Am I correct in seeing that Ukraine has not liberated any of the post-2014 Russian-held Donetsk Oblast? With its more numerous towns and cities, Donetsk does look like a trickier province to crack.
Interesting remarks by Biden here, I know he has a habit off going off script and speaking off the cuff, but generally when he does so it's just saying the quiet part out loud. I've never thought Putin was bluffing with his threats, but this is the most direct answer from the US signalling they believe he is being serious.
Interesting report on CNN re Wagner mercenaries. https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/06/europe/wagner-ukraine-struggles-marat-gabidullin-cmd-intl/index.html
Good. The amount of horrific things these guys have done, especially in Africa, deserves a response. Unfortunately the Ukrainians have to be merciful to them for PR reasons, even though they aren't entitled to LOAC protections.
Putin’s Shadow Soldiers: How the Wagner Group Is Expanding in Africa (Published 2022)
Best known for its mercenaries, the Wagner Group also mines diamonds, spreads disinformation and props up autocrats in an effort to grow Russia’s footprint.www.nytimes.com
Main Target of Russian Mercenaries in Africa Is Civilians, Report Says (Published 2022)
Newly released data seen by The New York Times suggests that the Kremlin-affiliated Wagner Group plays a central role in violence against civilians in the Central African Republic and Mali.www.nytimes.com
Russian mercenaries ‘exploiting Africa to fund war in Ukraine’
US ambassador to the UN said Wagner Group are trafficking natural resources from African nationswww.theguardian.com
These guys should be shipped to Guantanamo and worked over.
AoD
Though they are clearly thugs, I am not sure that the Guantanamo stuff has done much to improve the image of the west in general or the US in particular. (or even that it has 'worked.") If we sink to their levels (tempting though it may be) we are not 'better than them" and we should, at least, TRY to be.These guys should be shipped to Guantanamo and worked over.
AoD