Posted on 01/14/2023 8:11:31 AM PST by SpeedyInTexas
Its tough being a Tycoon.
“Russia’s Tycoons Fear Tightening Kremlin Squeeze as Putin’s War Drags On”
“As invasion costs mount and militarization spreads, Russian business leaders are worried.”
“As Vladimir Putin pushes his war in Ukraine into its second year, the deepening militarization of Russia’s economy is fueling fears among the country’s business elite that the squeeze on their companies is only just beginning.
The government is already considering “one-time” taxes on some big firms to help boost revenues reduced by the tightening grip of sanctions and other restrictions and tycoons said they expect the Kremlin to step up demands for cash. Wartime laws also give the authorities sweeping powers to dictate company operations, from what is produced to how much it costs.
With public calls for tycoons who aren’t enthusiastic enough in their support of the invasion be stripped of their assets, some of Russia’s richest now worry they could see their holdings seized by rivals seen as more loyal or even nationalized, according to people familiar with their thinking. The Kremlin’s public reassurances that business interests will be respected ring hollow with the Russian president’s attention focused on the war, not business, these people said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.”
This particular attack was posted by Speedy several days ago as a Twitter link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m85T0UzANjw
Youtube posts a warning but does not require a login.
Youtube does ghost out dead bodies.
Twitter does not ghost out dead bodies.
EU has moved on from RuZZian energy.
“Germany opens its 2nd liquefied natural gas terminal”
“Germany on Saturday inaugurated its second liquefied natural gas terminal, part of a drive by Europe’s biggest economy to put reliance on Russian energy sources firmly behind it.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz took part in the ceremony in Lubmin on the Baltic Sea coast, which came less than a month after he inaugurated Germany’s first LNG terminal at Wilhelmshaven on the North Sea. Several more are expected to go online in the coming months, including another in Lubmin.”
““We are getting through this winter … gas supplies are not impaired and we can ensure them everywhere in Germany, differently from what many long feared,” Scholz said on Saturday. “An economic crisis also failed to materialize in Germany,” he added, pointing to government support programs, decisions to secure energy supplies and falling gas prices on global markets.
Scholz lauded the speed at which the first terminals were built and said a special regasification ship needed for Germany’s third terminal, at Brunsbuettel on the North Sea coast. will arrive next week.”
“its a 10 year war.”
I hope not.
Of course, there are possible branches in the plan, depending on what occurs.
I like Retired General Ben Hodges’ (former Commanding General of US Army, Europe) analysis which is more optimistic, and anticipates the Ukrainian forces recapturing Crimea this Summer.
Around that timeframe, we should also be seeing significant exhaustion in the old Soviet stockpiles of war materiel. Russia will have to transition from using mostly gear out of inventory, to having to work with what is coming out from production. That is going to be quite a transition, that is subject to a lot of risk for the Russians. Even if they make that transition to support a multi-year war, the intensity will likely have to drop on their side.
I think the consensus analysis is that more likely this year or next year will see the Russian Military exhausted, overwhelmed, and driven out of Ukrainian territory, unless they can get a negotiated settlement.
So many things might change the calculus - oil markets, Chinese involvement, domestic politics in Russia and the West, etc.
@visegrad24 14h BREAKING:
Denmark has said its willing to join the International Leopard Tank Coalition for Ukraine.
The news was broken by Paweł Szrot, Head of the Polish President’s Chancellery.
He said the coalition already exists, with Poland, Finland, Denmark and the UK being part of it.
Maybe Griner could have picked up some new skills in the tank factory.
Today’s missile strikes didn’t seem as large/severe as the earlier waves. Russia punching through their inventory?
From Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-missile-attack-hits-infrastructure-kyiv-officials-2023-01-14/) :
“Ukraine shot down 25 of 38 Russian missiles of different types, the Air Force said.
Missiles struck critical infrastructure facilities in the eastern region of Kharkiv and the western region of Lviv, officials said. Kharkiv region lost power completely and disruptions to electricity and water supplies in Lviv were also possible, officials said...
...The attack on Saturday came hours after a smaller-scale missile attack hit critical infrastructure in Kyiv and the eastern city of Kharkiv.
The first attack was unusual because missiles struck their targets before the air raid siren even sounded. No one was reported hurt then, but missile debris caused a fire in one area and houses were damaged outside the capital, officials said.
DTEK, the biggest private electricity company, introduced emergency blackouts in several regions...
...Commenting on the first attack, Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said Russia’s missiles had likely been fired along a high, looping ballistic trajectory from the north, which would explain why the air raid siren did not sound.
Ukraine is not able to identify and shoot down ballistic missiles, he told the Ukrainska Pravda online outlet.
MISSILES STRIKE KHARKIV
In Ukraine’s northeast, two S-300 missiles struck the city of Kharkiv near the Russian border early on Saturday, according to regional governor Oleg Synehubov.
The attacks hit critical energy and industrial targets in the Kharkiv and Chuhuev district of the region, he said.”
Institute for the Study of War:
“High-ranking Ukrainian officials continue to forecast an intensification of Ukrainian and Russian operations in the spring of 2023 and that a Russian offensive from Belarus remains unlikely.”
“Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Chief Kyrylo Budanov’s statement that Ukrainian forces intend to launch a major counteroffensive throughout Ukraine in the spring.”
Thanks. That was a direct hit!
Actually, it wasn't a drone hit (my bad)...it was a drone directed artillery hit.
The video does show the type of videos that twitter restricts.
Side note: I am amazed at how accurate the UKR artillery is. One shot one kill.
Apaches to Ukraine. First I can remember of Apaches???
More in the morning.
This will be interesting to follow. Looking forward to tomorrow's report. Here's a pic:
“Apaches to Ukraine.”
Apaches are crazy tank killers.
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