Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5

Kimberly Perez82 said:It seems people like you just can't grasp what everyone else—and even CNN—is shouting from the rooftops. We are standing right on the precipice of a global nuclear war because neither side is backing down. You have to act with extreme, surgical caution, not charge in like a blind, raging bull, which is exactly what some of you seem to be praying for. I mean, look at the news today—even Medvedev is out there hinting that they might actually use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. That group has completely lost their grip on reality. So, how do you handle people like that? Do you just act recklessly and risk everything blowing up in our faces, or do you try to de-escalate first and then deal with the fallout once things settle down?

"Everyone else"
I honestly don't know how to tell you this, but this level of panic isn't doing you any favors.
My colleagues keep asking me: what would you actually offer an aggressor, and where does that path lead? According to your logic, you'd just hand over whatever they demand and watch as Putko demands more, eventually leading us straight into the hands of some leftist dictator somewhere with a nuclear arsenal. What you’re suggesting is insanity. It’s essentially rewarding blackmailers every time they make a threat, which is a direct route to a global dictatorship.
Take a breath. Clearly, those of us you consider "abnormal" aren't going to change your mind.

Kimberly Perez82 said:It seems people like you just can't grasp what everyone else—and even CNN—is shouting from the rooftops. We are standing right on the precipice of a global nuclear war because neither side is backing down. You have to act with extreme, surgical caution, not charge in like a blind, raging bull, which is exactly what some of you seem to be praying for. I mean, look at the news today—even Medvedev is out there hinting that they might actually use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. That group has completely lost their grip on reality. So, how do you handle people like that? Do you just act recklessly and risk everything blowing up in our faces, or do you try to de-escalate first and then deal with the fallout once things settle down?

Not exactly, though—he was just pointing to what’s written in their military doctrine, throwing out some vague nonsense about how Ukraine shouldn't be allowed to have any nukes of its own.

stormybear25 said:The boys are ready 🙂

Reports are coming in that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have reportedly moved into the village of Piski-Radkivsky in the Kharkiv region.

Honestly, this whole thing looks just like a scene straight out of those Ewoks from Star Wars 🤣

gentlerider7 said:Not exactly, though—he was just pointing to what’s written in their military doctrine, throwing out some vague nonsense about how Ukraine shouldn't be allowed to have any nukes of its own.

Just listen to his speech! He basically said they have the right to drop a bomb on Ukraine if they end up losing this war—and let's face it, they *are* losing—and he truly believes the West won't lift a finger because they're too worried about their own security. Now, the USA claimed one day that they would react. You just put two and two together and see where it leads.

Kimberly Perez82 said:Just listen to his speech! He basically said they have the right to drop a bomb on Ukraine if they end up losing this war—and let's face it, they *are* losing—and he truly believes the West won't lift a finger because they're too worried about their own security. Now, the USA claimed one day that they would react. You just put two and two together and see where it leads.

I mean, look, Medvedev has been running his mouth about Armageddon if anyone even breathes on Crimea. It's usually just straight-up bluster, isn't it?

Andrew Booth29 said:Putin simply cannot afford to lose Donbas or southern Ukraine. Given all the rhetoric coming out of the Kremlin lately, the whole situation feels eerily similar to how things looked during the Gulf War—back when everyone knew a massive shift was coming, yet nobody could sign a peace deal because they had already backed themselves into a corner by overpromising to their people. It’s unsettling. I honestly worry this is headed toward a major escalation. How is he supposed to just back down when he’s spent all this time claiming there are Nazis in Ukraine who hate everything Russian? 🤷

Right now, his entire strategy seems to hinge on mobilization, praying for a frozen conflict, and eventually dragging everyone into some sort of negotiation designed to just lock the current stalemate in place—essentially stretching this out indefinitely. And frankly, I'm concerned that even the nuclear option isn't off the table for him. When Medvedev starts talking, he's usually just saying exactly what Putin is thinking.

The Russians can't let go of Crimea since they've officially declared it part of the Russian Federation, and that's where they might resort to nuclear weapons. As for the Donbas, I suspect Donetsk, Luhansk, and Mariupol are their true red lines. In other words, they won't allow the land connection to Crimea to be severed. That explains why they are rushing to annex those areas to Russia.

Kimberly Perez82 said:Just listen to his speech! He basically said they have the right to drop a bomb on Ukraine if they end up losing this war—and let's face it, they *are* losing—and he truly believes the West won't lift a finger because they're too worried about their own security. Now, the USA claimed one day that they would react. You just put two and two together and see where it leads.

And just like that, they transform into a second North Korea. Everyone cuts ties for the next fifty years, which leaves us wondering... where exactly are those old fossils and their families going to dump the hundreds of billions they've spent decades embezzling? We're talking about tens of thousands of privileged Russians who will find themselves totally isolated and driven back into the heart of Russia. And of course, some radiation is bound to leak back there too... The Ukrainians certainly won't let this slide without consequence; imagine specialized task forces hunting down nuclear aggressors, much like the hunt for Nazi war criminals after World War II. They all know exactly what's happening, but as long as there are people willing to peddle the propaganda, these stories will keep circulating...

Carol Johnson21 said:"Everyone else"
I honestly don't know how to tell you this, but this level of panic isn't doing you any favors.
My colleagues keep asking me: what would you actually offer an aggressor, and where does that path lead? According to your logic, you'd just hand over whatever they demand and watch as Putko demands more, eventually leading us straight into the hands of some leftist dictator somewhere with a nuclear arsenal. What you’re suggesting is insanity. It’s essentially rewarding blackmailers every time they make a threat, which is a direct route to a global dictatorship.
Take a breath. Clearly, those of us you consider "abnormal" aren't going to change your mind.

If you ask me, I’d do exactly what they did during the Cuban Missile Crisis: de-escalate the threat of direct nuclear war. That is precisely what foreign analysts were suggesting as recently as last month. We could let Putin theoretically annex the Donbas—which, let's face it, nobody can stop right now anyway—and then pivot immediately toward de-escalation and negotiations. Even if he does it, that annexation won't be recognized by anyone in the world; it carries zero legal weight. Putin finds himself isolated, and it's blindingly obvious to him that he's messed up. He needs an exit strategy, and we should provide him with one rather than giving him a reason to push that button, especially since rationality seems to have vanished from his command center. Once things cool down, we can negotiate the return of the Donbas later, but first, we have to wait for a more stable, cooperative government to emerge in Russia. If the people choose leaders like this again, then they are truly beyond help. The world needs time to find a sustainable solution, not an escalation where logic no longer plays a role.

Russia is already a loser on the global stage; they've shown how weak their military actually is and ended up totally isolated from everyone. We need to settle things down now, because after this, nothing will ever be the same for them. It's become clear that Russia won't be invading other countries anytime soon because they've realized it's a losing game when they can't even manage to conquer Ukraine.

stoler said:And here we go again—mentioning nothing more, nothing less, than a couple of tactical nukes. 🥱🤣🤣🤣

And get this—it's all just a desperate attempt to try and shut down the Ukrainians. Honestly, give me a break. 🤣🤣

And they do it in every single damn post now. Like, it’s become their whole personality—just dropping that at the end of a sentence like it’s some big reveal. What a pathetic bunch of people.

Resurrected said:If we’ve actually reached the point where someone needs to be convinced that nuclear weapons aren't lethal—while simultaneously arguing that Ukraine could somehow defend itself against them—I rest my case.

Complete economic isolation is basically like having a thousand nukes, and honestly, that's exactly what happens if even a single one is used. And we'll be feeling the fallout for at least the next 50 years...

Kimberly Perez82 said:If you ask me, I’d do exactly what they did during the Cuban Missile Crisis: de-escalate the threat of direct nuclear war. That is precisely what foreign analysts were suggesting as recently as last month. We could let Putin theoretically annex the Donbas—which, let's face it, nobody can stop right now anyway—and then pivot immediately toward de-escalation and negotiations. Even if he does it, that annexation won't be recognized by anyone in the world; it carries zero legal weight. Putin finds himself isolated, and it's blindingly obvious to him that he's messed up. He needs an exit strategy, and we should provide him with one rather than giving him a reason to push that button, especially since rationality seems to have vanished from his command center. Once things cool down, we can negotiate the return of the Donbas later, but first, we have to wait for a more stable, cooperative government to emerge in Russia. If the people choose leaders like this again, then they are truly beyond help. The world needs time to find a sustainable solution, not an escalation where logic no longer plays a role.

Russia is already a loser on the global stage; they've shown how weak their military actually is and ended up totally isolated from everyone. We need to settle things down now, because after this, nothing will ever be the same for them. It's become clear that Russia won't be invading other countries anytime soon because they've realized it's a losing game when they can't even manage to conquer Ukraine.

Basically, everything you're saying boils down to this: just hand Russia the Donbas and accept the status quo. Then, if a more reasonable government ever comes to power in Russia, maybe we can talk about the Donbas again. Until then—let the Russians take whatever they want, while we send out diplomatic protests and officially refuse to recognize the annexation... and as for the Ukrainians—well, damn, they'll just have to be "patient."

That's a real beautiful little fantasy you've cooked up there... I don't think even Putin could come up with a plan that delusional.😁

Are you kidding me right now?

Let that idiot reach for the nukes if he actually has the guts... at least then the planet would finally have a legitimate excuse to wipe that scum off the face of the earth once and for all.

Why does every single topic have to be poisoned by concern trolling about those cursed nukes?

There’s actually a thread about this just a little further down. It could have gone in the alternative section, but I get it—given everything happening with the war in Ukraine, it makes sense where it is.

Just my two cents here—I’d probably offer Putin Russia all the way up to El Paso, because honestly, that guy is totally nuts and you just never know what he'll do.

Andrew Booth29 said:Putin simply cannot afford to lose Donbas or southern Ukraine. Given all the rhetoric coming out of the Kremlin lately, the whole situation feels eerily similar to how things looked during the Gulf War—back when everyone knew a massive shift was coming, yet nobody could sign a peace deal because they had already backed themselves into a corner by overpromising to their people. It’s unsettling. I honestly worry this is headed toward a major escalation. How is he supposed to just back down when he’s spent all this time claiming there are Nazis in Ukraine who hate everything Russian? 🤷

Right now, his entire strategy seems to hinge on mobilization, praying for a frozen conflict, and eventually dragging everyone into some sort of negotiation designed to just lock the current stalemate in place—essentially stretching this out indefinitely. And frankly, I'm concerned that even the nuclear option isn't off the table for him. When Medvedev starts talking, he's usually just saying exactly what Putin is thinking.

I’d personally send him a letter telling him to take those nukes and shove them where the sun doesn't shine, and I'd do it publicly. One for him, one for Medvedev—let's see if they actually have the balls to use them.

Arthur Watson4 said:Why does every single topic have to be poisoned by concern trolling about those cursed nukes?

There’s actually a thread about this just a little further down. It could have gone in the alternative section, but I get it—given everything happening with the war in Ukraine, it makes sense where it is.

Just my two cents here—I’d probably offer Putin Russia all the way up to El Paso, because honestly, that guy is totally nuts and you just never know what he'll do.

Man, forget El Paso. You'd have to push them back at least to the Karlovac-Virovitica line...

Joseph Clark37 said:Has Russia set up some kind of new NKVD units specifically to hunt down and kill mobilized soldiers on the front lines if they try to desert or disobey orders?

The Kadyrovites. They aren't exactly frontline combat specialists, but they sure are efficient at slaughtering people and terrorizing anyone attempting to flee.

Sean Reed3 said:Man, forget El Paso. You'd have to push them back at least to the Karlovac-Virovitica line...

Then you've got those idiots on Happy TV, people like Šarić and his crowd, claiming that if things don't reach the level of a crisis in Lisbon, then nothing was actually accomplished...😁
And honestly, I see the exact same kind of half-baked logic popping up right here on this forum too..

Delta Air Lines has canceled its flight schedule to Russia and Belarus through the end of the year
Quincy:

The airline stated that passengers facing cancellations will have the option to either request a full refund for their tickets or reschedule for a different flight. Interestingly, Delta Air Lines hasn't officially disclosed the specific reason behind this sudden suspension of service. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines—which recently announced plans to resume flights to the capital of the Russian Federation—has decided to scrap its intentions to fly from Moscow to Abu Dhabi and back.

https://bykvu.com/ua/bukvy/turkish-a...-kintsia-roku/

Looks like someone went ahead and sabotaged the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. We saw a massive, sudden pressure drop overnight.
https://www.reuters.com/business/ene...or-2022-09-26/

Maria Zakharova:

All through the week, while the United Nations General Assembly was holding its regular sessions in New York City, Russian propaganda was working overtime to manufacture the illusion that Russia isn't actually isolated. Maria Zakharova, representing the Department of State, was particularly prominent in this effort. She even went on Vladimir Solovyov's Evening program to boast that European delegates are practically dreaming of getting a chance to sit down with Sergey Lavrov.

Regarding that, are there actually any demands from Western powers to communicate with the Russian mission at the UN headquarters? <...> These very same Western heavyweights, including the European Union, have started seeking meetings with us. You want names? I'll give you names: Catherine Colonna (France), Annalena Baerbock (Germany), and even a representative from one of those Northern European countries requested a meeting with Lavrov.

Of course, none of these European politicians actually confirmed such requests. Instead, Catherine Colonna stated during a Security Council meeting that France would be sending more experts to Ukraine to investigate Russian war crimes, while Annalena Baerbock pointed out that Russian military aggression poses a threat to the entire European global order.

https://theins.ru/antifake/255415

Olivia Turner49 said:Looks like someone went ahead and sabotaged the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. We saw a massive, sudden pressure drop overnight.
https://www.reuters.com/business/ene...or-2022-09-26/

The Washington Post: The Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines may have been targeted by highly trained divers

The Russian gas pipelines, Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2, might have been hit by something ranging from submarines to specialized divers. This is the theory being floated regarding the disaster on the primary gas route from Russia to Europe, according to a German publication, The Washington Post, citing sources close to the investigation.

Officially, German authorities aren't offering much in the way of specifics, pointing to a lack of data and the necessity of diving to the seabed to actually figure out what happened. That said, the publication's sources aren't buying the idea that this was some random accident—it’s too convenient that two pipelines were hit simultaneously. They are currently looking at two main theories. The first involves "pro-Ukrainian forces" potentially blowing up the lines. If that's the case, Russia would essentially be forced to reroute its gas through Poland and Ukraine. The second possibility is a "Russian false flag operation," which leads to a similar geopolitical outcome.

“We can’t really wrap our heads around a scenario that isn't a deliberate attack. Everything points away from coincidence,” noted a source familiar with the discussions happening within the German government.
Sources also point out that pulling off an operation like this is a massive undertaking, likely requiring special forces or a submarine. As it stands, one section of the Nord Stream 2 line was damaged (which came to light on September 26), and subsequently, pressure dropped across both the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 lines—meaning three out of the four pipes running from Russia to Europe have been compromised. The pipelines sit near the island of Bornholm at a depth of about 100 meters; local authorities noted gas leaks on Monday and warned ships to steer clear of the area.

Representatives from the companies managing the pipeline haven't released specific details yet, stating only that they are working to clarify the circumstances. However, Nord Stream AG has described the damage as "unprecedented" and admitted that recovery will be a long process. Neither the Russian nor the Ukrainian sides have officially commented on the sabotage suspicions. Back in the summer, the Russian side unilaterally halted gas flow through Nord Stream, blaming Western sanctions for making it impossible to maintain the pipeline properly. Meanwhile, European politicians argue that Moscow is simply using the pipeline as leverage to intimidate them and chip away at support for Ukraine in the war against Russia.

Shutting down Nord Stream triggered a fresh wave of the energy crisis across Europe. Governments had to scramble to find alternative gas supplies and other energy sources, which sent fuel prices skyrocketing and pushed inflation to multi-year highs.

https://theins.ru/news/255461