18 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

The answer is that they cynically do not care either way, and merely want to weaken Russia by dragging it into war as long as possible.

Yes that was the aim but it seems that all it has done is accelerated

a move away from the Dollar ,setup of alternative banking systems, BRICS

and a renewed Russian industrial capacity.

( psst... they even have their own washing machines and ball bearings )

Just now, johng said:

Yes that was the aim but it seems that all it has done is accelerated

a move away from the Dollar ,setup of alternative banking systems, BRICS

and a renewed Russian industrial capacity.

( psst... they even have their own washing machines and ball bearings )

And brought Russia and China and North Korea ever close together.

Kremlin war funding fears see 'billions' pulled from Russian banks

• Russian citizens are withdrawing billions from banks due to fears the Kremlin could seize private deposits to fund the war in Ukraine, according to a report in the Washington Post.

• Data from the Russian Central Bank shows £2.5 billion was withdrawn in the first two weeks of August alone.

• The massive cash outflow follows earlier withdrawals of £5.4bn in July and over £3.3bn in June.

• The wave of withdrawals comes alongside intensifying drone strikes across Russia from Ukraine.

• Experts say the trend reflects a severe lack of trust in the Russian banking system and fears that deposits may be nationalised.

Kremlin war funding fears see 'billions' pulled from Russian banks

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

Indeed, people forget that Russia could always use nuclear war on Ukraine.

Whilst it's understandable people who don't know better cheer on Ukraine, it begs the question how do the leaders of the EU and the US justify supporting Ukraine, when they should know that Ukraine can never win and if it were winning then it would precipitate a nuclear war?

The answer is that they cynically do not care either way, and merely want to weaken Russia by dragging it into war as long as possible. They too, most likely count on the fact that eventually a deal will be made before nuclear war appears on the table. But until then, the mantra is support Ukraine so that Russia is weakened.

TBH wid yer, I'm not at all sure that nuclear bombs actually exist. I know we are told that do. But I've never seen independent evidence that they do.

The two dropped on Japan were no way nuclear devices.

Not to say there cannot be 'dirty' bombs. Humans are good at destroying the environment. The top humans that is. Not the poor cannon fodder of the war-mongering elites.

4 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Indeed, people forget that Russia could always use nuclear war on Ukraine.

Whilst it's understandable people who don't know better cheer on Ukraine, it begs the question how do the leaders of the EU and the US justify supporting Ukraine, when they should know that Ukraine can never win and if it were winning then it would precipitate a nuclear war?

The answer is that they cynically do not care either way, and merely want to weaken Russia by dragging it into war as long as possible. They too, most likely count on the fact that eventually a deal will be made before nuclear war appears on the table. But until then, the mantra is support Ukraine so that Russia is weakened.

No no no. Don't you dare blame the victim.

If Putin drops a nuclear weapon, he is the murderer, The War Criminal. I will metaphorically continue to cheer on Ukraine. Russia has already lost this war. If peace breaks out tomorrow, what has Russia won. A wasteland economic basket case of its own making.

My response was to someone too dependent on lapping up some grifting Youtuber who clearly knows nothing. Just like no doubt your Russian sources whom you think were telling you the truth (that you wanted to hear).

Why do you signal out the "EU". Its Europe that supports Ukraine. Norway and the UK are not EU members, Get your bias corrected.

Your final paragraph is just parroting communist Russia talking point. You repeating word for word Russia's propaganda. Russia has always been a "woe is me£ pathetic excuse for a country. They have never accepted responsibility for anything they have done. They have ALWAYSs blamed others for their misdeeds, and always recruited useful idiots.

Putin would do the world a big favour by chucking himself out of a 30th floor window, but making sure his ankle is tied to the ankles of the rest of his sorry cabinet so he takes them with him.

4 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Indeed, people forget that Russia could always use nuclear war on Ukraine.

Whilst it's understandable people who don't know better cheer on Ukraine, it begs the question how do the leaders of the EU and the US justify supporting Ukraine, when they should know that Ukraine can never win and if it were winning then it would precipitate a nuclear war?

The answer is that they cynically do not care either way, and merely want to weaken Russia by dragging it into war as long as possible. They too, most likely count on the fact that eventually a deal will be made before nuclear war appears on the table. But until then, the mantra is support Ukraine so that Russia is weakened.

Kremlin propaganda 100 percent. Totally shameless.

44 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

No no no. Don't you dare blame the victim.

Ukraine can't play the victim. They had ample chance to modify their policies to avoid a war with Russia. Right up to the wire Russia was willing to negotiate, indeed had agreed to Ukraine's proposals, if it hadn't been for Boris Johnson flying in at the behest of Biden to persuade Zelensky to go to war there would have been no war.

Ultimately the whole crisis arose because Ukraine on the one hand was happy to have its energy bill and other expenses subsidized by Russia, but then jumped into bed with the EU and US secret services. This is a crisis that was caused by Ukraine's actions too, not just Russia's.

56 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

Russia has already lost this war. If peace breaks out tomorrow, what has Russia won. A wasteland economic basket case of its own making.

People keep talking about the cost of this war to Russia. However, the cost to Ukraine is far greater. If Russia is an economic wasteland, what is Ukraine? That is the whole point of course. If Ukraine refuses to join the Russian fold, then it will be turned into an economic wasteland. If one country dies here, Ukraine will die long, long, loooooong before Russia does.

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

Ukraine can't play the victim. They had ample chance to modify their policies to avoid a war with Russia. Right up to the wire Russia was willing to negotiate, indeed had agreed to Ukraine's proposals, if it hadn't been for Boris Johnson flying in at the behest of Biden to persuade Zelensky to go to war there would have been no war.

Ultimately the whole crisis arose because Ukraine on the one hand was happy to have its energy bill and other expenses subsidized by Russia, but then jumped into bed with the EU and US secret services. This is a crisis that was caused by Ukraine's actions too, not just Russia's.

People keep talking about the cost of this war to Russia. However, the cost to Ukraine is far greater. If Russia is an economic wasteland, what is Ukraine? That is the whole point of course. If Ukraine refuses to join the Russian fold, then it will be turned into an economic wasteland. If one country dies here, Ukraine will die long, long, loooooong before Russia does.

I disagree. Putin wants the USSR back. His two-week war has lasted longer than the Great Patriotic War. Now Ukraine, which is much cleverer than Russia, is slowly dismantling the Russian economy.

Just now, Mr Awesome said:

Putin wants the USSR back.

He certainly does not, that's just cheap NATO propaganda. Putin merely wants to prevent Ukraine from joining the EU/US fold, as a Ukraine in NATO would make Russia de facto indefensible. So if Ukraine does not rejoin the Russian fold, it will be turned into a wasteland.

1 minute ago, Mr Awesome said:

Now Ukraine, which is much cleverer than Russia, is slowly dismantling the Russian economy.

You are so clueless it's almost painful. It is Russia that is cleverly biding its time and chipping away at Ukraine for 2 years now. Russia already holds 20 percent of Ukraine. The Russian economy was doing exceptionally well until fairly recently, better in fact than most Western economies.

6 hours ago, Cameroni said:

And brought Russia and China and North Korea ever close together.

China is leveraging its relationship with Russia to obtain energy at significantly reduced prices. China is primarily concerned with its own interests.

3 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

You are so clueless it's almost painful. It is Russia that is cleverly biding its time and chipping away at Ukraine for 2 years now. Russia already holds 20 percent of Ukraine. The Russian economy was doing exceptionally well until fairly recently, better in fact than most Western economies.

You are the last person who should be calling someone clueless. It will be fun to watch Russia collapse and Putin run out of Dodge.

I'm sure the Russian citizens are enjoying the high inflation.

https://tradingeconomics.com/russia/inflation-cpi

1 minute ago, Mr Awesome said:

You are the last person who should be calling someone clueless. It will be fun to watch Russia collapse and Putin run out of Dodge.

I'm sure the Russian citizens are enjoying the high inflation.

https://tradingeconomics.com/russia/inflation-cpi

If you're waiting for Russia to collapse, you'll wait forever. Not going to happen.

Russia's economy is doing better than the UK's.

2 hours ago, Cameroni said:

If you're waiting for Russia to collapse, you'll wait forever. Not going to happen.

Russia's economy is doing better than the UK's.

The UK should not be seen as the standard for measuring success in national economies.

Moscow's fuel stations limit sales amid shortages

MOSCOW, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Fuel stations in Moscow have reimposed limits on gasoline purchases due to fuel shortages linked to Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries and strong seasonal demand, according to Reuters witnesses and fuel suppliers.

Shortages began to gather pace in May and had spread to most Russian regions by July, but fuel stations in Moscow were able to ease an earlier wave of restrictions in June.

Ukraine has targeted Russian oil refineries in an effort to undermine Moscow's war effort and reduce energy revenues.

To boost domestic supplies, Russian authorities have banned exports of gasoline and diesel, eased fuel quality requirements and began importing petroleum products.

Reuters witnesses also saw long queues at some filling stations in Moscow and the surrounding region.

A customer hotline operator at Gazprom Neft said gasoline and diesel sales at the company's automated filling stations in Moscow were limited to 40 litres per customer.

At Gazprom Neft's other filling stations, diesel sales remain unrestricted, while gasoline purchases are capped at 60 litres per vehicle.

Rosneft, Russia's largest oil producer, said gasoline sales at all its filling stations across Russia were limited to 30 litres per vehicle, while diesel sales faced no restrictions.

The company also warned customers of longer waiting times because of heightened demand.

Lukoil said it had introduced fuel sales restrictions in Moscow and the surrounding region because of elevated demand, unscheduled refinery maintenance and the need to ensure stable operations at its filling stations.

It did not disclose the specific limits.

Tatneft's customer hotline said gasoline sales at its filling stations were limited to 50 litres per vehicle.

Moscow's fuel stations limit sales amid shortages

Ukrainian drone attacks leave Russia facing a new shortage

Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries have triggered a new crisis in Russia. In addition to fuel shortages, the country is now facing shortages and rapidly rising prices for automotive lubricants, according to Kommersant.

Participants in Russia’s lubricants market are reporting regular supply disruptions and shortages across product lines. The problems are linked to unscheduled refinery repairs following drone strikes, as well as shortages of imported additives needed for production.

Russia is also facing shortages of certain raw materials, including those used to manufacture coolants.

According to Vladimir Andreyev, head of the service division at automotive marketplace Fresh, the situation is rapidly deteriorating. Prices have risen 1.5 to 2 times over the past two months alone, while delivery times have increased from two days to two weeks.

Some of the most popular products have disappeared from the market entirely, forcing auto service centers to buy remaining stocks from intermediaries.

“Some of the most in-demand oils are simply unavailable — we buy whatever manufacturers managed to ship earlier from intermediaries,” Andreyev said.

Tatiana Ovchinnikova, director of the Fit Service network of auto repair shops, said automotive lubricants have already increased in price by 15–20% since the beginning of the year. She added that prices for some products could rise by another 40%.

The situation is further complicated by fuel shortages. Due to a lack of higher-quality gasoline, some Russian regions have begun using lower-grade fuel, which requires motorists to change engine oil more frequently. This is driving up demand and deepening the shortage.

Russia has also recently faced another worsening fuel shortage, with authorities in at least 10 regions tightening controls over gasoline sales at gas stations.

Over the past several months, Ukrainian drone strikes have disrupted up to 40% of Russia’s oil-refining capacity. Against this backdrop, roughly one-third of Russians have already faced fuel shortages.

Ukrainian drone attacks leave Russia facing a new shortage

One still has a sense of humor.Gas free now.

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/s/41Tsvegf0U

The Kremlin has already raised the question of what to do with Russian soldiers after the war ends

Russia has already begun discussing the need to prepare for soldiers returning from the front and for their employment after the war ends, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said during a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects.

During the meeting, the Russian president raised the issue of soldiers returning from the front after the hostilities end.

"There is another issue. The return of our men from the line of contact after the end of the special military operation," he said.

Putin noted that many servicemen would return to Russia after the war ends. According to him, the authorities will need to think ahead about providing them with jobs.

"Many people will return, they will need to be employed, and they will come back with healthy ambitions and so on. This is serious work that we need to prepare for in advance," he said.

Putin urges Russia to prepare for soldiers coming home from war

35 minutes ago, bannork said:

Russia has already begun discussing the need to prepare for soldiers returning from the front and for their employment after the war ends,

No such worry for the Ukrainians as they will fight to the last one to defend

US/EU/NATO interests instead of their own.

Ukraine hits three Russian drone depots, bridge and other key military targets

Photo: Fire at a Russian strategic facility following a Ukrainian strike (Russian media)© RBC-Ukraine (UK)

Ukraine’s Defense Forces attacked three drone depots, command facilities, a bridge and other important enemy targets overnight on August 19, according to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

New Russian targets hit

The General Staff listed the following Russian military targets that were struck:

・a road bridge over the Molochna River near Molochansk in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is used to support military logistics;

・three drone depots near Novopetrykivka and Novotroitske in the Donetsk region and Lobacheve in the Luhansk region;

・a ground-based relay station used to control Geran/Gerbera-type attack drones in Olenivka in temporarily occupied Crimea;

・a drone command post near Verkhnii Rohachyk in the Kherson region.

In the Luhansk region, Ukrainian forces also hit:

・a military logistics depot in Kadiivka;

・an area where enemy weapons and military equipment were concentrated in Lysychansk.

The General Staff said that Russia's losses are still being clarified.

Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out strikes on several Russian military facilities on August 17 and overnight on August 18. The targets included an ammunition depot and drone command posts.

In addition, overnight on August 16, Ukrainian forces struck the Kamensky Plant in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Rostov region, Russia.

It was also reported that since the beginning of August, Ukrainian drones have attacked nearly one-third of Russia’s major oil refineries. Ukraine has struck 10 of the country’s 34 major refineries.

Ukraine hits three Russian drone depots, bridge and other key military targets

'Giant soldiers' expose Putin's battlefield lies in bizarre AI footage

Modern conflict is fought on two distinct fronts.

While soldiers clash in muddy trenches, an entirely different battle plays out across digital screens, where perceptions of victory can matter just as much as actual territory.

But spinning a convincing story of military progress is getting much stranger by the day.

Digital illusions

Ukrainian open source intelligence analysts recently spotted something deeply unusual in a propaganda video published by Russian online channels and cited by United24Media.

The short clip claimed to present official proof that troops had successfully infiltrated the outskirts of Oskil, a quiet village in the Kharkiv region sitting roughly 12 kilometers behind the active frontline.

Rather than authentic combat footage recorded on location, researchers at the DeepState analysis group quickly realized the entire video was generated by artificial intelligence. The digital trickery was anything but seamless.

Glaring visual errors littered every single frame. Industrial hangars magically transformed into small private homes in parts of the footage, while whole buildings appeared completely out of nowhere.

Most bizarrely, the digital soldiers showed distorted physical proportions, with one rendered figure towering over local rooftops like a literal giant.

A safer shortcut

Military analysts describe this emerging practice as an artificial intelligence evolution of traditional flag planting tactics.

For months, military commanders have regularly dispatched small units on high risk missions purely to display a flag, capture a few seconds of video, and broadcast a territorial victory.

Those physical missions often proved deadly for the men involved. Soldiers exposed their positions to immediate artillery strikes and armed drones just to manufacture a brief clip for social media. By turning to generative software tools, commanders can now fabricate those exact same visual gains without risking any personnel on the ground.

The shift highlights how hazardous real world photo ops have become near the frontlines.

Recently, Ukraine’s 142nd Separate Mechanized Brigade captured a Russian soldier from a tank unit in the Zaporizhzhia region. He admitted he had been sent into a village specifically to wave a flag for propaganda cameras.

Synthetic footage offers a far safer alternative for eager military planners. Fabricating battlefield progress on a laptop screen is simply much easier than taking real ground against a capable enemy.

'Giant soldiers' expose Putin's battlefield lies in bizarre AI footage

Russia may have lost two Kalibr missile warships

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet may have suffered a major blow after satellite imagery suggested two frigates capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles were seriously damaged in a Ukrainian strike on Novorossiysk.

The August 12 attack reportedly hit the Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, potentially knocking out the launch systems that provide two of Moscow’s key naval strike platforms with long-range firepower.

Satellite images reveal potentially devastating damage

OSINT analysts examining imagery of the naval base believe the attack damaged the ships’ UKSK 3S14 vertical launch systems, which are used to fire Kalibr missiles.

On the Admiral Essen, analysts identified deformation around the bow and damage to the eight-cell launcher module. The ship’s Trebovanie-M combat information and control system was also reportedly affected.

The Admiral Makarov, meanwhile, appears to have suffered damage around its vertical launch systems, with analysts reporting an internal detonation that may have destroyed the launch silos.

Black Sea Fleet could lose two key missile carriers

Additional damage has reportedly affected the Makarov’s radar, communications and electronic warfare systems.

If confirmed, both frigates could require lengthy repairs, potentially keeping them out of action for at least a year. That would represent a significant reduction in Russia’s ability to launch Kalibr strikes from the Black Sea.

The claims are based on satellite imagery and have not been independently confirmed, meaning the full extent of the damage remains unclear.

Ukraine struck deep inside Russia’s naval rear

The two frigates are members of the Project 11356R Burevestnik class. Russia originally operated three such vessels in the Black Sea Fleet, but the Admiral Grigorovich is now in the Baltic region.

The strike demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to hit a major Russian naval facility far from the frontline. Kyiv said the operation involved Palianytsia jet drones, Neptune missiles and unmanned maritime systems.

A costly hit to Moscow’s naval firepower

The Novorossiysk operation reportedly also damaged a Buyan-M missile ship and a Vasily Bykov-class patrol vessel.

For Russia, the potential loss of two Kalibr-capable frigates simultaneously would leave a serious gap in its naval strike capability. For Ukraine, it underlines the growing reach of a campaign increasingly capable of attacking Russian forces deep behind the frontline.

Russia’s navy may have lost two ships capable of launching Kalibr missiles

Russian strikes kill 16 in Ukraine

A major Russian airstrike killed 16 people and injured more than 40 in Kyiv and the surrounding region on Thursday

https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-russia-war/

11 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Russian strikes kill 16 in Ukraine

A major Russian airstrike killed 16 people and injured more than 40 in Kyiv and the surrounding region on Thursday

https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-russia-war/

Terrorism.

"1300 Ukrainian Troops wiped out"

Russia has claimed fresh battlefield gains in eastern Ukraine, saying its forces captured two more settlements in the Donetsk region as fighting intensifies. According to Russia's Defence Ministry, Battlegroup South captured Nikolaipolye, while Battlegroup Center took control of Matyashevo through what Moscow described as "active" and "decisive" operations. Moscow also claimed Ukrainian forces suffered around 1,390 casualties over the past 24 hours and said Russian strikes targeted Ukraine's fuel and energy infrastructure, transport networks, drone storage facilities and troop deployment areas across 147 locations.

19 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

"1300 Ukrainian Troops wiped out"

Russia has claimed fresh battlefield gains in eastern Ukraine, saying its forces captured two more settlements in the Donetsk region as fighting intensifies. According to Russia's Defence Ministry, Battlegroup South captured Nikolaipolye, while Battlegroup Center took control of Matyashevo through what Moscow described as "active" and "decisive" operations. Moscow also claimed Ukrainian forces suffered around 1,390 casualties over the past 24 hours and said Russian strikes targeted Ukraine's fuel and energy infrastructure, transport networks, drone storage facilities and troop deployment areas across 147 locations.

This guy and the Kremlin propaganda organ Times of India thinks we can believe what the Russians say.

The Times of India (TOI) is an Indian English-language daily news and digital news media. It is the third-largest newspaper in India by circulation and the ninth-largest selling English-language daily in the world.

Near the beginning of the 20th century, Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, called TOI "the leading paper in Asia". In 1991, the BBC ranked TOI among the world's six best newspapers.[21][22] It is owned and published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL).

In the Brand Trust Report India study 2019, TOI was rated as the most trusted English newspaper in India. In a 2021 survey, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism rated TOI the most trusted news brand among English-speaking online news users in India.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times_of_India

I am shocked you would defame this fine broadsheet, Jingthing.

Edited August 21Aug 21 by Cameroni

9 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

The Times of India (TOI) is an Indian English-language daily news and digital news media. It is the third-largest newspaper in India by circulation and the ninth-largest selling English-language daily in the world.

Near the beginning of the 20th century, Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, called TOI "the leading paper in Asia". In 1991, the BBC ranked TOI among the world's six best newspapers.[21][22] It is owned and published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL).

In the Brand Trust Report India study 2019, TOI was rated as the most trusted English newspaper in India. In a 2021 survey, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism rated TOI the most trusted news brand among English-speaking online news users in India.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times_of_India

I am shocked you would defame this fine broadsheet, Jingthing.

Kiss my grits, Boris.

The Times of India has been noted for its coverage that reflects a long-standing strategic partnership between India and Russia, often framing the Russian perspective in a way that aligns with India's historical ties and geopolitical interests. This bias can influence public opinion by emphasizing narratives that support Russia's actions while downplaying criticisms.

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Kiss my grits, Boris.

The Times of India has been noted for its coverage that reflects a long-standing strategic partnership between India and Russia, often framing the Russian perspective in a way that aligns with India's historical ties and geopolitical interests. This bias can influence public opinion by emphasizing narratives that support Russia's actions while downplaying criticisms.

What like telling the truth?!

The sun is rising in the East.

Just now, Stiddle Mump said:

What like telling the truth?!

The sun is rising in the East.

The truth from the Kremlin?

That's ridiculous.

They lie almost as much as Trunp.

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

The truth from the Kremlin?

That's ridiculous.

They lie almost as much as Trunp.

Who are the biggest liars? Way out in front is Israel. Followed by the UK.

Although The Don says some strange stuff at times, you have to understand that his wife stays away from him a lot. He just needs some TLC. I've heard that he is a fan of the Nth Korean marching ladies.

Edited August 21Aug 21 by Stiddle Mump