Ukraine conflict

Quote: JimRockford

It appears to me that the free press isn’t covering this war. Most detailed reports are propaganda from one side or the other.

The best information is available from the Institute for the Study of War.

https://www.understandingwar.org/

If anybody remembers I said from day one, from the day that Russia invaded Ukraine that Russia was going to win. No matter what happens no matter how long it takes Russia is going to win because it's ridiculous for them not to. It's like Texas invading Oklahoma, Texas is always going to win. Russia is the 900 lb gorilla and it will win. People need to get over it and just let it happen. You cannot fight the inevitable. It's just like China and Taiwan. Of course China will one day take over Taiwan again, it's inevitable. Everybody knows this, they just won't admit it. China especially knows it that's why they're in no big hurry.

Quote: Evenbob

If anybody remembers I said from day one, from the day that Russia invaded Ukraine that Russia was going to win. No matter what happens no matter how long it takes Russia is going to win because it's ridiculous for them not to. It's like Texas invading Oklahoma, Texas is always going to win. Russia is the 900 lb gorilla and it will win. People need to get over it and just let it happen. You cannot fight the inevitable. It's just like China and Taiwan. Of course China will one day take over Taiwan again, it's inevitable. Everybody knows this, they just won't admit it. China especially knows it that's why they're in no big hurry.

What does Russia winning look like? How would you define a Russian win? I am sure they will claim they won no matter what the outcome.

Quote: DRich

What does Russia winning look like? How would you define a Russian win? I am sure they will claim they won no matter what the outcome.

Claiming success of putin's stated aims would seem to qualify.

"Putin said that Russia was acting in self-defense, that its goal was the "demilitarization and denazification" of Ukraine, and claimed that Russia had no plans to occupy Ukrainian land. "

DeNazification and Holding on to the Crimea, plus a land route to it, while keeping Ukraine out of NATO would be enough to sell it as success to his people.

Most certainly drumph would sell that as a success, too.

I find myself agreeing with EB, to an extent. Russia is winning, albeit at absurd cost. I disagree about giving up without a fight. That 900lb Gorilla needs to be discouraged from invading lots of other countries.

Quote: DRich

What does Russia winning look like? How would you define a Russian win? I am sure they will claim they won no matter what the outcome.

Winning looks like exactly what's happening. Putin's saying keep it up and we've got missiles that can carry enough destructive power to be equal to a nuke and we can deliver it long range anywhere we want. That's winning.

Quote: Evenbob

Winning looks like exactly what's happening. Putin's saying keep it up and we've got missiles that can carry enough destructive power to be equal to a nuke and we can deliver it long range anywhere we want. That's winning.

Threats are not winning. If they start using nukes and NATO doesn't respond then I would call that a Russian victory.

I am very curious what the Ukraine thinking is for not taking out the Crimean bridge. They clearly have the ability and could take it out in a day or two if they choose to. There is clearly something that I don't understand for them not taking it out.

It’s not Ukraine losing but Trump surrendering.

Quote: DRich

Threats are not winning. If they start using nukes and NATO doesn't respond then I would call that a Russian victory.

Putin just said he can destroy Kiev without nukes, easily. That's winning and he'll do it if you push him.

Quote: Evenbob

Putin just said he can destroy Kiev without nukes, easily. That's winning and he'll do it if you push him.

Obviously, you believe him when most people don't. My belief is that if he could easily do it he would have done it already. His non-nuclear arsenal is not accurate enough to destroy intended targets from a distance. Their missile technology is very substandard by our standards and that is why they need to have nuclear warheads to be effective,

The ICBM (or IRBM as they are now calling it) that they launched last week was not even close to hitting its target. If you look at the satellite imagery there is no destruction or burn marks near the target.