Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that, whatever else happens, he won’t let Russian conscripts go into the Ukraine meat grinder.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1408197
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1408197
Are Russian soldiers captured in Ukraine being shown in photos or in videos? Is there an effective way for the Ukrainians to use such videos?
With no rebuttal possible we can take as a given that the governor has personal knowledge of this conscript’s actions and feelings, yes?
Fucking bullshit all the way to the top: Young, inexperienced Russian soldiers tossed into the meat grinder on the assumptions of a dictator and his court.
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.
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conscript soldiers …sent on what they were told was …what?
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a training exercise ?
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pre-spring maneuvers?
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Black Sea Holiday?
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a festival of jubilant genocide?
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A number of reports from Russian military funerals suggest that there have been soldiers who died in Ukraine that initially began as conscripts, but subsequently signed a contract before the invasion.
All the dead are volunteers.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense said in the Wednesday statement that it intends to remove all conscripts from Ukraine.
Once they’ve ‘volunteered’ to sign a contract, they are no longer conscripts in Ukraine. Mission accomplished!
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If only Comrade Stalin knew!
your war’s goin’ great, vlad
top notch 10/10
Glad to see passive voice ass-covering works the same in Russian.
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Given the ethnic, cultural and historical ties between the 2 countries, one of the most effective methods is to treat the prisoners really well, show them the ukranian side to the conflict, especially the civilian casualties and then release them. The most effective PR within Russia could be returning soldiers, either undermining morale in the army or presenting the truth to civilians.
The Chinese Communist used this to great effect in their civil war back in the 40’s.
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On Wednesday, the country’s military suggested that it might have made a bit of a mistake: to the surprise of top Russian brass
As surprised as Ted Cruz was when he stepped off the plane in Cancun, he had been booked for several days into his hotel.
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There’s no end to Putin’s depravity. Now this.
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I’m sure he had NO idea this had happened. Putin cares deeply about his fellow Russians.
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While the Russians claim to have transitioned to a well trained professional army, the war against Ukraine is rapidly reverting to the historic mode of Russian warfare: ruthlessly throw endless bodies into the grinder and take whatever losses are needed to exhaust and overwhelm your opponent. In Russia, nobody keeps score.
So much for Putin’s short, rapid, surgical war.
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If a decision had been made to use the passive voice, it’s not clear who made it, or why.
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Ache for Ukraine … and today …
feeling a bit nauseated for the young Russian conscripts - the ones who were satisfying an obligation and then hoped to move on to a non-military life … doing something in the civilian sector … simply seeking to lead their lives have families and be a decent human being
… and now - if they survive - having to carry images of slaughtering mothers & fathers & children … grandmothers and grandfathers … puppies , kittens …
Russia is now going to have another generation of very very damaged young men … many who will turn to drugs and alcohol to drown out the vile memories that will never leave their brains .
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Video of the protests in Kherson, the “occupied” city.
Which doesn’t look at all like the russkies have that under control.
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Pootie Patootie meets my definition of a terrorist.
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And Cadet Bone Spurs wept…
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Yep. I’ve seen video of Ukrainian citizens using their cell phones to let captured Russian soldiers let their moms know they’re alive.
Not just no, but hell no. And they’d tell you the same. They have no interest in crossing back over the lines. They’d either get shot on the spot or sent straight back into the meatgrinder.
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The Russians control every square foot of Ukrainian land that a Russian solider is currently standing on, and I don’t realistically expect that to ever change.
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Usually conscript soldiers aren’t given any explanations, just marching orders.
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