Posted on 02/21/2023 8:05:04 AM PST by SpeedyInTexas
15 explosions in Mariupol has got to be bad news for RU.
Mariupol is critical to RU's land bridge to Crimea.
Mariupol is (was) an ideal location to mass troops and equipment.
Hopefully, this is the initial volley for closing RU's land bridge.
Bomb Damage Assessment (BDA) please.
Bomb Damage Assessment (BDA) should be rolling in tomorrow.
GLSDB has a longer range than HIMARS (GMLRS), and packs a bigger punch.
If they can get a few thousand a month, and acquire targeting data for them, they might not need much of offensive force in a few months - more of a mop up crew.
It’s possible that Ukrainian forces had a long to do list of deep targets, just waiting for the capability to arrive.
As Putin delivered his plan of action, the Russian’s reportedly summoned the American Ambassador to the Foreign Ministry and delivered a strong Démarche:
The note of protest handed over to the ambassador emphasizes that the pumping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with weapons, as well as the transfer of target designations for strikes against Russian military and civilian infrastructure, clearly prove the inconsistency and falsity of the assertions of the American side that the United States is not a party to the conflict. It is also indicated that the weapons supplied to Kyiv, as well as service personnel, including American citizens, are a legitimate target.
In this regard, the ambassador was told that the current aggressive course of the United States to deepen confrontation with Russia in all areas is counterproductive. It was especially noted that in order to de-escalate the situation, Washington must take steps that involve the withdrawal of US-NATO military and equipment, as well as the cessation of hostile anti-Russian activity.
The Russian side also emphasized that the United States should give explanations about the explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines and not interfere with an objective investigation to identify those responsible.
This means Russia is putting the United States on notice that Moscow will hold America accountable and that any U.S. military and equipment inside Ukraine will be treated as legitimate targets. As I have watched the commentary on this speech, I have seen no one pick up on Russia’s new “red line.”
Prior to start of Russia’s Special Military Operation in February 2022, there were many in the Russian Government, including Putin, who believed that they could negotiate in good faith with the West. The events of the past year and the belligerent rhetoric from Washington politicians and Europe’s ruling class have convinced the Russians that traditional diplomacy is dead. Russia is fighting for its very existence.
Whether you agree with this is irrelevant. It is what Russia’s leaders believe, not just Putin. The West will make a fatal mistake if they ignore what Putin said today.
“ Russia is putting the United States on notice that Moscow will hold America accountable and that any U.S. military and equipment inside Ukraine will be treated as legitimate targets. As I have watched the commentary on this speech, I have seen no one pick up on Russia’s new “red line.””
Because it is not new. They have been saying the same thing for the whole year, since the first NLAWS and Javelins were sent.
What is new, is the official determination by the United States Government in the last week, that the Russian Government has committed Crimes Against Humanity in the Ukraine.
Bombs away!
Another massive Putin failure!
That old fool is screwing up everything he touches, especially Russia.
From OilPrice.com: “The European Union managed to beat its target for cutting gas demand this winter, according to new data from Eurostat.
Eurostat data shows that the European Union’s winter demand fell by 19 percent compared to the five-year average, beating the 15 percent goal it set for itself to help it survive the winter.
The largest drop was in Finland, which cut its usage by nearly 60 percent. Lithuania saw the second biggest decrease with a nearly 50 percent reduction, with Sweden coming in third. Spain saw one of the smaller decreases in gas consumption, the data showed.” (Spain has a natural gas pipeline from Algeria, and an excess of LNG import terminal capacity)
European natural gas prices continue to drop, and they have plenty - without Russia.
The first flowers of Spring are opening in Europe, and the natural gas market that took Russia over half a century to build (well over 80% of its exports in 2021), has been totally squandered in one year by fool Putin.
Get clown Putin’s hands off Russia. The only thing he is growing there, are the graveyards.
Kazan is the name of a city in RuZZia.
Is that where you live?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.