Posted on 06/02/2023 4:32:33 AM PDT by FarCenter
Odesa (Ukraine) (AFP) – Sitting at a cafe in the Ukrainian port of Odesa, a local smuggler drew on his cigarette as he explained how the war has disrupted long-established underworld ties between Russia and Ukraine.
"The vast majority of Ukrainian criminals took the side of Ukraine," said 59-year-old Kirim, who spoke on condition that he be given a pseudonym.
"But there are also those who continue to cooperate with Russia," he noted, speaking only once a waiter had delivered the coffees and left.
The cross-border network of drugs, guns and people trafficking that developed between Ukraine and Russia from the rubble of the Soviet Union had been considered one of the world's strongest.
Those links have been disrupted but persist.
When Moscow's troops attacked Ukraine in February 2022 it resulted in the severing of a smuggling highway that ran westward for hundreds of kilometres toward Europe from the border with Russia.
Organised crime operations between the two nations –- sharing cultural, linguistic and historic links -– had flourished since the 1990s along with vast corruption.
"This was one of the tightest criminal ecosystems in Europe. They were one and the same," said Tuesday Reitano, deputy director at the non-profit Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
(Excerpt) Read more at france24.com ...
The war enhances the DC/Kiev mafia connection.
Simplicius the Thinker is tier-one brilliant.
Enlarge and read this screen shot extract, then go to the link and read it all.
I never miss his analysis.
https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/putin-strikes-back-destroys-gur-bunker
Let’s go Brandon.
This war is bad for business.
“This is the business we have chosen”
in 2014, we merely replaced Russian Mafia with American/DC ones
It is my belief that Russia is getting a LOT of practice with the killing by war toys. We, USA, The Empire of Lies $$$$, (Rinos, Democrats, Deep State politicians and Globalists who ALL love their evil selves more han this UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)…Milatary Industrial Complex who are doing their thing by making $$$, bribing folks, destroying stuff and killing a hellofa lot of humans (Gods ultimate creation).
We, who love this country, want this evil destroyed and Russia is taking care of some of that for us. God Bless Russia! May, in HIS mercy GOD BLESS AMERICA!
The invasion by Russia is the best thing that ever happened to Ukraine.
That is a bit hard to take but how else are you going to deep 6 some Nazis?
Moronic
Ukraine is filled with Russians, and the corrupted nature of Ukraine insures many are spying for Vlad, and getting paid to do it. His intelligence sources are Ukrainians, and a great job they are doing, better than US’s spy satellites could ever do.
A whole list of Ukie “ secret “ Command and Contol bunkers, fuel and weapons depots are being destroyed, the last one in Odessa, then the GUR SBU underground HQ’s wiped, many before that….
Many Ukies are sick and tired, they have simply had it.
russian State Duma member Andrey Gurulyov, who recently said that those who panic during war time get shot on the spot, was hysterical on Vladimir Solovyov's show, as he raged: "Spies are everywhere! We don't know where these drones are coming from!"
Most Ukrainians Believe in Victory over Russia – Poll - 5/8/23
At the same time, there are no significant regional differences – residents of all regions of Ukraine overwhelmingly believe that Ukraine will defeat the aggressor:
Western Ukraine: 78% of respondents believe in victory;
Central part of the country – 77%;
South of Ukraine- 52% of respondents;
Eastern Ukraine- 62% of respondents.
Moreover, 94% of Ukrainians identify Vladimir Putin with the leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler.
https://gwaramedia.com/en/most-ukrainians-believe-in-victory-over-russia-poll/
My, my aren’t we being selective…love your country?
Comparing human brutality from history will only create more brutality.
Study the Ukraine history after 1990… look at who was responsible for this ugly war, study the Ukrainian Nazi mindset… who are and were the suppressed and were victims of constant genocide…. Read the plans of the Ukraine elites with the help of the West and Europe how they planned the genocide of all Russians.
Moronic? War is moronic.
You believe everything that comes from the Ukraine media masters?
Turn off MSM, you make my think you are a brain washed troll.
You’re numbers are very suspect. Peace
Hypothetically, if the US was attacked with cities destroyed, many civilians killed and homeless, how many in the US would be calling for peace?
Putin's imperial ambition.
Read the plans of the Ukraine elites with the help of the West and Europe how they planned the genocide of all Russians.
Right, asking people who live in Ukraine to learn Ukrainian is according to you-genocide. Okay so what is russia doing in the Ukrainian occupied areas, where even the signs are changed to russian?
In Mariupol, the Ukrainians had a Freedom Square. Russian forces have now taken over the city. And they renamed the square “Lenin Square.”
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/goodbye-freedom-square/
You believe what you want and I’ll do the same..
I don’t think we wish each other harm.
Hope we’re both alive to discern the truth.
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.