In perspective

[Paulypaul]

It's estimated that in 2024 Russia lost around 427,000 troops (killed, seriously wounded, captured), 9,000 AFVs, and 3,700 tanks. To take 4,000 sq km of Ukrainian territory.

To put that in perspective, the fair country of Wales is a total of 21,000 sq km.
So, Russia took 19% of Wales - an area smaller than the county of Gwynedd.

If Ukraine can hold out through 2025, and it's allies hold their nerve, I hope we'll see Russia splutter to a halt, and hopefully, with their economy also looking dodgy, even a collapse.

 

[Murox]

What about the Koreans? and what makes you think the UK economy is capable of supporting that even if your assumptions are half accurate? The UK'S record isn't very rosy when dealing with continued support in most spheres. Putin has never been anything more than an educated thug, probably not a lot worse than certain American wannabes.

 

[Paulypaul]

What about the Koreans? and what makes you think the UK economy is capable of supporting that even if your assumptions are half accurate? The UK'S record isn't very rosy when dealing with continued support in most spheres. Putin has never been anything more than an educated thug, probably not a lot worse than certain American wannabes.

North Koreans are currently restricted to Russian territory. South Korea estimates one-third are dead or seriously wounded in Kursk, which Russia has still not reclaimed from Ukraine.

Fortunately, Ukraine isnt dependent on the UK for support. The US, EU and Germany are the biggest donors.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

So, Russia took 19% of Wales - an area smaller than the county of Gwynedd.

why not Monmouthshire? they could have that if they asked nicely

 

[Erichalfbee]

why not Monmouthshire? they could have that if they asked nicely

How big is Ynys Môn ?

 

[Wilco]

That's just the change over 2024. Russia also holds significantly more Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian forces are being depleted too and there's a risk of loss of support from the USA. Biden procrastinating already cost them significantly. It's not just about holding out.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

How big is Ynys Môn ?

275 square miles now full of scousers that can't swim.
I have to be careful - my grandfather's ancestors came from there

 

[Erichalfbee]

I have to be careful - my grandfather's ancestors came from there

Yes, best not upset them

 

[The Poot]

It's estimated that in 2024 Russia lost around 427,000 troops (killed, seriously wounded, captured), 9,000 AFVs, and 3,700 tanks. To take 4,000 sq km of Ukrainian territory.

To put that in perspective, the fair country of Wales is a total of 21,000 sq km.
So, Russia took 19% of Wales - an area smaller than the county of Gwynedd.

If Ukraine can hold out through 2025, and it's allies hold their nerve, I hope we'll see Russia splutter to a halt, and hopefully, with their economy also looking dodgy, even a collapse.

From what I read, Ukraine is losing a lot more per day than Russia and from a much smaller pool. They’re looking to draft down to 18 years old to stem the flow. If either side splutters to a halt, it will be Ukraine, whether or not the West continues to support them. It’s just sheer attrition.
Still, it will probably unnerve Putin that Starmer is purporting to support Ukraine for a hundred years…….

Have you thought of the consequences of Russia collapsing?
I might be wrong, but I don’t think there’s much chance of that happening.

 

[pargyle]

Putin has little concern for life of his own people or anyone else for that matter - when the Kursk submarine disaster occurred he was on holiday, sunning himself in his holiday home on the Black sea coast whilst 117 submariners were dead or dying - didn't bother to come back until it was all over.

 

[Paulypaul]

Putin has little concern for life of his own people or anyone else for that matter - when the Kursk submarine disaster occurred he was on holiday, sunning himself in his holiday home on the Black sea coast whilst 117 submariners were dead or dying - didn't bother to come back until it was all over.

Specialist British Royal Navy and Norwegian teams were on their way to rescue the Russian submariners. For 5 days Putin denied them access.
2 days later finally opened a hatch to the escape trunk in the boat's flooded ninth compartment, but found no survivors.

 

[pargyle]

Specialist British Royal Navy and Norwegian teams were on their way to rescue the Russian submariners. For 5 days Putin denied them access.
2 days later finally opened a hatch to the escape trunk in the boat's flooded ninth compartment, but found no survivors.

Although the post mortems showed that the survivors assembled in compartment 9 probably died between 6 and 8 hours after the sub sank when an oxygen regeneration capsule was accidentally dropped in the water slowly filling the compartment and exploded causing a fireball that used up all the remaining oxygen and asphyxiating those not killed by the explosion. Nothing that excuses Putin's callous behaviour - and which he has demonstrated time and again since as he drags Russia back to the time and behaviours redolent of the post war pre-glasnost era. Certainly he is one of the world's bad men and should go down in history as the worst Russian dictator since Lenin or Stalin.

 

[Paulypaul]

..should go down in history as the worst Russian dictator since Lenin or Stalin.

Was watching a Russian history documentary yesterday. There are accounts from European military types going back to the 17thC of how brutally Russians treated their own soldiers. Russian blocking troops are apparently nothing new at all.

Also yesterday, saw a drone-shot video of what appeared to be Russian soldiers on crutches being sent to advance on Ukrainian positions. All of whom were easy targets for Ukrainian drones.
And another video of Russian soldiers tieing a colleague to a tree, on the front, to be an easy target for Ukrainian dones. Assumed be be punishment for something.

 

[Murox]

Lenin had principles, Stalin was vicious, Putin simply embodies the worst of both of them and of mankind's greed and cruelty.

 

[Erichalfbee]

This article is three years old but still has some relevance?
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2022/feb...luded-vladimir-putin-isnt-mad-despot-hes-evil

 

[pargyle]

This article is three years old but still has some relevance?
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2022/feb...luded-vladimir-putin-isnt-mad-despot-hes-evil

Has even more relevance I think.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Has even more relevance I think.

I’m reading this at the moment ( well, no bees to play with)

 

[Moobee]

I’m reading this at the moment ( well, no bees to play with)

View attachment 41943

That’s a heavy piece of bedtime reading!

 

[Erichalfbee]

It’s utterly fascinating though.

 

[The Poot]

He’s certainly ruthless and is clearly wanting to restore former Russian glories at whatever cost.
But - he’s also allowed the reemergence of the Russian Orthodox Church, outlawed by former dictators.
See this fascinating video :