Did the Soviet Union really break up?

[Contrarian]

[Contrarian]

https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/putins-sledgehammer/

[Manny]

https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/putins-sledgehammer/

Nothing to disagree with in that article. If only the bought and paid for MSM could report with honesty such as this:

Washington’s proxy-war on Moscow has inflicted incalculable suffering on the people of Ukraine who now face plunging temperatures, dwindling food supplies, a crashing economy and a growing shortage of essential medications. And despite the chest-thumping bravado over the recapturing of Kherson, the Ukrainian people will now be forced to flee their battered homeland by the millions seeking refuge in Europe which has already slipped into a post-industrial slump brought on by Uncle Sam’s reckless provocations. How many of these working-class Ukrainians would have preferred that their leaders reach an accommodation with Putin (regarding his legitimate security concerns) rather than engaging the Russian army in a pointless war which has cost them their homes, their jobs, their cities, and (for many) their lives? And do the people outside the country who claim to “Stand With Ukraine” realize that they are actually supporting the impoverishment and immiseration of millions of civilians that are caught in a geopolitical crossfire between Washington and Russia? Anyone who genuinely cares about Ukraine should support Ukrainian neutrality and an end to NATO expansion. That is the only way this war is going to end. Russian security will be achieved by-way of a treaty or an iron-fist. The choice is Ukraine’s.

[WestCoast]

https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/putins-sledgehammer/

Nothing to disagree with in that article. If only the bought and paid for MSM could report with honesty such as this:

Washington’s proxy-war on Moscow has inflicted incalculable suffering on the people of Ukraine who now face plunging temperatures, dwindling food supplies, a crashing economy and a growing shortage of essential medications. And despite the chest-thumping bravado over the recapturing of Kherson, the Ukrainian people will now be forced to flee their battered homeland by the millions seeking refuge in Europe which has already slipped into a post-industrial slump brought on by Uncle Sam’s reckless provocations. How many of these working-class Ukrainians would have preferred that their leaders reach an accommodation with Putin (regarding his legitimate security concerns) rather than engaging the Russian army in a pointless war which has cost them their homes, their jobs, their cities, and (for many) their lives? And do the people outside the country who claim to “Stand With Ukraine” realize that they are actually supporting the impoverishment and immiseration of millions of civilians that are caught in a geopolitical crossfire between Washington and Russia? Anyone who genuinely cares about Ukraine should support Ukrainian neutrality and an end to NATO expansion. That is the only way this war is going to end. Russian security will be achieved by-way of a treaty or an iron-fist. The choice is Ukraine’s.

Manny when is Putin's big push against Ukraine going to start? Putin just got Russia kicked out of Kherson.

If Ukraine pushes any closer to Crimea, parts of Crimea are going to be within missile range. Ukraine just retook a couple of thousand square miles of the Donbas.

Maybe Putin is waiting till Russia is sent back to the 1991 borders with Ukraine then he'll start using the weapons that are decades ahead of anything in the west.

The overwhelming majority of Ukrainians have repeatedly said they won't trade Ukrainian territory for peace. Are you saying you know more than the Ukrainian people?

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/14/as-ukraine-recaptures-lost-land-is-this-a-turning-point-in-the-war-.html

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/vladimir-putin-russia-weapon-western-ukraine-153333075.html

[Contrarian]

https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/putins-sledgehammer/

Nothing to disagree with in that article. If only the bought and paid for MSM could report with honesty such as this:

Washington’s proxy-war on Moscow has inflicted incalculable suffering on the people of Ukraine who now face plunging temperatures, dwindling food supplies, a crashing economy and a growing shortage of essential medications. And despite the chest-thumping bravado over the recapturing of Kherson, the Ukrainian people will now be forced to flee their battered homeland by the millions seeking refuge in Europe which has already slipped into a post-industrial slump brought on by Uncle Sam’s reckless provocations. How many of these working-class Ukrainians would have preferred that their leaders reach an accommodation with Putin (regarding his legitimate security concerns) rather than engaging the Russian army in a pointless war which has cost them their homes, their jobs, their cities, and (for many) their lives? And do the people outside the country who claim to “Stand With Ukraine” realize that they are actually supporting the impoverishment and immiseration of millions of civilians that are caught in a geopolitical crossfire between Washington and Russia? Anyone who genuinely cares about Ukraine should support Ukrainian neutrality and an end to NATO expansion. That is the only way this war is going to end. Russian security will be achieved by-way of a treaty or an iron-fist. The choice is Ukraine’s.

Manny when is Putin's big push against Ukraine going to start? Putin just got Russia kicked out of Kherson.

If Ukraine pushes any closer to Crimea, parts of Crimea are going to be within missile range. Ukraine just retook a couple of thousand square miles of the Donbas.

Maybe Putin is waiting till Russia is sent back to the 1991 borders with Ukraine then he'll start using the weapons that are decades ahead of anything in the west.

The overwhelming majority of Ukrainians have repeatedly said they won't trade Ukrainian territory for peace. Are you saying you know more than the Ukrainian people?

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/14/as-ukraine-recaptures-lost-land-is-this-a-turning-point-in-the-war-.html

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/vladimir-putin-russia-weapon-western-ukraine-153333075.html

Did you actually read the article?

I personally have always felt that Ukraine and the average Ukrainian should be able to decide their own fate. Cleary the USA offers only one way and the Russians offer something else.

Previously there might have been a way for more Ukrainian autonomy but now that is off the table. It appears to me that average Ukrainians are going to continue to suffer because of the ego and aspirations of first and foremost the USA and NATO, but also because of Putin's determination to keep NATO away from Ukraine.

[Contrarian]

Another good article.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/11/20/russia-ukraine-war-latest-updates/

[AvHdB]

Contrarian, it certainly is an interesting supposition well worth pondering. My own guess and personal opinion is two fold ~ yes and no.

The people of Russia for the most part appreciate their liberty and freedom that has come. The rulers are of an older mind set and rue the day that M. Gorbachev allowed the sun to set on the Soviet Union. This is to a degree simplifying the reality.

The struggle between the people and those in power is centuries old, not much has changed.

[Manny]

Manny when is Putin's big push against Ukraine going to start?

Rumour has it as soon as the ground hardens. Have you seen the number of tanks making their way there? Do you know how much of the country is paralysed by no power? Probably not on Western news.

Putin just got Russia kicked out of Kherson.

Again with your made up Yahoo nonsense. They temporarily withdrew from Kherson, by choice, for strategic reasons.

[Texan77]

Manny when is Putin's big push against Ukraine going to start?

Rumour has it as soon as the ground hardens. Have you seen the number of tanks making their way there? Do you know how much of the country is paralysed by no power? Probably not on Western news.

Putin just got Russia kicked out of Kherson.

Last year the ground never froze. This year is a question mark. Why did you think Russia waited to the end of February to attack?  Any chance of it freezing in December is very slim. It could freeze in January but it may not. It usually Freezes in February but even that is not for sure.

If they withdrew from Kherson is temporary, why did they blow up the bridges? Yes, there were strategic reason from withdrawing from Kherson, they did not want to lose all the troops as they could not supply them. I wrote on this site Russia would have to pull out of Kherson over a month before they did. It was obvious that Ukraine could keep attacking supplies crossing the river. I was called stupid.

The power stations are just more war crimes.  If Ukraine so much as touches the Crimea bridge, they call Ukraine a terrorist state. Still, it will not change the outcome of the war. Russia will likely need to mobilize more troops in February. Many pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian bloggers are saying this is a very real possibility. Russia is going to need over a million men, and they are not even halfway there yet.
Many Russians have figured this out and are trickling out of the country.

Russia has trouble supplying 200,000 troops so the question is, how are they going to supply an army of a million in Ukraine? Yes, Russia has thousands of old tanks. The trouble it they do not have support vehicles to bring ammo, fuel and supplies to those tanks. They do not have enough mechanics to work on them. Many of the tanks are old and they will break a lot.

If you think Russia is going to magically win in a couple of weeks in when it freezes you dreaming as they still have serious problems even with their million-man army. Look at the past blogs this summer and predictions of Russian victory and how wrong they were. It is going to be a difficult winter for both armies, and I doubt if either side wins quickly.

 

[WestCoast]

Manny when is Putin's big push against Ukraine going to start?

Rumour has it as soon as the ground hardens. Have you seen the number of tanks making their way there? Do you know how much of the country is paralysed by no power? Probably not on Western news.

Putin just got Russia kicked out of Kherson.

Again with your made up Yahoo nonsense. They temporarily withdrew from Kherson, by choice, for strategic reasons.

Rumour has it? What about Kremlin.ru? Aren't they sending you the news?

Russia withdrew from Kherson for strategic reasons? Nothing from Kremlin.ru on the strategy for the withdrawal?

What about those weapons Putin has that are decades ahead of anything the west has? Is Putin going to put such advanced weaponry into service soon? Surely such advanced weaponry would help?

[Manny]

It'd be like explaining it to a ten year old. Your questions all have common sense answers, that I'm sure you already know.

[WestCoast]

It'd be like explaining it to a ten year old. Your questions all have common sense answers, that I'm sure you already know.

Manny if you're so sure you're right about Russia going to war with Ukraine why not do a Q&A? A type of Ask me Anything (AMA). I'm not talking about answering stuff for RUA members I'm talking about answering questions for the general public the world over.

After Christmas you could rent a conference room or some type of large place that could hold 100 people. People in the audience would ask you questions. You'd answer them and someone else on your team would be running a computer that would provide references on a screen. You could also be live streaming it onto RUA and/or some other social media platforms such as Facebook, etc. You might even be able to use your contacts to get some free publicity in the MSM?

There doesn't have to be a physical component it could be done totally virtual with you answering questions posted on social media sites you've set up or even live as the event is live streamed. Perhaps even get the wife involved to answer questions in Russian?

Between now and then you could advertise the event on RUA, Twitter and other social media platforms. Perhaps other members on RUA who think the same about Russia's reasons for going to war with Ukraine could help? Maybe Andy and Rosco? I don't know how close to you they live but in all honesty it's the UK. The UK is small. Wherever they live it can't be too far from you.

Are you still running a bricks and mortar business? If so you could advertise the event at your business. Free publicity. Maybe you know some other local business owners who feel the same who would allow you to post flyers at their business?

If the AMA is done totally virtual the costs would be minimal. I'm sure there'd be some people on RUA who'd help with the costs of the event?

[Manny]

Westy, I get that you are retired and have much time on your hands and enjoy trolling, but I do not. I have an extremely busy business with a seven-figure turnover to run, a wife, and two children.

Whilst I have dabbled in various bits of broadcast media over the years, I don't look for it as it doesn't tend to pay that well.

There are various people who do explainers for those confused by the fake news the western media pumps out. Mark Sleboda's podcast is always a good listen. Perhaps follow @russianembassy on Twitter for the Russian point of view from the horse's mouth. eng.kremlin.ru is a good source of info as I keep telling you when you make things up, or repeat things you found on Yahoo. Perhaps peruse the articles on the unz site, the gpovanman blog or follow @veradubs, @vviewssonicmair, @syricide and especially @azgeopolitics on Twitter.

[Wiz]

Westy, I get that you are retired and have much time on your hands and enjoy trolling, but I do not. I have an extremely busy business with a seven-figure turnover to run, a wife, and two children.

Whilst I have dabbled in various bits of broadcast media over the years, I don't look for it as it doesn't tend to pay that well.

There are various people who do explainers for those confused by the fake news the western media pumps out. Mark Sleboda's podcast is always a good listen. Perhaps follow @russianembassy on Twitter for the Russian point of view from the horse's mouth. eng.kremlin.ru is a good source of info as I keep telling you when you make things up, or repeat things you found on Yahoo. Perhaps peruse the articles on the unz site, the gpovanman blog or follow @veradubs, @vviewssonicmair, @syricide and especially @azgeopolitics on Twitter.

Manny if you change your mind.... and want to start your speciality in Russian matters site  ..... I still have a good registered Name......to sell...... Russian World....F....