OT/ Optimitc noises from both sides..

[Dubbag]

Interesting listen .Some might argue that these so called taps/interceptions aren't real but just faked Ukrainian propaganda but current events and data from other sources certainly seem to back up what they are saying.

Propaganda for sure from both sides and I wouldn't believe either side exclusively. However this confirms what I have been hearing for a while now (at least a week).
Until the news blackout is finished and journalists are back on the front line, it shall remain unverified.
But the actions on the ground seem to back it up and the fact that around 25,000 Russian troops are most likely isolated near Kherson, would make sense.
As a Russian solider down there, it must be difficult as many would have family, friends and relatives in that area. Surrender or ceasefire has to be on the way.

[Dubbag]

I heard about this a while back but thought it was just Ukraine propaganda. Now it looks like there is truth behind it after all.
Russia has not declared a war in Ukraine and so can not go to full mobilization of the population.
Apparently this would not go down well with the general population and may be resisted. In the mean time to meet the short fall in man power on the front, The Wagner group has been the rounds of the Gulags and prisons trying to recruit to infill on the front.
Pretty desperate stuff indeed. Also I believe they have reduced the training time as well...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufOVEKwY2sw

[Dubbag]

So it looks like referendums are been called in four occupied territories in Ukraine.
Between 23rd and 27th of this month.
Putin making a televised announcement to the nation at 18:00. Did this last on 23rd before invasion.
If he annexes the Dombas region, he can then regard any attack in those areas as an attack on The Russia and reply.
Upping the anti now to the west. Will he announce a partial mobilization as well?

[Albionic68]

Partial mobilization announced by Putin Dubbs.

[Dubbag]

Partial mobilization announced by Putin Dubbs.

Looks seriously like escalation alright.
Next move on the chess board will be interesting.

[Omegstrat6]

He may have invoked a partial mobilization but the increasing criticism at home following recent successes of Ukraine means that he is unlikely to call for full mobilization as this would a) be greatly unpopular and b) be tantamount to admitting the failure of his "special operation".

He is also increasingly limiting his rhetoric to the eastern Donbas region probably because he knows that he cannot now take over other parts of Ukraine without full mobilization and also because not inconsiderable areas of Donbas were pro-Russian before his invasion. Zelensky won't accept anything less than getting his whole country back but Putin stands more chance of at least annexing the pro-Russian areas and he can sell this as the victory he was really after all along. Just hope the West continue to support Ukraine in order to push Russia back eastwards.

[Omegstrat6]

Putin is playing a dangerous game but has always used deliberately inflammatory language and threats. Hopefully, however, the West has realised that you do not-cannot- negotiate with narcissists or bullies. The only thing they listen to is force . The concept of mutually assured destruction is certainly not a nice one but it has ultimately worked so far. It only works though if you look like you are fully prepared to retaliate and not ask down.

Putin is clearly looking to claim asap that areas of Donbas themselves want to be part of Russia and that any attacks on them by Ukraine are then seen as attacks on Russia itself. His aim is clearly then to use increased sabre rattling in the hope that his veiled threats about using nuclear weapons to protect the motherland will dissuade the West from interfering in Donbas and reach a peace settlement leaving the region in Russian hands.He can then sell his operation as a success to those at home. So far the West has called out this sham tactic but they need to remain firm in their resolution.

[Dubbag]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rEbvNslOSQ

[baggieal]

Putin is playing a dangerous game but has always used deliberately inflammatory language and threats. Hopefully, however, the West has realised that you do not-cannot- negotiate with narcissists or bullies. The only thing they listen to is force . The concept of mutually assured destruction is certainly not a nice one but it has ultimately worked so far. It only works though if you look like you are fully prepared to retaliate and not ask down.

Putin is clearly looking to claim asap that areas of Donbas themselves want to be part of Russia and that any attacks on them by Ukraine are then seen as attacks on Russia itself. His aim is clearly then to use increased sabre rattling in the hope that his veiled threats about using nuclear weapons to protect the motherland will dissuade the West from interfering in Donbas and reach a peace settlement leaving the region in Russian hands.He can then sell his operation as a success to those at home. So far the West has called out this sham tactic but they need to remain firm in their resolution.

Putin should be dead in 20 years so put the lager on ice!

[kettering_baggie]

Putin should be dead in 20 years so put the lager on ice!

I hope he’s dead a lot quicker than that!