I haven’t found an answer in any of the reporting I’ve read, but I know several in-thread have done much more research into sources than I have. I know there’s the official Russia - NK pact going on, but has Putin bothered to put a fig leaf on the NK troops? IE they’re officially foreign workers/mercenaries operating under contract? Not that it makes a difference in their actual role, but it’s the sort of “wink wink, I’m not touching you” that would suit his purposes.
I believe that if they do not enter Ukraine territory as combatants, it is not violating any laws. But then Russia has assumed that a bunch of Ukraine territory is Russian now. That is not recognized in law though. If they enter that territory as combatants I assume it is illegal. Thus raising the stakes.
Putin likes to use the technicality of law. But he also says the territories are Russian now. He just might test out his iffy legal theories.
Warning and at least a one day suspension. You’ve been specifically instructed to not post in this thread.
Suspension noted, but I’m bemused by the idea that even “iffy” legal theories are remotely applicable here. What’s Ukraine going to do - sue Russia for not invading them by the rules?
Meanwhile, North Korea’s involvement seems to be dragging the South Koreans into it, if only because 1) North Korea doing war things will always make South Korea nervous, and 2) SK would really like to know what Russia is giving NK in return, and whether they should be worried about that.
NK foreign minister is in Russia. It’s probably not a social visit for tea and crumpets.
Erdogan talks turkey with Putin. Leave Crimea
The BBC has evidence that Russia is specifically targeting civilians with their drones. Horrifying and clearly a war crime. Pity that it will probably go unpunished.
ABC Chicago Thursday, October 31, 2024 1:52PM
Putin has found a new source of financing for the war. The Russian court has ruled that Google owes them 2,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 Rubles in fines. They might settle out of court for less.
That’s a good way to ensure Google stays out of Russia for the long term. Which is probably a win for Putin.
Another milestone. Ukraine claims 700,000 Russian losses. We’ve had a number of discussions about what “losses” means but I recently saw an interview with some Ukrainian official that said these estimates are dead and heavily wounded.
I just googled how much it costs to build a Russian tank and it looks to be between $1.2 - $9 million. Even at $1.2 million, 9193 of them comes to over $11 billion. That’s just for the tanks, never mind ships and aircraft! How much longer can Russia continue to lose this kind of money? And its soldiers?
Many of those tanks were built years or even decades ago, so that cost was amortised over time.
Replacing them though, is full freight.
Interesting piece about the North Korean input
A few years ago when a DPRK soldier defected to South Korea, he was malnourished and suffering from intestinal worms. With that in mind, I’m not surprised to hear that the DPRK soldiers sent to fight in Ukraine are poorly trained and in crummy health.
I saw mentions of these bombings in the media. But the scope and planning by Ukraine was missed.
ISW analysis of the impact of losing so many radars and Air Defense systems is insightful. Ukraine must be getting very good Satellite intelligence to identify so many targets.
Link Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 2, 2024 | Institute for the Study of War
Biden needs to make his final decisions soon. Before the formal transition of power begins.
Guardian Live feed
Keeping the F-16’s flight ready is crucial.
`Do they call themselves the Flying Tigers?
If true tying down 50,000 is impressive. Also the Russians are bombing and tearing apart their own territory.
Yes. I always thought fighting a purely defensive war in your own territory is a recipe for losing. All damage to your own infrastructure, none to the opposing army. At a minimum you need strikes against their weapons and supply lines that can strike your own territory. When long range bombs and planes are in play, you can’t necessarily hit all those targets.