Londonrake wrote:Neither yourself, Kicks, newly returned RH or even the forum Outlander Lordo, have a modicum of interest in any "information" I might provide on this thread. Nor, in your case, idea of what I might reject - or not.
As far as Paphitis goes, I admire his tenacity. That, without necessarily subscribing to all his views. I do enjoy the - optimistic - manner he presents them in.
I've always said I expected Russia to win this conflict. Since the beginning Putin has clearly been all-in and the cost irrelevant. Although, what "win" means nowadays - given the disastrous consequences of this war for absolutely everybody on the planet - is anybody's guess.
FWIW, I don't keep "notes" on everything that transpires on this small forum. It's memory - which of course is fallible. Although, another recollection I hold is of you saying something along the lines of this forum not being able to survive with less than 10 members (too late!) and personal abuse, trolling, etc, etc, was the "oxygen" that kept it alive. IMHO, an appalling attitude. It's perfectly possible to have an interesting venue like this without the bully boy vilification you seem to delight in. Your routine campaign to discredit members who don't toe your particular line bears witness to that. You are someone who, it comes across to me, would regard the destruction of the forum as some sort of personal victory.
Nighty night.
You should be optimistic too.
This is an already lost war for Russia. If not yet a comprehensive lost, it will be in the future. This is a war that Ukraine is winning and will win. The numbers are all in Ukrain'es favour and already their military is much stronger than Russia's. They have come a long way since february 2022, thanks to military aid support they have received from the west.
Also, rest assured. there are even western troops in Ukraine. Like actual western soldiers but they are badged as either Foreign Legion.
Russia, is now madly trying to mobilise more cannon fodder. they have had well over 300,000 casualties - KIA, POWs and Injured.
The Russians are fighting an unsustainable war. they don't have any modern armour, artillery, and are running our of missiles. The embargoes have cut them from international supply chains and hence they are unable to build the arms, planes, helicopters, Tanks, APCs and Missiles they need.
Whereas, the western military complex is in full swing and have millions of tonnes of weapons to flood Ukraine with.
As much as they would like to occassionally pull the Nuclear war threat, the Russians are just simply not game enough or sadly, stupid enough to start anything at all with NATO or the US - because that would be their END!
So the west can do whatever it wants. They can feed this war for eternity.
To put things into perspective, the Iraq and Afganistan war cost the US $1.5 Trillion. The Ukraine war has cost the US $25.4 Billion so far and will cost a further $47 Billion for the 2023 year. it's a bargain. Best money ever spent and really good bang for buck - pun unintended.
Russia is really committing suicide. they are just throwing bodies (cannon fodder) into suicide missions losing about 800 infanty/cannon fodder each day on average. In contrast, the Ukrainian Military called off an offencive because they were losing too many soldiers which was still just a fraction of Russian casualties. But still too much for them which indicates that differences in their approach. Ukraine is in this for the long haul, until Russia is defeated. Every Ukrainian Soldier is of utmost importance to the Ukrainian Leadership and their lives are valued. The gains must justify the losses.
