Related to the side subject: Pro-Russian Hackers were foiled when they tried to disrupt voting for Eurovision.
More importantly: Sweden is going to request membership in NATO. Well played Putin, you were right about NATO expansion, of course, you caused it.
According to an article from Politico today, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov states that “It is a pity that common sense is being sacrificed for some phantom ideas about what should be done in the current situation.”
It is as thought the entire Russian government (for various reasons) is completely deluded. We all know this but it’s amazing how everything that they say is significantly divorced from reality and common sense.
The control of people’s history and thinking begins very early. The Russians have barely seized control and they immediately go after the school administrators and principals.
I find it especially unnerving because Russia and Ukraine had been so closely linked. The textbooks wouldn’t have been unusually critical of Russia.
Anyone heard anything recently about Rand Paul blocking approval of the $40B humanitarian and military aid package for Ukraine?
Just that he’s apparently “concerned” by it. I imagine he’s more concerned about Putin revealing whatever Kompromat he has on Paul.
Paul did a similar thing, earlier:
To quote him:
Minus knowing what his objection is, I’d expect it to be something similar - a semi-reasonable objection to sloppy language.
Looks like some of the Azovostal defenders have gotten out. Hopefully they can get the remainder out, somehow.
The bizarre similarities between Hitler and Putin just keep appearing. Hopefully Putin will lead his troops into collapse just like Hitler.
AFAIK Putin has no real military training?
Putin’s cool with Finland/Sweden joining NATO as long as there’s no military buildup. HA
Paul has elements of old-fashioned isolationism in his thinking. There’s no need to reach for conspiracy theories to explain his behavior.
He was career KGB, IIRC.
Trouble in Putin’s paradise? It can’t be true?
Site: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 16 | Institute for the Study of War
Hmm, Putin may have taken some basic military training. Learn who to salute and weapons training. Nothing that qualifies him to lead troops.
At least Hitler was an actual soldier who served in a war.
The entire Mariupol garrison is surrendering? I’m very suspicious of Russian agreements. I hope these men are really returned to Ukraine.
It does seem like a good deal. The Russians can finally close the books on Mariupol. They’ve expended too many lives and resources against that steel plant.
It sounds like Ukraine high command had trouble getting the Azov regiment to surrender.
Guardian blog
Your quote says that they are going to a facility in Novoazovsk, a town in Donetsk oblast, which is still Ukrainian territory, albeit currently under Russian control.
The civilian evacuation a couple weeks ago was handled by the UN and Red Cross.
Surrendering to the Russians must be tense. But it helps they are going to a occupied Ukraine city and not disappearing into Russia.
I remember a documentary about bunkers. They have to withstand bombing by air. They are also designed to protect against land based forces outside the bunker. The Soviets did an excellent job with the steel mill bunker. Imagine NATO troops attacking that thing in the 1980’s.
The Russiian military expert in the video I posted about earlier in the thread, has again pierced the propaganda bubble on Russian state TV:
It all makes perfect sense if you subscribe to the notion that the Kremlin has the right to dictate to other nations as if those other nations are subordinate vassals.
Unfortunately for the Kremlin no one else is playing their game.
Unfortunately for everyone else, Putin’s Russia started a war over this.
Really, I get the impression that the Russian leadership (and some below that level) are absolutely convinced that they should be on top/dominate/control/command and are completely baffled that no one else is enthused about this, and don’t understand why everyone else isn’t eager to be subservient or a second class citizen under Russian control.
So of the ultimate sinister manifestation of the old joke “We’re from the government and we’re here to help you”.
I think this is accurate. Which makes it particularly satisfying – in a Schadenfreude sort of way – that Russia is losing so miserably in the Ukraine war, and their military is being exposed on the international stage as incompetent stooges with malfunctioning equipment and comically inept logistics. Putin and his henchmen must be having fits. Finland and Sweden applying to join NATO is a bonus. Ukraine might be next once they drive out the Russkies and territorial disputes are resolved.