ballpoint

And after all, we're only ordinary men...

A recent CNN piece with some grim footage of the Dnipro aftermath, plus Ukrainians going about their lives in Bakhmut, and some strong words to NATO from its former commander, General Wesley Clark at the end.

From the same genius: "I know when the mother-in-law's going to visit us. The mice throw themselves on the traps".

From the article in the OP: "But the Russian human rights group Gulagu, who helped Mr Medvedev leave Russia, confirmed his identity. His escape is believed to be the first known instance of one of the group's soldiers defecting to the West. Gulagu's founder Vladimir Osechkin told the BBC that Mr Medvedev had joined the paramilitary group in July 2022 on a four-month contract, but had deserted after witnessing a host of human rights abuses and war crimes while serving in Ukraine." I can think of a number of countries that would be interested in providing accommodation to him in exchange for a chat.

As any big game fisherman will tell you, the fun isn't in the actual landing the fish, it's in the fight. Watching it jiggle on the hook, repeatedly giving it enough line to think it's getting away and then pulling it back with another turn of the reel. Making it "tiresome" for it before finally bringing it in is the strategy. Seeing the poor sap and his supporters believe that he'll wriggle free is just as entertaining as the final blow will be.