Russian invasion of Ukraine

[DarkTZeratul]

one of the most fascinating things in correlation with that picture is what I imagine Putin promises his subordinates and cronies in exchange for unwavering subservience. If he only commanded through the stick with no carrot, I'm sure he'd be dead by now. So what's the carrot to be complicit in war crimes and think it'll be worth it?

Don't underestimate what judicious application of the stick can accomplish. Just look at North Korea.

[Vladier]

Don't underestimate what judicious application of the stick can accomplish. Just look at North Korea.

More importantly, sticks and carrots are subjective. An excessive implementation of a stick can make even a rotten nondescript root vegetable seem like the most succulent and sweet carrot in the world.

[Shadowferal]

Still taking from a video of 'pootie' in Crimea before his so-called visit to Mariupol. It could just be a weird optical illusion but that looks like someone in a mask.

Yea...but it could be Putin himself with a mask. He gets the makeup treatment when gets on TV, but I don't think he looks healthy in real life.

[Makabreska]

Yea...but it could be Putin himself with a mask. He gets the makeup treatment when gets on TV, but I don't think he looks healthy in real life.

ROFL it literally looks like he is holding to his face some cheap, Halloween Putler mask in his hand.

[jonnysensible]

Still taking from a video of 'pootie' in Crimea before his so-called visit to Mariupol.



It could just be a weird optical illusion but that looks like someone in a mask.

its obviously nonsense. It was putin.

[Azadina]

ROFL it literally looks like he is holding to his face some cheap, Halloween Putler mask in his hand.

Shows how RuZZki economy is really doing. Their government funded Putler mask is worse than any western halloween mask from dollar store. No wonder their spies are getting caught all over, and are frequently on the news.

[Iphie]

https://russia.liveuamap.com/en/2023...ing-in-kremlin

Not sure if this is working, but eh, a picture says more than a thousand words.

[Makabreska]

https://russia.liveuamap.com/en/2023...ing-in-kremlin

Not sure if this working, but eh, a picture says more than a thousand words.

He thin af?

[jonnysensible]

he was holding the chair with his right hand pretty firmly.

[Iphie]

He thin af?

thin, and i'd say looking quite submissive.

[Makabreska]

thin, and i'd say looking quite submissive.

I wouldn't look too much into a random snapshot since these can be chosen to present w/e someone wants, but we all know who wears pants in this relationship.

[zealo]

thin, and i'd say looking quite submissive.

Russians better get used to having to bow down to china anyhow, being a Chinese vassal state is on the cards for them in the decades ahead.

[Iphie]

I wouldn't look too much into a random snapshot since these can be chosen to present w/e someone wants, but we all know who wears pants in this relationship.

While that is definitely true the flipside is the possibility that this is the most flattering photo they could release, both are valid possibilities.

[YUPPIE]

I don't ever see Putin as the type of person to be someone else's (Xi) subordinate in any capacity.

[Elder Millennial]

I don't ever see Putin as the type of person to be someone else's (Xi) subordinate in any capacity.

Beggars can't be choosers.

[Saradain]

Seems like Ukraine did a counter-offensive in the ever-fighting Bakhmut. Their determination to defend such a small target confounds...But perhaps it is to avoid same utter destruction of any further cities and towns.

https://www.understandingwar.org/bac...-march-19-2023

Ukrainian forces likely conducted a localized counterattack southwest of Bakhmut amid growing Russian discussion about a potential Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Bakhmut area. Geolocated footage published on March 19 indicates that Ukrainian forces conducted a successful counterattack southwest of Ivanivske (6km west of Bakhmut) and pushed Russian forces further away from the T0504 highway in the area.[1] Ukrainian Eastern Group of Forces Spokesperson Colonel Serhiy Cherevaty reported that Russian forces conducted 25 attacks in the Bakhmut area on March 19, but Russian forces likely only secured marginal gains.[2] Russian sources amplified footage on March 18 alleging to show a column of Ukrainian armored vehicles along the T0504 southwest of Kostyantynivka (22km southwest of Bakhmut) and speculated that Ukrainian forces are preparing to launch counteroffensive operations southwest of Bakhmut.[3] A prominent Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces are currently capable of intensifying counterattacks to stabilize the front line around Bakhmut.[4] The growing Russian discussions about an imminent Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Bakhmut area suggest that Russian sources are increasingly uncertain about the Russian military’s ability to maintain the initiative around Bakhmut.

Ding dong, russian cruise missiles in Crimea goes boom!

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...ea-2023-03-20/

March 20 (Reuters) - Ukraine's defence ministry said on Monday that an explosion in Dzhankoi in the north of the Crimean peninsula destroyed Russian cruise missiles intended for use by Russia's Black Sea fleet.
A Russia-installed official in the peninsula, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014, said the blast was caused by drones laced with shrapnel and explosives and targeted civilian sites. One person was injured.
A statement by the intelligence directorate of Ukraine's Defence Ministry said: "An explosion in Dzhankoi city in the north of temporarily occupied Crimea destroyed Russian Kalibr-KN cruise missiles as they were being transported by rail".

The statement on social media said the missiles, designed to be launched from surface ships in Russia's Black Sea fleet, had an operational range of more than 2,500 kms (1,550 miles) on land and 375 kms (233 miles) at sea.
Ihor Ivin, the Russian-installed head of the Dzhankoi administration, was quoted as saying the city had come under attack from drones and a 33-year-old man suffered a shrapnel injury from a downed drone. He was taken to hospital and expected to survive.

Obviously, russians claimed Ukraine targeted civilians as there are "no military targets in the area". Life sure is thriving and fun for russian occupiers in Crimea, everyday fear and propaganda keeping the appearance of a paradise for their ilk...

[Corvus]

Ding dong, russian cruise missiles in Crimea goes boom!

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...ea-2023-03-20/

In something of an ironic turn of events, the drone used in the attack was reportedly an Iranian one that the Ukrainians captured and then fired back at the russians.

[Benggaul]

Seems like Ukraine did a counter-offensive in the ever-fighting Bakhmut. Their determination to defend such a small target confounds...But perhaps it is to avoid same utter destruction of any further cities and towns.

From what I've read and to paraphrase what some of the Ukrainian fighters have said: "Sure, we could retreat back to another small town...and then another...and then another and so on until we reach Kyiv, but what difference does it make if we fight there or here?" Basically they'll make tactical retreats when they have to, but they'll take every opportunity they can to bleed Russia dry for every inch of Ukrainian soil for as long as they can keep squeezing the trigger.

[Gabriel]

In something of an ironic turn of events, the drone used in the attack was reportedly an Iranian one that the Ukrainians captured and then fired back at the russians.

Lol. This war is a gift that keeps on giving.

[YUPPIE]

So a new story reiterating that if you criticize Putin, you die.

Source 2:

Dima Nova-whose given name was Dmitry Svirgunov-founded the popular electronic group Cream Soda, and criticized Russian President Vladmir Putin's alleged $1.3 billion mansion in the song "Aqua Disco." The song was often sung at protests before and in the early days of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine and the protests quickly became known as "Aqua Disco Parties."

Cream Soda became icons of the anti-war movement when comedian Alexander Gudkov used one of their songs to poke fun at Putin who had been accused of building an opulent $1.3 billion mansion near Gelendzhik on Russia's southern Black Sea coast using the proceeds of corruption.

"We had a tragedy last night. Our Dima Nova, in the company of friends, was walking along the Volga and fell under the ice. The Ministry of Emergency Situations are still looking for his brother Roma and friend, Gosha Kiselev. Aristarchus, our friend who also fell under the ice, was caught, but could not be saved. As soon as we have information from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, we will inform you," the group wrote in the caption.

On Tuesday, the group posted photos of Nova and his friend Kiselev, writing "an official identification took place today at 9:00. Dima and Goshi are no more."

Such a terrifying man in how casual murder is to him. Doesn't matter what age you are or who you are, either.