All things Russia and Ukraine...

When Russia invaded Ukraine, I figured that it would overrun the country in ten days. Shows what I knew. Now it appears if they may be in for a very long war, with daily gains and losses measured by yards on each side. Russians need to give Mr. Putin the same disease that proved to be fatal for Nicholas, then I suspect some normality would return to the region. I would love to see Putin attend the same flying school that so many of his enemies have graduated from.

The Russians aren't bad people but they have one heck of a time governing themselves; seems they just trade tyrant for tyrant, and have for a looooong time. .

 

Too funny...the PM has said, "a bloke sitting on a site is not a national security threat to this country."

Squatting Russian diplomat refusing to leave terminated Canberra embassy site - ABC News

 

Breaking news. Looks like the Russian Ministry of Defense launched a missile strike against Prigozhin's Wagner troops, killing large numbers, inside of Russia.

Prigozhin went on air and advised people to stay inside and not confront Wagner forces, then proceeded to send forces to Moscow to overthrow the parts of the Russian Government that have been responsible for "tens of thousands of deaths of Russian soldiers". So a coup attempt is underway.

Reports of gun battles in the Moscow metro transit system.

Reports from Ukraine that Wagner forces around Bahkmut have turned on regular Russian forces and fighting is ongoing. Also, reported that many regular Russian units are joining Wagner.

Could be an interesting several days.

 

Very interesting indeed. Modern Russia isn't nearly the same as when Stalin ruled the roost. It seems the Russian populace, or at least a good fraction of them, aren't going to go along with a protracted war based on lies. Putin should be worried.

 

Yes, he should! However, if Putin is overthrown, would that be a good or bad thing for Ukraine?

 

Putin's plane took off heading N.W. Who knows if he or one of his body doubles were on it. Putin will try to avoid catching a bad case of Nicholitis. Are we watching the start of a new Russian Civil War? Only the shadow knows, but Russia may not be big enough for both Putin and Prigozhin. We may be witnesses to history in the making.

 

Prigozhin says his forces "are turning our columns around," amid claims of deal brokered by Lukashenko
If CNN is to be believed, it's over.

 

So the latest seems to be that Putin will not have Prigozhin prosecuted for the coup attempt, instead he is said to be moving to Belarus. Who wants to bet how long it takes for Prigozhin to either take flying lessons, or die of a mysterious disease?

 

Who knows, Russians are notorious for Machiavellian plots and schemes. Most likely, people within the government, or a coalition of oligarchs, or a combination of both were supposed to make moves to secure the governing apparatus in Russia, in conjunction with Prigozhin's military moves. Prigozhin did his part, but the other parts didn't materialize.
Prigozhin quickly seized his objectives. First Rostov-on-Don, where the Russian military headquarters, for the War in Ukraine, is located and a major logistical hub. Then they seized military sites in Voronezh, 351 miles up the M4 highway towards Moscow. There was some light fighting there and Wagner troops downed a couple Russia military helicopters. They had started moving the remaining 277 miles towards Moscow. However, Moscow with a population of over 13 million would be hard for the Wagner forces to control unless sectors of the government or population rose up to support them. This didn't happen. Putin agreed to drop all charges against Prigozhin and Wagner fighters if they turned around. They did, Prigozhin going to Belarus, I'm sure with a protective force of some of the best troops from Wagner. The bulk of the troops, apparently around 25,000 will be pardoned if they return to their camps. They are an Prigozhin has said he will dismantle Wagner.

 

Australia pledges $100m in new military support for Ukraine, including vehicles and ammunition | Australian politics | The Guardian
Cheap at twice the price when it means defeating Russia...
Ukraine wanted our Hawkei Armoured personnel carriers or a "light four-wheel-drive protected mobility vehicle."
But they currently have issues especially with the brakes (shes a heavy motha)
Hawkei


Instead we are sending something tried and tested (Very tested), its more protective and has tracks, better suited to the conditions...The M113! Another American beauty...Australia has used the M113 since '64 - Its so good its difficult to replace.

 

Queensland builder Manfred Hin is helping Ukrainians build homes as war unfolds - ABC News

"The grannies are my favourites … they often feed us lunch, and they rob me all the time; steal my heart wherever I go,"

 

Australia deploys a surveillance aircraft to help protect Ukraine from Russia's invasion (msn.com)

 

Defence deal allows Australia to 'enhance' its security arrangement with Germany (msn.com)

 

Ukrainian drone destroys Russian supersonic bomber - ABC News

Little drone earning its pay...