The way i see it Russia's economy will see serious problems next year if the West keeps the pressure up, or even better - increases the economic pressure. Russia's vast reserves of cold war leftovers of armour, artillery and so on that they'v been putting back into service are nearly used up. It's easily observable from satellites. This means that Russia has to make the kit they need (or get it from north Korea) to replace after it's been destroyed by those pesky Ukranians, it's not enough to remove the rust and and give tanks from the 60's and 70's a new paint job and send it to Ukraine anymore.
True, but these drones keep coming. How many drones can you build or buy in a week? Early on the war, observers said Putin would run out of kit, yet he doesn't seem to.
Ukraine is buying 100-150 Swedish SAAB JAS Gripen E fighter jets. Those are very modern fighters that can attach and use NATO weapons. Experts has said the Gripen is perfect for Ukraine since it's a "guerrilla jet fighter". The Gripen can use short runways and even public roads where a small team of a handful of soldiers can maintain the Gripen (ammo, simple repairs , fuel) in just 10 minutes according to the manufacturer.
Today it's four years since Russia started their full scale invasion of Ukraine, even though it's twelve years since Russia first started attacking their neighbour. As the Ukranians say: Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!
After four years Russia is ocupying less than 20 % of Ukrainian territory and dropping, Russian losses are enormous (500 000 + dead), there is rationing of fuel in occupied Crimea, the Russian Black Sea fleet had to evacuate Sevastopol in Crimea and Ukrainan missiles are hittting strategic targets in St Petersburg. I'm glad and proud to see Ukraine are still holding very strong cards!
Sadly the Russian invader did set one record in May. Numbers from UNHCR say Russia killed 274 civilians and injured 1763. That's the highest number for one month since the large-scale invasion started. since that invasion in 2022 the total number of civilians killed is calculated to be 16 000 and 46 000 injured.
The war in Ukraine isn't a joke, but Putin is becoming one:
What do Putin, Batman and Will Smith have in common?
They all attacked a comedian
Putin is held hostage by a terrorist.
A Russian truckdriver stops at the back of a long queue on the motorway. He sees a policeman walking down the line of stopped cars to briefly talk to the drivers. As the policeman approaches the truck, the truckdriver rolls down his window and asks:
Driver: What's going on?
Policeman: A terrorist is holding Putin hostage in a car. He's demanding 10 mill rubles, or he'll douse Putin in petrol and set him on fire. So we're asking drivers for donations.
Driver: Oh, ok. How much do people donate on average.
Policeman: About a gallon.
Remember when Putin said he didn't have any plans to invade Ukraine?
I'm starting to think he was telling the truth.
Time flies when you are Putin!
President Putin is in a meeting at the Kremlin when suddenly, one of the officials enters the room and approaches Putin, saying, "Mr. President! We've just received news that Comrade Prigozhin has tragically died in an airplane accident!"
Surprised, Putin raises his hand and checks his watch, commenting:
"I can't believe it's already 11 a.m !"
Putin walks into a meeting with all his top generals and demands "How is my special operation against Ukraine and NATO Nazis going!?"
The generals all look at each other nervously
"Well...." demands putin "tell me now!!"
The top general stands and says "Well we have been fighting for 4 weeks. We have lost over 15,000 brave soldiers, 6 generals, over 500 tanks and fighting vehicles, 3 ships, 100 planes and drones and 1000 trucks."
"And what of NATO?" Putin asks
"Well..." the general scratches his head nervously "Well... they haven't turned up yet"
Putin thought that taking Kyiv was just a matter of painting letters on tanks.
It was easier Z than done
A Russian had a talking parrot that constantly trashed Putin. When the man's friends came over he'd take out the parrot and bird would stuff like "Putin is a moron", "Putin without a shirt looks like a ballerina", and "Putin cannot swim cuz sh!t floats". one day banging on the door, "KGB open up!"
The man panics and hides the parrot in the freezer. The KGB ransack the house and can't find the parrot. After they leave the man takes the parrot out of the freezer and says "you see how stupid the government is". The parrot shaking start saying "Putin is a genius", and "Putin is the best democratic leader in the Free world!". The man is shocked and says c'mon curse them. The parrot shivering looks at the man and says, "I just came back from Siberia, leave me alone".
I was in Russia listening to a stand-up comedian making fun of Putin.
The jokes weren’t that good, but I liked the execution.
Putin declares all Russian government computers must be Macs
Rumor has it that they're scared to go near Windows.
These are great - especially the one about Putin having no plans to invade Ukraine; worthy of a statesmen - although it seems they steer clear of trolling Putin for fear they'll get direct blame for his next atrocity.
The parrot in the freezer joke might be worthy of the late gagster Barry Cryer - only his climax would be when the parrot comes out of the freezer, he should look shocked and say, 'I know my jokes crossed the line, but what did that chicken say?!!'
Comments
The way i see it Russia's economy will see serious problems next year if the West keeps the pressure up, or even better - increases the economic pressure. Russia's vast reserves of cold war leftovers of armour, artillery and so on that they'v been putting back into service are nearly used up. It's easily observable from satellites. This means that Russia has to make the kit they need (or get it from north Korea) to replace after it's been destroyed by those pesky Ukranians, it's not enough to remove the rust and and give tanks from the 60's and 70's a new paint job and send it to Ukraine anymore.
True, but these drones keep coming. How many drones can you build or buy in a week? Early on the war, observers said Putin would run out of kit, yet he doesn't seem to.
He's not running out of drones and missiles, but he's running out of old armour and artillery.
Putin's always reminded me of General Orlov in this scene. 😁
Let's hope there isn't a handy circus in town then.. ..
Ukraine is buying 100-150 Swedish SAAB JAS Gripen E fighter jets. Those are very modern fighters that can attach and use NATO weapons. Experts has said the Gripen is perfect for Ukraine since it's a "guerrilla jet fighter". The Gripen can use short runways and even public roads where a small team of a handful of soldiers can maintain the Gripen (ammo, simple repairs , fuel) in just 10 minutes according to the manufacturer.
Gosh. Looks like something out of Octopussy.
A very interesting and controversial discussion about Ukraine and Europes security:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8ZvKXjhHYM&t=1529s
Today it's four years since Russia started their full scale invasion of Ukraine, even though it's twelve years since Russia first started attacking their neighbour. As the Ukranians say: Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!
After four years Russia is ocupying less than 20 % of Ukrainian territory and dropping, Russian losses are enormous (500 000 + dead), there is rationing of fuel in occupied Crimea, the Russian Black Sea fleet had to evacuate Sevastopol in Crimea and Ukrainan missiles are hittting strategic targets in St Petersburg. I'm glad and proud to see Ukraine are still holding very strong cards!
Sadly the Russian invader did set one record in May. Numbers from UNHCR say Russia killed 274 civilians and injured 1763. That's the highest number for one month since the large-scale invasion started. since that invasion in 2022 the total number of civilians killed is calculated to be 16 000 and 46 000 injured.
The war in Ukraine isn't a joke, but Putin is becoming one:
What do Putin, Batman and Will Smith have in common?
They all attacked a comedian
Putin is held hostage by a terrorist.
A Russian truckdriver stops at the back of a long queue on the motorway. He sees a policeman walking down the line of stopped cars to briefly talk to the drivers. As the policeman approaches the truck, the truckdriver rolls down his window and asks:
Driver: What's going on?
Policeman: A terrorist is holding Putin hostage in a car. He's demanding 10 mill rubles, or he'll douse Putin in petrol and set him on fire. So we're asking drivers for donations.
Driver: Oh, ok. How much do people donate on average.
Policeman: About a gallon.
Remember when Putin said he didn't have any plans to invade Ukraine?
I'm starting to think he was telling the truth.
Time flies when you are Putin!
President Putin is in a meeting at the Kremlin when suddenly, one of the officials enters the room and approaches Putin, saying, "Mr. President! We've just received news that Comrade Prigozhin has tragically died in an airplane accident!"
Surprised, Putin raises his hand and checks his watch, commenting:
"I can't believe it's already 11 a.m !"
Putin walks into a meeting with all his top generals and demands "How is my special operation against Ukraine and NATO Nazis going!?"
The generals all look at each other nervously
"Well...." demands putin "tell me now!!"
The top general stands and says "Well we have been fighting for 4 weeks. We have lost over 15,000 brave soldiers, 6 generals, over 500 tanks and fighting vehicles, 3 ships, 100 planes and drones and 1000 trucks."
"And what of NATO?" Putin asks
"Well..." the general scratches his head nervously "Well... they haven't turned up yet"
Putin thought that taking Kyiv was just a matter of painting letters on tanks.
It was easier Z than done
A Russian had a talking parrot that constantly trashed Putin. When the man's friends came over he'd take out the parrot and bird would stuff like "Putin is a moron", "Putin without a shirt looks like a ballerina", and "Putin cannot swim cuz sh!t floats". one day banging on the door, "KGB open up!"
The man panics and hides the parrot in the freezer. The KGB ransack the house and can't find the parrot. After they leave the man takes the parrot out of the freezer and says "you see how stupid the government is". The parrot shaking start saying "Putin is a genius", and "Putin is the best democratic leader in the Free world!". The man is shocked and says c'mon curse them. The parrot shivering looks at the man and says, "I just came back from Siberia, leave me alone".
I was in Russia listening to a stand-up comedian making fun of Putin.
The jokes weren’t that good, but I liked the execution.
Putin declares all Russian government computers must be Macs
Rumor has it that they're scared to go near Windows.
These are great - especially the one about Putin having no plans to invade Ukraine; worthy of a statesmen - although it seems they steer clear of trolling Putin for fear they'll get direct blame for his next atrocity.
The parrot in the freezer joke might be worthy of the late gagster Barry Cryer - only his climax would be when the parrot comes out of the freezer, he should look shocked and say, 'I know my jokes crossed the line, but what did that chicken say?!!'
Roger Moore 1927-2017