refutation of refutation of the truthfullness of the photo I used earlier
If that was in English, we'd actually be able to read it... But I'd like to see the optics that can overcome a rather important mathematical theorem.
With regards to the Minsk agreement: Russia recognized the 'elections' in the Donbass area, which is a clear-cut violation of point nine of the protocol. And I believe Crimea is still de jure part of Ukraine, and Russia certainly has been sending troops there...
Nobody has any doubts that Crimea was chock full of Russian soldiers during the referendum and is still chock full of them now - the issue is with the mainland Ukraine, where no photos or videos of russian foces exist and yet Ukraine keeps saying that they are there.
The elections in Donbass, in my opinion, were recognised by Russia as a part of Putin's perpetual dick measuring contest with the West. By recognising the rebel elections he essentially said "look, assholes, I am not afraid of you!". Standard politician stuff.
But enough with this pointless exchange: Do you honestly believe it was wise of Putin to support the rebellion? The fallout it has caused is enormous, and without Russia's help the separatists would've been swiftly defeated. Do you believe the current situation serves Russia's interests?
And, perhaps most importantly: Do you see an exit strategy?
Not being personally acquainted with Mr. Putin, I cannot say what his exact thoughts are, but I believe that this whole annexation/rebellion support extravaganza has been a part of the aforementioned dick measuring contest, just doing dangerous things to show that you can do dangerous things with impunity, and increasing your influence in the process. But I have to disagree with you on whether or not was Russian help essential for the rebels. I think that their continued success was not so much a result of Russian aid as of staggering incompetence of the Ukrainian command and the poor condition of the Ukrainian army.
Colonel Cassad, despite his pro-Russian views, is widely recognised and recommended as a very good and objective military observer, I recommend you read his posts n the subject.
I have to confess, I do not see any exit strategies aside from Ukraine just plain conceding and giving the DNR and LNR independence, as now they will not agree to anything less. But with Ukraine's government becoming increasingly nationalistic and anti-Russian, such a turn of events is highly unlikely.
Heh, we should rename this thread to "The impeccably dressed punching bag"
Seriously though, could you at least provide a rough translation of that article?
Don't be Ukraine, Helgo, don't claim that you are winning when you clearly aren't.
The main point of the article is that pictures taken from orbit, due to the optic lenses involved in the process, appear as if they've been taken from a height much less than 10 kilometers, and therefore, all planes will appear to be much larger that they really are as if they were close to the camera, such as the plane in
this Google earth photo.It's hilarious that the Russian government can award medals for combat actions in Ukraine and hold military funerals for Russian soldiers KIA in Ukraine (reported on state TV) and people like you will believe them when they deny sending soldiers into Ukraine. It's perfect demonstration of the fact that people make their minds up and then go seek evidence that conforms to their beliefs.
There are plenty of Russian battle tourist volunteers fighting in Ukraine right now, and I am sure a fair bit of them are current or former members of the Russian military. Just because a Russian soldier was fighting with the rebels does not mean that he was doing so on official orders. And please don't imply that I am some sort of rabidly fanatical patriot who fails to see the horrible evil of despotic Russia out of willfull blindness - the only reason why I don't believe that there are any Russian forces in Ukraine is because I am yet to see any concrete evidence of them being there.