avfc1982am Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 1 hour ago, bickster said: This is worth 12 minutes of your time, It's a translated interview with Andrey Piontkovsky, aRussian mathemetician, political writer, anylyst and former Putin opposition activist, who has been living in exile This is about what is going on in Russia behind the headlines and how the warlords like Kadyrov (Chechens), Prigozhin (Wagner) and others including Shiogu (Minister of Defence) are assembling private armies in readiness for the inevitable civil war that will erupt when (not if) Russia loses and Putin is gone. It references some things I hadn't heard, like Kadyrovs New Years address where he said that they had commited enough troops already and some I had but hadn't realised the significance like when Prigozhin was taking by the Russian bodybags and then went to meeet Ukrainian POWs and saying this story needs to be over (most accounts foucused on the bodybags bit). I also didn't realise that Shoigu was also buiding a private army The idea here is that these warlords know the war is lost and they are preparing for the aftermath. This was talked about some time back and it hasn't really been mentioned much since Really interesting piece. It's actually quite disturbing. If Russia post Putin becomes fractured by several different warlords all pursuing the same goals. Especially if civil war breaks out, it could end up in a real mess. It also seems Putin not only underestimated Ukraine but has probably underestimated those closest to him, all with their own ambitions in mind. And most certainly has given them too much power in order to stay in power. The future of Russia is a massive conundrum. Ideally you'd want someone like Navalny to take power post Putin, slowly bring Russians around to a future being a democracy. Very unlikely anytime soon though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidcow Posted January 15, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted January 15, 2023 19 minutes ago, avfc1982am said: Really interesting piece. It's actually quite disturbing. If Russia post Putin becomes fractured by several different warlords all pursuing the same goals. Especially if civil war breaks out, it could end up in a real mess. It also seems Putin not only underestimated Ukraine but has probably underestimated those closest to him, all with their own ambitions in mind. And most certainly has given them too much power in order to stay in power. The future of Russia is a massive conundrum. Ideally you'd want someone like Navalny to take power post Putin, slowly bring Russians around to a future being a democracy. Very unlikely anytime soon though. It is very concerning. The prospect of Nukes in the hands of random warlords doesn't bear thinking of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnkarl Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 7 hours ago, avfc1982am said: Really interesting piece. It's actually quite disturbing. If Russia post Putin becomes fractured by several different warlords all pursuing the same goals. Especially if civil war breaks out, it could end up in a real mess. It also seems Putin not only underestimated Ukraine but has probably underestimated those closest to him, all with their own ambitions in mind. And most certainly has given them too much power in order to stay in power. The future of Russia is a massive conundrum. Ideally you'd want someone like Navalny to take power post Putin, slowly bring Russians around to a future being a democracy. Very unlikely anytime soon though. The issue with Navalny is that he’s also a quite staunch believer in much of the race/Russian bs that Putin stands for. He’s much less extreme, but has sides to him that wouldn’t be tolerated in a democracy. He’s danced around the issue of Crimea and Ukraine for years, and is a clear cut Russian nationalist. He’d be better than Putin, but isn’t the saviour that many profess him to be. Linky Quote Inevitably, attention has focused on Navalny’s unpalatable past associations with Russian nationalism. His outspoken comments on topics such as immigration and his use of ethnic slurs have led many to question Navalny’s suitability as a potential alternative to the authoritarian rule of Vladimir Putin. Such skepticism has, perhaps, been strongest in Ukraine. Navalny’s unclear position on the future of Russian-occupied Crimea and often ambiguous statements regarding Ukrainian sovereignty have generated considerable pessimism among Ukrainian audiences over his possible future role in Russian politics. It’s worth reading a bit deeper on Navalny. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Thanks for sharing that video @bickster. What we need initially is one of these many private armies to point their guns at the Kremlin, take out Putin, then recall all troops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa89 Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Navalny definitely isn't the saviour people think he is. Civil war is a possibility with Chechen independence thrown in the mix. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinker Posted January 15, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted January 15, 2023 9 hours ago, sidcow said: It is very concerning. The prospect of Nukes in the hands of random warlords doesn't bear thinking of. Hopefully the logistics and knowledge to commission these type of weapons is beyond the figures behind these private armies but we wouldn't know that. If Putin was to lose power would we even know, he may have already been compromised? All these super yachts make sense, the first sign of any real trouble and he/they will make a run for one of them that's in international waters / Russian control. It's going to be an interesting couple of months. Thanks @bickster , great insight into the power struggles that will bring the downfall of Putin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avfc1982am Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 3 hours ago, magnkarl said: The issue with Navalny is that he’s also a quite staunch believer in much of the race/Russian bs that Putin stands for. He’s much less extreme, but has sides to him that wouldn’t be tolerated in a democracy. He’s danced around the issue of Crimea and Ukraine for years, and is a clear cut Russian nationalist. He’d be better than Putin, but isn’t the saviour that many profess him to be. Linky It’s worth reading a bit deeper on Navalny. I agree, which is why I said someone like Navalny. I believe even Navalny has moved away from the ultra nationalist individual he once was and softened his views. Even still, I doubt any knight in shining armour is going to come along and save Russia or have the support anytime soon to change the mentality of a nation. Civil war is probably the most likely outcome with another idiot in charge. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avfc1982am Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Really informative report from France24 regarding the situation in Bakhmut. The frontline footage is between 2-17mins giving you a good insight to the military challenges along with the casualties and also the civilian situation. Quite startling and very much worth a watch. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avfc1982am Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnkarl Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 So Russia captured some of Soledar by reorganising Wagner from all over, including Kreminna, which is likely to fall within a short period of time. Kreminna is of importance due to logistical routes and being a lynchpin in the defensive line running from Svatove. The military tactics of Russia keeps amazing me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ender4 Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Russia seems to have renewed vigour and optimism in attacking Ukraine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avfc1982am Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 1 hour ago, magnkarl said: So Russia captured some of Soledar by reorganising Wagner from all over, including Kreminna, which is likely to fall within a short period of time. Kreminna is of importance due to logistical routes and being a lynchpin in the defensive line running from Svatove. The military tactics of Russia keeps amazing me. Yep, hotting up in Kreminna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted January 15, 2023 Moderator Share Posted January 15, 2023 2nd video of skilled hands free smoking I’ve seen in minutes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 Can’t believe those clearly highly skilled, highly trained killing machines got captured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidcow Posted January 16, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted January 16, 2023 1 minute ago, Genie said: Can’t believe those clearly highly skilled, highly trained killing machines got captured. Surely their laser blaster sidearms would have been more effective? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avfc1982am Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 1 hour ago, Genie said: Can’t believe those clearly highly skilled, highly trained killing machines got captured. Well, they were from a BARS unit so probably pissed. Ba dum tss! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 Just now, avfc1982am said: Well, they were from a BARS unit so probably pissed. Ba dum tss! On 0.5% shandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidcow Posted January 16, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted January 16, 2023 Did someone say drunk Russians? No such thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avfc1982am Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandy Lifeboats Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 If true, this is an interesting video and commentary. It's said to be a T90m which is Russia's 2nd best/most modern tank. It's said to have met with an AT4 which is a light anti tank weapon from Sweden. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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