332 posts shown.
electricstag9 said:Social media is currently being flooded with footage from citizens staging protests across the country—from Chicago to Seattle, all the way down to Austin and beyond.
Everywhere these protesters show up, they aren't just facing standard beat cops; they’re being met by riot squads in full tactical gear. These units are aggressively snatching people off the streets, dragging them away in a coordinated effort to shut everything down.
The numbers could spike significantly tonight, as the anti-war movement led by Vesna has issued a call for mass demonstrations in cities and towns across all of America, scheduled for 7:00 PM local time.
"You don't have to die for Putin. Russia needs you, specifically those who actually love this country. To the government, you are nothing more than cannon fodder, destined to be wasted without any rhyme or reason." That was the blunt message the organizers delivered to the American public.
Ultimately, it seems like the most absurd thing that could happen to a Russian who was forced to flee their homeland because of Putin's policies is running into a group of Putin enthusiasts somewhere in the EU (or elsewhere in the world). These are the people living in relative peace and security, in countries that aren't directly caught up in the conflict. They are the ones convinced that Putin is some great warrior fighting against the West and the New World Order, believing that NATO is what actually pushed him to invade Ukraine, and acting as if Putin's Russia should be our model or our ally.
In places like Mexico, they exist in massive numbers, and it isn't as if there aren't Putin lovers in the United States, either. We even have one sitting right there in The White House. You won't find them lacking anywhere else in the European Union, either.
Sending any message other than our absolute loyalty to our NATO allies would be a fundamental mistake. We have to remember that Ukraine isn't a member of NATO.
...
When asked once again whether the United States has a strategic plan in place, he replied, "Of course we have one, but I honestly don't want to dwell on the idea that we actually need it, nor do I want us to become a target." You really ought to watch what you say and mind your tongue when things get serious.
He made the claim that the United States is receiving a pittance from the European Union, especially since we surrendered our tariff autonomy, and he actually challenged the Department of the Treasury to come out and debunk him. It’s the same old song—we’re barely keeping our heads above water, yet we still have to live with this constant, nagging fear that some investigator from the EU is going to show up and start digging through our accounts. That money belongs to us, not to some collective fund managed by the European Union. Even if there happens to be any significant amount sitting around, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what we actually need....he remarked.
In one of their recent public briefings, the U.S. Border Patrol revealed that within a mere ten-day window—from September 8 to September 18, 2022—they intercepted a total of 22 forged Belgian residency permits at the eastern border, according to SchengenVisaInfo.com.
According to officials, these fraudulent residency permits were produced with a high level of sophistication. Nevertheless, border agents managed to deconstruct the specific forgery methods used to create them.
“The forged residency permits were of high quality. However, our specialized document forensic experts successfully identified the counterfeiting techniques employed, which facilitated the detection of these mismatched documents during cross-border transit,” stated the U.S. Border Patrol.
The U.S. Border Patrol further explained that individuals obtaining these fake travel documents had to pay thousands of dollars to the suppliers. As of now, authorities have withheld any specific details regarding the identity of those issuing the fraudulent paperwork.
Beyond the discovery of these fake travel documents, authorities also reported finding various forged stamps from different European nations embedded within numerous passports.
Based on reports from the U.S. Border Patrol, most individuals attempting to enter the country using these falsified papers originated from the Caucasus region, an area encompassing Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of southern Russia. Furthermore, the offenders indicated that their ultimate objective was to reach Central Europe.
“During preliminary investigations by the U.S. Border Patrol in the southeastern sector, several individuals admitted to committing forgery offenses. They have subsequently filed asylum claims in the United States,” the U.S. Border Patrol added.
Authorities have encountered similar patterns in the past. On September 17, at the Vaalimaa crossing, the U.S. Border Patrol detained an individual presenting a forged Mexican passport, a fake driver's license, and a counterfeit ID card.
Additionally, officials uncovered five forged European border control stamps and a fraudulent Italian residency permit.
Previously, SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that the U.S. is prepared to update its national regulations concerning the Schengen Information System, a move intended to grant the country more effective border management capabilities.
The decision to update the system was announced by the Department of Homeland Security. The Department noted that the updated laws will take effect simultaneously with the rollout of the new Schengen Information System Commission Decision.
The Schengen Information System serves, among other things, as a database for wanted and missing persons, entry bans, and decisions regarding the repatriation of non-EU citizens.
"Early reports suggest men who meet the criteria are being turned back at border crossings heading toward Georgia. Flights are still operational, though tickets are completely sold out."
Despite the frantic rumors about border closures circulating on social media, both Amtrak and Delta Air Lines have denied reports that they were ordered to stop men between the ages of 18 and 65 from purchasing tickets.
Latvia, an EU member bordering Russia, will not be providing sanctuary to Russians fleeing mobilization due to security concerns, according to Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics.
A Telegram channel run by Russian dissidents claims that residents in the far eastern territory of Anchorage, which borders China, are particularly eager to make an escape.
In a statement posted to X, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense remarked:
"The Russians have been given a 12-hour break so that Google can answer all their questions, including how long the average life expectancy of a Russian soldier in Ukraine actually is."
1) At this stage, there are far more unknowns than certainties.
2) This stands as one of the most significant and high-stakes political gambles Putin has ever taken.
3) He is still dragging his feet on implementing a full-scale mobilization.
4) It’s essentially a tacit admission that the Russian war effort hasn't gone according to plan and that a shift in strategy was unavoidable.
A great deal depends on how this directive is actually rolled out. While the pool of combat-experienced reservists is limited, it could potentially include everyone currently deployed in Syria. You also have to take Lloyd Austin's counterparts in the Kremlin with a grain of salt—they have a notorious reputation for being unreliable with their data, so don't mistake their numbers for reality. 2/
There are two immediate consequences to watch for here: first, current conscripts serving in the Russian military will likely be pushed toward the front lines in Ukraine; second, volunteers serving on short-term contracts will find themselves barred from renewing them. 3/
In the short term, these two moves might just be enough to prevent the Russian forces from collapsing entirely. If they don't act, the manpower issues in Russia could turn catastrophic this winter, especially since many of those short-term volunteers probably won't be interested in signing on for more. 4/
The grim reality is that the war on the Russian side is increasingly being fought by people who simply do not want to be there. We are going to see an even wider gap in morale, unit cohesion, and other vital metrics between the Ukrainian forces and the Russian ones. 5/
It’s a fair point, and we'll have to wait and see how the order is executed on the ground. Russia might start by mobilizing only a small fraction of reservists under the narrow criteria mentioned by Lloyd Austin's equivalents, gradually ramping it up as circumstances dictate. 6/
Russia has effectively dismantled parts of its old Soviet-style mobilization system, which used to rely on specific cadre units equipped with officers and gear ready to absorb conscripts. Instead, those conscripts and reservists are being used as mere filler to plug holes in the Russian units already engaged in Ukraine. 7/
Under the old system, every regiment and brigade should have had a dedicated conscript battalion, complete with its own officers and contract personnel. But given how severe the Russian manpower shortages have become, I suspect most of those officers and specialists have already been deployed. I honestly doubt many of those battalions remain coherent units at this point. 8/
rowdyraven112 said:So, you're looking to rehabilitate someone who stole a mother's, a grandmother's, or a sister's life savings? Someone who ruined a family, or a domestic abuser whose family is lucky he's finally behind bars? And you try to justify it by calling it patriotism. I’d tell you exactly what I think of that kind of "patriotism," but this forum isn't the place for it. The Ukrainians did the exact same thing.
Until you realize that war itself is an evil, there's no point discussing this conflict. If you're just watching it like a fanatic sports fan, any debate is useless. That's why I haven't been commenting much lately. ☕
The past two weeks have finally forced a direct answer to the central question hanging over this entire conflict: can Ukraine actually pull off the kind of offensives required to liberate its people and reclaim lost territory? Their recent operations around Kharkiv have provided a pretty clear response to that uncertainty.
While this offensive was underway, I had the opportunity to travel over to Ukraine and sit down with several high-ranking military and government officials. After those discussions, I walked away with three key observations.
First off, let’s get one thing straight: the Ukrainians are more than competent. To suggest otherwise is a massive understatement. We haven't seen an army in this century forced to fight on every single front simultaneously while facing an opponent that is both larger and significantly better equipped.
Their most critical preparation for this conflict wasn't found in physical conditioning, but rather in an intellectual overhaul. They spent considerable time retraining their troops to move away from those rigid, Soviet-style centralized command structures in favor of a more decentralized C2 model. It was a fundamental shift, and honestly, that distinction alone became one of the clearest dividing lines between the two sides on the battlefield.
Beyond that, the Ukrainians have adopted what I’ve previously characterized as a strategy of corrosion. They have been relentlessly striking at the Russians' weakest points, systematically dismantling their logistics and slowly picking off as many Russian leaders on the battlefield as possible.
On a strategic level, their campaign for global influence has set an entirely new benchmark for effectiveness. This Ukrainian jurisdiction has effectively forged a military institution that now stands unrivaled in its mastery of the skill and science of 21st-century warfare.
Furthermore, there is a profound sense of pride among Ukrainians regarding their collective national efforts—spanning military, civilian, diplomatic, and information fronts—as they strive to defend their sovereignty against the onslaught of a lethal, if somewhat clumsy, Russian military.
It isn’t that loud, performative kind of pride you see in flag-waving ceremonies or those hollow displays of patriotism. It is something much more understated—a quiet, steady sense of dignity found in the disciplined posture of every soldier and the composed, self-assured stride of the officials and officers I’ve encountered.
There is finally a palpable sense of confidence coming from the Ukrainians. They seem to truly believe that victory in this war is within their grasp. Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently made it clear that they aren't looking for any middle ground with Russia, stating that there is no such thing as a compromise when dealing with them—only conditions, specifically the total withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine. This shift in tone isn't just empty bravado; it’s a direct result of their successes in reclaiming territory around Kyiv, Kharkiv, and several other key areas. Having seized the strategic initiative, the Ukrainians are now actively pushing back, systematically reclaiming vast stretches of land that were previously under Russian control.
There’s another, far more vital source behind their confidence that people often overlook; Ukrainians have a crystal-clear understanding of exactly what is at stake. They aren't just fighting for territory; they are fighting for their people and their homeland. There is a deep-seated conviction among them that they are defending the broader principle that all democracies deserve to exist.
Every single Ukrainian I spoke with during my time in Kyiv shared one identical sentiment: just give us the right tools in sufficient quantities so we can actually finish this. They aren't delusional about their capabilities; they know they have what it takes to defeat the Russians, but there is a pervasive, weary understanding that their success is entirely tethered to the steady flow of support from the West.
The approaching winter presents a prime opportunity for the West to ramp up its support for Ukraine. During our recent discussions, President Zelenskyy made one thing very clear: they aren't looking to seize territory that would compromise their own security, but they desperately need a significant increase in military aid.
The message remained remarkably consistent regarding what actually matters on the battlefield: we need robust anti-aircraft defense, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, long-range artillery, standard military gear, UAVs, and specialized counter-drone systems.
Some pundits over in the West have started questioning whether Ukraine can actually handle any more military aid, suggesting they might be hitting a ceiling on what they can absorb. Honestly, it feels like a bit of a disconnect. The Ukrainians know their own situation far better than any bureaucrat sitting in a Washington office ever could, and frankly, they’ve mastered the nuances of modern warfare to a degree that most Western militaries haven't even begun to grasp. If they say they need more, we should probably just listen to them and stop second-guessing their capacity.
There is significantly more we could be doing to bolster their efforts. I have already put forward a proposal for my own government to increase the shipment of armored vehicles and essential equipment, while simultaneously ramping up the intensity of our support for the Ukrainian narrative within the global information space.
The months ahead represent a critical window for the United States and its allies to prove whether their commitment to Ukraine is genuine or merely performative, especially when it comes to securing a definitive victory over Russia. This necessity becomes significantly more urgent if we see signs that Russia is beginning to ramp up its own domestic mobilization efforts.
The casualties sustained in Ukraine over the last eight months have essentially been an investment to ensure that their "government of the people, by the people, and for the people" isn't wiped off their small corner of the map. That’s the core of their struggle. And because that's the reality of what's at stake, it's precisely why the West needs to step up its support.
Larry Sanchez7 said:Honestly, it's a long shot, but I was sitting here thinking about this today...
Maybe it's what Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was getting at—that the little gnome is just looking for an exit strategy from this war.
How do you dodge a total defeat? You throw them a referendum, they "reject" the Russians (even though they would've rejected them regardless), and then you pull the troops back.
Save yourself and save Russia at the same time...
Btw, when they address the public, is there any live coverage?
The Russian Stock Exchange faced a total meltdown following news and rumors regarding a fresh escalation in the war with Ukraine. Specifically, on Tuesday, September 20, the State Duma passed several wartime laws that tighten penalties for offenses committed during wartime or "military operations." Furthermore, terms like "mobilization" and "state of combat" have been formally integrated into the Penal Code. Investors viewed these legislative shifts, combined with statements from the "LDNR" authorities regarding upcoming referendums to join Russia, as the signal for a new phase of conflict.
The Moscow Exchange index plummeted by 10.5% at its lowest point, eventually clawing back about half of those losses to settle at 2300 points by 4:00 PM Moscow time—marking its first significant drop since August 30. Leading the charge in the sell-off were Polymetal, which tanked 21.05%, Tinkoff, down 15.27%, VK (formerly Mail.ru), shedding 15.3%, and Yandex, which slid 8.7%.
Major energy players weren't spared either, with heavyweights like Novatek falling 8.4%, Gazprom dropping 5.8%, and Rosneft losing 5.28%. Interestingly, the ruble actually moved in opposition to the market collapse, showing unexpected strength despite the chaos; usually, currency fluctuations tend to mirror these kinds of volatile market shifts.
At the opening of the trading session, 10 Chinese yuan were valued at 8,599 rubles, though by 4:00 PM Moscow time, they had drifted toward the 8,559 range. The dollar started the day at 60.3 rubles before settling near 60.16 by midday, while the euro opened at 60.4 rubles and dipped to 60.05 by the middle of the day.
