Quaint spin for Vlad, almost propaganda.

The Russian guided missile cruiser Moldova was “ruled out,” their large amphibious landing ships have been “ruled out,” some of their dry docks have been “ruled out,” one of their modern diesel electric submarines has been “ruled out.” The Kerch Straits bridge has to be protected by substantial resources to keep it from being “ruled out.”

It appears that Vlad may have difficulty supplying the Crimea from the Black Sea, a “ruled out” effect. Does Brain E realize that ships are the most effective method to move large, bulky, explody, military things, if the ships aren’t “ruled out?”

Brain E doesn’t seem to acknowledge that Ukraine’s rule out of the Russian maritime assets takes away a capability of Russia to menace all of Ukraine, not just those parts that border Russia or the vassal state Belarus? That of course doesn’t count the continued menace posed by aerial attack from missiles and drones which may at times hit non-civilians.

Regarding your child from Liberia, you weren’t one of the warring factions were you? Russia isn’t acting as a disinterested party only concerned for the welfare of the children. You do recognize, Brain E that forced replacement of ethic groups in disputed areas controlled by Russian is a centuries old practice? Probably not.

Russia ruled out an amphibious assault of Odessa early on. Ukraine won’t be attacking Crimea from the sea anytime soon. Crimea is important to Russia for many reasons, including the naval base– but it doesn’t factor into the war with Ukraine.

In one sentence you question why Russia is making such slow progress against Ukraine who are suffering a shortage a weapons, and in the next you’re saying NATO needs to get ready for WWIII.
The EU has a gdp 10 times that of Russia, has all the sophisticated weapons we have– we sold them to NATO countries, but doesn’t have the ability to successfully defeat Russia unless we’re leading the way.

That doesn’t make sense. It’s time for the European countries to buy more weapons, and maybe go to night school in modern western warfare.

I consider removing children from a war zone a good thing. Where else would Russian authorities take them but to Russian territory away from the war?

During the conflict children are sometimes separated from families. Some have been returned when it’s proven they have legal guardians. After the war is over, I suspect there will be a concerted effort by the international community to identify and return children with families. That will or should be part of the settlement.

I’m not ready to condemn Russia at this point, based on the stories in the western media.

I have first hand experience adopting a child from a war zone. We adopted a boy orphaned by the Liberia civil war.

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This article describes some of the circumstances of Russian authorities removing children.

Unlawful Transfer: Inside The Russian System To Take Ukraine’s Children
https://www.rferl.org/a/inside-russian-system-taking-ukraine-children/32437567.html

Perun, H. I. Sutton, RFU…I like your playlist.

I would encourage Brain E to consider viewing “Reporting From Ukraine” on YouTube where the situation there is assessed. It is from a Ukrainian perspective so Brain E may recoil at a non Russophile slant.

Brain E also brings up (like a submarine – Kursk) the absent Russian Black Sea Fleet and that navies aren’t armies. Somehow ignoring the role of navies supporting armies in invasions of an enemy who has a large coastline. Another sad trombone, but not for Yanukovych this time.

Shaping the narrative is Brain E’s self appointed role for Vlad.

These are declared to be holy wars. – Kate

Great point!