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June 14, 2023 - 1:00pm
It is a significant transition, going from writing about the war online to discussing it in person with Russia’s President. Yesterday, Vladimir Putin held a televised roundtable with several prominent Russian military bloggers and journalists, their wide-ranging conversation encompassing assistance to civilians in the embattled border region of Belgorod, Ukrainian military strategy and even the destruction of statues in Ukraine.
While this is not the first time Putin has met with war bloggers and correspondents, the timing of the roundtable was no coincidence. Drawing attention away from the first reports of Ukraine successfully liberating Russian-held territory in its much-delayed counteroffensive, Putin demonstrated no loss of mettle.
While acknowledging the existence of the counterassault, he stated that Russia has suffered ten times fewer losses than Ukraine and that the overall goals of the special military operation have not changed. Seeking to show that his ambition has been left undiminished by Ukraine’s recent battlefield progress, Putin further suggested that Russia may one day create a “sanitary zone”, or buffer zone, on Ukrainian territory so that its forces cannot engage in any further incursions into Russian border regions.
Despite having failed to seize Kyiv at the outset of the February 2022 invasion, Putin hinted at another future attempt, asking: “Do we need to go back or not? Why am I asking such a rhetorical question? It is clear that you have no answer to this — I can only answer it myself”.
Given that he is, by his own admission, weighing up Russia’s aims in this war, one may wonder why the President is spending the opening stages of an enemy counteroffensive chatting with bloggers. While all present are pro-war and promote Putin’s conflict through their media channels, some have been known to use their platforms to point out battlefield errors and criticise the management of the war by Russia’s generals. As Ukraine makes progress in its counterassault, Putin may have decided that now is an important moment to bring them into the fold, control the narrative and suppress any criticism of Russia’s battlefield performance.
This is not the only sign that Russia’s defence establishment is asserting its authority over aligned but independent pro-war forces. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has demanded that “volunteer formations” sign contracts with the Russian Defence Ministry by 1st July in a bid to formalise the military hierarchy. While the Chechen Akhmat forces have done so, Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is continuing to refuse on the basis that “Shoigu cannot manage military formations”.
A clue as to why Shoigu is acting now may lie in the fact that, while Prigozhin has long engaged in an intense war of words with the Russian Ministry of Defence, the rivalry between Wagner and the military establishment has recently degenerated into actual combat. On 17th May, Prigozhin accused Russian soldiers of laying anti-tank mines along Wagner’s retreat routes from the city of Bakhmut, and his mercenaries subsequently captured Russian Army Commander Lt Col Roman Venevitin, interrogating him over whether he had been planting such explosives.
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SubscribeAnyone following the detailed daily updates available online can see that Ukraine is making very slow progress and has lost at lot of men and materials in just under two weeks of fighting. The 4 villages captured are tiny and unpopulated. Not only that Ukrainian forces are miles away from the first line of fortifications along much of the southern battle front. The article above is wildly off the mark. For what’s it’s worth I’m pro-Ukraine, but also a realist over what is happening on the ground.
More like the drive in 1918 that eventually destroyed Germany in then West. That took many weeks.
If You do not watch Alaxender Mercouris every day you have no idea what it going on – the absolute slaughter your tax dollars (and national Debt) are funding. Watch his hour + summation of the day –
P.S. Ukraine loses 7 – 10 men for every Russian lost. This is the most evil war ever – Biden and Boris’s war of corruption and wickedness…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS2P51Iojvs&pp=ygULbWVyY291cmlvdXM%3D
“Skazki” (fairy tales) which the Russians spin so well.
The problem is: the Real World. Things like that don’t happen there. Especially the part about 7:1 casualties. Only a Russian troll or a stooge would bandy about such numbers.
Recall Ukraine was losing 7:1 when Russia was attacking? So now when it attacks, it magically loses the same number.
Pls tell us a tale about Ivan Durak as well…
So, Ukraine loses 7:1 when Russians attack…
And loses 7:1 when it attacks?
While it is now gettig all the arty shells it needs for the next few years.
You DO see how comical your claims are?
The info we have from the Pentagon documents that were leaked to the Discord server showed they beleived Ukrainian losses in Bakhmut were at about 6 to 1. I am no expert, but information from the online source that I listen to that has Pentagon sources that he trusts said that Russia has command of the air-space, which is a big deal. So apparently satellites, drones, and other eyes-in-the-sky provide them with good vision into Ukrainian toop movements.
Russia leads the world in standoff strike capability. They have more artillery and rocket hardware than any other nation in the world, and they apparently used this, and are continuing to use this to great effect.
So the deal is that most of the Ukrainian deaths and wounded happened before they even got into a battle space able to engage any Russian soldiers. So, this has been an artillery war. No tank, no matter how modern can withstand an artillery shell striking it. That is the mismatch that gives the mismatched numbers. It’s been criminal to send those Ukranian solders into this, but no one has cared for thier lives.
You are indeed no expert.
The original documents had RUSSIAN losses at 6:1, for the very good reason that those were mostly Russian “meat attacks” by convicts.
And, as I’m sure you don’t know, Germany now says it can provide Ukraine with all the arty shells it needs. IOW, if anything, it is Russia that is suffering a “shell famine.”
Seems these “online sources” of yours aren’t so hot?
You are indeed no expert.
The original documents had RUSSIAN losses at 6:1, for the very good reason that those were mostly Russian “meat attacks” by convicts.
And, as I’m sure you don’t know, Germany now says it can provide Ukraine with all the arty shells it needs. IOW, if anything, it is Russia that is suffering a “shell famine.”
Seems these “online sources” of yours aren’t so hot?
The info we have from the Pentagon documents that were leaked to the Discord server showed they beleived Ukrainian losses in Bakhmut were at about 6 to 1. I am no expert, but information from the online source that I listen to that has Pentagon sources that he trusts said that Russia has command of the air-space, which is a big deal. So apparently satellites, drones, and other eyes-in-the-sky provide them with good vision into Ukrainian toop movements.
Russia leads the world in standoff strike capability. They have more artillery and rocket hardware than any other nation in the world, and they apparently used this, and are continuing to use this to great effect.
So the deal is that most of the Ukrainian deaths and wounded happened before they even got into a battle space able to engage any Russian soldiers. So, this has been an artillery war. No tank, no matter how modern can withstand an artillery shell striking it. That is the mismatch that gives the mismatched numbers. It’s been criminal to send those Ukranian solders into this, but no one has cared for thier lives.
Some people can’t accept the truth.
“Skazki” (fairy tales) which the Russians spin so well.
The problem is: the Real World. Things like that don’t happen there. Especially the part about 7:1 casualties. Only a Russian troll or a stooge would bandy about such numbers.
Recall Ukraine was losing 7:1 when Russia was attacking? So now when it attacks, it magically loses the same number.
Pls tell us a tale about Ivan Durak as well…
So, Ukraine loses 7:1 when Russians attack…
And loses 7:1 when it attacks?
While it is now gettig all the arty shells it needs for the next few years.
You DO see how comical your claims are?
Some people can’t accept the truth.
Well, Russia had a long time to setup defensive lines, and so they have a 3 teered line that simply falls back, letting Ukraine forces stretch themselves. Giving up ground, when necessary, with 3 lines of defense deep. Of which Ukrainian forces have not even broken through the first line. It’s much harder on offense than defense. It takes about a 3 to 1 loss in a normal situation to go on offense.
For it to succeed they would need better air-cover, mobile artillery, and many more troops than the defenders. Just some good Western tanks by themselves is really not of much help unless you’re able to cover them to the point they can engage in front line combat. They need F16s now, not a year from now. But the only option would be to put NATO pilots in them.
More like the drive in 1918 that eventually destroyed Germany in then West. That took many weeks.
If You do not watch Alaxender Mercouris every day you have no idea what it going on – the absolute slaughter your tax dollars (and national Debt) are funding. Watch his hour + summation of the day –
P.S. Ukraine loses 7 – 10 men for every Russian lost. This is the most evil war ever – Biden and Boris’s war of corruption and wickedness…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS2P51Iojvs&pp=ygULbWVyY291cmlvdXM%3D
Well, Russia had a long time to setup defensive lines, and so they have a 3 teered line that simply falls back, letting Ukraine forces stretch themselves. Giving up ground, when necessary, with 3 lines of defense deep. Of which Ukrainian forces have not even broken through the first line. It’s much harder on offense than defense. It takes about a 3 to 1 loss in a normal situation to go on offense.
For it to succeed they would need better air-cover, mobile artillery, and many more troops than the defenders. Just some good Western tanks by themselves is really not of much help unless you’re able to cover them to the point they can engage in front line combat. They need F16s now, not a year from now. But the only option would be to put NATO pilots in them.
Anyone following the detailed daily updates available online can see that Ukraine is making very slow progress and has lost at lot of men and materials in just under two weeks of fighting. The 4 villages captured are tiny and unpopulated. Not only that Ukrainian forces are miles away from the first line of fortifications along much of the southern battle front. The article above is wildly off the mark. For what’s it’s worth I’m pro-Ukraine, but also a realist over what is happening on the ground.
Anyone following the overall big picture can see that Russia, or rather Putin, has failed in his goals of: i) controlling Ukraine, de-nazifying/de-russophobia-ing it; ii) keeping it, and other ex SSRs out of NATO; iii) reforming a East-European pact as a bulwark against ‘The West’; iv) Making Russia Great Again. Nothing will change this – even if the Ukrainians advance not a metre more, or if they cede more land to the Russians. For decades, the West tolerated Russian corruption (including extrajudicial FSB killings in their own territory) – in no small part because of the huge wealth of the oligarchs, who were parking their money in the stable, law abiding West. All that has changed, Russia is a pariah, Russian money taboo. Their only ‘friends’ are the similarly corrupt, moribund leaders of Workers Party of Korea, Supreme Leadership Authority or Iran, the Communist Party of Belarus, and the ANC.
And India, China, Latin America, large parts of Africa and the Middle East. Most of the world in fact
Oh you went there. No, those countries are not genuine supporters of Putin – they might like that he gives the West a bloody nose, but they are not funding nor supporting him in any ways that count. They stand at the sidelines; they abstain from UN votes. Like Zetas watching Ndrangheta take on the authorities – they’ll enjoy it, but make no mistake they’d kill them just as happily in order to take over their power.
At least five divisions are on their way from Chad.
At least five divisions are on their way from Chad.
Oh you went there. No, those countries are not genuine supporters of Putin – they might like that he gives the West a bloody nose, but they are not funding nor supporting him in any ways that count. They stand at the sidelines; they abstain from UN votes. Like Zetas watching Ndrangheta take on the authorities – they’ll enjoy it, but make no mistake they’d kill them just as happily in order to take over their power.
And India, China, Latin America, large parts of Africa and the Middle East. Most of the world in fact
Anyone following the overall big picture can see that Russia, or rather Putin, has failed in his goals of: i) controlling Ukraine, de-nazifying/de-russophobia-ing it; ii) keeping it, and other ex SSRs out of NATO; iii) reforming a East-European pact as a bulwark against ‘The West’; iv) Making Russia Great Again. Nothing will change this – even if the Ukrainians advance not a metre more, or if they cede more land to the Russians. For decades, the West tolerated Russian corruption (including extrajudicial FSB killings in their own territory) – in no small part because of the huge wealth of the oligarchs, who were parking their money in the stable, law abiding West. All that has changed, Russia is a pariah, Russian money taboo. Their only ‘friends’ are the similarly corrupt, moribund leaders of Workers Party of Korea, Supreme Leadership Authority or Iran, the Communist Party of Belarus, and the ANC.
Why was Macron inviting bloggers to the Elysee ?
Why was Macron inviting bloggers to the Elysee ?
Just to inject a little reality into these comments…
The main hold-up to Kyiv’s offensive is not Russian attacks. Virtually the whole of the (much depleted) 127th MRD was destroyed in an unsuccessful attempt to throw back Ukraine.
It’s mines. Those will take a long time to clear, because Russia has sown millions of them. Then the real offensive begins.
You didn’t think the clowns who failed to take Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Kherson, et al, still have anything to do with this war?
…And some of the deep fake attempts to show Ukrainian losses are just embarrassing.
The Soviets would never have tolerated them.
Just to inject a little reality into these comments…
The main hold-up to Kyiv’s offensive is not Russian attacks. Virtually the whole of the (much depleted) 127th MRD was destroyed in an unsuccessful attempt to throw back Ukraine.
It’s mines. Those will take a long time to clear, because Russia has sown millions of them. Then the real offensive begins.
You didn’t think the clowns who failed to take Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Kherson, et al, still have anything to do with this war?
…And some of the deep fake attempts to show Ukrainian losses are just embarrassing.
The Soviets would never have tolerated them.
Sorry to be the one to tell Beth, but the Spring counter offensive is not going well, the Ukrainians still haven’t reached the first line of Russian defence. And already they have lost a significant number of Leopards and Bradley’s, the MSM won’t report this of course
the MSM won’t report this of course –
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/14/ukraine-failed-assault-near-mala-tokmachka-raises-counteroffensive-challenges
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-awards-medals-after-claiming-hits-leopard-tanks-us-bradleys-ukraine-2023-06-11/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/06/11/russia-hits-western-vehicles-medals-claims-ukraine-war/
the MSM won’t report this of course –
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/14/ukraine-failed-assault-near-mala-tokmachka-raises-counteroffensive-challenges
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-awards-medals-after-claiming-hits-leopard-tanks-us-bradleys-ukraine-2023-06-11/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/06/11/russia-hits-western-vehicles-medals-claims-ukraine-war/
Sorry to be the one to tell Beth, but the Spring counter offensive is not going well, the Ukrainians still haven’t reached the first line of Russian defence. And already they have lost a significant number of Leopards and Bradley’s, the MSM won’t report this of course
What’s interesting is that the Ukrainians are essentially replicating the Russian strategy over the winter: attack on a broad front, and “crumble” each line of defence by first penetrating and then outflanking each line of defence. Elements of these tactics were used by both Monty and Brusillov.
But Ukraine is already doing it in a far more successful fashion than the Russians. The only real Russian successes were due to suicidal attacks by convicts who would die either way.
Now, the only really effective tactic is using “mine launchers” that sow mines en masse. But there are only a few of them and they can’t be everywhere.
So it boils down to whether the “govno” in the trenches will stay there. But unless Putin turns the “govno” over to Prigozhin, it’s more likely they will flee.
But Martin, the Ukrainians haven’t “crumbled” any line of defense, so far they have failed to even reach the first line
The Lancet drone is destroying large numbers of tanks and APCs, the KA-52 is doing huge damage, there is a lot more than mines at work
Again, only on Russian fakes.
The main work now is being done by the infantry.
Unless you live in ScottRitterLand.
Yeah sure Martin, the side without the air force is winning. You’re deluded
1) 40 sq km liberated so far,
2) A Russian motorized division destroyed.
3) And Putin dare not call another draft.
Which side is winning, D?
1) 40 sq km liberated so far,
2) A Russian motorized division destroyed.
3) And Putin dare not call another draft.
Which side is winning, D?
“only on Russian fakes.”
Oh dear.
Yeah sure Martin, the side without the air force is winning. You’re deluded
“only on Russian fakes.”
Oh dear.
Again, only on Russian fakes.
The main work now is being done by the infantry.
Unless you live in ScottRitterLand.
But Martin, the Ukrainians haven’t “crumbled” any line of defense, so far they have failed to even reach the first line
The Lancet drone is destroying large numbers of tanks and APCs, the KA-52 is doing huge damage, there is a lot more than mines at work
What’s interesting is that the Ukrainians are essentially replicating the Russian strategy over the winter: attack on a broad front, and “crumble” each line of defence by first penetrating and then outflanking each line of defence. Elements of these tactics were used by both Monty and Brusillov.
But Ukraine is already doing it in a far more successful fashion than the Russians. The only real Russian successes were due to suicidal attacks by convicts who would die either way.
Now, the only really effective tactic is using “mine launchers” that sow mines en masse. But there are only a few of them and they can’t be everywhere.
So it boils down to whether the “govno” in the trenches will stay there. But unless Putin turns the “govno” over to Prigozhin, it’s more likely they will flee.
Leaving aside the rights and wrongs of the war, Western supporters of Ukraine are just bonkers
“Ukraine successfully liberating Russian-held territory ”
For instance.
It genuinely makes you wonder about their mental health.
Funnily enough, Russia has already lost many of their gains around Bakhmut. Indeed, Kyiv has already made better progress than Russia made over the whole winter.
The infantry slowly pushes forward.
While the Leopards wait to pounce.
The Leopards are being wiped out, in most cases before they fire a shot
Only on very crude Russian visual fakes…
Dont forget what happened to Lord Haw Haw
Only on very crude Russian visual fakes…
Dont forget what happened to Lord Haw Haw
The Ukrainian men are being slaughtered like sheep entering the abattoir – and your sort cheering it on is why it keeps going – because it allows the 100% corruption which is the Biden/Boris Proxy War to keep being politically tolerated.
Warmongers rooting for Ukraine are destroying the people and nation. You cheer on the slaughter of these poor wretches.
Far more Russians have died in this war, on the outskirts of Kyiv and Kharkiv. Virtually the whole Russian army that invaded on 24 Feb is gone.
What do you say about the nation and leader who started this war?
Dont forget what happened to Lord Haw Haw
Far more Russians have died in this war, on the outskirts of Kyiv and Kharkiv. Virtually the whole Russian army that invaded on 24 Feb is gone.
What do you say about the nation and leader who started this war?
Dont forget what happened to Lord Haw Haw
The Leopards are being wiped out, in most cases before they fire a shot
The Ukrainian men are being slaughtered like sheep entering the abattoir – and your sort cheering it on is why it keeps going – because it allows the 100% corruption which is the Biden/Boris Proxy War to keep being politically tolerated.
Warmongers rooting for Ukraine are destroying the people and nation. You cheer on the slaughter of these poor wretches.
Funnily enough, Russia has already lost many of their gains around Bakhmut. Indeed, Kyiv has already made better progress than Russia made over the whole winter.
The infantry slowly pushes forward.
While the Leopards wait to pounce.
Leaving aside the rights and wrongs of the war, Western supporters of Ukraine are just bonkers
“Ukraine successfully liberating Russian-held territory ”
For instance.
It genuinely makes you wonder about their mental health.
Probably the best commentator on the war, and who has sometimes been very critical of botht he West and Ukraine’s military:
https://substack.com/profile/137222197-sarcastosaurus
Sarcastosaurus | Substack
Colonel MacGregor on youtube is top notch – Scott Ritter for the even harder antiwar expert explaining the utter evil the West brings to these lands with our Billions.
It is just a slaughter we cause, and fund, so the politicians get campaign money, and 10% for the great many corrupt ‘Big Guys’ for the Military Industrial Complex, and Blackrock and Vanguard – and the rest of the corporate vultures feasting on the dead from this slaughter. This is the most evil war in generations – and it is the West who are causing the great harms by stopping any resolution – from before the first shot fired…..This is our war – not Putins – think about the $150,000,000,000 in weapons, corruption and death we fed this fire of misery with….
Col MacGregor also said Kyiv would fall…that Kharkiv would fall…that Odesa would fall…
Not a very good track record is it?
Colonel MacGregor, the Shameless Shill. A fierce advocate, and planner for the second Iraq war – here’s a man who clearly likes proactive, hubrisitic and illegal invasions of small countries by bigger countries. His Ukraine predictions are, likewise, most noteable for being consistently wrong.
But…but…his Russian book tour was a triumph!
They love him there, for some reason…
But…but…his Russian book tour was a triumph!
They love him there, for some reason…
Col MacGregor also said Kyiv would fall…that Kharkiv would fall…that Odesa would fall…
Not a very good track record is it?
Colonel MacGregor, the Shameless Shill. A fierce advocate, and planner for the second Iraq war – here’s a man who clearly likes proactive, hubrisitic and illegal invasions of small countries by bigger countries. His Ukraine predictions are, likewise, most noteable for being consistently wrong.
Colonel MacGregor on youtube is top notch – Scott Ritter for the even harder antiwar expert explaining the utter evil the West brings to these lands with our Billions.
It is just a slaughter we cause, and fund, so the politicians get campaign money, and 10% for the great many corrupt ‘Big Guys’ for the Military Industrial Complex, and Blackrock and Vanguard – and the rest of the corporate vultures feasting on the dead from this slaughter. This is the most evil war in generations – and it is the West who are causing the great harms by stopping any resolution – from before the first shot fired…..This is our war – not Putins – think about the $150,000,000,000 in weapons, corruption and death we fed this fire of misery with….
Probably the best commentator on the war, and who has sometimes been very critical of botht he West and Ukraine’s military:
https://substack.com/profile/137222197-sarcastosaurus
Sarcastosaurus | Substack