Prof. Stephen Kotkin on Stalin/Putin
 

This is the second long interview by Lex Fridman with Stephen Kotkin whose magisterial 3 volume work on Stalin is nearing completion. In the interview he analyses the history of Russia/USSR's relationship with the west and the parallels and differences between the two dictators. Whilst Fridman isn't really up to the task of responding to such erudite analysis it doesn't matter much since Professor Kotkin's incisive delivery fills in most of the deficiencies. Long discussion and well worth the time. I have yet to listen to the first discussion (or Fridman's interview with Putin apologist Oliver Stone).

Further attacks near Dzhankoy, Crimea. Or maybe it's a carelessly discarded cigarette...

Do they run diesel loco's in Crimea, if not the substations make a lot of sense.


More on the rail lines mentioned above


What was in the ammo dump hit..

This guy add a lot to the debate.

https://twitter.com/COUPSURE

I have seen some speculation that the crimea dump just destroyed may have been extra well stocked and congested since Ukraine destroyed the rail bridge to Melitopol a few days ago. It would make sense that this place also supplied that area. A clever move.

You can see from recent video Nutty posted that it is not exactly a secure place to store ammo.

More on the 400's in Belarus.

How Many Artillery Shells Does Russia Have Left?

https://youtu.be/QcUcp0oHTuo

RU won´t run out of arty shells any time soon. More like arty barrels and the logistics moving ammo are limiting factors.

https://www.politico.eu/article/esto...war-monuments/

Estonia removes Soviet Union war monuments

Due to ‘increasing tensions … we must act quickly to ensure public order and internal security,” says PM Kaja Kallas.

Quote from Twitter feed posted by Nutty above.


This makes no sense. This is their most sophisticated SAM system in the field ( S 500 only in Moscow ) and they are not going to be using these missiles as ground/ground as they have done with older SAM when running short of dedicated ground/ground precision missiles. In what other way can a SAM be used in preparation for a massive missile strike ?

Russian media report of a new airbase fire in Crimea today, this time on the military air-field at Hvardeyskye (Gvardeyskoe). It housed 12 SU-24М and 12 SU-25СМ planes and was integrated with the Russian Navy.

https://t.me/kommersant/37638

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e2ea7a08d8.png

It is all rather odd, assuming these reports are true. Its not like Ukraine is about to mount a massive air campaign in the region. I wouldn't discount it being nothing more than yet more muddled thinking on behalf of the Russians i.e. moving their diminishing number of chess pieces around in the hope of confusing their opponent.

Ukraine should cede territories currently occupied by Russia in exchange for the remainder of the country being granted NATO membership. Discuss.

they can't say they weren't warned :E

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....d1a10fd286.png


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....b9bd9ee3b0.png

Do you not think the strike previously hit one of these?

Wow, the Z Team need safety matches and a minimum distance between cigarettes and Vodka, or good ear plugs.

WHAT? That is most of their gas, coal, oil reserves and a lot of their agricultural lands as well as their main industrial areas....... NO CHANCE. you would bankrupt the country in short order, and it would not end there.

Ukraine won’t be allowed in NATO whilst half their country is occupied - and Russia would just take the opportunity to consolidate, rearm, and then come back for the rest.

Same guys that took out the airfield allegedly? Or simply to spread fear and worry amongst Russians that they may have fifth columists amongst them, who knows it may end up a red on red firefight in places.. :ok:

Sure, when Kaliningrad goes back to Germany and Belarus gets out of Russian influence altogether, with Lukashenko and his claque behind bars.
Oh, and there's also the Kuril islands...