Ukraine war (WW3)
There’s also a fairly plausible theory that all Puting is doing is pressurising the Ukrainian Govt to stop the blockade of the North Crimean Canal which Putin needs for agricultural areas where Russia is currently occupied.
It seems most plausible they troops are there so the west have to come to the “table” and negotiate, which they are doing.
Putin is playing chess to gain some concessions which he will no doubt get.
If the troops weren’t on the border the west wouldn’t be as eager to negotiate
Hursty Is Putin not allowed put his own troops inside his own country close to a border which the Yanks technically de-facto control? I’ve no qualms about the Russians doing that. What’s good for the goose…
You’re right though, Putin will get what he wants because he’s about 25 steps ahead of them all.
Hadn’t heard the angle about the composition of the existing troops. Not sure what to make of it from a military perspective i.e. whether that would be considered normal or an indicator of something else.
Not written off Ukrainian forces at all. I understand that proportionally they have a large army (200k is the number that comes to mind without looking it up).
The point about a land, sea and air invasion was not specifically whether they would do that (you are right it would be speculation as to whether that will happen) rather that Russia have much greater capabilities at their disposal rather than just the number of troops on the border. However you want to slice it though, I think Russia will have an overwhelming advantage. It is not as simple as whether they launch an all-out invasion (as you allude) because equally, Russia will not wish to condemned as a pariah in the international community as a result of using all of their military mite.
Putin will certainly want to portray a win whatever the outcome whether militarily or at the negotiation table. I suspect that If a ground invasion doesn’t happen, we are likely to see a continuation of the usual GRU tactics such as the use of mercenaries like the Wagner Group, disinformation and targeted assassinations.
Agreed completely, it is very much about sabre-rattling and Putin’s agenda to push back on what he sees as NATO encroachment that will potentially draw other surrounding countries to join but ultimately Putin saw the fall of the Soviet Union as catastrophic and his world view is that the overall objective should be to see to the restoration of Russia as leading superpower.
I’d be vary wary of any “sources” claiming an all out invasion and their motives for thinking so.
Wasn’t pointing to sources as an indicator of whether it would be – an all-out invasion – the point was that the number of troops and other indicators suggest that they are ready to invade. The actual approach that they would adopt remains to be seen.
whatever the point was that the number of troops and other indicators suggest that they are ready to invade.
I’m no military expert either but from what I’ve read, those who are, reckon its laughable that Putin is considering anything like that given the numbers.
We’re on the same page though, it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out. Today’s reports suggest it has just been what we’ve both mentioned - conventional sabre-rattling.
One thing that doesn’t get a mention is Russia’s Doctrine of Deception which is in play at all times. Crimea will be the spot to watch for once this all blows over.
All this talk of fighting and Russia is really making me want to watch Rocky IV.
If only the US still had great men like Oliver North at their disposal.
Bitcoin is going to go nucular, Dave.
Dave’s quite clearly not one of the crew on the space shuttle Bants 13, headed straight to the moon. Wally, funky and millsy are the pilots. Hursty keeps the windows clean. Once we get past the whales, the apes, the dips, the squeeze and the bear, it’s party time…
@Hursty ’s sauce revealed!!
Fair play mate, thats serious networking!
