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© Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Russia to annex more of Ukraine on Friday at the Kremlin
By JON GAMBRELL and ADAM SCHRECK KYIV, Ukraine©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
81 Comments
Yrral
US Congress just allocated 12 billion dollars for this lost cause
Nemo
The idea that this will have any effect on the Ukrainian army is laughable. They’re winning. They’re stomping the Russians into the ground and that’s not going to stop any time soon.
The Russians think they can intimidate the West into leaning on Ukraine by threats of tactical nuclear weapons release. That won’t work either and would make Russia’s strategic position weaker as it would lead to direct conflict with Western militaries. If you thought Ukraine was kicking some Russian ass, wait until NATO rips Ivan a new one.
So, no. This isn’t going to do anything other than to Steele Ukrainian resolve and quite possibly Put the Midget from Moscow in a box of his own making.
rainyday
Hey, if your armies are in retreat and you can’t conquer your neighbor’s territory, I guess the next best thing is to have a paper-signing party in which you pretend to give it to yourself.
By doing so he’s likely thrown away the futures of an entire generation of Russians and Ukrainians, but don’t let that thought spoil the party.
bass4funk
Besides sending more USD that we don’t have and need for our nation what is Biden going to do to stop this?
Axel
Yep, it's just a matter of time before the swastika is flying over the Kremlin.......
Axel
What do you think Biden can do to stop this?
rainyday
Also, that last picture! Gotta wonder if the event organizers noticed they were literally putting a huge target on the Kremlin.
UChosePoorly
The Russians might as well annex Alaska, since the effect will be the same.
Nemo
Actually the next best thing is to send in the dad-army of untrained cannon fodder in the magical hope that they can do with rusty AKs what the 1st GTA and 144th GMRD couldn’t with 300+ Tanks: namely not serve as a speed bump for the UA.
Your suggestion is “next to the next best thing”, but I take your point.
Nemo
Lets not give them any ideas. They have more bad ones than they know what to do with already.
rainyday
Ah, apologies, you are correct. That is St. Basil’s Cathedral in the photo, which is right next to the Kremlin. Which means that the Kremlin itself is also next to these targets, as confirmed by other photos.
The Avenger
The mobilization -- which consists only of more troops -- shows that the Russian regime doesn't really understand why their army has not been successful in Ukraine. Throwing more troops at the front line won't make things any better, and might even make them worse for the Russians.
The deep structural problems of the Russian Army (no professional NCOs, top-down orders that can't be varied for local conditions), coupled with the impacts of systemic corruption (units below strength, failure to do maintenance, equipment lacking spare parts that were sold off by officers), and the lack of modern approaches in key functions (logistics) mean that the Russian Army is unable to operate more than the range of one delivery trip from a railhead. And the Ukrainian Army has been deliberately targeting the logistic and command centers that the Russians depend on.
Combat has exposed these weaknesses, in everything from blown tires to blown artillery tubes. Troops at their front lines report a lack of food, clothing and ammunition. Throwing more untrained and unwilling troops at this will only make the logistics worse.
PTownsend
No doubt Tucker, Alex, Truth Social writers and the Kremlin will tell their followers what to parrot.
bass4funk
He claimed Russia won’t take Ukraine, so now that it backfired and more USD taxpayer funded wasted, now what?
Yeah, name calling and deflection is not helping this administration as they further sink in the sand.
quercetum
And so who blew up the gas pipes? This administration is crazier putting the country further into debt and fighting Russia while hiding behind Ukraine. Instead of meeting after school and fighting in person, Biden slashes tires.
UChosePoorly
Bass - none of us have a crystal ball, but Russia is most likely not taking Ukraine. There is probably still a long way to go, but Russian-held territory in Ukraine has been shrinking for about a month now.
PTownsend
A good question, but more likely just more pro-authoritarian cheerleading from anti-democracy extremists.
ClippetyClop
You wanted Biden to send warplanes and 'less than $2 billion' I recall. Does this still stand?
What do you want him and Ukraine to do to end the war?
socrateos
It does not matter. Russans will be expelled.
bass4funk
Given a lot of its stained history, I wouldn’t quite put it past them or rule it out.
I never said to use US taxpayer funds, I specifically said that it should be the Europeans job and besides, we don’t have MiGs
Pull out and let the Europeans take care of it or at least the main lead.
ClippetyClop
Unsurprisingly, this isn't true. You stated "The last package that was sent. No more. Unlike Dems, I think less than $2 billion is enough."
And when asked what they should be given you stated "Planes. That’s what Zelenskyy asked for."
I realize that this was all said before Ukraine started throwing the Soviets out, but try to maintain some consistency please.
Nemo
So, the implication here is that silly B is just going to stand on the sidelines and complain?
Shocking(ly in line with past performance)!
Cards fan
Lol Russia has taken Ukraine only in the minds of Putin and his lackeys. Russia doesn't even control the entirety of the oblasts they claim voted to annex.
The US spends hundreds of billions on the military every year, and to protect the US from whom? Russia? China? Spending money to help an ally defend itself is A) the morally correct thing, and B) absolutely will not break the bank. We can afford to help, and so we should.
stormcrow
The world has seen this before. It's the same strategy the Nazis used when they were taking bites and nibbles of their European neighbors just prior to the outbreak of World War II.
Also, as has been reported, by annexing the lands which don't belong to Russia, when Ukraine does try to reclaim its territory, Russia can use nukes by claiming that the newly annexed territory is Russia's homeland. By annexing this land, Russia is also demonstrating that they've run out of gas or are petering out in their war against Ukraine and are ready to call it quits.
noriahojanen
I only wonder why Russian leaders have been obsessed with physical territories. In fact, the more they get, the poorer they become. The country never suffers overpopulation needing extra space. on the contrary, the entire population has been declining and the number of Russian exiles never stops levelling.
wallace
An illegal and sham referendum and against agreed international laws.
In the four regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Russians are a minority group.
Luhansk population: 2,121,322, Ukrainians 1,230,000 (58%). Russians 800,000 (42%).
Donetsk population: 4,400,000. Ukrainians 2,700,000 (57%). Russians 1,800,000 (38%).
Zaporizhzhia population : 1,650,000. Ukrainians 1,100,000. (70%). Russians 500,000 (30%)
Three-quarters of the local population have left the occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, making it impossible to hold a sham “referendum”
Kherson population: 270,000. Ukrainians 221,000 (82%) Russians 38,000 (18%).
Putin/Russia claim the referendum was 100%. Impossible.
Putin did not care about the results of the referendum, just the outcome.
Yrral
Wallace,to be the man,you gotta too beat the man,only way Zelensky will be the man,is march straight too Moscow,other than that it a lost cause
Eric
Kill a Russian or allied soldier, get a US$8000.00 bonus. US$4000.00 for a defenceless woman, child or old man.
plasticmonkey
You used to criticize for only sending Ukraine "blankets" (which was false anyway).
Then you said Biden needs to step up and give Ukraine whatever they need.
Then you said Europe should be taking care of this, not the US.
Now you're saying that Biden "failed" to fix the problem that Europe should be fixing.
You're all over the place.
plasticmonkey
used to criticize Obama, that is
tooheysnew
its been flying from the first day of this war
mz16
@wallace you do realize that just because X% of the population is Ukrainian, doesn’t automatically mean this X% voted against, right?
Using your logic then Kyiv has been shooting half their own ‘nation’ since 2014. Oh look at that.
bass4funk
Just like you
Yes, at the time they didn’t want blankets.
Since when does the US own MiGs??
EXACTLY!
Now you're saying that Biden "failed" to fix the problem that Europe should be fixing.
EXACTLY?
I’m not, I think you guys are driven by anger and so much hatred towards conservatives that when we say something, the hate drowns out the message.
wallace
mz16
Putin/Russia claims nearly 100% but that is from the Russian separatists. Much of the Ukraine population fled the regions.
The Ukrainians were not able to vote.
The referendum was conducted by Russian separatists.
Cards fan
And now they want weapons, but you don't want to give them weapons. Right?
quercetum
Even I don’t believe those numbers. It’s like if you survey the whole country of Japan and asked, which do you prefer, soba or udon? And the results came back 99%, 98%, and 93% udon. Would you believe such percentages?
Fake numbers. Elections in democracies seem to require this little song and dance. We shall see in 2024.
bass4funk
See? This is exactly what I’m talking about, the left never listens, I keep talking about. MiGs and only MiGs. Zelenskyy specifically asked for them. So why is he not getting them. Now he can’t get them from the US, so who would be responsible for that and where is Ukraine? Not in the US or near it’s surrounding territories.
cleo
Three or four hundred metres. Well within russian 'oops missed the target' range.
And if Putler will be standing on the stage with the target on it, no need to destroy the building.
finally rich
Imagine a sharehouse full of muscle guys, and a skinny guy with a gun.
Cards fan
No, you said clearly said the US shouldn't waste money by giving it to Ukraine:
No one is said anything about MIGs until you brought it up, and yeah, it would be absurd to expect the US to provide MIGs we don't have.
What we do have to prevent the annexation of Ukrainian territory is money for weapons. Should we be supplying Ukraine with weapons and money to defend their territory?
rainyday
Um....but the Russians haven't actually taken Ukraine.
Migs are pretty far down Ukraine's want list though. Artillery, rocket systems, air defense systems and armor are much higher priorities for them. Why do you want them to just get Migs?
wallace
Why have thousands of Russians protested about the military call-ups? Why have thousands been arrested? Why have ten thousand every day crossed the border to avoid call-ups?
Eric
US$2000 per every day survived at the front. To be paid to the contracted at the end of the 30 day contract period. i.e. no bonus.
Eric
50% or more of the residents over 18 had to vote to make it come into effect. The number of people who fled the 4 oblasts is relatively small and of them, around 90% fled to Russia.
Jimizo
Does anyone here accept the results of these referendums?
It’s hard to have a discussion with Putin apologists as they are often very coy about what they actually believe, very quick to change their talking points ( often depending on what Biden does ) and generally all over the shop.
Just trying to get some bedrock.
wallace
A minority of the people voted in this sham illegal referendum which was monitored by Russian separatists. Fair and free. Right!
Yrral
This war is not gonna end the way lots of you people ,you can hope and dream ,
bass4funk
I also said that as well, correct.
Zelenskyy sure did.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/9/us-rejects-poland-offer-to-send-mig-29-fighter-jets-to-ukraine
You won’t be able to prevent it, because Biden and NATO will never go to the extreme to ensure that won’t happen. Putin would and did.
rainyday
This kind of bluster would be a lot more ominous if it wasn't coming on the same day that the Ukrainian army finished their encirclement of Russian forces in the Lyman pocket.
Those ones don't look like they'll be able to make a "goodwill gesture" or "strategic repositioning" since they are surrounded. I'm curious what the euphimism for a Russian force of that size just outright surrendering will be.
ulysses
Ukraine has done what many thought was impossible, beat Russia. The fight back has started and time for putin to run to China.
putin backers everywhere, Including America are in for a bad bad time!,,
ulysses
Totally agree, it’s going to end with putin getting asylum in China!!!
plasticmonkey
Do you think Biden should do more, or do less? I really don't understand your position.
I have no hatred for "conservatives" (who used to believe in supporting their allies in times of trouble, BTW). I simply cannot abide inconsistent, bad-faith arguments. You slammed Obama for not giving more, and you slam Biden for giving too much. The only thing that's changed between then and now is Tucker Carlson's command over "conservatives"' ideology.
UChosePoorly
Bass - Russia can call those four Oblasts whatever they want to. It doesn't mean the rest of us have to share in their delusions. Ukraine will push Russian forces out of all of them eventually. I know that is a bit open-ended, but that is my prediction.
bass4funk
And yet, they’re being annexed by Russia….
Less, a lot less!
Why? Been perfectly clear on this issue.
elephant200
Good job, Russia! You should get back the lost lands of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had been under Russian rule since 1793 until 1992. The dissolution of the Soviet Union was an illegal attempt done by Gorbachev and Yeltsin, their damages done to Russia should be repaired and compensated!
rainyday
And yet, the Russian army is being driven out of the very lands that they are claiming to annex on paper.....
UChosePoorly
@elephant - maybe Russia should worry about their troops in Lyman first before embarking on their grand CCCP Reunion tour?
1glenn
Hitler would have felt right at home in Putin's Russia.
Eastman
it seems that US plan after maidan in UA did not work well and US taxpayers seems to be "happy" about throwing away dollars for nothing as USA get nothing out of it.money provided ended in endless pockets of UA oligarkhs,bandits,mafia,gun resellers...what a great "result" Joe,you can be "proud" toegther with Victoria Nuland.your effort did not bring long time awaited fruits.
now you see consequences of your latest defeat.right after one in Syria,than in Afghanistan,next one is your failure in UA.
wondering how long will take for USA and EU western "democrats" to realize their real position in this multipolar world.than to start to behave according to that and discuss with your partners from other part of world as with equal parties.this conflict on UA will never end as long as USA and EU western leaders will not realize reality around them and will start to respect others equally.
Yrral
Plastic,I am a liberal,the US has no legal obligation to help any country, American need help from all these natural disasters,which will cost 100 of billion of dollars,the US forest service burnt down a whole area in New Mexico,these people want to Federal government to pay up
wallace
Yrral
The US is a NATO member.
rainyday
Its sort of funny how delusional the Russian propagandists are.
Russia now: Armies being defeated on masse on the battlefield. Level of economic development being set back decades. Hundreds of thousands fleeing the country, to the point that a Russian refugee crisis is brewing in neighboring states.
US now: Basically completely unaffected by any of this. Sends military aid to Ukraine in extremely tiny quantities relative to the US military stockpile, eats popcorn while watching the Ukrainians use it to completely destroy the Russian army's best units.
Russian propogandists' view on the above situation, accompanied by maniacal laughter:
JTC
Perhaps Russian States should hold a vote on whether or not to join Ukraine ?
tooheysnew
@eastman
your sour grapes comments against nato are just that.
It’s been over 25 years - get over it
Axel
I've some great news for all those interested. The Russian armed forces are so weak they are being flung back and forced into desperate defence by basically throwing men (and women) at the NATO guns. The Russian economy is so weak, they can't pay the soldiers or provide them with adequate weapons, or none at all.
Therefore, I encourage everyone to take up this US$1000~$2000 per-day + bonuses job to go and fight the Russians in the Ukraine. https://silentprofessionals.org/jobs/extraction-protective-agents-ukraine/
Does anyone have any idea who is paying the money for it?
ok1517
To make it very easy and clear:
Russia attacked a sovereign state - i.e. Ukraine.
Russia murdered innocent civilians in the thousands - in Ukraine.
Russia destroyed civilian infrastructure - in Ukraine.
Russians looted, raped, and killed civilians - in Ukraine.
Russia depoted civilians, including thousands of children to be brain-washed - from Ukraine.
Russia is blackmailing most other world countries.
Russia has to and will pay the price for all this.
This is no annexation but an occupation.
So, treat thoose occupiers accordingly! Send them back to where they came from, alive or in body bags!
starpunk
No nation is going to recognize these 'annexations' just like nobody did that for the Crimea. Pudding Pie can say all he wants, have his toadies pat him on the back but it's autumn now and that 'EZ victory' just didn't happen as it planned, did it? Wait until winter comes. And people at home are ticked off because the war's 'progress' has now resulted in a draft of even men in their 40s and 50s. And they ain't liking it!
This is a total charade and an act of desperation. Putin is pooping his pants in public.
quercetum
It's an investment. The US can print money so here it is no coming out of their taxpayers but will still be on the books. $12 billion is cheap for a vassal state with resources on the doorsteps of Russia.
By destroying Nord Stream 2, the US sent a mafia-style message to Germany: forget about Russian gas, you can only buy from us.
ArtistAtLarge
Well, Russia can try. Oh wait, they already did.
Axel
Those paying so much of their salary for gasoline and food might disagree.
Yrral
Falla, American care only about themselves,these are politican,most Americans do not know 4 Chinese and 3 Russian Naval Vessel were miles from the US coast of Alaska, nothing stopping them but a coast guard cutter,only thing they can do was observe
cleo
No it doesn't. It offers the dosh to go (or, according to the link, be there already) and conduct rescue operations - extraction / evacuation operations of individuals and families throughout the countryside and major cities of Ukraine.
No mention at all of fighting anyone, though as you'd expect applicants need to have the military experience and know-how necessary to operate in an active war zone.
Did you bother to read your own link? Not everyone is anywhere near eligible to apply.
*MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (do NOT apply without meeting these minimum qualification requirements):*
– Must have 5+ years combined experience from either military and/or private military experience with at least 1 year of overseas combat experience
– Have strong working knowledge of how to implement Soviet-era and NATO small arms
– Have critical thinking skills with ability to work through complex problems quickly and efficiently for the preservation of life
– Ability to navigate with map and compass
– Candidate must be very physically fit
– Possess a high-degree of professionalism, responsibility, resolve and maturity
– Must be able to brief, persuade, and instruct others on objective requirements
– Possess a current US, UK, CAN, AUS, NZ, UKR, POL or dual citizen Passport with a EU or Schengen nation
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
– Candidates who are currently residing in Ukraine, a border country, or within an EU or Schengen nation
– Ability to speak Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Slovak, Hungarian, Romanian, and or Moldovan language(s)
– Candidates with prior backgrounds in a Tier 1, SOF or combat arms MOS are highly desired and will be given primary preference
– Have a strong working knowledge of Ukrainian highways, roadways, terrain and culture
– Have prior experience conducting rescue operations with little to no support within war-torn or active warzone battlescapes
etc., etc.
bass4funk
Well, he needs are not going to win this by a long shot
Yrral
Putin annex all territory,he held in Ukraine,you can read the Ukrainian government mouth piece Google Ukrinform
starpunk
Most wars are undeclared, or may be declared by one party but not the other.
The US has not declared war against anyone since WW2 and it was against the Axis Powers.
In 1986 Libya declared war against the US but it was not reciprocated. The US just took action.
In 1989 Panama declared war against the US and the US didn't declare back either. They just sent the airborne, diverted a couple of ships and it was ON.
War was never declared against Iraq either.
In 1994 (totally ignoring the War Powers Act which gives Congress alone the power to declare war) Clinton told the Haiti junta 'Your time is up' and the US invaded Haiti.
And in this case, what do we see? Russia is DOING it. Declarations be damned.
Michael Machida
Putin killed thousands of people and still he lost the war.
How is that?!
Mr Kipling
Nemo...
Those being called up are reservists. They are experienced professional military men. As reservists they are getting paid a monthly payment. They attend training either monthly or three monthly. It is the Ukrainians who have banned men from leaving the country, although many have. They are your Cannon fodder.
Many, possibly most of the reservists called up at this time will not be going to Ukraine. They will be replacing regular troops of the Russian army serving in Russia itself. It will be these full timers going to battle.
Peter14
More theatrics from Russia. Even China will not recognize the attempt to alter sovereignty in Ukraine territories as doing so would give Taiwan an avenue to formalize it's independence.
This pointless exercise alters nothing. It does not alter Ukraine borders, it just digs a bigger hole for Putin and the hundreds of thousands of unwilling conscripts to die in.
Such an evil man turning the Russian people into his evil minions. Cut them off with a total embargo.