I remember the surprise after the Soviet Union fell when the West discovered just how decrepit the military was. There seems to be a tradition of overestimating Russian capacity to wage war.

GV27:

 

I think the economic collapse within Russia over the next week is probably going to set them back years; and that's if Vlad doesn't get desperate and start digging into his bag of weaponary tricks. 

 

Seeing numerous commentators on Twitter speculating that the Russian Army's capacity isn't being utilised and a lot is being held back. If so, it's for a specific reason, given the humiliation of supposedly not executing an easy gimme on Kyiv. 

 

Yep. The sanctions could be wound back very quickly. If there was a leader using intelligence and common sense. If as you suggest he goes down the weaponry track (more) then he is digging his hole deeper then ever. That would be years of struggle economically. He could get out now and face humiliation, or he can be stubborn and self crush his own country 

Rikkitic:

 

I remember the surprise after the Soviet Union fell when the West discovered just how decrepit the military was. There seems to be a tradition of overestimating Russian capacity to wage war.

 

 

 

Ive read the economy is smaller than Italy's. Last night, it was stated GDP is very low. The standard Central Bank rate was 9.5% prior to being increased. And the many docos Ive watched that concerned Russia (AN225 etc etc) they seemed broke.

But they do have 600 billion in cash, but I think a lot of that is now tied up in banks that are sanctioned. Given the 600 B, and the plight of  Russians in general its a crime of humanity that the resources are not being managed for the benefit of the population that was born there.

source

If Putin was no longer in the picture, however that came about, would Russia have the tools and the commitment to create a functioning democracy? The current parliament seems to be pretty much a rubber stamp. Could that be replaced? Would a majority of the people support that?

@k8toledo I suggest you upload your images to Geekzone as they may last longer than third party image hosting. Also perhaps quote important parts but don't post the whole article due to copyright.

freitasm:

 

@k8toledo I suggest you upload your images to Geekzone as they may last longer than third party image hosting. Also perhaps quote important parts but don't post the whole article due to copyright.

 

Thanks.

If I upload or copy the screenshots to GZ they come out as below? (I'll delete it shortly).

@k8toledo yeah, it will depend on how you resize. Perhaps do not post screenshots but as suggested only the important part. Not the whole article - copyright and all that.

Rikkitic:

 

If Putin was no longer in the picture, however that came about, would Russia have the tools and the commitment to create a functioning democracy? The current parliament seems to be pretty much a rubber stamp. Could that be replaced? Would a majority of the people support that?

 

 

 

Gorbachev tried to reform the USSR with Perestroika.

From what I've read Putin is on a one man crusade. With him gone relations with Russia would likely improve.

Claim Vacuum bomb used.

”They used the vacuum bomb today, which is actually prohibited by the Geneva convention,” Markarova said after a meeting with US legislators. The devastation that Russia is trying to inflict on Ukraine is large.”

Quite a bit down page in link, also 40 mile long convey of tanks etc heading to capital.

https://www.google.co.nz/amp/s/www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2022/2/28/us-announces-plan-to-expel-russian-diplomats-from-un-liveblog

K8Toledo:

 

Gorbachev tried to reform the USSR with Perestroika.

 

From what I've read Putin is on a one man crusade. With him gone relations with Russia would likely improve.

 

 

 

100%. Its ok to have not quite a democratic Government, IF the leader is a leader for the people. I don't mean Commy. A leader that wants to lead the country for the benefit of everyone is the issue. Lefty Righty doesn't matter. Manage the family/company/country for those involved.

I recall WAY back in the day from somewhere that Reagan had a meeting with Gorbachev or some other chev, and his wife said "he is a good man" With many millions involved, it came down to sensibility. Reagan is a good man he's not a dick. That's huge. But its just two people. Things eased. Subsequently it all fell apart for USSR, but the bottom line is if you have good people, no matter how diametrically opposed they are, they will both be sensible. Cuba crisis, nuclear weapons;ons are a dime a dozen, nothing happened. Idi Amin, Hussein, PRNK etc etc etc, imagine if they had capability.

Putin needs to go, his desired legacy of Peter the Great and Stalin is a no go. Its ego, outdated, and the millions of Joe and Joanne Average Russians will take the heat due to one man.

"Warner Bros said it is pausing the release of ‘The Batman’ in Russia ‘in light of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine”. The movie was due to open in Russian theatres on March 3."

"Disney says it is suspending the release of its films in theaters in Russia after Moscow’s assault on Ukraine."

That will teach Putin.

"World Taekwondo has stripped Russian President Vladimir Putin of his honorary taekwondo black belt over his country’s invasion of Ukraine."

Oh, no... Anyway.

Seriously, Ukraine will fall, and nothing will happen to Russia. And the whole EU and US who spent years in Iraq based on some lies won't lift a finger.

K8Toledo:

 

 

 

A very average leader, plain, vanilla, work for the people. Is that so hard? Parents work for the family, CEO's work for the company, managers work for their teams.Cricket coach works for the team But Putin works for his ego. stuff everyone else, thats a crime of humanity

freitasm:

 

Seriously, Ukraine will fall, and nothing will happen to Russia. And the whole EU and US who spent years in Iraq based on some lies won't lift a finger.

 

I truly hope you are wrong about that. You probably aren't.

Putin is pretty much a killing the patient to get rid of the disease kinda guy.
Just look up destruction in Grozny Y2003.
https://www.gettyimages.co.nz/photos/destruction-of-grozny

Below gives some insight into Putin from someone once with one of the largest investors in Russia a decade ago.

Firmly believes you have to go after oligarchs' assets.
To find them you have to compel investment companies operating in secrecy to reveal ownership.
However its is kept in safe assets in 'rule of law' countries and probably accessible once you find it.

Browder on Putin: When You Believe Your Time is Almost Up, You Start a War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y7XBQG5TzM

17min long.

Problem is the west has been kicking can down the road for a long time, and this change takes a very long time.
There were apparently oligarchs financing the BREXIT campaign.