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Apr 2022
5:38pm, 10 Apr 2022
12,336 posts
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jda
I think you may be underestimating quite how decrepit the remains of the Russian military is. Their retreat isn’t motivated by their overwhelming strength!
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Apr 2022
5:48pm, 10 Apr 2022
1,478 posts
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Muttley
Although its ground troops have had a good mauling in Ukraine and generally perform best when fighting hospitals and schools, Russia does have a lot of long-range missiles that could do a lot of damage.
It all comes down to the nukes. Putin likes to rattle them at us. Do we call his bluff?
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Apr 2022
5:50pm, 10 Apr 2022
8,675 posts
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Northern Exile
I'm not underestimating it for a second. I've known for years the reality of Russian ground forces. I also know that they are to a large extent motivated by fear of reprisals and bullying, that's one of the the many explanations for their indiscriminate targeting of unarmed civilians.
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Apr 2022
5:54pm, 10 Apr 2022
8,676 posts
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Northern Exile
It all comes down to the nukes. Putin likes to rattle them at us. Do we call his bluff?
I wish I could give a confident answer to that. Which Western leader has the balls and poker face to do it?
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Apr 2022
5:54pm, 10 Apr 2022
8,663 posts
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Eynsham Red
There are rules of war, but they don’t apply to Putin, so who knows what direction he is likely to go if he feels pushed.
It seems to me that life, civilian or military, including his own people, are equally expendable to achieve his aims.
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Apr 2022
6:51pm, 10 Apr 2022
1,479 posts
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Muttley
Basically, is he suicidal and tempted to go down taking everyone else with him?
I would like to think not. He's not insane, even if he does live in an echo chamber surrounded by yes-men who dare not speak truth.
Another question, which might feed into the one above, is should be allowed a face-saver so that he can back down, or should he have his nose rubbed in it?
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Apr 2022
7:19pm, 10 Apr 2022
12,337 posts
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jda
Biden’s openly labelled him a war criminal. I don’t see how he can stay in power.
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Apr 2022
8:28pm, 10 Apr 2022
8,665 posts
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Eynsham Red
Who?
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Apr 2022
10:05pm, 10 Apr 2022
8,677 posts
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Northern Exile
Mmm, I don't know if that is enough to remove him from power. There is no question that he is guilty of war crimes, but the way he wields power in the Kremlin means that his position is pretty much inviolate.
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Apr 2022
12:00pm, 11 Apr 2022
1,483 posts
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Muttley
"More than 20% of Russian soldiers confirmed dead during the war in Ukraine are officers, including 10 colonels, 20 lieutenant colonels, 31 majors and 155 junior officers, the BBC reports."
From the Grauniad daily rolling report.
Plus half a dozen generals.
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