(08-31-2015 07:05 PM)Big Nilla Wrote:  If true, this is HUGE news (about time, Russia) in the widening conflict between Russia and the USA around the world...

Russia to Begin Airstrikes Against ISIS in Syria
Russian presence in Syria will increase likelihood of encounters with US
http://www.infowars.com/russia-to-begin-...-in-syria/

Quote:... U.S. airstrikes, however, will soon face competition from Russia.

Western diplomats say a Russian expeditionary force has arrived in Syria and will operate, according to the Israeli website YNet, as a Russian forward operating base.

“In the coming weeks thousands of Russian military personnel are set to touch down in Syria, including advisors, instructors, logistics personnel, technical personnel, members of the aerial protection division, and the pilots who will operate the aircraft,” writes Alex Fishman.

“The current makeup of the expeditionary force is still unknown, but there is no doubt that Russian pilots flying combat missions in Syrian skies will definitely change the existing dynamics in the Middle East.”

The presence of the Russian military in the skies over Syria will increase the possibility of encounters with the United States, especially if the US adopts a more aggressive stance against the Syrian government.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-08-31...r-damascus
Looks like this is for real. Now all we need is for China to join the party.

Hopefully this is also a sign that Russia is done playing nice with Turkey and has a take-it-or-leave it attitude in regards to the pipeline. Turkey messed up playing games with Russia. IMO, with Russia in Syria, Turkey is in a big bind if they don't settle down and know their role. Even with Turkey being in NATO, the US doesn't give a fuck about Turkish sovereignty and its borders. Turkey just may end up losing a big chunk of land

   

(08-31-2015 03:45 PM)Akula Wrote:  ^^^ yeah, true. The groups have a point re Poroshenko though. That grenade attack was terrible of course, but the current government have done nothing really to change the corruption in a meaningful way, and it's still pretty much full of the same old corrupt oligarchs by and large, with a few exceptions. Sure there are all sorts of superficial reforms that look and sound ok, but don't really change anything in practice. So no wonder many are pissed off still.

Honestly, Poroshenko & Yats and thier corrupt cronies need to go, at least eventually - they are really as big a part of the problem as anything else. Meanwhile the West acts like these guys are bastions of free markets and democracy (!).

Craziest thing about that attack is that it was completely confined to that area of town and I had no idea that anything was amiss until I read about it. Even walking up and down Kreshatik and around town today you would not have know about it at least from my travels.

These people here certainly know now how to "get along with their lives" despite the background of tension, economic hardship and war in the east, that's for sure.

262 and I daygamed till the sun went down on Kreschatyk... no idea anything like this was going on.

(08-31-2015 11:20 PM)Big Nilla Wrote:  

(08-31-2015 07:05 PM)Big Nilla Wrote:  If true, this is HUGE news (about time, Russia) in the widening conflict between Russia and the USA around the world...

Russia to Begin Airstrikes Against ISIS in Syria
Russian presence in Syria will increase likelihood of encounters with US
http://www.infowars.com/russia-to-begin-...-in-syria/

Quote:... U.S. airstrikes, however, will soon face competition from Russia.

Western diplomats say a Russian expeditionary force has arrived in Syria and will operate, according to the Israeli website YNet, as a Russian forward operating base.

“In the coming weeks thousands of Russian military personnel are set to touch down in Syria, including advisors, instructors, logistics personnel, technical personnel, members of the aerial protection division, and the pilots who will operate the aircraft,” writes Alex Fishman.

“The current makeup of the expeditionary force is still unknown, but there is no doubt that Russian pilots flying combat missions in Syrian skies will definitely change the existing dynamics in the Middle East.”

The presence of the Russian military in the skies over Syria will increase the possibility of encounters with the United States, especially if the US adopts a more aggressive stance against the Syrian government.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-08-31...r-damascus
Looks like this is for real. Now all we need is for China to join the party.

Hopefully this is also a sign that Russia is done playing nice with Turkey and has a take-it-or-leave it attitude in regards to the pipeline. Turkey messed up playing games with Russia. IMO, with Russia in Syria, Turkey is in a big bind if they don't settle down and know their role. Even with Turkey being in NATO, the US doesn't give a fuck about Turkish sovereignty and its borders. Turkey just may end up losing a big chunk of land

And, to counter the above... 'No Russian jets sent to Syria' - military source on 'expeditionary force' report
http://www.rt.com/news/314010-syria-russia-planes-isis/

A Russian military intervention in Syria? I very much doubt it
http://thesaker.is/a-russian-military-in...-doubt-it/

Givi and Motorola - Novorrossiya Heroes

Already in postal stamp.

[attachment=27990]

(09-01-2015 11:44 AM)Big Nilla Wrote:  

(08-31-2015 11:20 PM)Big Nilla Wrote:  

(08-31-2015 07:05 PM)Big Nilla Wrote:  If true, this is HUGE news (about time, Russia) in the widening conflict between Russia and the USA around the world...

Russia to Begin Airstrikes Against ISIS in Syria
Russian presence in Syria will increase likelihood of encounters with US
http://www.infowars.com/russia-to-begin-...-in-syria/

Quote:... U.S. airstrikes, however, will soon face competition from Russia.

Western diplomats say a Russian expeditionary force has arrived in Syria and will operate, according to the Israeli website YNet, as a Russian forward operating base.

“In the coming weeks thousands of Russian military personnel are set to touch down in Syria, including advisors, instructors, logistics personnel, technical personnel, members of the aerial protection division, and the pilots who will operate the aircraft,” writes Alex Fishman.

“The current makeup of the expeditionary force is still unknown, but there is no doubt that Russian pilots flying combat missions in Syrian skies will definitely change the existing dynamics in the Middle East.”

The presence of the Russian military in the skies over Syria will increase the possibility of encounters with the United States, especially if the US adopts a more aggressive stance against the Syrian government.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-08-31...r-damascus
Looks like this is for real. Now all we need is for China to join the party.

Hopefully this is also a sign that Russia is done playing nice with Turkey and has a take-it-or-leave it attitude in regards to the pipeline. Turkey messed up playing games with Russia. IMO, with Russia in Syria, Turkey is in a big bind if they don't settle down and know their role. Even with Turkey being in NATO, the US doesn't give a fuck about Turkish sovereignty and its borders. Turkey just may end up losing a big chunk of land

And, to counter the above... 'No Russian jets sent to Syria' - military source on 'expeditionary force' report
http://www.rt.com/news/314010-syria-russia-planes-isis/

A Russian military intervention in Syria? I very much doubt it
http://thesaker.is/a-russian-military-in...-doubt-it/

More on whether Russia is fighting in Syria or not...
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-09-03...tabilizing

New Ukie recruitment ad for the meat grinder.

(09-03-2015 08:33 PM)Big Nilla Wrote:  

(09-01-2015 11:44 AM)Big Nilla Wrote:  

(08-31-2015 11:20 PM)Big Nilla Wrote:  

(08-31-2015 07:05 PM)Big Nilla Wrote:  If true, this is HUGE news (about time, Russia) in the widening conflict between Russia and the USA around the world...

Russia to Begin Airstrikes Against ISIS in Syria
Russian presence in Syria will increase likelihood of encounters with US
http://www.infowars.com/russia-to-begin-...-in-syria/

Quote:... U.S. airstrikes, however, will soon face competition from Russia.

Western diplomats say a Russian expeditionary force has arrived in Syria and will operate, according to the Israeli website YNet, as a Russian forward operating base.

“In the coming weeks thousands of Russian military personnel are set to touch down in Syria, including advisors, instructors, logistics personnel, technical personnel, members of the aerial protection division, and the pilots who will operate the aircraft,” writes Alex Fishman.

“The current makeup of the expeditionary force is still unknown, but there is no doubt that Russian pilots flying combat missions in Syrian skies will definitely change the existing dynamics in the Middle East.”

The presence of the Russian military in the skies over Syria will increase the possibility of encounters with the United States, especially if the US adopts a more aggressive stance against the Syrian government.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-08-31...r-damascus
Looks like this is for real. Now all we need is for China to join the party.

Hopefully this is also a sign that Russia is done playing nice with Turkey and has a take-it-or-leave it attitude in regards to the pipeline. Turkey messed up playing games with Russia. IMO, with Russia in Syria, Turkey is in a big bind if they don't settle down and know their role. Even with Turkey being in NATO, the US doesn't give a fuck about Turkish sovereignty and its borders. Turkey just may end up losing a big chunk of land

And, to counter the above... 'No Russian jets sent to Syria' - military source on 'expeditionary force' report
http://www.rt.com/news/314010-syria-russia-planes-isis/

A Russian military intervention in Syria? I very much doubt it
http://thesaker.is/a-russian-military-in...-doubt-it/

More on whether Russia is fighting in Syria or not...
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-09-03...tabilizing

Is there a Syria conflict lounge? I searched, didn't see anything but I'd be surprised if there wasn't. If not, I might start one as I'd like to hear what people have to say about the conflict and it's causes. Quite frankly, I've been trying to understand it myself (seems like the conflict and ISIS came out of nowhere), but there's too much conflicting information that I come across in my research and I trust what people here might have to say more than the sources I'm getting.

Actually, that is an older Ukrainian Army Recruiting vid. It has been around quite awhile.

nek,
No, there isn't a Syria conflict thread. I've just put some posts about it here because we've kinda broadened this thread to a Russia vs USA geopolitical back and forth... and Russia seems to be more direct with what it's doing in Syria lately.

My take: Russia won't commit, and doesn't need to, any regular ground troops to the front lines in Syria. No doubt they already have some advisors and special forces close to the front lines. With Assad's army, Hezbollah, Kurds, and Iranians, that's more than enough ground troops to do the job.

Just my view, but what I'd like from Russia is to "sell" Assad, and the Iraq government, 20 used Su-25's each, along with 30 Mi-28/Ka-52 helicopters each. Then have Syria and Iraq pay Russian pilots $50,000 a month to fly them. Russia brings in the ground crews to support the Russian pilots and the 100 planes/helicopters. Russia, Syria, and Iraq don't have enough time to train new pilots or give them new aircrafts. Just let Russian pilots volunteer to be mercenaries, but under Russian control, in Syria and Iraq.

Along with that, Russia would need to bring in maybe 10-12 fighters to provide escorts for the Su-25's and helicopters to make sure NATO doesn't get any ideas (mostly in Syria). Also, for the action in Syria, best for Russia and Syria to concentrate these plane and helicopter attacks away from northern Syria, where Turkey and the US are really active and instead clean out everything in the south from the Golan Heights and Damascus and everything east along the Jordan border towards Iraq.

The Su-25's and attack helicopters, piloted by Russians, is what Syria and Iraq need to tip the scales of battles and route the terrorists.

But having said all that, Russia doing what I outline above would be a huge escalation and who knows what the consequences of that would be and what the US reaction would be.

Russian live military exercise: Tanks vs Terrorists

Quite amazing the display of power. At +- 32 minutes, in full action
the "old" T-90, stunning how this machine can move like a light vehicle.

Could be something here with them kicking out the NGO's by Friday. Speculation is that Ukraine may attack while Putin is in New York on Monday, as it would fit the pattern of the US causing problems while Putin is at a big event (Olympics 2008/2014). Bomb bomb McCain was just in Ukraine, too.

http://news.yahoo.com/pro-moscow-rebels-...17137.html

Quote:Pro-Moscow rebels order UN to leave east Ukraine stronghold

The truth on Russia comes from Israel?

(interview in English)

"Putin has practically no media of his own. Almost all media in Russia belong to oligarchs and attack Putin day and night. Putin is far from enjoying support of media. Support of ordinary people, yes. Unbelievable support..."

Interesting article about Russia, NATO and Syria:

"It is almost certain that the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system is now operational in Syria. “ISIS” has no air force, so this system was clearly intended to protect against a NATO bombing campaign aimed at the Syrian army. This is, perhaps, one of the reasons that Western military attacks on “ISIS” have been so ineffective. Not that Russia or Syria ever wanted to stop Western bombs falling on “ISIS” positions; they just wanted to stop NATO using the excuse of attacking “ISIS” to target the Syrian military."

http://russia-insider.com/en/military/ru...ny/ri10132

https://www.rt.com/business/318133-russi...-supplies/

Quote:Russia to resume gas supplies to Ukraine from October 12 once paid - Gazprom

Just over 2 more months until it's $3 billion default time on Dec. 20th.

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/20...with-putin

This meeting in Paris didn't get a whole lot of coverage due to being overshadowed by Syria but it looks like Poroshenko just got muzzled:

Quote:He underestimated the determination of France and Germany to get the Ukrainian matter out of the way in the most efficient manner possible. After five hours of talks in the Elysee Palace, the Morel plan was imposed on Ukraine in a form more beneficial to Putin. First, Ukraine must design the special election law in consultation with Moscow and the separatists. Then, it will have to pass it and amnesty the separatist leaders so they can run for local legislatures. In 80 days' time, after the passage of the law, the election should be held. Then, if international observers declare it acceptable, Ukraine is supposed to regain control of its border with Russia. Hollande told reporters after the talks that wasn't likely to happen this year, because of the need to draft the legislation and properly prepare the election.

...

In addition to being granted an extension of the Minsk agreement, Putin will have the pleasure of watching Poroshenko squirm as he tries to water down the Morel plan -- or doesn't try hard enough to get the election bill approved. Any failure in that effort would give Putin a more or less permanently frozen conflict with which to distract Ukraine's resources and destabilize Poroshenko's government. And if the ball remains in Ukraine's court, economic sanctions against Russia may also be lifted -- Putin has made sure since last month that the war zone remains quiet.

Essentially Putin by being patient with Ukraine may end up with everything he could want:

1. Influence over post-Yanukovych Ukraine.
2. Legitimized and die-hard loyal separatist politicians.
3. Likely sanctions relief as Ukraine is clearly the party dragging its feet with respect to Minsk.
4. A guarantee that the border remains open until the separatists are legitimized through a process which requires consultation with Moscow.
5. Since #4 may never happen or at least will take a long time and possibly a new government, Putin gets a weak destabilized Ukraine on its border (like it prefers). It may take a complete shift of public attitude back to Russia before #4 could occur, which would be the best possible outcome for Russia.

So Hryvnia gets worse then?

(10-09-2015 10:47 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  So Hryvnia gets worse then?

Probably. But only one thing is certain: Putin's got the game by the balls.

(10-09-2015 02:43 PM)Big Nilla Wrote:  https://www.rt.com/business/318133-russi...-supplies/

Quote:Russia to resume gas supplies to Ukraine from October 12 once paid - Gazprom

Just over 2 more months until it's $3 billion default time on Dec. 20th.

Maybe they shut off the gas at some point if Ukraine says they won't pay the debt? (as they have indicated - they want Russia to accept the haircuts on the Eurobonds (which they don't have any reason to accept)).

FYI guys not sure if this has been mentioned, but fucking Yatseniuk and the politicians banned Russian airlines from flying to Ukraine (then Russia retaliated).

So no more direct flights to Russia/Moscow starting October 25th

By the way, a Kyiv Post writer did a recent story on how bad corruption still is and how the current crop of politicians are pretty much the same old oligarchs who have zero incentive to do anything other than some window-dressing re corruption:

http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/ba...98150.html

Keep in mind that this story is from the Kyiv Post (which is basically a US State Department-funded paper) so if they are openly acknowledging this then you know it's bad and nothing has changed.

Predictions about Russia from Edgar Cayce?

“In Russia there comes the hope of the world, not as that sometimes termed of the communistic, or Bolshevik, no; but freedom, freedom! That each man will live for his fellow man! The principle has been born. It will take years for it to be crystallised, but out of Russia comes again the hope of the world.”
(Edgar Cayce, 1944, No. 3976-29)


http://soundofheart.org/galacticfreepres...opping-ww3

(10-09-2015 11:37 PM)Killer Joe Wrote:  

(10-09-2015 10:47 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  So Hryvnia gets worse then?

Probably. But only one thing is certain: Putin's got the game by the balls.

How come?

The nominal Russian GDP in 2014 has dropped by 40% to 1.8 trln $ from 2 trln in 2013.Russian economy rolled back to 2006. This is Alfred Koch,Russian ex minister of economy saying, not me.
Economic failure

Biggest part of my family live in Russia.The standard of living has dropped significantly,seemingly to levels below that of Ukraine in some cases 9if you compare like to like).

Putin entered the war in Ukraine proclaiming "Novorossiya"or whatever crap till Dnepr and Odessa. Had to roll back having lost up to 10k casualties and got stuffed with small piece of land there which he is trying hard to give back to Ukraine now. Just yesterday Peskov said that "Donbass is Ukraine".
Military failure.

Ukrainians have been probably the only true allies of Russia in the world before the occupation. Ukranians have been agents of the empire for centuries, many prominent military and political leaders in Russian history have come from Ukraine.Ukraine to Russia is Scotland to England. Now it's a bitter enemy.Even Russian speaking young Eastern Ukrainians hate-hate Russian to the bones now. I have two home boys who are volunteers in the army (volunteer battalions) now.And we all come from a 100% Russian background.
Diplomatic failure.

Ukraine,previously one of the biggest Russian export markets for Russia, has managed to minimize its dependence on Russian oil and gas supplies till absolute minimum.It is predicted that Ukraine wont be importing any more Russian gas pretty much soon.Combine it with the fact that commodities are dropping in price, China is buying less and less of Russian oild and gas, Poland has managed to prioritize its supplies to Middle East etc etc and you can easily predict that Russian economy wont be doing well in the near future.
Geopolitical and economic failure.

Europe has always been extremely cold towards Ukraine.Ukraine has been one of the few countries of Europe (not counting bizarre states like Byelarus or Russian itself) which has never applied for EU membership (because frankly speaking Europe had always been hinting Ukraine that it was not interested). Ukraine did not even have a FT agreement with Europe (when even countries like Morocco and Chile have). The Russian aggression turned the tables significantly.Ukraine is cooperating with EU now, and is about to sign the free trade agreement. Exports to EU are a bigger part of Ukrainian exports than to Russia now.
Geopolitical failure.

Traditionally,Ukrainian snever supported NATO.I think no more than 20-30% of Ukrainians would ever want Ukraine to join NATO.Now,it's staggering support,up to 80% in some regions.
Military failure.

Eastern Ukraine (places like Zaporozhye,Dnepropetrovsk and Odessa) which has always been inclined towards Russia are pretty much anti Russian now.Many people have relatives in Donbass and know about Russian atrocities there first hand.The RT can lie as much as they want but locals know very well who has been firing missiles at civilian buildings. Just go to the donetsk forum and read.
Most importantly, people have learned on the examples of Transnistria,Abkhazia and Donbass that Russia means destruction and poverty. Donbass is a wild west now where the gangs are fighting for supremacy and old oligarchs try to establish themselves back into power.Just two days ago they have kidnapped and beaten up one of the "ministers"of Donbass. Basically, another "Serpska Kraina" in croatia, the maffia state which was supported by Miloshevich.

The experiment in Donetsk is a century old military tactic, called "hybrid" war.USSR and Russia did it many times before (check North Korea,Transnistria,Abkhazia), Serbia did it before (check Serpska Kraina etc), hell,even Hitler did it (Sudetten).Nothing new.


Putin has never had anything by the balls.Well,not true, he's got his people by the balls.But Russians are used to dictators , nothing new for them. In the whole history of Muscovy they had democracy for 6 months in 1917 under Kerensky and kleptocracy/ democracy under alcoholic Eltsin for some 8 years in 90s. Putin is ok for them.Just about right.

ps: I will probably be banned now as opinions from a Ukrainian here are not valued.Good luck living in a parallel universe though lol.

I liked just for a different perspective.

I think you are overestimating western strength, but I don't want to argue with you. (yet)

Who are the Rottenbergs? How do they have Putin by the balls?

Edit: Also, I don't think people get the banning process. People don't get banned for different opinions on here. You get banned if you show complete lack of respect, argument by wild angry diatribes against other members, and generally stupidity.

I don't agree with your post, but its not ban worthy at all. I think you are wrong about a lot, but you are entitled to your opinion on here, even if it is a minority one.

(10-19-2015 02:54 AM)KorbenDallas Wrote:  I liked just for a different perspective.

I think you are overestimating western strength, but I don't want to argue with you. (yet)

Who are the Rottenbergs? How do they have Putin by the balls?

Edit: Also, I don't think people get the banning process. People don't get banned for different opinions on here. You get banned if you show complete lack of respect, argument by wild angry diatribes against other members, and generally stupidity.

I don't agree with your post, but its not ban worthy at all. I think you are wrong about a lot, but you are entitled to your opinion on here, even if it is a minority one.

Rottenbergs? Russians jokingly call it "' co-operative Ozero (means "cooperative The Lake" in Russian)". Basically, this was a business that Putin ran with his close circle of mates in 90s. Working as aid to Sobchak (major of SPB) he managed to embezzle serious amounts of cash.Softly spoken, quiet, scared of everything Putin (his nickname back than was "Moth") basically was quietly siphoning cash from the SPB budget. Brothers Rottenbergs were pretty much nobodies, judo instructors, but they are close to Putin. "Miraculously" they have become one of the richest people in the world under Putin. Their company basically receives all the government contracts. This explains why russia is so keen on massive infrastructural projects (Olympic games, Bridge to Island Russky, bridge to Crimea etc). It makes the members of this truly oligarch group extremely wealthy.There are more people in this circle:for example Yakunin ,an ex head of Russian railroads and ofcourse a billionaire,etc etc.You can find all this info online.

(Here is the picture of Putin and Sobchak (Sobachk was actually alpha)


Now, many reports suggest that Putin is strongly influenced by this close circle. Also,many reports suggest that the members of this circle are more and more unhappy with current economic and political situation (for example many have their assets frozen by the western governments). It is obvious that Putin wont be around for too long, but a revolution in Russia is very unlikely. Most likely Putin will be removed from power internally and someone more reasonable will be put in power by likes of Rottenbers etc.In the same way Berezovsky and the rest put Putin to power 15 years ago but eventually failed and lost control over him.

Regarding my opinion-I was already banned for less edgy comments. I am seeding doubts into the comfortable narrative, you see.

Just to add to the issue of Russian economy I wrote above.A nice piece in Telegraph from today.
Basically, Russian economy now is predicted to be smaller than that of Holland.HOLLAND.A country smaller than Moscow province.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/econo...looms.html

"The chief effect has been to shrink the Russian economy in global terms. “GDP was $2.3 trillion at the peak. It is now $1.2 trillion, and I fear we are going back to the level of 1998 when it was $700bn,” he said.
This would be smaller than Holland ($850bn) or half the size of Texas ($1.4 trillion), a remarkable state of affairs for a country vying for superpower military status in Europe and the Middle East."

Putin has got shit by the balls. He was given a chance to save Russia (high oil prices) but managed to destroy it singlehandedly. But at least Chelsea and Arsenal are owned by Russians now (well,jews really)lol.Hope this makes some babushka in Omsk happy.
And Ukraine and Syria is basically Putin doing Galtieri 1982. When your country is not doing well what you need is victories abroad.

The good news (for unlucky ones who have neither looks nor game but a western passport)-poor economy in Russia will mean Russian women will become easier. Beta tolerance will go up.

(10-19-2015 02:47 AM)Bona fide Wrote:  Many people have relatives in Donbass and know about Russian atrocities there first hand.The RT can lie as much as they want but locals know very well who has been firing missiles at civilian buildings.

Yeah they know very well that the Ukrainian government has been relentlessly shelling civilians areas for a year. Before the shellings, you had many pro Ukrainian people in Donetsk and Luhansk. Now 99% of the people there hate Kyiv.

Not surprisingly when you hear that brilliant strategy:





But you must be right, Russia is the global loser and Ukraine is the big winner

Quote:Regarding my opinion-I was already banned for less edgy comments.