"We are witnessing a historic process -- Russians are leaving for the first time in two centuries," independent Azerbaijani analyst Elhan Shahinoglu told AFP.
Observers of the #Caucasus say #Russia is too caught up with its invasion of #Ukraine to retain its sway in the region. #Azerbaijan #Armenia
Russia quietly exits #Karabakh, ceding its clout 'for good'
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-quietly-exits-karabakh-ceding-its-clout-for-good/ar-AA1nkGtr?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01
If passed, the legislation will provide a crucial financial lifetime for #Ukraine at a time when the country’s military appears at its most vulnerable since the start of the war, due to dwindling supplies of ammunition and air defense missiles.
#US House to vote on long-delayed foreign aid bills – including Ukraine support
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/20/us-house-vote-foreign-aid-ukraine-support
In a #bipartisan vote, 210 #Democrats and 101 #Republicans joined to support Ukraine, with 112 Republicans – a majority of the #GOP members – voting against. The House erupted into applause when the #Ukraine bill passed, with the chair, #MarcMolinaro of New York, admonishing members not to wave Ukrainian flags.
#US House approves $61bn in military aid for Ukraine after months of stalling
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/20/us-house-approves-61bn-aid-ukraine
Ultimately, the #UkraineWar has presented #China with a stark choice: double down on propping up a diminished Russian state or pursue a new reality by engaging seriously in peace talks to end the war.
The protracted war has strengthened potential rivals, exposed China to novel #sanction threats, disrupted its #economy, and drained its principal partner of resources and #MilitaryCapability.
Is China growing tired of #Russia’s war in #Ukraine?
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/4/17/is-china-growing-tired-of-russias-war-in-ukraine
Voldoymyr #Zelenskiy said in an interview with US television that the vote showed #Ukraine would not be “a second #Afghanistan”, whose pro-western government collapsed during an American-led pullout in the summer of 2021. #Russia
Approval of $61bn aid from US shows Ukraine will not be abandoned, says Zelenskiy
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/21/approval-of-61bn-aid-from-us-shows-ukraine-will-not-be-abandoned-says-zelenskiy
Armed Finnish #BorderGuards on cross-country skis patrol the country’s eastern flank, #NATO’s newest and longest border with its main adversary, #Russia. Helicopters and drones buzz overhead along new fences being constructed—13-feet high in places—with barbed wire on top and 24-hour electronic surveillance. #NATO #Ukraine
#Finland Long Believed It Could Tame Russia. Now Moscow Is Enemy No. 1.
https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/finland-long-believed-it-could-tame-russia-now-moscow-is-enemy-no-1-673550f7?mod=RSSMSN
"Daily, Russian missiles and drones pummel Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. A recent missile attack on a power generation plant in the north means that hundreds of thousands, if not a million more...
Unable to occupy what is an unoccupiable country, #Russia has decided it wants to make Ukrainian cities uninhabitable."
The west defends #Israel’s skies. Not doing the same for #Ukraine is a deadly mistake | #NathalieTocci
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/22/west-israel-ukraine-russia-air-defence-systems
About 46,000 aircraft in total have logged problems with #GPS over the #BalticSea in the same time period, the Sun reported, based on analysis of flight logs with the website GPSJAM.org.
Most of the GPS problems reported on the website have come in eastern #Europe, bordering #Russia. #GPSJamming #Ukraine
Thousands of flights to and from Europe affected by suspected Russian jamming | #CivilAviation
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/apr/22/thousands-of-flights-to-and-from-europe-affected-by-suspected-russian-jamming
The #US #Senate is set to vote Tuesday on a major aid package for #Ukraine, with its passage all but certain after the #HouseOfRepresentatives -- following months of wrangling -- approved the assistance with broad #BipartisanSupport.
US Senate to vote on Ukraine aid package after House's months-long delay
https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20240423-us-senate-to-vote-on-ukraine-aid-package-after-house-s-months-long-delay
The US Senate is set to vote Tuesday on a major aid package for Ukraine, with its passage all but certain after the House of Representatives -- following months of wrangling -- approved the assistance with broad bipartisan support.
In a sweeping 80-19 vote, the #USSenate overwhelmingly voted to advance the measure in a step hailed by the Senate majority leader as “one of the greatest achievements the Senate has faced in years”.
#US Senate close to passing $95bn aid for #Ukraine, #Israel and #Taiwan after key vote
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/23/senate-aid-bill-ukraine-israel-taiwan
The Senate, in a bipartisan super-majority, overwhelmingly voted to advance the measure, which Joe Biden is expected to sign
#US Senate passes $95bn in aid for #Ukraine, #Israel and #Taiwan | #USSenate | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/23/senate-aid-bill-ukraine-israel-taiwan
#JoeBiden said on Wednesday he signed into law legislation that rushes $95bn in foreign aid to #Ukraine, #Israel and #Taiwan, a #bipartisan legislative victory he hailed as a “good day for world peace” after months of congressional gridlock threatened Washington’s support for Kyiv in its fight to repel #Russia’s invasion
Biden signs $95bn foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/24/biden-signs-foreign-aid-ukraine-israel
Congress has approved $60 billion in military aid for #Ukraine. Here's a look at what it it's likely to include and how it might reshape the battlefield. [AUDIO]
The arms and ammunition in the $61 billion military aid package should enable #Ukraine to slow the Russian army’s bloody advances and block its strikes on troops and civilians. And it will buy Ukraine time — for long-term planning about how to take back the fifth of the country now under Russian control.
#US aid deemed crucial for Ukraine to avoid defeat against #Russia, path to victory uncertain
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-aid-deemed-crucial-for-ukraine-to-avoid-defeat-against-russia-path-to-victory-uncertain
The Polish parliament is due to consider new regulations next week that would require all #Ukrainians to show a valid #passport to be able to access benefits in #Poland. Previously, Ukrainian #refugees had been able to do so by showing any other documents proving their identity. #Ukraine
#Poland and #Lithuania pledge to help Kyiv repatriate Ukrainians subject to #MilitaryDraft
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/25/poland-and-lithuania-pledge-to-help-kyiv-repatriate-ukrainians-subject-to-military-draft
Russian President #VladimirPutin said Thursday he plans to visit #China in May, in what could become the first foreign trip for the Russian leader after he extended his rule by six more years in an election that offered voters little real choice.
#Putin’s inauguration is scheduled for May 7, Russian lawmakers said earlier this week. #Ukraine
Putin announces plans to visit China in May
https://apnews.com/article/putin-visit-china-ukraine-war-97c6790d093ecfe1234044841b462a78
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he plans to visit China in May, in what could become the first foreign trip for the Russian leader after he extended his rule by six more years in an election that offered voters little real choice. Putin’s inauguration is scheduled for May 7. Last month, the 71-year-old Russian leader secured his fifth term in office in a vote with no real opposition, extending his 24-year rule. Russia’s growing economic and diplomatic isolation because of its war against Ukraine has made it increasingly reliant on China, its former rival for leadership of the Communist bloc during the Cold War.
“Fuelling #Russia’s defence industrial base not only threatens Ukrainian security, it threatens #EuropeanSecurity. #Beijing cannot achieve better relations with Europe while supporting the greatest threat to European security since the end of the cold war.” Blinken said. #Ukraine
#US threatens new #China sanctions over supplies to Russian arms industry
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/26/antony-blinken-beijing-visiit-china-us-relations-foreign-minister-wang-yi
...and I was just watching the Fallout series last night ☢️
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Following #Britain’s withdrawal from the #EuropeanUnion, #France is the only member of the bloc to possess its own nuclear weapons.
#Russia’s invasion of #Ukraine and the possible return of the isolationist #DonaldTrump as US president has given new life to calls for greater #EuropeanDefence autonomy. #EU
#Macron ready to 'open debate' on nuclear European defence
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240427-macron-ready-to-open-debate-on-nuclear-european-defence
The commander-in-chief of #Ukraine's armed forces said Sunday #Kyiv's position on the frontline had deteriorated and that #Russia had made a number of recent battlefield gains.
Ukraine's top general says troops fall back as fighting worsens on eastern front
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240428-ukraine-top-general-says-troops-fall-back-figthing-worsens-eastern-front-russia
The #Kremlin-owned gas company #Gazprom has plunged to its first annual loss in more than 20 years, after gas sales more than halved following Vladimir #Putin’s invasion of #Ukraine.
Gazprom slumps to first annual loss in 22 years as trade with #Europe hit
https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/may/02/gazprom-first-annual-loss-in-20-years-trade-europe-gas-sales-russia-ukraine
#Berlin recalled Alexander Graf Lambsdorff on Monday, three days after accusing #Moscow of #cyberattacks on the governing #SocialDemocraticParty (SDP) and the country’s defence, aerospace, and IT companies. The envoy’s return was ordered just a day before the inauguration of Russian President Vladimir #Putin. #Ukraine
#Germany recalls ambassador to #Russia citing cyberattacks
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/6/germany-recalls-russia-envoy-over-cyberattack
#Ukraine leverages #drone technology to deploy medieval #caltrops, transforming ancient defensive tactics into modern warfare strategies.
Ukraine mixes ancient weapon with drone tech to take out Russian forces [VIDEO]
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/ukraine-mixes-ancient-weapon-with-drone-tech-to-take-out-russian-forces/vi-BB1lZqJS?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01
Since President Vladimir #Putin invaded #Ukraine, #Russia has dispatched hundreds of thousands of men to battlefields that have become charnel houses.
Now, the #MothersAndWives of #servicemen whose fates are unknown have emerged as some of the most vocal critics of the Russian war effort.
Angry Families of Missing Russian Soldiers Want Answers From Putin
https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/angry-families-of-missing-russian-soldiers-want-answers-from-putin-3c460762?mod=RSSMSN
Tusk said #EU countries should take joint action to increase spending on defence by at least 100 billion euros ($107 billion). A joint #AirDefence "must become a European project that will be a financial effort to build a dome over #Europe," he said. "We have many more initiatives and meetings than real actions to defend the European sky. #DonaldTusk #Ukraine
Europe must increase defence capabilities to be safe, says #Poland's Tusk
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/europe-must-increase-defence-capabilities-to-be-safe-says-polands-tusk/ar-BB1lYf6U
#EU senior diplomats meeting on Wednesday agreed a compromise on using the estimated €4.4bn #WindfallProfits to aid #Ukraine, smoothing over a dispute about #Taxation and #ManagementCosts in #Belgium, the country where most of the frozen assets are held.
The EU deal opens the door to a broader discussion in the #G7 about using #Russia’s frozen billions of assets,
EU reaches deal on using profits from Russia’s frozen assets for Ukraine
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/08/eu-reaches-deal-on-using-profits-from-russias-frozen-assets-for-ukraine
For the past year Shyshak’s brigade, the 241st, has scoured the heavens for Russian flying objects. Its task is to shoot them down before they can reach the capital. A machine-gun post has been set up on the 12th floor of a residential apartment block on the edge of the city. Nearby is a thermal power plant. This spring, #Russia has relentlessly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Judges with machine guns: the part-time #DroneHunters defending #Kyiv | #Ukraine
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/09/judges-with-machine-guns-the-part-time-drone-hunters-defending-kyiv
I never thought I'd hashtag Ukraine & the South China Sea in the same post 😬
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#Russia is the top supplier of weapons to #Vietnam and also plays a crucial role in the exploitation of Vietnam's gas reserves in the #SouthChinaSea, in waters that #China claims as its own.
The #EU, an important trading partner for Vietnam, has imposed wide-ranging sanctions on #Moscow over its war in #Ukraine.
Vietnam irks EU by delaying meeting ahead of possible #Putin visit
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/vietnam-irks-eu-by-delaying-meeting-ahead-of-possible-putin-visit/ar-BB1m5uWd
"Gazprom is engaged in a (real estate) fire sale. They had their worst year in decades, and their production has fallen precipitously, down to what it was in the 1970s," said Tom O'Donnell, an energy and geopolitical analyst based in Berlin. #Russia #Ukraine
#Putin's Crown Jewel Forced Into #FireSale Amid Record Losses
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-gazprom-selling-property-putin-1898699
#Pentagon officials working with #ElonMusk’s #SpaceX have blunted the Russian military’s unauthorized use of #Starlink internet terminals on the battlefield in its war with #Ukraine, according to the Defense Department’s space policy chief.
Pentagon Teams Up With SpaceX to Block Russia From Using Starlink
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-09/russia-starlink-access-blocked-by-pentagon-spacex-ukraine
#MOSCOW, May 12 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir #Putin tapped a civilian economist as his surprise new defence minister on Sunday in an attempt to gird #Russia for economic war by trying to better utilise the defence budget and harness greater innovation to win in #Ukraine.
Putin taps civilian economist to run defense, replacing #Shoigu in surprise move
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-proposes-sacking-defence-minister-shoigu-parliament-says-2024-05-12/
#Zurabishvili suggested that the ruling #GeorgianDream party postpone the date of the law's entry into force until November 1. That is, to make the law effective after the parliamentary elections to be held on October 26.
"This law is #Russian, our government's methods are Russian, and even the prime minister's speech today is Russian," she said. #Russia #Ukraine
Georgian President delivers emergency address amid rallies
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/georgian-president-delivers-emergency-address-1715537712.html
#JoeBiden has signed into law a bipartisan bill that bans the import of enriched #uranium from #Russia, in the latest effort by Washington to apply further pressure on Vladimir #Putin over his invasion of #Ukraine.
Biden signs bipartisan bill banning imports of Russian uranium
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/13/biden-russian-uranium-imports-ban
Billions of dollars had been spent by the #US on rebuilding #Georgia after the fall of the #SovietUnion and hundreds of millions more were planned for the country’s economy and military.
“All that has to be under review if we are now regarded as an adversary and not a partner,” O’Brien told reporters at a press conference in #Tbilisi. #Russia #Ukraine
#US warns #Georgia not to side with #Moscow against the west
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/14/us-warns-georgia-not-to-side-with-moscow-against-the-west
#Putin and #Xi have met over 40 times; the Chinese president last travelled to #Moscow in March 2023, while Putin went to Beijing in October for a summit of #China’s #BeltAndRoad initiative.
Putin meets with Xi as his two day visit to China gets underway
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/16/vladimir-putin-beijing-visit-china-live-updates-war-ukraine-latest-today-xi-jinping?page=with%3Ablock-66457bd18f086b5d4c8bf537#block-66457bd18f086b5d4c8bf537
A #PutinLoyalist, #Belousov is a veteran #economist and former counterpart to #DingXuexiang, a close ally of #XiJinping and a member of #China’s #politburo standing committee. #Ukraine
Among the vast number of officials in the Russian delegation is Putin’s new defence minister, Andrei Belousov.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/16/vladimir-putin-beijing-visit-china-live-updates-war-ukraine-latest-today-xi-jinping?page=with:block-664579748f086b5d4c8bf532#block-664579748f086b5d4c8bf532
#China’s major #banks are throttling payments out of concern over #USSanctions, Maslov said, and #Russia has proposed to solve the issue via a decentralised payment system that the west would be unable to track. “Both sides will look for sanctions-proof mechanisms going forward,” said Maslov. #Ukraine
#Putin says 90% of payments between China and Russia are made in their national currencies
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/16/vladimir-putin-beijing-visit-china-live-updates-war-ukraine-latest-today-xi-jinping?page=with:block-664596a78f08350201112063#block-664596a78f08350201112063
#Putin and #Xi share a broad worldview, which sees #TheWest as decadent and in decline just as #China challenges #US supremacy in everything from #QuantumComputing and #SyntheticBiology to #espionage and hard #MilitaryPower.
China, once the junior partner of Moscow in the global Communist hierarchy, remains by far the most powerful of #Russia’s friends in the world. #Ukraine
Putin arrives in China on mission to deepen partnership with Xi
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/16/vladimir-putin-xi-jinping-china-visit
"#China is not only the more powerful partner, but also the one that has many more options than #Russia and the war has exacerbated that. Russia is now locking itself into #vassalage to China,” - Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin
The Lopsided Reality of the China-Russia Relationship
https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-china-unequal-relationship-35732f24?mod=RSSMSN
The new law offers #parole to #convicts who sign a contract to join the army, a move that some officials have said could generate a maximum of 20,000 soldiers for the Ukrainian war effort.
Those convicted of the most serious crimes, such as the premeditated murder of two or more people, rape and crimes against national security, would still not be allowed to enlist.
#Ukraine allows some convicts to join armed forces in #ManpowerPush
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-signs-law-allowing-some-convicts-serve-ukraines-army-2024-05-17/
The head of the #OfficeOfThePresident has always wielded enormous influence in #Ukraine. Wartime conditions, including #MartialLaw, have concentrated extraordinary authority in the presidential administration, making #Yermak perhaps the most powerful #ChiefOfStaff in the country’s history — virtually indistinguishable from his boss.
#Zelensky’s chief aide flexes power, irks critics — and makes no apologies
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/18/andriy-yermak-power-chief-ukraine/
As fierce street battles between Russian and Ukrainian forces continue in the northern part of the town, a band of local police and volunteers have been journeying in daily to evacuate the last, terrified residents out of a place which was once home to 18,000 people.
‘Why the hell didn’t you leave earlier?’: the battle to evacuate residents as #Russia advances in #Kharkiv | #Ukraine
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/18/nothing-to-go-back-to-residents-of-vovchansk-relive-the-nightmare-of-a-hasty-evacuation
#Kallas is one of many European politicians trying to spell out the many negative consequences to #Europe of a #UkrainianDefeat, and rebut those who claim such a reverse could be contained.
She was speaking the day after the former Estonian president #Toomas Ilves predicted that if #Ukraine fell to #Russia as many as 30 million Ukrainians would seek to flee
#Putin seeking to weaponise threat of mass migration, warns Estonian PM | #Estonia
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/17/putin-is-seeking-to-weaponise-threat-of-ukraine-mass-migration-says-estonian-pm
#Chile has defended, defends, and will continue to defend the idea that #Antarctica is a continent of #science and #peace. We will firmly oppose any #CommercialExploitation of #minerals and #hydrocarbons," wrote President Boric on the X platform. #Russia #Ukraine
Chile vows to protect Antarctica amid massive oil discovery claims
https://dailywrap.uk/chile-vows-to-protect-antarctica-amid-massive-oil-discovery-claims,7028823861028481a
Ms #Kallas said the current world order is under threat from #Russia’s full-scale war in #Ukraine that is now in its 27th month and, more broadly, Chinese “#GreyZone” tactics (in the #SouthChinaSea) – referring to harassment and aggression that skirt near the threshold of war. Tensions are also rising in the #MiddleEast.
Dangerous to view the world’s conflicts as distant and unrelated: Estonia PM Kallas
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/dangerous-to-view-the-world-s-conflicts-as-distant-and-unrelated-estonia-pm-kallas
The #US and the #UK argue that instead of handing relatively small sums such as €500m from the #interest annually, it would be better if a #loan or #bond worth about €30bn could be handed to #Ukraine with the interest paid from the profits generated from the larger frozen assets.
The #G7 states could back the bond with a #StateGuarantee as a way of reassuring #PrivateInvestors
G7 leaders to discuss €30bn loan for Ukraine using #RussianAssets
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/20/g7-leaders-to-discuss-30bn-loan-for-ukraine-using-russian-assets
Last January, #ViktorZhora, who was a senior figure in #Ukraine’s #cybersecurity agency, said the country had suffered a threefold growth in #CyberAttacks in the past year, with #RussianHacking at times deployed in combination with #MissileStrikes. #Russia
Ukraine’s leading mobile operator #Kyivstar has allocated $90m (£70.9m) to deal with a suspected Russian cyber-attack on its service.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/20/russia-ukraine-war-live-russian-attack-kharkiv-lakeside-resort?page=with:block-664b4dc88f0863a6cdf6d321#block-664b4dc88f0863a6cdf6d321
#Ukraine’s President Volodymyr #Zelenskyy has said he is pushing partners to get more directly involved in the war by helping to intercept #RussianMissiles and allowing his country to use Western weapons against military equipment amassing near the border.
Zelenskyy pushes allies for direct involvement in Ukraine’s war with #Russia
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/21/zelenskyy-pushes-allies-for-direct-involvement-in-ukraines-war-with-russia
While American officials have long detailed the costs of #Moscow's invasion for its armed forces and its economy, in the last two months they've started to acknowledge #Russia is recovering faster than the #US expected. #Ukraine
‘They've grown back': How Russia surprised the West and rebuilt its force
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/05/21/theyve-grown-back-how-russia-surprised-the-west-and-rebuilt-its-force/
Any #RussianCitizens whose purpose is #tourism and other non-essential travel will be turned back at the border. Exceptions may be granted in cases such as visits to close family residing in #Norway, the ministry said in a statement. #Russia #Ukraine
Norway to block entry for most Russian tourists, Moscow says it will respond
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/norway-to-block-entry-for-most-russian-tourists-moscow-says-it-will-respond/ar-BB1mUH65?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01
I'm a bit worried that Belousov seems to know what he's doing. Was hoping the Russian army would remain hopelessly corrupt & woefully incompetent.
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Rogov noted that the removal of Achmedov from his position fulfills the new Russian Defense Minister #AndreiBelousov’s statement about the “need to take care of military personnel.” #Russia
Russian army general arrested for deadly orders in #Ukraine
https://essanews.com/russian-army-general-arrested-for-deadly-orders-in-ukraine,7030917192156801a
#EuropeanUnion foreign policy chief #JosepBorrell on Friday called the removal of Estonian buoys by Russian border guards on a river separating the Baltic country from #Russia “unacceptable,” and demanded an explanation from Moscow and the immediate return of the orange floats. #Estonia #Ukraine
European Union criticizes Russia for removing Estonian buoys, demand an explanation from Moscow
https://apnews.com/article/estonia-russia-buoys-border-10b99970ed538ce1684bf88c6384a1ec
The EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says the removal of 25 Estonian buoys by Russian border guards on a river separating the Baltic country from Russia was “unacceptable.” Early Thursday, Estonian border guards noticed that their Russian counterpart had removed the floating devices that Estonia had installed on the Narva River to prevent boats from accidentally crossing the border. Borrell on Friday demanded an explanation and said that the incident “is part of a broader pattern of provocative behaviour and hybrid actions by Russia, including on its maritime and land borders in the Baltic Sea region.” Estonia also dubbed Moscow's action unacceptable but said its response “remains calm and clear-eyed.”
@Norobiik Someone recently pointed out that it took 30 tons of potatoes to produce enough alcohol to launch one V2 rocket.
If the Germans had really understood their main enemy, instead of launching V2s at London, just leave all that alcohol in the path of the advancing Russians.
Drink is the Russian army's other perennial problem.
Aeroflot airline used to do a "medical check" of the pilots before every flight. They took pulse and blood pressure, but mainly it was a chance to sniff for booze.
@mike805 Don't forget the infamous barrier troops which the "modern" Russia has outsourced to the very brutal private army of Kadyrov.
I really hope that the Russian federation disintegrates into saner, smaller pieces. The risk though is uncontrolled nuclear arsenals and China deciding to take chunks of territory back into itself.
Norobiik @
mike805