SPOILER

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:04 schreef Cilantro het volgende:
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MacronGod

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:04 schreef Cilantro het volgende:
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MacronGod

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 19:56 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

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Wat is dat toch met de brandfilmpjes steeds in dit topic? Een land van 135 miljoen inwoners, weet je hoe vaak daar brand is?

Massive fires engulf Moscow and St Petersburg industrial sites amid Ukrainian attacks on Russia

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 19:56 schreef Discombobulate het volgende:

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Wat is dat toch met de brandfilmpjes steeds in dit topic? Een land van 135 miljoen inwoners, weet je hoe vaak daar brand is?

Ukraine War: Tears of relief and joy in liberated Kherson

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Helicopter carrying 20 people crashes in Russia, resulting in fatalities
A Mi-8 helicopter carrying 20 people has crashed in Russia's Magadan Oblast, killing at least two people, according to some reports, while others indicate one fatality.

Source: Russian Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office; Russian Telegram channels

Quote from the prosecutor’s office: "Early reports indicate that the cause of the incident was an engine malfunction."

Details: The helicopter crash occurred at 11:05 local time, approximately 75 km from the town of Evensk in the Severo-Evensky district of Magadan Oblast.

The Mi-8, operated by Dalnerechensk Avia, was transporting employees from a gold mine en route from the Kvartsevy landing site to Omsukchan Airport.

On board the aircraft were 20 people, including 3 crew members. Various Russian Telegram channels report one or two fatalities. Search and rescue operations are currently underway.

Why this is important: There has been an increase in aircraft accidents in Russia following the imposition of sanctions against Russia due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This has been attributed to a shortage of necessary parts previously imported from Western countries.

Background:
• A month ago, a Mi-8 helicopter crashed in Karelia.
• Radio Liberty's Russian Service reported that an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft had crashed near Severny air base in Ivanovo Oblast, Russia, on 12 March. There were eight crew members and seven passengers on board.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:00 schreef Starhopper het volgende:
Napoleon is ook tot Moskou gekomen

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:02 schreef over_hedge het volgende:

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Dat was nou niet echt een succes te noemen

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:07 schreef Starhopper het volgende:

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[ afbeelding ]

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:09 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

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Welke AI generator gebruik je? Of heb je deze van het internet geplukt?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:08 schreef Ulx het volgende:

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Op zich wel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_of_Moscow_(1812)

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:07 schreef Starhopper het volgende:

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[ afbeelding ]

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:07 schreef michaelmoore het volgende:

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wel erg vaak brandende gebouwen he , vooral in St Petersburg en Moscow , Rusland heeft een hoop energy plants om in de hens te steken

Massive fires engulf Moscow and St Petersburg industrial sites amid Ukrainian attacks on Russia

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EU moves towards using ¤27bn in profit from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine
Officials could put forward proposal before meeting of prime ministers in Brussels next week

EU leaders are to take a significant step towards confiscating a potential ¤27bn in profit generated over the next four years by Russian state assets frozen in Europe to help fund the war effort in Ukraine.

Officials at the European Commission are poised to put forward what they believe is a legally robust proposal to be considered by member states, possibly before a meeting of prime ministers in Brussels next Thursday.

About $300bn belonging to the Russian central bank has been frozen in the west, largely in foreign currency, gold and government bonds. About 70% of these are held in the Belgian central securities depository Euroclear, which is holding the equivalent of ¤190bn.

Deposits held in Europe are likely to generate between ¤15bn and ¤20bn in after-tax profits between now and the end of 2027, the end of the EU’s current financial cycle, depending on the evolution of global interest rates, a senior EU official said.

This year they are expected to generate between ¤2bn and ¤3bn in profits, depending on potential interest rate changes – money that could then go straight to Ukraine.

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While officials are hopeful of an agreement on seizing the profits, they do not expect a deal yet on how the money should be used, because some states are against using it to fund Ukraine’s military, preferring that the cash be spent on reconstruction and humanitarian efforts.

Ireland, for example, is bound by neutrality through its constitution but it contributes funds to Ukraine on condition that the money is spent on “non-lethal” purposes such as clearing landmines.

Sources say the European Commission will not offer options at this time in relation to the use of the money. “It means they can agree in principle to use the revenues of profits but then have a further discussion on where that money can go constitutionally for every member state,” one source said.

“The process has gathered momentum and we expect the wheels will move very quickly on this once the decision is made.”

Last month EU leaders agreed that the proceeds could be held in a separate account, clearing the war for “step B”, which would be a decision that this money could be confiscated and sent to Ukraine.

The communique drafted by ambassadors for prime ministers’ approval next week is sufficiently vague. “The European Council reviewed progress on the next concrete steps towards directing extraordinary revenues stemming from Russia’s immobilised assets for the benefits of Ukraine including the funding of military support,” it states.

It is expected that some of the money will be retained in the EU as part of a defence fund against expected Russian legal retaliation in the long term.

Any agreement will put pressure on the British government to follow suit. The Russian central bank holds £26bn in the UK, and the foreign secretary, David Cameron, has joined the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in calling for the money to be seized and handed to Kyiv.

However, the idea is being resisted by financial institutions, who fear it could undermine trust in the City of London.

The move is likely to be met with retaliation in Moscow before and after the end of the war, and officials think some of the money should be held in Euroclear as a defence buffer for any future court costs.

“We need a significant amount in Euroclear … because Euroclear will face a lot of claims,” the official said.

Russian courts do not recognise western sanctions and could move to seize ¤33bn in Euroclear’s assets held in national securities in Moscow.

This week the Swiss parliament voted in favour of allowing some of the ¤8bn Russian assets it had on deposit to be used for reparations for damage caused by an aggressor.

There has been concern that such a move would jeopardise Switzerland’s longstanding position of well-armed military neutrality.

According to Agence France-Presse, its foreign minister, Ignazio Cassis, said: “We don’t have to blush when we talk about Ukraine on the international stage.”

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:10 schreef Starhopper het volgende:
Macron laat zn ballen zien en ondertussen is de PVV afwezig in het Oekraïnedebat

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EU parliamentarians fear FvD MEP Marcel de Graaff is colluding with Russia
The European Parliament should investigate whether FVD MEP Marcel de Graaff is willingly colluding with Russia, according to a number of his colleagues. They said they are shocked by the "Russian propaganda" that De Graaff allegedly spread.

The MEPs, including VVD member Catharina Rinzema, will ask European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to expand the legislative body’s ongoing investigation into influence from Russia. This is currently focused on Latvian parliamentarian Tatjana Zdanoka.

De Graaff has defended Russia for some time, but he drew ire from colleagues after statements he made on Wednesday during meetings in Strasbourg. He called reports about the deportation of Ukrainian children "pure propaganda" and claimed that Russia is actually saving them from bombings.

Parliament cannot allow such "blatant lies,” and cannot afford to ignore them, Rinzema and her supporters believe. Rinzema, and her colleagues Rasa Juknevičienė from Lithuania and Hilde Vautmans from Belgium, are currently seeking the backing of other MEPs for their request for a wider investigation.

The investigation into Zdanoka should be broadened, the three wrote in a letter to Metsola. It should now focus on the dissemination of Russian propaganda throughout parliament.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:15 schreef over_hedge het volgende:
France is the power of the world

Nou nou. Je kan het ook een beetje overdrijven hoor

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:15 schreef over_hedge het volgende:
France is the power of the world

Nou nou. Je kan het ook een beetje overdrijven hoor

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:17 schreef over_hedge het volgende:
Hoe lang tot rusland over nukes begint wanneer frankrijk troepen stuurt?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:18 schreef zalkc het volgende:

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Die hebben de Fransen ook.

Hoewel ze geen fatsoenlijke draagraketten hadden, ze konden ze krap 400km ver afschieten, of per straaljager bezorgen.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:19 schreef over_hedge het volgende:

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Ik weet dat ze nukes hebben. Maar gewoon benieuwd hoe lang het duurt voordat er een tweet van rusland komt

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Estonia proposes $130 billion annual plan to give Ukraine ‘what it needs to win’
Estonia has proposed a 120-billion-euro ($131.3 billion) financing plan for Ukraine, according to Kusti Salm, Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Defense Ministry, European outlet Euractiv reported on March 13.

The country is currently seeking 100 billion euros ($109.4 billion) to achieve this goal. Salm stated that borrowing from financial markets or national budgets is the optimal approach to provide Ukraine with the resources it needs to succeed in the war.

“Allocating 120 billion euros annually for military aid to Ukraine is an approximate figure that should be sufficient for Ukraine to prevail,” Salm said.

Part of this funding could be sourced from Eurobonds, with the European Commission raising funds from financial markets and EU countries serving as guarantors.

Estonian politicians have emphasized that for Ukraine to win the war, Western allies should invest 0.25% of their GDP in military assistance to the country.

“If the 50-plus countries in the US-led ‘Ramstein’ coalition supporting Ukraine militarily allocate that percentage, it would surpass 120 billion euros per year,” noted the Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Defense Ministry.

“With this funding, by 2025, Ukraine will attain a level of capability to effectively resist Russia.”However, even if funding begins now, it will take nearly a year to ensure Ukraine receives the necessary supplies.

“It will take an additional approximately nine months to ramp up supplies to the required level for Ukraine to credibly reach this level of resilience,” added the Estonian defense official.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:23 schreef Ulx het volgende:
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Johnson signals shift on Ukraine to GOP senators
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Republican senators Wednesday to expect the House to send them legislation to help Ukraine, but cautioned that what comes out of the House will look substantially different than the $95 billion foreign aid package the Senate passed last month.

Johnson tried to reassure frustrated GOP senators who asked him about funding for Ukraine during a question-and-answer session at the annual Senate Republican retreat, which was held at the Library of Congress.

Johnson told senators that the House will send a Ukraine aid package to the Senate but floated the idea of making it a loan or lend-lease program so U.S. taxpayers would not be shelling out tens of billions of dollars without any expectation of getting a return, according to senators who participated in the discussion.

The Speaker also talked about including something similar to the REPO for Ukrainians Act, sponsored by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), which would authorize the confiscation of Russian sovereign assets and deposit the proceeds of liquidated property into a Ukraine support fund, senators said.

Notably, Johnson did not say whether such a Ukraine aid package would include tough border security reforms, such as “Remain in Mexico” language, which would face opposition from Senate Democrats.

Johnson gave Republican senators a pathway for helping Ukraine a day after he came under pressure from Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) to bring the Senate-passed package funding Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan to the House floor.

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“I did get the sense that after the appropriations bills were taken care of that they would turn to that, and there have been a number of suggestions. One has to do with the forfeiture, basically, of $300 billion in Russian assets,” said Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), one of 22 Republican senators who voted for the Senate emergency foreign aid package last month.

Cornyn, who is running to succeed McConnell as GOP leader after this Congress, said seizing Russian assets to help Ukraine is “a great idea.”

“It would be justice to make the Russians to pay for Ukraine, pay the United States and allies for arming Ukraine,” he said.

Cornyn, an adviser to the Senate GOP leadership team, also praised the idea of setting up a lend-lease program to help Ukraine in addition to or perhaps instead of the $60 billion the Senate included in its emergency package.

“That’s what FDR did in World War II,” he said of a lend-lease program, which President Franklin Roosevelt signed in 1941 to arm Britain and other allies against Nazi Germany.

After hearing from Johnson, Cornyn said he’s “pretty optimistic” about the House sending a Ukraine aid package to the Senate.

“I’ve heard the Speaker now say ‘We’re not going to leave Ukraine empty-handed,’ or words to that effect,” he said.

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who also attended the meeting, said the Speaker clearly stated his intention to help Ukraine.

“He was pretty clear about it,” Cramer said of Johnson’s indication that he would like to pass a lend-lease program and legislation to seize Russian assets to pay for a Ukraine support fund.

“I thought it was very hopeful,” he said, noting that he and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) have worked with the House on a bill to send back to the Senate “that would probably include President Trump’s idea of some sort of lend-lease program.”

“To me it’s the exact way to go about finding a solution that maybe isn’t unanimous but at least everybody can get on board with,” he said.

Johnson told reporters during the House Republican retreat at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia late Wednesday that he “will work the will of the House” on a package to help Ukraine and said he doesn’t want to let Russian President Vladimir Putin take over the country.

“No one wants Vladimir Putin to prevail. I’m of the opinion that he wouldn’t stop at Ukraine … and go all through the way through Europe,” he said. “There is a right and wrong there, a good versus evil in my view, and Ukraine is the victim here.”

But he said House Republicans “are processing through all the various options right now” and cautioned that whatever the House passes “may not look exactly like the Senate supplemental.”

Graham said a lend-lease program would help Ukraine stop Russian gains on the battlefield.

“I think it’s an elegant solution, particularly with the REPO Act, where you can take oligarch assets,” he said. “I think that is a sweet spot, because if you’re for helping Ukraine, are you really going to say no to a loan?”

Graham emphasized any loan to Ukraine would be “waivable” and would not charge interest.

“I’m optimistic. I’ve never been more optimistic,” he said, citing Johnson’s comments.

Former President Trump began pushing the idea of sending aid to Ukraine in the form of a loan last month when he attempted to persuade GOP senators to vote against the Senate’s Ukraine funding bill.

“Loan them the money. If they can make it, they pay us back. If they can’t make it, they don’t have to pay us back,” Trump said at a rally in North Charleston, S.C.

Some Republican senators are skeptical of the loan idea, however, warning that would put more financial strain on Ukraine at a time when the country’s forces are losing momentum in the war, and that it could take weeks longer to craft the policy details of a lend-lease program.

“I’ll consider any option that’s put out there. I think a loan would impose a further burden on Ukraine right now at a time when they don’t need it but if that’s what it takes to get aid through, I’d be willing to consider,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who took a leading role in crafting the Senate package.

“I think that the bill that we passed is a better approach,” she said.

“I understand that the House wants to leave its own mark on the bill. That’s totally appropriate, but I just wish they’d move on the supplemental. I’m really worried about the Ukrainians running out of ammunition, and I think that’s why they’ve had the battlefield setbacks recently,” she said.

Ukrainian troops withdrew from the city of Avdiivka last month, handing Russia a victory.

McConnell pressed Johnson on Tuesday to let House members at least consider the House-passed bill.

“I want to encourage the Speaker again to allow a vote. Let the House speak on the supplemental that we sent over to them several weeks ago,” he told reporters.

Johnson told reporters Wednesday that “I understand the timetable and I understand the urgency of the funding” but pointed out that the Senate took four months to pass its Ukraine funding package.

But he emphasized that he wants to pass the regular appropriations bills before turning to the emergency foreign aid package for Ukraine, given the delicate political calculations of passing bills through the House with a narrow Republican majority.

“In the sequence of events, it was important for us to not put the supplemental in front of the appropriations bills, because it would affect probably the vote tally ultimately on [appropriations], and we got to get our government funded,” he said.

Cramer said Johnson told senators Wednesday that he was confident Senate and House negotiators will reach a deal soon on the second tranche of appropriations bills that need to pass by March 22 to avoid a partial government shutdown.

“He was quite confident about getting the appropriations stuff,” he said. “It sounded like at least five of the six [appropriations] bills are very, very close — even with hours — of being ready.”

Johnson, however, confirmed to senators that major disagreements remain over the Homeland Security appropriations bill, which has become ensnarled by the partisan battle over President Biden’s immigration and border security policies.

Some appropriators are floating the possibility of separating that bill from the other five fills funding the departments of Defense; Labor; Health and Human Services; State; and other priorities.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:19 schreef michaelmoore het volgende:
Het is voor de hele wereld een trieste ontwikkeling ook voor de Russen zelf

Russian Expats In Serbia Protest Ukraine War

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:08 schreef zalkc het volgende:
Hoe kan het van de verslagenheid na de val van Adiivka ineens in een korte tijd weer helemaal om te lijken slaan?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:32 schreef byah het volgende:
Appeasement is over, buckle up.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:28 schreef ExTec het volgende:

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Misschien moeten die mensen op het rode plein gaan staan.

Oh nee, dan komt er *1* rus politie agent, en dan gaan ze allemaal rennen.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:27 schreef Cilantro het volgende:
[ x ]

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:50 schreef Glazenmaker het volgende:

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Dit soort opmerkingen zijn zo cynisch. Snowden is gevlucht om niet gemarteld te worden door Amerikanen en dan dit soort sneren van mensen die hem dood willen hebben.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:28 schreef ExTec het volgende:

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Misschien moeten die mensen op het rode plein gaan staan.

Oh nee, dan komt er *1* rus politie agent, en dan gaan ze allemaal rennen.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:50 schreef Glazenmaker het volgende:

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Dit soort opmerkingen zijn zo cynisch. Snowden is gevlucht om niet gemarteld te worden door Amerikanen en dan dit soort sneren van mensen die hem dood willen hebben.

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Op woensdag 13 maart 2024 11:37 schreef Straatcommando. het volgende:

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Franse troepen naar Oekraïne.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:51 schreef Ulx het volgende:

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Snowden was gewoon een asset.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 18:50 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

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Heb je het idee dat de categorie samenzweeringsvolgers juist toenemende of afnemende is?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:52 schreef Glazenmaker het volgende:

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Makkelijk om te roepen dat ze laf zijn vanuit Nederland.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:58 schreef ExTec het volgende:

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Yup. Ik mag alleen hopen dat als ik in zo'n situatie land, ik de moed zou hebben.

Zoals oekrainers dat tijdens de maidan revolutie hadden.

Maar deze discussie is al een miljard keer gevoerd; russen zelf zullen wat aan de bunkermidget moeten doen, niemand anders kan dat,

Maar de verleiding van deze open deur, kon je niet weerstaan ofzo?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:00 schreef Ulx het volgende:
Een korte omweg door Rusland om zo achter hun linies te komen zou toch wel moeten kunnen? Gezien de uitspraken van Macron s het daar eigenlijk wel tijd voor. Desnoods gaat de AFU met alleen Frans materieel. Die AMX-10RC, ACMAT Bastions samen met wat T-72 varianten. Niet om landje te veroveren, maar gewoon om achter de Russische linies shit te schoppen.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:02 schreef Glazenmaker het volgende:

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Domme smilies gebruiken voor iets waar je zelf mee gestart was.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:03 schreef oheng het volgende:

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Dan moet het wel voordelige ratio hebben voor Oekraine.

Luchtlandingen zijn extreem risicovol.

Dan is een Krynki of Stetkino een veel logischere keuze.

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T-90S Is More and More Common in Ukraine – Why Is That Weird?
The Russian Ministry of Defense has published a new propaganda video that shows some of its tanks meant for the war in Ukraine. It turns out that the T-90S, a main battle tank that was originally designed for export, is also serving in Ukraine.

The T-90 is a family of modern main battle tanks produced in Russia since 1992. The T-90 was designed to replace the T-72, but of course, it didn’t replace anything and the T-72 is still the spine of the Russian armoured forces. The T-90M Proryv, sometimes derisively referred to as Putin’s pride, is technically the most advanced tank in the Russian forces, since the T-14 Armata simply does not exist.

There are several versions of the T-90. The T-90S was developed specifically for export to India, Turkmenistan and Algeria, among other countries interested in the T-90 platform. However, in 2023, these export tanks appeared in Ukraine instead. And now the number of T-90S tanks in Ukraine is increasing. One has to wonder if this means that the Russian forces are lacking tanks.

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, Russia has lost at least 2,600 main battle tanks in Ukraine. Other sources indicate that Russia actually lost more than 3,000 main battle tanks since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022. Russia boasts that it produces tanks in large quantities and quickly, but the truth is that many tanks are now being pulled from long-term storage.

The T-90S tanks that Russia is throwing at Ukraine were most likely produced for other countries, but Russia has no other choice and uses them itself. Maybe the orders are going to be late? There is another explanation – some analysts claim that the buyers could have rejected those tanks due to manufacturing defects.

T-90 tanks are supposed to be modern, with active armour protection, electronic warfare systems and everything that the Russian military industry can offer. But even these tanks are shielding themselves against kamikaze drones with cope cages. They don’t work, because the FPV drones are very maneuverable and can dive under those grilles quite easily.

At least two T-90S tanks were already destroyed in Ukraine. But the T-90S should not be underestimated. The T-90S has a powerful 125 mm gun and a powerful 750 kW engine. It may also have the Tshu-1 self-defence system, which is an IR device that blinds some anti-tank missiles (not all T-90S have it). The Kontakt-5 dynamic armour protection is also supposed to protect the T-90S from total destruction. In addition, T-90 tanks in Ukraine are increasingly seen with jammers, which are supposed to disrupt drones.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:17 schreef over_hedge het volgende:
Hoe lang tot rusland over nukes begint wanneer frankrijk troepen stuurt?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:17 schreef over_hedge het volgende:
Hoe lang tot rusland over nukes begint wanneer frankrijk troepen stuurt?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:05 schreef Ulx het volgende:

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Militair gezien wel. Maar chaos schoppen achter het zogenaamd stabiele noordelijke front door eerst door Rusland te rijden heeft wel politieke consequenties voor Poetin.

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Russian Authorities Block Civilian Evacuations from Shelled Border Regions, HUR Says
According to Ukrainian intelligence and Russian volunteer-fighters, the Kremlin is blocking civilians’ evacuation from Belgorod despite massive shelling.

A Kyiv Post source in the Ukrainian security services (HUR) said that Belgorod authorities are blocking Russian civilians’ evacuation to keep people present in the region for the March 15-17 presidential election.

The election, according to the Russian volunteer-fighters now fighting in Belgorod, is only a show-election intended to rubber-stamp President Vladimir Putin’s continued rule.

According to the HUR source, train stations are being blocked off for people trying to leave Belgorod.

“If there were an evacuation, there would be no elections,” the source said.

Asked by Kyiv Post if civilians can leave by their own transport, the source replied: “if they’re lucky,” saying that there are many checkpoints that they would have to evade.

Fighting between Ukraine-allied Russian fighters and Russian forces reportedly continued in Russia’s Belgorod region on Thursday, March 14. The anti-Putin groups fighting near the Ukrainian border region were the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), Freedom of Russian Legion (LSR) and the Siberia Battalion.

The fighting started on Tuesday, March 12, in what the volunteer-fighter groups said was months of planning against Putin’s “sham elections.”

In a Telegram post published Thursday at 12:32 p.m., the groups said “massive strikes” were launched against Russian forces.

“The liberation of Russian regions from the Kremlin’s terrorist regime continues at these moments. Now massive strikes are being launched against Putin’s troops in the Belgorod and Kursk regions,” it reads.

The Russian volunteer-fighters also said that local authorities are preventing civilian evacuations from happening.

“We demand that governors stop carrying out the criminal orders of the Kremlin regime and not interfere with the evacuation of civilians from the combat zone, who themselves have already decided to leave their homes and save the lives of their families,” the volunteer fighters wrote.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:20 schreef BEFEM het volgende:

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Zoals wat dan? Gaat aan de politiek echt niks wijzigen.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:22 schreef byah het volgende:
De Franse campagne is de hele week gaande, zie ook de beelden van de gesprekken met Putin/Zelensky. Ik gok zo maar dat we hard op weg zijn naar een direct conflict met Rusland

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:23 schreef dudewhereismycar het volgende:

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Dat zie ik niet gebeuren, wel dat het westen de boel gaat verdedigen, zodat Oekraïne de volledige capaciteit kan benutten voor offensieve doeleinden.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:05 schreef Ulx het volgende:

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Militair gezien wel. Maar chaos schoppen achter het zogenaamd stabiele noordelijke front door eerst door Rusland te rijden heeft wel politieke consequenties voor Poetin.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:22 schreef dudewhereismycar het volgende:
Wie had dat gedacht... Frankrijk die de knuppel in het hoenderhok gaat gooien.

Ik kan het alleen maar toejuichen en met Frankrijk als nucleaire macht is dit misschien wel de schaakmat zet die Rusland doet stoppen... als Frankrijk inderdaad overgaat op het sturen van troepen.

Laat het westen maar het Noorden en zuid-westwn van Oekraïne beschermen, zodat er geen directe confrontatie met de Russen ontstaat, zodat Oekraïne volledig op het offensief kan richten.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:22 schreef Ulx het volgende:

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Dat valt te bezien. Weer proberen door mijnenvelden te ploeteren is ook niet alles.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:26 schreef byah het volgende:

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Hoe dun is de lijn tussen Franse troepen in Oekraine om de grens te bewaken en Franse troepen in Oekraine die in conflict raken met Russische troepen? Ik maak me vooral heel veel zorgen.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:23 schreef dudewhereismycar het volgende:

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Dat zie ik niet gebeuren, wel dat het westen de boel gaat verdedigen, zodat Oekraïne de volledige capaciteit kan benutten voor offensieve doeleinden.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:28 schreef Ulx het volgende:

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Klein. Tenzij de Russen raketten op Franse troepen gaan schieten.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:27 schreef BEFEM het volgende:

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Militair kan dit best een goede actie zijn, en het is ook wel leuk om te volgen, maar politiek zal dit 0 impact hebben in Rusland.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:26 schreef byah het volgende:

[..]
Hoe dun is de lijn tussen Franse troepen in Oekraine om de grens te bewaken en Franse troepen in Oekraine die in conflict raken met Russische troepen? Ik maak me vooral heel veel zorgen.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:30 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Niet voor Poetin. Voor zijn ondergeschikten is het een ander verhaal.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:27 schreef Hyperdude het volgende:

[..]
Had eigenlijk een meer gezamelijk optreden met het VK verwacht. Probleem is wel dat je in Westminster momenteel vaak een idioot aan de lijn krijgt.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:28 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Klein. Tenzij de Russen raketten op Franse troepen gaan schieten.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:28 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Dat is een belangrijk onderscheid, idd.

Als FR, en mss meer, laten we het hopen, echt zeggen, we gaan bv vanaf 100 KM achter het front de boel beveiligen,

Is het aan rus, en aan niemand anders, om die troepen aan te vallen, en dus te escaleren.

Ondanks dat rus dat denkt, en menig tankie/wappie ook, is oekraine niet hun speeltuin, als oekraine het goed vind dat het westen daar gaat beveiligen heeft oekraine het volste recht om dat te bepalen, & wij het recht om daar te zijn.

quote:

Russia ‘jams signals’ on RAF plane carrying Grant Shapps
In what has been called a ‘wildly irresponsible’ act of electronic warfare, the GPS signal of the plane was interfered with for half an hour

Russia is believed to have jammed the signal of an RAF plane carrying Grant Shapps in an electronic attack described as “wildly irresponsible”.

The GPS signal of the plane was said to have been interfered with for half an hour while it passed the Russian territory of Kaliningrad, which sits between Poland and Lithuania.

The defence secretary was aboard an RAF Dassault 900LX Falcon jet, named Envoy, on the way back from Poland on Wednesday when the attack took place. The aircraft’s flight path was visible to trackers.

The attack did not threaten the safety of the aircraft but left phones unable to connect to the plane’s WiFi. The plane was forced to use other navigation systems available to the pilots.

SPOILER

quote:

One defence source said: “While the RAF are well prepared to deal with this, it still puts an unnecessary risk on civilian aircraft and could potentially endanger people’s lives. There is no excuse for this and it’s wildly irresponsible on Russia’s part.”

Another source said it was “not unusual” for attacks of that nature to happen near Kaliningrad.

A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed the plane “experienced GPS jamming when they flew close to Kaliningrad”.

They added: “It didn’t threaten the safety of the aircraft and it is not unusual for aircraft to experience GPS jamming near Kaliningrad, which is of course Russian territory.”

Mr Shapps was returning from a visit to a military training site in Orzysz, northeast Poland, about 100 miles from Kaliningrad. He watched troops taking part in the Steadfast Defender, Nato’s largest military exercises since the Cold War. The exercises, taking place until May, involve around 90,000 troops from across the alliance, including UK forces.

During the trip to Poland, Mr Shapps hit out at Vladimir Putin’s “sabre-rattling” after the Russian leader used an interview with state media to claim that his nation was “ready” for nuclear war if the need arose. It is a threat that he has used repeatedly since invading Ukraine, with Western allies – including the UK – having rallied around Kyiv as it has defended itself. Mr Shapps called such rhetoric “irresponsible” and said that Mr Putin should “drive back east and get out of the democratic country he decided to invade two years ago”.

Mr Shapps has also called for UK military spending to increase to 3 per cent of GDP, saying in Poland: “I want a bigger budget.”

He said: “I have coined the phrase ‘moving from post-war to pre-war’. We have to be much better prepared.

“Defence is the best way to protect ourselves against a military conflict – you have to show your adversaries – so I am clearly in favour [of a 3 per cent target]. We live in a more dangerous world, we’ve got Putin on the frontline making gains.”

That is a reference to gains Mr Putin’s forces have made in eastern Ukraine, with Kyiv’s troops being forced to withdraw from a number of towns and villages. Ukraine has called on Western allies to send more weapons and ammunition to combat shortages it is facing on the frontline – with delays to Western aid seen as part of the cause.

The US Congress has so far failed to pass fresh military aid funding for Ukraine, despite months of talks – with a group of congressional Democrats including the former House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi and armed services veterans urging the current Republican speaker, Mike Johnson, to “lead, follow or get out of the way” so that a package can be passed.

President Joe Biden has been clear that Congress needs to do its duty to pass billions of dollars in funds. On Tuesday, the White House announced that the US would send Ukraine aid worth $300m, which will come from savings on Pentagon contracts. The funds will be used for artillery munitions.

Research by the Royal United Services Institute in 2022 suggested that increasing UK defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030, as suggested by Liz Truss's government, would require £157bn in additional spending over the following eight years.

Mr Shapps’ call follows demands from security minister Tom Tugendhat and Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan that spending rise from 2.27 per cent of GDP to 2.5 per cent immediately.

Last week’s Budget contained no new money for defence despite concerns about the state of Britain’s armed forces and the government’s commitment to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on the military “as soon as economic conditions allow”.

The Ministry of Defence has also announced that the UK will get 14 new Chinook helicopters. Mr Shapps announced the commitment to proceed with the contract, reversing a decision by his predecessor Ben Wallace to scrap the deal in a diplomatic spat over the £2.3bn price tag – £500m more than initial estimates. The price was negotiated down to £2bn. Mr Shapps said that Mr Wallace’s intervention had been helpful in bringing about that reduction.

Mr Shapps said: “Procuring these Chinook helicopters will mark a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise and enhance the agility of the UK armed forces, cementing our ability to respond at pace to situations and threats across the globe.

“The Chinook is one of our most iconic aircraft, having been operated in every major conflict since the Falklands War. Delivering on this deal not only enhances our capability, but will boost UK industry and skills.”

It is not the first time that British planes have faced likely jamming by Russia. In 2021, planes flying in and out of RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus were also thought to have had their GPS signals jammed by Moscow.

The aircraft affected were believed to have been F-35 and Typhoon fighter jets, A400M transport aircraft and Voyager troop planes. No serious incidents were reported at the time, but the signal was thought to have been coming from Syrian territory, where Russia has had a presence.

Poland and other nations in the Baltic region have also reported levels of GPS interference in recent months. The Institute for the Study of War think tank, which monitors the war in Ukraine, said in a report in January that areas of the north and east of Poland saw something similar on 10 January and 16 January, and areas of the south Baltic Sea on 25 December and 27 December.

With an increased use of drones from both Russia and Ukraine during Moscow’s invasion, electronic warfare such as jamming has taken on a greater importance.

Swedish military officer Joakim Paasikivi told the country’s SVT broadcaster: “I believe this is part of Russian influence activities or so-called hybrid warfare. This may be Russia’s way of sowing uncertainty.”

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:33 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Dat zal ook niet veel verschil maken. Als je troepen naar een oorlogsgebied stuurt dan horen daar te verwachten slachoffers bij.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:28 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Klein. Tenzij de Russen raketten op Franse troepen gaan schieten.

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Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Unveils Advanced Ambulance Carriages for Military Medical Evacuation

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine demonstrated ambulance carriages.

This is stated on the Defense Ministry’s website.

SPOILER

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“Coordination and logistics played a key role in military medicine during the war. After all, time is extremely important at any stage of medical care for a wounded or injured fighter and plays a key role in further treatment. That is why evacuation medical and resuscitation cars have become an extremely important element for providing quality and timely assistance,” stated Deputy Minister of Defense Nataliia Kalmykova.

Yevhen Liashchenko, Chairman of the Board of Ukrzaliznytsia JSC, noted that the first ambulance carriage, which has no analogues in the world, was created in early March 2022.

“Then there were no drawings and technical documentation, but there was a great need for such cars. Railway workers and doctors converted the first such car in four days. Today, the total number of cars involved in medical evacuation in Ukraine is 62 units. Thank you to all the partners with whom we are implementing this extremely important project. The unique experience of railway workers, medics, and the military makes it possible to save lives – and this is what Ukrzaliznytsia has been doing and doing since the beginning of a full-scale invasion,” he stressed.

In ambulance carriages, the medical provisions are the same as in ordinary hospitals, enabling the provision of medical care even during transportation. This is particularly crucial for the transport of seriously wounded soldiers who cannot be transported by other means.

Anesthesiologists, nurses, paramedics, orderlies, and railway evacuation crews work in these wagons. Medical equipment on board makes it possible to perform operative interventions in critical situations during the movement of the train.

Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, stressed that there are prospects for running medical cars not only from the front to rear hospitals.

“We are technically ready to launch wagons to and across the border for the treatment and rehabilitation of our soldiers. We are working with partners on implementation,” he commented.

Recall that on February 18, 2024, it was reported that four sanitary cars were put on the tracks.

Ukrzaliznytsia has converted cars from passenger to ambulance in-house. They have everything necessary to provide medical care to the wounded during the evacuation.

Since March 2022, Ukrainian railway workers have commissioned 62 medical cars, and by the end of 2024, they plan to convert eight more.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:39 schreef LXIV het volgende:

maar troepen in de Oekraïne zijn gewoon een doelwit voor Rusland.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:36 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Dan zullen ze een SAMP/T en nog wat andere luchtverdediging mee moeten nemen. Want zoals je zegt, het is een risico. En je kunt natuurlijk niet van Frankrijk verwachten dat ze hun grondtroepen niet tegen een Russische afzwaaier beschermen.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:41 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Als ze daarvoor kiezen.

Maar dat heeft consequenties voor Rusland.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:33 schreef dudewhereismycar het volgende:

[..]
Ik vermoed dat er achter de schermen al heel wat is en wordt besproken. Onmogelijk dat Frankrijk dit op eigen houtje klaar gaat spelen..

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:39 schreef LXIV het volgende:

[..]
Typische lekengedachte die je ook in aanloop van Afghanistan hoorde (opbouwmissie) of bij aanvang van deze oorlog ( verdedigingswapens ).
Als je eenmaal daar troepen hebt dan gaan die vanzelf deel uitmaken van de oorlog. Of dacht je dat er dan een speciaal soort “ slotje” was waarmee ze buiten schot konden blijven. En dit is natuurlijk een verdere stap op de escalatie ladder?
Het zal denk ik nog niet onmiddellijk leiden tot bomen op Frankrijk, maar troepen in de Oekraïne zijn gewoon een doelwit voor Rusland.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:44 schreef LXIV het volgende:

[..]
Je kunt niet als leger in een oorlogsgebied gaan rondlopen en verwachten dat je buiten schot blijft. Hoe zie jij dat voor je?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:39 schreef LXIV het volgende:

[..]
Typische lekengedachte die je ook in aanloop van Afghanistan hoorde (opbouwmissie) of bij aanvang van deze oorlog ( verdedigingswapens ).
Als je eenmaal daar troepen hebt dan gaan die vanzelf deel uitmaken van de oorlog. Of dacht je dat er dan een speciaal soort “ slotje” was waarmee ze buiten schot konden blijven. En dit is natuurlijk een verdere stap op de escalatie ladder?
Het zal denk ik nog niet onmiddellijk leiden tot bomen op Frankrijk, maar troepen in de Oekraïne zijn gewoon een doelwit voor Rusland.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:41 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Zoals iemand hierboven al schreef. Indien ze mensen sturen gaat dat eerder om functies als grensbewaking buiten het conflict gebied.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:41 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Als ze daarvoor kiezen.

Maar dat heeft consequenties voor Rusland.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:45 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Denk niet dat het westen de donbas intrekt...

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:44 schreef LXIV het volgende:

[..]
Je kunt niet als leger in een oorlogsgebied gaan rondlopen en verwachten dat je buiten schot blijft. Hoe zie jij dat voor je?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:46 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dat is dan een risico die Rusland neemt. Niet de landen die hun troepen op Oekraïens grondgebied stallen voor defensieve doeleinden.

En in dit geval mag Frankrijk dan prima artikel 5 in werking stellen als Rusland Franse troepen aanvalt. Vooral als bekend is waar deze troepen zich bevinden (Odessa bijvoorbeeld). Want dan is het een doelbewuste actie van Rusland.

Oekraïne heeft de vrijheid als soeverein land om wie an ook uit te nodigen in zijn land, om wat voor reden dan ook. Behalve dan enkele redenen die tegen de wet zijn.

Wij, Nederland, maar ook de rest van de EU/NAVO landen moeten Frankrijks voorbeeld volgen. En wij moeten vooral stoppen met bang zijn voor Rusland.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:47 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

De vraag is, hoeveel Franse soldaten is Frankrijk bereid op te offeren om de Russische troepen Oekraïne uit te drijven. Is er draagvlak voor zeg 30.000 doden?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:47 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:
We kunnen ook ons niet moeien en de andere kant opkijken zolang ze maar geen navo land aanvallen.

Hoe erg het ook klinkt. Maar hierdoor kan je een wo3 vermijden

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:47 schreef LXIV het volgende:
Wat ik interessanter vind is dat macron dit doet voor binnenlandse politieke redenen en dat hij blijkbaar dus verwacht hiermee stemmen weg te halen bij het FN.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:46 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
En in dit geval mag Frankrijk dan prima artikel 5 in werking stellen als Rusland Franse troepen aanvalt. Vooral als bekend is waar deze troepen zich bevinden (Odessa bijvoorbeeld). Want dan is het een doelbewuste actie van Rusland.

quote:

Article 61

For the purpose of Article 5, an armed attack on one or more of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack:

on the territory of any of the Parties in Europe or North America, on the Algerian Departments of France 2, on the territory of Turkey or on the Islands under the jurisdiction of any of the Parties in the North Atlantic area north of the Tropic of Cancer;

on the forces, vessels, or aircraft of any of the Parties, when in or over these territories or any other area in Europe in which occupation forces of any of the Parties were stationed on the date when the Treaty entered into force or the Mediterranean Sea or the North Atlantic area north of the Tropic of Cancer

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:51 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Ik denk dat je dan eerder in neergeschoten Rafale's moet denken dan in neergeschoten grondtroepen.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:56 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Prima, het idee is hetzelfde; wat is acceptabel qua verliezen?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:46 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dat is dan een risico die Rusland neemt. Niet de landen die hun troepen op Oekraïens grondgebied stallen voor defensieve doeleinden.

En in dit geval mag Frankrijk dan prima artikel 5 in werking stellen als Rusland Franse troepen aanvalt. Vooral als bekend is waar deze troepen zich bevinden (Odessa bijvoorbeeld). Want dan is het een doelbewuste actie van Rusland.

Oekraïne heeft de vrijheid als soeverein land om wie an ook uit te nodigen in zijn land, om wat voor reden dan ook. Behalve dan enkele redenen die tegen de wet zijn.

Wij, Nederland, maar ook de rest van de EU/NAVO landen moeten Frankrijks voorbeeld volgen. En wij moeten vooral stoppen met bang zijn voor Rusland.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:49 schreef LXIV het volgende:

[..]
Nee. Als Frankrijk besluit troepen in de Oekraïne in te zetten en die worden aangevallen is dat geen art 5

quote:

Artikel 5
De partijen komen overeen dat een gewapende aanval tegen een of meer van hen in Europa of Noord-Amerika als een aanval tegen hen allen zal worden beschouwd; zij komen bijgevolg overeen dat, indien zulk een gewapende aanval plaatsvindt, ieder van hen de aldus aangevallen partij of partijen zal bijstaan, in de uitoefening van het recht tot individuele of collectieve zelfverdediging erkend in Artikel 51 van het Handvest van de Verenigde Naties, door terstond, individueel en in samenwerking met de andere partijen, op te treden op de wijze die zij nodig oordeelt met inbegrip van het gebruik van gewapend geweld om de veiligheid van het Noord-Atlantisch gebied te herstellen en te handhaven.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:55 schreef sp3c het volgende:

[..]
neuh
[..]
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_110496.htm

quote:

Artikel 6
Ten aanzien van de toepassing van Artikel 5 wordt mede als een gewapende aanval op een of meer der partijen beschouwd een gewapende aanval:

op het grondgebied van een der partijen in Europa of Noord-Amerika, op de Algerijnse departementen van Frankrijk2, op het grondgebied van Turkije of op de eilanden vallende onder de rechtsmacht van een der partijen in het Noord-Atlantisch gebied ten noorden van de Kreeftskeerkring;
op de strijdkrachten, schepen of vliegtuigen van een der partijen, wanneer deze zich bevinden op of boven deze gebieden dan wel enig ander gebied in Europa waar bezettingsstrijdkrachten van een der partijen waren gestationeerd op de dag dat het Verdrag in werking trad, dan wel de Middellandse Zee of het Noord-Atlantisch gebied ten noorden van de Kreeftskeerkring.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:02 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dat jij Oekraïne "de Oekraïne" noemt zegt al genoeg over jouw denkwijze hierin.
[..]
Het zal een gewapende aanval zijn tegen een NAVO land. Niet het land zelf maar wel de soldaten van dit land. Dit artikel spreekt namelijk niet specifiek over dat de aanval binnen de grenzen van het NAVO land moet gebeuren. Het geeft alleen maar aan dat het in Europa of Noord-Amerika moet moet zijn.

En ja, dit artikel is voor interpretatie vatbaar. Er zullen ook genoeg discussies over gevoerd gaan worden wanneer het er op aan komt. Maar in zo'n geval zal het oproepen tot een artikel 5 al snel zwaarder wegen voor veel landen dan hoe het artikel geïnterpreteerd moet worden. Want als de NAVO dan niks doet dan zal dat een teken van zwakte zijn.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:47 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:
We kunnen ook ons niet moeien en de andere kant opkijken zolang ze maar geen navo land aanvallen.

Hoe erg het ook klinkt. Maar hierdoor kan je een wo3 vermijden

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:06 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
[..]
Het woordje mede geeft aan dat deze twee opties van artikel 6 niet de enige opties zijn voor een artikel 5.

Of in jou geval "is deemed to include". wat er ook op neer komt dat er meer omstandigheden kunnen zijn voor een artikel 5 dan deze twee opties.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:49 schreef LXIV het volgende:

[..]
Nee. Als Frankrijk besluit troepen in de Oekraïne in te zetten en die worden aangevallen is dat geen art 5

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:02 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dat jij Oekraïne "de Oekraïne" noemt zegt al genoeg over jouw denkwijze hierin.
[..]
Het zal een gewapende aanval zijn tegen een NAVO land. Niet het land zelf maar wel de soldaten van dit land. Dit artikel spreekt namelijk niet specifiek over dat de aanval binnen de grenzen van het NAVO land moet gebeuren. Het geeft alleen maar aan dat het in Europa of Noord-Amerika moet moet zijn.

En ja, dit artikel is voor interpretatie vatbaar. Er zullen ook genoeg discussies over gevoerd gaan worden wanneer het er op aan komt. Maar in zo'n geval zal het oproepen tot een artikel 5 al snel zwaarder wegen voor veel landen dan hoe het artikel geïnterpreteerd moet worden. Want als de NAVO dan niks doet dan zal dat een teken van zwakte zijn.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:08 schreef LXIV het volgende:

[..]
Dus toen de Taliban Nederlandse troepen in Afghanistan aanviel had Nederland ook artikel 5 kunnen activeren en was de NAVO in oorlog met Afghanistan gekomen? Of toen Amerikaanse troepen in Vietnam werden aangevallen, etc etc.
Je roept telkens maar wat.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 22:56 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Prima, het idee is hetzelfde; wat is acceptabel qua verliezen?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:07 schreef sp3c het volgende:
deemed to include

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:02 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dat jij Oekraïne "de Oekraïne" noemt zegt al genoeg over jouw denkwijze hierin.
[..]
Het zal een gewapende aanval zijn tegen een NAVO land. Niet het land zelf maar wel de soldaten van dit land. Dit artikel spreekt namelijk niet specifiek over dat de aanval binnen de grenzen van het NAVO land moet gebeuren. Het geeft alleen maar aan dat het in Europa of Noord-Amerika moet moet zijn.

En ja, dit artikel is voor interpretatie vatbaar. Er zullen ook genoeg discussies over gevoerd gaan worden wanneer het er op aan komt. Maar in zo'n geval zal het oproepen tot een artikel 5 al snel zwaarder wegen voor veel landen dan hoe het artikel geïnterpreteerd moet worden. Want als de NAVO dan niks doet dan zal dat een teken van zwakte zijn.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:08 schreef Ulx het volgende:
Overigens kan een land ook buiten art5 om gaan helpen. Vlak die optie niet uit.

Valt het muh-NAVO argument van de Poetinisten weg.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:08 schreef dudewhereismycar het volgende:

[..]
Discutabel..

Art 5 wordt niet in werking gesteld als een land zelfstandig een offensief start. In dit geval gaat het om defensieve taken..

Ik ben geen expert, maar iets in mij zegt dat, als Rusland besluit om een puur defensievelinie aan te vallen, het wel degelijk tot een artikel 5 kan uitdraaien.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:10 schreef over_hedge het volgende:

[..]
Ja dat kan. Landen kunnen er zelf voor kiezen. Dan is het alleen geen navo.

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:08 schreef LXIV het volgende:

[..]
Dus toen de Taliban Nederlandse troepen in Afghanistan aanviel had Nederland ook artikel 5 kunnen activeren en was de NAVO in oorlog met Afghanistan gekomen? Of toen Amerikaanse troepen in Vietnam werden aangevallen, etc etc.
Je roept telkens maar wat.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:08 schreef Ulx het volgende:
Overigens kan een land ook buiten art5 om gaan helpen. Vlak die optie niet uit.

Valt het muh-NAVO argument van de Poetinisten weg.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:09 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Is Afghanistan Europa? Maarre, weet je nog dankzij welk verdrag die Nederlanders daar zaten?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:10 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Prima toch?

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:09 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Is Afghanistan Europa? Maarre, weet je nog dankzij welk verdrag die Nederlanders daar zaten?

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:08 schreef dudewhereismycar het volgende:

[..]
Discutabel..

Art 5 wordt niet in werking gesteld als een land zelfstandig een offensief start. In dit geval gaat het om defensieve taken..

Ik ben geen expert, maar iets in mij zegt dat, als Rusland besluit om een puur defensievelinie aan te vallen, het wel degelijk tot een artikel 5 kan uitdraaien.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:09 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Dan is de officiële Nederlandse vertaling bagger. Maar zelfs dan valt er over te discussiëren. En er zijn ook manieren om er toch aan te voldoen dan. Door een gedeelte van Odessa bijvoorbeeld tijdelijk tot Frans grondgebied uit te roepen.

quote:

gestationeerd op de dag dat het Verdrag in werking trad

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Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:12 schreef LXIV het volgende:

[..]
Het gaat niet om Europa. Als Turkije in actie of Canada in noord-Europa of Spanje in Afrika of Nederland in de Cariben wordt aangevallen is het ook artikel 5.
Maar niet als een land aan een buitenlandse oorlog te doen.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:12 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
Zie:
on the territory of any of the Parties in Europe or North America, on the Algerian Departments of France 2, on the territory of Turkey or on the Islands under the jurisdiction of any of the Parties in the North Atlantic area north of the Tropic of Cancer;

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:10 schreef over_hedge het volgende:

[..]
Ja dat kan. Landen kunnen er zelf voor kiezen. Dan is het alleen geen navo.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:15 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Denk dat je sec bekeken gelijk hebt, maar gaat het westen daar massaal zitten, en bijten ze terug als rus zo dom is om iets te flikken, is dat een distinction without a difference.

Want alles wat er dan opereert zou gewoon leunen op NAVO structuren, logistiek, procedures, etc etc.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:15 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Denk dat je sec bekeken gelijk hebt, maar gaat het westen daar massaal zitten, en bijten ze terug als rus zo dom is om iets te flikken, is dat een distinction without a difference.

Want alles wat er dan opereert zou gewoon leunen op NAVO structuren, logistiek, procedures, etc etc.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:17 schreef over_hedge het volgende:

[..]
Ja. Maar toch aardig groot verschil als landen er zelf voor kunnen kiezen ipv mee gezogen worden door een artikel 5.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:13 schreef sp3c het volgende:

[..]
nee ook niet, zie je eigen quote
[..]

quote:

Ten aanzien van de toepassing van Artikel 5 wordt mede als een gewapende aanval op een of meer der partijen beschouwd een gewapende aanval:

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:18 schreef capricia het volgende:

Morgen trouwens Macron met Tusk samen op bezoek bij Scholz.
Rara waar ze het over gaan hebben.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:20 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
[..]
Zoals ik al eerder aangaf. Het woordje mede in de Nederlandse tekst suggereert dat er buiten die twee onderdelen van artikel 6 er nog andere redenen zouden kunnen zijn.

Terwijl er in de Engelse tekst daar geen sprake van is met "deemed to include"

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:19 schreef over_hedge het volgende:
Eerst maar eens afwachten wat ze nou concreet gaan doen. Want tot nu toe blijft het bij wat tweets en memes. Maar weten we helemaal niks

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:23 schreef sp3c het volgende:

[..]
de engelse tekst is correct

quote:

Dan is de officiële Nederlandse vertaling bagger. Maar zelfs dan valt er over te discussiëren. En er zijn ook manieren om er toch aan te voldoen dan. Door een gedeelte van Odessa bijvoorbeeld tijdelijk tot Frans grondgebied uit te roepen.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:24 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
We weten voldoende, het 30 minuten durende interview met Macron staat gewoon op youtube.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:24 schreef Delenlill het volgende:

[..]
Vandaar ook:
[..]

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:28 schreef sp3c het volgende:
coalition can prima de NAVO zijn

alleen geen artikel 5

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:30 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Bovendien: Hoe wil je NAVO leden buiten NAVO infrastructuur samen laten werken?

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:16 schreef capricia het volgende:

[..]
Het zijn Fransen hè.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:34 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
[ x ]
Dat hadden ze vorig jaar toch al gedaan?

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:24 schreef BlaZ het volgende:

[..]
We weten voldoende, het 30 minuten durende interview met Macron staat gewoon op youtube.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:19 schreef over_hedge het volgende:
Eerst maar eens afwachten wat ze nou concreet gaan doen. Want tot nu toe blijft het bij wat tweets en memes. Maar weten we helemaal niks

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:57 schreef capricia het volgende:

[..]
Macron staat open voor vragen. Hij is ze as we speak aan het beantwoorden op X.

[ x ]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 00:00 schreef over_hedge het volgende:

[..]
Hallo Macron. Kan ik in juli nog veilig naar Disney? Gr gr Over_hedge

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 00:00 schreef capricia het volgende:
Ben benieuwd hoeveel Franse consultants en adviseurs er al in Oekraïne aanwezig zijn.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 00:00 schreef over_hedge het volgende:

[..]
Hallo Macron. Kan ik in juli nog veilig naar Disney? Gr gr Over_hedge

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:57 schreef capricia het volgende:

[..]
Macron staat open voor vragen. Hij is ze as we speak aan het beantwoorden op X.

[ x ]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 00:07 schreef Joppiez het volgende:

[..]
Zal wel de eerste en de laatste keer zijn gezien de gigantische hoop stront waar je doorheen moet filteren.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:25 schreef over_hedge het volgende:

[..]
Oke dan kan je me vast vertellen wat ze concreet toegezegd hebben. Scheelt me weer 30 minuten

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:52 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Nee, dat Macron in z'n interview niet verder ingaat op hoe/wat zegt niks.

Ruim van te voren luid en duidelijk precies verkondigen wat er wel en niet kan, en wat er op het slagveld verschijnt is immers het handelen van de de-escalatie debielen die nog steeds denken dat putin heus wel vanzelf gaat inzien dat het zinloos is, en dan wel kapt.

Da's niet de norm, dag voor d-day stuurden ze immers ook niet een telegram naar de man met de snor om te melden dat de laatste batch shermans gearriveerd waren, en ze de volgende dag los gingen.

quote:

Judge denies one of Trump’s motions to dismiss charges in classified docs case
The judge presiding over the classified documents case in Florida denied Donald Trump’s motion to dismiss charges based on unconstitutional vagueness.

SPOILER

quote:

Just hours before her ruling, Judge Aileen Cannon heard arguments in a Fort Pierce courtroom over Trump’s motion, where his attorneys said the law that prosecutors used to charge him for allegedly retaining national defense records without authorization was too vague to be used against him.

“Although the Motion raises various arguments warranting serious consideration, the Court ultimately determines, following lengthy oral argument, that resolution of the overall question presented depends too greatly on contested instructional questions about still-fluctuating definitions of statutory terms/phrases as charged,” Cannon wrote.
Cannon noted in her denial that the issue of the potential vagueness of the statue would be better brought “with jury-instruction briefing and/or other appropriate motions” instead of in Trump’s motion to dismiss charges.

Cannon has not ruled on Trump’s motion to dismiss based on his argument that he had the authority as president to declare documents as his “personal” records – or on any of his other motions to dismiss the case.

quote:

New York prosecutors tell judge they’re willing to delay Trump's hush money trial until late April
In a separate case that Donald Trump is facing, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said it is willing to delay the former president's criminal hush money trial for up to 30 days, according to a court filing.

SPOILER

quote:

The trial is currently scheduled to start on March 25. The potential delay throws the date for what’s supposed to be the former president’s first criminal trial into question, a surprise twist that represents a major boost for Trump – whose defense teams have employed a strategy of consistently trying to delay all of his trials past the election.

Trump is facing criminal charges in four distinct cases, but until Thursday, the New York case was the only one with a clear trial date. The federal election subversion case is on hold until the Supreme Court hears Trump’s immunity claims next month, while Trump’s lawyers are pushing to delay his classified documents mishandling trial in Florida until August or even beyond the election.

And in Georgia, a judge is set to rule within days on whether to disqualify the Fulton County district attorney who is prosecuting the former president over his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election there, which could throw that entire case into doubt.

More about the New York case: Trump was charged by the District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office last year with 34 counts of falsifying business records. The charges stem from reimbursements made to Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen for hush money payments he made before the 2016 election to an adult film star alleging an affair with Trump. The former president has pleaded not guilty and denied the affair.

The proposed delay in the New York trial is in order to give Trump’s lawyers time to review new materials turned over by federal prosecutors this week, the DA’s office said.

quote:

Judge Cannon skeptical of Trump citing past presidential authority to dismiss charges
Judge Aileen Cannon expressed skepticism toward former President Donald Trump's argument that the classified documents case should be dismissed under the Presidential Records Act (PRA), which Trump has claimed allowed him to make the documents his personal papers.

SPOILER

quote:

"It's difficult to see how this gets you to the dismissal of an indictment," the judge told Trump's attorney Thursday afternoon.
Cannon showed some openness to the idea that Trump had the power to designate the records as personal and take them to Mar-a-Lago at the end of his presidency. She said that argument was "forceful" but suggested it was a question for a jury to consider during trial.

"Your arguments might have some force, again, as it comes to a trial defense," Cannon said, referring to arguments from Trump’s attorneys that other executives have retained presidential documents.

But, Cannon said, the defense’s arguments would effectively "gut the PRA altogether" and allow future presidents to say clearly presidential documents are personal — an argument the Justice Department has made in court papers in the case.

Cannon has now expressed skepticism about both of Trump’s two motions to dismiss that are being discussed Thursday.

quote:

These are the 2 reasons Trump's lawyers say the Mar-a-Lago documents case should be dismissed
Donald Trump’s lawyers are arguing two main points about why the case concerning the former president’s handling of classified documents should be thrown out.

• Whether the law was clear enough for Trump to know that he was doing something illegal when he took documents from the White House to Mar-a-Lago. Trump’s lawyers have been arguing that the charges are “unconstitutionally vague” in court this morning.
• The second argument that will come up next is whether the documents were Trump’s personal records. The Department of Justice has argued that the documents did not belong to Trump, pointing out that some of them were classified and dealt with national security information.

SPOILER

quote:

These motions to dismiss the case will take the judge a while for Cannon to work through.

“They write long opinions,” Katelyn Polantz, CNN’s senior crime and justice reporter, explained, referring to judges considering these types of arguments.

That means there is a long way to go. Cannon is also reconsidering the trial start date which was initially set for late May.

“There is very little that she has done in the big questions that criminal defendants often are put through before they go to trial,” Polantz said.

quote:

Inside the courtroom, no disruptions from Trump

During the morning session of today's hearing in the classified documents case, Donald Trump’s presence was only acknowledged once at the beginning of the proceedings during a roll call.

While Trump largely sat with his hands clasped or arms crossed, as the hearing progressed, he began whispering things to one of his attorneys, Todd Blanche, who would often chuckle or smile as he listened to the former president.

There is no audio or video from the courtroom available to the public.

quote:

Putin says setting up a nuclear power unit in space is a priority for Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin told government officials on Thursday that space projects, including setting up a nuclear power unit in space, should be a priority and get proper financing, according to state news agency TASS.

Russia “has good competencies and, moreover, even has such reserves that we can be proud of, which we can count on in the future,” Putin said during a meeting with members of the government, pointing as an example to a nuclear power unit that would operate in space.

“We need to finance it on time,” Putin said, according to TASS.

“We just need to set priorities,” he said, adding “there are issues there that require additional attention.”

“It seems that we are all used to the fact that we have such competencies that other countries do not possess, but we need to pay special attention to them so that they develop and can be used in the future to solve those tasks that can and should be solved with the help of these technologies,” Putin said.

The head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, said last week that Russia and China are working on a project to install a nuclear reactor on the moon, according to TASS.

“Today, we are seriously considering a project to deliver to the moon and mount a power reactor there jointly with our Chinese partners somewhere between 2033 and 2035,” he said in remarks at a youth festival on March 5.

In March 2021, Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration signed a memorandum on behalf of their governments on cooperation in creating an International Lunar Research Station, according to TASS.

The news comes after sources told CNN last month that Russia is trying to develop a nuclear space weapon that could potentially cripple a vast swath of commercial and government satellites.

This kind of new weapon — known generally by military space experts as a nuclear EMP — would create a pulse of electromagnetic energy and a flood of highly charged particles that would tear through space to disrupt other satellites winging around Earth.

The weapon is still under development in Russia and is not yet in orbit, Biden administration officials have emphasized publicly. But if used, officials say, it would cross a dangerous rubicon in the history of nuclear weapons and could cause extreme disruptions to everyday life in ways that are difficult to predict.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:34 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
[ x ]
Dat hadden ze vorig jaar toch al gedaan?

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 02:05 schreef cabe0002 het volgende:
Zeker vergeten wat voor een Putin pijper hij aan het begin van de oorlog nog was.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 02:06 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Toen hij op verzoek van Zelenskyy contact hield met Poetin, bedoel je dat?

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 02:11 schreef cabe0002 het volgende:

[..]
Ja zogenaamd zou hij wel eventjes Putin ompraten deze faalhaas

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 02:14 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
De transcripts -en opnames- zijn beschikbaar. Je hebt ze gezien/gehoord/gelezen?

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 02:20 schreef cabe0002 het volgende:

[..]
Nee

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 02:22 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Aha.

quote:

Medvedev lays out so-called Russian Peace Formula
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has laid out the details of the so-called Russian Peace Formula, which would require the capitulation of Ukraine, "payment of all due compensations to Russia" and "adoption of an act on the reunification of the former territories of 'Ukraine' with the Russian Federation" in return for Russia ending hostilities.

Source: Medvedev on Telegram

Details: Medvedev stated that to achieve so-called "consensus with the international community", Ukraine must declare "complete and unconditional surrender", "conduct demilitarisation", "dismiss all constitutional authorities" and "immediately hold elections for a temporary parliament".

He also claimed that Western countries recognise the "Kyiv political regime as [a] Nazi [junta]" and that there was a need to conduct a "forced denazification [programme encompassing] all authorities" under United Nations supervision.

In addition, the Russian official believes that Ukraine must pay compensation to Russia, including reimbursing relatives of Russian soldiers, and to "officially recognise that the entire territory of Ukraine belongs to the Russian Federation".

Quote: "This is the soft Russian Peace Formula. After all, this is a compromise position, isn't it? I believe that following it, we can come to a friendly consensus with the international community, including the Anglo-Saxon world, and conduct productive summits, counting on the understanding of our close friends, namely our Western partners."

quote:

When asked about sending the ??troops to ?? : "We're not in that situation today, (...) but all these options are possible."(...) "If the situation should deteriorate, we would be ready to do whatever it takes to make sure that Russia never wins that war," Emmanuel Macron

quote:

Doesn't the establishment of factories in ?? present a risk of exposure to bombing?

?E. MACRON: "You are perhaps pointing out a form of contradiction among some of my partners who are ready to produce on ?? soil but not ready to make certain commitments for the future,"

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 07:50 schreef polderturk het volgende:
90 verliezen van voertuigen door Rusland op één dag.

[ x ]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 01:39 schreef Ulx het volgende:
[ x ]

lol

Russen boos.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 07:23 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/03/14/7446423/
[..]

quote:

Bulgaria sends all promised armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine
Bulgarian Defence Minister Todor Tagarev stated on 14 March that the Bulgarian side had completed the shipment of all armoured personnel carriers (APC) promised to Ukraine last year.

Source: bTV, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Tagarev stated that the APC's first echelon, consisting of 30 wagons, left for Ukraine on 7 March. "The last one has already left," the Bulgarian minister of defence said, without specifying when it would arrive in Ukraine.

Tagarev stated that 26 pieces of special equipment, 247 military personnel, and civilians from the Logistics Support Command, Ground Forces, and Bulgarian Military Police Service took part in the transportation.

"The total cost of the project exceeded 170,000 lev (approx. ¤86,920)," he specified.

Background:
• In November 2023, the National Assembly of Bulgaria ratified an intergovernmental agreement between Sofia and Kyiv, which provided for the supply of 100 written off armoured personnel carriers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Bulgaria to Ukraine.
• However, the delivery of the promised armoured personnel carriers was delayed due to concerns about the cost of transportation.
• Earlier, Bulgarian officials stated that the transfer of APCs to Ukraine would begin in September-October 2023.
• The APCs have been in the warehouse of the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs since the 1980s. This is the first time that the Bulgarian side has handed over armoured vehicles to Kyiv directly, rather than through intermediaries, as it had done before.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 02:05 schreef cabe0002 het volgende:
Zijn het verkiezingen ofzo in Frankrijk dat die dwerg daar stoere taal uithangt de laatste tijd. Zeker vergeten wat voor een Putin pijper hij aan het begin van de oorlog nog was. En nu na wat is het 2,5 jaar (?) plots zulke stoere taal bezigt.

Dit soort lui kan ik moeilijk serieus nemen....ik zie liever daden, dan woorden....we zullen zien dan....

quote:

US ambassador condemns Hungary’s ‘dangerously unhinged’ postures under Orbán
In uncommonly frank language, David Pressman chastises Budapest for “undermin[ing] trust and friendship.”

U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman criticized the country’s “dangerously unhinged anti-American messaging” and its “expanding relationship with Russia” on Thursday.

In a fiery speech at the Central European University in Budapest on the 25th anniversary of Hungary’s accession to NATO, Pressman claimed that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was increasingly isolating himself from friends and allies by “saying and doing things that undermine trust and friendship.”

“We can neither understand nor accept the prime minister identifying the United States as a ‘top adversary’ of our ally Hungary,” Pressman said. “Or his assertion that the United States government is trying to overthrow the Hungarian government — literally, to ‘defeat’ him.”

“We cannot ignore it when the speaker of Hungary’s national assembly asserts that Putin’s war in Ukraine is actually ‘led by the United States’,” he added.

SPOILER

quote:

A few hours after the speech was held, Orbán shared a video on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the video, he talked about the “difficult period in American-Hungarian relations.”

“The American administration expects things from Hungry that we don’t want to deliver and can’t deliver,” he said.

Hungary has been criticized by many for maintaining close ties to Russia despite the invasion of Ukraine. Its democratic backsliding has also worried other EU members. In September 2022 the European Parliament issued a statement saying “Hungary cannot be considered a full democracy” any longer.

Pressman decried the lack of constructive dialogue with Budapest and its unwillingness to solve problems. Admitting that ambassadors “do not ordinarily give speeches like this in other allied countries,” he stressed that the U.S. hopes cooperation remains possible.

“With other allies we engage, we collaborate, we work together — even where we have differences. Here, that doesn’t work — until we act,” he warned.

“We needn’t agree on everything, and we won’t. We needn’t even agree on most things,” Pressman said. “But there is clearly work to be done.”

Orbán’s communications office didn’t respond to a request for comment.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 07:54 schreef Perrin het volgende:

[..]
Die obsessie met landen verdelen is duidelijk de projectie van hun onderbewuste angsten over wat Rusland zelf te wachten staat.

quote:

Over 1000 ships left Ukrainian ports through maritime corridor - US Ambassador to Ukraine
From the ports of the Black Sea in Ukraine, 1005 ships have been sent through a humanitarian corridor, delivering approximately 30 million tons of cargo to global markets, including grains, according to the Twitter (X) of the US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink.

"Over 1000 ships have departed Ukraine’s Black Sea ports carrying almost 30 million tons of cargo, including grain, to the rest of the world," wrote Bridget Brink.

According to her, despite Russia's war, Ukraine continues to sustain jobs, support businesses, develop its economy, and supply essential goods to the world.

Maritime humanitarian corridor
On July 17, 2023, Russia withdrew from the Grain deal because the Kremlin's conditions were "not being met." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed to Turkiye and the UN to continue the Grain initiative in a trilateral format. According to him, Ukrainian exports are necessary for everyone in the world. And each state that supports it will become a "savior of life."

In addition, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, noted that Ukraine can start insuring ships going through the Grain corridor at the expense of its own budget, but support from partners is needed.

Already in August 2023, Ukraine opened corridors in the Black Sea for trading vessels. Such routes were previously proposed by Ukraine to the International Maritime Organization. It is emphasized that military and mine threats from the Russian Federation persist along these routes.

quote:

House Republicans will pass Ukraine aid after backing down on border demand
House Republican leadership appears to be officially backing down from their demand for lawmakers to address border security before any further aid was passed to support Ukraine in its war against a Russian invasion.

The news was made on Thursday at the House Republican retreat, with Speaker Mike Johnson telling reporters that bills to further fund both Ukraine’s defence and Israel’s military effort against Hamas would be brought up separately in the coming weeks. There was no indication that Republicans would continue baulking at the idea of passing either of them without first striking some kind of deal on immigration reform or border security that could pass both chambers of Congress.

In December of last year, Mr Johnson had made that demand explicit, telling the White House in a letter: “[S]upplemental Ukraine funding is dependent upon enactment of transformative change to our nation’s border security laws”.

But legislation that would have at least made an effort at reaching that “transformative change” died in the Senate after House Republicans made clear that the bill, a bipartisan compromise hammered out by negotiators from both parties with GOP leader Mitch McConnell’s blessing, was dead on arrival in the lower chamber. The legislation would have allowed President Joe Biden to shut down the US asylum intake system were daily illegal border crossings to pass a certain threshold. Donald Trump’s demand for Republicans to kill the bill to prevent his opponent from scoring a political victory in an election year is widely credited with much of the GOP opposition in the House.

The news on Thursday is a reversal of Mr Johnson’s previous stance and a sign that he could face newfound resistance from the far right in the months ahead.

One member of his caucus, Marjorie Taylor Greene, as recently as January said that she would trigger a vote on a motion to remove Mr Johnson from his position as speaker if he were to put a bill to fund Ukraine’s military on the House floor.

“We can’t fund Ukraine,” she told NBC News, adding that it was “an absolute no-go .... a reason to vacate.”

Mr Johnson could be in for a tough political fight if Ms Greene or another Republican brings a motion to vacate against him; the GOP’s majority in the House is now down to just five votes, thanks to the sudden resignation announcement of Rep Ken Buck.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 07:36 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
[ x ]
https://twitter.com/tweetforAnna/status/1768439319734235202
[..]
https://twitter.com/tweetforAnna/status/1768438580219724156
[..]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 07:23 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/03/14/7446423/
[..]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 08:28 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
[ x ]
Dat is het laagste aantal verloren manschappen en materieel van zo ongeveer het afgelopen jaar volgens mij.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 08:42 schreef Hatseflats22 het volgende:
Mensen kunnen mopperen op Frankrijk, maar Macron geeft het debat omtrent wat voor hulp Europa moet geven aan Oekraine nu meerdere malen de zwengel die het hard nodig heeft.

Want als niemand over inzet van troepen in Oekraïne praat, is het het sowieso niet aan de orde en hoeft Poetin dus geen rekening te houden met een bedreiging van zijn positie in Oekraïne en dus zijn eigen positie.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 08:52 schreef Eyjafjallajoekull het volgende:
Nu.nl wel mooi vandaag met hun titel

[ afbeelding ]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 08:57 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
De ingehouden woede bij de Poetinisten in de reacties....Heerlijk. Van het niveau "Ja, we weten dat hij de boel bedondert, MAAAARRRRRRR...."

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 08:52 schreef Eyjafjallajoekull het volgende:
Nu.nl wel mooi vandaag met hun titel

[ afbeelding ]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 08:52 schreef Eyjafjallajoekull het volgende:
Nu.nl wel mooi vandaag met hun titel

[ afbeelding ]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 09:28 schreef Perrin het volgende:

Topoverleg van de grote jongens in Berlijn vandaag.
[ x ]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 08:28 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
[ x ]
Dat is het laagste aantal verloren manschappen en materieel van zo ongeveer het afgelopen jaar volgens mij.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 10:48 schreef Ulx het volgende:
[ x ]

Ligt het nou aan mij of is de voorspelde ineenstorting van het moreel door Zalushni's exit nog niet gebeurd?

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 11:22 schreef Straatcommando. het volgende:

[..]
Hoezo zou dat gebeuren dan?

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 11:23 schreef Ulx het volgende:

[..]
Geen idee. Men zei dat.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 08:30 schreef RamboDirk het volgende:

[..]
Misschien moet hij wat minder stoer doen en wat meer praktische hulp bieden. Frankrijk loopt nodeloos achter in echte hulp.

[ afbeelding ]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 10:46 schreef Adrie072 het volgende:

[..]
Da`s wel opvallend ja, zit er een bepaalde (grotere) oorzaak achter misschien?

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 11:39 schreef MaxMark het volgende:

[..]
Er worden (iets) minder Russische aanvallen gemeld, dus de meat grinder zal wel even op een lager standje zijn gezet.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 11:56 schreef skrn het volgende:

[..]
Zo is dat. Even geen blunders maken voor de verkiezingen.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 11:39 schreef MaxMark het volgende:

[..]
Er worden (iets) minder Russische aanvallen gemeld, dus de meat grinder zal wel even op een lager standje zijn gezet.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 23:06 schreef dudewhereismycar het volgende:

[..]
Dat wegkijken heeft in 1938 ook zo goed gewerkt toch? Er is ook geen oorlog uit voort gekomen... toch... toch??????

Wegkijken als optie op tafel gooien.. zucht...

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:24 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:

[..]
Ik heb altijd geleerd van mijn ouders om niet met andermans zaken te bemoeien.

Natuurlijk weet ik ook wel dat het niet zo simpel is dat het is.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:24 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:

[..]
Ik heb altijd geleerd van mijn ouders om niet met andermans zaken te bemoeien.

Natuurlijk weet ik ook wel dat het niet zo simpel is dat het is.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:27 schreef Perrin het volgende:

[..]
Lekker laten verdrinken als je iemand in de gracht ziet spartelen.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:27 schreef Perrin het volgende:

[..]
Lekker laten verdrinken als je iemand in de gracht ziet spartelen.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:14 schreef ExTec het volgende:
Hmmm, maar dit is aangekondigd, door zo'n vage verzetsgroep.

[ x ]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:30 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:
Zie het als een vechtpartij in een kroeg en waarbij het beter is om niet tussen te komen.

quote:

Op donderdag 14 maart 2024 21:18 schreef zalkc het volgende:

[..]
Die hebben de Fransen ook.

Hoewel ze geen fatsoenlijke draagraketten hadden, ze konden ze krap 400km ver afschieten, of per straaljager bezorgen.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:30 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:

[..]
Niet zo'n goede vergelijking mijn vriend.

Zie het als een vechtpartij in een kroeg en waarbij het beter is om niet tussen te komen.

Natuurlijk heb je wel een punt, Als de persoon volledig in elkaar geslagen wordt.. ...

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:33 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Ja, precies. Want het zal vast ook wel een beetje de schuld van oekraine zijn, dat de haatdwerg in het kremlin ze is gaan aanvallen, toch?

Hey, welgemeende tip: it's all the way downhill from here, is er niet ergens een ander subforum waar je jezelf nuttig kan maken? You being a mod and all.

quote:

Natuurlijk heb je wel een punt, Als de persoon volledig in elkaar geslagen wordt.. ...

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:34 schreef Starhopper het volgende:

[..]
Dus je bent het eens dat de NAVO keihard moet ingrijpen. Fijn!

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:36 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:

[..]
Ik ben alleen heel bang voor een kernoorlog.

Daar tekent Rusland zijn doodvonnis ook bij.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:36 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:
Ik ben alleen heel bang voor een kernoorlog.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:41 schreef Starhopper het volgende:

[..]
Dan maar toekijken hoe Oekraïners worden uitgeroeid.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:36 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:

[..]
Ik ben alleen heel bang voor een kernoorlog.

Daar tekent Rusland zijn doodvonnis ook bij.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:43 schreef Joppiez het volgende:

[..]
Het is Rusland die de doctrine achter kernwapens overboord gooit.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:49 schreef ExTec het volgende:

[..]
Ook niet. Ze hebben ze immers niet al gebruikt.

Maar ze dreigen er wel doorlopend mee.

Maar de doctrine zegt het e.e.a. over onder welke omstandigheden in te zetten. Die gaat niet over fatsoensregels, of je er mee dreigt.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:30 schreef ExTec het volgende:
Tja.

[ x ]

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:54 schreef Joppiez het volgende:
Ze gebruiken ze continu. Dan niet daadwerkelijk maar voor een psychologische oorlogsvoering.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:55 schreef over_hedge het volgende:

[..]
Alle stem biljetten hebben inkt bij putin. Keuren we goed.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:24 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:

[..]
Ik heb altijd geleerd van mijn ouders om niet met andermans zaken te bemoeien.

Natuurlijk weet ik ook wel dat het niet zo simpel is dat het is.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 14:07 schreef Cilantro het volgende:
[ x ]
Hij leeft nog...

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 14:28 schreef Ulx het volgende:
[ x ]

Dodental staat op 14.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 14:35 schreef Starhopper het volgende:

[..]
Hij ziet er niet al te best uit

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 14:07 schreef Cilantro het volgende:
[ x ]
Hij leeft nog...

EPIC ROCK | ''Dead Man Walking'' by WAR*HALL

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:36 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:

[..]
Ik ben alleen heel bang voor een kernoorlog.

Daar tekent Rusland zijn doodvonnis ook bij.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 13:36 schreef capuchon_jongen het volgende:

[..]
Ik ben alleen heel bang voor een kernoorlog.

Daar tekent Rusland zijn doodvonnis ook bij.

quote:

The first day of elections in Russia to the sound of explosions

On March 15, the so-called presidential “elections” began in Russia.

In the morning in the city of Belgorod, bordering Ukraine, sirens sounded about a missile threat.

Local residents publish footage of fires and explosions in the city center.

In Belgorod, due to the missile threat, people who came to vote were forced to leave the polling station and go down to the shelter.

The video shows the moment of the explosion at one of the polling stations in the center of Belgorod.

Russian authorities report that 2 people were injured. Many houses and cars were damaged.

The published videos show the aftermath of the attack on the first day of the election.

And in the Kaluga region of Russia, it is reported that in the morning drones tried to attack an oil refinery.

Elections in Russia are becoming “heated”. People began to set fire to ballot boxes and throw Molotov cocktails at polling stations.

quote:

Elections in Russia are becoming “heated”

In Russia, people began to set fire to ballot boxes and voting booths at election polling stations.

Several cases have already been reported.

In Moscow, a woman set fire to a voting booth. And in St. Petersburg, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a polling station.

An arson attempt was also recorded at a polling station in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug.

Also in Moscow, a girl poured green paint onto a ballot box, and the Russian woman was detained on the spot.

A criminal case has been initiated under the article “Obstruction of the exercise of electoral rights or the work of election commissions.”

The girl was taken to the police station for interrogation and faces up to 5 years in prison.

A video has emerged of yet another arson attack at a polling station in Russia. The voter threw a Molotov cocktail. However, this time the woman missed, and the ballot box remained intact.

quote:

Soldier with shotgun guards Russian Defense Ministry building in Moscow

A soldier armed with a shotgun was photographed guarding the building of the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, Radio Svoboda reported on Telegram on March 14.

The shotgun, similar to the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and cannon system installed on the building over a year ago, is intended as a defense against drones, experts noted, due to its ability to spread buckshot widely.

Images of anti-aircraft missile systems on central Moscow rooftops and near Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's residence in Novo-Ogaryovo first surfaced in January 2023.

Despite these installations, Moscow experienced a significant drone attack in May 2023.

In July 2023, the Pantsir-S1 system on the Russian Defense Ministry headquarters failed to intercept a drone less than 300 meters from the point of impact in Moscow.

Drones attacked Russia’s Kursk, Belgorod, Tula, Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod, Bryansk, Leningrad, and Oryol Oblasts, as well as Moscow on the night of March 12. Explosions were heard near an oil depot in Orel, which caught fire. An oil depot owned by the company Lukoil in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast was shut down following a large fire.

Drones attacked Russia’s Voronezh, Kursk, Belgorod, Bryansk, Leningrad, and Lipetsk oblasts overnight on March 13, as well as an oil refinery in Ryazan, where a serious fire broke out. In addition, a drone attacked the Federal Security Service (FSB) building in Belgorod.

Ukrainian SBU security service attacked three Russian oil refineries in Ryazan, Kstovo (Nizhny Novgorod Oblast), and Kirishi (Leningrad Oblast), an NV source reported on March 13. The attacks are a continuation of a series of special operations against enemy refineries that the SBU had previously launched, the source said.

A Russian Air Force base in Buturlinovka and a military airfield in Voronezh were also targeted in the mass wave of air strikes, an informed source told NV on the same day.

It is believed that the strike was organized by Ukraine’s SBU security service with other representatives of the Defense Forces, the source told NV.

quote:

The UN acquired mine clearing vehicles for clearing Kharkiv region

The UN World Food Program has acquired three Ukrainian-made demining vehicles of the Kharkiv region.

It is reported by Militarnyi with reference to the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.

Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi, representatives of the UN World Food Program and the Swiss Mine Action Fund FSD Ukraine, as well as Deputy Head of the Kharkiv RMA Yevhenii Ivanov took part in the transfer of the first vehicle.

Reportedly, the UN World Food Program acquired three vehicles for preparing the soil for mine clearance, which were developed in Kharkiv.

SPOILER

quote:

The first vehicle was tested and already handed over to the sappers units of FSD Ukraine that are clearing the Kharkiv region.

Two more vehicles are under construction, they will be transferred later.

“The development and manufacture of such demining vehicles is a positive example of cooperation between business, state and international partners, the creation of competitive products of Ukrainian production,” said Ihor Bezkaravainyi.

The Kharkiv RMA emphasized that the main advantage of the domestic vehicle for preparing the soil for demining over foreign analogues was the simplicity of the design, which made it possible to carry out operational repairs when detonated on explosive objects. The price of one vehicle is UAH 5.6 million.

“I am grateful to our permanent partners from the UN World Food Program, FAO and FSD for strengthening pyrotechnic units, speeding up the pace of demining of the Kharkiv region and confidence in the Ukrainian manufacturer,” said Yevhenii Ivanov.

According to him, Kharkiv region is one of the most mined regions of Ukraine, so demining is a priority for the region.

As previously reported, the first domestic vehicle for preparing the soil for demining, created by Kharkiv manufacturers, arrived to the rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in October last year.

The vehicle operates remotely, at a distance of 300 meters, so that there is no threat for people. To do this, an operator uses a remote control. The total weight of a machine reaches 16 tons, and the operational speed is 3-4 km/h.

quote:

Russia votes: Why does Putin bother holding elections?
Russians have begun voting in a three-day election that President Vladimir Putin is certain to win. Analysts say he's using the 2024 poll to give the illusion that democracy exists in Russia.

Critics have regularly said Russia is a dictatorship but nonetheless, between March 15 and 17, the country is holding a presidential election.

But the outcome has been predicted long before polls opened: Vladimir Putin, who has been in charge of the country for the past 25 years, will win a fifth term. That means he would remain in power in the Kremlin until at least 2030.

SPOILER

quote:

The only clear opposition figure, liberal politician Boris Nadezhdin, has been barred from running by Russian courts, including the Supreme Court, on appeal.

Other candidates include Nikolai Kharitonov, 75, who represents the local Communist Party. This party's candidate usually comes second to Putin — albeit a distant second. Kharitonov has criticized some of Putin's domestic policies but supports Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Vladislav Davankov is also in the running. At 40, he's one of the youngest candidates and has presented himself as more of a liberal when it comes to the curbing of individual freedoms in Russia. However, he has also said he won't criticize his political opponents.

According to the Reuters news agency, Kharitonov and Davankov might each receive between 4% to 5% of the total vote.

Election shows that Putin, Russian majority 'are united'
But although all Russia watchers have said Putin is poised to win, the Russian presidential election does actually serve a purpose. Its objective is to address internal and external challenges faced by Putin's regime, said Konstantin Kalachev, a political analyst and former Kremlin adviser.

Inside the country, the election allows for the legitimation of the president's power and demonstrates that the Russian people are united around their leader, he said.

"And externally, it's to show that Putin is implementing [foreign] policy based on people's demands," Kalachev told DW. "It demonstrates that the president and the Russian majority are united and dispels any illusions in the West [to the contrary]."

In a country where everybody assumes the outcome is a given, it can be hard to persuade people to go out and vote. But as Meduza, an independent news website based in Latvia, wrote earlier this month, Russian authorities are taking measures to ensure that the presidential election looks as legitimate as possible.

The goal is a voter turnout of 80%. This is done, Meduza reported, "by mobilizing the electorate dependent on the government: public sector employees, employees of state corporations and large companies, loyal to the government, as well as their relatives and friends."

Members of Putin's own party, United Russia, are encouraged to bring at least 10 people with them to polling stations, the news outlet said, citing contacts close to the political party.

Government and party officials can see exactly who turns out because of electronic voting or digital codes used to identify voters.

In his state of the nation speech to Russia's Federal Assembly in late February, Putin also offered ordinary Russians a number of sweeteners before the elections, including a pledge to boost the economy. He also repeated his resolve to continue the military operation (as he calls it) in Ukraine.

Will Russians come out and protest?
Even though the only genuinely anti-Putin candidate, Nadezhdin, has been barred from participating, there may still be some form of protest vote.

Most Russian opposition forces have fled the country, but they have called upon their supporters to take action during the elections.

The widow of recently deceased Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, called on supporters to turn up at voting booths en masse at midday on Sunday, March 17 as a tribute to her late husband.

"You can ruin the ballot, you can write 'Navalny' in big letters on it," Yulia Navalnaya said in a recent YouTube video. "And even if you don't see the point in voting at all, you can just come and stand at the polling station and then turn around and go home," she suggested, adding people should vote for "anyone but Putin."

Having large crowds turn up to polling booths all at once won't change the final result, but it could certainly disrupt the impression that Russians overwhelmingly support Putin, said Nikolay Petrov, a visiting fellow in the Eastern Europe research division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

That's quite likely to irritate Putin, he added.

"It's a mistake to think that it's easier for authoritarian regimes to have elections than for democracies," Petrov said. "It's very important for Putin to demonstrate to his political elite that he is supported by the vast majority of Russians.

"That's why the Kremlin wants to demonstrate very good results and also avoid any scandals."

quote:

Jailed chairman of Russian human rights group Memorial offered to join the war in Ukraine

Russian prison authorities have attempted to recruit Oleg Orlov, jailed co-chairman of the Nobel-prize-winning organisation Memorial, to fight in Ukraine, Memorial wrote on Friday.

Orlov, sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for “discrediting the Russian military” last month, refused the recruitment offer.

Memorial said that the prison recruiters were undeterred by the fact that Orlov is 70 years old. The human rights group added that there were reported attempts to recruit other prisoners in the detention centre.

Orlov was ordered to pay a fine of 150,000 rubles (¤1,500) in October for “repeatedly discrediting” the Russian military in an anti-war article he wrote entitled “They wanted fascism. They got it.” The Prosecutor General’s Office later appealed the decision, arguing that it was “overly lenient”, and requested a second trial.

Orlov, who was added to the register of “foreign agents” in February, refused to defend himself in the second trial and forbade his lawyers to call defence witnesses to avoid the risk of them being added to the same list. As he was led out of court, Orlov said that his two-year sentence showed that his article was “accurate and truthful”.

quote:

UN prepares report on torture of prisoners by Russians and killing of civilians in Mariupol
UN experts will present another report on Russia's crimes in the war against Ukraine next week, which will cover the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and the bombing of civilians, especially in Mariupol.

Source: BBC Russian service with reference to its journalist in Geneva

Quote: "The document describes in detail the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as well as the merciless attacks against and bombings of the country's civilian population (especially in Mariupol)."

Details: The report draws on evidence from hundreds of eyewitnesses, including Ukrainian prisoners of war and deserters from the Russian military. UN investigators managed to interview them over the course of a dozen visits to Ukraine.

The authors of the document conclude that systematic torture is widespread: prisoners are regularly beaten, tortured with electric shocks and even mutilated.

"One of the former prisoners told investigators that at one point the pain became so unbearable that he began to beg his torturers for death. Russian deserters, for their part, confirm that senior officers order their subordinates to 'work hard and show no mercy'," the UN report says.

The report also describes in detail the indiscriminate bombing of civilians, hospitals and cultural sites, as well as the torture, rape and murder of Ukrainian civilians, and the illegal relocation of Ukrainian children to Russia, which is taking place in Russian-occupied cities.

In addition, evidence has been brought forth of other war crimes and crimes against humanity for which the perpetrators must be held accountable.

quote:

Satellite images reveal Russia's military buildup in Crimea
Satellite images have provided a detailed look at the military assets positioned at Dzhankoy airport in Crimea, revealing the presence of multiple Mi-28 and Ka-52 helicopters, as well as Su-25 fighters. The Ukrainian news source Defense Express pointed out this accumulation of Russian military hardware and highlighted what appears to be an attempt by the Russian army to mislead observers by painting helicopter images on the airport's tarmac.

Photographs taken on March 9th show 10 Mi-28 attack helicopters, two Ka-52s, and four Su-25 planes stationed at the airport. The assembly of such firepower suggests a possible escalation of military actions in the south of Ukraine. Interestingly, Defense Express observed that the S-400 air defence systems previously at Dzhankoy had been relocated, possibly further into Russian territory.
The withdrawal of the S-400s might indicate a shift in defensive strategies, especially in areas susceptible to Ukrainian counterattacks. A notable point of discussion is the Russian army's practice of painting helicopter images on the airport's surface, a tactic aimed at deceiving adversaries.

"The sight of a fake Mi-28 painted on the tarmac is certainly peculiar. There seems to be only one plausible reason for this" — according to Defense Express. The article suggests that Russia might be concealing the loss of actual Mi-28 helicopters by resorting to such visual tricks. It's also speculated that dismantling Mi-28 helicopters for parts, to maintain others, could be a motive behind these painted illusions, an effort to disguise the fact that some helicopters are being cannibalized for parts.

Russian helicopters in Crimea
In the satellite imagery analyzed by Defense Express, the Ka-52 helicopters garner particular interest. Designed in the 1980s and entering production in 2008, these helicopters are among the most challenging for the enemy to bring down. Fueled by twin Klimov VK-2500 engines, a Ka-52 can reach speeds of up to 186 mph and carry substantial payloads, including laser-guided AT-12 missiles and the Shipunov 2A42 30 mm cannon. Despite a hefty weight of around 17,637 pounds, its coaxial rotor system provides remarkable agility.

Also highlighted was the Mi-28, Russia's answer to the American Apache. This helicopter features a traditional two-rotor configuration and a tandem cockpit design. It's equipped with the Shipunov 2A42-2 30 mm cannon and can carry a wide range of ordnance, including the anti-tank Ataka system with 9M120 missiles.

The Su-25 ground support aircraft, first introduced in 1978, plays a crucial role in front-line air support and enhancing ground force safety. Capable of operating at altitudes of up to 22,965 feet, the Su-25 can carry armaments weighing up to approximately 9,480 pounds on its 10 wing pylons.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 16:27 schreef oheng het volgende:
RIA: Best wel veel incidenten in de kies stations.

Bilhorod is ook weer aan de beurt met drones.

NSFL::
15 russen, 1 drone.

quote:

Greece's S-300 missiles could bolster Ukraine's air defenses at a critical moment
• Greece is reconsidering sending up to 32 launchers and 175 missiles to Ukraine.
• Ukraine's air defenses are strained by Russia's fusillades.
• Greece may give away its S-300 air defenses for the superior US-made Patriot.

Greece is reconsidering sending Ukraine its Russian-made S-300 air defense missiles, a turnabout that comes after a Russian military struck close to its leader during a visit to Ukraine. Ukraine would undoubtedly welcome any potential transfer since its air defenses are under tremendous strain from unrelenting Russian bombardments.

SPOILER

quote:

Greek media reported on Monday that Greece might provide Ukraine with its S-300PMU-1 system if it obtains the superior US-made MIM-104 Patriot. Greek officials had ruled out supplying the S-300, initially purchased by Cyprus in the 1990s but ultimately delivered to Crete to defuse a crisis with Turkey. Athens has supplied Kyiv infantry fighting vehicles and small arms since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The list of advanced weapons that countries initially denied Ukraine is long and includes F-16s, M1 Abrams tanks, and ATACMS missiles. The conversation around the Greek S-300 is changing, said George Tzogopoulos, a senior fellow at the Centre International de Formation Européenne.

"What is new is the change in the tone of the national media coverage about such a possibility," Tzogopoulos told Business Insider. "Greece's priority is its defense. As long as Greek defense needs are satisfied, the policy of swap deals will continue. The deeper Greek-American military collaboration goes, the more likely the Greek government will give new 'green lights' to US requests."

Warnings that Ukraine's existing stockpiles of Soviet-era air defenses, including its inherited S-300s, are nearing depletion made headlines in April 2023.

Frederico Borsari, a defense expert at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), told Insider the potential delivery of Greek S-300s "acquires even more relevance considering the recent destruction of at least one M903 launcher for the Patriot PAC-2 air defense system by a Russian Iskander-M ballistic missile."

The United States, Germany, and the Netherlands supplied Ukraine with Patriot missiles, which had success shooting down Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and several Russian military aircraft. Ukraine may have lost at least one Patriot launcher — not an entire system — in a Russian Iskander missile strike outside the eastern city of Pokrovsk on Mar. 9; this claim could not be independently confirmed. The Russian defense ministry identified the destroyed launcher as a Ukrainian S-300.

There were already credible theories in January that Ukraine had relocated Patriots near the front lines, enabling them to shoot down a dozen Russian fighter jets in February.

"The loss showed the consequences of not changing location frequently in the context of a much faster detection-engagement cycle enabled by ubiquitous drones integrated with fire capabilities as part of multi-level reconnaissance-strike complexes," Borsari said.

Russia attacked Ukraine's Odesa on Mar. 6 while Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was visiting. A Russian missile exploded a mere 500 meters from the convoy he was traveling in with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky.

"The Odesa military strike was a personal shock for the Greek delegation visiting Ukraine," Tzogopoulos said. "But strategic decisions are not made on the grounds of personal experiences. Greece values its strategic relationship with the US, which is how the new tone of the media discussion about sending S-300s to Ukraine could be better framed."

While Ukraine's capacity to continue fighting against Russia's invasion depends on many factors, Tzogopoulos pointed out that Greece's contribution could "acquire new significance" if it transfers S-300s. Greece is estimated to have 32 launchers and up to 175 missiles it could provide.

"Important as it will be, such a decision can hardly be considered a game changer, though," Tzogopoulos said. "Ukraine already possesses that type of long-range surface-to-air system and will benefit by seeing the number of its batteries increase — not by acquiring a new type of weapon."

Although it certainly won't be a new capability, the particular S-300 variant in Greece's possession could benefit Ukraine.

Borsari of CEPA pointed out that Greece's S-300PMU-1 variant is more capable than the S-300PS variant typically operated by Ukraine.

"The S-300PMU-1 relies on an upgraded battery's radar module with improved detection, tracking, and engagement capabilities (comprising the 30N6E fire control radar and 76N6E low-level early warning/acquisition radar — and potentially the battalion-level 64N6E acquisition radar) and can fire the 48N6E missile besides the usual 5V55 series," Borsari said.

Borsari added, "The latter has better kinematics, a longer range (up to 150 km), and a larger warhead. It uses a combination of radio command guidance and semi-active radar homing guidance and is effective against a wide target set, from cruise missiles and fast jets to ballistic-type threats." Kinematics refer to the flight paths that can be flown to intercept an incoming missile or aircraft.

Given the "attrition suffered" by Ukrainian S-300 systems so far in this war, Borsari believes that even a "limited number of launchers" could be "very useful" for Kyiv.

"If radars and spare interceptors are also included in the package, that would be a significant addition to Ukraine's air and missile defense," Borsari said.

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 19:13 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
https://www.businessinsid(...)ent-2024-3?r=US&IR=T
[..]

SPOILER

[..]

Als ze eerst gaan wachten op de levering van de Patriot in ruil voor deze systemen dan gaat het waarschijnlijk nog wel even duren. Maar het is een stap in de goede richting. En Oekraïne kan ze zeker goed gebruiken. Dus laten we hopen dat er een snellere manier is om dit voor elkaar te krijgen.

quote:

Almost 8,000 civilian cars left Belgorod and Kursk oblasts overnight, Russian volunteer soldiers say
The Freedom of Russia Legion has stated that residents of Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk oblasts, in which it is currently conducting combat operations, have begun to evacuate from dangerous areas, with a total of 7,600 vehicles leaving these regions overnight.

SPOILER

quote:

Source: The Freedom of Russia Legion on Telegram

Quote: "Since the announcement of the humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of civilians from Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk oblasts, as of 07:00 Moscow time, more than 7,000 civilian cars belonging to residents of Belgorod city and Belgorod Oblast as a whole have used it... Also, more than 600 additional civilian vehicles evacuated the city of Kursk via the corridor..."

Details: The information was reportedly provided by "local residents, law enforcement and security officials who oppose the Putin regime."

Earlier, Russian volunteer soldiers who decided to fight on Russian territory called on residents of Kursk and Belgorod oblasts to urgently evacuate due to a "special military operation on the territory of the aforementioned oblasts." To this end, they announced that a humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of the population would be open from 21:00 on 14 March to 7:00 on 15 March.

"After the expiration of the humanitarian corridor, the destruction of military facilities in Belgorod and Kursk oblasts will continue until the region is completely liberated from the Putin regime's troops," the volunteer soldiers stated.

On 15 March, residents of these oblasts were urged to remain indoors "due to the intensification of hostilities in Russia" and later to leave the border regions until "the active phase of the limited military operation is completed." It is reported that the new humanitarian corridor will also operate overnight – from 21:00 on 15 March to 7:00 Moscow time on 16 March.

"Anyone who is unable to use the humanitarian corridor and leave the area of the limited military operation in time is advised to find a safe shelter, refrain from walking outside, avoid crowds of people and vehicles, and stay at home or in safe places if possible," the volunteer soldiers said.

Update: At 12:33, they announced new strikes on military targets in Belgorod.

"Urgent warning for residents of Belgorod! Within the next hour, there will be mass strikes upon military targets in the city of Belgorod. We urge residents to immediately seek shelter in secure locations and refrain from going outside until the attack is over," the message reads.

Background:
• On the morning of 14 March, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia's Belgorod Oblast, said that Russian air defence assets and personnel had shot down eight aerial targets over the city of Belgorod and the surrounding district of the same name. At the same time, Russian Telegram news outlets reported an alleged attempt by a "Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group" to enter the territory of the oblast, but Russian volunteer soldiers who are fighting on Ukraine's side said that it was them attacking military targets in Russia. They explained that they were forced to open fire because Russia continues to hit peaceful settlements in Ukraine.
• Immediately afterwards, Denis Nikitin, the leader and founder of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), stated that anti-regime Russian military volunteers would open fire on military targets in Belgorod and Kursk oblasts within 1.5 hours.
• Later, the Freedom of Russia Legion posted a video featuring burning buildings and reported that they had destroyed two Russian army ammunition storage points in the village of Tyotkino, in Russia's Kursk Oblast. At the same time, the governor of Kursk Oblast said that "Ukrainian terrorists" were supposedly breaking into the oblast, while Rosgvardia claimed that it was "repelling an attack by Ukrainian saboteurs".

quote:

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 19:17 schreef 3rr0r het volgende:

[..]
Griekenland houdt altijd rekening met de Turken toch, die zullen wel voorzichtig zijn met spul wegdoen terwijl er geen vervanging is.

quote:

Canada handed over mine clearance vehicles to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Canada handed over special mine clearance vehicles to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

The Canadian Embassy in Ukraine reported about this on the official Facebook page.

In total, 10 special vehicles for the disposal of explosive ordnance were transferred.

The vehicles are equipped with a crane for carrying out the relevant work.

The crane provides loading and transportation of equipment and materials necessary for rescuers to carry out the relevant demining operations.

All the equipment is mounted on the Czech universal chassis platform Torsus Terrastorm, which is capable of overcoming difficult off-road conditions thanks to all-wheel drive.

The truck uses the base of the Volkswagen Crafter minibus. Since it was originally an open platform, any other equipment can be mounted on it.

The Torsus Terrastorm is available with a wheelbase of 3640 and 4490 mm and a payload of 3.5, 5 and 5.5 tons, respectively.

As Militarnyi previously reported, a special mobile diving complex has been constructed in Ukraine and handed over to the State Emergency Service (SESU).

Specialists of Spets-Com-Service took up the production of special transport, creating a rather unique mobile complex.

The special mobile diving complex in Ukraine stands out due to its wide array of specialized equipment used by divers.

The designers used the German MAN TGS 33.400 (6×6) truck as a base for the equipment, placing a special module in the back of the van.

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Russian opposition trolls Putin’s rigged election
Protest movement irritates the Kremlin by vowing to appear en masse at polling stations at 12 p.m. on Sunday.
Russia’s opposition is working morning, noon and night to give President Vladimir Putin a bloody nose in this weekend’s rigged election.

While Putin is certain to win — the only intrigue is whether he’ll surpass his own personal vote share record (77 percent in 2018) — campaigners linked to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny aren’t going down without a fight.

Pay particular attention to Russia at midday on Sunday.

Opposition figures have organized mass participation of voters at polling stations at 12 p.m. local time in each region across the country. The initiative, dubbed “Noon Against Putin,” aims to showcase popular revulsion at Putin’s longtime reign over Russia.

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While Navalny’s death in an Arctic prison last month extinguished the Kremlin’s most prominent opponent and his allies in exile are phlegmatic what their protest can realistically achieve, they have a clear message to Putin: We don’t want you. And neither do millions of Russians.

While the final numbers will almost certainly be cooked up, the big idea of the 12 o’clock rush is to have physical — and filmable — evidence that there is a meaningful opposition to Putin.

“Clearly, the ‘Noon Against Putin’ action will not lead to the immediate downfall of the regime. Rather, it is an attempt to show how many people in Russia express anti-war and anti-Putin views,” Lyubov Sobol, a Russian politician in exile, told POLITICO.

Putin, first elected president in 2000, has spent years tightening his grip over Russian society and clamping down on any form of dissent against his rule. Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was the catalyst for increased domestic repression, and the once-thriving opposition movement led by Navalny has been quashed.

Putin’s celebratory concert is already planned for Moscow’s behemoth Luzhniki Stadium on Monday, and his own press secretary revealed last year that the president “will be reelected next year with more than 90 percent of the vote” because Russia’s presidential election “is not really democracy, it is costly bureaucracy.”

Even though the noon protest is likely to be symbolic at best, that hasn’t stopped control-freak Russian authorities from cracking down and looking to undermine it.

The state has already pressured public sector employees to vote on Friday, and it has organized counterfeit celebrations and public events for noon on Sunday in some city centers to clash with the protest.

On Wednesday, a significant disinformation campaign began, with many Russian opposition activists receiving messages via email, Telegram and Signal falsely claiming the noon action was “postponed,” which was promptly refuted by Navalny’s team.

A more ominous warning arrived Thursday evening, with the Moscow Prosecutor’s Office warning people off coming to polling stations on Sunday at noon, threatening “criminal liability” as “these illegal actions may impede the free exercise by citizens of their electoral rights and the work of election commissions.”

Ingenious plan
Noon Against Putin was the brainchild of St. Petersburg politician Maxim Reznik and it gained support from Navalny and his team, uniting fragmented opposition groups, from left to right, behind the initiative.

The opposition knows it’s not perfect, but with the chances of a large-scale rebellion against Putin almost at nil, it’s better than nothing.

“Holding any public protests in Russia is impossible. They immediately become a pretext for arrest,” Fyodor Krasheninnikov, an independent Russian political analyst, told POLITICO. “That’s why people enthusiastically participate in events that, while not formally protests, are effectively acts of protest. Thus, Noon Against Putin should be viewed as a protest action.”

The campaign is, in many ways, an ingenious plan. Voters are still turning up to the polling stations and that is one of very few political rights still available for Russians as Putin, at least theoretically, also needs people to cast their ballots for him. Once in the voting booths, protesters can vote for another candidate or spoil their ballot.

On Thursday, Navalny’s team published his last letter from prison.

“No matter how often I say it doesn’t matter, mathematically or politically, whom you vote for, you still find yourself in the voting booth with a pen hovering over the ballot. Eventually, you must decide where to place your mark,” Navalny’s final message read.

The Noon Against Putin campaign’s core strategy is extremely active online, with information being spread through social media and YouTube channels belonging to opposition groups.

Additionally, a traditional political campaign, led by the political department of Navalny’s team under Leonid Volkov, has seen participation from some 14,000 individuals both in Russia and abroad, raising around ¤240,000.

Volkov was attacked in Vilnius on Tuesday by an assailant wielding a hammer, which Lithuanian authorities have described as “political terrorism” directed by Russia.

But the opposition movement is undaunted.

“This attack will not stop the work. Rather, on the contrary, it will give anger and motivation. After all, attacks and brutality are the flip side of Vladimir Putin’s cowardice,” Sobol said.

Volunteers in Russia discreetly distribute printed campaign materials, while those abroad operate a call center, contacting Russians by phone and disseminating materials through social networks.

“I think it will be a success if the action covers the majority of polling stations across Russia and if it takes place not only in large cities with millions of people, but also in villages and hamlets in areas remote from Moscow,” Sobol added.

“I rate the prospects highly and I think the campaign will be a success.”

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EU president congratulates Putin on ‘landslide’ win … as Russian voting kicks off

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Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 19:40 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
[ x ]

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EU Pumps Money into Explosives in Push to Up Shell Production
As part of the efforts to get Europe to produce more, Brussels pushed through a 500-million-euro program earlier this year aimed at ramping up its capacity to make ammunition.

The EU on Friday announced hundreds of millions of euros to boost the production of explosives as it pushes to be able to churn out two million artillery shells a year by late 2025.

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The 27-nation bloc is scrambling to bolster Europe's defense industry as it looks to support Ukraine and build up its stocks in the face of Russia's invasion of its neighbor.

But there are fears the European Union is lagging behind two years into the conflict as Moscow has ramped up its own output of weaponry by putting its economy on a war footing.

As part of the efforts to get Europe to produce more, Brussels pushed through a 500-million-euro program earlier this year aimed at ramping up its capacity to make ammunition.

The EU's executive arm released the list of firms the money would go to on Friday, with an official saying three-quarters of the funds were for projects making gunpowder and other explosives.

“The program will support projects increasing the annual production capacity by more than 10,000 tons of powder, and by more than 4,300 tons of explosives,” Brussels said.

“Europe is expected to reach an annual ammunition shell production capacity of two million by the end of 2025.”

Officials have pointed to a shortage of explosives as one of the key factors hampering artillery shell production in Europe.

The latest funds are part of a raft of initiatives aimed at increasing Europe's defense industry and come as EU leaders are set to focus on the issue at a summit next week.

While the EU insists it is on track to bolster industrial capacity, defense firms have complained that governments are still not placing enough long-term orders.

The EU is set to fall well short of a promise made last year to supply Ukraine with a million shells by this month.

The debate in Europe comes as US support for Ukraine remains blocked and Kyiv's outgunned forces are being pushed back by Russia.

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EU allocates ¤500 million to boost ammunition production
The European Commission has allocated ¤500 million to increase the production of ammunition as part of its support for the European defense industry.

Militarnyi reported on this with reference to the website of the EU executive body.

The announcement was made on Friday, March 15.

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This will allow the European defense industry to increase the production of ammunition to 2 million shells per year by the end of 2025.

The European Commission has also launched a program to strengthen the capabilities of the European defense industry through joint procurement (EDIRPA) and the fourth annual work program under the European Defense Fund (EDF). In total, these programs provide for a budget for the production of ammunition and weapons worth almost ¤2 billion.

The Commission allocated the ¤500 million foreseen under the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP). The funding covers investment projects in five areas: increasing the production of explosives, gunpowder, shells, and missiles, as well as testing, certification, and repair of ammunition.

As part of ASAP, 31 projects were selected to stimulate an increase in the production of ammunition and missiles in the European Union. Not only the EU, but also Norway allocates money to implement these projects. The total amount is ¤513 million.

This financing will facilitate additional industry investment through co-financing, bringing the total investment to around ¤1.4 billion in the supply chain.

The European Commission said in a statement that the ASAP was focusing on powder and explosives, which were bottlenecks for ammunition shell production, and would allocate some three quarters of the programme to them.

The programme will support projects in the increasing the annual production capacity by more than 10 000 tons of powder, and by more than 4 300 tons of explosives.

As part of this program, the European Union is investing ¤248 million in the development of powder production and another ¤124 million in the production of explosives.

It is also noted that thanks to the implemented measures, the European defense industry in January this year reached the capacity to produce 1 million shells per year.

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Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 19:52 schreef Delenlill het volgende:
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/29596
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Beter laat dan nooit. Maar wat heeft dat lang geduurd zeg. Als zij dit gelijk aan de begin van de oorlog gedaan hadden (2022, of beter nog 2014) dan was er nu geen zwaar tekort geweest. Hopelijk zullen wij niet weer massaal de voorraden en productie capaciteit verlagen wanneer de oorlog voorbij is.

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Czech PM reluctant to discuss Ukraine ammunition deal details in presence of Slovak PM – media
Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala allegedly adjusted his talking points with allies regarding the initiative to procure 800,000 artillery rounds for Ukraine after learning that the pro-Russian Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, would also be present at the table.

Source: European Pravda, citing Aktualne

Three weeks ago in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting of allies to exchange views on how to address Ukraine's most urgent needs collectively.

Initially, Fiala planned to provide more details on where the Czech Republic "found" 800,000 artillery rounds that could be purchased for Ukraine from third countries, including their origin and cost.

At first, around 15 leaders were expected to attend the meeting, but it later became known that more would join, including Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who regularly makes openly anti-Ukrainian statements.

Upon learning that Fico was invited, Fiala allegedly removed several details from his initial speech, fearing that strategically important information might leak to Moscow through the Slovak Prime Minister.

A source among Czech diplomats confirmed to journalists that such a decision was indeed made, and Fiala later disclosed these details to a few leaders in one-on-one conversations.

Background:
• Recently, the Czech Republic announced its decision to pause intergovernmental consultations with Slovakia due to "significant differences," particularly regarding positions on the Russian-Ukrainian war.
• Fico subsequently stated that Prague had jeopardised its relations with Bratislava.
• For the same reason, tensions were high during the Visegrád Group summit. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán denied rumours that the Czech and Polish PMs almost shouted at him during disagreements over support for Ukraine.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/(...)e_drops_on_russians/

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Op vrijdag 15 maart 2024 20:24 schreef AchJa het volgende:
Denkt men hier nou echt dat het Franse leger binnenkort Oekraiene binnen marcheert???