The corollary is that Ukraine is suffering very similar manpower shortages. Both sides are suffering war fatigue. Ukraine's democracy may prove the more vulnerable without some tangible positive results. Russian concentration on energy and communications over the coming winter could be their way to hit civilian morale.
The difference is that generally speaking, Ukraine hasn't been using meat-grinder tactics which means that they've preserved a much higher percentage of their veterans. I'd wager that the average Ukrainian front-line soldier is worth two or three Russians simply because they know what they're doing compared to someone who's received a week's 'training' before being thrown into the fight.
Well, this happened. "Russia fines Google more money than there is in entire world"
Russia fines Google more than entire world's GDP
The mind-boggling figure has been levied due to the company restricting Russian state media on YouTube.www.bbc.co.uk
Following Putin getting North Korea involved & the huge strikes across Ukraine last night it couldn’t go on with Putin slaughtering non stop.
There are some outlets claiming the UK and France now have as well, however none of the mainstream outlets have yet. What will also be interesting is Scholz's reaction in Germany: if everyone else says yes but not him, then he will look like an outlier and even more spineless than he has so far. Merz, the opposition leader and looking likely to be Chancellor next year, is more hawkish than Scholz on this issue.
That will be interesting to see when/if confirmed re UK/France.
Putin was the one who escalated it by getting other countries' troops involved. He can't really complain if Ukraine are allowed to strike into Russia with kit provided by other countries!
While they're not afraid of hypocrisy, it would be a bit much even for them to complain loudly about Western-made weapons being used to attack targets in Russia while there are Chinese and North Koreans fighting in Ukraine alongside Russian troops.
Chinese? Haven't seen anything on that...
Russia probably sees the cost of a few dozen FT subscriptions as money well spent if they think there's a chance it will sway public opinion here.
I saw a headline earlier today indicating that there may be Chinese 'mercenaries' in Russia/Ukraine. I'll have a hunt and see if I can find it again.
North Korean troops in Ukraine and a need to do as much damage as possible to Russia in the next month and a half.
A gamble that raises the question of where Trump's loyalties - or debts - lie.
I'm not sure that explains Tulsi Gabbard. Or is that the debt column?
Can't help thinking that with what we already know about Trump, Putin releasing whatever "kompromat" he might have isn't going to make much difference. And Trump seems to be the expert at not paying his debts.
No that's the irony really isn't it? The Russians probably do have some sort of "kompromat" on Trump, and I reckon probably a few other Republicans, but Trump's base is now so locked in to him I don't think there really is anything they could release that would make a difference.
