Russia owes its survival to Ukraine
[QUOTE=Questner;2815608]In one of the WWII documentaries there was a comment to the tune that some of the Allied soldiers deployed to Europe did not know what they were fighting for until they saw the concentration camps. Then they realized what they had been fighting against. There always will be the question of how it could have happened and why the highest forces above had not intervened and allowed the Holocaust. I will not argue with those that say that an eventual miracle saved those who were still alive. For me, the answer is the following: it took a heroic action of a soldier to win over evil. If we take a minute of silence for each Soviet soldier and civilian fallen during the war, we will keep silence for half of a century.[/QUOTE]During WW-II, Ukraine experienced higher losses, both military and civilian, than other Soviet Republics in proportion to their respective populations. One obvious reason is because Ukraine's geographic position turned it into a buffer zone (and killing zone) between Germany and Russia.
[URL]https://texty.org.ua/projects/103854/occupation_eng/[/URL]
Without the efforts of millions of Ukrainians who died in WW-II, Russia would have lost. But, because they're such brainwashed and ungrateful bey*tches, Russians refuse to acknowledge their debt to Ukraine, just like they refuse to acknowledge their debt to the Western Allies who kept Russia alive with an extensive Lend-lease program.
So, while you're having your "minutes of silence," don't forget to allocate MILLIONS of minutes for the UKRAINIANS who gave their lives. And, at the end of it all, it's worth noting that all Ukraine wants, in return for its sacrifice, is for Russia to leave them the fuck alone!
Two pieces of bad news for China, and they'll probably blame Russia.
1. Japan appears likely to open a NATO liaison office:
[URL]https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/10/asia/japan-foreign-minister-hayashi-nato-intl-hnk/index.html[/URL]
"Japan is in talks to open a NATO liaison office, the first of its kind in Asia, the country's foreign minister told CNN in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, saying Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made the world less stable."
"Something happening in East Europe is not only confined to the issue in East Europe, and that affects directly the situation here in the Pacific. That's why a cooperation between us in East Asia and NATO (is) becoming. Increasingly important".
2. Japan and South Korea are putting decades of animosity aside to build defense ties:
[URL]https://japantoday.com/category/politics/japan-south-korea-to-link-radar-systems-to-track-n.korea-missiles-source[/URL]
"Japanese and South Korean defense authorities are set to agree early next month to link their radars via a USA System to share real-time information on North Korea's ballistic missiles, a person with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday".
"Ties between the United States' Asian allies have warmed in recent months in the face of the North Korean threat. Resuming their "shuttle diplomacy", Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Sunday, where they confirmed progress in defense cooperation".
IMO, many countries are rethinking their defense policies in the aftermath of Russia's aggression. As part of that process they're making decisions about who their adversaries are likely to be, and with whom they should strengthen or forge new alliances.
With respect to Asia, China has tried hard to project an image of a benign neighbor. They can't be happy that Asian rivals like Japan and South Korea are working together on defense. Even though they name North Korea as the primary reason, China is the obvious elephant in the room.
And China REALLY must be pissed at any suggestion that NATO might rise in prominence in Asia. The blame for that can truly be placed squarely at Russia's feet. Not good for Russia to upset China, their economic lifeline and master.
Fascinating to consider how concerns and precautions resulting from Russia's aggression may have the effect of deterring aggression (by China or Russia) in Asia.
On his way to meet his maker, Putin is pissing himself.
[QUOTE=Questner;2816179]On a way to meet his maker Zed first has to meet Papa.[/QUOTE]Der Orc-Fuhrer knows that his Orc-Hordes are about to become Orc-Toast!
Doubling-down on killing Orcs, triumphantly so!
[QUOTE=Questner;2816518]Tragically doubling down and doubling the losses.[/QUOTE]Have you seen the videos circulating online showing Orcs in full flight, like the leaderless, poorly trained, pussy-bitches they are?
[URL]https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/05/11/ukraine-russia-war-live-updates/70206608007/[/URL]
Even Prigozhin is ranting about his fellow Orcs running away. My hope and prayer is for MUCH more to follow, just like this.
[URL]https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/wagner-mercenary-russia-admits-putin-soldiers-fleeing-ukraine/[/URL]
"Head of Russia's Wagner group admits Putin's soldiers are fleeing".
Putin has survived in power by pitting different power factions against each other. Now that strategy is demonstrably contributing to Russia's failure on the battlefield. And the counteroffensive (that some mistakenly think isn't coming) hasn't even started in earnest.