Quote (https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-backed-ngo-runs-russian-opposition-troll-farm--reports)

US-backed NGO runs Russian opposition troll farm: Reports

A recent investigation released by Russian SVTV shows that an NGO founded by jailed Russian dissident Alexei Navalny has been operating a network of payrolled online trolls (online commentators) to attack the Kremlin government and their political opponents.

The investigation is based on leaked documents provided by a whistleblower who formerly worked for the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK).

The documents reveal that FBK has been managing the troll farm for at least two years now.

The troll farm, according to the documents, is bankrolled by the Free Russia Foundation: an American NGO that receives tax-free donations from sponsors of “civil society and democratic development in Russia.”

The Free Russia Foundation board of directors is chaired by David Kramer, senior fellow at the McCain Institute and former State Department assistant secretary. Paige Alexander, a former assistant administrator at USAID, is also among the board members.

The direct work was reportedly contracted to Reforum, a "social media management consultations" firm, which employed 200 online commentators. According to SVTV, the trolls were instructed to use photos of real people who lost access to their accounts.

The trolls (online commentators), who worked from multiple offices in Vilnius, Lithuania and Tbilisi, Georgia, were reportedly paid $10 per hour, making up to $1,950 a month, and were supplied with links to online posts which they were expected to comment on.

Quote (Malopox @ Nov 17 2023 10:58am)

Even most upbeat western warhawks of Carnegie center writing for WSJ have toned their optimism down it seems.

https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/its-time-to-end-magical-thinking-about-russias-defeat-f6d0b8de

https://i.imgur.com/AVccUjO.jpg

TLDR:

Ukraine's counteroffensive has failed to produce a significant breakthrough that would strengthen its bargaining position, and U.S. support has dwindled.

There are no signs at the front that Russia is losing the war of attrition.

Western promises to increase military supplies have not materialized, and sanctions have proven less effective than expected. The Russian economy has suffered, but it is not destroyed.

Russian defense industries are increasing production, and China and India have provided important support to the economy. The Russian Federation is supported “in various parts of the Global South.”

Putin has withstood all Western attempts to stop the invasion of Ukraine, and his power is secure. The United States and its allies need a new strategy: containment.

It has to be noted in all fairness that WSJ emphasizes that, despite forecasts, Ukraine is successfully resisting pressure from Russia.

“Supporting Ukraine in the fight and supplying it with weapons and ammunition is not charity, but the most urgent and cost-effective element of Western strategy. [...] The United States and its allies need to be clear about the long-term nature of this enterprise,”.

So basically a fight until the last Ukranian to contain Russia as a geopolitical rival.

https://i.imgur.com/cbNOZmY.jpg

Quote (Prox1m1ty @ 17 Nov 2023 12:27)

You open by posting a credible article then post a tweet from a total shill.
Over half a million Ukrainian soldiers dead? And your buying this?

Quote (Malopox @ Nov 17 2023 11:35am)

It's his opinion. He is ex-military so I guess his opinion is as good as opinion of any other propagandists.

Ukranians don't publish their casualties. Have to google what Russian MOD estimates Ukranian casualties to be.

I definitely do not believe in 70k number posted earlier. It seems too low given how long this has been going on.

Quote (Prox1m1ty @ 17 Nov 2023 12:42)

Then what do you believe? 70k-500k is a big range and to be honest its laughable. I think it could undoubtedly be around 500k casualties, that's dead and injured.

That guy is a complete shill and as you state, a propagandist. If your echoing him, it makes you the same.

Quote (Malopox @ 17 Nov 2023 14:08)

It's difficult to estimate casualties at this moment - especially Ukrainian losses as soldiers blown up with missiles and JDAMs get vaporized. Decades from now people will be able to count much better how many people actually lost their lives as military archives will get opened and will no longer be secret.

I believe the truth is somewhere between US number and Russian MOD number (UA doesn't publish losses). Surprisingly I cant find Russian MOD numbers easily.

If I had to put a number myself I would estimate it in the middle at about 250k dead for Ukraine side with 250k in wounded. Considering they have reportedly about 600k force at the front with 300k in support functions that's a whopping 30% lost as dead.

The main message he tries to convey is still the right one. This has been a massive blunder of US foreign politics and Ukrainians are paying dearly with their blood and sweat. There seems to be no clear plan or way for Ukraine to win this unless NATO fully engages and dragging this out means at some point Ukraine will run out of able bodied men and women (they recruit women now as well).