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Posted on 08/23/2025 6:56:17 AM PDT by marcusmaximus
It is a curious thing when a superpower begins to run out of the two things it needs most in war: fuel and men. Yet that is precisely what seems to be happening to Russia in Ukraine. After more than two years of fighting, Moscow’s once-vaunted war machine is showing unmistakable signs of exhaustion.
When Russia launched its invasion in February 2022, it relied heavily on professional soldiers but the disastrous battles outside Kyiv and Kharkiv shattered that backbone. Thousands of seasoned fighters were lost, and the logistical chaos that followed forced Russia into an embarrassing retreat from northern Ukraine.
The Kremlin’s answer was Wagner. The mercenary army, battle-hardened from Africa to the Middle East, became the spearhead of Russia’s offensive. For a time, Wagner succeeded. In the brutal fight for Bakhmut, it won headlines, captured territory, and gave Moscow its only significant victory of 2023. Yet those same battles consumed Wagner’s ranks, and the rebellion that followed sealed its demise. The Kremlin had sacrificed its sharpest blade.
Since then, Russia has leaned on a far weaker substitute: poorly trained volunteers and mercenaries recruited from among ordinary citizens. These men have been thrown into grinding assaults in the south and east. For a while, they produced modest gains. Some analysts even warned that Ukraine’s lines were close to breaking, or that the war was sliding toward stalemate. The pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government was intense.
-snip-
Today, Russia faces a crisis that no artillery barrage can solve: firstly its own fuel shortage. Videos emerging from Crimea show gas stations with long lines and dwindling supplies. In Moscow, the government has gone so far as to ban price hikes at the pump—an extraordinary intervention that signals just how tight supplies have become. Exports of gasoline have also been restricted.
(Excerpt) Read more at azernews.az ...
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Kim Jong-un Calls North Korea ‘the Most Powerful Army in the World’ in Praise of Ukraine War Units
In a #RustyIrony of ironies... Vlad has more in common with Gavin Newscum that maybe even old Joe Stalin. A complete narcissist who will bleed his own country/state and people for his own ego driven desires. Both unaware their own gross incompetence will also destroy themselves and all who follow them in the process.
The sad HUGE risk is before their fall many will suffer.
Spoiler alert:
The suffering is already underway in Europe and California...
And that’s the least of Russia’s worries.
Their fearless leader as Boris and Natasha referred to their leader is battling multiple terminal illnesses and needs an “exoskeleton” just to stand.
It must be only a matter of days before the Russian Bear or its fearless leader falls.
Been there done that. I was in Russia in the 90’s and you couldn’t get far without black market gas. It was risky to buy and even more risky to sell, and the overpopulated mobs of KGB goons were milling around, looking for any reason to justify their existence.
If the war in Ukraine continues, Russia faces economic collapse in 6-12 months. A defeated Russia can forced to retreat not only from Ukraine, but also Georgia, Moldova, the Kuril Islands, Belarus and even Kaliningrad. Russia has already withdrawn from Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Invading a neighboring country must have negative consequences. Otherwise, more nations will do it.
This means Ukraine has no further need for US assistance.
It is pretty obvious Russia’s not doing well when they beg North Korea and Iran for help. It is a shadow of what it was when Reagan demonstrated that Russia was highly over-rated even back in the 80s.
Turkey’s a bigger power than Russia is.
Sounds like Russia is not the threat that Zelensky’s supporters say it is. Poland’s Tusk must be disappointed.
Russia didn’t fight the war they could because of their desired result.
wy69
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini sharply criticized Macron in response to the proposal to send Italian troops to support Kiev
"Italian soldiers in Ukraine? Absolutely not. If Emmanuel Macron wants it so much, let him go there himself. Put on a helmet, take a rifle, and go to Ukraine alone," he said.
France responded by summoning the Italian ambassador Emanuela Alessandri for explanations. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Salvini's statements unacceptable and harmful to the trust between the countries.
Salvini is not the first to speak out loudly against the militarization of Europe in general and Macron's short-sighted policy in particular.
So dumb of Putin to blow up Prigozhin his best general two years ago.
Please clarify
So this is the outcome they wished after 3 1/2 years?
Don’t want to put words into your mouth
This is exactly what Neocon windbags have been saying x three years.
Empty gas stations, empty barracks: Russia’s silent defeat (Published March 2022)
Empty gas stations, empty barracks: Russia’s silent defeat (Published September 2022)
Empty gas stations, empty barracks: Russia’s silent defeat (Published March 2023)
Empty gas stations, empty barracks: Russia’s silent defeat (Published September 2023)
Empty gas stations, empty barracks: Russia’s silent defeat (Published March 2024)
Empty gas stations, empty barracks: Russia’s silent defeat (Published September 2024)
Empty gas stations, empty barracks: Russia’s silent defeat (Published March 2025)
Seems I keep reading this same article.
Russia winning, Ukraine on the ropes.
Ukraine winning, Russia on the ropes.
The news I’m praying for:
Trump brokers a peace treaty, stupid war ends.
You left off the repeated Putin is dying of ______ cancer :-)
Think you’ll finally be right this time?
Seems I keep reading this same article.“
And it has been running for years
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