Russian invasion of Ukraine | Fewer tweets, more discussion

Zen86

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It looks to me that this war is mainly still going on, because Putin backed himself into a corner. Prigozhin doesn't have that dilemma. He could blame it all on Putin and trade a retreat for some Western favours.
He could make a deal with the West, and that would be the logical thing to do. But this is a guy who heads up a savage mercenary group and spreads propaganda and otherwise interferes in foreign elections. His bread and butter is pretty nefarious. Doesn’t strike me as someone who wants to make peace and rebuild in the long term.
 

Superden

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At this point surely the west have to demand Russia hands over its nukes, similar to how Ukraine were made to do in order to be accepted as a nation.

You can't leave any vestige of this Russism behavior standing. Let the regions have autonomy and break up the Russian infrastructure of oppression.

The reputation of their military is in tatters and they could just dissolve into selling off dangerous weapons to the highest bidder.
The regions are controlled by oligarchs and the neighbouring states (with their artificial borders, in that they dont reflect ethnic realities on the ground- ironically much like with crimea etc) are run predominately by dictators. Without Putins centralised power, and lets be honest the fear of brutal reprisals from him and his cronies, you could end up with civil war type conflicts all across the ex-russian territories. But then again, War is profitable.
 

Superden

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Where would Putin likely escape to? Which country would be most attractive to him from shielding him from prosecution for the rest of his days and allow him access to his funds?
The Republic of Mar a Lago!
 

Champ

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I don’t understand what you want?

Putin will never back out of Ukraine. Do
You want Wagner group to stop what they’re doing, come to their senses and go back to Ukraine to continue the slaughter and war that’ll likely last years?

Or do you want Wagner to continue with their push on Russian defence putting at risk Russian lives and potentially, country with civil war?

Or do you want them to laydown arms, surrender to Russia and the Ukraine war continues?

There’s no good solution here, so vehemently commenting whilst sitting on the fence does absolutely nothing.

I don’t want the war full stop, it’s fecking shite, but at least this challenge to power is a potential out from the absolute shitstorm we find ourselves in. The other options don’t even have a glimmer of an out.
In an ideal world Wagner group could have dialogue with the West and instead of more bloodshed use their perceived strong position to broker dialogue with Putin.

Yeah that's idealistic but we have yet to see what Wagner group really want, is it power or just revenge on Putin.

The West should really be putting pressure on Putin now to end the war, he is in a very weak position and a push to end all bloodshed should be priority, instead of sitting back and allowing more civilians to die.

And quite frankly some of the comments I have received back regarding Russian civilians are disgusting and show some on here in there real light.
Should be banned but that's another matter entirely.
 

ShoePolish

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TLDR: Belarussian regiment fighting in Ukraine with the message to belarussians - be ready, wait for our signal.
 

Gehrman

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At this point surely the west have to demand Russia hands over its nukes, similar to how Ukraine were made to do in order to be accepted as a nation.

You can't leave any vestige of this Russism behavior standing. Let the regions have autonomy and break up the Russian infrastructure of oppression.

The reputation of their military is in tatters and they could just dissolve into selling off dangerous weapons to the highest bidder.
Actually using Ukraine as an example is precisely why no regime is going to give up nukes. Especially by its enemies politely demanding it.
 

do.ob

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He could make a deal with the West, and that would be the logical thing to do. But this is a guy who heads up a savage mercenary group and spreads propaganda and otherwise interferes in foreign elections. His bread and butter is pretty nefarious. Doesn’t strike me as someone who wants to make peace and rebuild in the long term.
I don't see what one thing has to do with the other. No one would expect them to do anyting out of kindness. But the argument would be that seeking peace in exchange for economic assurances would be in their own self interest.
 

Semper Fudge

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TLDR: Belarussian regiment fighting in Ukraine with the message to belarussians - be ready, wait for our signal.
The fact that both Putin and Lukashenko have fled makes me think that this is indeed actually quite a big deal.
 

Raoul

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Looks like its about to get real, with Kadyrovs mob on the outskirts of Rostov, (but believe it or not, stuck in a traffic jam).

If Kadyrov and his cronies get smashed and Chechnya is on the path to liberation, thats one thing to be thankful for.

Looking forward to a few updates on the Chechen TikTok account.
 

Champ

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What's your solution?
The West need to be involved now in terms of putting the pressure on Putin.

He is in a weak position and is danger of seeing his position of power crumble.

Maybe dialogue with the Wagner group is not out of the question to ascertain exactly what they want from this.
 

massi83

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In an ideal world Wagner group could have dialogue with the West and instead of more bloodshed use their perceived strong position to broker dialogue with Putin.

Yeah that's idealistic but we have yet to see what Wagner group really want, is it power or just revenge on Putin.

The West should really be putting pressure on Putin now to end the war, he is in a very weak position and a push to end all bloodshed should be priority, instead of sitting back and allowing more civilians to die.

And quite frankly some of the comments I have received back regarding Russian civilians are disgusting and show some on here in there real light.
Should be banned but that's another matter entirely.
So Macron should call again?
 

Ragnar123

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Tonight could be decisive for Putin's regime, even his life. Reports saying a big Wagner column with around 400 vehicles and reportedly Prigozhin's most trusted and best fighters is forcing it's way towards Moscow, by passing every big town and settlement. They also drive in distance to each other, so Russian aviation attacks do only limited damage. Their objective is pretty clear and if they manage to enter Moscow/Kremlin, no one can predict further actions. If even one important person changes sides, it could trigger a domino effect and Putin's reign will be over.
 

Dve

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He seems not on the Prigozin train ? Where does he stand
I think his focus first of all is Donetsk, and this conflict is clearly not helping his war. If Prigozhin comes out on top, though, I believe he and and Girkin could come to agreement.
 

Carolina Red

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As mad as this is getting I wouldn't be surprised to see Putin asking for, and getting, Nato help to defeat Wagner.
“Hi, yes, this is the US Navy. Could you give us the exact positions of all your guys in Ukraine, please? To make sure we don’t hit them by accident. Yep, perfect, thanks!”
 

Demyanenko_square_jaw

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Didn't expect Prigozhin to have the initiative, or more importantly, enough influence on his men to do something like this. Even if his increasingly unhinged Colonel Kurtz style "the inept military leadership are holding us back" ranting turned out to be genuine, and not some directed ploy.
 

FireballXL5

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Wagners must be pretty confident they aren't going to be met with much resistance. Prigozhin must have secured some pretty strong assurances before he moved.
 

Ragnar123

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Elets is 400 km south of Moscow. If Russia's army can't stop them along the way, they will reach Moscow tonight or early morning.
 

SinNombre

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Wagners must be pretty confident they aren't going to be met with much resistance. Prigozhin must have secured some pretty strong assurances before he moved.
He is gambling on public and lower level military opinion and is being proven right so far.

These things can change very quickly though.
 

do.ob

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Where would Putin likely escape to? Which country would be most attractive to him from shielding him from prosecution for the rest of his days and allow him access to his funds?
He would probably have to stay away from any NATO/EU members (maybe even except for Turkey, Hungary and Greece), Switzerland, Japan, South Korea and Australia, but anywhere else should be fine I guess? The number of countries, which condemn him isn't actually that big, is it?
 

Superden

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rumours on twitter of wagner troops taking a detour to a russian nuclear site.
 

Superden

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He would probably have to stay away from any NATO/EU members (except for Turkey, Hungary and Greece), Switzerland, Japan, South Korea and Australia, but anywhere else should be fine I guess? The number of countries, which condemn him isn't actually that big, is it?
His deputy has taken a flight to Turkey (according to twitter), hes also meant to be Russias richest man.
 

ShoePolish

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With elite escaping to St. Petersburg, could we wake up tomorrow with Russia having a different de facto capital?
 

Camy89

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In an ideal world Wagner group could have dialogue with the West and instead of more bloodshed use their perceived strong position to broker dialogue with Putin.

Yeah that's idealistic but we have yet to see what Wagner group really want, is it power or just revenge on Putin.

The West should really be putting pressure on Putin now to end the war, he is in a very weak position and a push to end all bloodshed should be priority, instead of sitting back and allowing more civilians to die.

And quite frankly some of the comments I have received back regarding Russian civilians are disgusting and show some on here in there real light.
Should be banned but that's another matter entirely.
I see your thinking but I think it’s be foolish of any western leader to get involved here. It just invites the western vitriol with actual evidence behind it.

If Sunak was seen to wade in here, it’d play horrifically. This is a case of letting enemies of the enemy destroy themselves. Once a presidence has been set, the west should start dialogue.

I think it’s dangerous to start anything before we know what the outcome of the current situation is.
 

Superden

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I see your thinking but I think it’s be foolish of any western leader to get involved here. It just invites the western vitriol with actual evidence behind it.

If Sunak was seen to wade in here, it’d play horrifically. This is a case of letting enemies of the enemy destroy themselves. Once a presidence has been set, the west should start dialogue.

I think it’s dangerous to start anything before we know what the outcome of the current situation is.
Thank feck we dont have Trump and Johnson in charge. would be a clusterfeck.
 

Abizzz

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Hitler’s ghost when he hears Wagner is approaching Moscow

Thought about this earlier. With the long list of people that tried and failed there would be some irony for it to be a hot-dog selling ex-convict to succeed. Perhaps preparing fast food is simply better practice than being a failed artist.