Vic4

Another interesting article haven't seen posted here yet. US weapons exports up 50 percent in 2023 as Washington challenges Russia, China "The Russian defense industry is failing and continues to fail," said a top State Department official. Read in POLITICO: https://apple.news/AcumTh4SiRpmY0NrPqH7meA

Surprised not to see much conversation about this as it's been circulating for the past few days. Any thoughts on how the replacement of Zaluzhny may affect the the course of the war? https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/31/europe/zaluzhny-oust-ukraine-army-zelensky-intl/index.html

Haven’t seen this article posted here yet.. While the spectre of a RF disintegration per the Capt’s description is possibly the worst case scenario. In contrast; it’s hard to see how the Orwellian loom ever stops spinning with this ideology being perpetually indoctrinated into every Russian generation. With kids in grade school, reading this makes the blood run cold. TLDR: Nazi/Fascist youth are contemporary… https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/24/europe/russia-schools-pro-war-parade-grounds-intl/index.html

The sty thickens.. (Ukr) Intelligence chief: Russia's FSB is assigned to kill Prigozhin. https://kyivindependent.com/intelligence-chief-russias-fsb-assigned-to-kill-prigozhin/

Looks like Prig is in his new pen... Mercenary chief Prigozhin starts exile in Belarus as Putin praises Russian troops Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin arrived in Belarus on Tuesday under a deal that ended a brief mutiny by his fighters, as President Vladimir Putin praised his armed forces for averting a civil war. Read in Reuters:https://apple.news/Asio7wRJlQjamolDbuPPkTw

Speaking of money, mafia state players and Putin's current instability: Any thoughts on some entity/faction within Russia casting a keen eye on Putin's personal fortune? Rumored to be in the $3-400 billion range I believe. Do you think they're going to let him keep it, er.. along with his head?

I can see the personal terrorist army part making sense; but the more Russia loses, the less of a leash Putin will have on his dogs when he really needs them... Although tbf, the bolded statements above seem somewhat contradictory. (i.e. they could have had a greater impact than the poorly trained and equipped mobiks.) Anyways, just a sideshow it would seem.

How is it that the Chechens have managed to avoid any significant deployment/action throughout the war? Why wouldn’t Putin/MOD be using them as fodder similar to Wagner as opposed to say VDV/Spetsnaz who have taken tremendous losses and are “ethnic”/core Russians and presumably much more loyal than the Chechens? I assume Putin/Russia needs Chechnya to absolutely remain in the Russian fold during the conflict, but it seems Putin does not have any leverage to force them to commit significantly. Also concurrently, it would seem logical that the more Russia loses its core forces, Kadyrov’s options and strength only grow exponentially. Ironically the TikTok bearded clowns seem to be coming out on top of all combatants. What am I missing?

Absolutely surreal.. and about time some rotted internal dominos fall - hard

At its’ core, the design appears based in compliment. Nothing wrong with a united front..!

Perhaps a RU nationalist faction with the aim of giving the Kremlin carte blanche to justify a full blown assassination campaign against Zelensky? Do we know whether or not there have been persistent attempts to that effect throughout the war? The RU response to this incident seems to indicate that such a campaign is being cranked to 11 if it hasn't been already.

Ukraine war: Partisan attack kills police chief in Russian-occupied Melitopol https://apple.news/APFvHewYuQ4yUBT2ujC0Rpw Don’t think his has been posted yet. Good to see some partisan activity/support in one of the main strategic sectors.

China's Xi calls Ukraine's Zelensky https://apple.news/Aq63eoRPhTsqmIHpQ-sW-UA Would the West and the US in particular ever openly support the optics of a Chinese brokered “peace” negotiation?

Never has a cancelled agent been welcomed home with such open arms. Tucker Carlson is out at Fox News but welcome on Russian TV https://apple.news/AmuE4mC7HSbCubQOjGWYy7A

Haven’t seen this posted here yet. Looks like they’re trying to round up the “refuseniks”. https://apple.news/AdmOuzEn1R7aq1VWT3JuAqA