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Leisher wrote: ↑Tue Dec 27, 2022 3:11 pm Another day, another rich Russian falls to his death.

And his friend just died a few days ago...

Apparently they are preparing for another massive push into Ukraine in the next few weeks.

Leisher wrote: ↑Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:41 pm Apparently they are preparing for another massive push into Ukraine in the next few weeks.

Gotta do it before the tanks get there.

Public support for Ukraine faltering in the U.S.

Meanwhile, the Russians are ramping up for their new offense, and all sources say it's going to go poorly.

Leisher wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 1:07 pm and all sources say it's going to go poorly.

Poorly for Russia or the Ukraine?

TheCatt wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 2:41 pm

Leisher wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 1:07 pm and all sources say it's going to go poorly.

Poorly for Russia or the Ukraine?

Strategically, it has not been a successful "rush them before Western tanks" offensive. But it has killed or wounded an absurd amount of men on either side.

Biden with a suprise visit to Kyiv today. Not a Biden fanboy but kind of a badass video walking with Ukraine's president as the air raid siren goes off.

It is a good look for him. He needed it after his recent speech about U.S. aid paying pensions in Ukraine went over like a lead zeppelin.

W goes to Iraq on Thanksgiving: unnecessary publicity stunt.
Trump goes to NK in a historic first: yeah but covfefe piss tape (which totally exists)

Hillary goes to Kosovo: "OMG we were under fire."
Biden goes to Ukraine: good look

Not at you. Just observations.

I think the "Missions Accomplished" stunt was the cringiest thing Bush did related to Iraq. Him visiting troops in the field is moderately cool - even if the war was a giant destabilizing vacuum that eventually created ISIS. I'm sure it raised morale.

Trump thing was dumb - no lasting effect on NK relations. It was about Trump not NK. Same with Kusher and team “solving” the Israel/Palestine problems.

Hillary wasn't a President. Not a fan of her either though for various reasons.

Not sure any of these are comparable to a U.S. president going into a country being invaded by one of our geopolitical rivals, with no regular U.S. duty troops (admitted) in country. Pretty brave.

You are both right.

End of the day, it is a publicity stunt. There's no actual reason he needed to go there. It could be argued that it would have more of a negative overall effect on relations with Russia than positive. However, it is a good looking PR stunt to voters here.

I would argue Bush's visit to troops in an active combat zone was cooler, not just moderately cool.

The difference is that we could have warned Russia about Biden's visit and they would have been more likely to NOT attack Kiev. (I hear lots about air raid sirens, but no bombs going off?) In fact, that very thing might have happened. The last thing Russia would want to do is kill the U.S. president giving the U.S. military immediate justification to enter their war in Ukraine. However, in Iraq there was no political reason for the bad guys to not attack the current U.S. president.

Troy wrote: ↑Mon Feb 20, 2023 12:43 pm Not sure any of these are comparable to a U.S. president going into a country being invaded by one of our geopolitical rivals, with no regular U.S. duty troops (admitted) in country. Pretty brave.

So... NECESSARY publicity stunt?

To Biden's credit, it does seem to be creating some internal complaining in Russia.

Russian army veteran and former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer Igor Girkin meanwhile suggested that Biden could have visited the frontlines in eastern Ukraine and escaped unharmed.

“Wouldn’t be surprised if the grandfather (he is not good for anything but simple provocations anyway) is brought to Bakhmut as well… AND NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO HIM,” Girkin said.

A Telegram account managed by Russian army and naval servicemembers, Zapiski michmana Ptichkina, noted ironically that Biden had reached Kyiv before Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ouch!

Leisher wrote: ↑Mon Feb 20, 2023 12:59 pm The difference is that we could have warned Russia about Biden's visit and they would have been more likely to NOT attack Kiev. (I hear lots about air raid sirens, but no bombs going off?) In fact, that very thing might have happened. The last thing Russia would want to do is kill the U.S. president giving the U.S. military immediate justification to enter their war in Ukraine. However, in Iraq there was no political reason for the bad guys to not attack the current U.S. president.

Definitely seems plausible that Russian was called as soon as Biden crossed the border. And agree the air raid sirens could have been manufactured noise for the PR look. Then again, those go off nearly everyday in Ukraine.

I'm sure there was a big stick of F-35s and friends flying the Polish border acting as a deterrent.

Troy wrote: ↑Mon Feb 20, 2023 1:37 pm I'm sure there was a big stick of F-35s and friends flying the Polish border acting as a deterrent.

For certain and such a deployment of forces would have been noticed by Russia. I would think the smart thing would have been to alert them at the last minute so nothing bad happens.

Air Force One probably required a full airwing of F22s that day. I'd bet a dollar that yes, Russia was informed to keep accidents from happening.

FYI, CNN just confirmed that we are correct and the U.S. did notify Russia right before the visit.

I've seen several MSM outlets, left and right, confirming there were no Russian aircraft, drones, or missiles anywhere near Kyiv today. So no idea why they had the air raid sirens blaring.

There's also a fake video circulating of a Biden "open mic" moment where he calls people stupid. You don't get to point out a guy's clear dementia constantly and question his ability, then turn around and pretend he's some master manipulator.

Apparently during Biden's visit he promised to send Ukraine short range missiles that could hit Russian cities.

In response to Biden's visit Russian has suspended their participation in the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty.

Also, WWIII is trending because...you know, people...