re: Latest Updates: Russia-Ukraine Conflict

quote:

---

This might shock you...but some countries actually prioritize their owns citizens needs over Ukraine.

---

I'm sorry that you're incapable of following very simple, basic logic, but the point was that, when Iran starting killing innocent civilians in Ukraine, it would have served Israel's interests to help Ukraine.

Russian military support for Iran helps enable Iran to do what they are doing today. And using Shaheds in Ukraine allowed Iran to essentially conduct a great number of tests that allowed them to improve the design -- something that has continued to this day.

The fact that Iran was allowed to participate in the aggression in Ukraine without consequence encouraged them. It lifted their profile in the Arab world and across the Middle East.

It was in Israel's interest to deter that. They didn't, because they didn't want to "escalate" problems with Russia. But that only projected fear and weakness.

quote:

---

Today is equally a testament to Israeli failure to support Ukraine. When Iran fired Shaheds at Ukraine, Israel had the opportunity to provide significant support to Ukraine to defend against these weapons, and they chose to instead abstain from doing so in the fear of upsetting Russia.

---

I think Israel’s calculus on aid is a bit different than say France far removed from their enemy and/or geopolitical threat. Certainly we don’t expect Taiwan to send a bunch of air defense etc to anyone with China sitting across from them waiting to pounce. No different here.

ISW Update

quote:

---

Key Takeaways:

Russian forces are pursuing at least three operational-level efforts that are not mutually reinforcing but let Russian forces prioritize grinding, tactical gains on a single sector of their choice at a time. Ukrainian forces will increasingly struggle to defend against these Russian efforts the longer Ukraine lacks further US military assistance.

The Russian military command likely assesses that Ukrainian forces will be unable to defend against current and future Russian offensive operations due to delays in or the permanent end of US military assistance.

The offensive effort to seize Chasiv Yar offers Russian forces the most immediate prospects for operationally significant advances as the seizure of the town would likely allow Russian forces to launch subsequent offensive operations against the cities that form in effect a significant Ukrainian defensive belt in Donetsk Oblast.

Russian threats to Druzhkivka and Kostyantynivka are very operationally significant since these “fortress” cities help form the backbone of the Ukrainian defense in Donetsk Oblast and of eastern Ukraine in general.

Russian forces may not be able to seize Chasiv Yar rapidly and would likely struggle to leverage its operational significance immediately as long as Ukrainian forces have the resources needed to hold their positions.

Ukrainian artillery and air defense shortages resulting from the lack of US security assistance are allowing Russian mechanized forces to make marginal tactical advances, and future Russian mechanized assaults may be able to achieve more significant gains should the US continue to withhold assistance to Ukraine.

Germany announced that it will immediately transfer another Patriot air defense system to Ukraine in response to recent very urgent Ukrainian requests for additional Patriot systems to defend against the increased Russian strike campaign and ongoing Ukrainian efforts to expand Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.

Russian forces made confirmed advances near Chasiv Yar (west of Bakhmut) and Donetsk City.

Bloomberg reported on April 12 that Russia still relies on Chinese companies to supply most of the foreign-produced machine tool components and microelectronics to Russia’s defense industry for Russian weapons production.

---

Ukraine's threat value aside, the CIA did overthrow the russian leaning government with a classic color revolution in 2014. They then installed their people in most political positions.

Russia had reason to be concerned considering we had assured them we would never do that. Now we're talking about Ukraine becoming NATO? Are you people out of your minds or just suicidal?

quote:

---

the CIA did overthrow...

---

No, the Ukrainian people overthrew that administration because they were pissed that it did a 180 on joining the EU and turned towards Russia...

The CIA did nothing more than the FSB does in American elections and politics... actually, they probably did less.

It really doesn't take the CIA to make people realize things like "Maduro sucks and I'm starving to death" and revolt.

quote:

---

The higher russian military leadership set the task for its troops to capture Chasiv Yar by May 9.

This was announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi.

"In order to respond adequately to the actions of the enemy and strengthen the defense of our troops in this direction, measures were taken to significantly strengthen the brigades with ammunition, drones, electronic warfare equipment," - he said in the message.

---

LINK

quote:

---

Ukraine and Slovakia signed a Memorandum on deepening cooperation in the nuclear industry, — Ministry of Energy.

The document envisages strengthening cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, the development of small modular reactors, in particular, the exchange of experience in the operation of nuclear installations and fuel diversification.

---

LINK

quote:

---

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Iran's attack on Israel was taken "as part of the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter in response to attacks on Iranian targets in the region."

Russia has called on Iran and Israel for "restraint"

"We express our extreme concern over yet another dangerous escalation in the region, and call on all involved parties for restraint," the statement said.

---

LINK

quote:

---

A curious incident occurred in Russia with a very famous circus artist and clown Yuri Kuklachev, 75, who since the Soviet times has entertained the public with performances in the circus and on TV. He is particularly known for his cat theater. Few people in Russia have not heard of him; his success is measured in decades.

Almost immediately after the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall in late March, Yuri Kuklachev unexpectedly came out with sharp criticism of Ukraine, Europe, and the United States. He literally said: “We must give a powerful rebuff to all this evil scum that gathered in Europe,” accusing the West of organising the terrorist attack. “Our people have now seen what the West and Europe will do to us if, God forbid, they defeat us. They will shoot us like partridges, they will implant chips in us so that we will be their slaves. Everything is very clear,” said the artist.

He also called on the Russian authorities to send a missile to Europe: “In European cities, everyone is sitting well-fed, drinking champagne. When they realise that our missile can fly to them from Siberia, they will realise that we are not puppies who can be shot.” Critics of the artist noted that throughout his life, including the Soviet era, Kuklachev did not avoid the fruits of the Western world, and actively traveled to Western countries with his children.

Well, okay, he said that, what now? There have been many such cases in the past two years. However, literally two weeks after this incident, on 12 April Yuri Kuklachev suffered a heart attack right after his latest performance and was taken to the hospital. On 13 April, he had 3-hour heart surgery, and now he cannot speak. Doctors talk about positive dynamics, but his condition remains critical.

Thus, unexpectedly harsh statements about the “enemies of Russia” are followed by a massive heart attack for a very successful person who has spent his entire life entertaining the public. In current Russia, where every public individual must take the state's side or face being labelled a "foreign agent", one can assume that Kuklachev didn't really believe in what he said and took his own words too close to heart, which led to rapid deterioration of his health.

In any case, his reputation was certainly marred by the ridiculous statements, and the incident will stay with him forever.

---

LINK

Somehow, this guy still has a job this morning.

You're the one voting for Biden

quote:

---

You're the one voting for Biden

---

As you know very well, I said that I am undecided between voting 3rd-party, as I did in the last two presidential elections, and for Biden. That was and is the honest truth.

But of course that doesn't matter to you. It's very sad how diligent you are in making sure that your life remains completely free of truth.