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Russian soldiers sent Olga Novikova, founder/director of Mariupol film festival video with her captured son demanding to pay 5000 Euro ransom for his life. If not they promised to send video of his execution. links in comments. pic.twitter.com/VBtauH45IZ
Two charming little actresses, Elizabeth and Sonya, of the city theatre of Mariupol. They both performed the role of Lucy in "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe".
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 23:22 - Jan 18 by bluejacko
The Russian army hasn’t taken Soleda it was the Wagner group! They have advanced probably 5kms at most and are still getting hit by Ukr artillery. After 10 months they still haven’t taken Bakmut so to say the tide is turning is a bit drastic. There will always be ebb and flow on any battlefield and further up in Kremina it appears the Ukr are very near or actually in the town! The orcs manage to advance in metres the Ukr does 10s of Kms! With the amount of hardware now coming in I wouldn’t rule out Ukr going on the offensive in the south before longðŸ‘(Please excuse the spelling of the towns🙄)
[Post edited 18 Jan 2023 23:24]
Your spelling of these places is far better than mine. You are hopefully right.
My concern is that in an attritional battle, the losses of men to Russia is irrelevant (there is a limitless supply now and they’re barely trained anyway - cannon fodder) and with time to rebuild its positions and supply lines it can basically outlast Ukraine, especially as it dismantles its infrastructure. How the people are coping with this given how tough the weather is at this time, goodness only knows.
Time will tell and hopefully Ukraine will continue to endure and push them back.
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The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 11:30 - Jan 19 with 6835 views
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 07:32 - Jan 19 by Churchman
Your spelling of these places is far better than mine. You are hopefully right.
My concern is that in an attritional battle, the losses of men to Russia is irrelevant (there is a limitless supply now and they’re barely trained anyway - cannon fodder) and with time to rebuild its positions and supply lines it can basically outlast Ukraine, especially as it dismantles its infrastructure. How the people are coping with this given how tough the weather is at this time, goodness only knows.
Time will tell and hopefully Ukraine will continue to endure and push them back.
I think it's not without reason to be more cautious right now. In terms of attrition, it's not just manpower where Russia could have an advantage. When it comes to tanks and perhaps more crucially IFVs they have a much greater stockpile in reserve. Yes it's older equipment, but at the moment Ukraine is depleting it's stocks of IFVs and tanks, while the west doesn't seem to be ramping up deliveries of systems like the Bradley, Leopard, etc... quick enough. Something is still better than nothing, especially if Ukraine hopes to mount offensive operations, because without combined arms it will fail against an entrenched enemy.
IFVs (and somewhat tanks too) are effectively expendable, so perhaps some western countries are reluctant to send them knowing the majority will not survive. Ukraine can deploy HIMARS safely behind the frontline and scurry before a response can be mustered. IFVs by their nature are deployed right in the front line and in offensive operations will be lost in the course of battles.
The key very much still remains that Russia does not have the industrial capacity to match if the West commits to helping Ukraine, but it relies on sticking the course. It's very frustrating to read about the current situation with Leopard 2s where Germany it seems don't want to send them without America sending Abrams, but America is saying that the logistics of the Abrams upkeep and fuelling would be problematic as they are such ridiculous fuel hogs (even amongst tanks). So we get stuck in Limbo where Germany are holding up potentially hundreds of tanks from multiple countries arsenals which now cannot be shared.
[Post edited 19 Jan 2023 11:31]
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The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 11:53 - Jan 19 with 6785 views
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 11:30 - Jan 19 by Kievthegreat
I think it's not without reason to be more cautious right now. In terms of attrition, it's not just manpower where Russia could have an advantage. When it comes to tanks and perhaps more crucially IFVs they have a much greater stockpile in reserve. Yes it's older equipment, but at the moment Ukraine is depleting it's stocks of IFVs and tanks, while the west doesn't seem to be ramping up deliveries of systems like the Bradley, Leopard, etc... quick enough. Something is still better than nothing, especially if Ukraine hopes to mount offensive operations, because without combined arms it will fail against an entrenched enemy.
IFVs (and somewhat tanks too) are effectively expendable, so perhaps some western countries are reluctant to send them knowing the majority will not survive. Ukraine can deploy HIMARS safely behind the frontline and scurry before a response can be mustered. IFVs by their nature are deployed right in the front line and in offensive operations will be lost in the course of battles.
The key very much still remains that Russia does not have the industrial capacity to match if the West commits to helping Ukraine, but it relies on sticking the course. It's very frustrating to read about the current situation with Leopard 2s where Germany it seems don't want to send them without America sending Abrams, but America is saying that the logistics of the Abrams upkeep and fuelling would be problematic as they are such ridiculous fuel hogs (even amongst tanks). So we get stuck in Limbo where Germany are holding up potentially hundreds of tanks from multiple countries arsenals which now cannot be shared.
[Post edited 19 Jan 2023 11:31]
I think any country sending kit like infantry fighting vehicles (Bradley’s etc) or even tanks must know that once sent that’s it. Gone.
The question surely is that even if Leopard 2s (really good tank), Abrams, Challengers are sent, how long will Ukraine crews take to learn how to use them effectively? And with these you need the capability and skills to recover and repair - something the Allies did in WW2 to great effect 1943/45.
The Germans had technically excellent hardware, but it’s recovery, repair and support was woefully lacking and their relatively few resources drained away as much through that as allied action.
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The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 02:18 - Jan 23 with 6616 views
âš¡ï¸ Scholz on Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine: ‘We must avoid Russia-NATO war.’
When asked about Berlin’s reluctance to provide Ukraine with German-built Leopard 2 tanks in Davos, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany has been “among the biggest supporters of Ukraine.â€
Seems that the rest of NATO does not believe this.
If Germany does not authorize Leopard 2 tank supplies to Ukraine, Poland will create a coalition of allies without Germany to supply Leopards to Kyiv anyway, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Jan. 22. “We will not passively watch Ukraine bleed to death,†he added.
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 02:18 - Jan 23 by Eireannach_gorm
âš¡ï¸ Scholz on Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine: ‘We must avoid Russia-NATO war.’
When asked about Berlin’s reluctance to provide Ukraine with German-built Leopard 2 tanks in Davos, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany has been “among the biggest supporters of Ukraine.â€
Seems that the rest of NATO does not believe this.
If Germany does not authorize Leopard 2 tank supplies to Ukraine, Poland will create a coalition of allies without Germany to supply Leopards to Kyiv anyway, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Jan. 22. “We will not passively watch Ukraine bleed to death,†he added.
Germany and France have always had an eye on postwar Russian contracts in my view, so their support for Ukraine has been as meagre as it’s possible to be. Mind you, Germany’s military has been run down to irrelevance over the years and despite fine words, my guess is that it’ll stay that way.
Brave words from Poland, but there’s a limit to what they can do. Great people, the Poles.
The policy, starts and ends with Biden. It is to still to just keep Ukraine on life support and little more. Personally, I don’t think this is sustainable and Ukraine will be forced to surrender eventually. Russian military will improve tactically and have numbers on their side.
I thought Ukraine would cave in after three or four days and are still resisting, so I’m hopefully wrong.
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The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 09:06 - Jan 23 with 6557 views
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 08:42 - Jan 23 by Churchman
Germany and France have always had an eye on postwar Russian contracts in my view, so their support for Ukraine has been as meagre as it’s possible to be. Mind you, Germany’s military has been run down to irrelevance over the years and despite fine words, my guess is that it’ll stay that way.
Brave words from Poland, but there’s a limit to what they can do. Great people, the Poles.
The policy, starts and ends with Biden. It is to still to just keep Ukraine on life support and little more. Personally, I don’t think this is sustainable and Ukraine will be forced to surrender eventually. Russian military will improve tactically and have numbers on their side.
I thought Ukraine would cave in after three or four days and are still resisting, so I’m hopefully wrong.
I think that's a bit harsh on Germany, which with its former reliance on Russian energy and closer business contacts with Russia, has taken much more of an economic hit in connection with sanctions than, say, the UK, if you leave aside Russian donors to the Tory party and dirty money floating about the City.
There also has to be borne in mind the post-war reluctance, both on the part of Germany and its allies, for Germany to build up its armed forces or be actively engaged in military conflict, given its history.
I might add that the much higher profile support the UK has offered, appears to have been partly driven by a desire to take the heat off problems that Johnson and now Sunak have at home. It's perhaps no coincidence that Johnson pops up in Kyiv yesterday at the time he is coming under scrutiny for his links to the BBC chair.
But as you suggest, the greatest limiting factor in all this seems the reluctance of the part of the US to get too involved, perhaps fearing Putin's reaction if he is actually defeated.
As regards the conflict itself, I am inclined to think it has reached stalemate (something that may well suit the US), and I can't really see Russia gaining much more ground given its ineptitude, reflected in the fact that it now has less land than it did a few months ago.
[Post edited 23 Jan 2023 9:20]
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The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 09:21 - Jan 23 with 6504 views
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 09:06 - Jan 23 by DJR
I think that's a bit harsh on Germany, which with its former reliance on Russian energy and closer business contacts with Russia, has taken much more of an economic hit in connection with sanctions than, say, the UK, if you leave aside Russian donors to the Tory party and dirty money floating about the City.
There also has to be borne in mind the post-war reluctance, both on the part of Germany and its allies, for Germany to build up its armed forces or be actively engaged in military conflict, given its history.
I might add that the much higher profile support the UK has offered, appears to have been partly driven by a desire to take the heat off problems that Johnson and now Sunak have at home. It's perhaps no coincidence that Johnson pops up in Kyiv yesterday at the time he is coming under scrutiny for his links to the BBC chair.
But as you suggest, the greatest limiting factor in all this seems the reluctance of the part of the US to get too involved, perhaps fearing Putin's reaction if he is actually defeated.
As regards the conflict itself, I am inclined to think it has reached stalemate (something that may well suit the US), and I can't really see Russia gaining much more ground given its ineptitude, reflected in the fact that it now has less land than it did a few months ago.
[Post edited 23 Jan 2023 9:20]
Germany didn't just wake up one day and find itself accidentally reliant on Russian energy. It made a conscious decision to build its economy that way, shutdown its nuclear reactors and then even chose to ignore what happen to Crimea. It's utterly complicit - I'm surprised that there isn't more international criticism of its behaviour.
Has anyone ever looked at their own postings for last day or so? Oh my... so sorry. Was Ullaa
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 09:06 - Jan 23 by DJR
I think that's a bit harsh on Germany, which with its former reliance on Russian energy and closer business contacts with Russia, has taken much more of an economic hit in connection with sanctions than, say, the UK, if you leave aside Russian donors to the Tory party and dirty money floating about the City.
There also has to be borne in mind the post-war reluctance, both on the part of Germany and its allies, for Germany to build up its armed forces or be actively engaged in military conflict, given its history.
I might add that the much higher profile support the UK has offered, appears to have been partly driven by a desire to take the heat off problems that Johnson and now Sunak have at home. It's perhaps no coincidence that Johnson pops up in Kyiv yesterday at the time he is coming under scrutiny for his links to the BBC chair.
But as you suggest, the greatest limiting factor in all this seems the reluctance of the part of the US to get too involved, perhaps fearing Putin's reaction if he is actually defeated.
As regards the conflict itself, I am inclined to think it has reached stalemate (something that may well suit the US), and I can't really see Russia gaining much more ground given its ineptitude, reflected in the fact that it now has less land than it did a few months ago.
[Post edited 23 Jan 2023 9:20]
Russia are building up forces, strengthening supply lines and even they will have learned something from their ineptitude. They also couldn’t care a less how many of their own people die, let alone the enemy.
Yes, Germany has taken a hit thanks to its misplaced policy towards Russia. However there is a smokescreen when it come# to defence. When it set up its post war armed forces they were defensive and I believe constitutionally governed that way.
During the Cold War something like 3% of GDP went towards defence and wile it didn’t offer much (they let the US do the heavy lifting/defend them), they offered something, especially technologically. We are now 80 years on from WW2 and Western Europe still rely totally on the US. Germany is still hiding behind the sins of its past, in my view.
Post Cold War they’ve allowed their defence to run down to nothing. Most stuff has been rotting in storage and their capability is negligible and their defence spending down to 1%. They’ve promised to raise it to the NATO agreed 2% and it’ll be interesting to see if they do. In the meantime I still believe their eye, like France’s, is on those juicy post war Russian contracts.
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 09:24 - Jan 23 by Churchman
Russia are building up forces, strengthening supply lines and even they will have learned something from their ineptitude. They also couldn’t care a less how many of their own people die, let alone the enemy.
Yes, Germany has taken a hit thanks to its misplaced policy towards Russia. However there is a smokescreen when it come# to defence. When it set up its post war armed forces they were defensive and I believe constitutionally governed that way.
During the Cold War something like 3% of GDP went towards defence and wile it didn’t offer much (they let the US do the heavy lifting/defend them), they offered something, especially technologically. We are now 80 years on from WW2 and Western Europe still rely totally on the US. Germany is still hiding behind the sins of its past, in my view.
Post Cold War they’ve allowed their defence to run down to nothing. Most stuff has been rotting in storage and their capability is negligible and their defence spending down to 1%. They’ve promised to raise it to the NATO agreed 2% and it’ll be interesting to see if they do. In the meantime I still believe their eye, like France’s, is on those juicy post war Russian contracts.
I fully respect your position but take a different view.
On the future of the war, I'm no expert, but if the Russians are recruiting prisoners or using mercenaries and their tanks aren't up to much, I am not wholly convinced that they can turn things round that much, especially as Ukraine appears to have much better trained troops and now has much better armaments.
It is easy to criticise Germany but isn't it the case that the whole of the West looked on Russia favourably until the invasion? We even effectively forgave them for annexing Crimea.
The aim was in part to try to bring Russia into the fold, and just look how keen the City and the Tory party were to court Russian money, so I am not sure Germany deserves particular criticism. I might add that I don't think there will be Russian contracts on offer so long as sanctions remain in place, which I can't see being removed while Putin is in power.
There was also a supposed peace dividend which made various countries, including the UK, take their eyes off the ball.
Indeed, when it comes to defence spending, do you really think the UK is in much better shape to defend itself? Just look at recent defence spending reviews, which senior military people have criticised.
In addition, the UK may spend 2% on defence but there is now included in that figure things that wouldn't have been included before such as the cost of MOD civil service pensions and Armed Forces pensions.
I would just conclude by saying that like you I thought Ukraine would be defeated in a matter of days, so leaving aside the tragic loss of life and destruction, that is one positive to take out of the situation.
EDIT: The following from Full Fact indicates the extent of defence cuts in the 2010s.
"Defence spending fell by 22% in real terms between 2009/10 (just before the 2010 election) and 2014/15, before the new counting methods were introduced. Comparing to 2010/11, it fell by 18%. Those figures use 2016/17 prices.
In the two years since then, it has stayed virtually the same in real terms, and between now and 2019/20, spending is planned to increase by 1% in real terms."
[Post edited 23 Jan 2023 11:17]
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The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 16:17 - Jan 23 with 6344 views
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 11:02 - Jan 23 by DJR
I fully respect your position but take a different view.
On the future of the war, I'm no expert, but if the Russians are recruiting prisoners or using mercenaries and their tanks aren't up to much, I am not wholly convinced that they can turn things round that much, especially as Ukraine appears to have much better trained troops and now has much better armaments.
It is easy to criticise Germany but isn't it the case that the whole of the West looked on Russia favourably until the invasion? We even effectively forgave them for annexing Crimea.
The aim was in part to try to bring Russia into the fold, and just look how keen the City and the Tory party were to court Russian money, so I am not sure Germany deserves particular criticism. I might add that I don't think there will be Russian contracts on offer so long as sanctions remain in place, which I can't see being removed while Putin is in power.
There was also a supposed peace dividend which made various countries, including the UK, take their eyes off the ball.
Indeed, when it comes to defence spending, do you really think the UK is in much better shape to defend itself? Just look at recent defence spending reviews, which senior military people have criticised.
In addition, the UK may spend 2% on defence but there is now included in that figure things that wouldn't have been included before such as the cost of MOD civil service pensions and Armed Forces pensions.
I would just conclude by saying that like you I thought Ukraine would be defeated in a matter of days, so leaving aside the tragic loss of life and destruction, that is one positive to take out of the situation.
EDIT: The following from Full Fact indicates the extent of defence cuts in the 2010s.
"Defence spending fell by 22% in real terms between 2009/10 (just before the 2010 election) and 2014/15, before the new counting methods were introduced. Comparing to 2010/11, it fell by 18%. Those figures use 2016/17 prices.
In the two years since then, it has stayed virtually the same in real terms, and between now and 2019/20, spending is planned to increase by 1% in real terms."
[Post edited 23 Jan 2023 11:17]
Quite a lot of internal and external political conflict in Germany with respect to war in Ukraine.
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 11:02 - Jan 23 by DJR
I fully respect your position but take a different view.
On the future of the war, I'm no expert, but if the Russians are recruiting prisoners or using mercenaries and their tanks aren't up to much, I am not wholly convinced that they can turn things round that much, especially as Ukraine appears to have much better trained troops and now has much better armaments.
It is easy to criticise Germany but isn't it the case that the whole of the West looked on Russia favourably until the invasion? We even effectively forgave them for annexing Crimea.
The aim was in part to try to bring Russia into the fold, and just look how keen the City and the Tory party were to court Russian money, so I am not sure Germany deserves particular criticism. I might add that I don't think there will be Russian contracts on offer so long as sanctions remain in place, which I can't see being removed while Putin is in power.
There was also a supposed peace dividend which made various countries, including the UK, take their eyes off the ball.
Indeed, when it comes to defence spending, do you really think the UK is in much better shape to defend itself? Just look at recent defence spending reviews, which senior military people have criticised.
In addition, the UK may spend 2% on defence but there is now included in that figure things that wouldn't have been included before such as the cost of MOD civil service pensions and Armed Forces pensions.
I would just conclude by saying that like you I thought Ukraine would be defeated in a matter of days, so leaving aside the tragic loss of life and destruction, that is one positive to take out of the situation.
EDIT: The following from Full Fact indicates the extent of defence cuts in the 2010s.
"Defence spending fell by 22% in real terms between 2009/10 (just before the 2010 election) and 2014/15, before the new counting methods were introduced. Comparing to 2010/11, it fell by 18%. Those figures use 2016/17 prices.
In the two years since then, it has stayed virtually the same in real terms, and between now and 2019/20, spending is planned to increase by 1% in real terms."
[Post edited 23 Jan 2023 11:17]
My comments were about Germany and to an extent France. Not all Europe got into bed with Russia in quite the way Germany and a number of others did. Crimea 2014 was ignored. Killings - ignored. Putin - ignored.
Germany does deserve specific criticism in my view because as Europe’s most important country economically, it made catastrophic decisions over Russia, not just to row Russia into non threat by trade. It acted for commercial advantage too. If you are down to one working strike aircraft, as they were a few years ago, defence is not your priority.
The U.K. is a separate debate. It’s attitude towards defence has been awful for years. About a 100 of them. The tories have slashed spending every year since taking office. It’s army is down to militia status and doesn’t even have the means of transporting itself. Cuts, delays, pitiful procurement, lack of support for the people in the front line. Don’t start me on the UKs meagre contribution. All it really has is a nuclear deterrent- which I happen know is in good working order.
Politically, the U.K. was one of the three countries who guaranteed Ukraine’s borders. They and the US are accountable / should hang their heads in shame not honouring that guarantee. Add in the boatloads of Russian money donations, money laundering, cash for honours you name it and a public enquiry on U.K. corruption is required.
Western Europe needs to get its act together when it comes to defence and secure its own future. It’s not going to happen while there’s so much mistrust within it.
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The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 17:04 - Jan 23 with 6290 views
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 16:54 - Jan 23 by Churchman
My comments were about Germany and to an extent France. Not all Europe got into bed with Russia in quite the way Germany and a number of others did. Crimea 2014 was ignored. Killings - ignored. Putin - ignored.
Germany does deserve specific criticism in my view because as Europe’s most important country economically, it made catastrophic decisions over Russia, not just to row Russia into non threat by trade. It acted for commercial advantage too. If you are down to one working strike aircraft, as they were a few years ago, defence is not your priority.
The U.K. is a separate debate. It’s attitude towards defence has been awful for years. About a 100 of them. The tories have slashed spending every year since taking office. It’s army is down to militia status and doesn’t even have the means of transporting itself. Cuts, delays, pitiful procurement, lack of support for the people in the front line. Don’t start me on the UKs meagre contribution. All it really has is a nuclear deterrent- which I happen know is in good working order.
Politically, the U.K. was one of the three countries who guaranteed Ukraine’s borders. They and the US are accountable / should hang their heads in shame not honouring that guarantee. Add in the boatloads of Russian money donations, money laundering, cash for honours you name it and a public enquiry on U.K. corruption is required.
Western Europe needs to get its act together when it comes to defence and secure its own future. It’s not going to happen while there’s so much mistrust within it.
I don't think I would disagree with any of that.
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The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 20:09 - Jan 24 with 6081 views
British nationals Chris Parry and Andrew Bagshaw killed while “attempting humanitarian evacuation†in eastern Ukraine, says Parry family in statement https://t.co/BfEvf1kUrn
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 20:09 - Jan 24 by Eireannach_gorm
British nationals Chris Parry and Andrew Bagshaw killed while “attempting humanitarian evacuation†in eastern Ukraine, says Parry family in statement https://t.co/BfEvf1kUrn
Germany announced plans to deliver heavy tanks to Ukraine and the U.S. was poised to do so too, in a breakthrough hailed by Kyiv as a turning point in the war https://t.co/hXIY5kzq12pic.twitter.com/ezGYaYC13j
The 'special military operation' continues to reach new lows. on 18:13 - Jan 25 by Eireannach_gorm
At f..ing long last.
Germany announced plans to deliver heavy tanks to Ukraine and the U.S. was poised to do so too, in a breakthrough hailed by Kyiv as a turning point in the war https://t.co/hXIY5kzq12pic.twitter.com/ezGYaYC13j
Belarusian Vital Palavinski was arrested for saying that 🇷🇺 will lose the war & that a revolution will happen in Belarus. He was forced to record a "repentance" video & apologize for his statements. It won't change the fact that the majority of Belarusians are against the war. pic.twitter.com/J0GjfmV7n4
Even though 31 months have gone by since the detention of @viktar_babaryka's son Eduard, he is still held without a trial. But he is unbreakable! Eduard found strength & personal growth even in his tiny cell. He must be released together with all political prisoners in Belarus. https://t.co/DtrjOYuiZa
This week another 39 people were added to the Belarus regime's list of "extremists". It has grown to 2,350 names. Now even the popular rock group Tor Band has been labeled "extremist" & banned - all members were detained last year. They call them extremists - we call them heroes. pic.twitter.com/UUy3oNhWU7
With United Transitional Cabinet members, I met the 🇵🇱Sejm Marshal @elzbietawitek yesterday. We discussed how to hold the regimes of Putin & Lukashenka accountable. I also suggested that deputies can adopt a strategic resolution on Belarus to demand Russian troop withdrawal. pic.twitter.com/XEgCMN0bN2
The latest mass missile strike against Ukraine by Russia utilized Kh-55 missiles equipped with so-called "special purpose warheads."https://t.co/gPhFwBkpsJ
The U.S. will announce for the first time the transfer of GLSDB ammunition with a range of 150 kilometers to Ukraine by the end of the week, doubling range of Ukraine’s artillery capability. pic.twitter.com/CvLlAO0xKp
🇺🇦Good morning its day 344 in #Ukraine and I want to share with you some good news of 6 year old Alina who got evacuated out of Bakhmut and is now safeâ¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/4n2PNqHDQ5
If you need a distraction that your oligarchy is ripping of the whole country then you might want to start a war and keep your subjects busy and dying while you have your golden palaces at the Black Sea in Sochi and Gelendzhik. It is only about corruption on a huge scale. #Russiapic.twitter.com/IErGZ5wciN
A chart from the @WSJ illustrating the extent to which #oil exports from #Russia -- including the #Urals crude -- are selling at considerable discounts.
Russia is exporting more crude than ever. Oil tankers are flagged all over the place to conceal ownership. We built a web crawler that goes from shell company to shell company to find the owner. Russia exports so much oil thanks to Greek-owned oil tankers. With @JonathanPinglepic.twitter.com/THT1FsvX0v
A new large-scale offensive by the Russian invaders will begin within the next 10 days, before Ukraine receives new supplies of weapons.https://t.co/GKpIxidtl6
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