After running a surplus for the first half of the year, the Russians are looking at a massive deficit starting this July. For 2023, they're planning to slash spending and cook up some new taxes. Turns out those sanctions actually work. 👍 https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/ru...a3aec274a4b9a2
I honestly don't see Ukrainians having any trouble with A-10s or F-16s; they could just touch down in Slovakia or Poland whenever they need a quick fix from some mechanics.
Believe it or not 🤣 You’re probably not going to believe this, but Russia's ambassador to the UN just called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Apparently, they want to talk about what they're calling the "illegal seizure of Russian weapons and technology" over in the Kharkiv region.
Honestly? I've been stuck in traffic there a few times myself, nothing too crazy. It’s probably worse than being on the Beltway in DC at 8 AM. https://www.oeamtc.at/autotouring/se...werke-27405489
gentlerider7 said:Dmitry Medvedev is a total piece of work
"The Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, basically fired back at President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s comments about refusing to negotiate with Russia over some supposed 'ultimatum,' claiming that the authorities in Kyiv are actually just holding out for a 'total surrender' on Russian terms.
“These current 'ultimatums' are nothing more than child's play compared to what's coming next. He knows exactly what's on the table: the complete capitulation of the Kyiv regime under Russian conditions,” he went on to say."
That’s what happens when you start your morning with all that bravado. 🤦 I mean, the guy basically said it'll be doomsday if anyone even touches Crimea. 😁
Daniel Ward87 said:What do you guys think—are the Ukrainians going to go all-in on Luhansk and Donetsk? If the Russians are retreating this fast, maybe it means they’re losing interest and just letting those regions slip away, which could be a sign they're handing them back to the Ukrainians. Since the Ukrainians used HIMARS to hit their ammo dumps and wrecked so much gear, basically gutting their logistics entirely, those territories might end up facing a fate similar to what happened in Knin.
As for Crimea, I'm not so sure the Ukrainians can just grab it right now. It feels more like a political chess move than a purely military one.
The next move is likely Mariupol (or Melitopol), mostly heading toward the Black Sea.
driftingfox66 said:I’m feeling a little rusty when it comes to these YouTubers who spend their lives fighting against the decaying West (or alongside them, depending on how much they hate themselves)... Who even is this guy? Based on his video titles, you’d think the firebrands were already chilling out in the Algarve.
Back in July, electricity usage in the US dropped by about 4%, while gas consumption fell by 11%. The US actually has some of the largest gas storage facilities in the world per capita; we're sitting at 65% capacity right now, which means we could easily cruise through the whole winter even if we started at 80%.
Terry Green3 said:Honestly, people would pay five times the price just to have supply, but by the looks of things, there won't be any. Where exactly is Ukraine supposed to pull electricity from? Zaporizhzhia?
I assume this forum isn't filled with toddlers, so I suppose I should offer some comforting, upbeat forecasts. It’ll be tough, but nothing we can't handle. Those of us who lived through war will feel the impact, but it won't be quite like before.
I'm more worried about Italy and France. There are strong pro-Russian factions there; I just hope those snowflakes don't buckle and let Putin's useful idiots take over the government.
The eastern bloc of the EU is solid, and I believe Northern Europe is too. If anyone breaks the consensus, it’ll be the southern countries. Maybe the Germans, since they’ll feel the hit the hardest, but I doubt it.
Meloni is taking over in Italy; she's right-wing, but she's definitely aligned with Ukraine. As for France, I don't see Le Pen being in any position to grab power anytime soon.
Quote : US Corporate Profits Jump 25 % as Sanctions hit Muted net Net income rose even while the economy shrank and inflation kept climbing These data are latest Sign of Economy ’ regarding how things are holding up under sanctions