Explosions rock Kyiv again as Russians rain fire on Ukraine

Lots of American weapon,have been seize by Russian,when Ukrainian abandoned them,you are supposed to destroyed them

Putin wants to be able to claim a big victory in the east by Victory Day, on May 9, one of the proudest holidays on the Russian calendar, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II.

Putin is a pathetic little male who seems to be trying to show he's as nasty, maybe nastier than both Hitler and Stalin. And his warmongering cult members, who've swallowed his propaganda and parrot it, cheer on his destruction of a sovereign nation and the slaughter of innocent civilian women and children, while Russian military members, mostly from low income backgrounds, are being sacrificed for Putin and his oligarchs, so they can continue getting richer selling off resources taken from Russian soil and also selling weapons to regimes around the globe to keep wars going. But the globe's fossil leaders will not try any harder to get rid of Putin, because Putin's gas station of a nation is too important to them and their own fortunes, plus the fossils, too, benefit from wars, just like their ancestors did. Stop burning so much gas and oil, stop making the fossils richer and stop fighting more wars for their benefit.

The Ukrainians ability to fight, resupply and move is being systematically reduced. The Russians are able to track all arms shipments of significance and target them. The war is being fought on Russia's timeline not that of the US (sorry Ukraine), and everyday more of the map turns Russian red.

You sound pretty optimistic about Russia’s chances, Mr K. Are you more of the opinion that Russia will stop after taking over the East and South of Ukraine? Or do you think they won’t stop until they take over all of Ukraine?

The war is being fought on Russia's timeline not that of the US (sorry Ukraine), and everyday more of the map turns Russian red.

Russia's military is good at only one thing: terrorizing and killing defenseless civilians. Its army is incompetent and cowardly.

War Crimes. Genocides. Putin war atrocities continues. What will it take to stop such monster?

Desperate Putin as usual resorting to civilian targets, couldn't take Kyiv, can't take the south east so far, over 21,000 Russian soldiers are dead, refusing to admit his mistakes and now looking down a dark tunnel not knowing what to do next.

Mark, Putin do not give a damn about dead Russian, because they are no use too him,Putin only way out of this ,is use Nato as his scrapegoat,they are pounding these Ukrainain day and night ,with bombs Ukraine has lost more land in the east,I am hoping, Ukrainian would launch an attack 50 226336,38.111,they liquidate thousands of Russian soldiers in 10 minutes with 100 Artillery strikes

Russia can't sustain the losses it is suffering for very long. They do not have the ability to replace what they are losing as fast as they are losing it. Not even close. Example, over 500 of their T-72 and T-80 tanks have been destroyed and more captured against an annual tank production rate of 35-40 new tanks per year. The price of the new Armata tank is so great the Russians could not afford to buy them in large numbers and as a result the Russian Army has very few in service. The tank still has reliability problems not yet resolved. Russia will make incremental territorial gains for a while but eventually they are going to run out of resources to expend at their current expenditure rates. Ukrainian forces are less constrained this way as they have allies shoveling weapons and ammunition their way. A year from now this war could look very different, and it will last that long at least.

UChosePoorly..

You sound pretty optimistic about Russia’s chances, Mr K. Are you more of the opinion that Russia will stop after taking over the East and South of Ukraine?

Russian objectives are very clear they are taking back control of the Russian parts of Ukraine. So the south and east. Ignore the propaganda, Russia is taking a fairly soft approach to limit civilian casualties. The Ukrainians should be at the negotiating table to limit their losses. They may be able to keep Odessa on a lease basis but probably too late for that now. Russia will not be taking all of Ukraine, just the areas of national interest.

Mark, Putin do not give a damn about dead Russian, because they are no use too him

They may be nothing to him but the parents of the 20,000 or more dead Russian soldiers might become a serious problem that Mr. Putin will be forced to care about.

The Russians are able to track all arms shipments of significance and target them.

Care to show us anything that backs up your claim. I would be interested to see where you get your information from as it contradicts the information I have been reading.

Stop burning so much gas and oil, stop making the fossils richer and stop fighting more wars for their benefit.

Well, that's never going to happen, sadly.

Mr. K - I think there may be a difference of opinion here on what you are describing as the "Russian" parts of Ukraine. To the Ukrainians, they see their entire country as Ukraine and that is why they are fighting so dearly. Just because a part of a country (and there are a few) has a Russian-speaking majority doesn't make that part of the country "Russia". If one follows your argument to the logical conclusion, would Russia not be within their rights to invade their other neighbors as well? Almost every country bordering Russian has parts that are Russian-speaking.

No mention of Ukraine bombarding Russian civilian villages in Russia with UK and US missiles, killing civilians. This is a photo op, as Russian weapons are precision, so if they are Russian, they were valid military targets.

seems like zeninsky is invited world leaders to use as human shields.

Rodney - please be more critical and skeptical about what you hear from the Russian side.

The Russians are winning the war in Ukraine at the front. The social situation in liberated areas. i.e. no partizan attacks, use of rubles, Russian flag and/or Soviet flag flying over government buildings but no trace of Ukrainian flags. Probably even more importantly, they are winning the economic war. The current account surplus has exploded. Instead of buying beds made in China, marked up 500% from Ikea, they buy beds made in China, marked up 200% from Russian knock-offs of Ikea. Instead of buying vegetable oil with a little potato from McDonalds, they are buying potato deep fried from Russian knock offs of McDonalds. And etc etc. But Japan and Western countries are buying more oil, gas, palladium, wood, fish and etc etc from Russia.

And after all the tough words, the EU has decided they will in fact comply with Russian demands to buy gas in rubles. Soon it will be oil, wood, fish and etc as well.

Ingvar - I guess we will see soon enough. At the very least, I hope that you and I can at least agree that whatever happens in Ukraine, that we both hope Russia won't invade any more countries, right?

Russia can't sustain the losses it is suffering for very long

Says who? Even some American think tanks are saying Russia has the capability to destabilise beyond Ukraine and right through continental Europe. I bet the Brits must think they are very fortunate to have got out of the EU just in time.

Things are not well, there's not a single solution in sight to get to wellness, things are only going to get worse before it gets better, mostly because of globalisation, ie risk and rewards are geopolitically sandboxed, eg Germany gets cheap gas, Ukraine gets missiles and bombs. Do you honestly think Russian bankers don't know how to play the games?

we both hope Russia won't invade any more countries, right?

When it comes to NATO, I'd support invading Martians if they were fighting NATO. I'm not sure about Moldova. I don't think there is any need as long as they don't try anything regarding Transnistria. Estonia appears to be ok. Not too bad but Latvia and Lithuania are definitely a problem. They build monuments to Nazis and prominent politicians pay homage at those monuments annually.

Ok, thanks for your response, Ingvar. So I guess we shouldn't be too surprised if Russia invades Moldova, Latvia, or Lithuania after Ukraine. But after those countries, then Russia will hopefully be done invading its neighbors. Are you hoping that Russia invades NATO countries?

Says who? Even some American think tanks are saying Russia has the capability to destabilise beyond Ukraine and right through continental Europe

The Russians can stir the pot for a while but they simply do not have the economic resources for a long drawn out ground war. They are losing equipment about ten times faster than they can produce new replacements. They have lost at least 20,000 soldiers and do not have trained reserves along the lines of the reserve forces of western armies or the National Guard in the US. Their "reserves" are former conscripts they could conceivable force to return to the Army, but many of these former conscripts have been out of the army a decade or more, have families and are old, out of shape and have physical limitations the come with age. They are not fit to fight. Russia simply doesn't have the economic wherewithall and manpower to sustain such high losses forever. Ukraine has the advantage of having allies willing to more than replace their equipment losses and sustain their population while they fight back. Like Afghanistan and more analogous like Finland in 1939 the Russians will be fought to a standstill then their gains reversed. I think the only wild card is whether or not the Russians employ nuclear weapons and, if they do, where they chose to use them. My one fear is that they see themselves being defeated by conventional arms and decide to take everyone else down with them.

Taito - Do you think that this should be cause for Russia invading Lithuania?

They build monuments to Nazis and prominent politicians pay homage at those monuments annually.

Would you be so kind as to document these monuments to Nazis in these nations and the instances of "prominent politicians paying homage at these monuments annually"? Please be specific and back your claims with verifiable data.

Do you think that this should be cause for Russia invading Lithuania?

I'm against any invasion by foreign nations. After dozens of years of newly won independence one cannot revert history by invading foreign lands or in other words - no, I'm strictly against invading the Baltics as long as these countries do not host military operations against their neighbor.

These Russian would not last one minute in South Central or Compton, Russian are doing drive by busting cap on Ukrainain, Russian are the bloods and Ukrainian are the Crypts,

Thanks for your concern about my media intake, Rodney. I take in a wide range of media (even the Russian ones!), but definitely prefer the more OSINT and first-hand sources. I am always happy to take a look at any media you would recommend.

The "slaughter in Donbass 8 years ago" was nothing like Russia's invasion in the last couple months. I also hate wars and hope that Russia stops the invasion as soon as possible and doesn't invade any more countries, but I am not optimistic about this.

Klausdorth,

Search the internet. There is plenty of info available. To only rely on German news media wont tell you the truth.

no, I'm strictly against invading the Baltics as long as these countries do not host military operations against their neighbor.

They already have

Funny how fair weather the Europeans(not you, I don’t know if you’re from Europe) are to war until it bites them in the ankle.

From 2021

Once again, NATO is conducting a rather dangerous maneuvers in Eastern Europe with the aim of provoking Russia. Latvia is the new military drill arena for the Western Alliance, with the country receiving troops from across the Atlantic for a military event called the Winter Shield. This event is annual and provides the opportunity for forces from Latvia and the rest of NATO to act together, training war tactics for possible combat scenarios. However, as has become tradition in NATO, each year the exercises become more aggressive, bringing together a large number of agents, equipment and resources for the sole purpose of showing strength against Russia.

The Latvian armed forces issued a statement earlier this week in which it is possible to read: “From 21 November to 4 December, Latvia will host international military exercise ‘Winter Shield’

Shelling Kyiv when you know the UNSG is there?

Not as sharp as you think you are, Vlad.

The Russians can stir the pot for a while but they simply do not have the economic resources for a long drawn out ground war

They don't need to. That's the point, they have options. Europe doesn't, Eurooe is a sitting duck, whilst Russia is the hunter.

Russia's shooing is enough to disturb the status quo, or it can invade with impunity. Europe's only option is sanctions - that has proven to be beneficial, nit detrimental to Russia, ie they more money not less from sanctions.

There were explosions somewhere around right after the U.N. Secretary visit!

That’s an attack on the United Nations itself! Zelensky-

This says a lot about Russia's true attitude to global institutions, about the Russian leadership's efforts to humiliate the UN and everything that the organization represents. And therefore requires an appropriate, powerful response."

will distort anything to trick/shame the UN into military action. Don’t trust such kind of people.

Sh1mon - What is your solution for how to get the Russian invaders out of Ukraine?

Bronco - except in this case, it is the Russians who are invading and the Ukrainians who are defending their homeland, is it not? If the Russians roll over Ukraine, that could be the end of Ukraine, and they could continue on into the rest Europe, if some of our fellow posters are to be believed.

FizzBit - if they did that, would you then be on Ukraine's side? Is that what is holding you back from supporting a sovereign country being invaded by Russia?

Sh1mon - What is your solution for how to get the Russian invaders out of Ukraine?

A number of SACEURs have (in the early days of the invasion) advised NATO to introduce humanitarian corridors (air and land). Nothing.

They said Ukraine need missile shield. Nothing, They said Ukraine need airpower. Nothing until the last few days.

Most importantly, they said Putin's threat of nuclear escalation is self defeating, and Putin's own commanders would stop Putin before any escalation. Yet, they keep using the same excuse not to 'upset' Putin (one deranged man).

Most importantly, Biden's own team advised with ample time for preparation for the invasion and all advice was ignored by NATO and the Biden team. They could have and can still restart the nuke power stations in Germany, they could immediately declare the nuke power stations to be shutdown, won't be shutdown. They could starts embargo of Russian tankers. Symbolically, they could say Nord2 is DEAD, will never be revived, instead it's on hold LOL, as if this has not taught them anything.

I am not even sure why you're even asking the question given time and again, the solution was already lobbied for by experts, only to be dismissed by big corporates. Even Japan is not willing to exit Sakhalin.

Russian objectives are very clear they are taking back control of the Russian parts of Ukraine.

In that case they should pack up, go home and get therapy for delusional disorder.

There are no ‘Russian parts of Ukraine’, any more than there are ‘French parts of Canada’ or ‘German parts of Switzerland’.

Ok, thank you for your response, Sh1mon. Of course, hindsight is always 20/20, and we can argue endlessly about what we woulda/coulda/shoulda done. My question is more about going forward. We can't change the past, only the future. Yes, I agree with you, appeasing aggressors is not usually going to work out in the long run.

wonder you Brits been under the thump of the US for almost 250 years,

Ha, you don’t understand central banking

Funny how fair weather the Europeans(not you, I don’t know if you’re from Europe) are to war until it bites them in the ankle

Extraordinarily simplistic thinking. Not funny. Quite depressing.

To characterize a continent made up of over 40 countries in this way is very unhelpful.

Thank you for clarifying your stance, Ingvar. My point still stands - that we on this forum shouldn't be too surprised if Russia invades, it's just that you personally do not think it will happen. I hope you are right!

Russia’s nuclear saber rattling makes sense. Their army is crap and can’t win man for man on the battlefield.

cleo....

There are no ‘Russian parts of Ukraine’,

There are for Russia and they have boots on the ground to ensure they stay that way.

Try to imagine Odessa, Mariupole and Crimea as wedding gifts from one spouse to another. After a rather painful divorce the gifts are taken back... :)

Mr K - It sounds like you are advocating that might makes right. I am going to have to disagree with you on that.

It’s just that all Russians are bad guys, just like Cornpop.

It’s the kle-kle-kleptocracy. Just bad guys.

Blacklabel, I would argue that this is a tad simplistic. The Russians, as the invaders, are indeed the bad guys in this case. It doesn't mean that they are always bad or that they are all bad. Of course they aren't.

Vicious Blame Game Erupts Among Putin’s Security Forces

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/04/27/vicious-blame-game-erupts-among-putins-security-forces-a77508

UChosepoorly.......

Mr K - It sounds like you are advocating that might makes right. I am going to have to disagree with you on that.

Human rights are widely recognized by all countries up until the point that they go against national interests. Then it does come down to might. A somewhat sad reality.

Mr K - I definitely don't disagree that it occurs, as it has throughout history. I would just argue that we should seek to break that cycle when we can.

 It doesn't mean that they are always bad or that they are all bad. Of course they aren't.

Yeah I know. But let me say something like that all your friends here would be falsely calling me a Putin supporter.

For this one invasion, for some reason, you are required to be all in. new additional 33 billion dollar financial support, wearing flags of a country that isnt yours, painting your house, car and pets yellow and blue.

or else.

*For this one invasion, for some reason, you are required to be all in. new additional 33 billion dollar financial support, wearing flags of a country that isnt yours, painting your house, car and pets yellow and blue.*

or else.

This is demonstrably false, ridiculous hyperbole. Have you painted your house, car and pets?

There are no ‘Russian parts of Ukraine’,

Historically speaking, all of Ukraine except the north west and west which Stalin granted to Ukraine from Poland and Hungary is, 'part of Russia'.

Oh its reply guy again.

Have you painted your house, car and pets?

nope because I am NOT "all in."

I have concerns about all this money, who has it and where it will go. I have concerns about all these weapons, why Nazis have them and what will happen to them after the war. Then I have concerns about Zelensky and ongoing corruption in Ukraine.

thus, for all of that- am falsely called a Putin supporter, when I am not. often censored for even dare to mention it.

all in or else.

Historically speaking, all of Ukraine except the north west and west which Stalin granted to Ukraine from Poland and Hungary is, 'part of Russia'.

Ah, but it's not now. Russia can pound sand.

I hear ya, Blacklabel. I think that a lot of people are frustrated that they can’t do more to push the invaders out of Ukraine, so we do what we can, which admittedly too often isn’t enough. It’s hard for many not to be sympathetic to the plight of the Ukrainians.

I hear ya, Blacklabel. I think that a lot of people are frustrated that they can’t do more to push the invaders out of Ukraine, so we do what we can, which admittedly too often isn’t enough. It’s hard for many not to be sympathetic to the plight of the Ukrainians.

Agreed.

all in or else.

lol or else what? Are people beating down your door, or threatening you with arrests for the content your posts?

why Nazis have them and what will happen to them after the war. Then I have concerns about Zelensky and ongoing corruption in Ukraine.

Comments like this are what make people think you're pro-Russian. 1) This is the kind of thing Russian state media says to justify their invasion 2) Most Ukrainians are not neo-Nazis. The fact there are a few neo-Nazis isn't a justification for what Russia has done.

The fact there are a few neo-Nazis isn't a justification for what Russia has done.

Yet why do you insist to deflect from the point that i am concerned about the Nazis that DO exist (whether 10 or 1000) having these weapons and this money. We don’t arm or financial support any Nazis, correct? Or a few are ok?

you say a “few”. That would be 3 or 4. Is that accurate? Or just downplaying a serious issue so that you can scream “pro Russia” at people with legitimate concerns?

1) This is the kind of thing Russian state media says to justify their invasion 

I didn’t use it to justify the invasion. I spoke of donated money and weapons that they now have. Zelensky doesn’t control these guys at all, right? So they can sell the weapons pocket the money themselves whatever they want.

2) Most Ukrainians are not neo-Nazis. The fact there are a few neo-Nazis isn't a justification for what Russia has done.

Correct. Doesn’t mean Azov doesn’t exist either.

It’s the kle-kle-kleptocracy. Just bad guys.

Is this the alt right's replacement term for 'muh Russia'?

I didn’t use it to justify the invasion. I spoke of donated money and weapons that they now have.

Donations made because of the invasion. Russia started this. Why can’t you understand that?

Zelensky doesn’t control these guys at all, right? So they can sell the weapons pocket the money themselves whatever they want.

Sell then to who?

Sell then to who?

Haven’t you heard the term international arms dealers?

I believe those people sell arms, internationally?

Russia started this. 

Correct again. Lots of countries and people start lots of things.

doesn’t mean we MUST donate 7 billion a month of money and lethal weapons to them. Especially not to the Nazi part of them, whether a few or some or many. They exist in a large group.

Or just downplaying a serious issue so that you can scream “pro Russia” at people with legitimate concerns?

It isn't a serious issue. There are a few thousand neo-Nazis in Ukraine, and there are thousands in literally every single European, and North American country. That in no way justifies doing nothing so Russia gets to invade, and annex Ukraine.

I didn’t use it to justify the invasion. I spoke of donated money and weapons that they now have. Zelensky doesn’t control these guys at all, right?

You say that, and maybe that is how you feel, but it feels like a justification. An analogy if you will:

Person A: Hey, did you hear person C got robbed?

Person B: Well, they are a wife beater, so....

I think most people can understand how this looks like justifying a the mugging of person C. Likewise, when people hyper-fixate on the Azov battalion which has no political power, and didn't even exist prior to Russia funding the separatists in Eastern Ukraine, it makes it seem like one is justifying or rationalizing Russian barbarism.

Furthermore, I feel like the situation in Ukraine, and Iraq or Afghanistan, for example are fundamentally different in that Ukraine is a functioning government and a military fighting very, very hard to defend its territorial integrity. The later states, of course, were not.

Person A: Hey, did you hear person C got robbed?

Person B: Well, they are a wife beater, so....

Later that day....

Person A to Person B: Hey are you gonna donate money to person C to help then with what they lost in the robbery? How about lets get him a gun to protect himself

Person B: Nope, I dont donate to wife beaters. Im concerned what he will buy with the money. I definitely wont lend him my gun.

Person A; But lets ignore that, he only did it a few times and he was robbed! by a terrible person! he needs justice!

Person B: Nope, I dont donate to wife beaters. no money, no guns. cant trust what he will do with those.

Thats me, person B, that you are criticizing. while making excuses for person C.

You say that, and maybe that is how you feel, but it feels like a justification

so just ignore my actual words because of your feeeeeeels?

its no wonder its impossible to communicate with the left anymore.

You saw my actual written words.

Later that day....

lol I think you've missed the point of the analogy.

Let's revisit it:

Person A: Hey, did you hear person C got robbed?

Person B: Well, they are a wife beater, so....

Can you see how one would conclude that person B is justifying the robbery of person C?

no they are justifying not caring and justifying not helping the robbery victim with money or weapons.

Quite simple analogy.

There is no comment about the actual robbery itself. just a comment on the character of who got robbed.

you know how "justifying" would work?

Person B: Well, he did rob someone else last week so....

Person B: Well he did leave his wallet on the ground in the middle of Shibuya crossing when he was drunk so......

Basically that someones actions caused them to deserve it.

being a wife beater wouldnt justify you getting robbed. It might justify you getting arrested, or fired or having someone else beat you.

THAT is justifying.

I told you clearly.

I care about what happens to the weapons that are given to the Nazi element of the Ukraine army that are not controlled at all by Zelensky.

and I care about what happens to our 33 billion dollars (and where our previous billions before that went too).

and I care about what happens to our 33 billion dollars (and where our previous billions before that went too).

Good to know $33 billion dollars is worth more than the lives of 44 million Ukrainians. Nice.

Historically speaking, all of Ukraine except the north west and west which Stalin granted to Ukraine from Poland and Hungary is, 'part of Russia'.

Historically speaking, southern Spain belonged to a caliphate so they should all still be muslim, Germany was part of the Holy Roman Empire so Bonn and Munich should belong to Italy, and Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire and so now is obviously part of Turkey.

It's 2022, not some arbitrary time in the past that Mad Vlad feels nostalgia for.

I believe those people sell arms, internationally?

Why do people buy weapons?

U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine.

Absolutely the right thing to do. Hopefully Congress will act quickly.

I care about what happens to the weapons that are given to the Nazi element of the Ukraine army that are not controlled at all by Zelensky.

A nonsense argument to do nothing since it was first trotted out.

1) they are controlled by the Ukrainian army since they were integrated as a regiment into the UAF

2) would probably be hard to supply the Azov regiment anything given where they are located now

3) even if they could be supplied doubtful they’d “hold back” the weapons for nefarious purposes against the west instead of using against Russian aggressor

4) pity really. If we could get the weapons and supplies we should