Many Russians in the US now call each other "Russian-speaking" instead for their own safety.Going to ruin this joke now…
Someone once corrected me on this… does it apply?
Я русский is I’m Russian (ethnically), but maybe in this case Я российский (I’m Russian nationality) makes more sense.
Yes Russia can bomb Ukraine to submission by removing its infrastructure. why it has not done that. it is some other discussion.It might make sense to stop now because although Russia has stopped losing to Ukraine, its still too weak to conquer more Ukrainian lands via big offensives. Russia lacks Air Superiority over Ukraine and thus has been unable to bomb Ukraine to submission. Their only option then is to take land slowly backed by artillery. Ukraine can also slow down russian advance using mines, drones and other defensive tactics.
The way current technological makeup works, Russia needs to mobilize several million soldiers to fully takeover Ukraine and may have to take millions of casualties to achieve it. War could get more and more unpopular in Russia as more soldiers die in a grinding war of attrition. So, there are risks for Putin to keep fighting. This is what I mean by exhaustion. The Russian public could get exhausted by war and they might revolt, foment a coup or do something else.
War exhaustion is real and even the most authoritarian governments may not stop it. Even the most nationalistic public can get tired of War and choose to topple their government even if it means humiliation.
This is what happened to both Germany and Russia in WW1. Both extremely nationalistic governments.
But again, as I said before, stopping rebuilding also have risks, since round 2 will be determined by who will rebuild better and faster. Russia or Ukraine backed by the West.
So, although continuing to fight is the current approach, but Putin is probably still looking to take a break if conditions are right as well. Both options have risks and rewards.
On the day of the entry of Soviet troops into the territory of the Republic of Afghanistan, we honor our fellow countrymen who fulfilled their official duty to protect the interests of the Motherland.
We are grateful to all Afghan soldiers. During the Crimean Spring in 2014, they stood up to defend Russian Crimea in the ranks of the militia; thanks to their experience and professionalism, we managed to avoid bloodshed. And today they are back in service, performing combat missions on a par with military personnel and law enforcement agencies.
The courage and valor of the Afghans are an example of true patriotism for the younger generation. There is no doubt that with such people all the goals of the special operation will be achieved and a new Victory Day will appear in the history of our country.
Together with veterans and youth, they laid flowers at the memorial “Crimeans who died in Afghanistan” in Simferopol.
Turkey will realize Russia's stance on Crimea is correct: Kremlin
Gazprom reveals huge increase in exports to China
Russia’s exports of natural gas to China are expected to see a year-on-year increase of as much as 50% in 2023, Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller said during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
Gas supplies to the South Asian nation this year will exceed contract obligations and reach 23.2 billion cubic meters, according to Miller, who added that in 2022 the exports had totalled 15.5 billion cubic meters.
Gazprom set a new record last week for daily gas supplies to China through the Power of Siberia mega pipeline, according to Miller. The energy giant has reported records for daily exports nine times since the beginning of 2023.
Miller also said that gas supplies to Russia’s leading trading partner will further grow and are forecast to hit 38 billion cubic meters in 2025.
Gazprom supplies natural gas to China under a long-term contract sealed with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). The Power of Siberia is part of a $400 billion, 30-year agreement between Gazprom and CNPC clinched in 2014.
Russia’s gas exports to China are projected to grow to 100 billion cubic meters annually, taking into account the transit gas pipeline through Mongolia.
Sales of Russian gas to the EU have dwindled due to Ukraine-related sanctions and the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, previously Russia’s key gas route to the region. However, Gazprom has successfully redirected its energy trade towards Asia, with China emerging as its largest importer.
According to Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexander Novak, China accounts for 50% of Russia’s energy exports, while the share purchased by India is approaching 40%.
According to Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexander Novak, China accounts for 50% of Russia’s energy exports, while the share purchased by India is approaching 40%.
Interesting that about 90% of Russian energy exports go to China and India. Western attempts to limit their energy export and revenue is simply futile. China will give them the diplomatic language of no and the Indians will shove a middle finger if they tried to strong arm them.
They will just invent a new cope like their frequent L vs China. Like "at what cost".This could be very interesting. From a psychological point of view, of self-image.
The Europeans thought of themselves as being real strong when they went on that economic sanctions rampage against mother Russia.
Turns out the Europeans were actually quite weak in that contest they rigged up for themselves and only themselves to make themselves look good.
All impotent maneuvers.
Sooner or later that will sink in.
That is the reality of it.
The other point about all of this, it may or may not be relevant, besides this potential inner drama of self, inside the EU, the Chinese and Indian really could not give a crap about any of that. Their self-image is their problem, and not ours.
We got our own problems, thank you very much.
This will be inaccurate statement. Russian official throw statements when they want to direct West attention away from certain countries into another side. This year Russia exports to Turkey will be somewhere $55b. once you look at Mideast especially UAE than no one will know export destination. even this North Africa and Europe will get into mix. It means the oil does not have cross suez canal to Asia. they buy at sources and sell it.
Interesting that about 90% of Russian energy exports go to China and India. Western attempts to limit their energy export and revenue is simply futile. China will give them the diplomatic language of no and the Indians will shove a middle finger if they tried to strong arm them.
Türkiye-Russia trade volume will exceed 65 billion dollars in 2023
Russian customs data analysed by Swiss non-profit Public Eye shows that 51% of Russian crude sold in July 2023 was bought by non-state traders registered in the UAE – largely in Dubai – and a further 30% by those in Hong Kong.
KPA is a military armed with nuclear weapon and ICBM. It is a top 10 military of the world even US will struggle fighting. Not to mention China's backing. If not for its anemic navy and air force I don't think any EU country can beat it 1v1 either. NK is like just under France in terms of military power.Man Israeli PR is bad across the globe it seems, not just their Chinese embassy. Someone saved the video here:
I don't think IDF would last a week if they had to face the KPA.