Ukraine's defense ministry in turmoil as Russia readies offensive

Ukraine is itself planning a spring offensive, but awaiting delivery of promised longer-range Western missiles and battle tanks.

Last fall, the western media assured us that Zelensky's army would have rolled past the sockless fleeing Russians and have invaded Crimea by now.

Why weren't the fancy weapons that Zelensky is waiting delivered at the start?

Did NATO expect that the Russians would give up after finding out that Bakmut was an impenetrable underground fortress?

They miscalculated, the Russians have achieved the impossible and surrounded Bakmut.

This is why the defence minister in Kiev is getting sacked, they lost their most important underground command post and supply hub, paving the way for the Russians to enter more separatist areas.

Last fall, the western media assured us that Zelensky's army would have rolled past the sockless fleeing Russians and have invaded Crimea by now.

Last Winter, we were assured the Russians would take Kyiv in 72 hours.

Remember, the Ukrainians didn't ask for this war.

If Russia stops fighting, there is no more war.

If Ukraine stops fighting, there is no more Ukraine.

Last Winter, we were assured the Russians would take Kyiv in 72 hours.

Yeah, by your own media.

The Russians never went for Kiev, it was a faint so they could capture the nuclear power plant.

The Russian military doesn't want the responsibility of feeding 3 million citizens on Kiev.

Historically, the first year of any Russian military campaign is chaotic and ill-managed. The second year however is when it really comes together and starts happening. The Russian colossus is going to crush Ukraine while Biden and NATO watch. Watch this space.

Yeah, by your own media.

That's the Russian propaganda machine's spin on it.

But it came from the Russians. They just don't let you know that in Russia.

The Russians never went for Kiev

Yes they did. But too many of them died, so they turned and ran. They just don't let you know that in Russia.

The Russian military doesn't want the responsibility of feeding 3 million citizens on Kiev.

That's like the ugly guy who says he never wanted to date the supermodel anyways, because she has freckles.

The Russians never went for Kiev, it was a faint so they could capture the nuclear power plant.

Clearly incorrect. Russia attacked Kyiv for 5 weeks and finally retreated.

$2.2 billion in further U.S. military aid has been announced this week. Kyiv will remain Ukrainian. Russian soldiers belong in Russia.

For four years Ukraine and NATO had a peaceful reign under which preparations should have been made for this inevitable attack that would occur once Biden's administration was in place.

For four years Ukraine and NATO had a peaceful reign under which preparations should have been made for this inevitable attack that would occur once Biden's administration was in place.

It was all because Trump withheld support to Ukraine in his attempt to subvert democracy. Remember - the first time he was impeached?

Bronco

Last Winter, we were assured the Russians would take Kyiv in 72 hours.

Yeah, by your own media.

The Russians never went for Kiev, it was a faint so they could capture the nuclear power plant.

It was absolutely part of Putin's plan. He wanted to replace Zelensky with his own puppet.

The Russian military doesn't want the responsibility of feeding 3 million citizens on Kiev.

They wouldn't. They would ensure that their puppet was protected and that he was in control of the government and that's all.

RKL

For four years Ukraine and NATO had a peaceful reign under which preparations should have been made for this inevitable attack that would occur once Biden's administration was in place.

Indeed, since 2014, preparations were being made: training by NATO nations, Javelins etc. (briefly held up by Trump).

But I don't think anyone was predicting an all out imperialistic land grab by Putin.

Biden will let Ukraine down when the time comes. The 100 billion dollars the US taxpayer has already given to Ukraine for this conflict will then count for nothing.

Ukrainians will have bitter feelings and resentment towards the US which will then have created yet another enemy. Its called Blowback and the US never learns.

2020hindsightsToday  08:00 am JST

For four years Ukraine and NATO had a peaceful reign under which preparations should have been made for this inevitable attack that would occur once Biden's administration was in place.

Indeed, since 2014, preparations were being made: training by NATO nations, Javelins etc. (briefly held up by Trump). 

But it was Trump, not Obama, who gave the ok to provide Ukraine with those weapons. And of course, it was during the Obama/Biden administration when Putin moved into the Crimea. And that was it, while Trump was in command.

But I don't think anyone was predicting an all out imperialistic land grab by Putin.

For more than a decade it was recognized that Russia was not responding well to Ukraine's move to get closer with the EU. And Russia picked up cues from Biden that it interpreted as a minor incursion would not be such a bad thing. So, Russia saw the greenlight turning brighter, and now look where we are.

We have to face it--it was much more of a peaceful world during the Trump days.

Last Winter, we were assured the Russians would take Kyiv in 72 hours.

The only record of anyone saying the Russians would take Kiev in 72 hours was by US General Milley. I guess the moron really thought the Russians would pay any attention to what he says about their armies.

No, Biden said a minor incursion might be ok.

"I think what you're going to see is that Russia will be held accountable if it invades. And it depends on what it does. It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and then we end up having a fight about what to do and not do."

If the US has no intent for Ukrainain to win the war,why is the US spending billion on this lost cause, Ukrainain will never be able to negotiate from a position of strength with Russia,maybe US is using Ukraine as guinea pig to test weapon systems against Russian,I am not a cynical person ,but you have to question the motivation,if they believe Ukraine cannot defeat Russian

would replace Reznikov, who would become minister of strategic industries.

Good he's not being punished and even rewarded, he's the only one not corrupt in the whole defense ministry.

And even if he's the head, it's right that he's absolved of all responsibilities for having the misfortune of having to lead such a corrupt organization.

The ministry of strategic industries and Ukraine are lucky to have him

No, Biden said a minor incursion might be ok.

Ohhh, is this another conspiracy?

I mean, you didn't provide any references, and it's not like you are accurate in how you report things, so I definitely have to question whether or not you know what you are talking about, particularly seeing as you're an election denier. Slight credibility issues there...

RKL

Indeed, since 2014, preparations were being made: training by NATO nations, Javelins etc. (briefly held up by Trump). 

But it was Trump, not Obama, who gave the ok to provide Ukraine with those weapons. And of course, it was during the Obama/Biden administration when Putin moved into the Crimea. And that was it, while Trump was in command.

No. In 2014, the US Congress passed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, which appropriated $350 million in security assistance, including anti-tank and anti-armor weapons, to the government of Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity.

But I don't think anyone was predicting an all out imperialistic land grab by Putin.

For more than a decade it was recognized that Russia was not responding well to Ukraine's move to get closer with the EU.

True. And so they took Crimea and started a war in the Dombas. An all out assault was not predicted until the Russian troops were amassing in numbers on Ukraine's borders.

And Russia picked up cues from Biden that it interpreted as a minor incursion would not be such a bad thing.

It was hardly a minor incursion, and hence, not OK.

2020hindsightsToday  09:55 am JST

No.

Yes; we were talking about javelins.

The Trump administration first approved the sale of Javelins to Ukraine in December 2017 -- a step that former President Barack Obama never took

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-admin-approves-sale-anti-tank-weapons-ukraine/story?id=65989898

And Russia picked up cues from Biden that it interpreted as a minor incursion would not be such a bad thing.

It was hardly a minor incursion, and hence, not OK.

Exactly.

StrangerlandToday  09:20 am JST

Ohhh, is this another conspiracy?

Ohh--I thought you had basic background in this issue, as it is well-known at least by Americans.

I mean, you didn't provide any references, and it's not like you are accurate in how you report things,

Why would you say I'm not accurate in reporting things without trying to find a reference proving me wrong? Oh wait--it's Strangerland, that's why.

Anyway, here's one reference--I can already hear the sizzle:

https://nypost.com/2022/01/20/joe-biden-again-tries-to-walk-back-russia-ukraine-minor-incursion-fumble/

This is certainly a disconcerting event. One never wants to be changing leadership on the eve of a major campaign.

Hope they get things straightened out.

RKL

No.

Yes; we were talking about javelins.

Splitting hairs. I was talking about arms in general.

It was hardly a minor incursion, and hence, not OK.

Exactly.

So you agree with me that it wasn't Biden that encouraged Putin to invade. Good.

2020hindsightsToday  10:49 am JST

Splitting hairs. I was talking about arms in general.

Ok-though you did mention Javelins, etc.

It was hardly a minor incursion, and hence, not OK.

Exactly.

So you agree with me that it wasn't Biden that encouraged Putin to invade. Good.

The opposite, Biden's statement that a minor incursion would not be treated so harshly gave Russia the confidence to roll right into Ukraine.

Russia has the advantage, western tanks won't help at all..

Biden will let Ukraine down when the time comes. The 100 billion dollars the US taxpayer has already given to Ukraine for this conflict will then count for nothing.

Ukrainians will have bitter feelings and resentment towards the US which will then have created yet another enemy. Its called Blowback and the US never learns.

That's so roght, and this is how it has ALWAYS happened, the US disappoints its allies and flees, look at Vietnam, Afghanistan, history will repeat itself..

The US has no allies or friends, only interests.

If Ukraine stops fighting, there is no more Ukraine.

That's absolutely incorrect !

Putin isn't attempting to annex the whole of Ukraine.

Territorial boundaries will be redrawn !

Ukraine will become smaller than it was.

>

Putin wants to take Ukraine back to the days of the Soviet Union.

RKL

The opposite, Biden's statement that a minor incursion would not be treated so harshly gave Russia the confidence to roll right into Ukraine.

Biden was quite clear:

"If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border, that's a renewed invasion, and it will be met with a swift, severe, and united response from the United States and our allies."

You can't tell me that Russia read that as it is OK to invade Ukraine.

Awa - and what is Russia offering Ukraine in exchange for its territory?

Awa - and what is Russia offering Ukraine in exchange for its territory?

When in doubt, look at legal and historical precedent.

What did Serbia get when Kosovo was taken away by force?

Russia is such a cruel country. Shame on those countries who choose to ally themselves with her while looking the other way as Russia commits mass murder..

Biden was quite clear:

"If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border, that's a renewed invasion, and it will be met with a swift, severe, and united response from the United States and our allies."

You can't tell me that Russia read that as it is OK to invade Ukraine.

It's their extremist whaddaboutism, trying to deflect from the fact that Trump caused this all when he got impeached the first time for withholding money congress had set aside for Ukraine, unless Zelensky made up lies Trump could use in the 2020 election against Biden.

This can all be traced directly back to Trump, and that moment.

I mean, you didn't provide any references,

direct quote from Joe's mouth.

"I think what you're going to see is that Russia will be held accountable if it invades. And it depends on what it does. It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and then we end up having a fight about what to do and not do."