Not sure I understand Trump's movement in the polls

[testboner]

Hey TB, you may be correct, but I'm not sure you are. Russia should have walked all over Ukraine, but have not done so. Are they winning? Yes. But they've shown their equipment, comms, logistics, tactics, to be JV, at best. They don't want to get into a conventional war with anyone right now. They're low on equipment, spare part, ammunition, etc.

Russia gave NATO a front row seat to their capabilities. That's not good for them.

I agree with you that the US is on the verge of bankruptcy in the next 30 years. Russia in the next 10 years, and a good portion of BRICS in the next 10 years.

Russia should find a way to claim victory in Ukraine (as should the US and Ukraine), draw new lines and send everyone home. Then they should get back to the only thing they know how to do, and that is export energy. Bring that cash back home and get their house back in order. US should never have gotten involved in the first place. So stupid, and the crazy thing is that any sane discussion of the topic got you labelled as a Putin puppet, which is so moronic.

Russia has frequently explained that the Ukraine people are not their enemy. They could have 100% dominated Ukraine well within a month start to finish if Ukraine was a true enemy to them. Their approach has had to be a slow approach of military and equipment depletion so as to kill as few non combatants, and forced combatants as possible. It’s in no way a matter of not being capable of steamrolling Ukraine. All of Ukraine’s capabilities were very rapidly destroyed - Ukraine itself was very early on defeated (left to fend for itself). US and its western cohorts are the only thing they’ve got and that can’t continue indefinitely, as everything provided is being destroyed.
So far as Russia running low on arms, their production is the highest it’s ever been and they could continue pretty much indefinitely. Their output nowhere near exceeds their production rates.

 

[testboner]

BTW,
Russia itself is pretty much the most honest and accurate source of info regarding its military production, strength and health.
Former Colonel Douglas Macgregor and Scott Ritter are another couple largely honest / candid and accurate sources of info on it all.

 

[tommyguns2]

So why is Russia bringing in North Korean conscripts? I'm genuinely curious.

From my perspective, Russia is clearly going to win this war, but this is NOT what Putin was expecting or shooting for. The economy is NOT in good shape, his enemies have a much better gauge on his military capabilities, the Russian people are not happy (not that it really matters in Russian "democracy"), and while leaders like Putin don't lose elections, leaders in Russia have an uncanny way of falling out of the window of multi-story buildings.

If this conflict continues to linger, I hope his dacha is a ranch and that his aides know the taste and smell of cesium and/or other radioactive isotopes when they see them. Oligarchs seems to get upset stomachs periodically over there.

 

[testboner]

So why is Russia bringing in North Korean conscripts? I'm genuinely curious.

From my perspective, Russia is clearly going to win this war, but this is NOT what Putin was expecting or shooting for. The economy is NOT in good shape, his enemies have a much better gauge on his military capabilities, the Russian people are not happy (not that it really matters in Russian "democracy"), and while leaders like Putin don't lose elections, leaders in Russia have an uncanny way of falling out of the window of multi-story buildings.

If this conflict continues to linger, I hope his dacha is a ranch and that his aides know the taste and smell of cesium and/or other radioactive isotopes when they see them. Oligarchs seems to get upset stomachs periodically over there.

TG,
The most basic summary describes as such, speaking on the fairly recent purpose of Putin’s visit to N Korea:

Does North Korea have an alliance with Russia?
The visit included several top Russian officials, and a number of agreements were signed, including the North Korean–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The partnership agreement pledged mutual aid and strengthening cooperation in security, trade, and cultural ties, including a mutual defence clause.—

A “new order” is being formed as per Russia’s stated interests to end the unipolar American order / hegemony.
As you know, Russia and China have also recently elevated their agreements with one another, including military alignment/ defense.

 

[Bigtex]

US should never have gotten involved in the first place. So stupid, and the crazy thing is that any sane discussion of the topic got you labelled as a Putin puppet, which is so moronic.

AMEN! We get involved in protecting the borders of Ukraine yet we can't spend a dollar protecting our own borders. Meanwhile we have an invasion going on in our own country, an economy that is horrible, high crime rates and very few jobs. All of the money wasted on Ukraine's problems could have been used to help recent disasters in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida. The Biden administration has made it clear, they intend to view any crossing of the Ukrainian border by Russia as an act against the United States yet they have been content to watch the invasion of our own southern border.

 

[Heady Muscle]

Good times

 

[Yano]

gauge on his military capabilities,

They don't really have any. An that's not a dig and it's from some experience. I have fought hundreds of Russians in armored combat simulators and MMO's for years, made friends with them and spoken to them quite a bit.

Oddly enough many have military backgrounds in armored vehicles , combat or being mechanics. They use Russian battle tactics.

Yes I know a simulation or mmo is not real .. hear me out, their tactics do not differ.

They use a tactic known as Red Rush , they probe a line with scouts and light tanks looking for gaps. Once a viable route is found the artillery pounds it so flat you could put up a walmart ,,, once they have a sizeable hole and the arty has shake n baked the area proper ,, they Rush it ,,, flow through and fight you from your back side , essentially pinning you between their lead shock troops and their 2nd and 3rd waves as they move up.

This has not changed since WW2 , IF the Russians want any hope of taking more ground , they will have to change this. It's been over played way to many times. I just do not see it as being viable with the new tech such as drones , swatters , copperhead rounds and so on.

An don't forget Ukraine is presently the worlds testing ground for any and all new ideas they have been cooking up.

As sad as it sounds , I truly do not think any one wants a quick end to it until they run out of toys to test.

 

[fasttwitch]

I am genuinely curious if Ukraine will use their nuclear weapons against Russia if they feel desperate. What do you guys think? I believe they would if they feel it is the only recourse.

Ukraine is a few months away from being able to wipe Moscow off of the map. This situation could spiral completely out of control very quickly.

 

[Yano]

I am genuinely curious if Ukraine will use their nuclear weapons against Russia if they feel desperate. What do you guys think? I believe they would if they feel it is the only recourse.

Ukraine is a few months away from being able to wipe Moscow off of the map. This situation could spiral completely out of control very quickly.

Ukraine hasn't had nukes since 94. At least publicly known. Oddly enough they gave them up ... due in part to Russia agreeing to never attack them.

 

[testboner]

IF the Russians want any hope of taking more ground ,

Yano,
I’m not sure where you’re sourcing Russia’s Ukraine progress updates (or lack of, in your belief), but if you’re interested in just how much ground they’re taking — which btw includes only the claimed territories they’ve designated. They have no interest in the rest of Ukraine regions. This is a daily source of good updates:
https://youtube.com/@militarysummary/videos

 

[Yano]

Yano,
I’m not sure where you’re sourcing Russia’s Ukraine progress updates (or lack of, in your belief), but if you’re interested in just how much ground they’re taking — which btw includes only the claimed territories they’ve designated. They have no interest in the rest of Ukraine regions. This is a daily source of good updates:
https://youtube.com/@militarysummary/videos

I'll check this out man , thanks !

 

[fasttwitch]

Ukraine hasn't had nukes since 94. At least publicly known. Oddly enough they gave them up ... due in part to Russia agreeing to never attack them.

Ukraine gave up the nukes. But Ukraine retained all the blueprints, manufacturing ability and they have the physicists who can get the process started again. According to geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan, Zelinsky probably now has the widely available uranium which is abundant in the region.

Ukraine was the Soviet location that produced all the nukes. It is in their wheelhouse. And seeing a possibly Trump presidency combining it is being whispered that they are readying this option.