Lithuania

M

Matesrates

Well-known member
Banned rail transport for sanctioned goods in and out of Kaliningrad, and now the EU has told them it’s ok because the ban on sanctioned goods only applies to road transport, not rail. Sounds like madness to me, what’s the point of sanctions if there’s a way round it approved by those imposing the sanctions.
 
The grain agreement between Russia and the Ukraine is even crazier.

they’ll be stopping the war to play football next

Ukraine and Lithuania both mere pawns in the chessboard of world politics
 
Matesrates said:
Banned rail transport for sanctioned goods in and out of Kaliningrad, and now the EU has told them it’s ok because the ban on sanctioned goods only applies to road transport, not rail. Sounds like madness to me, what’s the point of sanctions if there’s a way round it approved by those imposing the sanctions.
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Sadly but there’s only Russia doing things convincingly in all this.
They’ve blockaded every Ukrainian port in the Black Sea to halt the export of any goods including wheat which Ukraine desperately needs to export as it has millions and millions on tones of it currently stockpiled.
Negotiations are on going to export it through Romania/Turkey but Vlad is worried about arms coming the other way.
Anyone see the news yesterday? Russia is deliberately burning thousands of acres of fields containing wheat so it can’t get exported. 🤬
 
Jaffa_The_Hut said:
Sadly but there’s only Russia doing things convincingly in all this.
They’ve blockaded every Ukrainian port in the Black Sea to halt the export of any goods including wheat which Ukraine desperately needs to export as it has millions and millions on tones of it currently stockpiled.
Negotiations are on going to export it through Romania/Turkey but Vlad is worried about arms coming the other way.
Anyone see the news yesterday? Russia is deliberately burning thousands of acres of fields containing wheat so it can’t get exported. 🤬
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Yep, Zelenskyy wants all land gained by Russia back, I can’t see how that’s possible without direct western intervention which won’t happen. Ultimately, pressure will be put on Ukraine to settle.
 
Matesrates said:
Yep, Zelenskyy wants all land gained by Russia back, I can’t see how that’s possible without direct western intervention which won’t happen. Ultimately, pressure will be put on Ukraine to settle.
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And Russia wants more of Ukraine than just the Donbas region.

Worrying times ahead I fear.
 
Matesrates said:
Yep, Zelenskyy wants all land gained by Russia back, I can’t see how that’s possible without direct western intervention which won’t happen. Ultimately, pressure will be put on Ukraine to settle.
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Interesting article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-n...n-army-gives-ukraine-chance-strike-back-says/

Russia’s army is nearly exhausted and Ukraine will have an opportunity to counter attack in the coming weeks, Britain’s spy chief said on Thursday.

I've been hearing reports about old men being sent to the front lines, and sixties era equipment being used, for some time now their logistics systems were inadequate to start with and the new HIMARS rockets are making the system far worse.

I have a suspicion that the Russian army could collapse at some point in the not too distant future, god knows what happens if it does.
 
Lost Seasider said:
Interesting article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-n...n-army-gives-ukraine-chance-strike-back-says/

Russia’s army is nearly exhausted and Ukraine will have an opportunity to counter attack in the coming weeks, Britain’s spy chief said on Thursday.

I've been hearing reports about old men being sent to the front lines, and sixties era equipment being used, for some time now their logistics systems were inadequate to start with and the new HIMARS rockets are making the system far worse.

I have a suspicion that the Russian army could collapse at some point in the not too distant future, god knows what happens if it does.
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They won’t just give up that’s for sure. He’ll bomb the place to bits before it comes to that, and then as you say, god knows. Let’s just hope he doesn’t go nuclear.
 
Matesrates said:
They won’t just give up that’s for sure. He’ll bomb the place to bits before it comes to that, and then as you say, god knows. Let’s just hope he doesn’t go nuclear.
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Who knows what will happen? Quite possibly, the soldiers will start deserting en masse, the Ukrainians could retake the ground largely unopposed, and Putin's left chucking missiles at civilian targets in a campaign of terrorism that in the end will achieve nothing.

Could be interesting.
 
Matesrates said:
Banned rail transport for sanctioned goods in and out of Kaliningrad, and now the EU has told them it’s ok because the ban on sanctioned goods only applies to road transport, not rail. Sounds like madness to me, what’s the point of sanctions if there’s a way round it approved by those imposing the sanctions.
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I can see the reasoning. Trains run directly from Russia to Kaliningrad (Russia) through Lithuania without stopping so little chance of sanction busting. Road transport a much greater chance of sanction busting unless lorries are escorted for the whole journey.
 
Lost Seasider said:
Interesting article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-n...n-army-gives-ukraine-chance-strike-back-says/

Russia’s army is nearly exhausted and Ukraine will have an opportunity to counter attack in the coming weeks, Britain’s spy chief said on Thursday.

I've been hearing reports about old men being sent to the front lines, and sixties era equipment being used, for some time now their logistics systems were inadequate to start with and the new HIMARS rockets are making the system far worse.

I have a suspicion that the Russian army could collapse at some point in the not too distant future, god knows what happens if it does.
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Perhaps a tad over-optimistic Lost but the general theme of your post aligns with stuff I've been reading.
 
bollieboy said:
I can see the reasoning. Trains run directly from Russia to Kaliningrad (Russia) through Lithuania without stopping so little chance of sanction busting. Road transport a much greater chance of sanction busting unless lorries are escorted for the whole journey.
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Strange how the EU allow goods from Russia to pass into the EU and then into Russia again without rigorous border checks.
 
Beagle said:
Strange how the EU allow goods from Russia to pass into the EU and then into Russia again without rigorous border checks.
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Freight trains are checked at Lithuania border to ensure no military goods are being carried. They are allowing civilian goods, that are subject to EU sanctions, to be transported to Kaliningrad. I can see both sides of the argument on this and why this approach has been taken.
 
bollieboy said:
Freight trains are checked at Lithuania border to ensure no military goods are being carried. They are allowing civilian goods, that are subject to EU sanctions, to be transported to Kaliningrad. I can see both sides of the argument on this and why this approach has been taken.
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Does it include biometric passports for the drivers?
 
Seems that things are getting interesting in Ukraine: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-n...ine-collapses-ukrainians-recapture-area-size/

Russia's northern front line in Ukraine appears to have collapsed, with military chiefs in Kyiv saying the army has recaptured at least 3,000sq km.

and: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-n...krainians-have-ropes-stunning-victory-sights/

Most likely the last 72 hours of warfare in Ukraine are going to be studied by generations of future military officers and historians. In summary, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have retaken over 2,500 sq km of Russian-occupied Ukraine.

And they have done this by punching a hole through thinly-guarded Russian front lines east of Kharkiv, and severing the Russian lines of logistics, forcing the withdrawal of large contingents of Russian soldiers from multiple locations, but most importantly Izyum and Kupyansk.

Without these two cities, Russia cannot effectively supply its forces in the north-east or the east of the country, and so further collapses, withdrawals and surrenders of Russian forces are to be expected.

In fact, as this article was being written, reports are emerging that the Ukrainians have retaken Donetsk Airport, and are heading for the Black Sea coast—either Mariupol, or Melitopol. It is a quite stunning success.
 
Lost Seasider said:
Seems that things are getting interesting in Ukraine: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-n...ine-collapses-ukrainians-recapture-area-size/

Russia's northern front line in Ukraine appears to have collapsed, with military chiefs in Kyiv saying the army has recaptured at least 3,000sq km.

and: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-n...krainians-have-ropes-stunning-victory-sights/

Most likely the last 72 hours of warfare in Ukraine are going to be studied by generations of future military officers and historians. In summary, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have retaken over 2,500 sq km of Russian-occupied Ukraine.

And they have done this by punching a hole through thinly-guarded Russian front lines east of Kharkiv, and severing the Russian lines of logistics, forcing the withdrawal of large contingents of Russian soldiers from multiple locations, but most importantly Izyum and Kupyansk.

Without these two cities, Russia cannot effectively supply its forces in the north-east or the east of the country, and so further collapses, withdrawals and surrenders of Russian forces are to be expected.

In fact, as this article was being written, reports are emerging that the Ukrainians have retaken Donetsk Airport, and are heading for the Black Sea coast—either Mariupol, or Melitopol. It is a quite stunning success.
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I think the Torygraph is overselling Ukraine's progress, Lost. That said, their counter-offensive in the north is baring fruit. Let's hope it continues.
 
Lost Seasider said:
Seems that things are getting interesting in Ukraine: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-n...ine-collapses-ukrainians-recapture-area-size/

Russia's northern front line in Ukraine appears to have collapsed, with military chiefs in Kyiv saying the army has recaptured at least 3,000sq km.

and: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-n...krainians-have-ropes-stunning-victory-sights/

Most likely the last 72 hours of warfare in Ukraine are going to be studied by generations of future military officers and historians. In summary, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have retaken over 2,500 sq km of Russian-occupied Ukraine.

And they have done this by punching a hole through thinly-guarded Russian front lines east of Kharkiv, and severing the Russian lines of logistics, forcing the withdrawal of large contingents of Russian soldiers from multiple locations, but most importantly Izyum and Kupyansk.

Without these two cities, Russia cannot effectively supply its forces in the north-east or the east of the country, and so further collapses, withdrawals and surrenders of Russian forces are to be expected.

In fact, as this article was being written, reports are emerging that the Ukrainians have retaken Donetsk Airport, and are heading for the Black Sea coast—either Mariupol, or Melitopol. It is a quite stunning success.
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👏👏👏👏👏
 
I just hope in the Russian soldiers start refusing orders and leave.

I can't see it; but it's you've been conscripted to figure in a war with no obvious benefit to you and your family, your be tempted surely.

And if that happens, Putin, the fascist, might just lose his grip on power.

All wishful thinking, but it would be the quickest way to end this abhorrent mess of his making.
 
TSSeasider said:
I just hope in the Russian soldiers start refusing orders and leave.

I can't see it; but it's you've been conscripted to figure in a war with no obvious benefit to you and your family, your be tempted surely.

And if that happens, Putin, the fascist, might just lose his grip on power.

All wishful thinking, but it would be the quickest way to end this abhorrent mess of his making.
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Seems that they're one step ahead of you: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/09/11/exclusive-russian-soldiers-literally-running-lives-chain-command/

Panicked Russian soldiers are abandoning their tanks, weapons and even clothes as they "literally run from their positions" in the face of a shock Ukrainian offensive, soldiers have told The Telegraph.

A Ukrainian intelligence unit on the front line said the Russian chain of command was broken and soldiers were fleeing without putting up a fight, many of them changing into civilian clothes to avoid detection.
 
Once stayed in a Lithuanian hostel. Bullet holes in the walls, kids knocking about on the streets bare foot and wild dogs. That was the capital. Pulled some birds and robbed a speedboat bollocko. Shitters which are holes in the ground with a bar to hold onto. True story.
 
Lala said:
www.independent.co.uk

Russian officials call for Putin to be toppled over Ukraine war

Conflict ‘detrimental to security of Russia and its citizens’, says St Petersburg councillor
www.independent.co.uk www.independent.co.uk

Are we getting a tiny hint of a revolt starting now ?
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It is starting to look like it, and so far anyway not getting stamped out.
Not a time for counting chickens I suppose, but it feels like things are on the move.
Maybe it could all end very quickly? 🤞
 
Lala said:
www.independent.co.uk

Russian officials call for Putin to be toppled over Ukraine war

Conflict ‘detrimental to security of Russia and its citizens’, says St Petersburg councillor
www.independent.co.uk www.independent.co.uk

Are we getting a tiny hint of a revolt starting now ?
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I hope that the St. Petersberg counsellor doesn't have any hospital operations planned for the near future

www.cbsnews.com

Top Russian oil executive dies after a "fall from hospital window"

State-run media reported Ravil Maganov's death as a suicide, and Lukoil said he died after a serious illness.
www.cbsnews.com www.cbsnews.com
 
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The fear factor definitely stifles criticism of Putin. Mind you I'm sure all the poisonings are purely coincidental 🙄
 
Matesrates said:
They won’t just give up that’s for sure. He’ll bomb the place to bits before it comes to that, and then as you say, god knows. Let’s just hope he doesn’t go nuclear.
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If he does go nuclear because Ukraine have more than matched him conventionally with British and American weapons what would people think?
If the West hadn't heavily armed Ukraine my guess is Russia would've probably got what they wanted by now and there would be constant lower level resistance fighting from Ukraine in the hope that in the end Russia backed off like they did in Afghanistan.
Much of Ukraine may have remained intact and the West would show its disapproval with robust and continuous sanctions against Russia.
That might have been a better outcome than backing Putin into a corner and him going nuclear.
I don't know enough about it but maybe we haven't gone about this the right way, time will tell.
 
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gjr69 said:
If he does go nuclear because Ukraine have more than matched him conventionally with British and American weapons what would people think?
If the West hadn't heavily armed Ukraine my guess is Russia would've probably got what they wanted by now and there would be constant lower level resistance fighting from Ukraine in the hope that in the end Russia backed off like they did in Afghanistan.
Much of Ukraine may have remained intact and the West would show its disapproval with robust and continuous sanctions against Russia.
That might have been a better outcome than backing Putin into a corner and him going nuclear.
I don't know enough about it but maybe we haven't gone about this the right way, time will tell.
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Remind me how that worked out in 1938.
 
Lost Seasider said:
Remind me how that worked out in 1938.
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That was then, this is now, I've know idea how things will work out, that's why I asked the question.
Although the major difference is Germany had built up a formidable military machine that ripped through Europe, if what I see in the news is accurate and I have no reason to doubt it, Russias conventional army is 2nd rate and inept. Unfortunately they do have a large nuclear arsenal to fall back on, another massive difference to 1938.
 
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