."

 

[stefan92]

I fundamentally don't understand US foreign goals here. This is a very dangerous path we're taking and it's going to have major repercussions for years to come.

It's been an open secret in Washington, that the goal here is regime change in Russia. Uncle Joe went ahead and actually spelled it out "for God's sake this man cannot remain in power". Throughout this war, US does not seem to be involved whatsoever in any peace talks - unlike say Macron, Erdogan or Naftali. The US goal here doesn't seem to be not a speedy resolution to the conflict but rather to protract it in order to make Russia bleed and hopefully destabilize and topple the Russian regime.

We should want this thing to be over as quickly as over - I think peace can be achieved if there's a will here, which sadly seems to be lacking.

We should want the Ukrainian people to be safe again as soon as possible. And sadly the things we have seen so far prove that simply stopping the war would not guarantee that safety as long as Russian troops are in Ukraine and can perform atrocities there.

Peace only becomes an option after the Russians withdraw from Ukraine.

 

[Simbo]

I fundamentally don't understand US foreign goals here. This is a very dangerous path we're taking and it's going to have major repercussions for years to come.

It's been an open secret in Washington, that the goal here is regime change in Russia. Uncle Joe went ahead and actually spelled it out "for God's sake this man cannot remain in power". Throughout this war, US does not seem to be involved whatsoever in any peace talks - unlike say Macron, Erdogan or Naftali. The US goal here doesn't seem to be not a speedy resolution to the conflict but rather to protract it in order to make Russia bleed and hopefully destabilize and topple the Russian regime.

We should want this thing to be over as quickly as over - I think peace can be achieved if there's a will here, which sadly seems to be lacking.

I think the first thing to understand is that this is a war between Russia and Ukraine and because of the nature of this war, peace will only ever be decided on Ukrainian terms.

Do you believe there is something the US could do to enforce peace without declaring war on Russia?

Organize a referendum and let the people decide - something short of independence but with more autonomy seems fairly reasonable, no?

Unfortunately, once a territory has been invaded and occupied by a country with a history of brutal takeovers, puppet governments, rigged elections, forced migrations and fascist oppression... a free and fair referendum is not possible.

 

[stefan92]

Do you believe there is something the US could do to enforce peace without declaring war on Russia?

NATO could force Ukraine to accept a peace by dropping their support. But that would mean peace on Russian terms and obviously is not going to happen.

 

[Rajma]

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[frostbite]

For all the new-found Mearsheimer stans:

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He’s either willfully ignorant of the facts on the ground or the new Sy Hersh.

There are some people who take a position and after that, they cannot change that position. Ever. No matter what new evidence, they will never move from their initial position.

We have seen this many times in the past, for example with religious cults who predicted a specific day for the end of the world. After this end of the world did not happen, many abandoned the cult, but not all. Some found "explanations" and became even more fervent.

 

[Rajma]

I fundamentally don't understand US foreign goals here. This is a very dangerous path we're taking and it's going to have major repercussions for years to come.

It's been an open secret in Washington, that the goal here is regime change in Russia. Uncle Joe went ahead and actually spelled it out "for God's sake this man cannot remain in power". Throughout this war, US does not seem to be involved whatsoever in any peace talks - unlike say Macron, Erdogan or Naftali. The US goal here doesn't seem to be not a speedy resolution to the conflict but rather to protract it in order to make Russia bleed and hopefully destabilize and topple the Russian regime.

We should want this thing to be over as quickly as over - I think peace can be achieved if there's a will here, which sadly seems to be lacking.

I’m sorry to say but that’s a very bad understanding of the situation at hand. As long as Ukraine at large are willing to stand their ground for their territorial integrity, freedom and liberty there’s a moral duty to support them with all the possible means.

 

[frostbite]

I fundamentally don't understand US foreign goals here. This is a very dangerous path we're taking and it's going to have major repercussions for years to come.

It's been an open secret in Washington, that the goal here is regime change in Russia. Uncle Joe went ahead and actually spelled it out "for God's sake this man cannot remain in power". Throughout this war, US does not seem to be involved whatsoever in any peace talks - unlike say Macron, Erdogan or Naftali. The US goal here doesn't seem to be not a speedy resolution to the conflict but rather to protract it in order to make Russia bleed and hopefully destabilize and topple the Russian regime.

We should want this thing to be over as quickly as over - I think peace can be achieved if there's a will here, which sadly seems to be lacking.

Will for what? Speak plainly! Do you want USA to support Putin and force the Ukrainians to surrender? This is the only way that USA can help finish this war very quickly.

 

[the hea]

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[entropy]

Will for what? Speak plainly! Do you want USA to support Putin and force the Ukrainians to surrender? This is the only way that USA can help finish this war very quickly.

the us should be pushing for peace talks. not crippling russian economy which does barely anything to end this war.

 

[Simbo]

Think this guy is starting to regret his career/hobby choices.

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[phelans shorts]

the us should be pushing for peace talks. not crippling russian economy which does barely anything to end this war.

There is no peace available. Russia aren’t going to stop until they’ve taken eastern Ukraine, which they have no right to.

Hamstringing Russia is about the only option the west has and is doing (albeit not enough on some fronts)

 

[TMDaines]

I fundamentally don't understand US foreign goals here. This is a very dangerous path we're taking and it's going to have major repercussions for years to come.

It's been an open secret in Washington, that the goal here is regime change in Russia. Uncle Joe went ahead and actually spelled it out "for God's sake this man cannot remain in power". Throughout this war, US does not seem to be involved whatsoever in any peace talks - unlike say Macron, Erdogan or Naftali. The US goal here doesn't seem to be not a speedy resolution to the conflict but rather to protract it in order to make Russia bleed and hopefully destabilize and topple the Russian regime.

We should want this thing to be over as quickly as over - I think peace can be achieved if there's a will here, which sadly seems to be lacking.

This post feels like it was from a month ago. Are you not watching or paying attention to the Russian rhetoric and their subsequent actions to the Ukrainians? They are committing genocide and looking to eliminate Ukraine from the map. It’s a repeat of the 1930s: they want erode Ukrainian identity, culture and language. The Ukrainians either surrender to Russia and the “Russian world”, or they will be forcibly displaced, tortured or killed. How do you look for a peaceful solution to that?

The US has enough high quality intelligence channels to know whether there is any merit to publicly send out olive branches. Whilst Putin and the current leadership remains, there is nothing to work with.

 

[TMDaines]

Think this guy is starting to regret his career/hobby choices.

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I can only imagine that might be the column near Izyum? Incredible if so.

 

[frostbite]

Agree with the last part though, good exempe with the nutters attacking Trudeau with their fake news.
I didn't know this Irish one though, I just saw she was left. Most of the left MEPs are relatively normal politicians. It is mostly the far right that keeps sending nutters to the EP. But she seems to fit very well into the horseshoe theory.

Not true, I'm afraid. For example, in Greece the Communist Party gets about 5%. This is about constant since the 1990s. There are many stalinists in this party. They have some MEPs, they are usually against everything that says "West".

 

[RedDevilQuebecois]

I fundamentally don't understand US foreign goals here. This is a very dangerous path we're taking and it's going to have major repercussions for years to come.

It's been an open secret in Washington, that the goal here is regime change in Russia. Uncle Joe went ahead and actually spelled it out "for God's sake this man cannot remain in power". Throughout this war, US does not seem to be involved whatsoever in any peace talks - unlike say Macron, Erdogan or Naftali. The US goal here doesn't seem to be not a speedy resolution to the conflict but rather to protract it in order to make Russia bleed and hopefully destabilize and topple the Russian regime.

We should want this thing to be over as quickly as over - I think peace can be achieved if there's a will here, which sadly seems to be lacking.

In fact, it seems clear to me. Joe Biden sees Vladimir Putin the same way Winston Churchill saw Adolf Hitler - a dictator who just cannot be satisfied through negotiation at all.

You just cannot appease someone like Putin. He's someone who has to be destroyed before anyone can hope for peace to stand any legitimate chance.

 

[Simbo]

I can only imagine that might be the column near Izyum? Incredible if so.

Apparently an ammo depot in Luhansk, with lots of vehicles parked up.

 

[TMDaines]

After Russia withdraws maybe.

Which will never happen, because Russia knows there is and never was anything close to a desire for independence or Russian secession in Donbas. It’s more of a minority view than Welsh independence, as there’s no concept of a Donbassian identity. As for joining Russia, French speakers in Belgium or Switzerland aren’t hungry for independence or secession to France. People’s mother tongue is an entire misnomer.

We are we are because of a few key players. If Igor Girlin/Strelkov didn’t enter Ukraine in 2014, it is very likely the War in Donbas would have never commenced. Russian citizens and mercenaries are virtually entirely culpable for everything that happened there, which ultimately culminated in the occupation.

There is no diplomatic solution to this because Russia knows full well that none of its goals can be met through diplomacy and democracy. The only they were ever going to control Donbas, either directly or via a puppet state, was through the use of their own military, displacing enough of the population that originally lived there and sham elections.