Amazing the "news flow" from Russia. Basically all "internet/social" media based. Few "western correspondents" employed by major western news agencies remain, sitting in Moscow not knowing what happens in the rest of Russia. Interviewing "moscovites" yield very little, as they strictly refuse any comment about the "special operations" in the Ukraine. Understandably, the frustration of the few remaining "correspondants" is great, if you can find nobody that critisises the official "special operations" in the Ukraine no matter how hard you try. Really frustrating.

 

So, where do comments come from, indicating that the russian economy is on the verge of collapse, since 2023? From "reliable internet sources", where else.

 

Within all this "information chaos" one thing can not be denied: Russia has won this war by military means. Game over for the Ukraine, sadly.

 

Steve Rosenberg who is based in Moscow, does a regular newspaper review, discussing what Russian domestic newspapers.

 

 

 

 

Daniil Orain has conducted hundreds of videos, mostly Voxpox, to gauge Russian attitudes

 

 

 

Then there are various Russian emigres, who give their own views on what is happening. The best know is Inside Russia. He is an economist, formerly with a Energy Engineering Company, and he was a Putin supporter, in that he has conservative viewpoints. But now he is in Uzbekistan, after having fled. As an economist, he provides an expert view of whats happening.

 

 

Or maybe lookat Vasya in the Hay, a series of videos, from since before the war, stating how much of a <deleted>hole rural Russia is. One cannot help but think there will be a Reckoning one day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Russian government has been buying gold, lots of it. At the same time, there are reports of oligarchs being caught trying to take gold out. This is a very powerful signal.

 

 

Konstantin of Inside Russia youtube channel now in exile is indeed a great source of economic information about Russia. 

Sadly he's gotten the attention of the Kremlin and is living in fear of windows.

For those who want a good dose of sarcastic humor along with their Russian economic news, you can't beat the kgb detected channel.  

 

5 hours ago, swissie said:

Amazing the "news flow" from Russia. Basically all "internet/social" media based. Few "western correspondents" employed by major western news agencies remain, sitting in Moscow not knowing what happens in the rest of Russia. Interviewing "moscovites" yield very little, as they strictly refuse any comment about the "special operations" in the Ukraine. Understandably, the frustration of the few remaining "correspondants" is great, if you can find nobody that critisises the official "special operations" in the Ukraine no matter how hard you try. Really frustrating.

 

So, where do comments come from, indicating that the russian economy is on the verge of collapse, since 2023? From "reliable internet sources", where else.

 

Within all this "information chaos" one thing can not be denied: Russia has won this war by military means. Game over for the Ukraine, sadly.

 

You've been saying that for how many YEARS already?

On 12/1/2025 at 11:50 PM, Jingthing said:

You've been saying that for how many YEARS already?

Ever since this war started (from day 1) I wrote that the Ukraine would not be able to win this war. Unfortunately and much to my regret I was right.

1 minute ago, swissie said:

Ever since this war started (from day 1) I wrote that the Ukraine would not be able to win this war. Unfortunately and much to my regret I was right.

What a load of caca.

The war goes on.

Neither side has won at this point. 

Why are carrying water and lying for Putin?!?

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

What a load of caca.

The war goes on.

Neither side has won at this point. 

Why are carrying water and lying for Putin?!?

The war goes on you say. And who is winning I ask you. With every day this war drags on, the less favorable will be the terms of surrender for the Ukraine. There comes a time when it is necessary to take off the "rose colored glasses".

Just now, swissie said:

The war goes on you say. And who is winning I ask you. With every day this war drags on, the less favorable will be the terms of surrender for the Ukraine. There comes a time when it is necessary to take off the "rose colored glasses".

Your just mouthing Kremlin propaganda. 

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Your just mouthing Kremlin propaganda. 

No, I am not. I am looking at the map to see who is making "territorial gains". It's not the Ukraine.

2 minutes ago, swissie said:

No, I am not. I am looking at the map to see who is making "territorial gains". It's not the Ukraine.

Check out your eyes. Russia's territorial gains have only been one percent in recent years at an almost unbelievable price to Russian lives and lucre.

They are not going to win that way.

Ukraine is not going to win that way either.

There is a lot more to this war than the border lines.

If you actually took the time to follow this war, you would know that.

Russia could win in the end but it is not in any way imminent or inevitable.

To assert that is indeed Kremlin propaganda and you've been snookered by it.

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Check out your eyes. Russia's territorial gains have only been one percent in recent years at an almost unbelievable price to Russian lives and lucre.

They are not going to win that way.

Ukraine is not going to win that way either.

There is a lot more to this war than the border lines.

If you actually took the time to follow this war, you would know that.

Russia could win in the end but it is not in any way imminent or inevitable.

To assert that is indeed Kremlin propaganda and you've been snookered by it.

I must correct you: Russia "owns" now 1/5 th of the Ukraine. The most industrialised/productive part of the Ukraine. I rest my case.

2 minutes ago, swissie said:

I must correct you: Russia "owns" now 1/5 th of the Ukraine. The most industrialised/productive part of the Ukraine. I rest my case.

Nothing to correct. You ignored my point about gains in recent years. Relatively nothing. Waste of time engaging with you. You're a true believer in Putin's lies for some unexplained reason. Agree to disagree to avoid an endless loop. 

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Nothing to correct. You ignored my point about gains in recent years. Relatively nothing. Waste of time engaging with you. You're a true believer in Putin's lies for some unexplained reason. Agree to disagree to avoid an endless loop. 

It was never about "enlarging" the Russian empire overall. Russia is large enough as it is. It is about creating a "buffer zone" against an unnecessary ever expanding NATO eastward.

Why did the ex-soviet eastern satellite states had to join NATO? During the "relaxed" early 2000ends where there was absolutely no reason for any eastward NATO expansion.  

I often watch the Vasya in the Hay videos - He posts about ordinary Russian people who are totally at rock-bottom and then helps them (with the financial help of his supporters). I'm a charitable sort of person, so I enjoy seeing the smiles that his efforts bring to the faces of these people.

 

As to the politics, I have to sympathise with Russia over the NATO expansion eastwards.  It's akin to goading a bear until it fights back.  IMHO, Ukraine is unfortunately in the wrong location - geographically.  Russia needs secure access to the Black Sea, and now don't forget access to Kalingrad.  That is not going to end well.....

12 minutes ago, swissie said:

It was never about "enlarging" the Russian empire overall. Russia is large enough as it is. It is about creating a "buffer zone" against an unnecessary ever expanding NATO eastward.

Why did the ex-soviet eastern satellite states had to join NATO? During the "relaxed" early 2000ends where there was absolutely no reason for any eastward NATO expansion.  

WRONG!  

 

Putin has a mythical mystical ideology about the Empire of Russ and he believes that cannot exist without both Belarus AND Ukraine.

 

Again, agree to disagree. 

 

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

WRONG!  

 

Putin has a mythical mystical ideology about the Empire of Russ and he believes that cannot exist without both Belarus AND Ukraine.

 

Again, agree to disagree. 

 

 Within the Russian "buffer zone" Belarus AND the Ukraine are part of the buffer zone. In Belarus there is already a government in place that is "Russia friendly".  The footing of any "peace deal" with the Ukraine will include a new Ukrainian government that is as Russia friendly as Belarus. And of course: No NATO membership of the Ukraine.

2 minutes ago, swissie said:

 Within the Russian "buffer zone" Belarus AND the Ukraine are part of the buffer zone. In Belarus there is already a government in place that is "Russia friendly".  The footing of any "peace deal" with the Ukraine will include a new Ukrainian government that is as Russia friendly as Belarus. And of course: No NATO membership of the Ukraine.

Belarus is a full puppet of Russia.

Ukraine wants to be independent.

Your incredibly extreme naivete about what Russia would do to Ukraine if they surrendered is really something to behold.

You seem to believe that they are reasonable players. They're not Canadians. THey have entirely different ethics.

Never mind that they are intentionally murdering Ukrainian civilians including children every day.

 

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Belarus is a full puppet of Russia.

Ukraine wants to be independent.

Your incredibly naivete about what Russia would do to Ukraine if they surrendered is really something to behold.

You seem to believe that they are reasonable players.

Never mind that they are intentionally murdering Ukrainian civilians including children every day.

 

Yes Belarus is a full puppet of Russia. Once the Ukraine is also a puppet of Russia the war will end as Russia has established it's "buffer zone". That is Russias "goal". The Russians have no interest in occupiying Berlin or Paris. At least not in the near future.

1 hour ago, swissie said:

Ever since this war started (from day 1) I wrote that the Ukraine would not be able to win this war. Unfortunately and much to my regret I was right.

 

What's a win? I doubt  the Russian families who have lost  a family member are  celebrating the win. At a minimum, Russia has lost 150,000 people. The probate registry indicates 273,000 as per BBC Russia and MediaZona. Add to this the billions in roubles spent on achieving destruction and gaining barren, polluted, and mined land and the win is devalued even more.

 

A pyrrhic victory is a success achieved at such a high cost that it is tantamount to defeat, often leaving the victor with irreparable damage or significant losses.

 

1 hour ago, swissie said:

It was never about "enlarging" the Russian empire overall. Russia is large enough as it is. It is about creating a "buffer zone" against an unnecessary ever expanding NATO eastward.

Why did the ex-soviet eastern satellite states had to join NATO? During the "relaxed" early 2000ends where there was absolutely no reason for any eastward NATO expansion.  

That's bull<deleted>.  All Putin managed to do was expand NATO.  

7 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

What's a win? I doubt  the Russian families who have lost  a family member are  celebrating the win. At a minimum, Russia has lost 150,000 people. The probate registry indicates 273,000 as per BBC Russia and MediaZona. Add to this the billions in roubles spent on achieving destruction and gaining barren, polluted, and mined land and the win is devalued even more.

 

A pyrrhic victory is a success achieved at such a high cost that it is tantamount to defeat, often leaving the victor with irreparable damage or significant losses.

 

Horrible. The Russian losses comparable to Stalingrad.

 

Of general interest: How come Ukrainian losses are of no interest to the world? Because official Ukrainian statisticts can be disregarded. Giving reason for "say what"?. Official statistics a joke.

12 minutes ago, TedG said:

That's bull<deleted>.  All Putin managed to do was expand NATO.  

Do I understand you correctly? Shortly after the downfall of the Soviet Empire, Jelzin and Putin have decided that the conquest of western Europe is high on the Russian agenda? In a time when the Russian Confederation struggled for survival?????? A time when president Obama classified Russia as a "mediocre military power"?

 

At such a time, forcing NATO to expand because the Russians were ready to "take Berlin"? That's when the unnecessary NATO expansion took place. Something that some "western thinkers" including many  "eastern thinkers" (including Putin) have never understood.

13 hours ago, swissie said:

Do I understand you correctly? Shortly after the downfall of the Soviet Empire, Jelzin and Putin have decided that the conquest of western Europe is high on the Russian agenda? In a time when the Russian Confederation struggled for survival?????? A time when president Obama classified Russia as a "mediocre military power"?

 

At such a time, forcing NATO to expand because the Russians were ready to "take Berlin"? That's when the unnecessary NATO expansion took place. Something that some "western thinkers" including many  "eastern thinkers" (including Putin) have never understood.

On the bright side, the expansion of NATO has prevented countries such as the Baltic States and Poland from 'enjoying' the same fate as Ukraine.

 

It also provides initial NATO members with a convenient "buffer zone". Even if it ultimately doesn't join NATO, Ukraine is also a critical buffer zone for European countries, and a usefull Damocles sword preventing Russia from further attacking other European countries

On 12/2/2025 at 12:36 AM, swissie said:

So, where do comments come from, indicating that the russian economy is on the verge of collapse, since 2023? From "reliable internet sources", where else.

Western conspiracy theory regarding Russia. 

15 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Check out your eyes. Russia's territorial gains have only been one percent in recent years at an almost unbelievable price to Russian lives and lucre.

They are not going to win that way.

The wonders of Western Russiaphobia:

Breath 1:
"Russia is barely taking any Ukrainian territory and their progress is at a snails pace, and they are losing most of their fighting forces."
Breath 2:
"Russia is going to invade Europe any day now!"  

 <laughs>

1 hour ago, connda said:

The wonders of Western Russiaphobia:

Breath 1:
"Russia is barely taking any Ukrainian territory and their progress is at a snails pace, and they are losing most of their fighting forces."
Breath 2:
"Russia is going to invade Europe any day now!"  

 <laughs>

That's moronic.

If Putin does prevail in erasing Ukraine yes he will.pause to regroup and later with tbe addktion of a Ukrainian slave state move on to the Baltics.  No doubt whatsoever. 

As far as greater western Europe etc. Russia already has engaged in.war like actions for many years but always dancing at the edge of a level that would compel NATO to react militarily.

To confirm.again yes Russia had 18 percent of Ukraine two years ago and mow only has 19 percent at a horrible price. It would insane for Ukraine to give up all.of Donbas.

Putin has given so many “reasons” for the war. He also claimed he was invading Ukraine to de Nazify it and protect Russian citizens in Ukraine. Unfortunately for him he didn’t realise Zelensky was born into a Jewish family. All part of the Russian propaganda.

 

Ukrainians have seen the cruelty of the Russian army and will never give up fighting for their freedom. They have seen first hand the methods of the Russians in the Bucharest massacre, to name just one of the thousands of atrocities they have committed. Laughingly Russian propaganda tried to pin that on the British.

 

They have seen Ukrainian troops shot in the back after surrendering. Schools, nurseries, Hospitals and residential buildings purposely bombed. They have read about Ukrainian prisoners being blown up inside a Russian prison.  Women raped, and killed along with Men and Children in occupied territories.. In occupied territories they have also seen Ukrainian pensions taken away, unless they apply for a Russian passport. The list of war atrocities goes on and on and on. It makes sick to my stomach that the Russians are trying to get an amnesty for war crimes as part of any peace settlement. 

 

No, Ukrainians are not going to surrender any time soon, may feel they might as well be dead as occupied by the murdering Russians.

3 hours ago, BexMan said:

Putin has given so many “reasons” for the war. He also claimed he was invading Ukraine to de Nazify it and protect Russian citizens in Ukraine. Unfortunately for him he didn’t realise Zelensky was born into a Jewish family. All part of the Russian propaganda.

 

Ukrainians have seen the cruelty of the Russian army and will never give up fighting for their freedom. They have seen first hand the methods of the Russians in the Bucharest massacre, to name just one of the thousands of atrocities they have committed. Laughingly Russian propaganda tried to pin that on the British.

 

They have seen Ukrainian troops shot in the back after surrendering. Schools, nurseries, Hospitals and residential buildings purposely bombed. They have read about Ukrainian prisoners being blown up inside a Russian prison.  Women raped, and killed along with Men and Children in occupied territories.. In occupied territories they have also seen Ukrainian pensions taken away, unless they apply for a Russian passport. The list of war atrocities goes on and on and on. It makes sick to my stomach that the Russians are trying to get an amnesty for war crimes as part of any peace settlement. 

 

No, Ukrainians are not going to surrender any time soon, may feel they might as well be dead as occupied by the murdering Russians.

Damn autocorrect, should have been Bucha, Bucharest.😳

9 minutes ago, BexMan said:

Damn autocorrect, should have been Bucha, Bucharest.😳

The Russians could turn Kyiv into a wasteland in a single day with their missiles, so what are they holding back for? LOL

On 12/2/2025 at 4:38 AM, Roadsternut said:

The Russian government has been buying gold, lots of it. At the same time, there are reports of oligarchs being caught trying to take gold out. This is a very powerful signal.

It has also begun to sell some gold, ostensibly to fund their economy.

 

https://www.bullionvault.com/gold-news/gold-price-news/russia-gold-ukraine-frozen-112620251