Anyone still glued to this?

[knownunknown]

Ukr.'s response to the battering it received was a concerted bombing of Belgorod city, deliberately targeting civilians.

This is a war crime and a terrorist act.
Not unexpected I guess as Ukr has been committing similar acts on Donetsk city for years.

Do these acts make Ukr a 'terrorist state'?

The veil of being the good ones will gradually erode as (if) people pay attention to stories such as these. War is brutal. Ukraine are now as much a terrorist state as Russia is. Not even an excuse or reason for deliberately targeting civilians, just ‘you started it’.

[PureIsle]

According to ALJazeera:

the ICJ ruled on Friday that it will not address whether Russia violated the 1948 Genocide Convention by using what Ukraine says were trumped-up genocide charges as a pretext for the war, even if the invasion may have violated international law broadly.

Instead, the case will proceed to assess whether Ukraine committed genocide in the eastern parts of the country, as Russia claims – a matter where judges ruled that they have jurisdiction.

If the finding goes against Ukraine then all NATO and other countries that supported Ukraine 2014-2022 when Ukr was bombing Donbass and East Ukr generally, would be implicated. I guess the time period might extend beyond 2022 as Ukr has continued to bomb civilians in East Ukr to this day.

It will be interesting to read the ICJ results when they become available.


https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/2 ... ocide-case

[PureIsle]

It appears that Avdiivka has become a death trap for Ukr forces somewhat akin to what Bakhmut was earlier in the conflict.
Large numbers of reserves are being sent into the area to try to hold their positions against the Ru advances.

There are many locations on the combat line where the Ru forces are pressurising the Ukr defences and appear to be making incremental advances daily.

In his interview with Carlson, Putin yet again said Ru is willing to negotiate a peace settlement, but Zelensky is still constrained by his own regulation that Ukr personnel cannot negotiate with Putin, even if Ukr was willing to negotiate.

The longer Ukr waits to sue for peace the less favourable the terms that Ru will agree to. Already there are voices from the Ru side calling for a large land grab and harsh terms for the remaining Western part of Ukr.

Other countries bordering Ukr 'smell blood' and are openly speaking about annexation of their historical lands from what remains after Ru has finished their SMO.

The vast majority of the Ukr (and Ru) deaths and injuries could easily have been avoided had Ukr stood by any of the previously negotiated agreements.
I very much doubt, considering this, if Ru will accept anything less than complete capitulation.

[knownunknown]

When Putin was asked by Carlson, ‘why did you invade Ukraine’ Putin goes on to speak for over thirty minutes about the long history between Russia and Ukraine and how actually it was a part of them all along. When Carlson interjected that he never mentions this before the invasion Putin seems to get visibly upset and fails to answer the question despite it being out to him multiple times. Sometimes a lack of an answer speaks louder than any words.

[PureIsle]

It appears that Ukr forces have fled from Avdiivka abandoning their injured. It looks like a rout.
Some groups were left isolated and surrounded.
Reports say that some 'commanders' who were not at the front lines contacted the Ru forces to arrange for some of those groups to surrender rather than be killed.
Apparently the "top brass" were not notified of these arrangements so did not approve them and appear to be tracking down those commanders to charge them under military law.

By the looks of things - according to Ukr mappers - Ru is attacking in multiple locations, and has gathered up to 60,000 troops in the Zaporozhye area and appear to be about to launch an attack to the north of that position. Of course it might be a feint.
Meanwhile Ru bombs as far west as Lvov.

It looks like Ukr might be on its last legs and unless they have secure positions prepared to the West of the present front lines they might be unable to stop or even slow down the Ru advance in the coming weeks.

[PureIsle]

Putin holds elections during war and wins almost 88% of the vote… the West calls it “dictatorship”

Zelensky cancels elections and blames the war… the West calls it “democracy.”

... enough said ...

[Del.Monte]

Two morally bankrupt former Soviet states indulging in self-destruction and should be left to it. Instead that clown Macron seems intent on dragging us all into it with his NATO boots on the ground posturing. I think there's more than enough Ukrainians to do the surrendering without French help although the latter are very good at surrendering having not won a war since the Norman invasion of Britain. Will Macron be driving a tank himself?

[6234567]

Two morally bankrupt former Soviet states indulging in self-destruction and should be left to it. Instead that clown Macron seems intent on dragging us all into it with his NATO boots on the ground posturing. I think there's more than enough Ukrainians to do the surrendering without French help although the latter are very good at surrendering having not won a war since the Norman invasion of Britain. Will Macron be driving a tank himself?

The French destroyed the brits (or whatever name they were hiding behind at the time) during the Hundred Years War.
You know, the big one.
Destroyed them.
Owned.
Lol.

[Del.Monte]

The French destroyed the brits (or whatever name they were hiding behind at the time) during the Hundred Years War.
You know, the big one.
Destroyed them.
Owned.
Lol.

That's a rather simplistic view of the extended conflict which favoured one side then the other - anyway I was only having a dig at that tosser Macron.

[PureIsle]

Former Ukrainian SS soldier, infamous for his appearance in Canada’s Parliament, has been awarded with a badge of honor in Ukraine.

The regional council of Ukraine’s Ternopol region awarded Ukrainian nationalist and Nazi SS 14th Waffen Grenadier Division veteran, Yaroslav Hunka, with a badge of honor for services to the Ternopol region - according to Ukrainian media.

It is noted that Hunka was honored "for his significant personal contribution to helping the Ukrainian Armed Forces, charitable and public activities."

... but of course there are no Nazis in Ukraine ... of course not ...

[6234567]

That's a rather simplistic view of the extended conflict which favoured one side then the other - anyway I was only having a dig at that tosser Macron.

The French destroyed the bedos at Castillon.
That ended it.
Simples, even for a roast beef.

[PureIsle]

About the origins of Ukraine ..... no doubt biased but might be enlightening in parts for some

https://rtd.rt.com/films/inventing-ukraine/

[Setanta]

The front is collapsing, Ukraine air defence is almost out of missiles (and now Russia has mysteriously stopped bombing apartment blocks and hit factories instead)

There conscripting thousands of troops,with questionable training,limited arms to an impossible situation on the front line.....I remember being slated for saying,they shouldn't have adbandoned the march south to defend aviidka....now they have neither and lost most of their gains in counter offensive



But the likihood of individual countries providing troops to Ukraine is near inevitable,and likely to happen post Olympic games in Paris....this war isn't going as well,as russian propagandists are suggesting imo


Wonder are the folks on planks,still waiting for the sanctions to kick in any day now,and screaming Putin at anyone who points out,theres no example of em ever working

[PureIsle]

I don't know how Ukr can keep up their defense as it appears they can lose up to 1,000 soldiers per day when Ru is pushing hard.

Of course Ru is now losing soldiers at a much higher rate than previously (when they were defending) but those numbers are apparently kept rather quiet.
Last estimate I read put the number lost since the beginning at 50,000 Ru and near 400,000 Ukr.

It is a true bloodbath of epic proportions.
All because 'the west' wanted to weaken Ru.

All our politicians are complicit.
To remain quiet is to support all this killing, which could have been easily avoided if any one of the multiple agreements was honoured.

Sick!

[Setanta]

A rare respite for the Ukraine....these weapons provided,air defence will put most of its outside the range of the devastatingly effective russian glide bombs

[PureIsle]

Ukrainian media report that the US State Department has published a report on human rights in Ukrainian-controlled territories. It appears there are none!
Makes me wonder how the Ukr. media managed to publish this.

The US report lists a litany of crimes committed by the Kiev regime:

• Enforced disappearances (SBU);

• Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (SBU);

• Grim and life-threatening prison conditions;

• Arbitrary arrest or detention (Mobilization offices);

• Serious problems with the independence of the judiciary;

• Restrictions on freedom of expression, including for members of the media, including violence or threats

• Violence against journalists;

• Unjustified arrests or harassment of journalists and censorship;

• Severe restrictions on internet freedom;

• Significant restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly and association;

• Restrictions on freedom of movement;

• Serious government corruption;

• Widespread gender-based violence;

• Systematic restrictions on workers' freedom of association;

• The existence of the worst forms of child labour.

The report also separately points out that Zelensky's gang has taken no steps to arrest and punish those involved in the crimes described.

I guess they would have to arrest themselves!

... but we must all support Ukranian democracy

[PureIsle]

A rare respite for the Ukraine....these weapons provided,air defence will put most of its outside the range of the devastatingly effective russian glide bombs

Regardless where they are positioned ... and one must assume they will be positioned near locations Ukr wish to protect ..... Ru. have weapons that can reach and defeat those defenses should they choose to use them.
I expect that will come down to cost/benefit analysis.

There is one aspect I do not see discussed much ....... those arms/weapons must get into Ukr by some means, probably by rail from Poland or maybe by road.
Ru. must surely be monitoring such deliveries, so why not destroy them enroute? They could, but will they and if not, why not?

Puzzled ...

[Del.Monte]

Regardless where they are positioned ... and one must assume they will be positioned near locations Ukr wish to protect ..... Ru. have weapons that can reach and defeat those defenses should they choose to use them.
I expect that will come down to cost/benefit analysis.

There is one aspect I do not see discussed much ....... those arms/weapons must get into Ukr by some means, probably by rail from Poland or maybe by road.
Ru. must surely be monitoring such deliveries, so why not destroy them enroute? They could, but will they and if not, why not?

Puzzled ...

Not very puzzling really - both the US/NATO and Russia are playing a very dangerous game of chicken and one deliberate action, or mistake, could result in extinction for the planet. A war between Russia and US/NATO would not remain conventional like that in the Ukraine and would go nuclear from early on or possibly from second one with a 'first strike'.

[Setanta]

Regardless where they are positioned ... and one must assume they will be positioned near locations Ukr wish to protect ..... Ru. have weapons that can reach and defeat those defenses should they choose to use them.
I expect that will come down to cost/benefit analysis.

There is one aspect I do not see discussed much ....... those arms/weapons must get into Ukr by some means, probably by rail from Poland or maybe by road.
Ru. must surely be monitoring such deliveries, so why not destroy them enroute? They could, but will they and if not, why not?

Puzzled ...

those arms/weapons must get into Ukr by some means, probably by rail from Poland or maybe by road.
Ru. must surely be monitoring such deliveries, so why not destroy them enroute? They could, but will they and if not, why not?

They are in Poland,fairly openly in the open down there (bloke in work is from down around that part of Poland),


The air defence weapons were highly effective at intercepting the missiles(hence the level of apartment building being hit collapsing as air defence weapons ran out)......this weapons will give more defence to ukraine than any front line equipment and likely help them hold the line until after the Olympics and probable outside assistance

[PureIsle]

They are in Poland,fairly openly in the open down there (bloke in work is from down around that part of Poland),


The air defence weapons were highly effective at intercepting the missiles(hence the level of apartment building being hit collapsing as air defence weapons ran out)......this weapons will give more defence to ukraine than any front line equipment and likely help them hold the line until after the Olympics and probable outside assistance

It is my understanding that Ru has weapons against which Ukr will have no defense should Ru decide to use them.
They have no defense against hypersonic missiles for instance.

I expect Ukr to position those defenses around the likes of Kyiv and other cities, to replace what has been destroyed.
Just as Iran recently landed missiles in Israel, despite it being defended by the very best defenses of USA and Israel - multiple systems. Yet their military bases were hit accurately.
Ukr reconstituted defenses will not be anywhere close to what Israel has.
In addition I believe Ru has much more sophisticated weapons than Iran, so I do not see any big change for Ukr with what is supplied.

On the front lines Ukr are presently being beaten back in almost every area, to the point that they are pulling out of towns rather than try to defend them.
They are not only short of ammo, but seriously short of soldiers.

Russia does not look like it intends to ease off anytime soon.
I see they have taken a leaf out of the Hamas book of fighting and are using motorcycles to get soldiers forward very quickly and with less visibility.

All this time people are dying needlessly.

[PureIsle]

The Telegraph has explained (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/ ... e-threats/) why the long-range bombs handed over to Kiev did not work. The lauded GLSDB glide bombs handed to Ukraine by the US simply failed.

This is reported by the British edition of The Telegraph.

The article says that these shells for ground launchers were delivered at the end of January, it was assumed that they would force Russia to move logistics and military warehouses away from the front line, as the range of these bombs is 160 kilometres.

“We sent it to the Ukrainians. It didn’t work. It didn’t work for multiple reasons including EMI [Electromagnetic interference] environment, just really, dirt, and doing it on ground.”

“When you send something to people in the fight of their lives that doesn’t work, they’ll try it three times and then just throw it aside,” the publication quoted Pentagon weapons procurement chief William LaPlante as saying at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

GLSDBs are rocket-propelled projectiles that are launched from HIMARS and M270 launchers, which the US has also transferred to Ukraine. This type of weapon uses a head that is guided to the target by a GPS system and a laser.