US intelligence: Russia plans to attack Ukraine early next year

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ukraine-invasion-russia-increasingly-frustrated-lack-of-momentum-us-defense-official

 

Watch "Ukraine crisis: 'Putin will meet hell' says former president Petro Poroshenko" on YouTube

 

With enough arms and supplies can the Ukrainian army and militia hold the Russians off?

 

Long-term, perhaps indefinitely? I'd doubt if any army could do that. Except, possibly, either of two Asian armies that probably could - by dint of sheer numbers, if nothing else. But they're not involved, here.

 

Isn't that in an area that was controlled by the Ukrainian government but was declared part of an independent country by Putin?

I would be very interested in your personal opinion of this whole thing. I can listen to news and learn what is being reported. You have a unique background and contacts that should give you some special insight into the situation. For example, do you think that Putin has long range goals that are positive for Ukrainians and Russians, for only Russians or for neither country?

 

I don't know, Johann. Russia's successes are surprisingly meagre, so far. Our men and women in uniform hold them off nicely.

 

One new development: Germany agreed to supply Ukraine with 1,000 of anti-armor systems (Javelin?) and 500 Stingers. They stubbornly held off providing aid like this - until now. I'd argue Germany is well-informed, as a high-level NATO ally, and that Germany would not have stuck its neck like this if they believed that the fall of Ukrainian defense effort is imminent.


Русский военный корабль, пошел нахуй!

 

Indeed they do. In uniform or out, these are incomparably brave people.

Дійсно!

 

Cool.
I have plenty of complaints about both the incumbent President of Ukraine, Mr. Zelenskyy, and his immediate predecessor, Mr. Poroshenko (although perhaps not as many complaints as about pretty much any of their other 4 predecessors). But, as of now, both are in Kyiv and resisting. That's leadership. Glory to Ukraine!

P.S. Volodymyr Zelenskyy produced and starred in a substantial number of films and TV shows that were quite popular in Russia. The world is a bizarre place.

 

P. S. I really hope that they have the Speaker of Verkhovna Rada in a safe location, for continuity of government in case of tragedy.

 

I need to provide context. "Русский военный корабль, пошел нахуй!" is translated as "Russian warship, go f#ck yourself" and is a quote from the radio exchange between a Russian navy vessel and a Ukrainian Border Service post on a tiny rock-covered Zmiinyi Island. Early reports indicated that all 13 of the border guards were then killed; there are some indication that they might be prisoners of war now. Some legends are being born as we speak.

 

Thanks. I knew what it meant, and it sounded both fearless and appropriate. I had no idea of the circumstances. I hope the early reports are erroneous and those 13 people are found to be safe - and are returned to their Homeland -- soon.

 

German media reports that the anti-armor weapons are Panzerfaust 3 systems. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzerfaust_3 )

I hope you are right. However, I think this change of heart has a lot to do with a dramatic shift in opinion within Germany. By Thursday, around 80 percent of the German public were against arms deliveries to Ukraine. I don't know the numbers today, but I'm 100 percent sure the vast majority have changed their minds. The fact is that practically nobody in Germany could have imagined that Putin would really invade Ukraine. In retrospect, that was very naive.

 

This has finally changed:


A major change in strategy is also taking place in Germany. A week ago this would have been unthinkable:
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/27/scholz-germany-pledges-defense-spending-increase-in-shift-in-strategy.html

But of course this is something that does not help Ukraine at all.

 

Слава Україні! Героям слава!

 

Germany after today's Putin order to bring the nukes in to higher readiness made Germany to take the Russian treats seriously.

 

Better late than never.

 

Unfortunately,
It was very bad, this is why my cousin had to flee after 2014 and lived in Sevastopol. He returned to Severodonetsk 3 or 4 years ago.
Years of Apolchentsi - Separatists, Russian backed fighters (viewed as Terrorists by the Ukrainians) shooting at Ukrainians and Ukrainian armed forces and the other way.
During those fire exchanges civilians got and still getting killed, schools, hospitals and residential areas all get shelled, people get injured and killed.
This is horrible for more then 8 years.
Just on the human level without getting to politics of it, the Donbas and Luhansk area people been suffering.
After Ukrainian revolution in 2014, Russia annexation of Crimea the initial protests by pro-Russian, anti Ukrainian government protests in were largely native expressions of discontent with the new Ukrainian government, Russia took advantage of them to launch a coordinated political and military campaign against Ukraine.
This was didn't began on 2/24/2022 but then in 2014.
Ukraine launched a military counter offensive against Terrorists separatists forces in April 2014, called the "Anti-Terrorist Operation" (ATO) from 2014 until 2018.
Russia had allowed tanks to cross the Russo Ukrainian border into Donetsk in June 2014.
If I'm not mistaken, my cousin fled that area in around August 2014 and didn't return till some time in 2018.

The claim of Russia that the Russian speakers were being killed, is incorrect, when shelling and fire exchanges happen the casualties are Ukrainians and Russians.
Yes there are areas with higher density of Russians so statistically it can be seen that more Russians get hurt in those areas.
Russia has downplayed its military support for its proxies in eastern Ukraine by portraying the conflict as a “civil war”
Only 5 percent of Ukrainians believe Russia intervened in Crimea and Donbas because of the violation of the rights of Russian speakers, while 42-46 percent believe it was to prevent Ukraine from leaving Russia’s sphere of influence, Russia’s inability to accept Ukraine as an independent state, and Russian opposition to Ukraine’s European integration.

Zelensky urged EU to accept Ukraine in expedited
granting his country immediate EU membership as it fights Russia’s invasion.

“We ask the European Union for Ukraine’s immediate accession via a new special procedure,” he said, speaking on his Telegram channel as fighting with Russian troops continued across the country. “Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing. I’m sure it’s fair. I’m sure it’s possible.”

 

Very interesting post. Thank you.

It seems that either you have a "soft" spot for Putin's position or perhaps it is just a second language issue?

for example,

Russia didn't "allow" tanks into Ukraine, I'm sure that Putin ordered them in.

Or

This wasn't just a simple mistake, I'm sure Putin is just lying. Like when he lies that Zelenski (a Jew) is a nazi criminal.