That 300K number is BS, 6 months ago it was 50K but whatever. Of course you didn't even mention Ukrainian losses just like all Western media. That's a good doggie

Kherson withdrawal was a sensible thing to do from a military standpoint because the Russians had limited recourses in Ukraine but whatever.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive that was meant to take Melitopol and push all the way to the Sea of Azov failed hopelessly. That shit was planned by NATO using NATO trained and equipped Ukrainian brigades. Nine brigades in total and they were stopped, worn down and are now spent. Chocolate medal

Listening alternatively to Russian / Ukrainian shills ITT is really tiresome. Suffice to say that the war did not develop nearly as well as Russia expected, but at the same time they've clearly weathered the worst of Weatern sanctions, and they have a massive industrial and demographic advantage in the protracted, multi-year war they're now in. Ukraine cannot win the war military, and a negotiated settlement, one which includes territorial concessions, is the only way this war ends with Ukraine as a sovereign state.

As far as the impact of sanctions go, apparently you can still buy entree mcwraps at vkusno i tochka but you can't at mcdonalds. Guess the ruskie's cucumber supply chain was more resilient

Their basic food commodities are much better priced...

You can get 16x more bread for a USD over there. Watched a youtuber afford 4 loaf for $1.00USD, meanwhile its about $3.99USD for quality bread at my local market.



This post was edited by RedFromWinter on Dec 17 2023 09:56am

That would suggest you believe Russia has the capacity to remove the current Kiev government and abolish Ukraine's sovereignty ?



Partially true but also relative. Compare median earnings of a Russian vs an American.

This post was edited by Prox1m1ty on Dec 17 2023 09:57am

Over a period of 4-5 years? Ukraine will eventually run out of men and the lines will collapse. At the very least, Russia can reach the Dnipro. Western nations are not willing to make the financial sacrifices required to re-industrialize. Russia is having a very hard time doing it as well, but they're clearly willing to commit a far greater share of their more limited resources.

In my field, their earnings were about 1/3-1/2 of comparable US position. We used to contract some so I kinda know at least with the pre 2019 wages. Still better bread commodity prices even after adjusting for wage differences. Even the bread trying to be American is cheaper than US after adjust for wage.

I agree what you are proposing is theoretically possible.

However, as it stands Russia has not demonstrated its ability to conduct such a military action or willingness to mobilise the amount of troops required to achieve it.
I also agree that unless European nations especially, commit further to re-industrialising then Ukraine's long term security position will not be sustainable in its current form.



Interesting. Would you live there?

Probably not, would like to visit someday though. Not interested in conscription

tbh there were 3 users suspended, all for posts which were tamer then what we are currently seeing.



the verb "shill" —promoting someone or something for pay

As most of us who have been posting in this topic a while now will recall, there was a certain user who offered payment in cash to users, via pm, to promote one side. Back then the moderation of this sub forum was better then it is now, noting said user was, thankfully, banned. granted he is probably back as a multi but at least back then when they saw shit they did something about it.

This post was edited by ferdia on Dec 17 2023 10:49am