by Larry Johnson Remember three weeks ago when Putin and the Russian military were on the ropes and the Ukrainian army was steamrolling through Kharkov? That was then and Urkaine’s promised victory failed to materialize. With the benefit of hindsight, it appears that Russia abandoned the strategically meaningless territory in the Kharkov Oblast of Ukraine and re-deployed forces to the Donbas, Zaporhyzhia and Kherson. Why? To be in position for the referendum–i.e., to defend the Ukraine oblasts that would be given the chance to vote whether or not to reunite with mother Russia. Putin’s subsequent announcement of the referenda, which began last Friday, was not a Hail Mary pass nor an act of desperation. The planning for this had been in the works for at least a month, maybe longer.
We've already over-supplied Ukraine. The Biden admin has thrown too much money at them - money they are not equipped to be responsible with. Money we are not equipped to do without (or be responsible with, apparently). Too bad we can't sequester the idiots doing the money-flinging and get it back!
On this subject, substantial agreement with couple variations. Not sure SOP would be ended as two objectives are Demilitarization and Denazification. Kremlin official spokesman Dmitry Peskov and ex-President Medvedev have already stated any attack on the referendum territories which join Russia will be an attack on Russia and met with all necessary means. No doubt Putin will make clear again. Yes, on Command/Control facilities and infrastructure. Personally doubt Russia will strike Zelensky’s Kiev headquarters as being counter-productive. The US lack of an industrial ability to produce the necessary munitions supplies to fight the type of traditional ground war, as being fought in Ukraine, is a show stopper. I’ve pointed out elsewhere (can’t find it now) that at the rate the Russians are shelling the Ukraine troops daily, we could not produce enough to last a day, let alone every day of such usage. Some current civilian manufacturing would have to be modified into munitions manufacturing, and such not over-night. So - any planning of ours would be via missiles. Putin’s made very clear just how he would appreciate that. And our heads up a dark place administration have called Putin’s response a “threat”.
We've already over-supplied Ukraine. The Biden admin has thrown too much money at them - money they are not equipped to be responsible with. Money we are not equipped to do without (or be responsible with, apparently). Too bad we can't sequester the idiots doing the money-flinging and get it back!
Larry consistently puts out excellent insights and analysis.
Here’s his site: https://sonar21.com/
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On this subject, substantial agreement with couple variations. Not sure SOP would be ended as two objectives are Demilitarization and Denazification. Kremlin official spokesman Dmitry Peskov and ex-President Medvedev have already stated any attack on the referendum territories which join Russia will be an attack on Russia and met with all necessary means. No doubt Putin will make clear again. Yes, on Command/Control facilities and infrastructure. Personally doubt Russia will strike Zelensky’s Kiev headquarters as being counter-productive. The US lack of an industrial ability to produce the necessary munitions supplies to fight the type of traditional ground war, as being fought in Ukraine, is a show stopper. I’ve pointed out elsewhere (can’t find it now) that at the rate the Russians are shelling the Ukraine troops daily, we could not produce enough to last a day, let alone every day of such usage. Some current civilian manufacturing would have to be modified into munitions manufacturing, and such not over-night. So - any planning of ours would be via missiles. Putin’s made very clear just how he would appreciate that. And our heads up a dark place administration have called Putin’s response a “threat”.
Thanks for giving us this perspective. From the very beginning this wasn’t something for the US to get involved in. Winter is coming!