Russians are assaulting Vuhledar by erasing it from earth. Currently it’s hell there.
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Russian invasion of Ukraine | Fewer tweets, more discussion
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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We have something called total national defense (kokonaismaanpuolustus in Finnish) it includes a lot of laws for both the military and the civil sector to protect the country and it's citizens against external threats.
So weekly missile attack again. You hope their stock pile is going to run out soon (again).
Kind of crazy how much stick Germany gets compared to France and Italy, that are barely mentioned. France in particular has an army stronger than Germany, and has given feck all to Ukraine, but no one criticizes them.The US doesn't need that to look tough. Its already contributed more than everyone else combined. Not that the contributions of other countries (especially Poland) aren't impressive given their respective GDPs, but in the end, its the cumulative effect of all nations that are going to make a difference.
Not weekly, it’s a first one in 21 day, 55 missiles par for their monthly production rate.
They are not likely to run out, perhaps on certain types. The question is more how many they are willing to use in Ukraine and let their stockpiles run low on the various types. They also have production capability, just not enough to replace what they are currently using, and their usage has slowed down. We should expect that to continue.
Hopes of them "running out" was before it was realised their S-300's would be used for ground attack.
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No one truly knows but near the end* of the first wave of mobilization there have been a lot of mobilization sweeps in big cities including Moscow & St. Petersburg.
* it hasn't ended as the mobilization is still in place but there haven't been a lot of activity lately
Seriously annoying "music"
Terrible PR due to the reluctance of our chancellor. So at least part of that is self-inflicted and well deserved.
But a lotof it is what is always happening. Anti-German sentiments are the go-to option for some countries/parties in some countries whenever something in Europe goes wrong. As Germans we are used to (at least our government) being "literally Hitler" because it does (or doesn't) do something. Especially the Polish PiS is remarkable in that regard, but of course there are also people like our resident Greek economy victim @frostbite
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France has a somewhat stronger army than Denmark or Latvia as well.
Maybe not the best meme template to represent Germany. Because of literally Hitler.Terrible PR due to the reluctance of our chancellor. So at least part of that is self-inflicted and well deserved.
But a lotof it is what is always happening. Anti-German sentiments are the go-to option for some countries/parties in some countries whenever something in Europe goes wrong. As Germans we are used to (at least our government) being "literally Hitler" because it does (or doesn't) do something. Especially the Polish PiS is remarkable in that regard, but of course there are also people like our resident Greek economy victim @frostbite
Also memes are dumb.
Austria quietly whistling in a corner
From the outside I think that the EU's response has been similar to their response on issues like Brexit, COVID, etc. as in they started making a mess out of it, but given time they have been slowly but surely getting their act together and doing what needs to be done. The main surprise to me has been the resolve to get together and make a common front for almost a year, altough the US (and surprisingly the UK as well) pressure has helped a lot in that.
Piece from Reuters on dead convicts who joined Wagner.
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/ukraine-crisis-russia-graves-wagner/
That man with the finger on the button would be terrifying.
Terrible PR due to the reluctance of our chancellor. So at least part of that is self-inflicted and well deserved.
But a lotof it is what is always happening. Anti-German sentiments are the go-to option for some countries/parties in some countries whenever something in Europe goes wrong. As Germans we are used to (at least our government) being "literally Hitler" because it does (or doesn't) do something. Especially the Polish PiS is remarkable in that regard, but of course there are also people like our resident Greek economy victim @frostbite
History is important, do you agree?
1. When Germany invades a country and this results in the death of over 10% of the population from starvation and execution, people will remember it for a long time. Don't you agree?
2. When Germany refuses to help a smaller country that asks for help, because "they have corruption" and gives morality lessons making their position even worse than it was before, while at the same time, Germany makes a shitload of money with Putin (the uncorrupted!)... people will remember it for a long time. Don't you agree?
And I am talking about Ukraine. Or about Greece.
3. When Germany is telling everyone that they are the supreme moral pacifists and that's the reason they don't spend money for the defense sector of the EU and they don't want to send tanks to Ukraine, but at the same time they make a lot of money from arms exports and they are the largest producer of tanks in Europe... people will question the German motives or call them hypocrites. Don't you agree?
Do the Germans really have to ask "why always me?"
Now send some F-16s to Ukraine, please! They have been asking for F-16s for months...
https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/26/europe/ukraine-tanks-fighter-jets-intl/index.html
Tanks for Ukraine once seemed unthinkable. Could fighter jets be next?
But while last year the delivery of fighter jets was declared by the Pentagon press secretary to bring “little increased capabilities, at high risk,” now Jon Finer, the US Deputy National Security Adviser, says that they have “not ruled in or out any specific systems,” including the F-16.
The Netherlands, too, elicited some raised eyebrows last week, when its foreign minister told a parliamentarian asking about F-16s that “when it comes to things that the Netherlands can supply, there are no taboos.”
https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/26/europe/ukraine-tanks-fighter-jets-intl/index.html
Tanks for Ukraine once seemed unthinkable. Could fighter jets be next?
But while last year the delivery of fighter jets was declared by the Pentagon press secretary to bring “little increased capabilities, at high risk,” now Jon Finer, the US Deputy National Security Adviser, says that they have “not ruled in or out any specific systems,” including the F-16.
The Netherlands, too, elicited some raised eyebrows last week, when its foreign minister told a parliamentarian asking about F-16s that “when it comes to things that the Netherlands can supply, there are no taboos.”
You're talking some shit, jesus
I admit I lack knowledge of Russian politics, but it seems like a stretch that he would be a threat to Putin. He is an awful human being and the head of an awful organization that is power hungry and brutal in achieving his ends, but a threat to Putin's power?
Reading the article, the base of his power seems to be exaggerated as well - he has support from the separatist provinces and some in the media. Even with a private army, is that really enough to challenge Putin, especially when it seems like the real source of his power is Putin, and turning on him probably wouldn't work out too well
Also, historically, any coup seems to be dependent mightily on the support of the armed forces. I know he has a vast private army, but I am also sure he is making no friends within the Russian military who likely see him also as a threat to their power - like the Heer/Wehrmacht and its relationship to the SS (though, obviously, the Waffen SS was also state controlled). Putin seems to be the entire source of his power and influence, that's not the best basis for a successful coup.
Also, the article points out that Putin is weary of challengers, but isn't that what makes Prigozhin such an appealing character for Putin? Prigozhin's complete reliance on his relationship to Putin
Not to disrespect Italy, but everyone already knew that their military is in a very poor state. However, I agree with you about France deserving more stick because they are disgracefully bad in the amount of military aid sent, especially when their military industrial complex currently has a hard time finding clients compared to other big weapons sellers.
I won't get much into this because it's not the right thread, but since you're getting some stick, I thought why not.
The feelings in Portugal regarding Germany are very similar on the part of many people. Sure, portugal had (and still has) problems with corruption, but the troika, led by merkel, germany and the imf, imposed a brutal austerity on the country, the situation got much worse than it was before. And years later, the conclusion was that most of those austerity measures were a mistake, the imf admitted so, they were not necessary and just made things worse for millions of people already economically vulnerable. People who haven't recovered to this day and had their lives ruined forever. These people exist now, they're not notes in history books.
There are plenty of articles explaining how the austerity imposed in southern european countries was effectively a bailout of german banks. How the euro benefits germany far more than portugal for example. How it was the german government that advised the portuguese government to take some measures they later identified as causes to the request for help on our part. Many things that there's no reason for the average german to care about but that have a deep impact on the people who are on the wrong end of the stick.
Adding to this, the clear xenophobia in some german/dutch/northern european publications at the time (I remember well the magazine covers), implying portuguese only want to party and drink and not work because we are lazy, compared to the hard working northern europeans. This was just the first that come up on google, not even sure if it's german but there were many similar ones:
Probably the average german (or folks not in southern europe) doesn't understand the impact their decisions had in countries like portugal or greece and why that makes it so hard to believe germany actually cares for the common good and their decisions are viewed with suspicion. It's easy to discard this as some basic anti-german historical feeling, when in fact, it's about very recent stuff from which many folks are still suffering.
Anyway, just my 2 cents on this
T
But your understandable skepticism towards Germany is far different than what for example the PiS is doing everytime they need to win an election, and this kind of anti-German sentiments was what I wanted to refer to.
That magazine is Dutch, but you are right that the issue was seen similar in Germany. And I guess no German has an issue if you see those measures taken at the time as a mistake (even in Germany the opinion was quite split if that was the right or wrong thing to do at the time and history has taught us it was likely wrong).I won't get much into this because it's not the right thread, but since you're getting some stick, I thought why not.
The feelings in Portugal regarding Germany are very similar on the part of many people. Sure, portugal had (and still has) problems with corruption, but the troika, led by merkel, germany and the imf, imposed a brutal austerity on the country, the situation got much worse than it was before. And years later, the conclusion was that most of those austerity measures were a mistake, the imf admitted so, they were not necessary and just made things worse for millions of people already economically vulnerable. People who haven't recovered to this day and had their lives ruined forever. These people exist now, they're not notes in history books.
There are plenty of articles explaining how the austerity imposed in southern european countries was effectively a bailout of german banks. How the euro benefits germany far more than portugal for example. How it was the german government that advised the portuguese government to take some measures they later identified as causes to the request for help on our part. Many things that there's no reason for the average german to care about but that have a deep impact on the people who are on the wrong end of the stick.
Adding to this, the clear xenophobia in some german/dutch/northern european publications at the time (I remember well the magazine covers), implying portuguese only want to party and drink and not work because we are lazy, compared to the hard working northern europeans. This was just the first that come up on google, not even sure if it's german but there were many similar ones:
Probably the average german (or folks not in southern europe) doesn't understand the impact their decisions had in countries like portugal or greece and why that makes it so hard to believe germany actually cares for the common good and their decisions are viewed with suspicion. It's easy to discard this as some basic anti-german historical feeling, when in fact, it's about very recent stuff from which many folks are still suffering.
Anyway, just my 2 cents on this
But your understandable skepticism towards Germany is far different than what for example the PiS is doing everytime they need to win an election, and this kind of anti-German sentiments was what I wanted to refer to.
Italy’s military is not great but it is better than Poland’s, Latvia’s or Estonia’s. So it is disgraceful from them.
UA defense brought down about 47 out of 55 missiles sent from the orcs.
You're also seen as the de facto leader of Europe, so the other countries expect you set an example. Never mind events of the distant past, everybody remembers Schroder getting into bed with Russia and nobody really liked Merkel either. From the Italian persepctive Europe has always seen Germany as a bit aloof and not to be totally trusted.Terrible PR due to the reluctance of our chancellor. So at least part of that is self-inflicted and well deserved.
But a lotof it is what is always happening. Anti-German sentiments are the go-to option for some countries/parties in some countries whenever something in Europe goes wrong. As Germans we are used to (at least our government) being "literally Hitler" because it does (or doesn't) do something. Especially the Polish PiS is remarkable in that regard, but of course there are also people like our resident Greek economy victim @frostbite
For some reason it's accepted that France will be arrogant and self serving, and Italy will mumble along shrugging its shoulders and blaming somebody else.
Aren't the French very quiet on what they're providing Ukraine? I could be wrong but I recall reading that.
I suspect that when eventually some kind of ceasefire-peace deal happens, Macron will want to be front right and centre selling himself as an honest broker. He's so into himself.
But like @RedDevilQuebecois says above, this is a missed opportunity for their military industrial complex to show the quality of their wares and expand their markets. They simply don't have that many customers outside France anymore for their top gear. I remember the days when half the world's air forces flew Mirage's
I won't get much into this because it's not the right thread, but since you're getting some stick, I thought why not.
The feelings in Portugal regarding Germany are very similar on the part of many people. Sure, portugal had (and still has) problems with corruption, but the troika, led by merkel, germany and the imf, imposed a brutal austerity on the country, the situation got much worse than it was before. And years later, the conclusion was that most of those austerity measures were a mistake, the imf admitted so, they were not necessary and just made things worse for millions of people already economically vulnerable. People who haven't recovered to this day and had their lives ruined forever. These people exist now, they're not notes in history books.
There are plenty of articles explaining how the austerity imposed in southern european countries was effectively a bailout of german banks. How the euro benefits germany far more than portugal for example. How it was the german government that advised the portuguese government to take some measures they later identified as causes to the request for help on our part. Many things that there's no reason for the average german to care about but that have a deep impact on the people who are on the wrong end of the stick.
Adding to this, the clear xenophobia in some german/dutch/northern european publications at the time (I remember well the magazine covers), implying portuguese only want to party and drink and not work because we are lazy, compared to the hard working northern europeans. This was just the first that come up on google, not even sure if it's german but there were many similar ones:
Probably the average german (or folks not in southern europe) doesn't understand the impact their decisions had in countries like portugal or greece and why that makes it so hard to believe germany actually cares for the common good and their decisions are viewed with suspicion. It's easy to discard this as some basic anti-german historical feeling, when in fact, it's about very recent stuff from which many folks are still suffering.
Anyway, just my 2 cents on this
Although this is Dutch, the German yellow press had similar covers and head lines, yes. But yellow press covers aren't representive of the public opinion. The austerity was rejected by many in the country and especially the stereotypes used by magazines such as this faced huge criticism. Germany's currently strongest right wing party, the AfD, used these stereotypes to gain their first supporters (and later on turned on refugees and adapted more sinister conspiracy theories) but they made themselves unvotable for the majority of Germans by doing so.
More Wagner being sent to their deaths, crawling across open fields to meet the expected outcome. Airburst shells being shown here, which I don't think I've seen caught on film before, looks nasty.
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Must be great to run over a field that is already densely populated by impact holes 
The Russians seem to open up three more local offensives on Vuhledar, Opytne and Avdiivka.
"Russia launched 70 missiles at Ukraine on Thursday, 47 of which were intercepted" - CNN.
Yeah, heard it in some news on the radio while working, might have heard wrong.
Speaker of AF said 59 actually. I don't know where 55 or 70 comes from, since everyone actually quote his words.
"Russia launched 70 missiles at Ukraine on Thursday, 47 of which were intercepted, the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in its daily operational update on Facebook.
Moscow's forces also carried out 44 airstrikes, including 18 using Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones. All self-detonating drones were shot down, the Ukrainian Armed Forces said." - CNN
Everywhere I've seen report it is saying 55 tbf, including CNN.