Re: General Discussions
Reply #731 –
Are you sure thats what putin was thinking? According to his quoted generals, yes. Along with military strategists who've served in war zones. Russians who've spoke of what Putin is thinking are unanimous in their opinion that he is attempting to rebuild 'old Russia'. The break-up of the USSR galled him and still does. Odour of Adolph, eh! Like many similar leaders he's sees himself (likely) as a saviour. And his ego would want a heroic legacy.
Some people have become mind readers. If you're having a go at me, then you are wrong. See above. If there was anything I learned in the military, and serving in a war zone it was to research and learn from those who came before me on how to read a conflict through a thorough understanding of your enemy (Ss&ws) and an honest appraisal of your own Ss&Ws). If he wanted a swift victory, I suspect he might have sent in a scorched earth policy rather than the tinker round the edges approach they have employed until now. Putin has already acknowledged the incompetence of his military. And never underestimate arrogance and the perspective/thinking of a former KGB leader. He saw himself as a liberator with considerable support (and welcoming arms) from E Ukraine. Got that very wrong.
The innocent people of all nations are the first and major casualties of any war but I find the mindset of "neutral observers" fascinating when they champion efforts that they look at through the lens of bad guys vs good guys. As has been quoted before, the first casualty of war is truth, and then the sanctity of life, which becomes a myth in a war zone. On a personal note, the very first reality that hit me very strongly when I found myself in a war zone at the tender age of 17 was just how worthless my life was.
Oh and when it comes to Ukraine, the russians consider this a civil matter rather than a war between two nations which speaks for why they aren't just killing at will and scorching the earth. Doesn't matter whether it is regarded by Russia as a civil matter or not... humans are being murdered and raped. That's all that is important. Excuses/reasons are meaningless.