duskopopovtricycle.bsky.social
@duskopopovtricycle.bsky.social
Ukrainian armed forces are pulling specialized, trained and experienced personnel out of their Air Force and air defense units (which are critical for country-wide against Russian cruise missile and drone strikes). Chronic shortage of infantry troops - Ukraine's main shortfall in war of attrition
January 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM
While Russian occupation forces do sustain serious casulaties, there are not even close in numbers to those reported (by most of Western mainstream media sources).
Russia does not have any manpower issues, while unfortunately Ukraine is loosing the war due to(aside to other factors) lack of manpower
January 15, 2025 at 8:14 PM
What Macron has to propose for future EU force in this scenario - who will detter US invasion in Grenland? Which EU country will deploy forces to Grenland to support Denmark??
January 7, 2025 at 8:57 PM
But, what will happen in this scenario? Seriously - US (President-elect) now really seriously declare intention to assimilate (do not know which other word to use) Grenland into USA. Since Denmark is member of the EU, which EU country will atribute in detterent deployment to Grenland? Just asking
January 7, 2025 at 8:52 PM
If current trends continue (see presidential race in Romania, Croatia; political direction in Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, etc.), this is a difficult project to implement. Although a necessary one, if EU wants to keep its integrity. At this moment, Macron is moonwalking (better to say: moontalkin')
January 7, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Unfortunately, reality is much more grimmer for Ukraine. Russia has multifold stronger military industries (and general industrial base, as well), oil and gas is still being exported, and they haven't even declare draft mobilization yet. Remember reports on "Russia is low on missiles" back in 2022?
January 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Unfortunately,nothing changed (corruption-wise) after Ukraine limited Russian influence. Corruption is Kyiv's principal enemy, aside to Russian aggression, of course.Problem is, (endemic proportions of) corruption is so deeply embedded that is not realistic to expect it will change,short of miracle
January 6, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Not targeting Ukraine, just feel sorry for the country and its people. I have witnessed their heroic fight and hate to see it being wasted. Their fall will have extremely negative impact on security and stability in Europe, hence the concern.

Russia is the most corrupt country on the continent.
January 6, 2025 at 2:12 PM
And, most important, one must have luxury of being (somewhat) independent, meaning no one holds you on the leash (threaded by financing and policy/political-based limitations). If you're paid to give expert opinion, but yours is recognized to be against official textbook, it won't work.
January 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I do not reject TI metric (no one should), just calling them very limited in case of Ukraine. Source-wise, if know where to look and take unbiased attitute, one does not have to go further then public sources to glean the picture. However, you also have to spend time on the ground. 1 year, at least.
January 6, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Unfortunately, corruption is much, much worse then presented by TI. If it ever gets reveiled, even partially, people will truly shocked. Russia is in their own league when it comes to corruption, they are de facto authoritarian regime, and should not be used as a reference for democratic countries.
January 6, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I've seen it with my own eyes in Ukraine, no need to read any social media. Sad what I saw there, and what I have heard from the very people who fight for their their country on the frontlines. Ukraine and its people did not deserved it, but endemic corruption destroys even the strongest countries.
January 6, 2025 at 11:48 AM
One of (many) reasons why Ukraine is unfortunately loosing this war is rejection of any realistic and true assessments and analysis. Whatever does not reflect mainstream picture, is downright "russian propaganda". Unfortunately, this was seen in other conflicts as well. Grunts would call this SNAFU
January 6, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Ukraine is permanently loosing its strategically important territories in Donbas on daily basis, and unfortunately this will continue, regardless of how the new US administration acts. Russians will not stop until they take control of the key regions - Dnipropetrovsk, Odessa and Kirovograd.
January 5, 2025 at 11:29 PM
This kind of opportunity (complete dependence of the country in war on foreign aid and assistance) for major global investors is once in a lifetime. But, analysis were wrong. Assessment on Russian economic resilience, stability of Kremlin regime, capacities of Russian military industries, all wrong.
January 5, 2025 at 11:23 PM
There are solid reasons why the entire Western world want to be present in Ukraine, and no, weakening Russia is not the primary one. It has to do with Ukraine's resources indeed (think in means of various precious metal ores, REE,etc.) and most corrupt govt which would allow complete exploitation.
January 5, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Ukraine is by far the most corrupt country in the Europe, and this was before the Russian aggression Feb 2022. However, in the last three years, level of endemic corruption is unprecedented. Only a fraction of it reaches public, but it is well known. Unfortunately, Ukraine is lost. Sold for cash.
January 5, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Would not agree that Ukraine is poor. They are very rich in resources, as well as in energy (nuclear, hydro, coal). But corruption destroyed their country and nation way more (not exaggaration) than Russians ever could. They lost the war before it even begun. Literally,their leaders sold it for cash
January 5, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Key battles will be fought (on the fronlines and in diplomatic negotiations) for Dnipro, Odessa and (later) Kirovograd. Those areas (resources) are the final, vital objectives for those in power in the West. If these are lost, Ukraine is irrelevant to (those in power in) the West.
January 5, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Aside to Dnipro, only Kirovograd area is strategically important for critical resources (lithium, REE and other precious metal ore). Kyiv is symbolic, nor strategic location. Dnipro is strategic. Those who control Donbas, Dnipro and Odessa, control the Ukraine. Period.
January 5, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Russian strategy in Ukraine is simple to understand: A) Deplete Ukrainian forces - primarily manpower. Ukraine cannot sustain critical shortage of ground troops. B) Capture strategic infrastructure/resource land only. Donbas contains 80% of critical ore (coal,coke,REE,lithium,etc.). Dnipro is next.
January 5, 2025 at 11:18 AM